Quote Originally Posted by big guy View Post
My scale heli cost me just under $7k in parts, paint and radio.
Are we comparing apples with apples like fail safes, brushless motors, BEC's, lipo power and full digital servos and 2.4Ghz radio etc.
A good quality radio is just under $1k so not sure what you are saying but APS is selling his kits to ETSA, MFS, SA water and many other companies.
They are absolute breathless in their flesh.

Absolutely seriously brilliant and also almost 100% silent. Stealth like really.
I'm not doubting the performance of the APS gear, have seen the capabilities. It is excellent, along with many other commercial developments.

Just saying that similar setups can be made (in a non commercial environment) without such expenditure. I'm talking full IMU stabilisation, barometric pressure sensor, airspeed sensor, GPS, waypoint navigation, data logging and failsafe functions that can return to base or loiter in the event of any signal loss. The ArdupilotMega/software hardware to do these functions can be had for under $500, give or take a bit for different add-on components. I run one in my quad for stabilisation, but also for fully autonomous flight in the fixed wing aircraft.