The Phantom pit! What have you spent?

[Glockindahaus]

I decided that as a new hobby I would really try and keep a good record of how much Ive been spending on the Phantom. From my initial purchase of the Phantom itself I was really surprised to see that my grand total was $2,066.97 all in! Whoa! And thats only been about a month.

Edit: Missed a few...

• Description Website QTY Cost Extended
  
  Phantom Prop Guards (Set of 4) bhphotovideo.com 1 $15.00 $15.00
  DJI Phantom Quadcopter bhphotovideo.com 1 $679.00 $679.00
  DJI Phantom Battery 3S, 2200mAh, 20C bhphotovideo.com 3 $23.00 $69.00
  Shipping bhphotovideo.com 1 $43.22 $43.22
  
  ZOP 11.1v 3S 2200mAh 20C Lipo Ebay 2 $14.90 $29.80
  5.8Ghz Cloverleaf Antenna Ebay 1 $40.00 $40.00
  3pk XT60 T Conector Ebay 1 $7.99 $7.99
  Carbon Fiber Landing Skids Ebay 1 $10.00 $10.00
  Y-Harness Ebay 1 $8.95 $9.94
  Immersion ezOSD Ebay 1 $137.50 $137.50
  DJI Phantom Compass Ebay 1 $15.00 $23.45
  DJI Phantom Vibration Mount Ebay 1 $16.99 $16.99
  DJI Phantom Prop Nuts Ebay 1 $12.99 $15.98
  Digital Battery Checker Ebay 1 $12.87 $12.87
  
  Fatshark Filter Housing Shapeways.com 1 $9.16 $9.16
  Custom FPV Undercarriage Shapeways.com 1 $37.63 $37.63
  Custom LIPO Carriage Shapeways.com 1 $16.90 $16.90
  Shipping Shapeways.com 1 $6.50 $6.50
  Discount Shapeways.com 1 $(6.37) $(6.37)
  
  Battery Door Upgrade Shapeways.com 1 $29.95 $29.95
  Landing Gear Upgrade Shapeways.com 1 $46.18 $46.18
  Shipping Shapeways.com 1 $6.50 $6.50
  
  GoPro Silver Ed Camera / 32GB MicroSD BestBuy 1 $397.92 $397.92
  
  FatShark Predator V2 AtlantaHobbies.com 1 $312.04 $312.04
  
  GoPro 3 / Fatshark Cable readymaderc.com 1 $14.99 $14.99
  
  GWS 3 Blade Prop hobbyking.com 1 $10.15 $10.15
  Hobbyking Parallel Charging Board hobbyking.com 1 $8.99 $8.99
  Zippy Compact 500mAh 2S 25C LIPO hobbyking.com 2 $4.85 $9.70
  Shipping hobbyking.com 1 $6.99 $6.99
  
  Velcro / Pipe Insulation for Landing Skids Home Depot 1 $8.31 $8.31
  Night Owl CS DVR Frys 1 $41.41 $41.41
  
  Gopro Cable Ebay 1 $15.00 $15.00
  XT60 Battery Adapter Ebay 1 $4.45 $4.45
  XT to Deans Adapter Ebay 1 $7.10 $7.10
  Spacers for Undercarriage Ebay 1 $11.50 $11.50
  
  Slickwraps GoPro Carbon Fiber Wrap slickwraps.com 1 $16.90 $16.90
  
  
  
  $2,122.64
  Grand Total (Since 7/24/2013)

 

[gazchap]

I dread to think.

There's the initial Phantom, which was £450.
Then a GoPro Hero 3, which was £320.
A couple of extra batteries for £40.
Fat Shark Predator V2 which was £200.
AeroXCraft Gimbal at £270.
Miscellaneous anti-jello mounts etc. before buying the gimbal, probably around £30.
Carbon fiber props for £20.

And I'm looking at upgrading the motors for Anti-Gravity jobbies now!

 

[careysb]

So far...

Cost Item Supplier
679.00 DJI Phantom Amazon
400.00 GoPro Hero 3 Black Edition camera Amazon
199.00 Go Professional Hard Case Amazon
50.50 64GB Micro SD Amazon
12.60 Phantom propellers 2-pair Amazon
38.50 DJI Phantom battery Amazon
254.00 "FPV Starter kit 5.8GHz, includes the following:" Ready Made RC
"8"" monitor" Ready Made RC
Hero3 camera cable Ready Made RC
Video Tx ImmersionRC 600mW 5.8GHz Ready Made RC
Video Rx Uno5800 5.8GHz Ready Made RC
Battery 450mAh Ready Made RC
Battery 1100mAh Ready Made RC
5.00 JST-XH balance to JST-Male battery adapter Ready Made RC
40.00 5.8GHz SpiroNET Omni SMA Antenna set Ready Made RC
12.00 Hero 3 protective slip on lens cap Amazon
15.30 JMT FPV Holder Mount Bracket Amazon
9.00 Presto electronic digital timer Amazon
16.00 Neck strap Amazon
309.00 ARRIS CM2000 gimbal Hobby-Wing
10.00 Gimbal power cable (I ended up not using) Hobby-Wing
20.00 Diopter set for Fatshark goggles Ready Made RC
360.00 Fatshark Attitude goggles Ready Made RC
20.00 Fatshark battery for goggles Ready Made RC
32.00 DJI Phantom anti-vibration mount (ended up not using) Amazon
20.00 Top Flite prop balancer Amazon
12.00 8 (x2) shock absorber balls for ARRIS CM2000 gimbal Hobby-Wing
20.00 4 (x2) phantom propellers Hobby-Wing
32.00 Misc electrical connectors and hex drivers

2565.90 TOTAL

 

[gazchap]

I forgot the Spironet antennae on my list, that's another £50.

 

[boat chaser]

Considering I only went to the camera shop for a Gopro3 I thinks a few businesses have done well from me.
Australian dollars

Phantom $799-
Futaba T8FG $530-
Zenmuse Gimbal with PMU v2 $880-
Gopro 3 BE $489-
Fatshark Dominators $425-
T-motor 2214 anti grav $250-
Propellers $80-
600mw vtx $85
Batteries x 5 $150
Hero 3 vtx cable $30
IBcrazy high gain antennae $65
Phantom travel case $289
Prop balancer $50

$4,082

F550 is next.

 

[Roadkilt]

Considering I only went to the camera shop for a Gopro3 I thinks a few businesses have done well from me.
Australian dollars

Phantom $799-
Futaba T8FG $530-
Zenmuse Gimbal with PMU v2 $880-
Gopro 3 BE $489-
Fatshark Dominators $425-
T-motor 2214 anti grav $250-
Propellers $80-
600mw vtx $85
Batteries x 5 $150
Hero 3 vtx cable $30
IBcrazy high gain antennae $65
Phantom travel case $289
Prop balancer $50

$4,082

F550 is next.

Where to stop? Extra gopro kit, Batteries, car charger, video editing software, extra underwear for those RTH events, divorce lawyer...rehab....then start over !

 

[tmcgowan]

First of all it's a hobby. By definition (and the IRS) it's not intended to make money.

You can spend anywhere from $600 to $3,000 (US) if you go first class with every element!

-Todd


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[Gizmo3000]

I lost track somewhere.. but I know that I easily exceeded $2k on my Phantom (FPV+Futaba+Gimbal easily bumps it up).
.and then i spent another $1k to build my F450.

but that aint nuthin compared to what I've seen other spend on this hobby!

 

[Audaciter]

I wouldn't like to add up all the expenses, and see the total, too depressing. But for me, this whole thing has been
about keeping my mind active, to help deal with anxiety, and depression issues, and I would gladly spend double the
amount, for the relief it has brought. As has the interaction with all of you here on this forum.

 

[Roadkilt]

well said

 

[edunwody]

Right on !!

E


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk - now Free

 

[Fdnyfish]

For those of you who calculated how much you spent on a phantom, please update your post with....

"How much my wife thinks I spent on the Phantom"

Hehe

 

[eckoner]

Phantom hobby $3K
Replacing a flyaway $650
Look on wifes face when neighbor returns flyaway and i have my replacement in hand $$PRICELESS$$

 

[fizzviic]

I wouldn't like to add up all the expenses, and see the total, too depressing. But for me, this whole thing has been
about keeping my mind active, to help deal with anxiety, and depression issues, and I would gladly spend double the
amount, for the relief it has brought. As has the interaction with all of you here on this forum.

I'm with you. I don't want to know! I am elderly and newly retired. The alternative was to sit in my recliner with the shades pulled watching TV. Being in the fresh air, meeting new people, learning a new skill and best of all, finding a reason to live is worth any price.

 

[Glockindahaus]

For those of you who calculated how much you spent on a phantom, please update your post with....

"How much my wife thinks I spent on the Phantom"

Hehe

Well now that you bring it up.... My pat answer is "Oh, a couple hundred"...

 

[edunwody]

For those of you who calculated how much you spent on a phantom, please update your post with....

"How much my wife thinks I spent on the Phantom"

Hehe

Well now that you bring it up.... My pat answer is "Oh, a couple hundred"...

Thumbs up brother! :shock:

 

[UTR]

AAAAHHHHH CURSE YOU EBAY!!!!! Got my Phantom Monday and just ordered a go-pro hero 3 black for it :?

Next payday will be the FPV setup I've been reading a lot this week and could anyone recommend 2.4GHz or 5.8GHz I have now idea which one is best or why lol

 

[Glockindahaus]

AAAAHHHHH CURSE YOU EBAY!!!!! Got my Phantom Monday and just ordered a go-pro hero 3 black for it :?

Next payday will be the FPV setup I've been reading a lot this week and could anyone recommend 2.4GHz or 5.8GHz I have now idea which one is best or why lol

You probably want to go with 5.8 as not to conflict with your 2.4 TX.

 

[DeweyAXD]

Fatshark Filter Housing Shapeways.com 1 $9.16 $9.16
Custom FPV Undercarriage Shapeways.com 1 $37.63 $37.63
Custom LIPO Carriage Shapeways.com 1 $16.90 $16.90

Good man! How are they working out for you... I'm still yet to see pictures from people who have bourght them (sadly Shapeways don't give me an details at all of who buys my items!).

Back on topic.... Like many I dread to think what I've spent (Shapeways protypes alone has been about $150!). Will it put me off? Hell no... I want more more more! Gimbal & Futaba for me next which should take me near to the £1700 mark I'm guess.

I have to admit I'm tempted to get the T8J first because I'd really like to get a plane too (never owned one!). I love the quad and would really like to get a license to earn money from it (£2k in itself I beileve) but I'd like a plane for a bit of fun and stunt work (stunts in a Phantom get VERY expensive!).

I daren't tell friends and family the costs let alone anyone closer! I think they'd ship me off to the funny farm! (love this thread btw!)

 

[Glockindahaus]

Fatshark Filter Housing Shapeways.com 1 $9.16 $9.16
Custom FPV Undercarriage Shapeways.com 1 $37.63 $37.63
Custom LIPO Carriage Shapeways.com 1 $16.90 $16.90

Good man! How are they working out for you... I'm still yet to see pictures from people who have bourght them (sadly Shapeways don't give me an details at all of who buys my items!).

Back on topic.... Like many I dread to think what I've spent (Shapeways protypes alone has been about $150!). Will it put me off? Hell no... I want more more more! Gimbal & Futaba for me next which should take me near to the £1700 mark I'm guess.

I have to admit I'm tempted to get the T8J first because I'd really like to get a plane too (never owned one!). I love the quad and would really like to get a license to earn money from it (£2k in itself I beileve) but I'd like a plane for a bit of fun and stunt work (stunts in a Phantom get VERY expensive!).

I daren't tell friends and family the costs let alone anyone closer! I think they'd ship me off to the funny farm! (love this thread btw!)

Your designs rock! I actually customized the undercarriage tray by slicing out an area for my gimbal. Also, waiting on a replacement part. Im going to paint them and install them after that. I'll definitely post my final setup sometime soon in the forums.

Keep on designing! And if you want some ideas...

A double battery cage..A Fatshark TX + ImmersionRC OSD holder (side by side or stacked), undercarriage with cut out for gimbal (did it myself easily, but might be a nice addition to your line)

Thanks for all the hard work!