quadcopters opens a new path to video enthusiasts so there is a possibility it will stay active among filmmakers
good solid reason for you to get one :davie:
The ones for filming are hugely expensive, because you need a very good gimbal and a very good copter.
That’s not a 500$ job 
You can make decent videos with a quad and a GoPro. Maybe not film-quality, but certainly entertaining!
I see, so there is some way to evolve both for batteries and quad’s.
Wonder if UAV planes are better at this, after all, they have wings which enhance lift.
Well, Predator and Reaper UAVs have multi-hour loiter times, so yeah.
The XK Detect X380-C is a pretty decent setup for <500$ gimbal and fll hd cam included althought it doesn’t include FPV
i have several quads and my more expensive ones are for use in film making. You have the right idea in getting a cheaper "toy" model for learning on and having fun. That traxxas one you linked to looks like a relabeled Hubsan X4 which can be had for much less. If you want an inexpensive quad with GPS and the ability to mount a GoPro on in the future, consider a Cheerson CX20. I've heard nothing but good about them and you can't beat the price for the quality in an RTF package. The problem with the small quads is most can't be flown outdoors in any but the lightest of winds. Spend a little more for one you can fly outdoors. It is an awesome hobby and one you will enjoy far more if you spend more to start with.
I first got tiny Cheerson cx-10 quadcopter, which is a great quad to learn on because its cheap, easy to fly, and can take a beating.
Price: $14-16
I moved to a Syma x5c, which is much larger and can carry camera. It has become a standard for cheaper Chinese quads and like the Hubsan X4, the parts are all over Online Chinese shops. I still fly this one on occasion, its not powerful enough to carry a mobius or runcam but can carry a 808 keychain cam.
Price: $35+
I also pulled the trigger on a Syma X8C, which is a clone of the DJI phantom and some of the parts are even compatible. This large beast of a quad has huge motors that can lift heavy loads such as a run cam or go pro. Right now its the cheapest “Large” toy grade quad. MY only gripe is that even on high speed mode, the yaw (spinning around horizontally for turning) is slow.
Price:$89+
Unless one relies heavily on the mission planner that comes with the CX20 i would rather recommand the more recent X380 wich has a huge battery tray, it comes with a 5400mah battery (twice the Ah of the CX20 wich can’t accomodate large batteries) the flight time without camera in low wind is very close to 30 minutes, it’s more stable than the CX20 and the GPS on it is incredibly precise and locks really good.
Can’t go wrong with either but i’d take the 380 anyday.
I bought the Hubsan X4 around a year and a half ago. It’s the non camera model, H107L I believe. We’ve had lots of fun with that little thing. If you have it in beginner mode and have the prop guard on it’s as JohnnyMac says but once you get the hang of it with the prop guard off in expert mode it’s fast, responsive and handles the wind amazingly well flying outdoors. I’ve flown it in 20 mph winds without much trouble at all other than adjusting a little to compensate for the wind. If you’re trying to take video you’d want a heavier more stable model but just for the fun of flying it’s great. I can easily take it up to 300 feet or so to the point that it’s just a spec and you blink you may lose sight of it. I don’t have any experience with the other models suggested but the Hubsan is a great starter and the ability to fly it indoors is a nice plus while you’re learning. I think with the wall charger, 5 extra higher capacity batteries, a 5 to 1 balance charging cable, several extra sets of props and a couple prop guards I’m still only around $50-$60 invested. Great cheap fun and good flying practice if you really want to dive into the hobby. Last year I had mine up 250 feet or so. I accidentally had switched it to beginner mode and didn’t realize it until it was too late. At that height the wind started taking it and once it neared the tree line around 400 feet from me I had to take a chance and just kill the throttle or lose it forever. I cringed as I watched it tumble towards the ground and crash into the woods. I walked over to about where I though it might have landed and buzzed the throttle real quick. Sure enough I heard it not far off. I found it a minute later. No damage at all. Surprisingly rugged little things.
Where’d you get yours, J-dub?
I’ll probably order one when I get back.
Wouldn’t mind having one of these… although it’s a little off topic, it ain’t no quad.
I ordered mine from Amazon because I didn’t want to wait and I like their no-hassle return policy but you can probably get them cheaper at Banggood if you have patience. Keep in mind I did get mine a while ago so you should probably look into what the latest technology is and check out the suggestions from other users. That’s what I did and I’m very happy with mine but it was almost 2 years ago so there may be something better and cheaper now. I’m a bit of a research junkie though. There’s a site called rcgroups.com that gave me a lot of good info.
Thanks to Gearbest I am now the proud owner of the Skytech M62. I bought this item for a low price during one of their flash sales and it reached my home in about 16 days. First impression is good, the design is leaning towards the expensive models on the market. But it is sold as a toy, obviously.
The only big drawback would be inserting the battery and locking the cover. This takes way too much time and effort, but the quadcopter itself is amazing. So much fun to fly inside and outside, especially at night! I am still learning how to use all the features but it feels really good. Crashed a few times already and it still works.
This model is without a camera.
I love to have a quadcopter but due to some restrictions from Govt. an individual can’t get it. 
Can’t you even get the toy copters? I understand that the bigger ones might be a concern for governments (i heard that the DJI firmware won’t allow any flights around 1600 pennsylvania ave and area) for safety reasons…
I just got my Hubsan X4 today. Man, what a blast. Well worth the cost, especially with 5 extra 380mAh batteries.
Back to buzzing the neighborhood. :bigsmile:
I have a related question. I don’t have one, but the thought has rattled around my head a while. Does anyone who has one operate it at high elevations? Many years ago, decades actually, when I was into RC fixed wing aircraft one of the problems with some ready to fly out of the box aircraft was poor / dismal performance in the thinner air at higher elevations. If I got one now it would have to operate at 5500 and 8800 foot elevations.
Maybe I’ll have to search out that info; what I find may squash any dreams.
A) Your quad or what ever does not need to have a camera ...
B) If you dont know how to fly , something around $50 will teach you the basics
C) Get one that you can fly safely indoors
D) Once you know how to fly , then think about spending $$
E) My brother wanted a big ticket quad , so I gave him one of my budget quads . Does he fly it ? Apparently not ( its too hard ! ) , and he is not dedicated enough to learn the basics of the radio ( Controls ) and the basics of heli flight ..
F) If you dont learn the basics , your likely to do more harm than good . Especially with the larger ones they use for FPV . ( I think of them as flying chainsaws ) Not that they are seriously capable of killing , but certainly good enough for abrasions and maybe taking out an eye ( Thats for sure ) .
G) Quads are a load of fun , they can put a huge smile on your dial ! But there is that common sense thing , something a lot of people seem to lack these days . So remember , you may be buying into a snoot full of trouble . Joe six pack either loves quads or hates them . So if you have one with a camera , and you love to fly in public , some people may think you are violating their privacy in public ( plenty of these on youtube now ) . So be aware that some one may call the police , and complain about your fun ! And depending on where you are in the world , filming other peoples private property might be illegal .
H) If you see a quad you would like to buy - Check youtube ! Sure to be plenty of reviews or examples of performance .
I) And remember - the quad does not need to have a camera , unless you have to have one in which case the onus is on you to be legal !
My Skytech M62 does about 65-75 yards, can fly up to a point where I can barely see it. It has a 2.4GHz radio and no camera or anything else. This is a cheaper variant of a quad and the bigger/more professional ones go way higher than that. Check out youtube and the FPV videos. I also follow DJI on Instagram and other drone pilots… pretty slick stuff you can do these days.