NUBI = New to the business

[FastEddy#1]

I am a professional commercial and residential building inspector from Fremont, CA and was introduced to multirotor copters a few weeks ago. I am fascinated with the multirotor technology and coupled with photography which has been my hobby for many years, this new technology (to me) will raise it to greater heights. no pun intended. Over the past few weeks I have done an extensive search for the best copter I can use in my inspection business and for pure pleasure. I believe I have narrowed it down to the DroidWorx SkyJib 8. a very stylish and well put together unit. I have read many posts on the DroidWorx and it has received many favorable posts. As to the camera haven't decided yet. As a novice starting from scratch, it may be said, why jump into the high end? Answer, it will be used professionally to gather photos of building exterior elevations and record defects to include in reports to my clients. I do plan to pursue proper training and start practice with a model under $500. I welcome any suggestions and it is an honer to be part of this forum.
Thanks,
Eddy.

 

[ProPilotWannaBe]

Hi Eddy! You are not alone in stating that you want to use this professionally. And you are not alone in wanting to jump in right away with a high end system.

However, you will also find one common theme here that you will hear a lot, and that is that you need to first order a small system. Pick something like a DJI F450 or Phantom. But pick a small system that uses the same, or similar,
type of Flight Controller you plan to use long term on your larger system. For example, if you think you'll use a Wookong on the large one, then use a Naza on the small one. This way the effort you undergo in training on the small aircraft will carry over to the larger on. Also pick a transmitter that has all the features you will need/want on the larger system, and get that one with your smaller system. You can have the same transmitter control either, and again, you are using technology you will be familiar with when growing into the larger system. After you and your team have mastered the smaller aircraft, start your investigation and building of the larger system. You will find out quickly that all that you learned will pay big dividends when planning your next aircraft. You will learn the features and tradeoffs you will have to make, and will be able to more wisely design your larger system.

One thing I'll point out about your larger system of choice is that, at least based on what you have said, there isn't really any need for such a large and expensive system as a SkyJib 8. Typically those are meant more for high end video systems that need the lift capability. For photography you will find that somewhat smaller systems that can carry a Sony NEX-7 or a Panasonic GH3 will be more than enough. Those cameras can easily be lifted for hexacopter systems costing much much less, such as an F550.