Hey everyone, I’m really new to drones and have a quick question. My roommate is studying unmanned aviation and is into FPV flying. I recently scored a GoPro Hero 7 Silver for just $10, and I was wondering if it’s possible for him to build a drone that can work with it? The GoPro weighs 94 grams and doesn’t have a removable battery, so it’s fairly light for an action camera. If it’s doable, how would he go about building one?
You can totally build the FPV drone and just attach the GoPro on top. You can use 3D-printed mounts, duct tape, or even zip ties if you want to go the simple route.
In FPV setups, you normally have a separate camera for flying because it needs low latency for fast responses. The GoPro just records HD footage. The camera weight is fine—might not be the best for sharp turns, but it’s good for a beginner.
@Kingsley
Awesome, thanks for the advice!
A 3- to 5-inch drone will easily carry the GoPro. The build cost for the drone will be anywhere from $150 to $500. You’ll also need to budget around $150 to $300 for a radio system, and goggles can range anywhere from $80 to $800.
Building a drone with a $10 Hero 7 Silver… that’s interesting!
Just to confirm, you’re not thinking of using the GoPro as the viewing camera, right?
Bin said:
Just to confirm, you’re not thinking of using the GoPro as the viewing camera, right?
Is that not possible?
Bin said:
Just to confirm, you’re not thinking of using the GoPro as the viewing camera, right?
Is that not possible?
It’s possible but not recommended. GoPros have too much delay (latency), which means they take too long to send the image to your screen. FPV drones need a camera with low latency, around 6-8 milliseconds. GoPros have over 100 milliseconds of latency, so you’d have a hard time flying.
There’s some tech that can reduce the delay, but it’s complicated and expensive. You’re looking at $700 minimum for a digital FPV system.
@Bin
Got it, that makes sense. Thanks for clearing that up!
Man, where did you find a Hero 7 Silver for $10? 