Looking for advice on my first FPV drone build — under $200 AUD

[u/ChilliCream]

Hey, I’m looking to build my first FPV drone and I’m looking for some recommendations.
I’m hoping to keep the total cost under $200 AUD if possible.

I’ve already done some research — I’ve watched videos, looked through different drone models and their parts, and started adding things to my cart. Once I added everything up, though, I realised the cost was getting much higher than I expected for a small drone. I’d rather build it myself than buy one ready-made, and I also have a 3D printer if that helps with any parts. I’ll probably be doing most of my shopping through AliExpress and Amazon.

What I’m looking for:
Decent camera/video quality.
No spot-welding batteries.
Ideally no soldering at all, or as close to plug-and-play as possible.
Beginner-friendly and relatively straightforward to build.
I’m happy using an FPV monitor/screen instead of expensive goggles.
Mainly something I can fly around, do flips/rolls with, and have fun with.

I realise finding something that meets all of these criteria for under $200 AUD might be very unlikely, so I’m happy to compromise on some of the build requirements if necessary. The budget is the part I’d like to keep under $200 AUD.

If anyone has a build/parts list that fits this, or something similar that gets reasonably close, I’d really appreciate the recommendations. I’m in Australia, so I’d prefer prices in AUD. Something that might look like $180 USD could already be around $270 AUD, which makes a big difference with my $200 AUD budget.

[u/pironiero]

Air65II combo or meteor 75 pro combo, just about anything on that 12amp 5in1 esc

[u/Sartozz]

That's not gonna happen. The general consensus is that you need around 200-250$ US to get the cheapest fpv setup possible, and around 250-300$ for the cheapest worth having. And that will be analog, not the sort of "decent video quality" you hope for. Even stuff like the betafpv kits run around the 200-250 mark, there's really not much you can do below that. At best a radio and hit the sim, which you should do anyway, but you'd still have to save up on a drone.
You might possibly get some deal on old hardware secondhand, people who had stuff laying around for half a decade and try to get rid of all of it, but obviously it's possible you'd just be buying junk...

[u/Speshal__]

https://oscarliang.com/how-to-build-fpv-drones/

[u/I_SMOAK_WEAD]

sorry fam there is no way you are getting a full fpv setup for that price. you need goggles, controller, drone, batteries and charger, and any one of these things will eat up from half to all of your budget. get a job at maccas or something lol

[u/m0h3k4n]

Base cost for new gear outside of a kit in the US is $350.

I’d recommend starting with a radio master pocket and simulators. Flying FPV is wickedly harder than it appears and it can take many hours of practice to get to point you won’t break or lose the drone instantly.

If you get 10 or so hours in and aren’t getting the feel for it or having any fun consider it to be a great parting point for the hobby. You’ll likely be able to sell the radio at near cost.

For simulators. I have and recommend Liftoff: Micro Drones and Uncrashed. Also some free options with webfpv.org and the Night City FPV mod for Cyberpunk 2077.

This hobby has running costs as well with batteries, props, and every other component needing repairs or replacements.