I have most parts for my first FPV quad except motors/esc's/power. Problem is, the quad I'm building is a bit high end for a complete novice so I'd love any recommendations for a cheap(er) quad to learn on while I'm building something better.

So you'll know what I will eventually fly, these are the parts I have on hand:

Radio: Taranis X9D Plus (arrived today ; )
Frame: Zuul Superbeast
Controller: Naze32 Acro
OSD: OSDoge
Reciever: D4R-II
Transmitter: ImmersionRC 5.8/600
FPV: Sony 600TVL Super HAD CCD

Still need:
FPV Goggles
PDB and Battery (3s/4s?)
Motors
ESC's
Giant bag of props

I'm stuck on what to buy for a trainer. Initially the plan was a budget build for learning how to fly, and a complete new build later on with higher quality parts. As I learned more about the tech I decided to just build the quad I want up front and to learn on something that I could just walk away when it meets its first solid object.

Should I be looking at grabbing a few "toy grade" quads that are more or less disposable or perhaps something a bit higher in quality that can be rebuilt after a nasty crash? I'm willing to spend what ever makes sense but I'm just lost when it comes down to choosing a trainer.

Last, I'm undecided if it should have FPV or not (leaning toward not as I'm waiting to see how well the FatShark HDv2 are liked which means I may not have FPV goggles for a bit longer). If the trainer has FPV then I might be inclined to rush my purchase on the goggles a bit.

Anyhow, feels like I'm in over my head here, any suggestions / questions are welcome.

Since you'll be flying Acro only, most toy grade quads go out the window as they all fly in some sort of stabilize mode. If you want to change to a controller that can also do Stabilize modes, then the Hubsan H107 is a pretty good starter quad.
Otherwise, I would suggest you just build a sub-$150 200 or 250 size quad to learn on, maybe with a cheap clone of the Naze32 full board. This gives you "Stagility" and regular Stabilize modes to get your feet wet and then you can switch to Acro when you're ready, with Stability on a switch to get you out of trouble. If you want FPV on it too though, I doubt you can get it built below $200. This is without goggles or Tx by the way.
Of course, you can get a Naze32 Full for this build and you should be able to learn on it. That depends on if you've ever flown any sort of heli before. If you haven't, then a small, basic, and durable quad is a much better option to start with so you don't spend too much on crashes . I can guide you towards a few places you can get affordable parts for a 250 if you'd like.
Yet another option is to look through the classifieds for a used quad that might be cheaper than building your own.

Well I would just remove the doge for time being and get some decent motors. The rest of the stuff should hold quite fine. I mean these quads are tough and rugged. Same goes for most of the parts. My naze has gotten some decent beating and still flies nicely.

The Hubsan X4 is great, as is the Dromida Ominus. The former more for indoors, the latter for outdoors.

The Dromida in particular is great to learn to fly faster and more aggressively on. The Hubsan would shatter in some crashes I think were the Dromida would bounce. It really is an excellent model for learning on IMVHO. I've had mine for most of this year, and just recently flew it at night for the first time, which was also a blast..

Originally Posted by Laz59

Since you'll be flying Acro only, most toy grade quads go out the window as they all fly in some sort of stabilize mode. If you want to change to a controller that can also do Stabilize modes, then the Hubsan H107 is a pretty good starter quad.

i agree with beating up the hubsan. you'll be able to get the hang of how these things handle in the air. it isn't totally useless to learn in horizon mode either. acro mode is different, but you will benefit from learning some of the basics with the crutch of horizon mode.

If you want to build an inexpensive quad to learn with, try an X-525.

The only things I would recommend changing are the motor mounts (excellent seller BTW...), and flashing the board with Steveis 1.19S Pro firmware. You can find more info in this thread: https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show....php?t=2061620.

Thanks everyone. I decided to go with the Hubsan X4 H107C.

Simple, cheap and I can be learning basic flight control during the time it takes me to also learn to solder and work out specifics of my Superbeast build. I reckon that could take as long as a month (also waiting to see how the new Fatshark HD v2 goggles are liked upon release) I can start flying LOS now on a basically disposable quad.

Dominator v3 would be my current choice but I'd sure hate to grab the v3 now only to wish I'd waited a couple more weeks for the HD v2 to release.

Awesome forum here, I'm sure there will be many more questions to come, thanks for your help.

I cant belive no one has mentioned a Blade Nano Qx! I have one and adore it. You can fly it in stability or acro mode and you can even get an fpv version with fatshatks included.

To be transparent there are downsides. You will need a Spekrum tx module to use your Taranis (you can get HK orange ones for cheap but they are between versions last time I checked) and the goggles that come with the fpv kit are pretty bad (could be backup/ridealong glasses though).

All in all i dont know if its the best choice for you but I adore my Nano Qx and im going to be upgrading mine and making it my main indoor/winter platform.

*Update: the HK Orange modules is back and with 2 modes of dsm2, 2 modes of dsmx and a Walkera/Devo protocol. This could be very useful to you depending on what you decide on.

Well there are many options for micro RTF quads. I only mentioned the Hubsan because I have used it before.
The Blade 200QX seems great too since you can do 3D flight when you're ready for it. Also the RC EYE One seems like a high quality micro quad. But all of this is probably a moot point since the OP already decided on the Hubsan with camera, haha

Taranis and this: http://www.banggood.com/Eachine-Race...733432201408CW

or if you want to build, myrcmart has cheap, but really high quality motors.