First Time Building a Quadcopter

Decided I wanted to challenge myself and build a quadcopter. Hoping someone here has some experience.

What I'm looking to build.

Bumblebee 550 frame (comes with motor/propellers) - https://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/...ame_550mm.html
MultiWii Pro Flight Controller w/ GPS Module - https://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/...PS_Module.html
Turnigy Multistar 30 Amp Multi-rotor Brushless ESC 2-4S - http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s..._ESC_2_4S.html
Turnigy nano-tech 3000mah 3S 25~50C Lipo Pack - http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...Lipo_Pack.html
Camera Gimbal Tilt Mount - http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...ter_Frame.html
Turnigy 9X 9Ch Transmitter w/ Module & 8ch Receiver - http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...Firmware_.html
Turnigy Accucel-6 50W 6A Balancer/Charger - http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...cessories.html
Hobbyking 60w Power Supply - http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...er_Supply.html
Single 4mm Male to 4 x 3.5mm Female Adapter - http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...er_1_set_.html
Great Planes Bullet Adapter 3.5mm Male/2mm Female - http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Great-Pl...item4d191fdf27

I think that is everything I need to make a complete quadcopter. Any suggestions or comments would be welcome.

I opted for a project that was somewhat less involved and purchased the DJI Phantom and a GoPro 3 black edition. Not sure of the total cost of your build, but it looks to be in the $600 range.

For DIY projects, i hear the Naza-M2 module is very good. Other than that, I would advise you not to get the tilt mount. A true 3-axis gimbal would be much more useful (and expensive), but it doesn't seem like you've included a camera in your build.

Already have a camera. I'm a computer engineer and wanted something technical. The multiwii flight controller is fully open and I thought it would be fun to play around with it, was also considering the Naza-M2. The M2 is much more expensive and closed than the multiwii, but it would probably make configuring the quad easier. Currently it looks like it is going to be between $400-500 if I can find someplace that sells the Camera Gimbal Mount in the US (Shipping from outside is way to expensive). The DJI Phantom does look like a better bang for your buck though; too bad its prebuilt.

I do have one question. I have seen some people power their flight controller from one of their ESC's. Others have powered theirs directly from the battery or through a UBEC. What are the trade-offs of the different methods? I have been leaning towards powering the flight control through an ESC since that seemed to have the cleanest setup.

I'd say UBEC. You could go with a 4S lipo and you'll have better power management if you decide to move to a hex setup or larger.

Here: http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2018294

There are a couple of reasons. The first is control, if you have separate power sources a burnout doesn't completely kill it and you might still have some control. The second is how dirty the power is, I have to run my transmitter power through a couple of caps and ferrous rings to keep the power noise from the engine from messing up the image.

YMMV because I have a plane and not a quad though. I'm not really up to date on quads.

Thanks for the link. Decide to get an UBEC, since it also functions as a low voltage warning. Decided to stay with a 3S since its lighter and if I decide to make a hex then I will probably just get a new frame and start from scratch. Ordered all the parts except for the wires (different but similar battery/was sold out). Will probably just go to the hardware store and solder together some homemade stuff. One thing I would have liked to get was a power distribution board, but they were all limited to 20 mAh which would have been fine with the current motors, but wouldn't work if I upgraded. Will just make a breakout cable instead. Thanks for your advice so far.

Also hopefully, the tilt mount and the gopro I already have will eventually be used for FPV (want to get it flying before I attempt that). Will also eventually get a 3-axis gimbal for pictures.

Well, I finished it. Got about 2 hours of fly time before I crashed into a tree. Surprisingly, the only thing that broke was the little plastic pieces holding the landing gear on. Even the props survived without a scratch. Unfortunately, those parts are probably going to take awhile to ship, so I won't be able to practice anymore until then.

Reason I crashed into the tree was I got my front any rear flipped in my head and ended up steering into it instead of away from it. I'm thinking of installed some flashing LEDs on the front so it won't happen again.