Since my last Talking Heads video on FPV, I’ve been getting plenty of questions in my DMs. But one question keeps coming up:
“How much does it cost to get started?”
I understand it. You see the footage, the movement, the way an FPV drone takes you through a space, and you want in. Before you commit, though, you want to know what your pocket is getting into.
The honest answer is that it depends on the setup you want—and what you already own.
Why there isn’t one fixed price
Custom FPV builds can be very different from one another. A drone built for indoor walkthroughs won’t necessarily use the same parts as one built for freestyle or carrying a heavier camera.
The frame, motors, camera system and other components all affect the price. Then you have the rest of the kit: goggles, a controller, batteries, a charger and spares.
Market prices change. Exchange rates move. Shipping adds to the bill. That means a quote someone received months ago might look quite different today.
Your starting point matters too. If you already fly an Avata 1 or Avata 2, you may have gear you can reuse, depending on compatibility. Someone starting from zero has a different shopping list.
The cost doesn’t stop when you buy the drone
This is the part beginners can easily overlook.
With custom FPV, you’re also taking on maintenance. Crashes can mean broken propellers, damaged motors or a fault you need to diagnose before you can fly again.
Sometimes the fix is simple. Sometimes you’re ordering a part and waiting for it to arrive. If that part needs to ship internationally, your drone could spend more time on the table than you expected.
For people who enjoy building, soldering and understanding how everything works, that can be part of the appeal. But if you mainly want to fly and create videos, it can become frustrating.
My advice for beginners: look at DJI first
If you’re completely new to this, I’d recommend looking into DJI’s lineup, particularly the Avata 2 and Avata 360, before committing to a custom build.
The appeal is a more integrated starting point. For example, DJI says the Avata 2, goggles and motion controller come already linked when purchased together in the relevant combo, leaving activation and preparation before your first flight. DJI also provides a dedicated beginner guide for the Avata 360. Avata 2 guide, Avata 360 guide.
My recommendation is about making those first steps easier: fewer component decisions, less custom setup work and more room to concentrate on learning to fly.
You can still crash a DJI drone. Repairs can still cost money and involve waiting. Before buying, check what support and repair arrangements your seller can actually offer you in Nigeria.
But if you don’t want DIY repairs and sourcing individual parts to become part of your introduction to FPV, DJI is well worth considering.
So, what budget should you have?
In that video, I mentioned ₦3 million as a starting point for a conversation with a complete beginner interested in a custom FPV setup.
That isn’t a fixed package price or a quote for either DJI model. Your actual budget depends on the equipment, current prices and what you want to achieve.
If that figure sits comfortably within your budget, slide into my DMs. Tell me what you want to shoot, your experience level and any gear you already own. We can work out a setup that makes sense for you.
And if you’re just entering the game, give DJI a serious look first. It could make your introduction to FPV a lot easier.