Wtb Go Pro Hero2 or 3

[kingsskier]

After playing with a borrowed drone camera for a few days, I have decided to put my EE degree to use and build myself one for the end of ski season and mountain bike season.
I'm looking for a Hero 2 or 3. Trying to keep costs low but I don't want something that is trashed or has a bad lens.
From my research on parts, it looks like I can build a nice drone with a motorized camera platform for sub $300 (not including camera). Seems like a fun investment.
Anyway, here is what I got to play with if you care:

[Gerome]

I don't have a gopro for sale, but I have some suggestions in regards to building your own multicopter. It looks like you flew the DJI Phantom 2 with a zenmuse gimbal. That is going to be as good as you could build, but your own build will cost more in the range of $500+ when you're done. The expensive part when building your own is the gps based Naza flight controller, which is also made by DJI, and runs about $170. A basic transmitter and receiver (tx/rx) will run another $150 to $180. You are right in that the rest of the parts; esc, motors, batteries, & frame will not cost much, but I don't think you will find a decent gimbal for less than $140.

I recommend looking at the dji flamewheel 450 kits. There are ones around $300 which include the Naza flight controller and everything, but the tx/rx, gimbal and batteries. It'll be satisfying to build it yourself and you will be able to upgrade it as you like, compared to the limited shape of the phantom, in particular, the battery compartment.

My experience is based on building my own tricopter using a kk2.0 flight controller. The flight controller is about $30, but it is only based on accellerometers, so it has a rudimentary self leveling ability and while it is sporty to fly as a toy, it completely lacks the rock solid stability of the Naza flight controller which I think is essential if you want to create good video. I also made my own gimbal using servos, but it is also fickle as it uses the self leveling of the cheap flight controller. Just my $0.02.

[kingsskier]

^^^ you are right, I forgot to factor in the tx/rx. I get a lot of the parts at cost through my university distributors (motors, drives, batteries and materials). The gps I can get a spare at discount from my friend who works for a tv production company.
I did a quick BOM in my head and came in sub $300 but that was without the radio and camera.
I have some carbon fiber tubing laying around that will work perfect for a frame. I really just need to spec out the size.
I kind of want to make this a true at home build with off the shelf parts instead of a kit.
I have found most of my cost will be keeping a level camera platform while moving. If I go rigid lock motor mount it will lower cost, but I'm going to try a pseudo gyroscope leveling system. I could use strain gauges or accels to find the pitch, but I would need some sort of mcu with it and don't feel like doing that.