Best flight controller hardware?

[lagreca]

I'm looking at purchasing a new flight controller. I currently have MicroWii ATmega32U4 Flight Controller from HobbyKing. The problem is that it only has 32 kb memory, which isn't enough to load even the most basic add on modules. I'm trying to find the best, most widely supported flight controller that is also flexible, in that it can run various flight controller software.

I'm looking at the Crius ALL IN ONE PRO Flight Controller v2.0 (http://goo.gl/9iF4AC) which is only $57 + shipping from RCtimer.com

It looks nice because it has 256 kb of memory. It can also run all of these flight controllers:

MultiWii: http://fpvcentral.net/2013/03/crius-all ... for-mw2-2/
MegaPirate: http://www.unmannedtech.co.uk/3/post/20 ... -code.html
APM - ArduPilot: http://ardupilot.com/

I realize everyone will have their own opinion, and that is what I'm looking for. I want to know what you think of this board, and if you know of something better in this price range? I don't want to get burned again like I did with the ATmega32U4. It looks like the Crius has enough memory, but is the processor powerful enough? Is there anything else I may have overlooked or not though of?

[tovrin]

well, in here you will find mostly MW fans, mainly because this is a MW community. with that in mind I THINK you would want a STM32 baseflight flight controller. lots of memory and space for expansions etc

http://witespyquad.gostorego.com/flight ... 2-249.html

[lagreca]

Thanks for the link. I understand this is a MW forum, and to date, that is what I use. However, I think we are all tinkerers, and I'd like whatever I purchase to be flexible and able to run other platforms as well.

I looked into STM32 a bit....
STM32: http://www.st.com/web/en/catalog/mmc/FM141/SC1169

Will that board you sent the link for work with regular MW firmware, or does it take a new version? Also, do you know if it works with other software platforms?

[tovrin]

it runs the 32 bit software based on MW called baseflight, written mostly by Timecop i believe.

[greggsy2000]

If you don't need a board straight away and don't mind putting off your purchase I know that multiwiicopter.com are soon to be releasing their PARIS V5 board which is sounding like it will be a game changer. Packed full of features. I don't know much about it yet but its getting very close to release. I can't wait.