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Building UAVFutures USD99 Racing Quad
#16
Looks like it averages the ratings. I just gave it a 5 and it bumped it up to 4.
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#17
Well I've starting to have these cynical feelings about the UAVFutures list.  In many ways it's feeling like it was an exercise in hitting a target price (USD99) without thought for the viability of the quad for a new user.

I wouldn't mind getting some feedback on my thoughts as I don't want to really "bash" the plan nor do I want to deviate much more than I have.

The Flight Control:
The base build specifies a NAZE32 Rev6a.  I understand this is a "F1" processor board.  Unfortunately most of the software platforms a new builder will use are phasing out support for the "F1" boards.  Banggood sell these for USD11.99 which is great value but within the next few versions of Betaflight/Cleanflight they're probably not even going to be supported.  Does a new user really need to go through the pain of trying to find the "old" version of Betaflight of Cleanflight just to get flying? 

The upgrade "suggestion" to the "F3" equipped SP Racing clone board should have been the initial suggestion.  OK it adds USD8.00 to the build but I have managed to pay USD11.99 for a SP Racing EVO clone from www.myrcmart.com and even Banggood do the Omnibus F3 for USD15.99!

The Video Transmitter:
Depending where you are the world video transmitters are a legal problem.  However the "improved" version suggested is probably the most irresponsible choice!  The "VTX03" has 72 channels, that's almost double the usual 32 or 40 channels and as Joshua Bardwell explains in his video () it's basically waving a red flag to the authorities around the world. 



Given we are talking FPV racer there's numerous 40ch (Raceband in particular) capable units for circa USD12.  Giving up Raceband may not be an issue depending on where and who a builder flies with, but lets say it's a must have.

As we've see already in this thread a couple of great suggestions that get decent reviews and the prices aren't crazy.

PDB/BEC and ESC:
I actually don't mind either choice here, but the Racerstar 4-in-1 20A is getting a little "old" and it's easy to confuse the cheapest version with the more expensive (new tech) ones.  Using a 4-in-1 makes it a throw away if one ESC fails, however 4 discreet ESCs do cost far more than the selected unit.  Naturally it doesn't have all the latest BLHeli features and the newer/later ones do for more $$.

The PDB choice was obviously driven by a need to have 5v and 12v supplies on the board to suit the FPV gear and the Flight Control.  At less than USD5 its almost academic in it's inclusion although there are quite a few variants around may offer packaging or feature benefits (like the one I've chosen).  There's even a BEC only style with current monitor which would be just as neat given the 4-in-1 ESC makes the PDB function largely redundant.

Motors:
Make no mistake the ONLY way this build could come under USD99 in any circumstance is to use a set of Racerstar motors.  The BR2205 are known to be quite good and still consume a solid quarter of the budget.  Basically there isn't a cheaper motor available unless you happen upon some massive bargain sale.  I guess we're just lucky they're cheap and good Smile


That's just some initial thoughts on the combinations
Builds: Mini-Quad  -  Tricopter 
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#18
F1 would be a bad choice. F3/F4 with gyro on SPI is the way to go. Rev 6a is garbage btw, even when compared to rev5.

You have another choice for cheap motors - the SE2205 2400kv from myrcmart. Just keep in mind there were some problems with shorted phases lately - probably just a bad batch, but worth investigating. Anyway - they use better quality aluminum.

My racerstar 2205 (V1) motors were beat up, bent and what not after a few weeks of flying, the RCX are still going strong.
Find me on Youtube and Instagram. I currently fly: DRC Aura, NOX5R, Minimalist 112 and drive a scrap RC car
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#19
(24-Apr-2017, 01:11 AM)sloscotty Wrote: Looks like it averages the ratings. I just gave it a 5 and it bumped it up to 4.

Well thats better than 1 lol. TY
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#20
Lets Go Shopping! (Grab a Bargain!)
The debate about the VTX decision ended pretty quickly when I realized that the Eachine TX526 was massively (like 68%) reduced in price at Banggood with a little over an our left on the deal.

Ordered from Banggood a TX526 25/200/600mW Video Transmitter for USD12.99

Total Spend:  USD44.73 (Planned spend for these was USD49.03 so I've saved USD4.30)

I suppose I've been a bit lucky with the good advice on tap.  The only parts left to buy are the FPV Camera, Motors, ESC and Props (haven't mentioned the consumables yet have I?)

Its starting to look like USD99 is becoming USD120 to be a practical contemporary racer build.
Builds: Mini-Quad  -  Tricopter 
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#21
(24-Apr-2017, 05:11 AM)Aaron Wrote: Well I've starting to have these cynical feelings about the UAVFutures list.  In many ways it's feeling like it was an exercise in hitting a target price (USD99) without thought for the viability of the quad for a new user.

I'd say that the $99 was a magic number that was the most important factor guiding component selection. As long as the magic number was hit, the actual choice of components was largely irrelevant.

So yes, I completely agree with your cynical view of the components list.

(24-Apr-2017, 05:11 AM)Aaron Wrote: The Flight Control:
...NAZE32 Rev6a.  ... F1 board ...  software platforms  phasing out support ....  ... within the next few versions ... probably not even going to be supported.  Does a new user really need to go through the pain of trying to find the "old" version of Betaflight of Cleanflight just to get flying? 

This is probably your weakest objection as it's purely based on 'crystal ball' predictions. Of course, an F3 based board is a better choice in the long term, but the F1 boards are perfectly capable and 'a few versions' is a long time in this hobby at the moment.

(24-Apr-2017, 05:11 AM)Aaron Wrote: The Video Transmitter:
Depending where you are the world video transmitters are a legal problem.  However the "improved" version suggested is probably the most irresponsible choice!

Agreed. It's also not shielded in any way and probably spits out interference over the entire band as a result. 

(24-Apr-2017, 05:11 AM)Aaron Wrote: PDB/BEC and ESC:
I actually don't mind either choice here, but the Racerstar 4-in-1 20A is getting a little "old" and it's easy to confuse the cheapest version with the more expensive (new tech) ones.

I think a 4-in-1 ESC is a weak choice, largely due to the 'scrap four ESCs if one blows' factor. The equivalent discrete RacerStar ESCs are a dollar more if you buy a pack of four and would probably be a better idea.

As you say, choices abound for the PDB.

(24-Apr-2017, 05:11 AM)Aaron Wrote: Motors:
Make no mistake the ONLY way this build could come under USD99 in any circumstance is to use a set of Racerstar motors.  The BR2205 are known to be quite good and still consume a solid quarter of the budget.  Basically there isn't a cheaper motor available unless you happen upon some massive bargain sale.  I guess we're just lucky they're cheap and good Smile

I don't know how they can turn them out for the price. They do tend to come with loose and gritty bearings, but at that price, who cares?
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#22
Here's another choice of Racerstar motor (BR2403 2300kV) that will shave another 5 or 6 bucks: https://www.banggood.com/4X-Racerstar-Ra...72092.html
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#23
(24-Apr-2017, 09:50 AM)sloscotty Wrote: Here's another choice of Racerstar motor (BR2403 2300kV) that will shave another 5 or 6 bucks: https://www.banggood.com/4X-Racerstar-Ra...72092.html

2403? What a strange size!

Shame the specs are incomplete. No figures for the maximum wattage, winding resistance or "no load" current. For the silly price they're asking, it might be fun to get a set just so I can put them on the thrust stand.
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#24
Yeah it is definitely clear that the plan was to keep it <100 rather than to actually build a good quad. That's why he's got a "slightly more expensive version" because he felt bad about building a crap quad I figure.
carl.vegas
Current Quads: Operational: Diatone GT2 200 In need of repair: Bumble Bee, tehStein,  Slightly modified Vortex 250 
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#25
(24-Apr-2017, 11:09 AM)unseen Wrote: 2403? What a strange size!

Shame the specs are incomplete. No figures for the maximum wattage, winding resistance or "no load" current. For the silly price they're asking, it might be fun to get a set just so I can put them on the thrust stand.

Yeah, I ordered a set yesterday for a "leftovers" build.  I think I read somewhere (RCG?) that they are rated at 15A continuous.  Albert Kim did a YT video with thrust test on 3s (6045 props drew 19A IRC).
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#26
Thanks for the feedback. The crystal ball re: F1 may be more of a bias I've picked up against the Naze32 boards and the r5 r6 r6a and r6a improved versions etc etc - I have seen a lot of newbs being told on RCG (for example) that they bough the wrong Naze32 and that they're "junk" etc.

I'm certainly not married to any board or processor but my Tricopter build has exposed me to iNav which is already dropping functionality for F1 boards.

I actually saw those 2403 motors a few days ago, looked at a pile of 16A ESCs I bought for AUD2.xx each in some crazy Hobbyking purge and pondered building some stupid 8 rotor 250mm thing for fun.... then started on this instead.
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#27
Lets Go Shopping! (Grab a Bargain!)
 The "better" option 1000TVL CCD Camera was marked as out-of-stock with Banggood and I'd not seen an equivalent at a price I wanted to pay - ie within the spirit of this build.  However last night it was back in stock so I pounced.
Then I thought I'd grab the motors - Much to my enduring happiness Banggood offered me a "VIP" price on these once in the cart.

Ordered from Banggood:
4x Racerstar BR2205 motors USD24.99 (https://www.banggood.com/4X-Racerstar-22...2252016071)
Eachine 1000TVL 1/3" CCD FPV Camera USD12.99 (https://www.banggood.com/Eachine-1000TVL...2252016071)
10 Pairs of KingKong 5040x3 Props USD6.86 (https://www.banggood.com/10-Pairs-Kingko...2252016071)


Total Spend:  USD89.57 (USD6.97 LOWER than the anticipated spend to this point)

I'm pretty happy with the total now considering the ESC is the only part left to buy (on backorder) and will come to about USD25.  So despite up-spec'ing a bunch of things and buying a box of propellers I will have barely crossed the budget line.  (if you count a 15% blow out).

There still remains around USD130 in the broader budget to procure FPV Goggles/DVR and a Transmitter/Receiver combo. 
Builds: Mini-Quad  -  Tricopter 
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#28
Four 2205 motors for $25 is amazingly cheap. I don't know how they manage to make them for that price.
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#29
Definitely a great price. Those motors are like $40 if bought from a shop in the US (sometimes a little less). I was looking at them briefly before I decided to go with the trusty cobras.
carl.vegas
Current Quads: Operational: Diatone GT2 200 In need of repair: Bumble Bee, tehStein,  Slightly modified Vortex 250 
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#30
I expect them to need some fine tuning to make "right" but based on general reviews there's a good chance that they'll be fine. Worst case even if I bought new bearings from a local bearing supplier and shimmed them myself I'd still save a lot compared to other options.
Builds: Mini-Quad  -  Tricopter 
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