Since there is so much interest now, perhaps we can ask Oscar or the mods to consider adding a "sub-250g Challenge" badge?

Hi V-22,

I have been working over the "Distance" criteria for the Challenge. Take a look at the revised criteria and see if it more accurately reflects your thoughts and original goals. I do like having a "piece" of the criteria based on distance only, however, I totally agree that the quad should still be fitted with a Long Range receiver and a VTX capable of handling the 5K away from transmitter distance...AND...meet the 5K out and 10K total to fully meet all criteria.

So, the build should be the same for either part of the distance criteria; the difference is only in the "proof". If someone doesn't have a good place to make a 5K out run, then at least they could "prove" the capability until they can get to a location for an actual 5K flight. {that would be me} for FINAL proof of fully meeting all criteria and matching the DJI Mini's performance.

These verbiage changes don't really change the criteria, just the proof.

Take a look and see what you think.

Yeah, looks good!

I agree finding a suitable location for a 5km flight might be a challenge in itself. Maybe we can all just send our builds to amped_fpv for the test flight? 

Love the idea! following!

Don't forget the ability to record 2.7k video, oh and you'll need a three axis gimbal...
Yeah, it is a challenge...

(26-Apr-2021, 06:46 PM)Joshua_A Wrote: Don't forget the ability to record 2.7k video, oh and you'll need a three axis gimbal...
Yeah, it is a challenge...

Yeah, you are joking. 

(26-Apr-2021, 06:46 PM)Joshua_A Wrote: Don't forget the ability to record 2.7k video, oh and you'll need a three axis gimbal...
Yeah, it is a challenge...

It's actually 4K30

They do sell the gimbal as a separate unit. I wonder how much it weighs and whether the camera output it proprietary?

It would be interesting to take all of the electronics out of a crashed Mini 2 and put it in a more conventional frame...

(26-Apr-2021, 08:23 PM)V-22 Wrote: It's actually 4K30

They do sell the gimbal as a separate unit. I wonder how much it weighs and whether the camera output it proprietary?

It would be interesting to take all of the electronics out of a crashed Mini 2 and put it in a more conventional frame...

I was just thinking myself about dismantling a mini 2, making it as light as possible and then running it off of a li-ion 2s pack... I wonder how much range you'd get then!

I'm working on an attempt using a sharbyte tx5s.1 with digisight, which means swapping for a caddx loris and pro32 nano vtx would add a mere few grams while giving you that 4k30 recording.
The gimble is a whole other thing.

For the Challenge, there is NO video requirement.

The Challenge was NOT set up to include video requirements. 

Even though V-22 is running digital, I don't run any digital.
Just the performance metrics were intriguing and that is
proving to be a Challenge in, and of, itself.

{update 2021-04-29}

This is still an FPV craft.  There is NO criteria for the TYPE of FPV subsystem;
It can be digital or analog with a recording method that displays the OSD info.

(28-Apr-2021, 08:45 PM)iFly4rotors Wrote: For the Challenge, there is NO video requirement.

The Challenge was NOT set up to include video requirements. 

Even though V-22 is running digital, I don't run any digital.
Just the performance metrics were intriguing and that is
proving to be a Challenge in, and of, itself.

Just to clarify, do you mean there is no specific requirement for digital vs analog, or you don't need video at all?

Like could you use telemetry data from your radio with the GPS info and fly the craft LOS?

(28-Apr-2021, 10:34 PM)bffigjam Wrote: Just to clarify, do you mean there is no specific requirement for digital vs analog, or you don't need video at all?

Like could you use telemetry data from your radio with the GPS info and fly the craft LOS?

Hi bffigjam,

I was actually referring to the FPV subsystem; digital vs analog. 
The concept is to build an FPV craft. This is, after all, IntoFPV.

(28-Apr-2021, 10:34 PM)bffigjam Wrote: Just to clarify, do you mean there is no specific requirement for digital vs analog, or you don't need video at all?

Like could you use telemetry data from your radio with the GPS info and fly the craft LOS?

It might be hard to do the 5km distance part... 

(29-Apr-2021, 06:22 PM)Joshua_A Wrote: It might be hard to do the 5km distance part... 

It has been done before, flying LOS while driving in the car...

Definitely breaks many rules LOL

(28-Apr-2021, 08:45 PM)iFly4rotors Wrote: For the Challenge, there is NO video requirement.

The Challenge was NOT set up to include video requirements. 

Even though V-22 is running digital, I don't run any digital.
Just the performance metrics were intriguing and that is
proving to be a Challenge in, and of, itself.

{update 2021-04-29}

This is still an FPV craft.  There is NO criteria for the TYPE of FPV subsystem;
It can be digital or analog with a recording method that displays the OSD info.

Well, then. That makes things easier. I went with SB for 720p dvr, and because of the mounting ease in the 4" toothpick frame I'm using. My main issue is finding a board with a baro and 3 uarts that I can afford. Other then that, or if I go analog, I may just have a contender.
Why has no one mentioned druckbaer frames? Go with battery on bottom, you have a top plate to mount stuff to, and you might even eek out a sub250 2s 5".
Also a thought to add to the pile: Dave_c's 1s long range build used a step up to 5v to run the vtx. Maybe we can step 2s up a little to the esc. Getting more rpm may make better efficiency on an appropriate prop/motor combo as long as you cap your throttle.