I'm really interested in the Rekon35 but it seems a little underpowered based on the reviews I've seen. I'd like to build my own and try and address this issue. What's everyone's thoughts on this parts list?

* 1404 6000kv motors
* DarwinFPV 1-2S 15A AIO
* Rekon35 Frame
* 3520 tri-blade props
* Caddx Ratel 2 cam
* TBS nano vtx
* TBS nano rx

You’ll need to watch your amp draw. You might want to consider an aio with a higher esc amp rating.

As an example, the Emax eco 1404 6000kv motors pull 14A peak on 2s with 3” props.

They’ll pull more than that with 3.5” props.

If you’re planning on doing long range and won’t be anywhere near full throttle, you’ll be fine.

Are you building a drone for long range/long flight time, specifically want to use loose li-ion cells, or are you looking for something that is fun to fly? The rekon frame is on the heavier side and the battery tray holder solution might not be the best. There is some discussion about it here.
https://intofpv.com/t-rekon35-nano-lr-po...leshooting

The Darwin AIO is actually 1-3S which is even better, I recently put together a build with the Darwin's ELRS AIO with the same 15A ESC and the same Rekon 1303.5 motors but on a lighter Crux35 frame. It was very agile on a 3S lipo and lots of fun to fly, did ok cruising on a lighter 2s lipo, but very clumsy on 2S 18650 although if you are after long flight times it does deliver on that.

I think 1404 motors are a good match for 3.5" props, but if you fly with the heavy lion pack, it will still be a little clumsy. 6000 kv is on the high side, especially if you are going for long range. You may need to add a throttle limit or go with some lower kv motors if you don't need that top end.

(19-Mar-2023, 07:43 PM)Lemonyleprosy Wrote: You’ll need to watch your amp draw. You might want to consider an aio with a higher esc amp rating.

As an example, the Emax eco 1404 6000kv motors pull 14A peak on 2s with 3” props.

They’ll pull more than that with 3.5” props.

If you’re planning on doing long range and won’t be anywhere near full throttle, you’ll be fine.

I'm going to have to reassess my motor choice because the mounting holes on the 6000kv motors don't fit the rekon35 frame. I'm eyeing the t-motor 1404 4600kv motor but I'm wondering if that's too slow for 2S.

(19-Mar-2023, 08:10 PM)mstc Wrote: Are you building a drone for long range/long flight time, specifically want to use loose li-ion cells, or are you looking for something that is fun to fly? The rekon frame is on the heavier side and the battery tray holder solution might not be the best. There is some discussion about it here.
https://intofpv.com/t-rekon35-nano-lr-po...leshooting

The Darwin AIO is actually 1-3S which is even better, I recently put together a build with the Darwin's ELRS AIO with the same 15A ESC and the same Rekon 1303.5 motors but on a lighter Crux35 frame. It was very agile on a 3S lipo and lots of fun to fly, did ok cruising on a lighter 2s lipo, but very clumsy on 2S 18650 although if you are after long flight times it does deliver on that.

I think 1404 motors are a good match for 3.5" props, but if you fly with the heavy lion pack, it will still be a little clumsy. 6000 kv is on the high side, especially if you are going for long range. You may need to add a throttle limit or go with some lower kv motors if you don't need that top end.

I specifically want something that flies 18650's. My other requirements are to keep it below 250g and be capable of carrying a runcam thumb.

HX115 frame, 1202.5 11500kv? Many 1202.5 support both 1S and 2S. Pair it with a 12A 1-2S AIO FC.

You can check out a review on the Emax Eco 1404s from Quadify, couple years old, but will give you another look. He's a good guy, came around on rcg for a few years. He works/ed with a couple manufacturers doing R & D and reviews, but also buys a lot of his own stuff. He does get into his reviews pretty heavy, and will go into the mods he feels would make the quads better, switching out other parts to compare them on the same quads. Good informative site in general too with a ton of reviews, and a good bunch of hands on motor reviews.

(19-Mar-2023, 10:43 PM)Pathfinder075 Wrote: HX115 frame, 1202.5 11500kv?  Many 1202.5 support both 1S and 2S.  Pair it with a 12A 1-2S AIO FC.

I have the rcInpower 1202.5/11,500s on the boat for a light weight 2S 95, but that's just 2 1/2" props, and I'm going to be running that on a 12amp board, under 70 grams and a 34 - 40g 650/850 2S battery and expecting 6 1/2 to pushing 9 minute flights. Without the 85-90% throttle limit & the JESC 48kHz, I'd be pushing the amp limit more than I'd want, plus heating up the motors. 

Those vape batteries ain't too light either, and add two of those, I don't think the motors would handle it well. RDQ has the VTC4 18650 2100 @ 45.3g & the Panasonic 18500 2040 @ 34 grams times two for 2S. I'm guessing that's average weight, and those were a couple of the lowest mAh, so probably the lightest too. That's about 70 grams of battery, plus spinning much bigger props, a bigger board could handle the amp draw, but you still have the motors really heating up. 

Everybody's 1202.5/11,5-600s shows "Hot" on their chart with the 2 1/2" props on 2S I want to use, but hoping my setup will keep them cool enough. The JESC 48kHz ESC software/firmware brings my motors down warm to barely being able to tell they were running even running them really hard the whole flight, so fingers crossed . . .

(19-Mar-2023, 10:22 PM)peveleigh Wrote: I'm going to have to reassess my motor choice because the mounting holes on the 6000kv motors don't fit the rekon35 frame. I'm eyeing the t-motor 1404 4600kv motor but I'm wondering if that's too slow for 2S.


I specifically want something that flies 18650's. My other requirements are to keep it below 250g and be capable of carrying a runcam thumb.

T-motor makes great 1404s, I've been flying a set of their 2900kvs on one of my favorite setups and they are very efficient. 4600kv is enough if you are cruising, even the 2900kv will cruise on 2S lion, but not much punch.

Just curious why you prefer 18650 cells to lipos. If you only need 10-12 min flying time, your drone would fly much better with a lipo. And if you want really long flight times from 18650s, Rekon35 frame is probably not a good choice, you will get much better flight times using a lighter frame and lion pack with XT30 (you can buy them ready made or make your own).

Thumb is very light, but if you go with the HX115/1202.5 I think that added weight will cut significantly into the flight time. That setup would be more suitable if you want to go for single cell 18650 flying.

I've wondered a few times if you could do LR on a 1407, such as the Emax 1407 4100kv. I've seen a video of someone flying that motor on 2S without too much issue. I'm unsure if they would fit on an HX115. Price wise, they are the same as the 1404's, but would need a bigger esc. But for maybe a 3S LR build on a 3-3.5" lightweight frame, possibly?

(22-Mar-2023, 12:44 AM)Pathfinder075 Wrote: I've wondered a few times if you could do LR on a 1407, such as the Emax 1407 4100kv.  I've seen a video of someone flying that motor on 2S without too much issue.  I'm unsure if they would fit on an HX115.  Price wise, they are the same as the 1404's, but would need a bigger esc.  But for maybe a 3S LR build on a 3-3.5" lightweight frame, possibly?

I had a set on a LR build, but it was a UL 5" frame running 4.5" props. I imagine that motor would be oversized for 3.5" if you are looking for an efficient LR build.

When I went out front to fly a little bit this afternoon, first time outside with my newest 95 with HM 1404/4800s, I brought it back to me, landing after 10 1/2 minutes of my usual flying, on an RDQ lightweight 1100 3S batt. Popped it back up in the air for a couple more around the closer front yards to drain some more batt & back in, and probably could have kept going for a bit yet. The 95 with GEP 1202/8,000s will do the same, and I'm not doing a cinematic cruise either, it's a big fast fun Whoop . . . but gets great air time . . . to me.

Air time is one of my top priorities. To a point, I'll sacrifice a bit of weight, and a little loss in top speed and handling that I may have to make up for with a bigger battery, to stay in the air a bit longer, but they gotta be FUN too . . . . I try and build my quads to a minimum mAh=minutes or close formula for my normal flights, and all my quads I have so far will do that and better. 

I don't really like long range quads . . . I prefer to choose when I decide to go on a 1/2 mile walk . . .

(22-Mar-2023, 05:49 AM)Brian_OH Wrote: I prefer to choose when I decide to go on a 1/2 mile walk . . .

That's what motorbikes are for.

Or get a used Mini2, add some fishing net/grappling hook contraption, enter the downed gps coordinates, and have your own drone "pickup" service
It might be able to carry a whoop...

(22-Mar-2023, 04:02 PM)Pathfinder075 Wrote: That's what motorbikes are for.

Oh great, you want me to have to push a motorized bicycle along my walk to pick up my quad too, sounds like even more fun . . .

what's with all this extra exercise krap anyway . . . . 8^}

(22-Mar-2023, 04:28 PM)mstc Wrote: Or get a used Mini2, add some fishing net/grappling hook contraption, enter the downed gps coordinates, and have your own drone "pickup" service
It might be able to carry a whoop...

Thinking about it, a dirt bike and a lacrosse stick might be fun . . .

I dont have any 3.5".
I really really struggle to figure out why you guys go ga ga over it.

I love all the quads and sizes I have. 2.5" is cute. 3" TP3 is zippy. 4" is great for LOS. 5" is classic for flowy freestyle. 7" is hooligan. 10" is roaring bowling ball.

I hope Im not missing out anything special.