Alright so I'm currently working on a nano quad, and having a lot of fun with my Eachine Falcon 180. However I really wanna build a proper durable quad. Since I love the Falcon 180 size and weight I've grown quite comfortable with it and want to build a durable, agile and powerful quad.

So what do I need?

- 180 Frame that can take a real crash and protect my hardware. Open to all suggestions. Smaller is better, but like I said, I want it durable and protective
- Motors and ESCs that can stand wind in Norway and handle both 3s and 4s batteries. Prefer something 20A+, suggestions?
- CC3D or Naze32 FC but open for anything really, just know both these quite well
- PDB
- VTX that can take a hit and doesnt get too warm along with a proper antenna
- Lightweight camera, suggestions?
- Plugs and wires
- RX for Taranis X9D+
- Propeller suggetions?
- anything else I might have forgotten?

Yes I do realize there's tons of information here, and after looking through stuff I decided it would be easier to just get help in my own thread. Hopefully you people ain't going to hate me for it

Reason for this build is to build a quad myself along with less fear of crashing. Like I said I'm having tons of fun with the Falcon 180 but I've had to patch it together a couple of times now and I have grown scared of crashing it. So yeah, any suggestions, pointers, info?

Frame: Lot to choose from.
Tweaker 180 4mm plate
QAV 180
ZMR 180
Sparrow Knight 180 V2

ESC's:
Littlebee 20 amp pro
DYS Xm20's

Motors:
Emax RS2205's
Xnova 2204's or 1806's
DYS SE2205 race edition

VTX:
Nearly all get warm..which is normal
Hawkeye 200mW is a good choice.

FPV Cam:
Very popular HS1177

PDB:
Demon Core V2.1 or 2.3
Basically try and find a good one with built in VTX/Cam line filters, 5v rail and 12 rail (should you need it).

Being a 180 size quad you need 4 inch prop, again, lots to choose from. and honestly, is personal preference.
I use DAL 4045 Tri blades and find them very good.

Cannot help you with the RX for the X9D

Batteries:
Go 4S, and limit to 1300-1500mAh 60C upwards


Hope my little input helps you somewhat.

Alright, so I just settled for the Tweaker 180 (3mm version). Thank you for taking your time listing all this

I'm definetly going for Demoon Core 2.3, Littlebee 20A ESCs and some kind of 1800s motors (have to adjust according to budget). I am aiming for a Naze32 rev6 and a cheap VTX. Should I consider other FCs and if so why?

Batteries, I will just use the 3s batteries I use for my Falcon 180 to begin with. Tattu 3s 1550 45C. If I need more punch I'll get some 4s later on. At least thats what it's looking like now. I'm not a particulary good pilot and will probably struggle with the punch a 1550 75C 4s will give me, for now

I already have a Runcam FPV camera thats suppose to be quite nice and from the looks of it I can probably use this with an Eachine mini VTX, at least to begin with. Also I have a few RX units for my Taranis so I guess I'll strip one of these and run PPM or SBUS.

Anything I need to be aware of when building a quad like this? I have not built my own, only modded my ER250 and Falcon 180 along with switching mainboard on my Hyperion Vengance 280 and a few minor fixes on my micro quads.

Oh and yes I do have a proper soldier station with what I need to solder wires and such, but I dont have wires or anything. I will check some newbie-guide on how to assemble the parts and set it up properly. All in good time. I also have a fine selection of colored cableties and heatshrink enough to cover my own body so I think I'm set. Delivery to Norway isn't exactly quick though so I could use some patience

Forget the rev6, most folks report issues with its noisy gyro. Naze32 Rev5 is still a solid (and cheap) board, but if I would search for a new FC now, I'd go at least for F3 based one or even F4. Can't help You more, because I lack experience with new boards.

Sure, use 3s packs if You have some, just don't stock up new. They will limit You at some point and You'll end up with a bag of lipos in Your fridge. If You want to buy new lipos, go for 4S packs and use light prop on them. And don't buy 45C 4S Tattu packs, they are crap (personal opinion).

Highwind H4 is a pretty solid and simple frame.

(03-Jun-2016, 07:04 PM)trojanGoat Wrote: Highwind H4 is a pretty solid and simple frame.

Do you have anymore info on that frame? The only thing I can find is a Hobbyking frame.

(03-Jun-2016, 05:26 PM)Konrad Stepanajtys Wrote: Forget the rev6, most folks report issues with its noisy gyro. Naze32 Rev5 is still a solid (and cheap) board, but if I would search for a new FC now, I'd go at least for F3 based one or even F4. Can't help You more, because I lack experience with new boards.

Sure, use 3s packs if You have some, just don't stock up new. They will limit You at some point and You'll end up with a bag of lipos in Your fridge. If You want to buy new lipos, go for 4S packs and use light prop on them. And don't buy 45C 4S Tattu packs, they are crap (personal opinion).

My experience with them are great. By far the best batteries i have. Been through multistars, Zippys, Zaps, Eachine originals and even Hyperion batteries. What do you suggest I try instead of Tattu?

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(03-Jun-2016, 07:19 PM)HamsterFPV Wrote: Do you have anymore info on that frame? The only thing I can find is a Hobbyking frame.

http://rotorgeeks.com/index.php?route=pr...uct_id=499

I guess this is the one he's refering to?

That one is the X5,  the X4 is slightly smaller.  Nice and light.

http://rotorgeeks.com/index.php?route=pr...uct_id=459

x4 is better suited for larger motors

But.. My ultimate favorite for 4 inch prop is  

http://www.banggood.com/Diatone-Grasshop...95924.html

this one is better for a 3s setup with high kv motors.

Keeps up with 250's

https://youtu.be/51w0Mcq4WdA?t=194

(03-Jun-2016, 08:27 PM)Sacro Wrote: My experience with them are great. By far the best batteries i have. Been through multistars, Zippys, Zaps, Eachine originals and even Hyperion batteries. What do you suggest I try instead of Tattu?

To be honest I only had experience with 4s Tattus (45C 1800mah) and SLS (true 40C 1300mah) and from my experience, SLS are far better than even bigger capacity "45C" Tattus. People seem to be satisfied with "75C" tattus, but they are IMO overpriced and from some tests, still fall a bit behind the SLS

Read trough topics on lipos on RCGroups, also I think Joshua Bardwell has been testing lipo packs lately, check his Youtube channel.

EDIT: remember, You're pulling less amps on 3s than You will be on 4S, that makes a world of difference in lipo reliability.

(03-Jun-2016, 08:52 PM)Konrad Stepanajtys Wrote: To be honest I only had experience with 4s Tattus (45C 1800mah) and SLS (true 40C 1300mah) and from my experience, SLS are far better than even bigger capacity "45C" Tattus. People seem to be satisfied with "75C" tattus, but they are IMO overpriced and from some tests, still fall a bit behind the SLS

Read trough topics on lipos on RCGroups, also I think Joshua Bardwell has been testing lipo packs lately, check his Youtube channel.

EDIT: remember, You're pulling less amps on 3s than You will be on 4S, that makes a world of difference in lipo reliability.

Havent tried 4S yet and I'm not familiar with the brand SLS. Gonna have to check them out

Also you use the law of Ohm for Amperage drain. You will for the most drain less, but when punching it the Amp-drain might surpass 3S due to higher rpm and thrust. Total effect however is higher in general (Watts or horsepower or whatever you wanna call them). Anyways, not relevant

(04-Jun-2016, 02:43 PM)Sacro Wrote: Havent tried 4S yet and I'm not familiar with the brand SLS. Gonna have to check them out

Also you use the law of Ohm for Amperage drain. You will for the most drain less, but when punching it the Amp-drain might surpass 3S due to higher rpm and thrust. Total effect however is higher in general (Watts or horsepower or whatever you wanna call them). Anyways, not relevant

Of course You can always drain too much  What I meant is the feeling of sag is less noticeable on 3S than on 4S. At least that was my experience.

(05-Jun-2016, 07:51 PM)Konrad Stepanajtys Wrote: Of course You can always drain too much  What I meant is the feeling of sag is less noticeable on 3S than on 4S. At least that was my experience.

This is a definite yes I'm scared of 4S : They just kick too hard

@Konrad Stepanajtys

The SLS batteries. What kind would you recommend for my 180s? Like I said before, today I use Tattu 3s 1300s 45C. I am happy with these actually and they are a LOT better than my other batteries. I'm thinking I should just aim for 4S but there are a bunch of different types of SLS and my german SUUUUUCK Any ponters? Im a bit locked when it comes to physical size as well on my Falcon 180.

I see people fly 1300 mah packs on 180 size quads. I guess a 1000mah would be even better. They make X-cube 4s 40C packs of that size, but I only flown on x-trons and don't know the difference between them (maybe just size?).

Currently I fly on 1300 4s 40C x-trons and they are really good on my 220. I use them since february and they still keep up.

Alright so I got my list down and stuff ordered. Heres what I got:

Shendrones Tweaker 180 (1806 version)
LED kit for Tweaker 180 along with some legs (Blade 185 legs)
Littlebee 20A OPTO PRO OneShot 2-4s
KingKong 1806 2280KV 2-4s
Naze32 F3 Deluxe 10 DOF
Demon Core 2.3 Powerdistr.
Frsky D4R-II RX (plan on using PPM)

I didn't order my VTX and camera yet. Was thinking I want it up and flying first.