Hi guys!  New to build your own, flown a few small chinese quads and I'm addicted, so I am taking the plunge.
I've done weeks of research and despite my best efforts, I am struggling.

I'm looking to build a rough and tumble practice quad for my son and myself.

I have the below components and the rest is a blank slate:
Crazepony® H280 FPV Race Quadcopter Frame of Full Carbon Fiber like QAV250 etc 
OpenPilot CC3D Flight Controller STM32 32-bit Flexiport - I prefer open friendly stuff, even though this may be more difficult at first.
Turnigy 9X 9Ch Transmitter w/ Module & 8ch Receiver (Mode 1) (v2 Firmware)

I got most of the other components ordered on Amazon today - and one little point of confusion on props/prop adapters and 2mm vs. 5mm sent me toward the cancellation button for all of the parts.  I figured I have no clue what I am doing and need some help, so here we are.

Based on my research, I think I am looking for a unicorn  most days, but here is my wish list:
~15 min flight time (realizing that super responsive performance may decrease - okay for the 1st one)
FPV Goggles - not making quad porn here, but don't want much delay
Focus on hobby flying, checking out new areas via FPV, and learning - not trying to win any races (yet).
~$500-700 budget - assuming maybe a bit more for good FPV experience
GPS would be nice for the losing that is bound to happen at the hands of a 15 year old

Here is what I ordered (in addition to spacers, bullet connectors - all cancelled):
Quadcopter Power Distribution Board XT60 XT-60 20a Quad Mutlicopter 3.5mm (forum here makes me question this quality)
Combo Special: Tenergy TB6-B Balance Charger for NiMH/NiCD/Li-PO/Li-Fe Battery Packs + Power Supply - charger - seems like maybe overkill
2 of Turnigy 3300mah 3s 30c Lithium Polymer Battery - will this get anywhere near 15 mins with 1806 motors?
Crazepony® 4pcs Gartt ML1806S 2300KV 2CW 2CCW Brushless Motor for Mini Quadcopter QAV250 - also no clue what all the letters around motor size are
Crazepony® 4pcs Emax SimonK 12A Brushless ESC Speed Controller For FPV QAV250 (sold with above motors - not liking the 12A - 20A is better, yes?)
As stated previously, the 2mm shaft on the props didn't match with the 5mm hole on the carbon fiber props I was looking at and I didn't see a whole lot of consistency there.
Likely the best thing to happen in this process as I was trigger happy and ready to flyyyyy, probably would have been a disaster.

Maybe I shouldn't be on Amazon looking, but I get free 2 day shipping
Any help in piecing this initial build together (physical components) is greatly appreciated.  
I'll even offer up a $25 Amazon gift card for someone with experience who is willing to call and talk with me by phone - Location near Austin, TX would be super awesome.


Appreciate any help for the newest newb I've seen on this site.

Kris B

15 mins is pretty hard to achieve on 250 size mini quad you are more likely looking at 7 to 10 mins max with 1500mah to 1800mah batteries.

About FC and software, I think Naze32/Cleanflight might have been a better choice because I personally think it's easier to work with than CC3D... you can still flash Cleanflight on a CC3D board, I don't use OpenPilot software myself.

LiPo battery - 3300mah is way too big!!! I would go for 1800mah max... even 2200mah is pushing it a bit... when it's too heavy, you don't get much more flight time, rather your quad will fly like a tank and hard to control.

props - don't use carbon fibre props on mini quad, get some DAL or DYS durable props, they don't normally break in crashes and will last a lot longer and save you a lot of money... when you start, expect to crash a lot...

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I will let other guys to chime in as well if i missed anything...

(11-May-2016, 11:42 PM)Oscar Wrote: 15 mins is pretty hard to achieve on 250 size mini quad you are more likely looking at 7 to 10 mins max with 1500mah to 1800mah batteries.

About FC and software, I think Naze32/Cleanflight might have been a better choice because I personally think it's easier to work with than CC3D... you can still flash Cleanflight on a CC3D board, I don't use OpenPilot software myself.

LiPo battery - 3300mah is way too big!!! I would go for 1800mah max... even 2200mah is pushing it a bit... when it's too heavy, you don't get much more flight time, rather your quad will fly like a tank and hard to control.

props - don't use carbon fibre props on mini quad, get some DAL or DYS durable props, they don't normally break in crashes and will last a lot longer and save you a lot of money... when you start, expect to crash a lot...

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I will let other guys to chime in as well if i missed anything...

Thanks, Oscar!

Hi Kris,

Ditch the PDB, Buy a good PDB like a Demon Core , it offers line filtering for all your fpv gear as well, much better layout than the one you posted.

1806-2300kV motors on that frame will work, but I would recommend 2204-2300kV or even 2205-2300kV's.
Also, on the subject of motors, whatever you get, make sure you ditch the fancy looking cone type spinners as sure as eggs they will come loose and fly off, buy nyloc insert lock nuts (a lot of better motors now come standard with them.)
Esc's, go for 20 amp minimum.

100% agree with Oscar, a 3300mAh lipo is way to big, stick to around the 1500mAh mark. for the Flight Controller get a Xracer F303, great cheapish FC and performs really well. Agrees again with Oscar regards prop choice, stay clear of carbon fibre props on a mini racer, they are far to stiff and will break and chip the second you contact anything, and you will contact heaps of ground, trees, poles etc while learning.

Having GPS will not make it easier to find your quad, get a loud Piezo buzzer and put it on your FC and use it as your Lost Model Alarm.

The frame has a lot of holes and slots all over it and thus are more prone to snapping , where possible try and find a frame with the least amount of holes and slots on the arms, as they become the weak spots...ask me how I know..LOL, I would go for something more like a ZMR-X210 frame.

Noticed the  transmitter you are planning on purchasing is a Mode 1.  Do you typically use Mode 1?  Many/most people in the States use Mode 2, it may be easier if you don't already have a preference to purchase a Mode 2 transmitter so others can help more easily.   I would also look for a TX and RX that support either PPM or SBUS , save a little weight with reduced wiring from the FC to RX.  
I agree with the others that 20A esc's will suit your needs better.  I would look at OPTO models, you should not need the BEC if you are going to use a PDB or you can use a UBEC with switch mode it will run cooler and is much more efficient than linear BEC's.    Just a heads up, if you stay with ESC's with BEC included, you will want to cut the powerl wire from 3 of them, otherwise they will confuse one another when trying to manage your power.  Just my preference but I prefer ESC's with BLHeli firmware, you can then use oneshot 125 and damped light. 

Don't cheap out on the motors, choose a high end motor with a good reputation.  This will get you motors that are better quality materials and build quality.   Take a look at the DYS SE2206 2300KV motors, not cheap but they are very nice.   They work well with 20A esc and a GemFan 5X4.5 bull nose prop, if you prefer a tri prop look at something in a 5X4X3.

 Last but not least find Youtube member painless 360 and watch his series of videos, he covers things very well in an easy to understand style. His videos will help to greatly reduce the learning curve.

Best of luck

You guys are all awesome!  I'm feeling much better about my decision to cancel the crap I ordered.

I'll start with these portions and worry about GPS/FPV later.