I am having a really hard time making up my mind on what quad to build as my go too.  I live on 30x30 mile island that is packed with military installations, airports, and its illegal to fly in state parks.  So flight space is limited but there are some amazing scenic locations if you are willing to drive an hour or so away.  I have only been flying about 5 months now so still green but quickly learning.  I currently fly the micro drones a 1.6" odonata, a home brew 60 gram 2.5" 2s, and a crux3 1s.  They are super fun but I cant help watch the videos with the 5" powerhouses.  That and living on a tropical island I often get wind so on windy days flying is out.  Common sense tells me a 5" is not the best choice and wont get flown often that I should stay under 250g and build a 4s 3" or 3.5" freestyle quad and call it a day.  What's your alls opinion?

I’m a big fan of 3” to 4” on 4s.

Do you have any weight restrictions there? (ie: under 250g)

(07-Apr-2023, 11:20 PM)Lemonyleprosy Wrote: I’m a big fan of 3” to 4” on 4s.

Do you have any weight restrictions there? (ie: under 250g)

I do, I am in Hawaii so US laws still apply and while I would, I dont really want to take the Part 107

If it is not too windy, my vote definitely goes for 3.5", but I guess that's a personal preference. If you have to face high winds, then a 4" makes more sense.

5inch is the right size to fight against wind, if you need to go smaller, power will compensate.

i would vote for a powerfull 3inch with 1408/1507 engines, their rotor response will handle wind best on sub 250g quad.
a 4inch would be better but requires even biggermotors and batteries to get the response to handle wind, it will go difficult to impossible.

a 3inch on 1408 motors about 4000kv on 4s 850mah or 3000kv on 6s 600mah battery will be an acceleration devil. most 5inch wont be able to keep up, the most vids on yt are from slower less powerfull quads, only a 5inch racer or an ultralight are in the same power to weight league.

to handle wind best, you like to go to 249,9g for the best results - regardless the size, the mass will help.

Having started flying on 5" and now dabbling in 3 and 3.5 I can't see how they're that much different in needing a different sized space to fly. I can hit tiny gaps with the 3.5 that I wouldn't try on 5" but I wouldn't say that it's more comfortable to fly if confined to a small yard.

I've also been very surprised at the few times I've flown in heavy wind the 5" doesn't really get impacted. There is just something about 5" that checks all the boxes for me. My answer would be build both.

(08-Apr-2023, 12:56 AM)sevro Wrote: My answer would be build both.

lol Mine too. ha ha ha

Hi B4tn,

Ah, the grand question; What size?

It sound like you are already familiar with the FAA regulations. 

If you want to stay under the 250 gram mark and out of the registration, 
remote ID issues, and Part 107 pilot's license; then I would consider a 
3 inch or a 3.5 inch and use some decent motors, but watch the weight. 
Get T-Mount motors as they weigh less than 5mm prop shaft motors for 
any given size. 

You might want to take a look at my Sub-250 gram Build Methodology.
                                                                    (click the above link to download)