Hi Stecor,

So, I guess your goggles don't have a DVR to record your flights??

Yeah, your props look ok. 

I am still betting that it is the props, but you won't know for sure until you try different ones. Since you have the EMAX Avan Rush 2.5 inch props, you might try them even without the bolts. If they fit pretty tight, they will likely stay on...at least for a test flight...just enough to see how it sounds. Then bolt them on when you get the bolts.

I have bolted my props on for a long time. I got tired of losing props. No matter how tight they appeared, I would lose one (or two) with almost every landing {I don't land easy so it is more like a controlled crash}. Even when the props appear to be tight, they still come off...there is really a lot of force from the little motors; more than one might think.

I have my second Phantom {I lost the first one} and I have built a Phantom "clone". I really like them. In fact, these are my favorite small quads for just playing around in a small park. They are just plain fun.

(28-Jul-2021, 07:04 PM)iFly4rotors Wrote: Hi Stecor,

So, I guess your goggles don't have a DVR to record your flights??

Yeah, your props look ok. 

I am still betting that it is the props, but you won't know for sure until you try different ones. Since you have the EMAX Avan Rush 2.5 inch props, you might try them even without the bolts. If they fit pretty tight, they will likely stay on...at least for a test flight...just enough to see how it sounds. Then bolt them on when you get the bolts.

I have bolted my props on for a long time. I got tired of losing props. No matter how tight they appeared, I would lose one (or two) with almost every landing {I don't land easy so it is more like a controlled crash}. Even when the props appear to be tight, they still come off...there is really a lot of force from the little motors; more than one might think.

I have my second Phantom {I lost the first one} and I have built a Phantom "clone". I really like them. In fact, these are my favorite small quads for just playing around in a small park. They are just plain fun.

Hi iFly4rotrs,
unluclky I still have the Emax rtf googles that does his job but it doesn't have DVR.
I had tried the Emax Avan rush and it works, there aren't any strange noises comes from the quad and, oh gosh, it flies so much better than the stock props. It flies longer and nicer, with more smoothness and punchness.
Now I hopes that the screws come as soon as possible so I can fly without worring about a prop fly away.
Thank you so much.

Hi Stecor,

Yeah, recording the video is not really necessary, however, sometimes it is nice just to go back and review the flight. If you don't need HD video and don't want to spend a lot of money, an on-board DVR might be an option. Some VTX boards come with a DVR built in...OR... a DVR board could be installed in the quad. It does take a bit of work, but cost effective.

On this Post #172 of the GEPRC Phantom thread, I illustrate one method of 
mounting the RunCam Mini FPV DVR ($17.99) onto the GEPRC Phantom frame. 

This is only the physical mounting process; no electrical connection guide.

Hi iFly4motors,
thanks, I certanly will look this post.
I was also thinking of adding the dvr on the google soldering it before the screen but for the moment I only want to flight since it is like three month from my last flight.
Thank you anyway mate.

Hi Stecor,

No worries, mate. Yeah, now that the issue is resolved, I wouldn't worry about it either. Just go fly and have fun.
If you don't need the video for something, I wouldn't be in a hurry to do anything.

If you want to record from any quad, I would just consider buying a different set of goggles (one with DVR)...something like the EV800D for about $100 US.

On the other hand, you get BETTER video using a DVR on board the quad.  Even if you have a really good analog camera, the VTX is the limiting factor since the transmission is less quality than the actual video from the camera.

It all depends on what you want to do with the video, how much you want to spend, how comfortable you are working on the quad or the goggles, and your soldering skills.

Go fly and have fun. 

I have a HD version of the GepRC Phantom.

I like it, but with the Caddx Vista I feel it is too heavy for 2.5" props. (~130g AUW)

I wish I could find a bottom plate that has arms for 3" props. I saw 1 on RotorBuilds, but he made the bottom plate itself. I was thinking about trying to draw it up myself in AutoCad and seeing how much it would cost to have it cut out. I would like to re-use all the other components, just extend the arms 0.25 inches so it could fit the 3" props up front.

(29-Jul-2021, 05:43 PM)MrSolo Wrote: I have a HD version of the GepRC Phantom.

I like it, but with the Caddx Vista I feel it is too heavy for 2.5" props. (~130g AUW)

I wish I could find a bottom plate that has arms for 3" props.  I saw 1 on RotorBuilds, but he made the bottom plate itself.  I was thinking about trying to draw it up myself in AutoCad and seeing how much it would cost to have it cut out.  I would like to re-use all the other components, just extend the arms 0.25 inches so it could fit the 3" props up front.

Hi MrSolo,

The GEPRC Phantom frame WILL handle 3 inch props. There are a few different ways to accomplish this.

1) This might be the easier approach...Just mount the motors on the bottom...making it a "pusher"; no problem, the props will clear everything. But...the deal is that you would need to either install some type of landing gear...OR... construct a launch platform since the props will be on the bottom. I have given thought to both methods...landing gear and launch platforms. Each has its own pros and cons, but either one is quite workable. 

My FrankenFly-2-4 is a pusher. It started as a 2.5 inch ducted craft, but I ditched the ducts and mounted 4 inch props...much better, but still a pusher. On this one, I mounted all of the electronics on the bottom and put a landing "plate" on the bottom with foam landing gear. It works just fine. Picture HERE.

2) I did the Phantom-3A build just to show that the frame could handle 3 inch props. Here is the deal. The front standoff columns are in the way...remove them and use a center standoff and the props clear everything. For this build, I didn't have a top frame plate anyway, so I fabricated one {yeah, it ain't pretty, but it worked}. So, If you can manage fabricating an adapter plate and removing the front standoff columns, the frame will handle 3" props. This approach is actually easier than you might think. I used carbon fiber, but plastic from an old laundry detergent bottle or anything else will work as well. It might be more than you want to tackle, but it does work.

3) There is yet another option. Use TomoQuads Mosquito Rear Arms and overlay them onto the Phantom frame as I have done with the Phantom-4X build. What is interesting about these arms is that they have holes that mate up with existing holes in the Phantom frame...and... they are long enough to handle 4 inch props as well as 3 inch or 3 inch with prop guards...options. I know this sounds crazy, but it works better than you might think. Plus, believe it or not, the 1105 motors WILL swing the 4 inch props...just don't expect it to be a pocket rocket, but will work. Of course, the 3 inch and new 3.5 inch props will also work. 

Overall, the most flexible is the arm overlays. I used the rear arms since I wanted 4 inch props, but other arms will work as well. My very first quad build the Phantom-X utilized Miro Alien 3 inch arms set to accommodate 4 inch props.

From my personal experience with each of these methods, the easier method would be to switch the motors to the bottom of the frame and make it a pusher. It shouldn't be too difficult to construct a launch platform. It just needs to hold the quad until you can get it airborne. Yeah, the landing will be a little rough, but generally this is not too bad with a light weight quad like the Phantom. Actually, I pretty much land {more like controlled crash} every time I fly. 

Yes, I play outside the box, but... all of these methods actually DO WORK... and better than one might think.

Of course, you could just buy another frame...any 3 inch or 4 inch that would handle the digital package will work. If you don't mind swapping everything from one frame to another, this is actually the best option. Just buy a frame of your choosing and swap everything. You might want to check out my Parts Guide <-- click to download. There are a variety of frames...some I have and I would consider buying any of them. The each have their own characteristics, but are a good representation of what is out there. Yeah, check out the MOTOR tab as well. 

If you want to move up to a 4 inch frame, I would suggest getting one of Ronin's frames from RoninUAV; they are double stack capable and handle the digital gear. The thing about a 4 inch frame is that it will handle any 4 inch or smaller prop. Since there is not much difference in weight between a 3 inch and 4 inch, the 4 inch has become my general purpose frame size. 

So...there you have it...my 2 cents worth. 

Thanks for the ideas. I never even considered flipping the motors over. Isn't it funny how we sometimes miss something so obvious!

I may try this. Since lipo is top mount I could just set the quad on something small that would fit between the props(like a small cylinder) I could launch off of that. For landings I just hit the kill switch a couple inches above the grass anyway, so I think that would be fine. just no concrete landings, which I only do on days the grass is wet. (i'd have to fly a different quad those days)

I'm going to take it out tomorrow morning and fly again while thinking about it. Do pushers handle differently? I see them mostly on cine-whoops and never on freestyle quads. Maybe that's just because landing is a PITA


Part of me wants to just leave it as the cool little 'palm of your hand' size digital that it is, and just build another quad in 3.5"

A discussion going on RCGroups got me thinking about the AvantQuads Avio 3.5 : https://avantquads.com/products/Avio-3.5...EW%22.html

Avio 3.5" Frame, Goku F7 AIO 40A, Brotherhobby 1504.5 3950kv motors, and Caddx Polar (only one available right now)
That would be a screaming little quad that would fit nicely between the Phantom 2.5 and my Mark4 hd5"

Ideally I would love to get the CAD file for that guys 3" Phantom bottom plate (https://rotorbuilds.com/build/26790) and just move all the components over and use RaceWire to extend the motor wires. With the 1105 5000kv motors it wouldn't be the most powerful 3" but I feel that would be the cleanest/best way to do it.
Barring that, maybe i'll just leave it and build the 3.5"

Or I'll try to make the bottom plate in AutoCAD, but I don't have a good micrometer to measure standard bottom plate. and it would need to be exact to match up to the stock top plate and standoffs.

Hi MrSolo,

Actually, you don't need a micrometer to make a top plate. I just used the bottom plate as a template, marked the holes with a silver felt tip marker and drilled them with a hand drill. {optionally, you could clamp the top or bottom plate to your the raw sheet and drill through the holes in the frame and then through the plate}. Depending on what material you use, how you cut it. I use a Moto Tool for the carbon fiber and scissors or Xacto knife for plastic. It really does not have to be that precise. 

As for a pusher, I can't tell much difference in the flight characteristics {but then, I don't do acro stunts}. I do like that the top plate is clear of the props, plus...the props don't get into the camera view. 

This is likely the fastest and easiest approach to using 3 inch props. Someone on the forum did this with a different quad, but I don't remember who or the quad, but he went up a size on the props. It really does make a difference.

As for a launch pad, how about a 1 1/2 inch or 2 inch PVC pipe mounted on a piece of wood. That should do it. The bottom plate of the Phantom has plenty of material in the center...it should fit fine. 

Yeah, other than making it a pusher, I would just build another quad. Personally, I like the Phantom just the way it is. I even built a clone which is pretty much the same except it cost more to build than buy (ha, ha).

I took it out again this morning and had so much fun with it!  
  I put better props on it (HQ 2.5x2x3 v2s) and it flew a lot better than most of the props I was trying before.  I also liked the GemFan Flash 2540, but I have trouble keeping them in balance. A rough landing, flipping over on grass, was enough to bend one of the props and induce tons of jello. When they are perfect it flies good, but I think I'll stick with these HQ 2.5x2x3 as it was flying beautifully this morning.
  I have used so many different props, but these HQ seem to work best. I also liked how the Avan Rush 2.5x1.9 props flew, but again had problems with jello because I couldn't seem to get 4 of them that were balanced right.

 I think I will end up just keeping it as is, unless I can get the CAD file(or make my own in AutoCAD) for that 3" bottom plate then I'd send it to CNCMadness (or similar business) and have it professionally cut out. I don't want to cut it out by hand. If I am going to do it, I would like to have it precision cut and chamfered so it looks like it came straight from GepRC as a 3".  Otherwise I'll probably just leave it, and build a 3.5".

  


I still might try flipping the motors if the motor wires will reach, because I could try that with no permanent modifications. That is a good idea I never even thought of.  Otherwise I'll keep it as it is an amazing little quad, and my gripes with it's prop size-to-weight ratio really are minor. It is still a great little quad, I just wish they had moved the arms out a little to give us the option of choosing to run 2.5" or 3".

But after this morning's great flight with it, I'm thinking unless I can get a bottom plate professionally cut I will leave it alone and just build a new 3.5" quad.

Even with my gripes, it is still a quad I would recommend. Especially for people that fly analog as that version is lighter.

HQProp is my favorite prop company. I have more of them in assorted sizes than any other brand. Gemfan comes in 2nd; these fly good, but are not quite as durable. I also like the EMAX Avan Rush 2.5 props; I haven't had any issues with them.

If you do manage to get a 3 inch bottom plate made a CNCmadness or somewhere else, PLEASE let us know where and how to order it. I would be interested in ordering a couple at least.