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Vortex 250 UmmaGawd Edition
#1
I wanted to write a review of my first quad from a new guy's perspective because I see reviews for some of this equipment and I see experienced people give recommendations on what they think new people should start with, but I think it would be helpful if someone who is actually new shared their experience on a product. I am sure this has been done with the Vortex 250 before but there are a couple of items that make the UmmaGawd edition unique. 

First: Unboxing

The quad comes in a neat zipper case that holds it safely in place. It's got a huge purple UmmaGawd logo on the front, it has a couple of zipper pouches (one in the lid of the case and one under the puffy form insert). Inside the zipper pouch in the lid are some stickers, 2 sets of purple props, spacers, and nuts, A fatshark spiro antenna for the VTX, some cables, the camera mount hardware, a slip-resistant pad for the battery, and probably something else that I forgot. 

Next: The props

The props that it comes with are 5x4x4 (these ones). They are stiff, and thin, and probably light, and great for someone who lands at the end of a flight but if you're a cocky noob who is going to try to be a hotshot after practice on a simulator and try to get through PVC gates... you probably want to go with something that can bend a little more. I put the T5045s on mine and it didn't really affect the tune enough for me to notice. Although, to be fair I likely wouldn't have known how to notice other than if it was bad enough that I couldn't fly any more. 

Next: Noob Friendliness

So this thing really is targeted at the mixed market of folks who have experience and dont want to fuss with things and folks who are brand new and want to jump in as quick as possible. Its a super durable frame with everything double-protected and other than the prop issues that I had above I am pretty confident that it's a tough machine. The OSD set up process is easy enough and the quick start and user guides are GREAT... however, they do miss a handfull of important info such as how to connect to cleanflight configurator (which it just says how to get it and then to plug in USB but obviously there is an extra step). 

I was unable to get it to go back into the menu after the first couple of times, which I've seen other complain about the same issue. It might be a radio set up issue but I'd very much prefer to just be able to map a channel to something that would automatically trigger the menu and arm disarm. Hopefully I'll get it there eventually. 

Finally: Flight characteristics

I've spent my time on liftoff trying to learn and actually used this same model in the simulator hoping that it would help. The first thing I can tell you for sure is using the same model really doesn't matter in this case. The behavior of the quad in the air was different than the simulator enough that using other configurations in liftoff wouldn't really help or hold me back. I did love flying a well tuned quad on my first flight. This had a huge imact! The pids and rates even on the default tune are pretty aggressive and I LOVED hearing the flight controller battle physics in RL. I will probably never get over how that felt to experience that for the first time!

Summary:

If you're new, this is a good choice! I know that some people get tired of how much ImmersionRC markets, and I agree they definitely put themselves out there. I am glad that I accidentally slipped past the feeling of being over marketed to and selected them because there is a reason that they can afford to market so aggressively. This quad is tough and builds on my confidence which is a key aspect of where I am at in learning. I would absolutely recommend it. 

Also, I know that a lot of reviews are by people who get stuff for free these days... This is not the case for me... I paid like $530 for it and had to suffer through some BS bank issues as well so definitely don't confuse this review with one of those sponsored ones even if it is glowing :p
carl.vegas
Current Quads: Operational: Diatone GT2 200 In need of repair: Bumble Bee, tehStein,  Slightly modified Vortex 250 
[-] The following 4 users Like Carl.Vegas's post:
  • Drone0fPrey, Oscar, sloscotty, oyvinla
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#2
Since writing this a lot has happened. I've gained a bit of experience and even more insight as it relates to this quad. As you guys saw from my rebuild thread much of what made this a special edition quad has been erased. This lead me to realize I should do a quick followup

After flying about 30 or so batteries through the Vortex I am convinced that it was a great choice for me as a beginner. It's tough, it's easy to work on, there is a huge community of users, it flies fine with a little tweaking, and there is a sim practically designed around simulating flying the thing (liftoff). I have questioned a few times if I should have gotten the ummagawd edition. 

Here are my follow up thoughts about the ummagawd portion of the quad
  • Thinner frame parts (3mm) mean its more fragile
Part of what the vortex is a good started quad is because it's stiff as nails. The problem with the ummagawd edition is it's all 3mm frame parts, specifically the arms. This is done with the thought of making it faster but if you think about it no amount of thinner carbon fiber is going to make this quad competitive. It's like buying a Hyundai Sonata and removing the interior and AC in the thoughts  that it's going to keep up with a honda S2000. Not going to happen. 
  • Titanium screws
Same as above except that they aren't weaker than the standard screws I figure.
  • Stickers everywhere
Despite what you've been told, flames don't make a racecar faster... and pictures of a rat doesn't make this fly any better either. 
  • Purple
I was never really a fan of the color anyway... this is easy enough to fix but still :p 
  • HQ Props
2 sets of props that break when you look at them... yeah... not a good idea. I moved over to the Dals before my first day of flying was over. 
  • Zipper Case
I really cant see myself carrying around the case that it came in. I mean they made the packaging pretty and all but TBH mine has just been holding the extra cables and 1 set of unused props collecting dust. It's not very efficient and there is no where to store the stuff you'd actually want to bring with you flying. 

The things that I have to assume that I do like about it
I have to call it out in all honesty because I don't know any better. The motors and the camera. They seem to be the only 2 things that really make it worth the upgrade. The camera is easy enough to upgrade yourself... and the motors... well I don't know about those. 
  • Motors: 
Lumenier RX2206-11 2350Kv

I have to guess that these are better than the "custom 2204-2300kV motors" that are on the standard 250 pro, but I really don't have anything to go by. I haven't dug much into motors other than know how to read their size, that higher KV isn't always better because you loose torque, etc... the very basic stuff. 
  • Camera:
FatShark 600 TVL CCD Camera

I've legitimately researched this one a little bit and from what I can tell people don't like the stock camera on the 250 pro so this might be a legitimate good upgrade. 

Summary:
If you skip the case you can save $50 by getting the standard 250 pro. If you want the case you save about $30. I think what I learned by taking mine apart to add thicker arms and the pimp kit was worth the 30 bucks... but that extra 20 for the case I want back! :Smile

While most of the folks posting on here are far more experienced than I am or aren't even going down this path, I hope that this post finds some new folks who are considering a similar purchase and helps them decide. 
FatShark 600 TVL CCD Camera
carl.vegas
Current Quads: Operational: Diatone GT2 200 In need of repair: Bumble Bee, tehStein,  Slightly modified Vortex 250 
[-] The following 2 users Like Carl.Vegas's post:
  • Drone0fPrey, unseen
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#3
Great follow up!

Like most things that are branded, the beauty tends to be short lived when you discover it's only skin deep.
[-] The following 1 user Likes unseen's post:
  • Carl.Vegas
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#4
The good news is: Stickers are easy to take off Wink
carl.vegas
Current Quads: Operational: Diatone GT2 200 In need of repair: Bumble Bee, tehStein,  Slightly modified Vortex 250 
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#5
Well written review Carl!
The Obsession IS Real!
My Youtube and Instagram links
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