12-Mar-2017, 05:02 PM
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
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
Current Quads: Operational: Diatone GT2 200 In need of repair: Bumble Bee, tehStein, Slightly modified Vortex 250