The Challenge: To build a dual purpose Sub 250g flyer that's a capable freestyle monster as well as a cinematic fun flying machine.

Background:  I recently had a baby girl, and I'm limited to yard flying most of the time now, and I felt I needed to go ahead and put together something easier and quieter to fly around. In the process of this, I also realized that a 3" can be a quite capable cinematic machine via a GoPro Lite and with adequate KV, should be tons of fun for freestyle as well. This sounds like a win win in my book. Who doesn't want a drone that can fit in your pocket, capture 4k stabilized footage, and freestyle anywhere, because its size doesn't offend anyone? 


Quick 14 second teaser vid then on to the parts of the build!



Frame:
I saw this smaller frame designer, and have been wanting to support him for some time. I ended up grabbing his Moka Mikro HD frame in case I later went Digital. 

• Moka Mikro HD - mokaframe
  

1. Full 3K premium quality and rigid carbon fiber.
   
2. 3mm unibody T300 carbon.
   
3. light weight  with only 25g.
   
4. 3mm top plate with 20x20 holes for Caddx Vista
   
5.  3D print camera mount designed for both DJI HD and Caddx Nebula.
   
6. 23mm large inside height , easy to fit Caddx Vista and Flight controller but you can change standoff to get more romes 
   
7. 16x16, 20x20mm and 25.5x25.5mm FC mounting hole（enough for all  board style
   

Motors:
I really toiled over this one. There's the venerable 1105s, but they just are underpowered for freestyle it seems. They also aren't as efficient as I wish. Then there was the 1207 RCinPower motors that seemed perfect, but were NEVER in stock, and were known to have cooling issues due to the design. I initially settled on the Emax 1306B ,but they don't fit this frame with mounting for 9x9 only. 

Finally I settled on the Xing 1404 4600KV. Due to the wider stator, the extra torque is great for slow flying and control of the quad with or without the gopro, and the KV allows plenty of power to recover from dives, loops, etc. I saw ummagawd both freestyles and flies gigs with these motors, although he now prefers the 1207KV due to the top end power.



The Heart:
I went with an Aikon F4 Stack. This stack was honestly intended to go into a racer, but I repurposed it. It is overkill, and I probably could save a bit of weight with a 25a AIO, but who cares for now. I have plenty of drones these days, but even more parts, so I'm going to start using parts instead of holding for another build

• AIKON 20*20 F4 AK32 Stack Combo (pyrodrone.com)
  

VTX:
I went with a TBS Pro Nano 32 - clean video, reliable, and only $30 so why not lol. It is TINY by the way, and it saves a bit of weight from other options. I also considered a tramp nano, which I use in my freestyle rig, but since I had this one sitting around, I used it.

• TBS UNIFY PRO32 NANO 5G8 V1.1 (pyrodrone.com)
  

FPV Cam:
Runcam Phoenix 2 Nano Cam - great color, great camera, and I'm a fan of the phoenix 2 line. 

• RunCam Phoenix 2 Nano 1000TVL 16:9/4:3 NTSC/PAL CMOS Micro FPV Camera (pyrodrone.com)
  

CROSSFIRE EVERYTHING
probably no explanation needed here

HD Cam
GoPro Hero 6 Lite by way of the Beta V2 kit  - not too many issues here, but it was nervewrecking to take apart the GoPro. All seems to work without issue, and I can reelsteady the footage if I want as well!


Here are some photos of the finished build








I'll maiden the drone in a few days once these rainstorms and heavy winds pass in the NorthEast. It was literally 90 degrees , but my lazy self didnt get the build finished in time, so I have to wait for the next window.

I hope you enjoyed the build thread! This was 216 until I shortened the cables for the build appropriately.

That's a nice build and a great write-up. I love 3" quads. What are the props you have on it in the photos? It seems like there aren't many reasonable 3" T-mount props on the market.

(12-Jun-2021, 01:48 AM)SJChannel Wrote: That's a nice build and a great write-up.  I love 3" quads.  What are the props you have on it in the photos?  It seems like there aren't many reasonable 3" T-mount props on the market.

They look like Emax Avans.

(12-Jun-2021, 01:48 AM)SJChannel Wrote: That's a nice build and a great write-up. I love 3" quads. What are the props you have on it in the photos? It seems like there aren't many reasonable 3" T-mount props on the market.

there are a few nice low pitched blades but no mid- highpitched rotors for t-mount at all

(12-Jun-2021, 11:34 PM)hugnosed_bat Wrote: there are a few nice low pitched blades but no mid- highpitched rotors for t-mount at all

Yes, it seems like the prop manufacturers think T-mount = whoop.

My current favorites are the HQProp T3x3x3.

the very very old bullnose kingkong 2840 came back in my partsbox :-) i suggest a try :-)
they need very long m2 screws, not sure if they come with screws anymore
https://graysonhobby.com/kingkong-2840-p...html?amp=1

(12-Jun-2021, 01:48 AM)SJChannel Wrote: That's a nice build and a great write-up.  I love 3" quads.  What are the props you have on it in the photos?  It seems like there aren't many reasonable 3" T-mount props on the market.

Hey man, They are the EMAX Avan Mini 3x2.4x3 .Thank you by the way. I flew it today and had an absolute blast. It has enough power to freestyle just fine, but it is also easy to fly slow if that is the goal. I recommend this build for anyone looking for a generally decent micro.

The updated all in weight with a 550mah 3s is 210 , and it is 214 with a 450 4s.

(13-Jun-2021, 12:20 AM)SJChannel Wrote: Yes, it seems like the prop manufacturers think T-mount = whoop.

My current favorites are the HQProp T3x3x3.

I actually have these and am waiting to try them. The micro flew VERY STABLE and under control with the AVAN mini props, but I likely will try them all at some point. 

With cruising and an all in weight on 3s of 210g, I got about 3.5 mins of flight on the AVAN minis and ZERO propwash.

Very nice build man! I have those same motors on a 2.5" and they rip. I love those props too! I fly the 4" version on a couple different quads.

(13-Jun-2021, 12:31 AM)hugnosed_bat Wrote: the very very old bullnose kingkong 2840 came back in my partsbox :-) i suggest a try :-)
they need very long m2 screws, not sure if they come with screws anymore
https://graysonhobby.com/kingkong-2840-p...html?amp=1

Thanks for the tip.  I ordered some and will try them out.

(14-Jun-2021, 03:58 AM)SJChannel Wrote: Thanks for the tip.  I ordered some and will try them out.

Nope.  They canceled the order because the props are out of stock already.