I guess this is a pretty "old" BNF, but pathfinder often recommends this frame (or maybe its smaller brother). Last year during the Black Friday sale, Betafpv had discounted it to around $110 for the ELRS version, a deal too good to pass up. Unfortunately after many weeks they did not ship my order, and finally when I asked what was going on they told me that item was not in stock (despite their website still saying it was). So they got me to pay more for a Pavo25v2, which I ended up liking quite a lot. Last month, I saw the TwigXL was still on sale and still "in stock" so decided to try again. This time Betafpv actually shipped out more order after like 10 days, but the tracking just never updated
Well today it finally arrived, a month later.

First impressions:
Out of the box, it felt very sturdy and more like a larger quad than a toothpick. Compared to my favorite 3.5" flyer, the Crux35 which definitely feels more like a micro.
The Twig bottom plate measures 3.1mm thick vs 2.95mm on the Crux, but it feels significantly stiffer and more rugged. I guess the T700 carbon as well as the wider silhouette/bracing makes a difference. I was surprised by the 1404 motors too, those felt very beefy and rugged, not the usual lighter flimsier motors I am used to from Betafpv. I know these motors got a bad review from Rosser (melted enamel), but maybe he got samples from a bad batch?

There are some interesting design choices. It has an old no frills F411 AIO (maybe they are trying to clear out their stock), but it is rated for 20A. It uses an external ELRS RX with the t-dipole antenna taped against the bottom plate. And it comes with a nice Ratel 2 camera, but not the Baby, the larger 19mm version. It does however have a nice beefy heatsinked 400mw VTX.
This all does add some weight. 113g compared to my digital Crux35 which only weighs 100g with a vista.

 

Maiden flight:
For setting up, I only reflashed the ELRS to match my radio and setup the BF modes. Everything else left on stock.
For the maiden, I gave it a flight with a 3S 450 and a 4S 450. I will have to say it did not disappoint. Those motors performed very well in flight, and punch-wise maybe even better than my Crux. I banged up the props very quickly unfortunately and even snapped two on the first two flights. Maybe a bad batch of props, usually I get these Gemfans to crack at the hub, not lose single blades. In anycase even with banged up props it flew nicely without excessive vibrations, although you could hear some oscillations on 4S. It definitely did not feel lacking in agility or control, but for float/hangtime or dancing in the air, I think the Crux still takes top spot. I think the Twig will be more sturdy and handle vibrations better. Not sure about battery life, it probably won't match the Crux, but it may still be long enough. Will have to see.

Dislikes:
Some things I did not like about the Twig. Well the batter lead is a little short to have the battery wires wrap around from the front (on packs with shorter cables), but it is too stiff with the cap to have the battery lead come out the rear. I ended up with the lead getting pushed up into the prop after a crash, and the prop cut the wire. Fortunately only one lead was cut, otherwise it would have gone up in flames.
Also not sure why they taped the ELRS antenna up flat against the carbon, might remount it, but since ELRS is so robust anyways I guess its not too important.
Not sure I like the tall canopy though. It is nice that props are not across the middle of the screen like the Crux, but they are still very much in view. I find it a little harder to judge distance to ground, but maybe it just takes some getting used to.



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Try a set of 3” props on it.. I have the first edition of this 3” Frsky… the ratel camera sold me! It was awesome and for night flying very impressive ..
I tried some Avan 3” props .. loved the performance so much I tried 3.5 Avans .. was fast! Agile but “floaty”..
Oh, and it has been beat to hell.. still asking for more

nice purchase mate, I built out a twig frame but lost it on its maiden flight, back with the fpv gods were less kind.

I'm most envious. I will get one day. But won't be for a bit.

You got any video for us to watch or will that be posted in due time?

@Rob
I actually like floaty, I think it gives me more time to react and I need that. Also like that lightweight feeling, but when the winds come its a different story.

@ph2t
Sorry to hear that. But your builds are much more interesting, so maybe the drone gods were just sending you along your way

@Pathfinder
You know I have a really crappy analog DVR, should probably install some shielding or maybe a power filter. It records some horrible diagnol bars across it. And I think everyone is tired of watching my backyard videos. But since you asked, I will upload it.

The current sensor is showing a cruising amp draw below 2 amps (on 3S and 4S), this can't be right. And punchout on 4S is only 19a. Need to calibrate the sensor, I suspect it is under reporting the current.

.. yeah, the “floaty” caused it to get caught up in a tree..it was there throughout a rainstorm, and a couple of days.. only damage was the lipo. Strange since my buddy lost his aio(same quad) due to a landing in tall grass …

such graceful dives

Once the lipo drains out, the electronics seem fine exposed to the elements. I had my Crux with a naked vista stuck in a tree for several months over winter (a very kind forum member climbed a 100? foot tree to help me retrieve it) and everything just worked plugging in a new battery.
If by tall grass you mean wet tall grass, usually quads survive if you unplug the lipo. But dirty water can short out electronics.