Hi guys

I'm about to start a new build for a 3" quad, I want ot keep it as light as possible, Caddx Vista equipped, with powerful motors to achieve a reasonable speed.

I have no idea where to start... can you suggest me which frame to use ? Something I can find in Europe.

In addition, which class of motor do you suggest ? I was thinking about Xnova or other racing-oriented brands.

Thank you in advance!

i didnt hear good things about the xnova 1408, i wouldnt try them.

your description; fast, powerfull with vista sounds like a 4inch to me :-)
there would be the xnova 1804, these are nice powerfull 4inch motors, not very lightweight.
could a 4inch be an option?

as example the rotorama spirit frame could match an aio board and a vista, probably extended standoffs needed. this could give a lightweight 4inch. not sure if 1804 motor mount would match...

member jasper fly a armattan gecko 4inch with vista, not the most lightweight option but can powerfull and fast aswell.

Well... why not! :-)

4 inch is an option! I will check these frames you are talking about...

Regarding Armattan... i'm not an expert at all but they seems... "massive and heavy" to me!

yess its heavy with 45g and expensive... https://armattanquads.com/gecko-4/

Armattan is not in line with my actual idea of light build, however the spirit seems to be good! Do you think i can easily stack a vista module on it ? And apart from the xnova which brand and size of motor do you suggest?

Thank you for your help!

https://rotorbuilds.com/search/3%22+Caddx+Vista

Some Rotorbuild search list ( Vista +3")  might give you some ideas.



Yeah Gecko 4" is on the heavy side. I like it  as it is hardy and I treat it as my " trainer " for my 5"  due to similar flight characteristics with the extra weight.

I'm also a fan of 4". Fouride 4"  is pretty good but a lot more tight if you use 20x20mm stack and want to add a receiver. And shipping from US add cost.

This 4"  frame design is from a French pilot. Cut and sent by Armattan Production in Asia.

https://rotorbuilds.com/build/23197

(22-Dec-2020, 10:34 PM)Zanna83 Wrote: Armattan is not in line with my actual idea of light build, however the spirit seems to be good! Do you think i can easily stack a vista module on it ? And apart from the xnova which brand and size of motor do you suggest?

Thank you for your help!

i believe its just a question about standoff diameter to get the vista in it. it wont give the very best protection for the stack, but i would still say it will be durable.

jaspers posted a framedesign where the stack protection might be better. looks nice.

im truly a lightweight lover, no vista for me xD so i choose a lightweight motor, would give a different result than with the added vista. my last 4inch is with lightweight emax 1306 motors.
actual i would choose a brotherhobby vy1504,5.
if i would like to carry a deceased gopro, i would choose something like: 1606/1804/1806/2004/2204
deceased gopro might be a near weight difference.
there are many choices.

if you like to save weight, brotherhobby 1504,5 or 2004 would give light results.
as i like all kind of lightweight 4" builds regardless the motorsize, dont know what to suggest: bigger motor on a lightweight buildmeans torq in every situation, smaller motor on a lightweight quad means agile/nimble in every situation. the bh vy2004 is very lightweight for the size, limited prop choices for t-mount but lightweight.

as suggested rotorbuilds will be the best source, there might be some videos to the build, to watch their performance.

Caddx vista is not a GoPro. You dont need burly bulky frame. Or big motors. 3inch flies different. If you want zippy, I strongly urge you to go 4inch.

You can cram it under canopy in toothpick like Geprc Skip.

All my toothpick quads have crazy high power to weight and 10min+ possible. some 14min..

Geprc1204, 3018, 115mm, iFlight 20A. 60g

Apex1303.6, 3016*3, 115mm, Hifion F7 45A, 74g

Xing1404 3800, T4025, 156mm PickleFork, iFlight 20A, 80g. Very agile and fun. (now rebuilt and 20g heavier)

BH1504.5 4000, 4023*3, 160mm, Hifion F7 45A 102g.
Its a rocketship.

I fly these 4inchers the most.

So my advice:
1. If you MUST go 3", get big canopy toothpick frame, and 1204, 1204.5, .... 1404 max.
2. If you want FAST quad, get 4" frame and 4023*3 and 1504.5 or even 1506.
3. For 4", 2004 is on the big/heavy side... and unless you go 6S, not right KV. For 3", just wasted power.

Thank you all guys, things are getting clearer... let's go for 4 inch.

What about the T-Motor F1507 KV2700 (15g) ? I would like to go for 6S... better shafted or unshafted ?

Or, little lighter the XNova T1804 KV1900

It's difficult to compare because I can't find any table with 4" props!

there arent alot props: there is the old and fantastic hq 4030x3, the new low pitched gemfan 4023 (work on both mounts) there are two 4inch props from emax but they are 4,1" doesnt fit every 4inch frames.
there are low pitched 2blade props from hq and gemfan for t-mount.
there are some others like dalprop 4052(?) but they are better to use on a 2204 motor...


the tmotor might be nice and powerfull, its close to the 2004 from bh about weight. i beleive both would be powerfull.
the xnova is a nice motor, i beleive a bit less powerfull than the other options. i thought its more heavy?!?

T Motor 1507 is quite powerful indeed and will be plenty fast for 4". Shafted 1507 will be more versatile with more prop choice. There are also HQ 4x4.3x3 V1s, Gemfan 4032 on top of the ones Hugnosed mentioned but these are not as efficient. I use Gemfan 4032 on my Gecko 4/1507 3800kv with a heavy 1300mah 4s. Enough power at the expense of flight time due to the weight. The versatile Gemfan 4023 is probably my favourite now and I use it on both T mount and shafted motors.


HQ T4x2.5 and Gemfan 4024 Hurricane bi blade are probably more suited to 4" Toothpick style build and Micro Long Range.

Have you looked at FPV cycle Fourride?
It’s a 4” frame and a Caddx Vista will fit.
I have a baby crocodile and with 1404 it’s zippy.
https://fpvcycle.com/collections/fouride...hoose-size

Motor+prop+cell-count combo depends on what you are after. Its fairly broad range of "what works". Stick to what drone makers do.

Long ago in ancient times, folks were running 6" props on 1806 motors, and barely getting 400g thrust. Things were bad.

Today, big brand FC/ESC/motor are all about same. If you cant find thrust table with prop, use similar KV chart from another manufacturer.

As I explained before, only reason to use big 1507 on 3" is for heavy prop like 3052*3 to get even more grip - something you only need for racing.

From my experience,
3018*2 -> 1202.5 to 1204 (4-6g) .. 50g quad
3016*3 -> 1204 to 1404 (6-10g) .. 70g quad
3052*3 -> 1505 to 1507 (12-16g) .. 150g quad
4025*2 -> 1404 to 1505 (10-12g) .. 100g quad
4023*3 -> 1505 to 1507 (12-16g) .. 150g quad
pretty obvious.. you need stronger motor for bigger prop

(23-Dec-2020, 06:02 PM)Rob3ddd Wrote: Have you looked at FPV cycle Fourride?
It’s a 4” frame and a Caddx Vista will fit.
I have a baby crocodile and with 1404 it’s zippy.
https://fpvcycle.com/collections/fouride...hoose-size

the powerstivk from fpvcycle would be the lightweight-performance frame from kabab

(24-Dec-2020, 06:58 AM)romangpro Wrote: Motor+prop+cell-count combo depends on what you are after. Its fairly broad range of "what works". Stick to what drone makers do.

Long ago in ancient times, folks were running 6" props on 1806 motors, and barely getting 400g thrust. Things were bad.

Today, big brand FC/ESC/motor are all about same. If you cant find thrust table with prop, use similar KV chart from another manufacturer.

As I explained before, only reason to use big 1507 on 3" is for heavy prop like 3052*3 to get even more grip - something you only need for racing.

From my experience,
3018*2 -> 1202.5 to 1204 (4-6g) .. 50g quad
3016*3 -> 1204 to 1404 (6-10g) .. 70g quad
3052*3 -> 1505  to 1507 (12-16g) .. 150g quad
4025*2 -> 1404 to 1505 (10-12g) .. 100g quad
4023*3 -> 1505 to 1507 (12-16g) .. 150g quad
pretty obvious.. you need stronger motor for bigger prop

Up to now, all my quads are freestyle oriented. Now I would like to try a build more speed-oriented.

I like the idea of running 1507 with 4" props... maybe below 3000kv with 6s batteries. And I think that 650mah 6S would be a nice battery for that.

Maybe with some care choosing the right frame I can build a quad below 250g with battery. Do you think it's possible ?

Flouride is not the type of frame i was thinking about... I'm more oriented to something like the BetaFPV X-Knight. Instead... what about the powerpick 4" ?