Well, the build has been finished for a while, but I've finally finished the video!

HOW TO build an HD Micro Quad! Sub 250g full build with tips! (23 min 23 sec)

Leave a like and subscribe if you enjoyed the video, it really helps out!

The Flysky FRM302 is finally starting to appear for sale. This is the JR module that gives access to Flysky's newest protocol, AFHDS3A. While this is still using 2.4 GHz for transmission, Flysky is claiming it's a long range protocol, apparently good for more than 12km. Should be exciting to see this in use and to see if it lives up to their claims. Native support for the NV14, as well, should make this popular for current Flysky users.


Here are the only receivers that will work with AFHDS3A.

FTR16s is the serial only, miniquad style receiver.

FTR4 is the air based one, with PWM output for servos.

GR4 is the ground receiver, for RC cars.

Eachine have just released their newest FPV goggle, the EV300Ds. Obviously an update to the fan favourite, the EV200Ds, the new goggles have higher resolution (1280x960, same as HDO2 and ORQA!), bring back the individual eye focusing that made the EV100s so popular, and an 18650 battery case! Looks like Eachine has really stepped things up with this goggle!


I'm hoping I'll have a pair of these to test out to see how good they really are!

It's been a long time coming, but it seems like Flysky has finally produced a decent micro receiver. They even got the colour of the PCB right!

Flysky FS-x14s



I have been using, and struggling, with third party micro receivers for a while now, such as the fli14+, and am excited to finally see a good option. I love my NV14 radio, but I have been stuck using terrible receivers with it. No more, hopefully.

Flysky did put up a youtube video showing this receiver, on a 7 inch quad (so no a8s issues, either), going 1.5km. It was up high and over water, though, but real world performance should still be quite good.

I will hopefully be testing these out, I just hope the price comes down a bit.

MicroHD build overview! Sub-250 gram build with HD recording (7 min 13 sec)

Since stricter regulations have been moving in on the hobby, I've been very interested in making a sub-250g HD build to keep my flights in the legal end of the spectrum. On top of that, I'm a bit of a sucker for budget builds, so I tried to make some conscious choices there, too. Thanks to some help from Banggood, I've finally got the chance to make that a reality!

Here is the build I've spec'd out, and why I've made the choices I did.

Frame:
I wanted a decent frame for this build that would handle some abuse (because I suspect this quad is going to get flown a lot!). I also wanted to make sure it had a suitable protection for the components inside. I settled on the GepRC Gep-PX2.5 Phoenix frame. This frame has enough room for a three-high stack (ESC, FC and cam board) and a 3d-printed piece on the back that will handle the VTx mount, antenna mount, and tubes for the receiver antenna. As well, the aluminium brackets for the camera mount should provide plenty of protection for the camera itself.

GepRC Gep-PX2.5 Phoenix



Control Stack:
For the flight controller stack, the choice was fairly obvious. I went with the Diatone Mini Mamba. This stack has been around long enough to prove itself, and it's done a fine job of that. The layout works great, it comes with all the wires you need (including a capacitor!) and the price isn't beat by any other product.

Mamba F405 mini mk2



Motors:
For 2.5 inch props, I think you're looking at a minimum of 1105...Continue Reading

Here is my review of the ArrisHobby X140 micro quad. It's a budget micro available from Hobby-Wing, and I think it's worth a look if you're in the market.

Link Here: https://goo.gl/1wYfQM

Arris X140 Review - Budget Micro Quad with No Compromise! (5 min 57 sec)

Newest build video of mine. Built this quad to use the rcINpower EX2306 motors, and I am thoroughly impressed. These are 10 dollar motors, and they're beautiful. I hope they catch on!

See them here: https://goo.gl/WLR3o7

Full build components are in the youtube description.

Full build of a Budget Quadcopter - VX210 V2 Budget Beast! (7 min 25 sec)

Here's a quick FPV video from the Arris X140. This was my first flight with it between rainfall, so it's a little quick and a little erratic. The quad performs fantastic on 3s, so I assume it will be amazing on 4s.

Full review video coming soon!

Arris X140 first flight - High performance on a budget! (2 min 11 sec)

Got my fli14+ receivers and put one in a brand new build. After the usual cautionary maiden, I had my first real flight to see how it performed. Result: terribly. I expected good results from these, as they look exactly like the Flit10 receivers. But clearly something is different.

Fli14+ Test and Crash! Short range failsafe issues. . . (1 min 12 sec)

Eachine just released their newest micro VTx, the VTX03S, and this one has smartaudio. I was lucky enough to get to test it out, and I found it to be a very impressive unit.

First off, smartaudio works flawlessly, I had zero issue setting it up. Second, the video signal is super clean, I flew out past 250m on 100mW and had clear video. Finally, it's super cheap, only 10 bucks at the moment!

Overall, I think they've got another winner with this one.

See it here: Eachine VTX03S

Eachine's Micro SmartAudio VTx - Eachine VTX03S review (7 min 48 sec)

The Flit10 is one of the new cheap micro receivers for Flysky. These have been a long time coming, so I wanted to do a range test to make sure they stand up. They do! The tiny receiver has diversity and has more than enough range for what I need. I'm happy to finally have some decent micro receivers for Flysky.

See it here: Flysky Flit10 Receiver

Flysky Flit10 Range test - Cheap full range receiver? (3 min 12 sec)

Here is some sample footage from the new Foxeer Monster Pro. Very impressive for a $25 camera.

Foxeer Monster Pro (V3) Sample footage - Topsky F7X DVR (2 min 55 sec)

The video was recorded from my Topsky goggles with an Eachine Pro58 module.

I'll have a full review of the camera coming soon.

I'll share my build videos here, and I'll keep the first post updated with the most recent.

Lots of people say to find a formula and stick to it, but I love building new quads with different parts and seeing how they perform. I think it's fun to see how cheap parts perform, and sometimes you will find a fantastic deal. I've been surprised more than once.

Here is the most recent build I've done.

Pelusa X220 Build - Pelusa X220 | Furibee BR2306S and 30A esc | Mango F3 FC | Mista Upgraded 800TVL (9 min 10 sec)

This is a cheap camera available on Banggood. It has a very wide angle lens and records true 1080p30 video. It is smaller than a GoPro session and very light. I think it's great option for 130-150mm quads, and would make for a good practice camera on any quad, so you don't have to risk an expensive one.

Xanes X2 Cube Camera - The best HD camera for micros! (2 min 33 sec)

After I received my Topsky F7x FPV goggles, I made this video to comment on how I perceived all the complaints made by people about them. I found them to be quite exaggerated. I have been using these goggles since I got them, and I love them.

I have since received an Eachine Pro58 module, which fits in the goggles like it was made for them, and with new firmware on the module, the image and DVR recordings are significantly improved. I will be making a few more videos concerning the Pro58 module in the goggles and the DVR when I can get some free time and I will post them here. Subscribe or post in this thread to be notified when I post them.

TOPSKY F7X V2! My Opinions on the Problems and the Goggles. (12 min 19 sec)

Here is where I'll share some flight edits I've made. Please comment on what you think! I'll keep the first post updated with my most recent flight.

Final flight of the Foxeer Box - FPV crash (3 min 55 sec)

Pelusa X220 First flights - Foxeer Box HD and Topsky DVR (2 min 7 sec)

...Continue Reading

A quick and to the point review I did of the Gofly-RC CP90 quadcopter.

The frame of this makes it very durable and resistant to crashes, and it flies very well on 3s lipos. There is an updated version of this quadcopter available, and I think it is definitely worth considering.

GoFly-RC Falcon CP90 Micro Brushless quad - Super tough Brushless Micro! (7 min 6 sec)

A review I did on the Hobbymate X130 kit.

Hobbymate X130 Quadcopter kit - Full build and review! (14 min 51 sec)

A quick review of two of the cheapest products on Banggood for FPV.

A $12 CMOS FPV camera:

Banggood CMOS FPV camera - Better than you expect - Overview with Sample Footage (3 min 14 sec)

A 5 dollar Micro cloverleaf antenna:

Micro Cloverleaf 5.8ghz FPV Antenna - Overview and Testing (3 min 45 sec)

...Continue Reading