Toy quad vs Hobbie grade.

[Altsickeness]

New guy question....

I've seen it mentioned quite alot "toy quad" and "hobbie grade". What's the difference? Is there some universally understood criteria that differentiates the two?

 

[holtneil]

Hi mate toy grade mostly are the small cheap units that you buy and fly and if go wrong bin it , Hobby grade use better parts can be up up graded and have extra added to them on some FCBs like gps, way points and auto flight modes , brushless motors not coreless , larger more powerful batteries for longer flight times ,hobby grade you can get as a kit or rtf and self build to your own spec

 

[GJH105775]

New guy question....

I've seen it mentioned quite alot "toy quad" and "hobbie grade". What's the difference? Is there some universally understood criteria that differentiates the two?

Generally hobby grade will be modular, and have brushless motors.

 

[Altsickeness]

Makes sense. Thanks guys.

 

[Brushless]

Being a rc nut for many years, 45 plus years now I see no classification differences. To me you simply have good quads with a lot of features regardless of size or motor specs. That being said there are a lot of inexspensive quads out there that I will not buy.

 

[Mike H.]

There's quite a few inexpensive quads i would own over and over again.

I dont personally consider a toy quad something you throw away because a motor burns out or a flight board goes bad...Brushless motors and much more expensive quads in general have the same problems although maybe not as often.

A typical brushed motor has about 5 hours of life span...With an average 6 minute of flight thats 50 flights before one can go weak and/or needs replacing...The batteries are pretty much the same.

If you can solder, then you can maintain and fly a toy quad as long as you can a hobby grade..Its just way less expensive.

 

[Brushless]

There's quite a few inexpensive quads i would own over and over again.

I dont personally consider a toy quad something you throw away because a motor burns out or a flight board goes bad...Brushless motors and much more expensive quads in general have the same problems although maybe not as often.

A typical brushed motor has about 5 hours of life span...With an average 6 minute of flight thats 50 flights before one can go weak and/or needs replacing...The batteries are pretty much the same.

If you can solder, then you can maintain and fly a toy quad as long as you can a hobby grade..Its just way less expensive.

Mike you think like me. Back in the day when something broke you fixed it. Good post, spot on.

 

[holtneil]

Yes true but while your fixing yours I am out flying mine the coreless and brushed motors cant lift what a brushless motor can , I have toy quads but I wont spend more than the cost of it on fixing it , and it hard to upgrade a toy quad so you can try a different FCB to see what one you like more as your stuck with the one thats made for that toy quad
I am like you and do fix what I can up to a point

 

[GJH105775]

Yes true but while your fixing yours I am out flying mine the coreless and brushed motors cant lift what a brushless motor can , I have toy quads but I wont spend more than the cost of it on fixing it , and it hard to upgrade a toy quad so you can try a different FCB to see what one you like more as your stuck with the one thats made for that toy quad
I am like you and do fix what I can up to a point

I would not say that you can't have a hobby around the 'toy grade' quads, but they are not near as powerful or well built (in general). I probably have more flight time on my toy quads as they are easier to get time to fly. You don't have to plan to top your batteries off overnight, and then go to a field big enough. But you can generally see a clear difference in quality and performance. It is just unlikely that you will get a toy quad to have speeds of 100kph or lifting capabilities of 2 or 3kg.

 

[Altsickeness]

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There's quite a few inexpensive quads i would own over and over again.

I dont personally consider a toy quad something you throw away because a motor burns out or a flight board goes bad...Brushless motors and much more expensive quads in general have the same problems although maybe not as often.

A typical brushed motor has about 5 hours of life span...With an average 6 minute of flight thats 50 flights before one can go weak and/or needs replacing...The batteries are pretty much the same.

If you can solder, then you can maintain and fly a toy quad as long as you can a hobby grade..Its just way less expensive.

I replaced my first motor. Easy job of soldering. I have some experience in auto electrical, so not an issue. Although I might need to invest in a cheap set of glasses (it's pretty small). I will keep fixing as needed. I found a crash kit for my quad for about $30. Not sure I'll need it though as this thing is so light weight not much happens to it even on a max range death drop that I've experienced a few times. Just props and legs and one motor so far.