To build or buy

S

Smarcus

Active Member
I'm relatively new to the hobby and I've had bad luck and good luck .. Total newb mistake of thinking I could learn fpv on a5 inch nazgul I had a fly away and watched 300 dollar bill fly away to never be found since then I've purchased a tiny hawk 2 and beta 85 pro and learned the basics from proximity flying indoors to flying acro mode and learning some tricks without crashing all the time I love the way my beta 85 pro flys it's been my acro trainer but it is dainty and has it's issues it's cheap and so are the electronics I'm wanting to build a 2.5 inch like a custom tiny hawk freestyle... Or maybe like a 4s 3inch mini apex(I'm nervous the 3"will be too powerful) I'm pretty handy and good with my hands I'm confident I can get it built but the tuning and setup and programming seem a little daunting should I try for a build or just keep buying rtf/bnf until I'm ready any suggestions for a first easy build for a newb
 
I say build your own. That way you'll always be able to fix it. Just be ready to do a LOT of soldering wires onto boards.

The set up and programming the firmware isn't that difficult and there are a ton of videos walking you through the process.

Build, fly, crash, repeat!
 
Dugdog47 said:
I say build your own. That way you'll always be able to fix it. Just be ready to do a LOT of soldering wires onto boards.

The set up and programming the firmware isn't that difficult and there are a ton of videos walking you through the process.

Build, fly, crash, repeat!
Click to expand...
Thanks for info I'm actually looking at armattan tadpole 2,5 frame and a the mamba f4 16x16 stack looking into a nano can that does good around dusk... Low light... And then...,........ Motors so many numbers I don't fully understand... I want something that will fly mild on 2s and wild on 3s or mild on 3s and wild on 4s hopefully some one will understand my ranting
 
I'm in the build it camp as well. The tadpole is a fun size, and they're said to make good frames. I would go with a 25x25 all in one (AIO) as opposed to a stack to save space. That would require the optional bracket to mount it. The pre-built model has 1204/5200kv motors. I think this would check your mild to wild box capable of 4S .
In comparison, I built 2 of these earlier this year. Geprc phantom 2.5 frame, Hakrc AIO, 1106/6500kv. The GF cruises around on 2S, and mine rips okay on 3S.
 

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Badfish said:
I'm in the build it camp as well. The tadpole is a fun size, and they're said to make good frames. I would go with a 25x25 all in one (AIO) as opposed to a stack to save space. That would require the optional bracket to mount it. The pre-built model has 1204/5200kv motors. I think this would check your mild to wild box capable of 4S .
In comparison, I built 2 of these earlier this year. Geprc phantom 2.5 frame, Hakrc AIO, 1106/6500kv. The GF cruises around on 2S, and mine rips okay on 3S.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the input I like the way the tadpole looks compared to the geprc but it looks better with the motors and aoi mounted that's a sweet looking build I like the braided motor wires is a nice touch do you have any clue where the 16-25 mounting bracket is available at.. I didn't see it at get fpv maybe I didn't look enough... Do you like the hakrc aoi... It's hard to find anything in stock
 
Try Race Day Quads or Pyrodrone. There's a link to the bracket on the product page. I tend to stay away from GetFPV.
I have ?s on the durability of the FC. I haven't had issues, but GF had a crash & it doesn't seem to like 3S batteries anymore.
 
Just to throw my 2 cents into the hat, in same camp as others here build your own. I started with couple "toy grade" things and then did a 3d printed frame and build following an online guide and then bought plastic frame then bought CF frame but lots of components just got migrated from one body to another or bits and pieces replaced as they broke while learning to fly a 5". What you did starting with 2" or so and getting good on that is smarter for sure, only down side with working on the micro ones is everything is very tiny so couple of tool (unrequested) recommendations:

Needed
Solder

Solder Iron
and/or

Hemostat/Forceps
Could use needle nose pliers as well but these make it easier to get tinned wires stuck right over a pad and be able to get solder iron in there easy and see what's going on.

Nice to have
Helping hands
or

Soldering tip cleaner (wet sponge can work, just think this works faster/better)

Side cutters
Handy for removing bits after soldering or shortening up tinned wires before soldering them down, can also strip wires with em if missing nails or don't have silicone covered wires.

Fume extractor (if not outside or in well ventilated room)
 
Thanks so much for your help any and all is helpful I especially appreciate the time to put the links in...I learned on a 5 "nazgul (first fpv purchase) that a fly away is super stressful and discouraging and a 100 dollar beta 85pro is a great learning tool to get you thumbs and sticks on the same page without stressing yourself out...Im a little anxious about working with the tiny components and I'm wondering if one of those lighted magnifying glass things for your workbench is for me or not.... It might be on my should have list lol but I'm most interested in the soldering iron what tip..b2....bc2....I...I assume I can buy different tips for the same iron?.. What would you consider your go to for a 2-3 inch build..I'm overthinking but I just want the right tool for the job.. I'm a plumber I can solder pipes together but that's different tools and material the only thing I know is what solder should look like when it flows good and smooth shouldn't look like when it beads and won't stick
wafflejock said:
Just to throw my 2 cents into the hat, in same camp as others here build your own. I started with couple "toy grade" things and then did a 3d printed frame and build following an online guide and then bought plastic frame then bought CF frame but lots of components just got migrated from one body to another or bits and pieces replaced as they broke while learning to fly a 5". What you did starting with 2" or so and getting good on that is smarter for sure, only down side with working on the micro ones is everything is very tiny so couple of tool (unrequested) recommendations:

Needed
Solder

Solder Iron
and/or

Hemostat/Forceps
Could use needle nose pliers as well but these make it easier to get tinned wires stuck right over a pad and be able to get solder iron in there easy and see what's going on.

Nice to have
Helping hands
or

Soldering tip cleaner (wet sponge can work, just think this works faster/better)

Side cutters
Handy for removing bits after soldering or shortening up tinned wires before soldering them down, can also strip wires with em if missing nails or don't have silicone covered wires.

Fume extractor (if not outside or in well ventilated room)
Click to expand...
 
So I've been doing a little research after wafflejocks post and the full ts100 kit is like 70 bucks I have an xt60x barrel connector that came with my sky zone cobra goggles send i have an extra 4s1550 battery thanks to the fly away I mentioned does any one know if this cable is the right one to power the t100 race day quads had a ts 100 for 50 bucks I see people on YouTube use these things on the bench with a battery when I'm sure a plug is close by... Just trying to save a few bucks and put a battery that I hardly use to work I only use to back up my goggles when their battery craps out before I'm done with my flying session
 
The ts100 should come with that cable too usually comes with a adapter cable an optional wall plug (they might skip that to get cost down a bit). Would contact seller though and just confirm if they include it, in many cases will be a 5.5mm outer diameter with negative on outside and positive on inside so should be good but is bit of a crapshoot.

Also basically suggested the Weller because I'm not sure about replacement tips for the ts100 my regular use one is a Weller cause have a bunch of tips for it and just had it forever but the ts100 is clutch for field repairs if just have a 4S and on vacation :)
 
wafflejock said:
The ts100 should come with that cable too usually comes with a adapter cable an optional wall plug (they might skip that to get cost down a bit). Would contact seller though and just confirm if they include it, in many cases will be a 5.5mm outer diameter with negative on outside and positive on inside so should be good but is bit of a crapshoot.

Also basically suggested the Weller because I'm not sure about replacement tips for the ts100 my regular use one is a Weller cause have a bunch of tips for it and just had it forever but the ts100 is clutch for field repairs if just have a 4S and on vacation :)
Click to expand...
I've been looking around and I kind of like the sequre d60 it's like 45 bucks and very similar to the ts100 in a video they take it apart and it looks almost identical on the inside and out...I also found this on Amazon or has pretty good reviews https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08MTTXFW...AN0GTZ9GYJRQEFY8C2H?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1...Im just not looking forward to spending 80 to 100 dollars on something I probably won't use a whole whole lot
 
As long as can get replacement tips and it gets hot (with temp control even better) it'll do the job. The longer you stay into any hobby rc stuff the more use it'll get :)
 
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