Custom design Nano Long Range

After the first designs of nano long range copters became known, I decided to build my own. Compared to the commercial products, the following features were introduced. To increase the stability of the frame, the motors are additionally connected by arm braces. This also for the reason that only 2mm carbon was used. Also, the battery holder is mounted at the bottom to increase flight stability here as well. After finalizing the design in my CAD, the carbon frame was milled in a water bath.

The following picture shows the finished frame.

A polycarbonate mount for the camera was designed and mounted on top of the carbon frame and the flight controller and Crossfire receiver were installed. The first prototype was completed and tested.

My custom design of the nano long range flies excellent and is a lot of fun. Because of its size, this quad can be flown almost everywhere.

As soon as I find the time I will design a new version. I still have a few small improvements in the planning. But even without these changes, the first version is a success from my point of view.

iFlight IX2 lite and Insta360 GO

The iFlight IX2 flies super stable and is ideal for small places or behind the house.
Flashed with BetaFlight 4.2 and JESC firmware for low rpm filtering.

Parts used:

  • Frame: IFLIGHT IX2 lite
  • ESC / FC: iFlight SucceX-E Mini F4 35A 2-6S Flight Stack
  • Motors: iFlight BeeMotor 1108 6000KV 2-4S
  • Receiver: TBS Crossfire Diversity Nano
  • Camera: Runcam Nano 2

Insta360 GO mount:

A remix of an Insta360 GO bracket was used as a basis and the hole was reduced to 3mm+ to fit the screw. Afterwards I have designed a bracket for the iFlight ix2 lite. With the two front screws (19mm apart) and a zip tie, the bracket is mounted on the quad. As a connection serves a 20mm aluminum button head screw and a aluminum hexnut. The whole mount weighs around 3 grams. Possibly, the mount can be used also on other small quads.

Link to Thingiverse: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4562419

iFlight IX2 lite
All parts
Parts assembled

Super G Plus by Project 399

I have just finished building the Super G Plus by Project 399. I bought this frame after I got inspired by the long range videos from JET (Jordan Temkin) and NURK FPV (Paul Nurkkala).

II really like the super design of the Super G Plus and I can say it will not be the last frame which I build from Project 399.

For this frame I have designed a few parts which can be downloaded from:

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4352941

From the second flight I uploaded a video on my YouTube channel. I felt familiar with the copter right from the beginning. Simply ingenious.

Parts used:

  • Frame: Super G + (https://www.project399.com)
  • ESC / FC: Hobbywing XRotor Micro 60A 4in1 ESC and F4 G3
  • Motors: T-Motor F80 Pro 1900 Kv
  • Receiver: TBS Crossfire Diversity Nano
  • Camera: Runcam Racer 3

I flashed the latest Betaflight Firmware 4.1.x and configured it using low RPM filter.

QAV-X built with old used parts

When I held some old parts of past FPV times in my hands, I spontaneously got the idea to build a basher quad for training purposes.

Parts used:

  • QAV-X replacement unibody frame plate (old spare part)
  • EMAX Race Spec RS2306 2750 KV (rarely used)
  • VTX: RUSH Tank Ultimate Plus
  • Foxeer Lollipop 2 RHCP
  • RunCam Phoenix Oscar Edition (great camera)
  • TBS Crossfire Nano RX
  • My preferred FC/ESC: Hobbywing XRotor Micro 60A 4in1 ESC und F4 G3 Combo (new)

On Thingiverse I have found some interesting parts for QAV-X based frames:

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3005371 (great pod, printed using CPE+ and Breakaway on Ultimaker S3)

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2306325 (battery protector, printed using TPU on Ultimaker S3)

Flashed with Betaflight 4.1.5 and configured using low rpm filter.

A few days ago I could fly the quad for the first time and was pleasantly surprised that it flew like on rails. I am very pleased to have built this quad. It doesn’t have to be the latest. Old school quad flying is fun 😉 Happy flying!

New videography equipment for 2020

Just finished an Armattan Badger as part for my videography equipment for 2020. Maiden flight was on January 12th.

Parts on this drone:

Frame: Armattan Badger

Motors: TBS Ethix Mr Steele Stout Motor V3 (2306 1750Kv)

ESC: Hobbywing Micro 60A 4in1

FC: Hobbywing F4 G3

Prop: HQ Ethix S5

RX: TBS Crossfire Nano

Camera: Foxeer Predator V4

LiPo: 6s

Installed Betaflight 4.1.2 using low RPM filter. It flies already pretty smooth.