Building an Ultralight 5" quad on a Budget (less than 1 USD per gram) - BUILD LOG

[@pjak2000]

Wow - this is one of the best build logs I've seen over the YT so far. Great work.

[@muteFPV]

Thank you +Przemysław Jakubczak! Take a look at my other build logs, I think they are all very good videos ;)

[@mybluebelly]

NEVER STOP HAVING FUN ! ! !

[@muteFPV]

:D

[@arendmookhoek4314]

really awesome build! i have come to expect quality from your but its just so good. one thing, FLIGHT FOOTAGE?

[@muteFPV]

Thank you +Arend Mookhoek :D You are right, I must start showing flights as well. I don't fly often lately (working until late) and when I do it is not at a pretty - or at least interesting - location.. I promise I will begin to include flight footage though as soon as my schedule allows :)

[@arendmookhoek4314]

muteFPV good to hear, i really appriciate youre stuff.

[@muteFPV]

Thanks mate :)

[@MCsCreations]

Awesome build, dude! It looks amazing! 😀 Are you going to publish a flight video? I would have to see! 😀

[@muteFPV]

Hey +MC's Creations! I didn't post any flight with it because in the end I didn't like the frame at all and was going to disassemble and transplant everything to something else. Thank you very much :)

[@MCsCreations]

muteFPV Oh... I see. 😕 I liked it because it really looks light!

[@muteFPV]

And it is :P But yeah, maybe with lighter components and much lighter weight (as a 4" build for example) it is better suited. They have a version with smaller arms, maybe I try them out.

[@SonAndDadFPV]

Do you have to deassemble the whole frame if you break an arm?

[@muteFPV]

You need to remove one long screw and the smaller screw next to it but it definitely is a tedious process +Erwin L. I had to do it on all 4 screws, when the ones I finally used arrived (I was using temporary, shorter screws at the beginning) and it was a bit of a pain in the butt. Definitely not a frame I would recommend.

[@gam3garage]

Thanks man. Love yr builds.

[@muteFPV]

Thank you +jakerock workshop! :D

[@blackmennewstyle]

Pretty challenging build boss :) I'm not sure i would have done a better job than you! Not really a big fan of having my FC and 4-in-1 ESCs being part of the structure of the frame but hey some people might be happy with that :) Have a look on the Hyperlite Floss, such a great light frame ;) Have a great week and may the FPV force be with you :)

[@muteFPV]

I totally agree +ABMNS PRODUCTION, I ended up not liking this frame / layout. I like how everything got together build-wise but functionality and protection or at a very low level :P The Mode2 Ghost seems also like a very nice frame. I will build something like this next time I get around to a light 5" build :)

[@Floh545]

Looks so clean ! How long can it fly? (; Looks like it could fly pretty long, if you don't hit the trottle hard !

[@CoppertopFPV]

Nice vid as always, but that’s a long way off an ultralight. It’s barely a light! My 5” project was 160g pre props with 2204s

[@muteFPV]

Thank you +Coppertop FPV but the purpose of this build was a fully featured ultralight. Just the weight difference of 2204 motors and props is at least 36g. Remove the Split, the capacitors, replace the motors with smaller / lighter ones etc, and yes, it will be as light as it can go while spinning 5" props. But it is not what I intended to do with this build :)

[@CoppertopFPV]

muteFPV it’s still not an ultra light mate. Mines 193g with props on and 2205s. Regardless, my point is it’s not an ultra light. It would need to be sub 250g to fall into that category imo, and that could still be done easy enough with a split and 2205s. Sorry, but the title is misleading.

[@muteFPV]

I didn't mean to mislead anyone, I hope you know that :) Aside from naked-bottom motors and lighter props (which could drop the weight by 15g at best?) I cannot think of any other way to reach 250g without skimping on features and while keeping the budget low. Feel free to let me know your suggestions on parts selection of course, I am always open to ideas and feedback!

[@CoppertopFPV]

muteFPV no worries, I know mate. well I was going to link one of my videos, but I’m not trying to advertise here, so here is a link to the Avant Devel bnf avantquads.com/products/Devel-5--Bind%252dN%252dFly-%22NEW%22.html which weighs 214g. Another 15g for props, and 16g for a split and you’re at 245g dry. You don’t need anything bigger than a hglrc xjb 28amp 20x20mm stack on 2205s, so that will shave around 10g, the vtx isn’t the lightest, and you could replace with a vtx 03 etc, so you’d have a dry weight of around 235g. Just some ideas (I’ve never bought a bnf, but I can tell you the frame is a peach, and Eddie at Avant is a top bloke :) ).

[@muteFPV]

Feel free to post your video, we are all here to share what we do and learn, not to compete :) Putting cost aside, that is a very nice setup. Keep in mind that the mini split was not out when I did this build, things change rapidly ;) Also the frame itself costs more than double the twig-clone (which admittedly is not a good choice). My intention is not to make build logs that people should follow blindly anyway, I hope each one can find some interesting and/or useful tidbits in this one and apply them to their own combination of parts! I will make sure to revisit the "ultralight" subject based on your recommendations :D Thank you very much for the input!

[@senthilkumar-xn3gs]

hi... please suggest me a complete fpv drone build(also goggles,transmitters,receivers etc) in a budget range...i will be rarely using this drone to see the aerial view and to record it... so clarity in recorded vids and better viewing experience through goggles is just needed...i wont be indulging in any race...i want to assemble the drone myself...so please suggest me a( do it urself kind of) fpv drone along with better goggles,transmitters and receivers etc...😁😁😁 ....thanks in advance

[@muteFPV]

Hello :) This is too vague for me to be able to give you suggestions, please let me know more details. For example: What is your budget exactly? What is your flying experience so far? Any FPV experience or line-of-sight? What places/areas would you like to fly in? Do you have R/C related equipment that you can use (LiPo battery charger, basic tools, soldering gear etc)?

[@senthilkumar-xn3gs]

@@muteFPV Big thanks for ur response...my budget can be 300$ for complete set including small repairing tools...i have been using the FPV rider free Mobile app for learing basic controls😁...I am just seeing lots of fpv flying vids in youtube and no hands on experience😕...i am a electrical and electronics engineer and currently working in power generation department...so i think i can understand these things easily😁...i m searching for fpv drone community near me but this hobby is not much introduced here...i will be flying in some of the easily accessible tourist places...it wont be any adventurous, since i will be flying this rarely like monthly once or twice...i have mas830l digital multimeter,25 w soldering iron,screw driver sets, not much😕...need to buy lipo battery charger and remaining things also...😁

[@muteFPV]

I am sure you will enjoy this hobby and hope you can have the opportunity to fly more often :) Honestly 300$ is a bit low for all the things you will need. What I mean by that is that it is hard to suggest specific parts that will last you a long time, especially since you need a handful of batteries to get used to flying in the first place. So it is better to aim for basic-but-good options that can introduce you to FPV with no hassle. Definitely brushless, durable and probably "low maintenance". I usually don't recommend RTF (ready to fly) bundles, but the Emax Tinyhawk RTF kit is hard to beat. It is ~160$ including shipping to my location (check yours for shipping costs). You can then spend around 40$ for 10 batteries, 20$ for a spare frame and a few props, ~12$ for a second (very basic) charger and maybe 10$ for one spare motor. The Tinyhawk is a great little quad, it is extremely durable and it flies well. Many pilots in the community have it so you can easily troubleshoot if needed. 1S voltage means that you can charge multiple batteries at once, even from a USB power bank, using very basic chargers. The batteries are cheap enough to let you abuse and get used to how to treat them right. The controller and headbox goggles are very basic but reportedly very good for a beginner. Such combo will let you have a nice experience right out of the box without breaking the bank and if you end up not liking it I am sure it will be very easy to sell everything as a bundle. This hobby can get very expensive very fast, better make sure you like it before committing :) I hope you find this helpful!

[@senthilkumar-xn3gs]

@@muteFPV this was the nice explanation i needed😃😃 first thing i'm gonna do is buy tiny hawk and get some hands on experience😁 by the way how much money is exactly needed to get a bomb proof Quad😁 that will give a nice viewing experience😃 so that I can start saving money from now... please give me full details on the money needed...☺

[@muteFPV]

You first have to start flying and then we can talk about it :) After you get an idea of what is what and how things are done, we can discuss and find something that suits you the best. If you are satisfied with the headbox goggles of the tinyhawk we can look into transmiter and quad first, if you need something better we can look into goggles instead, which will give you a more pleasant experience. Start saving up, if you get into the hobby there is a lot of stuff you will need :P

[@Wibration]

Nice clean built but... where is the maiden? :D

[@muteFPV]

Thank you! I barely wanted to upload the build video itself +Wibration, let alone a maiden :P I regret my frame choice and will probably transplant everything to something else..

[@j_kramer]

2:29 those on beat solders tho :D great edit!

[@muteFPV]

YES! Someone noticed! :D +KramerFPV

[@j_kramer]

I also noticed the unintentional swastika at 0:27. My buddy is about to build his first brushless and we are jamming out to this one at work. ;)

[@muteFPV]

I accidentally did one when I filmed the 0:15 section for the first time and had to redo it when I noticed it :P Sweet! What parts is he going for?

[@j_kramer]

Basically an affordable 5" as his first brushless build. This video/description has a lot to offer someone about to pick parts and build for the first time. Following through with bf config is a nice touch as well.

[@muteFPV]

Thank you +KramerFPV :)

[@gc9n]

Awsome!

[@muteFPV]

Pes kana logaki parapanw +George Chatzisavvidis, 6 grammata a3izw mono? Akoma kai mia stimeni lemonokoupa 18 grammata exei :D :D :D

[@gc9n]

xaaxaxxaaxaxa LLOl (nomizw einai parapanw tora?)

[@muteFPV]

kati ginetai twra... :P

[@CrixyTnT]

awesome as awlays

[@muteFPV]

Thanks +TriniRCmodels

[@djvaliro]

nice. fight video !

[@muteFPV]

Thanks +yo8aiv! I don't know if there is any point, I ended up not liking the frame at all. I will probably disassemble and use something else.

[@windrides]

Good job but it's not light at all.

[@muteFPV]

Hey +windrides! It is as light as I could go for what it packs (runcam split, full sized VTx, heavy motors and props etc) and at a low budget. A few more grams could be shaved off by using naked bottom motors but I already had the RS2205 lying around. I would be happy to hear your suggestions: how much lighter could it go, without skimping on features?

[@windrides]

I had in mind something like that: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aWKYf6Sqn9Cdqqs close to 150 grams dry. Of course sacrifices in features have to be made in order to achieve ultra light weight build. It doesn't mean your build is bad. I like the components you used, the presentation and editing of your video.

[@muteFPV]

Thank you for clarifying +windrides. I saw that build and it is very nice, but totally different from what I wanted to do :)

[@FPVPortugalTV]

The Merica it's lighter and much better frame, that style of standoff and integral structure it's bad choice.

[@muteFPV]

Yep, I don't know if you read the description but I ended up not liking it at all either. I wanted to build such layout though since I first saw the twig. CM Merica, Mode2 Ghost, HL Floss etc are very nice and light frames, although more than double the price. Feel free to let me know your suggestions for a good but lightweight budget frame!

[@FPVPortugalTV]

this is cheap bit.ly/2oaN794 , and the arms at the first 2 motor bolts will probably break but you can easly make a better arms, draw and send them to cut cheap in armattan productions. Armattan production is another good place to look at nice frames. ;) I Like the SCX Low Profile a lot. it's 50$ i think, it´s awesome.

[@muteFPV]

Ah yes, the mode2 ghost clone :) It wasn't around when I ordered the parts of this build. I think the RFX 185 was the only light and cheap frame that could fit everything I needed. The SCX looks very nice, bookmarked for future use ;) Thanks for the input mate!

[@FPVPortugalTV]

muteFPV you are very welcome, your videos are amazing, very well made. ;) You are from Europe? :)

[@muteFPV]

Thank you very much +FPV Portugal! I am from Europe, from Greece to be exact :D

[@hfhfdjsk]

Weight isn't super impressive! I moved away from this frame too

[@muteFPV]

Hi +Anson Li! I agree, as I wrote in the description I ended up not liking it as well. Please let me know your suggestions concerning the weight. Aside from naked bottom motors and lighter props, where else would you save weight from?

[@hfhfdjsk]

muteFPV just minimalistic. I built one with the original QAV ULX and tmotor F40 pro 2306, and total weight was 225 with props. I used an AIO, TBS unify with ufl dipole, runcam micro swift. Left out several of the unnecessary carbon bits and minimized hardware.

[@hfhfdjsk]

I would add that with those explosive tmotor f40 pro 2600kv on tiny arms, vibrations were hard to tune and TPA needed to be high. Also the arms got weak and twistable just from flying (not crashing, didn't even change props once). I assume vibrations ended up causing internal delamination or something like that

[@muteFPV]

I see. Maybe I should have used an AiO too for this one instead. Forgot to mention earlier, the long stainless steel screws I used ended up being much heavier than the stock standoffs included in the kit - had you used the stock ones, or screws like mine?

[@hfhfdjsk]

muteFPV an AIO is about 16g, whereas a good 4in1+FC is still maybe 18g, not a big difference! The tradeoffs are ease of installation vs cheaper replacement. Yes, I used all titanium or aluminum hardware and replaced most of the stock hardware to shave some weight. Using the AIO let's you use short hardware and save a little weight