3 - 3.5 inch Open Prop Testing: Let's find the BEST!

[@pennerboy]

you missed the HQProp T3.5X2.5X3 - my favorite one.

[@CiottiFPV]

Keep in mind that those two 3" prop suggestions are VERY fragile, the Avan 3" has an extremely thin blade material which will bend/crease badly in most crashes and then the HQ 3x3x3 will break entire blades off during crashes since it's very weak at the hub. Adding durability in real life crashes over years and years and years of testing all of these into the data that Chris is presenting here, the best 3" options IMO are the Gemfan 3052 for 250 - 300 gram builds and the Dal Cyclone 3028 for 200 - 250 gram builds.

[@chrisbee5481]

What motors are you using on the DAL 3028? 1404? How do you like them vs the gemfan 3028?

[@AITullball3333]

Same thing with the Avan Scimitar 3.5". Flies great, but even a slight tumble on grass will snap a blade off.

[@CiottiFPV]

@@chrisbee5481 1404's, 1504'sm 1505's, and 1306's, the Gemfan 3028 Windancere are fragile, they breakbend blades at the hub just like the HQ 3x3x3, the Dal 3028's are the most durable lightweight higher pitch option we've got (for now)

[@MatteoAvalle]

Have you had issues recently with HQ 3x3x3? I basically only used those for the last 2 years: honestly, I never saw the issue you mentioned, I usually scrap them after being too dented/bent by the crashes, rather than seeing entire blades breaking off, even when crashing on concrete. I'm wondering if the issue you see is with more recent batches, as mine are surely a bit old

[@CiottiFPV]

@@MatteoAvalle I haven't used them in years because of how fragile they are and when they break an entire blade comes off making the rig unflyable, I always prefer props that bend rather than break so I can fly home

[@awesometl1856]

The vibration diagram is interesting. However, I don't think comparing all props at same thrust is fair, since these props cover completely differently scenarios. The weight of 3 inch drones can vary from 50g to 400g (or even more?), so the different props produce different thrust under their normal working conditions (hover / 20degree forward flight). However, the graph measures these props at 200gF thrust. For a light setup (a 100g AUW toothpick) using GemFan Hurricane 3016-3 prop, that means 800gF total thrust which provides **8g** acceleration, which is almost full throttle for a light drone. That also means this prop is spinning at way higher rpms than other heavier props, which causes other issues (the tip could be spinning at near sound speed causing even more vibration). So this comparison just doesn't reflect the working condition of this prop. Maybe it would be better to normalize the result based on pitch & diameter of the props, at same **tip speed**, say, 100m/s? Or maybe just provide a vibration - thrust graph, that way it would be easier to compare props at any desired thrust, since it just doesn't make sense to normalize the results and try to compare props for light toothpicks with props designed for heavier freestyle/racing/cinematic quads

[@Asu01]

Hello Chris! Now that I've been binging your empirical test of FPV theories, may I pitch an idea for your next series? I'm curious to know how different duct approaches affect performance. Duct features like low profile, straight profile, variable geometry, low prop tolerance, extended inlet bell, extended exhaust, stator vanes, or the combinations of these. See how they affect the performance in various parameters. Evaluate whatever the improved performance is worth the added weight. Will happily elaborate the full idea and help you further if you're interested. What do you think?

[@dr3452]

As already mentioned by another viewer sad too, the HQ 3.5 2.5 3 was not included as I have them on the AOS 3.5 O3 as on KZbin I found a test where that prop outperformed all other 3.5 props in overall performance. Would you like to have a look at them too? Totally love your videos on tuning and the AOS 3.5 makes me not want to switch to 5 inch my other guys fly as this thing with 750mah is 249 grams and blasts me away in how smooth and agile it can freestyle ❤

[@DanielSingerX]

Avan mini has been my go to prop for years! no mater which prop I use this one always gives me the smoothest flight feel while being quiet and exactly as you show here the least vibrations as long as the props aren't bent. but its not the most efficient. Ive gotta check out these 3.5 versions now :D Thanks for the work you do here very interesting and good data

[@RobertLeeuwerink]

Wow what a difference in vibrations between props!! Amazing work

[@pxsaber2177]

You left out the HQ 3.5x2.5x3 prop which would have been a more comparable version to the Gemfan

[@adamseal]

yeah exactly the same question the gemfan has 2 similar prop with different pitch (3520 and 3525). Also same with the hq prop (t3.5x2x3 and t3.5x2.5x3). And also there many of 90mm/3.5 inch props out there that should be tested but I think you will choose the prop depending on your weight of the build. The video and test is great but not everything covered

[@VibriaFPV]

I've actually just mounted a set of the HQ T3x3x3's on my Diatone Roma L3 build, and could both hear and feel the difference from my old 3x2,4x3 props. They are super smooth, has great power Flew them in 12m/s winds and still had plenty power to bail me out of problems :D Great prop !

[@jamesn6048]

Could you do a test on what the best 6 inch props are?

[@tonhabraken9339]

I've been racing a 3" indoors all winter. Lots of concrete. Tried quite a few of these and some of them (especially the emax props) just explode on impact. I stuck with the Dal 3028 as they are very durable and perform good enough for me...

[@LD_ROBE]

It’s always pleasure to watch your sci-fpv researches. Going to order 3x3x3 😊

[@GC-sg9jv]

Avan mini have fit problem to some 1404 motors. But these are good 3" props.

[@flymoretime]

Intresnting why you not testing hq3525?

[@flymoretime]

its just push new gemfan props 3525 - the best marketing event what i see )

[@MrMrCraftmine]

I'm a bit sad you didn't include the HQ T3.5x2.5x3, since those are the ones that come with the BNF from iFlight.

[@Jorzwa]

I just build a aos 3.5 with 1604 motors a few days ago. Im using the gemfan 3525 props happy that i took the right decision. Even without tuning it fly's beautifull on betaflight 4.3.1 defaults. Thanks Chris! I will tune it on betaflight 4.4 this weekend after I saw your tuning video.

[@FERNANDOPR_FPV]

what 1604 motors your using?

[@Jorzwa]

@@FERNANDOPR_FPV I use t-motor 1604 3800kv 4s

[@NathansHVAC]

I would have liked to see more 2 blade testing. The gemfan 3018-2 is the most efficient toothpick prop I have been able to find.

[@mr-huggy]

I'm surprised you didn't test the HQ 3.5x2x2.

[@Thomi_macht_Quatsch]

have you tested the hurricane 3630? they should fit on most frames. and maybe you could test some motors for 3 to 4 inch quads?:)

[@nolandfpv]

I like those T3x3x3 props. Very durable. I also like the GF Windancers. Those Avan Minis are hard to find in the EU.

[@gppl77]

Great video! would be really interesting to see same but on 4" props.

[@tomthetinker99]

Great video, been waiting for this. I would be interested to see how the DJI avata props compare.

[@JigsawCrisis]

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do a 2" and 2.5" comparison!

[@sondreengebraten8301]

Ordered GF hurricane 3525 two days before this video came out, since I heard good things about them for a 3.5" 👌

[@McLogo76]

Very interesting comparison of scientific data 👍. I've tried the 3 3.5" props and feelwise (absolutely not scientific) the 3.5 Avan Scimitar are very brittle and break with the slightest crash plus they imo feel / hover or maintaining level flight is hardest with them. The GF are somehow in-between and I today only use the HQ 3x2x3 or HQ 3x2.5x3 as they are sturdy, low noise and I can fly them more precise than the other two. (flying with 4S 3.5" HD quads between 240 - 280 gramms / 1404 3800kv - 1504.5 3950kv motors)

[@MrBlonde5k1]

Hmmm. I have extensive experience with the Avan 3.5s and love them. I crash hard a ton. Usually they don’t break. I’ve bent them in half and bent them back.

[@McLogo76]

@@MrBlonde5k1 I had several break and did not like them at all :D Guess it‘s also temperature relevant. The GF or HQ 3.5“ did not break below 15° C as the Avan did. But the feeling / usage is surely always a personal opinion - hope they work well for you.

[@Blueice-ey1jq]

Hallo Chris can you test 10 3", 5",7" and 9/!0 propellers maximum rotations till the breaking point, im very interested in maybe you have an idea for parameters

[@rolliseventeen]

i cant fully agree to the theory of pushing. the other theorie is, that the props are pulling themselves with the quad up. there will be always the frame in the way in the pressured area of the air. BUT the other theory says, that the lower pressure air in front of the prop is more affected in a bad way if there is something in front of the prop. SO i think it is better for this type of test mounting the prop the other way. otherwise you will add to your test the ability how good can the prop fetch the air around an obstacle direct in front of it. there was a industry project in germany which some professors made in the 90´s. dont remember the names, but some germans built a pusher prop system out of it and it was great. the idea was alining the air around a fuselage to the prop in the back. the only downside was the high volume and annoying sound. :-) much too loud. i also use the hq 3x3x3 and the 3x2,5x3 on my tadpole. it is way more quiet, but i have more jello in video as i had with 2 blades before. flight time is around the same, 3-5 minutes. but 2 blades are about 2 times or more noisier.. ? huge difference

[@richardheedfpv9626]

First and just the info I wanted Chris. Cheers.

[@jamesmason7124]

What about 4 or 5 or 6 bladed props for a Rotor riot Skylite in 3 inches for the ducts

[@aviphysics]

What about efficiency at speed? From my experience, as well as ecalc results, a steeper pitch can yield lower power consumption over a distance traveled. For this reason, a prop that gives the longest hover duration is not necessarily the best option for flying a given distance.

[@PIDtoolbox]

Hey great video! I love the 3inch GF wind dancer on my whoop. Be great to see where these all stack up wrt weight. The WD seemed really light, in fact I find GF tend to be light. Might this account for better efficiency for same sized / pitch props?

[@Note2Self_IRL]

I really like the emax 3.5” Avan Scimitars ! Not sure how much I like the 5” Scimitars though…Will you be testing these??

[@johnnywong83]

can't wait till the part 2 video as I havea CineBot 30 (3")

[@olegvlasov2744]

Where is HQ 3525? I think they are the best props. Emax are too much flexible

[@disco.volante]

Also the Gemfan 3018-2 and 3020-3 are missing. I guess that there are just too much props out there.

[@xnoux1]

Very nice RecursionLabs would concur ^^

[@chrisbee5481]

Recursionlabs does amazing tests. Chris didn't test all the good 3.5 inch props.

[@xforce9927]

I have an aos t3 with 1204 8000kv on 2s. gemfan hurricane 3016-3 needs ~12a. my esc is 12a. i want more top speed. i know the 2-blade is what i want, but i ask myself if a HQ 3x3x2 with motor output limit will give me more speed than hurricane 3018-2 without. what output limit would you choose to not blow the esc?

[@BenjaminMeasures]

You sure it's not drawing 12a total (as reported by Betaflight)? Remember: 4-in-1 ESCs are rated per-ESC - that is, 12a each or 4*12a total. To compare, I'm running 3016 8150KV @3s drawing ~20a total hitting 35k RPM.

[@DennisRiessbeck]

Has anyone used the hq 3.5x2.2x2 biblade props? I run gemfan 3018 biblades and thinking abiut moving up to 3.5, it is the only biblade option.

[@chrisbee5481]

Yes they are very good. I use them on 1204 8000kv 2s.

[@PilotExtreme]

This is some great info. Would love to see a 40mm comparison. There has been so many updates in the last 2 years

[@MCsCreations]

Fantastic testing, Chris! Thanks a bunch! 😊 Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

[@pgabrieli]

thanks, very interesting as always! quick question on the set-up: since you have a regulated power supply anyway, couldn't you run the motor from that too? or, in other words, why use the 4S battery? thanks, just curious (and probably not very knowledgeable)

[@tauaklonowski]

excelent vid bro!!!

[@rgglenn150]

can i use the open props on 3.5inch cinewhoop? like the cinelog35

[@zuzusissy6198]

would these 3.5 inch props work on the protek35 without any problems?

[@crash_lander]

Hi, for best 3.5 props suggestions, what size motors you think suit the best? Plz let me know. Currently I fly my geprc Smart35 frame with 1404 3750kv on 4s with Hq Prop 3.5 inch and 2 pitch. I feel it’s a little slow.

[@doccock100]

@crash_lander Have you got lots of drones, and how long have you been flying for. If you only have one quad and you have only been flying for 6 months, then likelihood is you need a bigger up tilt on your camera. when you say not fast enough, do you mean top speed or accelleration. If you are trying to do spang in a big field then you likely just need a bigger quad.

[@chrisbee5481]

Upgrade to 1804 3500kv motors and emax 3.5" props if you want more Power.

[@disco.volante]

The Smart35 is quite heavy so I also would suggest a smaller battery (like the Tattu R-Line 750mah 4S - they are much lighter than the usual 850s and have a lot of punch, my favorite for 3.5 inch).

[@Jydotix]

Why not go to 4" for efficiency?

[@CiottiFPV]

On sub 250 or even sub 300 gram rigs, 4" props are wayyyyy too floaty, it ends up feeling like a toothpick with very little off throttle throw. The 3.5" props are guilty of this as well but nowhere near as bad as 4"

[@chrisbee5481]

​@@CiottiFPV totally correct for a freestyle build. Asking for efficiency and longer flight time on long range, then you probably don't care too much if it's floaty.

[@vitid]

What about the best prop for cinewhoop 3inch and 3.5inch?

[@Idabro]

He literally says right at the beginning of the video that cinewhoop props will be the 2nd video coming out

[@Blueice-ey1jq]

this is only a static test only on a same aerodynamic figure, its good but not perfect, every drone is different constructed, but we still improve to get a faster and better drone with the best efficiency

[@cedricgrandseigne]

Interesting...., but only for hovering performance.

[@steffenfpv5579]

You forgot the best 3inch off all times gemfan 3035 bn

[@chrisbee5481]

It's like the gemfan 3028. Basically it was the predecessor

[@TomHerriman]

The prop is too close to the stand to provide accurate measurements. The performance of a prop doesn't matter if it can't handle the environment. EMAX Avan Scimitar shatters like thin glass if it touches the softest blade of grass.

[@hairyhider7478]

3545 or 3550

[@hu5116]

How the heck can you measure mechanical power when the only thing consuming it is the propeller! You never explained how you can measure that and do the test at the same time! You should have done just the opposite, and used the voltage and current to measure how much power the motor was delivering to the prop, and then you would know how efficient the prop is for converting power to prop thrust. I fear you have invalidated your entire experiment out of the gate! There is nothing that can be believed here except maybe you vibration measurements since they were just a function of rpm. Sorry, I know you put a lot of work into this but there are very little useful results to be had here. ;-(.

[@warmfreeze]

i literally could not watch this.. your mic was picking up literally every noise your mouth made as you spoke and it annoyed the crap out of me..

[@gloriousquads]

1st❤