ImpulseRC Apex review. Did it break a glass ceiling?

A look at the new Impulse RC Apex frame, which has a lot to live up to. Couple of things I forgot to mention. I hate frames that use self locking nuts on the stack. You’ve basically lost a ton of space before you start. The frame also includes 2 files if you want to chamfer the frame.
Tons of extras and thought in this, but there's always a cost. I'll do a follow up build overview on this, and then let you know how she flies.
I bought the basic version as I grabbed the OSD/PDB seperately prior to the Steele version being in stock. If you're running Kiss, the Steele version looks the best buy, and even better the light weight version.
Links -
Impulserc apex site - apex.impulserc....
Dronefpvracer (where i bought mine) - www.drone-fpv-...
Quadcopters.co.uk - www.quadcopter...
Other frames I mentioned were the Petit Soldat SX218 sold by drone-fpv-racer, which ive been flying for 6 month, and the Geprc Mk 4, a frame I really like, though only time will tell how it holds up.

[@verdi6092]

2 days ago someone in youtube made a ressonance test, and this is the best designed frame for taming vibrations

[@CoppertopFPV]

That test was on a few frames. It's a good frame but not for me and I sold it. Everyone I know with one says the reverb flies better tho

[@CoppertopFPV]

point I should have touched on. The apex pdb and osd etc add up to a lighter build than an Alien/Reverb. Impulse say they purposefully added weight in areas to strengthen it. Steeles version with the alloy screws comes in at 589g (without skids) which is pretty much spot on where you’d want to be, so I’ll hold fire until I’ve built mine up. This is me saying perhaps I focussed on the weight a bit too much 😁 also shipping is expected to be a flat fee around 6 bucks, which is a lot less than I was expecting. Edit 3/7/20. Long term results confirm that the carbon cut quality is not what it was on previous impulse frames although they are very active in sorting problems. I sold mine in the end. It never excited me. In terms of similar frames I run a project 399 which is simpler has 6mm arms and is cut beautifully.

[@tehllama42]

As US Marine, I take offense to Coyote Brown being referred to as 'Diarrhea Color'. I have eaten enough crayons to know the difference.

[@CoppertopFPV]

You eat crayons?

[@omarperchov6411]

@@CoppertopFPV Yeah, he said so

[@hetlarfje]

Well, i always aim for 600gram and i got it spot on with this frame, crashed it hard about 40 times and it still feels like new. Ordered another frame and i'm gonna sell all other quads, exept for my aliens and reverb. Flying a good frame is like a knive true butter, but flying an impulse rc frame is like a hot knive true butter.

[@CoppertopFPV]

Good to hear!

[@kevinbarbour7649]

yes by me son

[@davidoconnell3330]

My old Amattan Chamaeleon ti frame is my favorite of all the frames I tried. Very versatile flys well and can take one hell of a beating.

[@illyrian8991]

i like your honesty in your reviews!! unfortuinatelly i live in switzerland and i have to go with the expensive frames because these frames are the only ones that are being sold here. I have to get the cheap quality frames from somewhere else but shipping is too expensive

[@johncitizen3361]

BTW get the Armattan marmotte for the dji system, it fits in nicely with a mini stack up front just behind the camera and it’s a lightweight frame with a long area on top for the battery.

[@CoppertopFPV]

I wouldn't get an armattan frame if I was paid. Absolute junk run by an egotistical lunatic. The only piece of good design is the cage. The rest is 20 dollar rubbish. 😊

[@Dav2112]

Coppertop FPV I see your love for Armattan is still strong. 😂

[@CoppertopFPV]

@@Dav2112 haha! 😂

[@johncitizen3361]

Coppertop FPV lol tell us what you really think 😂 The camera cage is my favourite bit. I actually fly 2 roosters as my main freestyle quads and recently built up a marmotte frame that I won. The roosters seem to have an odd frame resonance but tunes out fairly well if I’m not using a sensitive gyro 😜

[@CoppertopFPV]

@@johncitizen3361 lol sorry. I think the chameleon TI is the best of them. Two of my mates ran roosters and one made custom arm braces and the other scrapped his as the arms are too weak. They went through dozens of them. In the same period I broke one arm on my Hyperlow CG. No offense intended. My armattan dislike runs deep 😁 stick the cage on another frame and id be all over it.

[@biggfpv2721]

Looks like a very nice frame but it is hard to buy when like you said you can buy a lifetime warranty frame for 35 bucks from FL1

[@cafub2650]

Hmmm you try buying one of them so call $35 Frame, it's been on back-order ever since the price drop, which pretty much makes it useless

[@biggfpv2721]

@@cafub2650 yeah bought 4 the day it dropped but yeah that part does suck about flightone you can't deny that I got lucky and got in on the first day but even though it may take awhile sometimes they do stand by there stuff...always have for me but to each their own everyone likes what they like...point is just have fun

[@Com4nd3r.]

Steele Fan Frame. I had one here. Main reason i dont keep it is the short Topplate. Verry limited hardware can only fit in there. I like frames where i can put in what i like. Building a apex is not a custom build for now.

[@CoppertopFPV]

That's a very good point and one I found annoying. I sold mine. Checkout the hyperlow Airshot for a frame that has multiple ways to build so you can do exactly what you want.

[@Com4nd3r.]

@@CoppertopFPV yeah i wil check that out.

[@Com4nd3r.]

@@CoppertopFPV Checked it out. Hyperlow makes verry nice frames. I was on there side 2 years ago They have good design. The Airshot give you options yes but rare to buy here where i life.

[@BuZZarDFPV]

Iflight kiss aio board, built in pdb, built in osd, fully kiss licensed. I fly them for over a year now. Most don't know about them, but you can fly kiss for the same price as normal bf fc. So essentially, turn any quad to kiss by only changing the fc.

[@CoppertopFPV]

Only v1 and I didn't like the one I bought a year ago but an option for sure.

[@ayougo]

You mention how Impulse claims that we don't want or cant afford perfection but reflecting on that talking point, I've seen frames at half the cost with higher carbon quality. For example, the Geprc mk4 is a beautifully cut frame with chamfered arms, correct carbon cut direction etc. I purchased this frame the same time I ordered the Mk4 for the DJI HD components. If spending the money they charge for these frames, they better dam well get their cuts and finish perfect. The market has both wealthy and not so wealthy consumers. These are premium frames (the price is premium...) The quality better be too.

[@CoppertopFPV]

I run the mk4 and like it, but we're talking apples and oranges here. The mark 4 is knocked up in a sweatshop and will have no spares in 6 months. Cut is excellent but gep carbon has let me down in the past. China can knock out carbon in house for pennies. A few guys in Australia trying to develop and design a frame and perfectly designed components can't compete at that level and make a living. When myself and mark recently got a few frames cut from decent carbon - they were £64 each. They both have their place in my life but I suspect I'll be using the impulse when the gep is long forgotten or at least I hope so!

[@ayougo]

@@CoppertopFPV Agree. Spares can be a challenge to get stateside. I ordered spares from china but I hate having to rely on one distributor.

[@CoppertopFPV]

@@ayougo I just dropped the dji unit into the mark 4. One of the arm braces has cracked. No replacements so the frame is either toast or I have to make one.

[@CoppertopFPV]

@@ayougo I just dropped the dji unit into the mark 4. One of the arm braces has cracked. No replacements so the frame is either toast or I have to make one.

[@ayougo]

@@CoppertopFPV That is unfortunate. If you dont have this resolved in the next 8 days, I'll ship you two from my frame.

[@flyalps5688]

I mounted Caddx Vista instead the air unit and yeah, you're right, it's a weighty quad... But also very durable! I've got a Mark4 too but it usally has short life when flying in bandos compare to the Apex. Nice Review! Cheers

[@seigedan]

I received my frame too. The workmanship is not good too. Edge are very sharp, have to file every part of the frame! Definitely not a high end frame!

[@paulstone9755]

Yea it's crap

[@Dav2112]

You got the DJI HD system, damn. I’d be too scared to try it out because I wouldn’t want to go back to my analog gear again!

[@CoppertopFPV]

Drunk purchase... we'll see. I think it was irritation at crapshark that made me 😂

[@ayougo]

Its absolutely freaking amazing. You WILL NOT be disappointed. I recommend using your own controller. Although the DJI controller is decent and the integrated RX on the air unit has fantastic range, when you lose bitrate or freeze when pushing the limits, your control link goes down with the video.

[@frasersteen]

@@CoppertopFPV Everytime my fan doesn't spin up when I press the button I am one step closer. Absolutely no way I am going to make it to xmas without the DJI system.

[@CoppertopFPV]

@@frasersteen I swore I wouldn't. I can't stand dji or what their dirty paws will do to the hobby of tinkering, but I did and I feel dirty lol

[@CoppertopFPV]

@@ayougo yeah I'm going to use crossfire with mine. :)

[@SlipperyFPV]

Overall a great frame but I can't justify spending over £100 on a frame anymore, I break them too often and many frames/spares aren't available 1 year after release. At least with Impulse RC you know you'll be able to get parts for a considerable time after release.

[@CoppertopFPV]

The warranty shipping is going to be around 6 bucks according to Sean and mine was £91. I think given that it's not that bad although clearly top end. I think if you want a kiss setup it's worth it, for everyone else less so mate.

[@definingslawek4731]

for my cinematic kiss ultra build, halo rc osiris longbody, or an impulse rc apex with 5.5 inch arms?

[@koggism]

Well, I bought the Apex Lite frame. I also watched Mr Steele's tutorial on how to assemble it and how he takes a file to both the Kiss FC V2 and ESC board, voiding the warranty of both. He says he does this to give some room for the board to move. So I took out a ruler and measured between the bolt holes and found the front left hole on the Apex Lite frame is positioned about 0.5mm out, hence the real reason Mr Steele takes to using the file. For a premium cost frame such has this you would think ImpulseRC could get the holes positioned spot on, what, with the accuracy of CNC machining this is a schoolboy error in terms of engineer.

[@CoppertopFPV]

Yup. Quality isn't on par with previous impulserc frames. Lots of reported issues although impulserc remain very good and will solve any issue. I sold mine is the end. It just never excited me for some reason. I recently got a project 399. Simple, well cut and has 6mm arms. In terms of profile a similar frame but it's cheaper and cut beautifully.

[@TheKtchevelle]

Wait you said hero 7 is 50g lighter than a session...how'd u manage that? Session 5 is 73g and go pro 7 is 113....tell me how I get the go pro hero 7 to 23g pls.

[@CoppertopFPV]

Decase it

[@RADERFPV]

Heavy, but I like it a lot. Nice review, thank you.

[@RADERFPV]

Read the description... Guess it's not really that heavy all things considered.

[@CoppertopFPV]

@@RADERFPV it's growing on me, and impulses communication and frankness are something I always look for. I'd rather support people than some faceless sweat shop. I have a feeling I might end up eating my words so we shall see!

[@isav.2411]

Do you know what is the total weight of the drone assembled with all the electronics?

[@Dav2112]

Looks really nice, I’m going to get one soon myself

[@CoppertopFPV]

Dav see my pinned comments for corrections mate, to be fair, impulse have been pretty epic about my complaints, which is more than can be said for most!

[@Dav2112]

Coppertop FPV I swear by my ImpulseRC frames, two Aliens and a Reverb they’re tough as nails, this thing looks like a tank that will take a lot of abuse. Im definitely picking one up and putting another KISS build together, probably need to wait until after Xmas though.

[@CoppertopFPV]

@@Dav2112 it's a grower, I'm already thinking of how to build another. I think in a way I was testing impulse (I chatted to Sean last night) and his responses and honesty were pretty damn appealing. As always it's nicer to buy from a person than a faceless China sweat shop.

[@jayward7536]

Catalyst machine works makes better frames . Everything in Australia is crazy priced

[@cafub2650]

The BangGod looks nice. Thinking of getting that for my DJI setup. Offer no props in view as well.

[@Markitos203]

All their frames look like dog vomit

[@jayward7536]

i would buy another hyperlow before i bought this for the price it should have chamfer parts and be better quality what motor are you going to use for such a heavy frame

[@CoppertopFPV]

Impulse have always claimed chamferring weakens the carbon. Don't agree but they do give you a couple of files. I'll be using the 3b motors on mine and not using the skids. I'll use a combo of allumium and titanium hardware where I can so it'll be on point weighrwise I expect.

[@jayward7536]

@@CoppertopFPV yea lol it does not weaken it they just say that so they dont have to take the time to do it. Not crazy about steels ptoducts more over priced shit just because his name is on it when will it end with these guys.

[@johncitizen3361]

It’s a nice looking frame but the price is insane, speedy bee make a beautiful frame that’s much higher quality and Armattan give you a lifetime warantee. I’m just not an ImpulseRC fan.

[@CoppertopFPV]

Armattan are junk. Speedybee looks good, but we'll talk about quality in 6 months when you won't find a spare for it anywhere. Same with the gep mk4 I have. There are only a few frames that rival impulse for freestyle, and they're Astrox, hyperlow and the cmw smooth operators off the top of my head. Not for everyone, but comparing the support, honesty and genuine love for the hobby to something designed in a sweatshop isn't the same at all. Nothing wrong with cheap frames, and they have their purpose but they're not the same.

[@jdm724]

@@CoppertopFPV Armattan junk why?

[@CoppertopFPV]

@@jdm724 awful weak frame designs made from cheap carbon by a man who sends them to anyone who is happy to lap it up. The titanium cages are immense but the rest is tat. My fellow pilots scrapped theirs. That lifetime warranty shipping gets annoying when your arms fall off every second flight. 😁

[@jdm724]

@@CoppertopFPV woww didnt know that.... glad i never bought it. Its remarkable sillent around armattan, maybe they are going out of business after the super fail space grade carbon

[@CoppertopFPV]

@@jdm724 my dislike of armattan runs deep. Others will tell you different but that's my view, and the view of the two local guys who broke dozens of arms in the same period I lost one on my Hyperlow CG. Sold on hype by affiliate channels and a man blinded by his own ego.. Sorry, to any armattan fans, but i call it as i see it 😂

[@dttocs4746]

Good review. Just one point to those saying it weighs to much there is the light weight version (yes it is more expensive, aluminium hardware is not cheap) but also check out vik_fpv or for that matter Mr Steele himself and see how smooth they fly. Weight is not everything. Personally a more robust frame = more fly time

[@CoppertopFPV]

Yup fair point and ones I acknowledged in my pinned comment. I was just surprised as if looked a lot lighter. When built up it seems super sturdy but only time will tell. If it lasts I'll grab another as this ended up being converted to the HD version

[@KrissKwaddFPV]

@@CoppertopFPV It will last... If anyone is familiar with how hard it is to break an Alien, well the Apex is wayyy harder to break I been flying/testing prototype Apex really hard since May. Yet to break anything on it. Not a crack, fine fracture, delamination, anything yet. My prototype has thinner arms too. In the air it feels extremely planted which is a nice trade off for some extra grams IMO. Curious why you didn't show the symmetrical arms, Keystone lock & non-threaded shoulder bolts??? Those are pretty crucial features that make the arms the sturdiest & slop free of any frame on the market & deserve a good look at in a fair review 🤔

[@CoppertopFPV]

@@KrissKwaddFPV I talked about the bolts. Keystone lock I didn't show in fairness. Less than impressed that I subsequently had to file the motor holes to fit motors though. Nice design, poor manufacture

[@KrissKwaddFPV]

@@CoppertopFPV that's really unusual in regards to the motor holes. I'll bring it up to Sean, I'm sure it's just an isolated issue & is covered under the warranty. Understandably still, a hassle that you shouldn't have to deal with.

[@CoppertopFPV]

KrissKwadd my Hyperlow cg has zero slop after a year of heavy use. The arm slop issue only arises on poorly designed frames with cheap carbon. It has MUCH better woven carbon that doesn’t delam, is virtually unbreakable, weighs a similar amount and costs less. This works better for Kiss using the new osd, but if I’m blunt there’s nothing ground breaking here. It’s a nicely packaged sturdy kiss frame which impulse fans will like and I’ll get another for a proper kiss osd setup. For beta users there are better cheaper frames.

[@flo-ridafpv5713]

Just run hero 7 on 6in prop frames...5in gets session or DJI ;)...I'm using DJI only on my apex, but I only paid $60 from buddy I'd never pay $100 for any frame

[@BBSlats]

Whats your thoughts on this compared to the vert v2. Need a new frame its hyperlow rs+, vert or this.

[@CoppertopFPV]

Ken Shipley they’re hugely different frames. The Vert v2 is slick and low, the rs+ is light and minimal and the apex heavy and likely stronger. I like the Vert v2 a lot as it’s just so different but it’s feels aggressive in the air. The Hyperlow rs+ has been replaced for me by the petit Soldat sx218 which is imo a better frame. I also prefer the cheap Geprc mk4 for that matter. If you fly kiss the apex, if you don’t then personal preference but as an all round proposition the apex is best overall - but the Hyperlow cg still remains the best freestyle frame in existence imo

[@TheBer7y]

Call me stupid but I love QAV210

[@CoppertopFPV]

If you love it who cares what anyone else thinks :)

[@Aridrona]

Bam! Hyperlow ! ...im a hyperlow fanboy btw lol

[@CoppertopFPV]

Lol I'm the original hyperlow fanboy. You're in the right place :)

[@NoName-dn8nv]

Good frame excellent hardware perhaps slightly overpriced by20 or 30 bucks

[@changeagent228]

Looks too heavy. I won't exceed 70g for a frame even at 7".

[@CoppertopFPV]

Racer heretic!

[@changeagent228]

@@CoppertopFPV haha! 😆

[@tehllama42]

@@CoppertopFPV Right? Floss 3.0L 7" - the possibilities are kind of absurd. There are actual possibilities there, and they end up not being frail if you keep them light.

[@MaxBeamer]

Mine still hasn’t even come in and I’m having regrets 😂

[@CoppertopFPV]

Ah...sorry!

[@mtlfpv]

i refuse to buy an impulserc frame that doesnt have purple hardware :D

[@dandan1364]

Worst brown ever. Agreed.

[@paulstone9755]

i don't like impulse frames. Something about them just looks cheap.

[@luisrodrigues1630]

They talk sweet and you feel assured because the costumer service must be great. Lifetime warranty and all that, but at the end of the day, you'll get a average quality overpriced porky. But hey, it's endorsed by that hipster with a mustache and that alone makes it worth shitloads....

[@CoppertopFPV]

Im not a fan of moustache man personally. That's why I don't have the poo coloured one 😉

[@ugpfpv361]

@@CoppertopFPV "that color though, my dudes". Lol

[@CoppertopFPV]

@@ugpfpv361 :)

[@kalinkha]

diarrhea brown :D :D nailed !!

[@CoppertopFPV]

I'm glad someone listens:)

[@kalinkha]

Sure plenty of us, just find funny enough to say😅