Unbreakable Quadcopter Frame Too Heavy To Fly? Rotor Riot Tanq Review!

[@JoshuaBardwell]

I messed up and forgot to put my standard disclosure on this video so here it is. This frame was sent to me by Rotor Riot. I didn't buy it. I will keep it after the video is done. I have not received any money or compensation for making this video. I did get some input from Shawn Morrison (the frame designer) about the frame, but no restrictions were placed on what I said about the frame, and RR did not review the video before it was released.

[@cinemoriahFPV]

The frame is compensation tho.

[@crisnmaryfam7344]

@@cinemoriahFPV But hes part of rotor riot, so wouldnt that be paying him with his own money? Thats not compensation lol... thats transferring funds (or assets) around.

[@Monty_FPV]

Am seriously looking at the Tanq for learning new tricks in urban environments. Something I can full send and not worry about as much. Plus w/ O3 Air unit, I do not even own a GoPro. So win win all around. Honest review thanks for the content.

[@North49RC]

I agree. This would make sense to me as a frame that can take rookie stupidity or even just pushing limits on your own time, sans the GoPro footage. Something that is durable over super nimble under rookie thumbs

[@filiped7298]

Rotor Riot really needs to get a EU warehouse

[@KrazyKido]

I agree

[@AriZZ21]

This would be awesome

[@AlexOhrndorf]

Yes, i need that backpack but us customs are a nightmare and we germans are poor people :(

[@fenixfpv]

Personally, I would buy this frame if it was available in europe. And I usually appreciate performance, but I will always prioritize durability💥 great job Shawn!

[@GTRFPV]

Rotor Riot. Send this man a frame! He can fly!!

[@devilcfpv2621]

Buy GRL Gravity Loss Fpv Frame Durable as fuck their my sponsors based out of Ukraine but im in the U.S.A

[@M0nkphish]

I am 3 months into this hobby and now own two of these frames. (One flies, the other is getting fixed). It has been the perfect starter frame for me. I have broken EVERYTHING except the frame and have the confidence to do more concrete jungle flying now! IMO the weight makes it VERY predictable and perhaps more forgiving to those panicky stick moments LOL. Fabulous work by Sean

[@dan71559]

What do you think about this for 8s?

[@godwin3265]

Engineer here… sometimes you can make things stronger by cutting properly placed and shaped relief holes…😎👌🏻

[@eatyourvegfpv]

I bought one of these frames to the UK after seeing and feeling a friend's one, and wanting something as durable as I could get for yolo'ing it at anything wanted. Honestly, I have NEVER broken anything on it, or even give it a second thought now. In fact, it actually tends to break anything nit hits instead, and has become a running joke amongst my flying group that it's a literally tank and destroys everything but itself. A few things I'm not keen on though are the battery mounting. It's toilet tank and while I get the benefits of that, it does make routing the power cables so they're not vulnerable in an upside-down crash, a bit tricky. I use a 3d printed XT60 holder which goes through the battery strap and keep that at the front of the battery and out of the way. It won't fit there when using a GoPro mount though (I rarely do as this is an Avatar quad so records onboard). I also don't like the fact that some cameras (the Avatar V1 for example, but not the V2) sit a bit further back in the camera cage so you can see the front edges of the camera cage in the video. The Avatar V2 camera doesn't do this in 4:3 which is what I fly now though. Those things don't even factor when it comes to the pros of this frame though... The Avatar antenna prints that Shawn designed are fantastic. There's never going to be a damaged Avatar antenna, ever. I use ELRS and that antenna is indestructable where it is too. The frame gives me zero reason to believe I'm ever going to damage it unless it's a very freak crash like it's run over by a literal tank! In flight, compared to a very light 5" quad I also have, I actually find it better for freestyle because it's extra weight almost adds throttle resolution, so I find it much easier to maintain better throttle control and tighter powewrloops etc. because it doesn't go to the moon as quickly as a much lighter quad. I can't recommend it enough!

[@LetsFlyRC]

Glad you are having such a great experience, Love this comment.

[@cinemoriahFPV]

You can place the battery both ways.

[@eatyourvegfpv]

@@cinemoriahFPV You can, but there's no real provision to secure the battery strap along the top plate that way. It is possible though, but not ideal.

[@dan71559]

What do you think about this frame for 8s?

[@theringoffire3228]

Well all you need is some 5.2-in props, 2207 or 2506 motors, and 1500 ma lipo. Rip that ish

[@Joeyzoom]

I wanted a super durable frame a while back so I picked up the Demibot. It's a chonky boi too but has a tasteful aesthetic that I enjoy. Regardless, my dad has been getting into FPV and I recommended him the Tanq. I love Shawn's designs and trust his fabrication and I think it would fit something reliable that my dad wouldn't have to fix much in the field, even after crashing several times. Thanks for your honest review (as always), Joshua! Cheers 🍻

[@magiccitymakerspace]

I love my Tanq 2 and Tanq S. The frame never breaks, and the only things I need to fix are the stuff attached to it. Even then it's not an issue of the frame not protecting those things, because it does. It's more just my terrible soldering jobs come loose, or my wire connections come loose. Would totally recommend any beginner to consider this frame.

[@DragonSoaring00]

"Strong, light, cheap: pick two." Keith Bontrager On taking equipment to the next level

[@neilfpv]

I'm gonna save up for that frame! Thank you Joshua!

[@gregorydahl]

I found 3/8 inch wide elastic ribbon at a fabric store and wraped it around the whole battery and frame arms in an X pattern , and not too tight because 5 to 10 loops holds well . Tie the loops x - intersection together with another short piece and leave a finger loop so you can pull all loose at the same time and put a new battery in .on toothpicks and wrap the whole frame and battery around for 5 inch frames . You can get colors . And wide elastic is for goggles . And 5 or 10 loops of 3/8 wide for battery holds . But leave a velcro . The sticky pad cushion is what makes the velcro work and the sticky side makes it stay over the screw heads when changing the big battery .

[@MountaineerFPV]

Awesome vid JB. Mine Tanq flys just right without a gopro. So does the demibot. Both like a 6s fook’n champ. Got the volador frames in and they are my next build outs. 👍👍🇺🇸

[@ChrisRiley3D-Everything]

My Tanq flys just fine with a gopro! ha! What do you think of that! hahahahaha hay Bo funny seeing you here! Can't have anyone bad mouthing our tanq's.

[@ChrisRiley3D-Everything]

You know what i find funny , Bardwell said his QAVs build that he loves comes in at around 700 grams and both my tanq and aluminum quads are lighter than his and i run a gopro. what is he putting in them lead weights! I love Bardwell but sometimes he makes no sense!

[@dan71559]

What do you think about this frame for 8s?

[@DanieleBordignon]

I'm so thankful you measure in grams

[@Zackking21]

@JoshuaBardwell I think there is one more frame that is worth a review in this durable basher class the RVS MoPax frame. It’s advertised at 149 grams with base tpu kit and may be a happy medium between increased durability and not sacrificing too much performance. I really do like the Tanq and the volador but like you I prefer lighter quads, that being said I’m flying a lot more concrete lately and I would give up a little performance for a little more durability. Just a thought, and I appreciate everything you do for the community.

[@chrislosada6701]

I hadnt seen you fly in about a year (havent been into the hobby as much) but man have you improved a LOT! #TimeIn

[@GatAppTechnologies]

I picked one up when I saw what you guys did this quad in the G video. I figured if it could handle all that crashing it'd be fine for my use. Even with a GoPro on it flies great. Btw, according to my betaflight blackbox data, the max G I pulled is 12.5

[@LetsFlyRC]

so cool to see your g value. I wish we could have gotten the reading from our crash, lol

[@owensspace]

I think the gyro would experience more G with a lighter quad. I should try that! It is cool to read your G

[@dan71559]

What do you think about this frame with 8s?

[@RanHam]

What goggle was the custom cover for? Analog?

[@JoshuaBardwell]

Walksnail

[@jsm99]

As long as you have the power, wouldn't more weight mean more float/fling/hang-time? That's a good thing right? For racing weight is bad, but heavy (and balanced) seems like a good thing for freestyle as long as you don't go too far.

[@gizfpv]

If this frame was available when I was starting out in FPV many years back, I would have totally brought it. As a beginner it was extremely discouraging to crash often and then have to keep paying out for replacement parts. Would have much preferred to have just spent a little more on a super durable frame from the get-go, as would have no doubt saved me money in the long run

[@LehtusBphree2flyFPV]

On a heavier quad should you use bigger motors like 2808 with high kv? But leave the GoPro off. It would be nice if there was a channel cut into the frame for the motor wires to tuck into.

[@MadDragon75]

IRC Apex comes with velcro pads. I used it on my last build and I can lift my quad by that without any other strap. It holds the straps in place so they don't slide either.

[@DigitalCruzer]

i use nano tape for battery pads! basically same thing as that battery pad and i can get a whole roll for $6, its clear so i use 2 layers with a small return label in between with my name, reg.#, address and phone number, i dirty it up first by putting my finger prints all over it so i can get the battery back off, but it works amazing and is so much cheaper!

[@jtcustomknives]

That’s a great idea.

[@prottentogo]

regarding taking the gopro off and it'll fly as good as a regular one: there's also the added weight of the thick arms which has quite an impact at the very ends of it.

[@joshfpvv]

Yeah, true. But the fling is just so impressive.

[@anishnattamai8801]

The channel in arm is cool, but they could have just countersunk the screw lol

[@TavoFourSeven]

Yea I didn't wanna be ass out after my 3.5 cracked so moved all my parts over and made this my second build. I definitely don't run a gopro and built a stretch x that was a rocket but moved those guts to a spec 7. I've been thinking of doing a identical tanq with those spare 2306 to see if it really is that weight doing that. The one right now has 2207.

[@nwcustomdecals]

The kinfpv ISO frame with the tpu prints was about the same weight.

[@andreastornesel8404]

I have the Geprc mark 5 @406gr and the tanq @483gr, that's 77gr between them. Some people don't hessitate to strap a 120gr gopro on their quads. When I want to cruise arond bushes with a gopro I use the mark5 at 43gram more than the tanq. If flying a gopro is acceptable the weight of the tanq should be no issue.

[@JoshuaBardwell]

This is a creative way to think about it, but at the end of the day, weight is weight. If you like to fly a 700g quad, then it doesn't matter if that weight includes a GoPro or not. A 700g quad flies like a 700g quad. I don't care if you're carrying a GoPro or not, 800+ grams on a 5" is too heavy for my tastes. I wanted to be able to both carry a GoPro and have a AUW around 700g so I designed a quad that does that. If a person "doesn't hesitate to strap a 120g GoPro on" then either they don't mind the weight, or they haven't thought about the implications. If you're happy with the weight of your quads, that's all that matters.

[@andreastornesel8404]

The Tanq with a 6s 1200mAh R-line battery and TPU arm protector is 683 gram, so it will fly like a sub 700 gram quad. Mark5 same battery gopro 11 and holder is 790 gram. I can choose "light" and mega strong or heavy and flimsy with nice gopro video 😘

[@JoshuaBardwell]

I totally agree. That's the point I make in the conclusion of the video.

[@ChrisQuadFPV]

I like this Quad. I'll wait for another sale price though.

[@RickJamesFPV]

I'm flying my HEAVY Demibot but I chose heavy for my 1st Self-Built Quad for the durability to learn with. I am looking at the QuadMula for my next lighter frame.

[@fintancreagh4826]

Glad to know your gonna review the volador

[@Pintosonic]

From my experience 120 to 140g frames are giving me the right balance between durability and agility. From what I’ve seen stronger frames tends to break more motors and I’d rather break an arm than a motor, it’s faster and cheaper to replace.

[@TheEviling]

From your flights it seems to be too heavy, and what i mean is that when you let off the throttle, gravity pulls it down quicker than i would usually like. And i feel that having a more floaty quad is better for freestyle. That said, i dont use a GoPro, so for my flying this is just perfect, cant wait to get one :)

[@grampafpv]

Quads all fall at the same speed regardless of weight. 9.8 m/s/s

[@jtcustomknives]

You do realize gravity is the same no matter the mass of the object at 9.81 m/s^2 or 22 mph/s^2. A more “floaty” as you call it is from props and settings not because it weighs less. Usually over proping a quad makes it feel more “floaty” as your neutral hover point on the sticks gets moved down.

[@TheEviling]

@@jtcustomknives i guess i need to test my setup, so far i always thought it was the weight that did it. By over propping, do you mean putting 6 inch props on a 5 inch frame, or just a more aggressive pitch ?

[@shadofpv]

I liked this vid 👌👊 nice flying aswell mate, your flying has gotten hella good over the last few years :)

[@MCsCreations]

Awesome flying and review, Joshua! 😃 Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

[@Alluvian567]

I have velcro battery pads, hooks on the quad, the felty like side on the batteries. Are the sticky pads better than that? Advantage is certainly that you don't have to attach velcro to all your batteries...

[@LetsFlyRC]

Velcro holds better, but it is a pain to use. the sticky pad is awesome, and when it gets dirty, use some packaging tape to clean off the dirt. it works great, and brings the sticky back to life.

[@Alluvian567]

@@LetsFlyRC Yeah, more a convenience than a purely 'better' solution, although frankly easy is usually better of course. I got my stuff this way third party and I have been enjoying that OCD of the previous owner. When I finally kill all these batteries I inherited I will likely reward myself with a new frame and some sticky stick stuff. I fly too tame to kill my batteries. Instead I just do stupid shit and almost lose my quad all the time.

[@boominfree7408]

What googles are the green and purple And is that a custom antenna?

[@LetsFlyRC]

It is the FatShark Dominator with my custom 3d printed faceplate that holds 4 TrueRC Crosshair for ultimate range, penetration, and compactness Thingiverse.com/letsflyrc

[@boominfree7408]

@@LetsFlyRC thx

[@DriftaholiC]

When I flew a "Tank" style frame I broke more batteries, go pro and fpv lenses and frame top plates. When switching to a light frame the only thing I've broken is an arm on occasion. I think the lack of mass is saving the lenses and batteries. Sure I break an arm sometimes but rarely.

[@dan71559]

What do you think about this frame for 8s?

[@dominicamptell1285]

@joshua bardwell you forgot to put links for the volodor review and the cards don't come up.

[@ChrisRiley3D-Everything]

the best way to save weight is run a 4s lipo instead of a 6s lipo. i have the Tanq and also the Aluminum kenfpv AT6 frame and i love them both for 3d fpv freestyle. both run 4s with 2207 2750kv motors and a 4s 1300mah lipo and a Gopro 4 session. And i beat the hell out of my quads on a daily basis. with these quads i don't even care if i crash or how often i crash cause i know they will survive almost anything i do to them.

[@jtcustomknives]

Not true at all. All comes down to available wattage in your pack. Sure a 4s 1300mah is lighter then a 6s 1300mah. But that would give you more flight time on the 6s as it holds more total juice in the tank. A comparable 6s would be 850mah and it’s going to be right in line with the weight of the 4s 1300mah. For exzample I run 1800mah 6s in my 5” and yeah it’s heavy but I don’t run a GoPro so it evens out and my flight time is about 7min. The advantage is not just flight time it’s battery sag. I can punch it HARD and I got amps for days.

[@aidanfarley9566]

Do people break the impulserc apex? I have crashed it pretty bad and broken nothing so far over the last 2 years. Same with other people I know who fly the apex

[@fearlessflyersfpv420]

600 grams with a runcam orange here. 4S. Apex, fettec G4 , 35A ESC.

[@Labonj]

I can't see the flyfish or Osiris video links..... guess i'll manually hunt for them 😋

[@JoshuaBardwell]

Sorry but the Flyfish video actually releases tomorrow. I accidentally got them out of order.

[@verdi6092]

Take a light frame and u can put on a big mah battery or adjust for weight

[@TavoFourSeven]

You can confidently learn tighter power loops under a train track with it.

[@Voyajer.]

I'll stick with my armattan beaver, it's got the metal camera cage with standoffs and a sticky battery pad while being 125g. I like the dual 30mm stack locations for properly mounting my hdzero freestyle vtx.

[@soursham]

Those googles are sick AF 🔥 I want to see a video that

[@tonypena1]

I built this with Tmotor stack with Farouk 2505 1850kv motors . RIPS

[@Vousie]

6:10 You could just test the TanQ's 800g vs a 700g quad thing by taking off the GoPro and flying the TanQ like that as your "700g quad"...

[@owensspace]

It might also be good for cinematography due to the high weight, making it for stable, especially in wind.

[@udyfpv]

The best battery pad I've come across, by far, is the Armattan Beaver's lipo pad. It weighs virtually nothing and is as sticky as Ummagrip. Its crazy. I don't even have that frame (or any Armattan frame) but picked one up by accident from Pyro and was just like... wut 😶

[@opyfpv9272]

All my everyday frames are rotor riot, I've even bought extra, and I have never gotten a sticky pad for my battery..

[@dan71559]

How bout using this frame for 8s?

[@RCRitterFPV]

Dunno... I take the legs off my gopro mini... I love when it feels light and responsive.. dancing around trees. confidence to send it and get it back is everything though.

[@brianfreland9065]

I just moved up to 5inch 6s from 1s tinywhoops so this might be the frame for me haha

[@philipjenkinsDjiflyer]

I know on the skyliner mk3 does not have that cut out

[@GardoRotor]

Dead cat arms with a O3 unit and this is will be one and done solution... I hear he's gott'em coming 👀

[@LetsFlyRC]

Hi Gardo ;)

[@JoshuaBardwell]

Is this frame too heavy?

[@aerialimagery3216]

I think for the 03 with no GoPro it would be great. Shawn said a few months ago he was going to have deadcat arms for this frame to get the props out of view for the 03. Any word on when that maybe coming?

[@joshfpvv]

I have this frame. Its just unbreakeable. The fling is just impressive.

[@MountaineerFPV]

Tanq and the Demibot are two of my favorite frames……cause big girls need love too 😂👍👍

[@Crashtopher]

@@MountaineerFPV fckin aye!

[@scottmilano2940]

Yes, 350-500g is ideal weight for O3 (no gopro) 5". But I'm flying in trees, no concrete.

[@Anziilife]

I'm surprised you didn't even mention the Demibot (or did I miss it?)

[@stephontaylor7356]

The sticky battery pads rip the shrink wrap off the battery

[@KingFPV]

Dunno when you filmed this but must be catching the winds we have been having out here all week!

[@airrippin576]

what size motors are you using on that 5"

[@LetsFlyRC]

2306 1850 kv letsflyrc hypetrain motors

[@ExplorewithZac]

To be fair, some freestyle pilots specifically LIKE heavy setups because they carry more momentum.

[@ihatebalrog]

Hey folks - is it ok to just leave questions for people here? Because I just got into FPV, I'm still at the simulator stage here, so my Nazgul Evoque is still waiting, but just in case, do people answer them here too?

[@Draco_Volante_FPV]

I don’t use a go pro. Not good enough yet for all that . But I have two of this frame. One O3 unit and other a vista . I’ve broke one arm and bottom plate already…. Again not good enough yet 😂

[@pxsaber2177]

If your quad gets too heavy just put a spoiler on it 😂

[@LetsFlyRC]

lol

[@jamesramsey2400]

my 600g glide build be looking pretty light by todays standards

[@richardheedfpv9626]

The crazy thing about this debate is that people cry about a broken arm whilst flying with a £400 go pro. WTF?

[@phiveone]

Could have used this frame in the beginning of my career.

[@AustinWestbro]

Hypothetically, would it be possible for someone to create foam or rubber exoskeleton to make their drone look like a terrifying mutant nightmare insect? Asking for a friend.

[@thetubemeister82]

Would have been cool to see the quad rescued from the tree! Or did it not get rescued? Haha

[@Happyflyhigh]

2506 1850kv. Flies flawless.

[@Alluvian567]

I didn't see any cards come up for the flyfish volador, I don't see a link in the description and my searching is failing me, I can't seem to find that video. I see this on your other channel: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gWisfahmnc6di7M&pp=ygUQZmx5IGZpc2ggdm9sYWRvcg%3D%3D is that what you mean?

[@JoshuaBardwell]

Sorry for the mistake that video will post tomorrow.

[@Alluvian567]

@@JoshuaBardwell Oh, cool. Thanks!

[@mantyfpv7409]

I'm alllllll about my thicc boisssss but I also only run a session 5 to save a lil weight

[@christhorney]

i love how people are so worried about breaking a $8 arm, while they fly with a $500 camera perched right up front and center, run a tanq with a thumb pro inside a nylon encased canopy like a racing toothpick canopy and now your not gona break shit and your still going to be lighter than a light frame carrying a full gopro, unless your making money from your footage, i dont understand why people put expencive cameras on their quads

[@LetsFlyRC]

My thought when building this frame was - fly more, crash more, learn more, repair less. if you aren't crashing, you aren't pushing yourself hard enough, and you aren't improving, If you have no fear of crashing and having to repair, you can improve extremely quickly. The biggest thing I hated when I first started FPV with Wooden Arms, was having to go home because my drone was broken.

[@christhorney]

@@LetsFlyRC 100% i love the tanq, just could not bring myself to stick such an expencive camera on a quad if i wasnt making money with it, a tanq with runcam thumb pro is all most people need it wont even know its there lol im super glad you are making such a durable frame, i just wish the motor protector design looked a little cooler

[@arassalnys]

Rotor Riot really needs to get a EU warehouse I always buy parts from Rotor Riot

[@auckwads8169]

Daam im under 600 with the session

[@IzzyBoop]

165g demibot frame checking in. #TeamInertia lmfao

[@prottentogo]

damn, ejects look really bad with hypersmooth on

[@MysteryD]

My favorite frame, the Dilly, which is no longer being made, is 140g. I suggested it to you a year and a half or so ago, and you told me it was too heavy to even consider. Oh, and by the way, I'm still using it. Un-fucking-breakable. Carbon fiber woven with unobtanium and frame designed by extraterrestrials with logic based on 30th century mathematics.

[@paulgeorge2099]

That's how I do it NO GO PRO!!! who wants to see poor flying anyway. Your girlfriend will thank you. Plus it will save you from buying go pro after go pro. If you happen to do something epic you have dvr footage anyhow. It's a win win win

[@godwin3265]

Yes😂😂😂

[@raps55]

I'm not gonna be doing sbang with anything ToT

[@NJ_Drone_Service]

It’s not much weight it’s fine

[@ezapata3200]

What about molded carbon , FuCore ? nimbus ? IFLIGHT molded ? How about recycled plastic frames ?? Flat carbon is SO BORING

[@JoshuaBardwell]

Flat carbon is the best material for this type of application. Molded carbon is ridiculously expensive and as soon as you crash and damage it, you're basically replacing the entire frame. Molded carbon CAN give better strength to weight than flat carbon, but the price and maintenance hassle just aren't worth it for this application.

[@crisnmaryfam7344]

0:08 No we'll just do that for "G force" testing Lmfao. Still G's or not, thats a hell Tanqy chassis.

[@BangChief_AllIsOne]

Salute

[@DiemoReinhardt]

Mine weighs 604g with battery... 😂

[@definingslawek4731]

What frame and motors?

[@DiemoReinhardt]

@@definingslawek4731 aos 5 evo, rcinpower gts v3 2107 1980

[@moehrefpv9277]

Unbreakable Freestyle Frame = TBS SOURCE ONE V3

[@berryfpv4843]

Anyone else manage to take 20 grams off their quad while watching this video? I managed to do it haha! Got my quad down to 730 grams with gopro 11 mini, and a 5s.

[@Quadwrex]

No need for a gopro as a hobbyist. Daily driver only 600g with 6mm arms, and all the tpu i can slap on it

[@RCFPVSTL]

This is where RC Cars have an advantage. However I like both.

[@LowetheTechGuy]

The Aos5 ain't bout it. I would much rather have a Quadmula.

[@hookprobe]

light frames are shit. resonate. if you want a light frame, get a small 2 inch drone.

[@mark6302]

thiccpv

[@davet2563]

no thanks

[@QSpeedRacer]

Omg i hate theee crappy battery pads all these companies send

[@mattalford3932]

Says it's durable. Refuses to prove it's durable lol.

[@willpowerfpv3246]

First!

[@SwordTomato]

​@Nameschonvergebn third?

[@willpowerfpv3246]

@@SwordTomato I'm a call forth, too.. 🥴

[@kerrymillar4981]

Five33 49er, 49 grams! and buy a spare arm. You all fly tanks!.