ZOHD Talon 250G Maiden and full review: Some models need a trick or two to fly well..

Lots of places are listing it - Banggood link: bit.ly/3vXCAPj
Find it on the ZOHD site here - www.zohd.net/talon-250g
ZOHD Model Playlist: • ZOHD Models
ZOHD Talon First Look: • BRAND New! ZOHD TALON ...
Links to all my reviews of the ZOHD models: • ZOHD Models
Here are all the things I did to get mine flying:
- Mechanically set 2mm of up elevator trim
- Moved CG to the front edge of the CG marks under the wing
- Installed a Kopilot
- Launched using only 70% throttle in Stabilise mode
- Trimmed for level flight in manual flight that gave the left aileron offset (2mm)
- Reduce gain on Kopilot for 8mm travel max on aileron
Thank you for taking the time to watch the video. You can find me on social media at / painless360 and / painless360
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LIKE and SUBSCRIBE and above all - Happy Flying!

[@garyjohn1076]

Thanks so much for your your videos lee! Through following your step by step guide to the plane, flight controller and your Inav videos I have finally been able to fly after years on and off trying to fly with out destroying my craft! I'm so grateful for your content! Iv so enjoyed flying! Thanks bro!

[@MCsCreations]

Awesome flying, Lee! 😃 Pretty interesting little airplane! Looks and flies amazingly! Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

[@donnysdrones2160]

Thank you for sharing... I thought I was doing something wrong when it was misbehaving for me! And yes if you cut motor, even if you have the ESC brake on, it looses altitude and speed very quickly

[@helalmiah6039]

Same here, the original Dart was awesome and I was one of the early owners, I had hundreds of flight with it, nearly took it out for every flying session becasue it was so practical to carry around, but all that abuse took its toll. I'm waiting for them to create a newer version too, the sooner the better

[@mickelson8332]

Good honest review Lee, thanks for that.

[@JoshFisk]

One of the biggest changes I would love to see in a v2 250g talon would be to move the brace for the wing. A 3s 21700 pack, with my setup, needs to mounted about 10mm's back which is blocked by the brace. Moving it further back on the wing could make it slightly less secure but would open the front up a bit for more battery space. I am testing an alternative wing mount based on your stl to try and get a bit more clearance for the battery. Also I think the wood battery tray does more harm than good and I have removed it and replaced it with a Velcro strip to allow for more battery space. I'm hoping for a kit version of this plane to be released to have better access to fix some of these issues.

[@pdel303]

Love your channel and reviews. This is exclusively my opinion on the zohd designs. I had the nano talon, actually flew pretty good at the beginning except for the wobbly video. Then for some reason it turned out to not be consistent on launches, had the same launch issues as you saw initially. I think a good airframe should work from the get-go without any flight controller. My talon eventually became so aggravating that i actually threw it in the trash ( had already crashed a bunch, only from launches!). I think the zohd designs are inherently unstable, just my opinion. It shouldn't be a challenge just to get a plane to fly. Thanks for your great reviews!

[@Painless360]

Agreed. ZOHD have struggled with the 250g series. The best is the drift.

[@spyder000069]

Might be time to go back a decade and take another look at the GWS planes. Most were pretty light and a lot of fun.

[@Vaeloron]

I just received mine. I ordered the FPV version and it came with an extra ESC with the extra JST connector for the AIO camera. Although the AIO camera is not the greatest image it really does give you everything you need for long range FPV. The AIO camera has an OSD and since it runs on the pack voltage it will show you your current battery level and at 400mw the range is actually not bad. I have had my drift out 10 miles with this combo and an R9M.

[@Painless360]

Thanks for letting me know. How odd to not include standard ESC with the JST lead in all of the options. Best of luck with it

[@comsterfpv9668]

Good tips. Mine finally shipped, so I'll get to try it soon. I do love the Drift. I'll put the nano 405 wing board in it.

[@mattynov]

Have you had success with the Racerstar F405 Wing Nano? I'm considering using one for my first wing build. The specs look great, especially the weight, but I've seen a bunch of negative reviews from a durability/reliability standpoint.

[@comsterfpv9668]

@@mattynov This would be my first time installing it. It seemed OK on the bench. Guess I have to look up and check those reviews myself.

[@pinlock4331]

@@mattynov i have 2x 405 nano and working well but no bluetooth availiable

[@catfish828]

I’ve just set mine up for LOS only flying good to see this l like to look at the model in flight old school l suppose. Not flown mine yet too muddy out. T-Motor F80 2500kv 4s 6x5 /5x5 prop don’t want to use anymore than 4s. See how it goes Great vid!

[@alvandergoot7237]

Grest review thank you i kinda regret buying the Talon now. Well live and learn i guess. Should have waited for your review first. I will give the plane a go based on your experience. Cheer.

[@Painless360]

With the trim as shown and the throttle at 50% it's a fun flyer. I only struggled with the launch. Very agile and nippy. See the rolls in the video.. Happy flying

[@alvandergoot7237]

@@Painless360 👍👍👌

[@jamesceastep8874]

Lee: Thanks for sparing the rest of us all these struggles. As you show, none were entirely unexpected, but troublesome, none-the-less. Question: What is the OTHER ZOHD plane besides the Dart 250g? - Jim

[@keinplan147]

It’s the zohd Drift - awesome plane for relaxed cruising

[@GibRealistic]

Tip stall seems to be result of using elliptical wing, maybe reshaping wing tips to move aft part up have got potencial to delay flow seperation near tips.

[@702Wolfi]

I have many crash free hours on this plane. It's great little FPV plane. I always use inav auto launch, even on brand new builds and it never failed. If inav fails to launch your plane, you must have some serious issues going on with your build. Too much time and money in these planes to have them smash into ground several times.

[@pangofpv]

I had the same issue. Broken wing brace and battery holder. In my video I got torque roll issue too at high throttle.

[@Painless360]

Glad to hear it wasn't just me. Tips like this should be in the manual. Thanks for posting..

[@liamnystrom3933]

Just one question ive got mine flying now but im not 100% sure which prop im supposed to be using ive got the 2 blade one on now with a 3s battery but not sure if thats correct

[@tcz7742]

I have the Dart and Drift and was hoping this would be a good one but it sounds like it might be the worst of the three. Interesting cuz I really like my mini Talon

[@MGL83]

Is it possible you cold compare weight of Dart and Drift? I can't find reliable data about it's weight. I managed to get Dart all-in at 249gr, and I'm tempted to get Drift for more casual gliding.

[@christophermanning6976]

Agree about the tip stalling - as beginner learnt heaps from talon evo but this was really robust. What was your camera setup for this model?

[@Painless360]

Camera is a Racer Nano 2. VTX is a GepRC ZEUS Nano VTX with a Speedby antenna.

[@alanpaul1234]

Thanks for the review. I can't see any reason for a sub 250g FPV model as all the rules still apply and without exception, small is not better! I still recommend an Easy Star for new FPV pilots and in fact for all new RC pilots.

[@craigjohnstone87]

Not really. In the uk anyway Sub 250g and no onboard recording I.e if the camera is there for "navigational purposes" then its classed as a toy. Still need a spotter of course.

[@chrisfriesen7913]

In Canada the main rule that applies to sub-250g aircraft is "No person shall operate a remotely piloted aircraft system in such a reckless or negligent manner as to endanger or be likely to endanger aviation safety or the safety of any person." Specifically the rule about line-of-sight does *not* apply to sub-250g aircraft. So the only legal ways to fly FPV solo are to go sub-250g or to get a "special flight operations certificate" from the federal Minister. (In practice this is too onerous for hobbyists.)

[@franciscocortes1350]

Hola, ¿podria decirme un lugar donde esten todos los pasos para la programacion de este Fc?, gracias.

[@Painless360]

I have a complete playlist on the channel that covers KoPilot setup completely.. Best of luck!

[@jpdt7936]

Interesting comment at the beginning; Do people use things like copilot in them as planes are now designed that they cant be flown by people and need the aid or do people use copilot due to skillset?

[@Painless360]

Kopilot lite is a stabiliser (useful for smaller lightweight models like this), GPS RTH failsafe and autolaunch system.

[@jpandflissy1]

@@Painless360 thanks for the info. Is there an FPV aircraft you would recommend?

[@Painless360]

Depends on where you are in learning to fly them. Float-ier easy to fly models make for good first models. Things like the ZOHD Drift, AtomRC Flying Fish, Bixler etc..

[@jpandflissy1]

@@Painless360 thanks for the reply. Have flown for years just interested to try fpv planes for a change. Always enjoy something that is fun to fly but has good slow flying characteristics. Great videos thank you

[@garyjohn1076]

Why does my rudder not respond correctly in self level mode? I'm new to planes. The control surface goes up one goes down when there ment to go up or down in the self level mode. What am I missing? For the life of me I couldn't find your previous video! ( help! I have been a sub of yours for years!)

[@Painless360]

I have setup videos for lots of things like INAV, Ardupilot and stabilisers like the ZOHD Kopilot LITE. All of my videos are carefully organised into playlists and every video has a number of text tags on them to make them easy to find if you use a search. This video should help and explains a few tips for finding the video or playlist you're looking for - kzbin.info/www/bejne/eXrYhoGai8t1gLM or kzbin.info/www/bejne/hmXWoIVshsyCoZI. Happy flying!

[@garyjohn1076]

@Painless360 thanks for replying! Allways helpfull bro 👍 will check the videos out now 🙏

[@ChrisBalmforth]

I'm pretty sure that EASA and CAA regulations say that even if a model is under 250g you still need Operator and Pilot registration if it is fitted with a camera. This means that for FPV flying in the UK and EU there is absolutely no benefit in a model weighing less than 250g, and no point in accepting the compromises made in achieving the weight. This model is designed and sold for FPV so as far as I can see it is pointless for UK and EU customers. Buy the excellent Nano Talon EVO instead!

[@Painless360]

I'll cover more on this in the Patreon only Livestream at the weekend... Happy flying

[@p.i.engineer398]

zhod nano talon: fool me once....never again

[@MadMarcWinnipeg]

😊❤

[@pinlock4331]

Zohd please make a twin plane, Binary a little old

[@Matt-re8bt]

It sounds like much of your pain would have been eliminated if Zohd gave a setup sheet for surfaces and KoPilot gain. A total own-goal for launch reviews, but should be easily resolved.

[@Painless360]

They have shared the manual with me for review before launch in the past but it didn't happen this time...

[@Falcariae]

I think you missed that the VC400 would also plug into the JST connector that is missing from this model. As I commented in your first video, the decision to remove this connector for weight reduction does not make any sense, at least not for the FPV version where their OWN camera needs that connector. So basically they sell a plug and play model that still needs soldering that in turn invalidates the weight reduction. This is besides the point that 250g is impossible to achieve with their recommendations (I got it to work with a 3S 850mAh LIPO). ZOHD should get away from trying to stay under this magic 250g and instead make models that are as portable but more functional.

[@Painless360]

I am hoping for an updated Dart model myself... Happy flying

[@user-bv2kv8hx5d]

KZbinrs already write that you need to laminate VTOL, the foam is not durable.

[@ptaylor5014]

Looks like far more trouble than its worth!

[@serang]

I had Nano talon, the wing detached midair. And now this, more fragile wing design. 🙄

[@Maceyee1]

error first 10 seconds re-do whole video or rename dart 250 fake lol

[@allrcflyingisfun]

Watch out with this instructive criticism or you will be band from Face book groups like ragthenuts off for his mods to make the LTE rambler easier to fly.

[@Painless360]

Don't use Facebook ;)

[@allrcflyingisfun]

@@Painless360 yes it's probably good that you don't then maybe some of these people don't have the power that they possibly think they do because we all rely on you guys for good straightforward help and honest criticism of the products that are out