3" Session Hauler

By Jackal FPV on Oct 01, 2018

36  1,212  9

Time to build another 3" - I wanted the option to shoot HD video, but I've given up on the Split type cameras, too many issues with the FPV feed and the HD video quality is... limited. When I started looking at frames, the most important factors were weight, 1407 motor compatibility, and the ability to carry a Session. I was hoping to find something different, but the VX145 (the same frame from the HGLRC XJB145) seemed to best meet these requirements. Didn't hurt that it wasn't expensive either, micro-sized frame prices are strangely inflated at the moment - $50 or more for a 3" frame? Let's get real.

I've had success in the past with the Heli-Nation Talon 20x20 FC, love that it has dedicated camera control pads, the only downside being the lack of a buzzer pad which is a bit of a shame. Thankfully there's Dshot beacon - not quite ideal for such a tiny rig, but it's better than nothing at all. Hopefully the 20A 4-in-1 ESC will stand up to the Brother Hobby 1407-3600 motors, time will tell.

It weighs in at 228g with the GoPro Session and no battery - this is actually identical to a 3" I built last year, without a GoPro, with the same motors and a 30x30 stack to accomodate the Runcam Split 2 (before the Split Mini was realeased), so I feel I've achieved my target weight.

Photos

Part List

Frame

HGLRC VX145 3" Frame Kit - Purple
Racedayquads.com
$12.64

Flight Controller

Talon F4 V2 20x20 FC Flight Controller VTX Pit Mode Black Box (21 builds)
Heli-nation.com
$39.99

ESCs

Spedix IS20A 20A 2-4S 20x20 M2 4in1 ESC - Replacement for IS100 Stack (43 builds)
Racedayquads.com
$20.99

Motors

4 x BrotherHobby Tornado T1 1407 3600Kv Micro Motor3600kv (193 builds)
Racedayquads.com
$63.96

Propellers

HQ Prop V1S 3x4x3 Tri-Blade 3" Prop 4 Pack - Choose Your Color (41 builds)
Racedayquads.com
$2.99

FPV Camera

FOXEER ARROW MICRO PRO 600TVL 1.8MM FPV CAMERA WITH OSD (241 builds)
Pirofliprc.com
$19.99

FPV Transmitter

AKK Nano 2 VTX with Smart Audio - 25/50/100/200mw (14 builds)
Racedayquads.com
$14.99

Antenna

RDQ 5.8GHz U.FL Dipole FPV Antenna - Linear (85 builds)
Racedayquads.com
$2.99

Receiver

FrSky XM+ 2.4GHz Micro ReceiverDefault Title (1149 builds)
Racedayquads.com
$15.99

Batteries

CNHL MiniStar 14.8V 4S 850mAh 70C LiPo Battery - XT60 (13 builds)
Racedayquads.com
$17.69

Radio

FrSky M7-R Black Hall Sensor Gimbal for FrSky Taranis Q X7 (7 builds)
Getfpv.com
$26.99

Radio

FrSky M7 Hall Sensor Gimbal for Taranis Q X7
Racedayquads.com
$20.49

Radio

FrSky Taranis Q X7 2.4GHz 16CH Transmitter (Black) (16 builds)
Getfpv.com
See Site

Goggles

Fat Shark Dominator HD3 Core FPV Goggles (87 builds)
Getfpv.com
$399.99

HD Camera

Glass ND Filter - ND2, ND4, ND8, ND16, ND32 (2 builds)
Brain3d.co
$4.95

HD Camera

GoPro HERO7 Black Action Camera (102 builds)
Getfpv.com
$399.99

HD Camera

GoPro HERO5 Session (303 builds)
Getfpv.com
$199.99

Misc Parts

TinysLEDs Super Bright 3-6S Tiny LEDs - Choose Your Color (15 builds)
Racedayquads.com
$1.99

Misc Parts

Panasonic 330uF 25V Low ESR Capacitor for ESC Noise Reduction (23 builds)
Racedayquads.com
$0.99

Video Receiver

Foxeer Lollipop V2 5.8GHz Stubby SMA Antenna 2 Pack - RHCP or LHCP - Choose Your Color (14 builds)
Racedayquads.com
$19.99

Video Receiver

ImmersionRC rapidFIRE w/ Analog PLUS Goggle Receiver Module (178 builds)
Pyrodrone.com
$149.99

Video Receiver

TBS Triumph 5.8GHz RHCP FPV Antenna Set (SMA Male) (191 builds)
Getfpv.com
See Site

Radio Module

TBS Crossfire Micro TX V2 (154 builds)
Team-blacksheep.com
$69.95

Battery Charger

SkyRC Q200
Progressiverc.com
$189.99

Soldering Iron

TS100 Portable Programmable Smart Soldering Iron (265 builds)
Racedayquads.com
$58.99

Backpack

Lowepro QuadGuard BP X3 - Drone Backpack for 4 FPV Quad Racing Drones and 15" Laptop w/Exterior Mounts (Black) (24 builds)
Amazon.com
$286.00

Accessories

TBS Diamond Antenna (37 builds)
Getfpv.com
$24.95
Show stores (9)

Discussion

Sign in to comment

Sepahbodi   Feb 03, 2019  
1

love this! Where did you put the reciever? can you post a picts pls?

Jackal FPV   Feb 04, 2019 
1

between the ESC and FC. can't really see it in a photo.

Jackal FPV   Feb 04, 2019 

between the ESC and FC. can't really see it in a photo.

FissionBomb   Oct 02, 2018  
1

I just built this same rig. Carrying a Cyclops3 instead of the Session. It RIPS https://rotorbuilds.com/build/13422

TeamWolfFPV   Oct 02, 2018  

Although most folks will just Split it up, especially with the one boards now, I give you major props for this build sir! It flies like a beast, no jello or props in the video, and you are trickin' like you own the place. I just built a 'brat, but I'm suddenly quite jealous of your whip!

ghostface   Oct 02, 2018  
1

Pretty cool - I built a quad on the same frame and love it.
Be careful with the gopro mount thingy of the frame tho - it will not withstand much crashing and might send your go pro somewhere else :D

Great video too!

sergetania   Oct 01, 2018  

Makes perfect sense! The split cams are at least a generation or two away from being practical. I have used these motors with Spedix 20A 4-in-1 on the Acrobrat frame without any issues. The video is very nice too, better than anything from the splits. 5" probably fly smoother but there's a charm in how a micro flies, at least for me

Currently   Oct 01, 2018 

I do agree that 3" just has a really great feal to it. My acrobrat flys better than my 5" tbh

sergetania   Oct 01, 2018 

Acrobrat is not a typical 3" but flies better than most 3" in my opinion.

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