This build is for two identical 3" Gizmo racers. I think the title 'ankle biter' is extremely appropriate, because I can show up at races and hassle some fast pilots with their 5" setups. Just about the only downside is that these little punks lose when I have midairs, but I'm genuinely shocked I can keep up well enough for that to be a problem.

These are eminent budget racers - got the frames on closeout for $20, the motors were $10ea, Spedix IS20 is a great budget ESC, and the F4_SVTX is a great value FC/VTX at $23 (just runs really hot in the summer - set up and use the pit mode!). The batteries are CNHL and Turnigy 4S 650mAh packs, although I've ran these with 850mAh, and even 1000mAh 4S packs. Needless to say, these rip no matter what, althouth the heavier packs don't add much flight time. I did spring for the Gemfan 3052's, which really helps with pace (not so much efficiency).

The build itself is shockingly simple if you have 6-pin JST looms just hanging around, that becomes a quick and simple re-pin. The XM+ wires up easily, although my attempts to get an XSR with full telementry haven't worked. Tramp VTX control onboard the VTX does work well. Needs a bit of a stress loop on the U.FL antenna to be comfortable, but switching to the Lollipop and zip-tie direct to plate mounting the antenna solved any crash survivability issues. This setup handles crashes shockingly well, especially at the speeds I end up going.

Biggest downside with the frame is that 16:9 cameras will see the camera protection on the top plate - but any 4:3 camera ends up being just fine. Even that goes away pretty promptly as a downside, because these are just such a hoot to fly. The FC/VTX in 20x20mm form factor is a limitation when it's hot - if you leave it on, no matter what power, you'll have about five minutes before the VTX starts to do its thermal shutdown routine - do take advantage of the Betaflight low power capability if you plan on running more than 25mW output.

Efficiency isn't the greatest when pressed hard - but flying at 9/10ths these will achieve 3 minute flights readily at speeds which most people would thing require a 5" 6S rig. For me, antenna mounting with this particular setup remains tricky, but that's only because I crash really hard and quite a lot. Such is life for my track recce rigs, and exploration setups, but the durability in this build allows that. I do think that the weight offset of running a more conventional flight control stack and an AKK FX3 (or iFlight Succex) would help out, as would running a pigtail. The biggest limitation is that the narrow frame design does limit antenna mounting locations.

For anybody on a budget, it's really worth giving a 3" racer a try.

Being able to run <$8 batteries, having ~$175 complete builds, and the ability for these to absolutely shrug off most small crashes make it a phenomenal setup for racing and having fun.

Ethix sticker courtesy of SpiroFPV - while I was flying the other one of these. Well played...