Mockup

Beginner 5" Starter Kit

By Astro5872 on Jun 22, 2019

21  3,237  12

If you've ever considered getting into FPV you might've been a little scared seeing the prices of Fatsharks or high-end quads. This list will show a list of things to build a quad, fly it, and repair it for around $500. I constantly see beginners buying the cheapest componenets they can buy, this results in them well, wasting money. You'll upgrade the $30 goggles you bought and the $40 or so Flysky radio in a few months, which'll result with spending way more money than simply getting components/gear that'll last you a WHILE.

Anyways, let's talk about the components in this list and why I recommend them. First off, the TBS Source One frame, it's durable, cheap, and if you do snap an arm or another part they're cheap to replace and can be found very easily. Next up with the ESC/FC stack, pretty much the only reason I chose this stack is because well it's decent and it's simple to wire up, it'll last you and it's cheaper than any other stack I've seen on the market. If you're looking at the StarF4S or the StarF3S stacks from Racerstar please, please, please dont buy them. They're very poorly designed and will NOT last. The camera is simply a cheap and great camera. The props are efficient, durable and fly well. The motors are again, durable and use a screw instead of a c-clip which makes it easier to swap bells and clean the motor, are pretty damn powerful. These motors are super pretty quality.. The VTX, it's a pretty decent, reliable vtx for cheap. The Lollipop antennas just work pretty damn well along with being cheap and durable. And finally, the reciever. The XM+ just works well, it's tiny and has the same range as the nice and big recievers. If you want telemetry go for the R-XSR from FrSky.

Next up we're gonna talk about tools, goggles, controllers, and all that junk. So lets get started. The X9 Lite is the cheapest good radio you'l find, nuff said. The EV800Ds, they're the best value goggles I've seen so far. They have real diversity, good range, and come with actually decent antennas outta the box. Finally we got the B6 Nano charger, it's pretty damn good value. Packing a whole 15a it can parallel charge lipos easily and has a whole bunch of features. 

I guess that was it, I've also included some of the tools and accesories I like to use. Either way before buying anything on this list or getting into FPV for the love of god. Do. Some. RESEARCH! I constantly see stupid questions like "How do I bind a reciever" or "How do I setup a reciever in Betaflight", asking these questions in the first place will take longer for someone to answer than simply Googling them or something.

Uhh, I guess that's it. Have a good day.

Some amazing sites to do research on are: https://oscarliang.com/, JB's YouTube channel, and https://www.google.com/
If you would like to test the waters of FPV get the EMAX Tinyhawk S
This list WILL be updated when new better parts come out.

PS: Register on XT-XINTE to get a $5 off code.
If the Source One is out of stock another great frame choice is the Rotor Riot CL1.
I provided links to all the parts/tools on Banggood and XT-XINTE, if possible use local shops. You'll get the items faster and probably lower shipping price.
Edit 7/5/19: Changed the VTX, better VTX for a slightly higher price and added M3 standoff kit to install the VTX.
Edit 7/13/19: Changed EMAX Ecos to XING-E motors, XING-Es are just better.
Edit 7/27/19: Changed XINGs back to Ecos, XING-Es went up in price.
Edit 8/10/19: Changed EV800D to Tobyrich EV800D, only $49 with code "BGTR49" on Chinese warehouse (ty Raven).
Edit 8/10/19: Changed HGLRC Antenna for Foxeer Lollipop bundle, use one on the quad, one on goggles.
Edit 8/10/19: Changed soldering iron to the TS100.
Edit 8/10/19: Added Triple Feed Patch and 50 ohm Terminator
Edit 8/10/19: Changed CNHL lipo to GNB lipo, better quality.
Edit 8/26/19: Changed Mamba 30x30 to iFlight Succex-E
Edit 8/27/19: Changed Eachine Leaf to TX805
Edit 8/27/19: Changed battery from 4s to 6s!
Edit 8/27/19: Changed EV800D to Fatshark Recon V3
Edit 8/27/19: Changed Banggood 18650s to nice Samsung ones.
Edit 9/5/19: Changed Succex-E vendor, $8 less. Free shipping
Edit 10/16/19: Changed Ratel camera to Foxeer Razer. Cheaper and more reliable.
Edit 11/1/19: Changed Recon V3 to EV800DM

Choose SMA for all antenna/vtx options.
Pick 0.8mm solder.
Choose Flytower version of Succex-E
Use code "BGJPEV11" for $14.19 off EV800DM

Part List

Frame

TBS Source One 5" Frame V3 (45 builds)
Getfpv.com
See Site

Flight Controller

iFlight SucceX-E F4 FlyTower System with SucceX-E F4 Flight Controller / SucceX-E 45A 2-6S BLHeli_S Dshot600 4-in-1 ESC for FPV
Qwinout.com
$64.79

Motors

4 x Emax ECO Series 2306 6S 1700KV 4S 2400KV Brushless Motor For RC Drone FPV Racing Quadcopter (77 builds)
Xt-xinte.com
$38.48

Propellers

DAL Cyclone T5043C Pro Propellers (Set of 4)
Getfpv.com
$2.99

FPV Camera

Foxeer Razer Mini HD 5MP 2.1mm M12 1200TVL PAL NTSC 4'3 16'9 FPV Camera with OSD 4.5-25V Natural Image For RC FPV Racing Drone
Xt-xinte.com
$17.32

FPV Transmitter

Eachine TX805 5.8G 40CH 25/200/600/800mW FPV Transmitter TX LED Display Support OSD/Pitmode/Smart Audio (15 builds)
Banggood.com
$12.90

Antenna

Foxeer 5.8G Lollipop 3 Omni Antenna 2.5DBi 2pcs SMA-RHCP FPV Antenna for FPV Racing Drone
Xt-xinte.com
$13.14

Receiver

Frsky XM+ Micro D16 SBUS Full Range Mini Receiver Up to 16CH for RC FPV Racing Drone
Banggood.com
$13.69

Batteries

CNHL Black Series 1100mAh 22.2V 6S 100C Lipo Battery (32 builds)
Chinahobbyline.com
$27.99

Radio

FrSky Taranis X9 Lite 2.4GHz 24CH ACCESS ACCST D16 Mode2 Classic Form Factor Portable Transmitter for RC Drone (9 builds)
Banggood.com
$95.99

Radio

QSO S2 2A Fast Charger for 18500, 18650, 26650, 20700, 21700 Batteries
Getfpv.com
$8.99

Goggles

Eachine EV800DM Varifocal 5.8G 40CH Diversity FPV Goggles with HD DVR 3 Inch 900*600 Video Headset Build in 2000mAh Battery (2 builds)
Banggood.com
$79.90

Battery Charger

ToolkitRC M8 DC 300W 15A Battery Balance Charger Discharger With LANTIAN 400W Power Supply
Banggood.com
$55.99

Soldering Iron

RJXHOBBY XT60 Male Bullet Connector to Male DC 5.5X 2.5mm DC5525 Rubber Power Cable for TS100 Electric Soldering Iron
Banggood.com
$5.99

Soldering Iron

MINI TS100 Digital OLED Programable Interface DC5525 Soldering Iron Station Built-in STM32 Chip Sapphire Version (9 builds)
Banggood.com
$42.22

Tools

Drillpro 4pcs 1.5/2.0/2.5/3.0mm Hex Screwdriver Bit HSS Titanium Coated Repair Tool Set (16 builds)
Banggood.com
$10.29

Accessories

MECHANIC 0.3mm 0.4mm 0.5mm 0.6mm 0.8mm 50g Low Melting Point Solder Wire 63Sn 37Pb Soldering Tin BGA Welding Tool
Banggood.com
$5.35

Accessories

Soloop 328pcs 2:1 Polyolefin Halogen-Free Heat Shrink Tube Sleeving 5 Color 8 Size (13 builds)
Banggood.com
$4.65

Accessories

Samsung 30Q 18650 3000mAh 15A Li-ion Flat Top Battery (2pcs)
Getfpv.com
$12.99

Accessories

100pcs 3x100mm Self-Locking Plastic Cable Zip Loop Ties With One Color Nylon Cable Ties
Banggood.com
$1.68

Misc Supplies

Suleve™ M3NH1 M3 Nylon Screw Black Hex Screw Nut Nylon PCB Standoff Assortment Kit 300pcs
Banggood.com
$2.69
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Discussion

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Sleepyheadfpv   Aug 07, 2019  

I am planning to use this for my first build. frame is CL1 however. is this a less sodering build?

Astro5872   Aug 07, 2019 

cl1 is pretty good, i would probably say the source one is a bit more durable. what are you comparing it towards in terms of soldering?

Sleepyheadfpv   Aug 07, 2019 

i just mean as in the pads and stuff, is it a pain? also can you give me another FC you suggest for the build?

Carbon FPV   Jun 22, 2019  

Did a fairly similar build to yours, except with a different frame. I'm using 6s on the mamba stack and it has worked great so far! I also went in with cheap flysky and 40$ goggles, still use them (after 2 years) but can agree that people should go for the somewhat more expensive stuff

Astro5872   Jun 22, 2019 

Ah, I've just heard some people having issues with the Mamba on 6s. I just wanted this build to be a nice and reliable build for beginners to do.

Carbon FPV   Jun 22, 2019 

Yeah it would suck if something broke

Carbon FPV   Jun 22, 2019  

Did a fairly similar build to yours, except with a different frame. I'm using 6s on the mamba stack and it has worked great so far! I also went in with cheap flysky and 40$ goggles, still use them (after 2 years) but can agree that people should go for the somewhat more expensive stuff

Luka   Mar 28, 2019  

Très croissant

Astro5872   Mar 28, 2019 

hmm?

DrakonFPV   Jun 11, 2019 

Bon baguette

Fpv_Tim   May 20, 2019  

You should just link the Diatone Mamba stack from banggood rather then wait for who knows how long.

Astro5872   May 26, 2019 

Will do, at the time the Mamba stack was in stock.

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