nerdCopter's XL7

this build is dead -- lives on as https://rotorbuilds.com/build/31338

GetFPV ran a contest; I won FOUR Lumenier ZIP, but they messed up on the code that would have given me their whole stock for free. So i reported it, and they threw in a 5th one for free. ($125 off Zips coupon) Thanks a ton GetFPV; Major awesome!!!!

Viper_FPV ran a contest a long while back and i won a Foxeer F405 AIO flight controller. Thanks Viper!!!

So with these winnings i bought everything else to build up a 7 inch quad.

⚙ Running EmuFlight; STILL trying to tune some random flutters out, but i 100% beleive it's a physical issue (resonance or other noise getting into AIO FC). :/

✅ iFlight XL7 V3

• PRO: Strong 3K carbon (Drone Mesh said the XL7 was the stiffest budget 7" he experienced)
• PRO: Price
• CON: capture-nuts (grip-nuts) on the botton bracket are very difficult to insert
• CON: I did not use the included camera brackets, they were odd and only for mini-cam (not micro) -- i used my flosstyle TPU mounts instead
• CON: no more interior space than any 5" -- My VTX and RX barely fit
• CON: I would like to mount my VTX antenna differently, but unsure how yet

✅ Foxeer F405 (i won from Viper_FPV )

• PRO: nice layout and board shape
• PRO: easy to solder (if fluxed, solder passes through holes to opposite side pad, be careful)
• PRO: 9v or 5v bridges for Cam & VTX
• PRO: Cam-Control and Smart-Audio ready

✅ Lumenier ZIP 2407 1700kv Motor Non-POPO (i won from GetFPV)

• PRO: Hefty & High Quality
• PRO: With both Emu and BeF, motors have stayed "cold", not even warm (with a good tune).

✅ Eachine TX805 5.8G 40CH 25/200/600/800mW Transmitter

• PRO: MCX connection
• PRO: built-in micriophone
• PRO Smart-audio for configuration
• CON: Saw a review that reported 300mW is max even on 500 & 800 setting; No confirmation but i've had nice signal at 920meters.

✅ Caddx Turbo Micro F2 FPV Camera

• PRO: Price
• CON: Color no where near as good as my SDR1

✅ Holybro Tekko32 F3 35A 3-6s BLHeli32 ESC (Set of 4)

• PRO: all the BLHeli settings includiing amp limits
• PRO: built in LED

✅ FrSky R9 Slim+ 915MHz Long Range Receiver

• PRO: went 540 meters even eith my 100mW-limited R9M-Lite module

✅ indestructible Quads Black label 100C 1100mAh 6S

• PRO: Sale Price
• PRO: i have the powah

✅ Lumenier AXII 5.8GHz Antenna (RHCP)

• PRO: Tough/Strong, takes some hits and bends

Last ever flights, includes the crash (Helio AIO on this rebuild)

See the build time-lapses here:

• part 1:
• part 2:
• part 3:

✅ HQProp 7x4x3

• PRO: everything!
• CON: nothing

✅ HQProp 7x4.5V1S Bi-Props

• PRO: Quiet and efficient!
• CON: nut recess is smaller than nut-flange. Too stronhly tightened nuts will put unbalanced pressure on prop hub and cause easy hub cracking/explosions for fairly soft crashes (recommend using non-flanged nuts).

✅ Gemfan Flash 6042

• PRO: Really 6.25" diameter, good for 7" quad
• PRO: Strong material
• PRO: Smooth flying
• CON: Really 6.25" diameter, bad for 6" quad
• CON: Pulls more amps than bi-prop and makes my 6S packs hot.