I wanted to build another bugdget racer, this time using well known components, RMRC had the Screech-R V1 on sale for $17 so decided to pick one up. The assembly of the frame was pretty easy, just make sure to get the press nuts all the way in. The arms are nice and thick and are chamfered.
I decided to go 4s instead of 6s as I have a whole bunch of 4s batteries, so I knew I wanted a 2400kv motor, and Emax so happened to release the eco series, I bought 8 of them on the first day they were released.
For the stack I wanted something really simple so I bought the tekko32 stack, only to find that the tekko 32 esc was too big. So I decided to get the racerstar 35a, which I think is a rebranded tekko-s. The pin connectors fit , I just had two wires to switch arround since it didn't offer esc telemetery. For the vtx I wanted something that had smart audio, outputted 25mw or below, and it had a mmcx connector and could fit ontop of the stack to protect the kakute's f4 softmounted gyro. For the receiver I was going to install a R9 mini, but opted for the xm + instead, it's a work horse, and I don't need the range. For the camera I wanted something that was well used in the racing community, it's the same cam they use on the hawk5.

To tidy up the motor wires, I used 8mm braided cable sleeving. To cut it without fraying I use painters tape, then use a lighter after removing the tape to singe the ends.

You will notice in the photos I rotated the esc so that the battery lead comes off the side, I spent a whole evening trying to decide, it was way easier to get the cable pins to connect, I didnt have to use the longer version, also the esc won't get in the way of the fpv cam this way, I found the pin port would block movement. If you go with another esc, the kakute has a bit of a cut out, so the cam doesn't get too close, just something to think about, another option would be the brainfpv board, same shape , not sure if the pinout would work as easy.

So what's it like to fly?

OMG, its one of the smoothest, confidence inspiring drones I have flown, with betaflight 3.5.7 stock, it had 0 oscillations, I was looking for something wrong with it. The micro arrow pro colors look amazing, the dynamic range was really good, the sky wasn't washed out, no flashes of white when viewing the ground, I prefer it over the runcam micro and caddx f1. Because the screech-r is a true x, but has longer arms, the motors barely take up any of the view. I chose the smoke coloured props as I plan to mount a gopro on top and that colour helps keep them out of view. Overall it wasn't the fastest build, I had a few problems with the stack height, and getting the esc wrong initially. The Screech V2 has more cut out in the plate, and has the boomerang arms instead of singles. I have yet to get any movement in the arms, it feels solid. Oh for the throttle, it just keeps going, no TPA needed, I wish I could try a pro build and compare, but I just didn't have any issues on it's maiden. In time, I'll see if the vtx is any good for long range, or if the cam is terrible in low light, or if the bearings in the motors go , but so far soooo good.