This is Build #1 for the Lil Duece (OG). I built this shortly after receiving the pre-order frame (Aug 2018) and it has been my favorite quad ever since. I don't believe this is available from the website anymore, but other vendors do keep it in stock. I recommend using the new 2019 'No Limit' frame direct from Lil Duece FPV to take advantage of some new design features, but this is on the OG frame with the acro mount.
Fair warning, this build has taken many many different variations, from DSM2, DSMX, Frsky, nearly a half dozen cam/vtx combinations, numerous props... Truly, this is a testament to how durable the frame is...I don't even have a tiny imperfection on this frame, and I've flown it non-stop into walls, trees, 400' freefalls...you name it. No damage. It's amazing.
This build weighs, depending on your choices of filament (prints), hardware, receiver, wire length, and battery, about 60g. Yes, it's light. Yes, it's nimble, and yes...it's a cheap build. But enough of that, lets get to it!
Solder motor wires from the inside to keep the build clean. Some actually choose to solder motor wires to the bottom of the ESC, but my preference is the top and compress them in with the FC. Same with the solder connections to the aio - solder from the inside. For the receiver, however, I store mine between the frame and ESC, so a direct feed from the FC to the receiver is clean and works well.
The FC and ESC come in a stack much cheaper than if you buy separately, so the FC option listed for $23.94 is actually the stack.
Motors, props, and batteries were all gotten on clearance deals, so many are no longer available. Any similar spec would be fine. I personally use a Molex 51005 connector on this build.
AIO used has changed over time, but most were just pieced together from broken bits. My personal favorite right now is the TX06 (gotten on sale for under $10) due to the smart audio. A switchable vtx is obviously better, but this works just fine.
Use metal screws (from the motors) through the frame to prevent having to replace nylon ones every time you crash out of a tree (which apparently happens to be often for me). M2 5mm are what I am currently using. You can use metal standoffs, but the mounting holes on the Super_S are in the circuit, so you can't touch two boards together. Two nylon standoffs and the bottom metal screw seems to be the perfect config for my needs.
Frame "Unboxing"ish Thing:
Flight on Gemfan 2035s (350mah 2s) -
Flight on Lumenier Bowties (loose canopy, so jello) -
Photos
Part List
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do you try out e few props?
i fly something near, i try some gemfan, eachine fourblades, the fourblades on yours... my best results i get with my kingkong 1940 triblade. if you could share some impressions about props would be nice.
I have tried many props, I only listed the two that I liked the most, but realize I also omitted one other (2" Cyclones are also very good, and more robust than the 2035s that easily bend).
The biblade Lumenier Bowties are my favorite. Great thrust, very light, durable, and cheap. I wouldn't go under 2", personally, so 1940s are going to be missing power.
I also tried AVAN Rush 2.5" (will post in my second Duece build, once I go and type that whole thing up), but found that on 1102 motors it is just too over propped. There's almost no punch, though they are incredible stable and smooth.
I am going to pick up another set of the 2" Cyclones, as I really liked those, but my daily props are the Biblade Bowties.
Guides & Reviews
AirbladeUAV has done it again and this time they've brought long range to the 5" class! Based on the popular Transformer Mini, the new Transformer 5" Ultralight adopts a lot of the same design philosophies with larger props and more payload capacity. It can fly upwards of 20 minutes on a 4 cell Li-Ion battery pack and in ideal conditions it's got a range of over 4 to 5 miles. In this guide I'll walk..
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With the release of the DJI FPV Drone cinematic FPV has become a lot more accessible, but you certainly don't want to crash a $750 drone! The QAV-CINE Freybott is a compact, lightweight cinematic FPV drone that can take a hit and keep going. It's a lot safer to fly indoors and around people. With a naked GoPro or the SMO 4k you can capture some great stabilized footage. In this guide I'll show you..
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cool build - you running 8000kv motors or 10000kv?
Thanks dude! The deal (12 motors for $30) was only on 8,000kv, but they have plenty of power to handle a 550mah 2s!
Yeah I bought the same deal a while back but haven't used the motors yet, good to hear :D
They don't last forever, had to replace two on this build, but they are pretty resilient. I'm looking to find the replacement bearings for them, actually. If you ever want to unload them let me know. I think these would be great on the Mobula7 HD to help prevent burning the boards out (the HappyModel replacements are 9,000kv, but I'm a "safe rather than sorry" kind of dude).