Project MicroLongRange
By Dave_C FPV on Dec 22, 2019
The basic idea of the Micro Long Range (MicroLR) ist quite simple: Scale down a 7" long range quad until it is sub 250g AUW. While there are many sub 250 micros the clue here is the electronics layout with a 16x16 stack in the center plus 20x20 stack in the back
as well as the dead cat design and 4" inch props for maximum efficiency. This frame configuration allows you to easily fit an impressive amount of feature in your sub 250 setup:
- GPS for speed, location, return home etc.
- 4K video footage with no props in view
- And independent buzzer for easier post crash recovery even if the battery is ejected
- 3+ miles of range with and 800mW VTX
- 10+ minutes of flight time (11:20min of cruising on 850mah 3S)
I personally ended up with to setups after testing at least five or six. One i a lighter version with a Runcam Split Nano (206g) and the other is the full spec with GPS, Buzzer and Tarsier (228g).
The frame is open source and you can find all the files on Thingiverse: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4054381
To buy a frame you can simplay send an email to cncmadness@gmail.com and ask for Daves MicroLongRange frame.
They will charge you USD24 including standoffs and screws plus shipping.
Disclaimer: CNCMadness is a third party and I only provide the files for free. I'm not taking any share of the profit so I don't
have any influence on quality, shipping times etc.
The Carbon parts are also available through Armattan Productions: https://armattanproductions.com/pages/kit_detail/2559
Unfortunately you'll have to get th harware separately but I linked everything you need in the Thingiverse article.
Photos
Part List
Frame |
Project #MicroLongRange by Dave_C_FPV
(11 builds)
Thingiverse.com
|
See Site |
Flight Controller |
HGLRC FD413 STACK 16x16 3-6S F411 Flight Controller 13A BLS 4in1 ESC
(7 builds)
Hglrc.com
|
$39.99 |
Motors |
4 x iFlight Xing 1404 Toothpick Ultralight Brushless Motor
(9 builds)
Airbladeuav.com
|
$63.96 |
Propellers |
HQ Durable Prop T4X2.5 Grey
Team-blacksheep.com
|
$2.89 |
FPV Camera |
Caddx Tarsier 4K 30fps 1200TVL Dual Lens Super WDR WiFi Mini FPV Camera HD Recording DVR Dual Audio OSD for RC Racing Drone
(63 builds)
Banggood.com
|
$94.90 |
FPV Transmitter |
RUSHFPV Tank Mini 20x20 25-800mW 5.8GHz VTX - MMCX
(91 builds)
Racedayquads.com
|
$39.99 |
Antenna |
Lumenier AXII MMCX 5.8GHz Antenna (RHCP)
(70 builds)
Getfpv.com
|
$14.99 |
Batteries |
Tattu 11.1V 3S 850mAh 75C LiPo Micro Battery - XT30
(13 builds)
Racedayquads.com
|
$14.50 |
Hi guys,
thank you Dave for your project, inspired me a lot. I'm building the Copter and wondering where I get the 7V for the VTX (RT Mini) from... There are only 5V pads on the stack. Can anyone help me?
I am trying to debug some gps issues on my build. As soon as I turn on the tarsier it drops all satellites as the tarsier appears to be really noisy.
It would really help me and would be highly appreciated if you could provide me some infos on a couple of questions.
I'll make sure to share my findings publicly once I get some results:
- What gps settings did you use in betaflight?
- Did you use nylon or steel screws to mount your stacks?
- Where did you route the flatband camera cable between the tarsier cam and the pcbs the tarsier cam (e.g. below the stacks, in between etc.)
- Where did you route the gps cables (e.g. below the tarsier/vtx stack on top of the stack etc.)?
- How many sats do you get on average? If you tried it, how many do you get with the tarsier off, and to how many does it drop once you turn it off.
- Do you get a gps fix with the tarsier running or do you turn it off till you get a fix?
- Do you have the wifi antenna on the tarsier mounted?
I know it's a bunch of questions but like I said it would help a bunch if you could answer at least some of my questions for further debugging :-)
Thank you for your time!
The Tarsier & basically most other split type cams will inevitably mess up the GPS signal and on top of that I had them break all the time ;-( I don't recommend using them anymore. Plus an Insta 360 go looks way better IMO
- GPS: Nothing special
- Steel
- Below (but again, not using the tarsier anymore
- 6-12 sats (without the tarsier)
I always wanted a long range ,,toothpick,, that looks beautiful and works perfectly. i love this man
Just finished building this, can't seem to get GPS working with the HGLRC stack, I've even swapped the GPS module from another quad that I know works and its still not locking onto any satellites. Can you provide which Stack firmware you used on your build?
In my situation I discovered the HGLRC stack had only 1 working uart. I replaced the the stack and bought the modified mid and upper plates of this frame with dual 20x20 stacks and currently use a CL racing F7 Fusion FC. I also installed a Caddx Vista and DC3 cam mount. It is the quad I take with me every where because of its size and amazing flying ability. Absolutely love this thing! I call it Lapu Lapu after the Filipino Chief that killed Magellan....its the explorer killer!
I'm looking to do this build, but want to maintain VTX control. Have you looked at the TBS Pro32 VTXs? You can control those through CF lua scripts.
Great idea and poject... I though about the same. Maybe do you have porjects for 4.7 props size? (I want to check all you wrote, but install mavic mini props and mavic mini motors.)
For it to be a proper LR build you need to have the crossfire antenna vertically, it really makes a difference
A lite version of this for m2 standoffs would be what I would use. placed on the rear or center standoff https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3471900
Love this mount and makes it very convenient for packing the quad without bending the antenna when mounted vertically
What about an AIO toothpick fc like this one https://rotorvillage.ca/flywoo-gn413s-aio-flight-controller-13a-2-4s-leds/ ? Could you not remap pads for gps input.
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which do you prefer best to your liking, the runcam version or the caddx tarsier?