This was supposed to be a parts build, using spare motors and electronics I already had to add a third Apex to my fleet. Then BrainFPV dropped the Radix 2. It didn't feel right setting that up with banged up motors, so I ordered one of the NewBeeDrone Flow Motor 8-packs and got to work...slowly.
The Radix 2 allowed me to simplify the wiring and divide the build into independently removable 'layers'.
Weight with no battery or GoPro | 439G |
Weight with 1000MaH Ovonic LiPo and GoPro H7 | 731G |
Solder Joints | 87 |
HD Angle | 20º |
FPV FoV | 170º |
Favorite Color | Red |
Nothing fancy.
If you're not running the Apex OSD you can use the little 'nook' behind the camera for a battery powered buzzer.
The JHE20B Quad Finder buzzer's button lines up well with the cutout in the frame.
BrainFPV and HobbyWing include connectors with their boards, but I find them to be unnecessarily long. Tiny's LEDs has a 35mm kit which cleans thing up a bit.
To prevent damage and grime, cover the connector with some tape. I used to loathe JST-SH, but since I started doing this I haven't had any connector issues.
If you want to run a micro form factor camera I recommend picking up the HD Camera Plates for the easiest fit. Stubby mini form factor cameras, such as the Foxeer Toothless also fit better with the HD plates. The TPU spacer included with the plates didn't work very well for micro so I just used some plastic washers and o-rings.
Yes.
Also yes.
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Thanks for checking out my build! See it fly on Instagram or YouTube.
A note on the pricing below - RotorBuilds is doing something funky with the currency conversion of the ImpulseRC links, making them artificially high in USD.
FPV has had quite a journey. Just a few years ago we started racing drones around a track and doing flips over trees, but professional cinematic FPV is a more recent development. DJI has always owned the drone photography market, but smaller acrobatic drones are starting to enter the market. They have the advantage of close proximity flight indoors and around people. There's more artistic freedom and..
Read moreFor the longest time we've been limited to 3 to 4 minutes of flight and lots and lots of batteries. With more efficient motors and frame designs it's now possible to push the envelope much further. This guide will walk you through the process of building a micro long range quad capable of flying 8-30 minutes and more than 4km. The build is moderately difficult, but with the right tools and steady hands..
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Beautiful build, and equally nice build log! I still haven't decided on what my first Radix 2 is going in :)
Thank you! The Radix 2 is honestly overkill on this, but I love BrainFPV and had to get in on batch 1. Did you see that NASA used the same Bosch IMU on the Mars helicopter?
Nonsense! Your build deserves the best!
I didn't see that about NASA. That's great