ImpulseRC's 5" Apex frame is one of my favourite 5" frames. Yes, it can be a tight fit, particularly if you're using a 30x30 stack, but I really like the way it looks and it's ridiculously tough without being as large or heavy as something like Catalyst Machinework's BangGod. So, when ImpulseRC released both 3" and 4" versions of the Apex I was all over it.

I went with the 4" frame because I really wanted to try the newer trend towards brushless motors with shorter but wider stators ('pancake style') and thought 2004s might be a bit overkill on a 3" build.

I liked the Brotherhobby 2507 motors I have on my CM BangGOD build so I went with the same manufacturer for the 2004s on this build. I chose the 3150kv motors (4S) rather than the 1950KV (6S) ones. I was really tempted to try 6S but I have a whole bunch of smaller 4S lipos from prior builds and I couldn't justify buying a whole bunch of new smaller (sub 1000mAh) 6S lipos just for this build.

I also don't think that the ESC I used, a HIFIONRC 30A as part of their F405 stack, would survive prolonged 6S abuse. Sure, the ESC is rated for "3-6S" but I'm now wary of 20x20 ESCs on 6S after blowing two of them in the past. Your mileage may vary.

I recently switched to the DJI digital/HD system and, unfortunately, the cliches are true - it's so difficult to go back to analog! As a result I stuck a stuck a Caddx Nebula Pro in the back and TBS Crossfire for the receiver. How cute is that 'mini' Immortal T antenna in the back?!

This thing flies great! I'm not going to say it 'flies like a 5 inch' but you definitely get some sense of momentum or 'fling' when doing freestyle. It's not the same as flying a 700g+ 5" quad but it's more than most micros. It flies brilliantly with a Naked GoPro (doesn't feel weighed-down at all), though I am always terrified of crashing as I doubt the de-cased GoPro would survive even a minor tumble. An Insta360 GO (or GO 2) would be ideal but unfortunately my GO has been at the bottom of a lake since last October! :/

L