SnappyChameleon
By Rotorenpilot on Nov 22, 2023
Love this frame. Every time I see one I just think of it as the "perfect canvas". Also, the compact almost sandwich style profile makes me assume it has some pretty good flying characteristics.
Another thing about this build is that it's my first attempt to break into 6S... mainly just to see what everyone is talking about. I came up on some 6S batteries, fixing broken wires and balance leads for some friends, so why not do a quick build to fly them..?
I also made myself a model on the DRL simulator that closely models this setup and flying it in the simulator has been pretty fun
For some reason the parts took forever to get here, longer than usual, which is why I didn't build it faster, but the wait helped to make some decisions I noticed, as it gave me more time to think.
Just finished this baby today...but now it's raining, so I hovered it indoors... not optimal, but it'll do for now. Can't wait to take this out for a test flight.
One thing I noticed that's a bit strange...and perhaps also a reason why the cage design has changed and this older style is not that popular...the camera cage is very much "in-view".
So after flying the 4th pack on this rig I have some observations --> super nice and snappy rig, handles really well, nice hang time, very responsive, not really too "floaty", more of a "locked in" feel, but one thing that is lacking...I don't really get the whole 6S hype feel... feels very similar to 4S to me, maybe I just have to fly more to feel the difference.
Quick update on the 6S experience with this frame:
today I ripped a brand new 6S tatuu pack and it was just pure joy. Great power on the throttle punches, super nice hang time and over 8 minutes of flight time...the pack wasn't even empty yet, cells were at around 3.6 to 3.7... coulda probably went for another minute or two.
I did like the feel of 6S...not too sure I'll be switching my other rigs just yet, but I understand some of the appeal now.
Photos
Part List
Frame |
Armattan Chameleon FPV Frame 5"
(164 builds)
Getfpv.com
|
See Site |
Flight Controller |
Ysido New F4 V3s Plus Flight Control Fc Support Betaflight/inav Bls-45a/60a 4in1 Esc Stack For Rc Fpv Drone Plane Quadcopter - P
(5 builds)
Aliexpress.com
|
$25.63 |
Propellers |
HQ Prop ETHIX S4 5x3.7x3 Tri-Blade 5" Prop 4 pack - Lemon Lime
(60 builds)
Racedayquads.com
|
$3.49 |
FPV Transmitter |
JHEMCU VTX16 5.8GHZ FOSSE/25MW/100/200/300/400MW VTX 40CH Transmission 5V 16x16mm CRI Pour FPV Drone De Course geprc iflight pil
(2 builds)
Fr.aliexpress.com
|
$21.96 |
Antenna |
TBS Triumph Pro (SMA)
(17 builds)
Team-blacksheep.com
|
$19.95 |
Receiver |
BetaFPV ELRS Nano Receiver - 2.4GHz
(32 builds)
Pyrodrone.com
|
$9.99 |
Guides & Reviews
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What kv are your motors? Your build doesn't look heavy. The things that can make your quad not REALLY perform: bad batteries, low kv, or too much weight. If your packs are old, or they are frankenpacks, that's prolly what's up (just try a new pack, 1 flight will tell you, just borrow one). Otherwise, if it's NOT motor kv, you might have set your motor output too low?
Motor kv is 1750, so that should be pretty "zippy" with 6S.... according to my research. The battery might be an issue, I bought a new 6S but haven't tried it yet. The 6S pack I tried was a "fixer upper" from a friend that had frayed wires from a crash, but otherwise seemed fine. Charged up and tested fine, but I'll have to try the other pack.
The motor output could be it...I hovered the quad in my backyard and the motors felt a bit warm..not hot, just warm...which means I might've fiddled with the tune... I'll have to take another look.
When you go to charge the pack you worked on, are the cells even after your flights? I wonder if the cells are different internal resistances? Is the whole pack old and decrepit?
1750 is a legit kv for 6s on 5", but it's the bottom end. I find that under 1800kv it tends to be sluggish, and somewhat similar to 4s power, just with no sag... Low kv, and an old battery that might be the whole thing
I'll try with a fresh battery and also take another look at the tune. I saw a Chris Rosser video where he kinda explained the tune in a way that made sense...🤞
The pack looked good, the cells were all within 0.2 volts or so from another, but it's a cheap CNHL pack... I have a Tatuu R-line one I'll try when I get a chance.
Is it doing anything "funky" in the air? I find the current betaflight is amazing for 5" on the stock tune (typically). I came up in the early days of betaflight, so I understand tuning, if you post a clip, or a good description I can probably help?
I remember ~5 years ago watching LeDrib "moonwalk" HUGE areas in one pulse of the throttle, and seeing that I could be getting MUCH more thrust/acceleration. I went on a quest through motors, frames, props, and batteries to get to that level. It took a well built 6s rig for me to get there, but MOSTLY good batteries. I have gotten that same zip from 4s on 3" and 4", but for a 5" rig you have to buy expensive batteries to get that same zip (like, $40+ per battery) and 6s will do the same on a $20-$25 battery.
It's not really acting "funky", now that I tried the R-line pack it actually flies really nice...one thing that surprised me a lil is the 74 amps it supposedly pulled on a max, with an ESC rated for 60A, but considering that just to be on punches I guess it's fine. Motors were not hot, it flew responsive and since I'm still such an inexperienced pilot I pretty much just fly betaflight presets.
I also watch the LeDrib videos and loooove the hangtime he gets.
This quad has some pretty decent hangtime given my pretty limited skill.
I'll share a DVR video, just let me try to get something watchable this weekend...I just watched my recording from yesterday and it is kinda boring...and it underlines that I'm just a very inexperienced pilot.
The amp rating is per corner, so your 60A is really rated to burst to 240amps total. I have a a few 5" rigs that hit 120-135amps at peak, and they will do that every flight for years, so hundreds of times
woah that's a lot...also --> good to know, thank you for that info
I have some video from this weekend, I'll figure out a way to post it later... I think I can embed a YouTube link ..would prefer some Google drive but what the hey .. whatever works.
My flying is not that great yet.. I just started a few months ago and I have a job and all that junk..😂..so I don't get much time to practice, but the DVR footage looks ok, I think.
I just tried embedding a video here, but I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong. I looked up the markdown syntax and at other posts that had YouTube vids embedded, tried the same syntax, but without success (basically the iframe as supplied by YouTube in a div with a class called "iframe-wrapper")...but what the hey..?
Here's a link
Also I looked at the kV and read a post and it made sense. I usually fly 2550 kV motors, that should be a "constand velocity" of 4 times (4S) 2550 ~ 10200 rpm given prop size, torque etc. Now taking a 6S pack with 1750 kV motors is only 6 times 1750 = 10500 rpm..that's almost the same, so there shouldn't be that big a difference.
I think I just like that quad, and the long flight time is due to the pack being a giant 2000mAh tattu pack..I hope I can get out more and learn how to actually fly now