"Ebay Special" Knockoff 250 frame and Emax Quad Kit

[Stradawhovious]

Well, after having more fun than I should have shooting gaps and throwing the sticks around with a couple 250 sized quads, I've decided to jump in and build my own "entry level" bird.

Here is what I ordered...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/250-PRO-Qua...274?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item41926697aa

I know that the frame is going to be a knockoff, but I'm hoping that the "Solid Carbon Fiber" isn't inaccurate since I full anticipate it finding a few trees at high speed. I have no reason to believe that the CC3D or the Emax parts will not be genuine, but there is no way to tell without waiting for the kit to arrive.

At any rate, for $125 I think it's a great opportunity to get in the air with a tested design.

Here's the issue I'm up against... I can't find anything on this particular kit as far as a build log. I see the Emax builds, I also see build logs for the "step down" kit from this one... found in the link below which has generic ESCs, motors and a Carbon Fiber/composite hybrid frame...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/250-Carbon-...735?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item259f29210f

Has anyone put together a build log/review on this bad boy? I would like to make it as effecient, effective and as clean as possible. I know I can watch any of the other vids out there on the ones that are very similar, but I can only assume that this will have subtleties not found in the others.

Anywhoo, any information is appreciated, and when I get this, I will be sure to post a detailed build log here... you know... because there aren't a whole bunch of 250 quad build logs already.

 

[Stradawhovious]

And if nobody has a link to a build of this particular frame, can anyone at least give me an idea as to where to mount a RX with short antennae? My concern is that if I get the RX obscured by too much Carbon Fiber the frame will act like a faraday cage.

 

[AkimboGlueGuns]

daw, I saw the thread under the gyrocopters forum and you got my hopes up. I believe you are correct about the faraday cage from the CF, I think most people try to mount the RX on top of the quad and un-encased from the carbon fiber. (un-encased is now a word)

 

[Stradawhovious]

Gyrocopter???

Wow. I need more coffee.

If a mod that sees this would kindly move it to the multirotor forum, that would be awesome.

 

[C0d3M0nk3y]

And if nobody has a link to a build of this particular frame, can anyone at least give me an idea as to where to mount a RX with short antennae? My concern is that if I get the RX obscured by too much Carbon Fiber the frame will act like a faraday cage.

How short are the antennas? Most mini quads I've seen mount the rx inside the cage and then mount the antennas pointing out in opposite directions so if one is blocked by the frame, the other one won't be. Anything outside of the cage on a mini quad is in danger of being ripped off in s crash.

 

[FlyingMonkey]

I have a Z MR clone. I put mine in the front on the bottom. Thinking most flying will be transmitter level or higher. Also I want it to be the strongest signal on the return.

 

[HawkMan]

And if nobody has a link to a build of this particular frame, can anyone at least give me an idea as to where to mount a RX with short antennae? My concern is that if I get the RX obscured by too much Carbon Fiber the frame will act like a faraday cage.

Google or look on YouTube for emax250 or nighthawk pro 250 builds.

 

[airhawk]

i almost got the one you linked

 

[earthsciteach]

Monkey should have left this in the gyrocopter section. Its a bit empty with only 12 threads.

Nice find, man! Looking forward to your impressions on this one.

 

[jipp]

you cant go wrong for the price. i paid 139.00 for my kit. it seems these go from 120.00 - 149.00 give or take.

chris.

 

[jhitesma]

Mine was the CF/G10 hybrid material but same basic frame and parts:

http://forum.flitetest.com/showthre...-FPV-mini-build-(with-Naze32-GPS-experiments)

I had the afro PDB instead and a Naze32 instead of a CC3D - but otherwise my build should be almost identical.

I run my LRS setup for RF and have it sit out on the back with the antenna sitting out - so I can't really give much advice on the RX question. I will say that while these seem to have quite a bit of room when you mount the ESC's inside the frame like I did there still isn't much inside where the FC goes once you add FPV gear. I'm glad I went with no pins on my FC and am probably going to switch to shorter FC mounting standoffs when I rebuild it shortly.

 

[Stradawhovious]

How short are the antennas? Most mini quads I've seen mount the rx inside the cage and then mount the antennas pointing out in opposite directions so if one is blocked by the frame, the other one won't be. Anything outside of the cage on a mini quad is in danger of being ripped off in s crash.

They are about an inch and a quarter on either side of the rx. I will figure it out when it gets here. That's half the fun, right?

Google or look on YouTube for emax250 or nighthawk pro 250 builds.

I've seen them all, but when I looked at the googles, there are subtleties between the brand name and knockoffs. Just wanted to see if there were little differences I need to be aware of.

All things considered, I've got a decent grasp of what needs to happen with the build and will document it here. At $125 it really seems too good to he true. Let's hope it isn't!

 

[Stradawhovious]

Mine was the CF/G10 hybrid material but same basic frame and parts:

http://forum.flitetest.com/showthre...-FPV-mini-build-(with-Naze32-GPS-experiments)

I had the afro PDB instead and a Naze32 instead of a CC3D - but otherwise my build should be almost identical.

I run my LRS setup for RF and have it sit out on the back with the antenna sitting out - so I can't really give much advice on the RX question. I will say that while these seem to have quite a bit of room when you mount the ESC's inside the frame like I did there still isn't much inside where the FC goes once you add FPV gear. I'm glad I went with no pins on my FC and am probably going to switch to shorter FC mounting standoffs when I rebuild it shortly.

Thanks!

 

[Stradawhovious]

I have a Z MR clone. I put mine in the front on the bottom. Thinking most flying will be transmitter level or higher. Also I want it to be the strongest signal on the return.

Thanks! I will give that a shot!

 

[Stradawhovious]

My Quad just arrived in Chicago...

Any day now!!!

 

[jipp]

woohoo. im sitting on my project till i can order a few parts i need to finish it.. battery and a TX. heh.

chris.

p.s

dont forget to pickup some M3 rubber washer for your FC, the guys on here recommended them to be placed between the nylon FC stand offs.. and the FC board it self.. top and bottom.. suppose to help with tuning later.
we are both using the CC3D FC. I choose this so i could get use to it, and move to Tau.

i may try naze down the road but for now OP, and Tau have my attention.

 

[Stradawhovious]

woohoo. im sitting on my project till i can order a few parts i need to finish it.. battery and a TX. heh.

chris.

Yeah, those are kind of important...

 

[jipp]

Yeah, those are kind of important...

yeah, i cant configure my FC till i get them.. or even solder up my motors to make sure i get them turning in the right direction.. so yeah, im starting this RC hobby from scratch, so i have to buy lots of things most have already. doh..

im patient tho, so its ok.. i have my blade nano to keep me busy along with the flight sim.
chris.

 

[Stradawhovious]

Well, I'm following the tracking from China to Minneapolis MN..

From China to Chicago. So far so good!

From Chicago to Grand Rapids MI. Looking goo.... wait... what? Chicago to Minneapolis via Grand Rapids MI??

I'm no cartogrpaher or sensiblerouteologist, but that doesn't make a whole lot of sense.

So much for getting it by the weekend I guess.

 

[jipp]

yeah, i do not understand the logic of the shipping. i have had items arrive in Phoenix, just to be shipped to another state then back to me.

shrugs.. yet the item arrived the day it was suppose too. not like they could of let it arrive a day early.. so they shipped it a state away just to waste a day, makes no sense.. shrugs.

by the way the M3 rubber O-rings can be found at a ace hardware for .20. i could not find CCW M5 nylock nuts for the emax 1805s.

chris.