Gonna take the plunge into 250 quads...

[mrstamp80]

Ok, after my wife took all the tax money (anyone who is married understands what i mean by this) for all the various projects around the house, I managed to get a few left over bucks. I decided to build a 250 quad on a budget. Just a background I currently have a nano qx, fpv nano qx, and a scratch built T copter. (thanks so much with the help on that) and fpv gear. So flying a 250 shouldn't be a issue.

I already ordered the motors and esc's .
2 Emax 2204 MT2300kv cw
2 Emax 2204 MT2300kv ccw
4 Emax Simon series 12a esc

I already have a Naze32 fcb board.
Fat shark 250mw tx, fatshark 600tvl camera, and a GoPro 3 white.

So i need a frame. There are so many out there and my frame budget is $50. Keep in mind i am just going to use and abuse it. I will not be in any type of formal racing with others. Just my own personal fun and as long as it flies good I will be *****.
Here is what i have been looking at:
http://www.buddyrc.com/spedix-s250-multirotor-frame.html I can't find much more info about it seems to be new.

http://www.buddyrc.com/zmr-250-full-carbon-fiber-quadcopter-frame.html Seems to be a popular choice, that i have read.

http://www.buddyrc.com/zmr-250-composite-carbon-fiber-quadcopter-frame.html I know it's not FULL carbon, but didn't know if that really matters.
I am not dead set on these frames, I am open to other options.

Lastly props 5x3 or 5x3x3 or just go 6x3? As far as batt's go I have a couple 1300 3s 35c laying around. I know i need to get a higher c rating. I will get those later.

Thanks for everyone's help.

 

[Quad]

Jump on this one: http://multirotormania.com/mini-quad/783-blue-100-carbon-fiber-250mm-mini-frame-version-ii.html

Just ordered two and they are great. Really good reputation on the ZMR250 thread over on rcgroups. You can choose the color of standoffs if you get one...

 

[joshuabardwell]

I wouldn't get the "composite carbon" frame. I have read about problems with the glass delaminating from the carbon.

If you are going to get a budget frame, the ZMR250 is the clear choice. If you were going to spend $150, then you could debate between several, but IMO in the budget range, nothing beats the ZMR, and there are lots of accessories for it due to its popularity.

 

[Quad]

So the one I linked to is full carbon and a ZMR 250. The buddyrc ZMR 250 full carbon also looks like a good choice...

 

[hello_mars]

Hi I want to get into 250 quads aswell but I have noticed it is still a little pricy, but I found this sit: http://www.banggood.com/QAV250-Carbon-Fiber-ARF-Combo-EMAX-MT2204-12A-ESC-CC3D-p-965217.html it show a qav250 with all the electronics for only 140 euros. I thought it was a scam or something but it is a really big website and the reviews seemed legit, what do you guys think of this?? is this real or fake?

 

[mrstamp80]

Thanks for the input, will go with the full carbon zmr. Any input as props goes 2 blade 3 blade?

 

[joshuabardwell]

For what it's worth, that is not an actual QAV250 frame, but a ZMR250. There's nothing wrong with a ZMR, and a lot of people love them. But if you expect a QAV, I doubt you are going to get it from a wholesale China seller. QAV frames cost $150 retail all by themselves.

Regarding props, three-blade props seem to have gone out of style. Most people seem to be flying 6030, or if the motors can take it, 6045.

 

[finnen]

3-bladed props are mostly used on frames that can't fit 6 inch props. The zmr can handle 6 inch props just fine. I don't know if 5 inch or 6 inch props are better, I guess it depends on motor, esc and battery setup.

 

[kah00na]

I like that kit that hello_mars suggested (http://www.banggood.com/QAV250-Carbon-Fiber-ARF-Combo-EMAX-MT2204-12A-ESC-CC3D-p-965217.html?p=6Z050013977120130325). That is the EMAX frame which gives that extra platform below the cage that is large enough to hold the 4 ESCs. That helps keep the weight more central to the frame and makes the arms look cleaner by not having the ESCs zip-tied to them. It should also have enough room on the rear platform to comfortably hold a 1300mAh battery. Then it doesn't have to be on top or hanging on below.

Banggood also has one that looks similar to a Voodooquads frame - XAV250:

 

[jipp]

that looks like a bad design with the arms built into the bottom plate.. that is gonna break.. and you have to replace the hole plate.. what a pain and could get expensive?

chris.

 

[kah00na]

Well the Voodooquads frame that it was designed after is a tank. I watched one slam into the ground and thought for sure it was going to be broken, but it wasn't. That XAV250 is a copy so I'm sure it wouldn't be as strong. I like idea of replaceable arms on the EMAX one a little better myself. I thought I'd show another option though.

 

[finnen]

The copies are generally not 100% carbon, even if they say they are. I wouldn't trust a cheap frame without replaceable arms. Things like the QAV250, that is one piece for the bottom frame and the arms, on the other hand are really sturdy. But they cost a pretty penny as well =)