Hi everyone, for this summer I am planning to add a mini quad to my small arsenal of RC gear. I am hoping to get pretty serious with this new quad as well as with my 550mm spider quad with gimbal. Due to it currently being my first year in college I have only been able to log a handful of flight hours since last summer. To supplement the addiction I have spent countless hours on the simulator and browsing the forums. You may have seen me commenting and asking various questions on other mini quad threads recently.
After drooling over other people's builds I have finally composed a list of components for my own 250 size build. Initially I was trying to build with $150 budget in mind, but this quickly became unlikely. My 550mm quad is built with budget parts so I thought I would go big this time and treat myself with top grade components for a performance machine. I will likely not be competing in races any time soon, but I am looking to do high speed aerobatics through natural and man made structures like Charpu, as well as start making videos. I won't be able to do anything until later in May, but I want to get some initial feedback so I can order parts as soon as they come back in stock.
Once summer hits I will transform this thread into a build log rather than starting something new.
Detailed Parts List:
Main:
Frame: ZMR 250 Composite - $24.95 - Full carbon better?
PDB: HK PDB - $1.99 Too Large
Motors: 4 X Cobra 2204 2300kv - $83.96
ESC: 4 X RotorGeeks 12A V4 - $56.00
FC: Naze 32 (vert. pin) - $29.99
Receiver: Turnigy 9X Receiver - $8.99 - Unreliable/Dangerous
Batteries: 3 X Nanotech 45-90C - $40.65
Props: 4 X Gemfan 6X3 4pc - $10.36
HQ Props: 2 X HQ 6X4.5 2pc - $6.98
Hardware:
Nylon Spacer: 5.6X13mm M3 - $0.76
Heat Shrink: 3mm/30mm - $1.60
Right Angle Coax: Right Angle Pigtail - $4.49
ESC Programmer: For RG BLHeli ESC - $15.50 - Any cheaper HK version?
Wires/Plugs: XT60s + 12AWG wire - $6.19
Lipo Bag: HK Jumbo Size - $2.94 - Trustworthy?
Added:
Module: OrangeRX DSMX/DSM2 Module - $29.99
Receiver: Lemon Satellite DSM2 - $7.50
Low Voltage Alarm? - Or TX timer?
FPV Filters?
Total Price: $325 or 1 Textbook
Right now everything on this list will require purchasing from Hobbyking, BuddyRC, and RotorGeeks. Although I'm looking for high performance, I am trying to save money where I can - I could easily switch to Sunnyskys with Velotech ESCs from BuddyRC and save $50. If you know of any way to save money without having to purchase from a dozen vendors it is much appreciated. I am also worried about having to re-tune my PIDs when I switch from Gemfan 6X3s to HQ 6X4.5. Should I just invest in a load of HQs? Most of my concern is getting enough of the right props and whether these items will ever be in stock
Also huge thanks to SnowRocker88 for his ZMR250 build thread which really inspired me to get a ZMR and join the mini quad world.
Thank you everyone, I can't wait to get started!
After drooling over other people's builds I have finally composed a list of components for my own 250 size build. Initially I was trying to build with $150 budget in mind, but this quickly became unlikely. My 550mm quad is built with budget parts so I thought I would go big this time and treat myself with top grade components for a performance machine. I will likely not be competing in races any time soon, but I am looking to do high speed aerobatics through natural and man made structures like Charpu, as well as start making videos. I won't be able to do anything until later in May, but I want to get some initial feedback so I can order parts as soon as they come back in stock.
Once summer hits I will transform this thread into a build log rather than starting something new.
Detailed Parts List:
Main:
Frame: ZMR 250 Composite - $24.95 - Full carbon better?
PDB: HK PDB - $1.99 Too Large
Motors: 4 X Cobra 2204 2300kv - $83.96
ESC: 4 X RotorGeeks 12A V4 - $56.00
FC: Naze 32 (vert. pin) - $29.99
Receiver: Turnigy 9X Receiver - $8.99 - Unreliable/Dangerous
Batteries: 3 X Nanotech 45-90C - $40.65
Props: 4 X Gemfan 6X3 4pc - $10.36
HQ Props: 2 X HQ 6X4.5 2pc - $6.98
Hardware:
Nylon Spacer: 5.6X13mm M3 - $0.76
Heat Shrink: 3mm/30mm - $1.60
Right Angle Coax: Right Angle Pigtail - $4.49
ESC Programmer: For RG BLHeli ESC - $15.50 - Any cheaper HK version?
Wires/Plugs: XT60s + 12AWG wire - $6.19
Lipo Bag: HK Jumbo Size - $2.94 - Trustworthy?
Added:
Module: OrangeRX DSMX/DSM2 Module - $29.99
Receiver: Lemon Satellite DSM2 - $7.50
Low Voltage Alarm? - Or TX timer?
FPV Filters?
Total Price: $325 or 1 Textbook
Right now everything on this list will require purchasing from Hobbyking, BuddyRC, and RotorGeeks. Although I'm looking for high performance, I am trying to save money where I can - I could easily switch to Sunnyskys with Velotech ESCs from BuddyRC and save $50. If you know of any way to save money without having to purchase from a dozen vendors it is much appreciated. I am also worried about having to re-tune my PIDs when I switch from Gemfan 6X3s to HQ 6X4.5. Should I just invest in a load of HQs? Most of my concern is getting enough of the right props and whether these items will ever be in stock
Also huge thanks to SnowRocker88 for his ZMR250 build thread which really inspired me to get a ZMR and join the mini quad world.
Thank you everyone, I can't wait to get started!
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