HobbyMate Q100 review: Build and Test

During winter days, when outside is -15ºC, you can’t find the mood to play outdoors with your favorite racing drone. Luckily, micro brushed quads like this HobbyMate Q100 are great for replacing outdoor fun with an indoor one. The advantage of this model over dirty cheap toy drones is the versatile and programmable flight controller.

After I reviewed many RTF packages, I liked the idea that the HobbyMate Q100 comes in parts. The fact that I can build my quadcopter doubles the fun :)

Depending on your existing transmitter, you can opt for five different RX variants. As I already own a FlySky FS-i6 transmitter, I opted for the Flysky FS-A8S Mini receiver.

HobbyMate Q100 DIY quadcopter KIT parts list

• Q100 frame kit with rubber landing pads;
• 600TVL camera with 25mW 5.8G VTX;
• N32 brushed flight controller;
• 3.7V 550mah Li-Po battery;
• 4 pieces of 8520 coreless motors (49,000 rpm);
• 20 pieces of propellers (10x CW and 10x CCW);
• Power cable (with micro Losi connector);
• Double-sided adhesive tape;
• Two pieces of rubber bands;
• Optional radio receiver (DSM2, PPM/SBUS, AC800, RLR6DSM or FS-A8S).

HobbyMate Q100 DIY quadcopter review

About one month ago, I was contacted by Kevin from HobbyMate about the possibility of a review collaboration. After I checked their product range, I opted for this Q100 DIY drone kit. I also found a nice Li-Po battery storage protection bag on their website. I should mention that they never requested that I write my review favorably for them or their products.

The package arrived in about 28 days, but it probably took so long because of the winter holidays. All the components were stuffed in a surprisingly small box (11 x 3.5 x 21cm). The parts were sealed in separate labeled bags. A short description (user manual) about the flight controller and how to flash new firmware is also included in the box.

In order to assembly the KIT you will need only a few tools, a cutting clamp, and a basic soldering iron.

HobbyMate Q100 review – Flight controller (N32 6 DOS)

The HobbyMate Q100 is built around the tiny Naze32 brushed flight controller (FC). Currently, there are four variants of this FC: N32 6 DOF, N32 Acro, N32 10DOF and Naze 32 Full.

Although the Naze32 6 DOS does not feature a magnetometer sensor or a barometer sensor, it is a capable flight controller for experienced FPV pilots. The Naze32 is suitable for quad-copters as well as hexacopters.

The FC has a size of 33mm x 20mm and weighs only a couple of grams. The brain of the N32 6 DOS FC is the STM32F103CB microcontroller.

On top of the flight controller is located a micro USB port (for firmware upgrade and fine-tune), a micro push button (“boot”), status LEDs, and other 3 connectors.

On the bottom of the FC are located the motor soldering tabs, power pins (max 4.2V) and the power LED.

The Flight controller comes with pre-flashed CleanFlight 1.13.0 Alienflight1 firmware and it features multiple flight modes. While “Angle” mode is suitable for beginner pilots, “Horizon” mode is suitable for more skilled ones. “Rate” mode (aka: Full manual or Acro mode) is suitable only for experienced pilots.

HobbyMate Q100 review – VTX Camera/FPV

The VTX camera included in the HobbyMate Q100 DIY drone KIT has a resolution of 600TVL. The optical module has a size of 12.5 x 12.5 x 14 mm and the 5.8G VTX module size is 10 x 25 x 6mm. The camera module and the VTX are interconnected with 3 wires (power and video). This HobbyMate micro FPV Camera is suitable only for 1s Li-Po batteries (input voltage: 1.8-5.0V).

Switching between the 16 transmission channels can be done easily using a micro push button. An RGB LED shows the actual channel.

Although its small in size, both image quality and range are quite good. I got a clear signal about 70-90 meters from me.

HobbyMate Q100 review – Assembling

Based on my pleasant experience building the F450 quadcopter, I started with confidence to assemble this little bird.

The first step is to solder the battery connector and the VTX camera’s power cable (red to “+” and black to ground). Using the included double-sided adhesive tape, you can attach the VTX on top of the flight controller.

The second step is to solder the motor leads. The package contains two types of motors, clockwise and anti-clockwise. The correct order of the motors is:

• Motor 1 – CW (blue and red wires).
• Motor 2 – CCW (black and white wires);
• Motor 3 – CCW (black and white wires);
• Motor 4 – CW (blue and red wires).

The next step is to attach the motors to the motor bases. The flight controller is firmly secured to the airframe by clips. Using a small piece of double-sided adhesive tape, you can attach the camera to the front of the frame.

The final step is the installation of the RX module and battery. Using the included rubber bands, I secured the battery on top of the frame and the FS-A8S RX right under the battery. At this step, I found the first problem: there is no dedicated 1.0mm 4p cable included. This cable is required to interconnect the FC with the RX module. To address this issue, I decided to cut and solder together the FC’s cable with the RX’s cable.

As you can see in the image below, the final results are pretty nice. If I put the HM Q100 side by side with the Eachine Q95, you can’t say which one is DIY and which is not.

HobbyMate Q100 Review – Configuration

After I downloaded and installed the CleanFlight APP, by using a micro USB cable I connected the FC to my computer. Note: the props are recommended to be removed during configuration; also, there is no need to connect the flight battery.

Using the APP, you can correlate the Aux channels of the RC with the FC. For example, I assigned my FS-i6 transmitter’s Switch “D” to arm/disarm the motors and Switch “C” to toggle between flight modes (position 1 – “Angle” mode and position 2 – “Horizon” mode).

BTW, through the CleanFlight APP you can check the right direction of rotation of the motors and also calibrate the accelerometer. Failsafe settings can also be set there.

My recommendation is that you leave the PID values untouched, at least till you are not an expert.

HobbyMate Q100 review – First usage / Test flight

Before first power ON (battery connect), I recommend double-checking the wires and soldering for short-circuit.

reserved, updated, in progress

Pricing and availability

If you want to build your micro racing quad-copter, this nice DIY KIT can be found for $39.90 without a receiver and with an FS-A8S RX module for $59.90. You can opt for three different cockpit colors (red, yellow, and white).