Potensic ATOM: A sub250g, sophisticated 4K drone
When Potensic launched the Atom drone in September 2023, I was excited that yet another company realized how important the sub-250g market segment is for hobbyists and casual users to enjoy drone flying without bureaucratic hurdles. In many countries, drones that weigh under 250 grams (0.55lb) are exempted from aircraft registration and the need for a pilot license.
In this...
ISDT 608PD charger: Tiny but Mighty
When I started this hobby, I remember that LIPO chargers were big, heavy, and had a max power of 30-50W. Instead, the ISDT 608PD fits inside your pocket, weighs just 85 grams, and has a charging power of up to 240W. Furthermore, it can be monitored and controlled via a mobile app.
Priced for only $29.99, it is ISDT's cheapest...
Jumper T20 GEMINI: Fully-Featured ELRS radio!
The Jumper T20 GEMINI is the third model of the family, and as its name suggests comes with a built-in twin ELRS TX module. The T20G inherits the small form factor and full-size RDC90 gimbals of the T20S. In this review, we will discover all the differences and if it is worth the extra money.
Once you delve into the...
HQProp propellers for all-sized FPV drones
Since I started building FPV drones, HQProp has been in the top three of my personal choice. I tried to avoid using propellers from known brands despite being cheaper. This review will look closer at six of their props.
Propellers, also known as props, are considered consumables and are not given much importance, although they are directly responsible for the...
ChiTu Conjure PLA+ and High Speed PLA 3D filaments
Probably everyone into 3D printing hobby has already heard about the Chitubox slicing program. Still, in this review, we will focus on the company's ChiTu JAMG HE Conjure PLA+ and Hi-Speed PLA Pus 3D filaments, which I had not heard until a few weeks ago.
To get the best out of our 3D-printed models, you must find the perfect balance...
MEPS SZ F7 HD: Easy to wire high-performance flight controller
Here at FirstQuadcopter, we start 2024 with a flight controller review. The MEPS SZ F7 HD is the company's second FC we tested. Both have similar features, mainly just the mounting pattern difference. The smaller 20x20mm is suitable for compact 3-5" CineWhoop drones, and the bigger 30x30mm for 5-9" freestyling and long-range FPV drones.
The flight controller is one of...
Master Airscrew 9″ propellers for Long-Range FPV drones
Last week, I built a long-range FPV drone using the Chimera 9 ECO frame, and while researching the required components, I came across Master Airscrew, a US brand with a tradition in propeller manufacturing. So far, I have only used HQprop, Dalrop, and Gemfan propellers, and although they never disappointed me, I was curious to test if these 9"...
iFlight Chimera9 ECO: Let’s Build a 9″ Long-Range FPV Drone
Every time I build a new FPV drone, it's like an adventure that begins with acquiring the parts and ends with a maiden flight. In this review, I will focus on how you can build a professional-looking 9-inch long-range drone on a budget using the iFlight Chimera9 ECO frame kit.
Usually, every DIY drone project should start with your needs...
MEPS SZ2207: Are these FPV motors better than company’s reputation?
The SZ2207 will be the second FPV motor from MEPS reviewed here on FirstQuadcopter. Both motors are intended for 5-6" racing drones. While the SZ2306's stator has 23mm width and 6mm height, the SZ2207's stator is 22 mm/7 mm. The 2207 has a narrower stator width, so you can expect lighter rotational inertia that allows for faster RPM changes,...
iFlight BLITZ F7 V1.1 flight controller: Is it good?
The flight controller (FC) is the brain of the FPV drone and is probably the most critical component, as it is responsible for stabilizing the drone. The FC generates the motors' control signals based on the pilot's and sensors' inputs. If you are starting with this hobby, I strongly recommend using BetaFlight-based flight controllers like this iFlight BLITZ F7...
LN-motor FS2812 and FS2306 brushless motors for FPV drones
Commonly, the product name of FPV motors is formed by a group of two numbers. The first one refers to the dimensions of the motor and the second one to the speed of the motor. Brushless motors have two main parts: the rotor with permanent magnets and the stator with copper coils. After learning to decipher the numbers on...