Initial drone parts list, 7" cruiser

[ember gate]

Does this look sane, or should I change anything? I tried to follow general recommended advice.

FPV: HDZero (not part of drone cost)

FRAME: Lumenier QAV-S 2 JohnnyFPV SE 7” Frame Kit $119.99 182g
MOTOR: RCINPOWER EX2809 Plus 1280KV 4-6S Brushless Cinelifter Motors $21.99 230.4g (total, x4)
PROPS: Gemfan Cinelifter 7" 7035 7x3.5x3 Tri-Blade Glass Fiber Nylon Propellers - 2CW+2CCW $6.99 6.9g

electronics
FC/ESC: (for Arduflight) Holybro Kakute H7 Mini V1.3 W/Tekko32 AM32 4in1 Mini 50A ESC STACK - 20x20mm $112.99 21.1g
GPS: Pyrodrone BN-880 Flight Control GPS Module w/ Compass $19.99 10g

comms
ELRS: Happymodel 2.4G ExpressLRS EP1 Dual TCXO RX True Diversity Receiver Module $24.99 1g
Buzzer: TUNERC Buzzer V2 with Built-in Driver Circuit $1.99 2.0g
camera: HDZero Freestyle V2 20x20 25-1000mW HD VTX Kit W/u.FL $149.99 22.3g

Battery: Gaoneng GNB 8000mAh 22.2V 6S 10C 6S2P made with Samsung 21700 40T Long Range/Cinelifter Lipo Battery - XT60 $106 904g

Estimated total cost: $630.89
Estimated weight total: 1379.7g

[bronze mist]

I don’t know much about LR so it looks good to me 😂 except I think the people here will recommend Walksnail over HDZero

[unique moss]

I would get a different gps

The frame isn't really what i would pick but eh

And i wouldn't use hdz unless youve already got the goggles

[ember gate]

The only equipment I have so far will be the Jumper T15 controller, which is due to be delivered today!

Im trying to do this slow and do it right the first time.

Im also trying to buy higher end equipment outright, so that I dont need to buy better later. Basically, buy high quality now and save money in long run.

[brazen valley]

If you want to, you can also see if you can find used equipment. For the goggles especially, you can sometimes find great deals from people switching to a different system. You can usually buy replacement foam lining too if you're worried about sanitation

[unique moss]

Very good, very good

[ember gate]

Thank you. Now, I am wondering exactly the reasoning for Walksnail vs HDZero. I have no functional experience here. I chose HDzero cause of strong open source work. And 3ms hard latency is pretty awesome too. And since it doesnt communicate bidirectionally, I think I can write a SDR (software defined radio) receive layer for the video too.

[unique moss]

Hdzero is a one way system, the vtx broadcasts and the vrx receives. With WS, the receiver will send a message back to the vtx and request lost packets be sent a second time. It really improves the video quality and range, but you lose the low latency when you have to request a packet twice. For LR, latency isnt as important. HDZ might be better for racers.

Sdr rx would actually be interesting

[brazen valley]

IIRC there is a way to put WS goggles into a "spectator" mode that's only one-way, right? Could probably make an SDR for spectating

[echo charm]

You can connect to the goggles over WiFi and just watch a stream though

HDZero has terrible penetration

[ember gate]

And I have no interest in racing, at least with a 7" drone.

I was more thinking of hardware platforms to use it in conjunction with. For example, putting a cheap thermo sensor on it. I can also 3d print a servo mechanism that would change filters on a camera lens for different spectral colors. Or put a Meshtastic and use it as a repeater node.

I also do a great deal in GIS. Being able to generate accurate maps of my land and nearby would be absolutrely awesome

[echo charm]

I don't think that frame is too fantastic, I feel like I never see it used for LR. I'd be double checking if 50A is enough for those motors you picked. You NEED a GPS with an M10 on it or you'll have a bad time. If you're going to splurge on receiver you might as well get a GemX or Gemini one. Buzzers aren't too useful when they aren't self-powered, the battery is the first thing that dislodges. There's not much of a point going 6s but that's a fine choice.

[ember gate]

Lemee review that. Ypu review likely right about the AIO ESC. Might be better to use 4 independent ESCs.

And I wasn't sure about the best GPS. I did also want compass and baro as well. Might be better to have compass/baro as a separate SPI board.

[echo charm]

You can easily use a 4in1 esc, they make plenty

Sequre has a 70A one

Baro should come on your flight controller

there's plenty M10 gps that include a compass

[ember gate]

Ok, so with the suggestions, here's my updated list:

FRAME: Shen Drones Thicc 2.1 7" Frame for DJI - Carbon & Hardware Only $130.00 182g
MOTOR: RCINPOWER EX2809 Plus 1280KV 4-6S Brushless Cinelifter Motors $21.99 230.4g (total, x4)
PROPS: Gemfan Cinelifter 7" 7035 7x3.5x3 Tri-Blade Glass Fiber Nylon Propellers - 2CW+2CCW $6.99 6.9g

electronics
FC/ESC: Holybro Kakute H7 V1.3 W/Tekko32 F4 4in1 Metal 65A ESC STACK - 30x30mm $144.99 21.1g
GPS: FlyFishRC M10QMC-5883L GPS and Compass Module $30.90 9.4g

comms
ELRS: Happymodel 2.4G ExpressLRS EP1 Dual TCXO RX True Diversity Receiver Module $24.99 1g
Buzzer: JHE20B Quad Finder LED Buzzer Beacon w/ Internal Battery $6.99 2.7g
camera: HDZero Freestyle V2 20x20 25-1000mW HD VTX Kit W/u.FL $149.99 22.3g

Battery: Gaoneng GNB 8000mAh 22.2V 6S 10C 6S2P made with Samsung 21700 40T Long Range/Cinelifter Lipo Battery - XT60 $106 904g

Estimated total cost: $688.81

[echo charm]

heavy frame for LR but seems good for the rest

[ember gate]

do you have a better suggestion for the frame? I was looking for a 30x30 compatible stack frame, since the ESC stacks at 3030 have better heat dissipation and handle higher power than the 2020's

[echo charm]

a frame actually meant for endurance would be good if that's what you want

like an AOS frame or something

[ember gate]

ughhhhh

thats why it didnt show up 😦

[echo charm]

@unique moss

[solar anchor]

For the battery cells these might be better: Molicel INR21700-P50B

Maybe you could make a 6S1P and a 6S2P battery, so you can choose between less weight or longer flight time?

[unique moss]

Huh wuh

Is that pyro?

This is so sad

[ember gate]

it is pyro, yes

[unique moss]

Do you think the tariffs are gonna majorly impact fpv prices? Its be like 1000usd but i kinda wanna go ws with a 7" before said tariffs hit @echo charm

[echo charm]

you'll basically get european prices

or maybe worse

so yes

if they do happen it's going to be a huge increase

[unique moss]

So i should drop the cash now

My wallets gonna hurt

[ember gate]

a tariff would happen when it triggers. So you would have to pay the % tariff to import.

For example, if you order 1000$ thing before the tariff, and shipping means border crossing is after tariff date, YOU have to pay it

it also means if you dont, US CBP will just destroy your package

[echo charm]

i pinged you so you could suggest some frames by the way

lol

[unique moss]

I don't know anything about 7" lmao i have to learn too

Uhhh

Idk i just look at rotorbuilds and see what frames people are using

I want aos tho cause i want his tune for it

[ember gate]

ah rotorbuilds? i just dont know the sources to read up!

thank you!

[unique moss]

No problem lol

[unique moss]

Theyre great for examples. Theyre not all good examples, but still examples.

[simple umbra]

I'd suggest going for an ion battery if u aren't doing any heavy freestyle or racing (which you shouldn't be with ardu)

https://www.getfpv.com/lumenier-nav-6000mah-6s-lithium-ion-battery-xt60.html?srsltid=AfmBOoqiC0D_cLS_KQCnXFmGYchZftLbxYSRBRi7fihgntKfL1THB5Fg

heavier but u get more flight time

trash c rating but if you aren't gonna do anything too power hungry then these will give you more flight time and they don't have a voltage drop at around 3.2v like lipos

[unique moss]

i am now looking for 7" frames because that one is out of stock

[echo charm]

lol

[unique moss]

https://pyrodrone.com/products/lumenier-qav-s-2-johnnyfpv-se-7-frame-kit?variant=41043735183403 this one low key looks awesome although idk how good it actually is