Budget build help!

[fast stratus]

Hi there,

I’m looking to build an FPV freestyle drone on a tight budget of $350. I already have DJI Goggles 2 and DJI Controller 3, so I’m aiming for a build that works well with my DJI gear. Could you share any recommendations on parts or build strategies that would fit within this budget? I’m particularly interested in suggestions for the frame, motors, ESC, flight controller, and video transmission system, along with any tips on cost-saving without sacrificing performance.

Thanks in advance for your help!

[sick apex]

Does that price include the soldering gear?

[void anvil]

If you have the goggles 2 and controller 3 you’ll want the o3 air unit as your video system as the new O4 isn’t compatible

That’ll cost around $170 leaving you $180 for everything else which is a bit tight

https://avionrc.com/products/Ikon-2.5-MAX-(WITHOUT-O3)-"NEW-2024".html

you could go with something like this and install the O3 though you’ll still need to budget for battery’s and a charger which you’d probably want to set aside another $100 for

[fast stratus]

no just the drone parts

i got a solder

[fast stratus]

i dont need the other gear like soldering

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accully might buy

[void anvil]

Camera system will cost $170 batteries and charger will be $100 and drone itself will probably be $200

This drone I sent is below 250g with a battery so you don’t need to register it or install a rid system if you want it to be legal which would add another $50

[fast stratus]

around 370 for the drone is fine

[void anvil]

That should work then

I was originally going with something similar but have switched gears to something more wallet saddening

[fast stratus]

just need some of the part like i got a mid setup already want me to send it

[void anvil]

Sure

The drone above is pretty specific with the parts it uses so you’ll probably not want to try ti change the fc or motors unless they’re the same KV

[fast stratus]

i need to update it with the motors and the grame

frame

FPV Drone List

Motors: FlyFishRC Flash 2207 1950Kv 6s FPV Motor - Black - MyFPV

Cost: 80

Frame:Foxeer Aura 4" Freestyle Frame Kit – defianceRC

Cost: 39.99

Receiver:
Buy DJI O3 Air Unit - DJI Store
Cost: 179

Props: GemFan 4" WinDancer 4032 Props - Pick Your Color - MyFPV
cost: 2.99 per one 6 of them for extra

Aio: Foxeer Reaper AIO V3 F745 45A BLS Bluejay 2-6S

Cost: 99.99

PLugs: Amazon.com: 5 Pairs XT60 Plug Connector Female and Male with 14AWG Silicon Wire for RC Lipo Battery Cable Drone Car Boat : Toys & Games

Cost: 8.99

[void anvil]

What size drone are you going for?

4”?

[fast stratus]

5

[void anvil]

You probably want a FC with more amp then also your frame and props are 4”

SpeedyBee F4 V4 55amp is a good choice

You can get it for around $60

Frame matters less and there’s a few options so aim for something around $40 I personally like the Mario 5

[fast stratus]

yeah it look good plus it pretty cheep

oh i was looking at the kits

[void anvil]

Just make sure to get the O3 version as it’ll make mounting easier

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only 04 is left

i might just upgrade to the o4 unit

oh nvm i see o3

[void anvil]

O4 isn’t compatible with goggles 2

[fast stratus]

do they come with motor screws?

[void anvil]

Motors should

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oh wait i have googles 3

and they do work with googles 2

[void anvil]

Then that’s fine

[fast stratus]

i think the googles 3 only support 04

[void anvil]

O4 prod gonna be much better then

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yeah

[fast stratus]

update

FPV Drone List

Motors: FlyFishRC Flash 2207 1950Kv 6s FPV Motor - Black - MyFPV

Cost: 80

FrameSpeedyBee Mario 5 Frame - Speedy Bee

Cost: 39.99

Receiver:
Buy DJI O4 Air Unit - DJI Store
Cost: 179

Props: HQProp 5.5x3.5x3 Poly Carbonate Propeller (set of 4) - MantisFPV
cost: 4.01

Flight controller: SpeedyBee F405 V4 BLS 55A 30x30 FC&ESC Stack - Speedy Bee

Cost:65.99

PLugs: Plexa XT60 Male 12AWG 150mm Cable - MantisFPV

Cost: 8.99

Batteries: GAONENG GNB LiHV 4S 15.2V 1300mAh 120C XT60 LiPo Battery - MyFPV

22.99

Safety

Smoke stopper: VIFLY Short Saver V2 Smart Smoke Stopper - MantisFPV

Batteries strap: MantisFPV Full Kevlar Racing 12mm Lipo Battery Strap 150/180/210/240/270mm (2 pack) - MantisFPV

Water proof: Flywoo X30 PCBA Waterproof Superhydrophobic Invisible Spray - MantisFPV

prices are not right btw

or most arnt

@sick apex

[void anvil]

Nice I recently completed mine and it ended up coming out nice

[void anvil]

However you’ll probably want to be using 6S batteries not 4S and you’ll need a lipo charger Hota T6 is what I got and it works well

You also don’t need to buy the XT60 150 cable if you use the one included

[void anvil]

Lastly make sure to buy the O4 pro version of the mario5 from speedybees website I don’t believe they’re selling it anywhere else yet it’s still the same price though

[silk otter]

I agree with @void anvil
6s batteries for those motors will be better. The O4 pro air unit will be much better.

Also get multiple sets of props. You will ruin the first set quickly

[void anvil]

Yeah using the standard o4 won’t work well

It’s video cable is too short for a 5” frame and it would be difficult to mount

https://www.reddit.com/r/fpv/comments/1idw6za/comment/ma5jrqd/?context=3&utm_source=share&utm_medium=mweb3x&utm_name=mweb3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

It’s possible to fit it but a bit janky

You need to mount the board in the center which leaves very little space and I would be very worried about durability

[fast stratus]

Oh yeah I know I’m going for the pro did I link the wrong one?

[fast stratus]

Really nice what inch is it?

[void anvil]

5” pretty much the same as your building

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Ok

[void anvil]

Mario 5 O4 pro version for the frame

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Ooo yeah was it your first build

[void anvil]

Yep

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How long did it take you to build?

[void anvil]

Good amount of hours I spent last weekend building it

However you will probably need to buy new motors screws as the ones included with my motors weren’t long enough and make sure they aren’t too long or you might accidentally screw them into the motor and destroy one like I did

[fast stratus]

Ohh did you buy extra parts?

[void anvil]

Yeah I had to stop by Home Depot for longer screws

[fast stratus]

What about the motor?

[void anvil]

You actually need 2 different lengths if you want to use the feet

[void anvil]

Yeah I ordered a new one after breaking that one

[fast stratus]

Where did you get your parts?

[void anvil]

Frame and FC stack from speedybee and mostly everything else from Racedayquads

[fast stratus]

Ok that nice I looking at myfovstore mantis fpv and speed we

[void anvil]

I did racedayquads as they’re in Florida so shipping wasn’t that bad since I’m in ga

But it’s the same parts if you order from somewhere else

Just make sure to buy the Frame from speedybee and choose the right version for the o4 pro as all others aren’t compatible

These are the versions compatible

Others don’t have the new mounting holes for the o4 screws

[fast stratus]

I might of got the top right it bottom left

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Oh I’m in AR no drone places near

[void anvil]

I chose the XH version since the arms being father forward protect the camera a lot more

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Oh I pick the top right since I’m just going to do more of free style

Thst the same

https://tenor.com/view/stupid-gif-9097217493431216904

[void anvil]

Yeah I got the pro version since I like the extra metal for the back area but It probably will be heavier

Funny thing is I can’t even use the plastic side things or rgb since the way I have the wires routed make it not fit

The metal does keep the wires more contained though which is a plus so I still think it was worth it

[fast stratus]

Dc for more of drone shots

[void anvil]

I may glue the rgb strips on somewhere else

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Use like gorilla glue super glue won’t last

[void anvil]

Yeah which matters less for this type of drone anyway

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Yeah are you going for freestyle

[void anvil]

Yep though I’m not looking to get peak performance out of it so I’m fine with it being a little heavier for more durability

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Yeah have you ever had a fpv drone

[void anvil]

I also got those plastic guards on the arms to protect the wires from being cut by a bent prop

[void anvil]

This is my first

[fast stratus]

Ohh so are you going strait to manual

Or starting in acro

[void anvil]

You mean acro vs angle?

[fast stratus]

I thought acro had some restrictions

[void anvil]

I’ve been flying on the sim for the last few weeks to get comfortable with it so hopefully I won’t crash too many times

[void anvil]

Not any significant ones to my knowledge

Angle is the one that holds the drone level acro leaves it at whatever angle you left it

[fast stratus]

Yeah first time I flew I was on the avata 2

[fast stratus]

Well on the avata 2 you have to unlock so it a little different but are you going to use easy acro like with restrictions

[void anvil]

Yeah dji drones aren’t really the same they’re kinda just meant to be a stable camera platform

I’ve flown them a few time it’s always a bit boring

[fast stratus]

Yeah not enough power for most tricks but I still do flips and slip S

But hit the ground a lot

[void anvil]

It wasn’t my drone to break so yeah I didn’t really try anything like that

Though the one flight I have had with my fpv drone it already was more fun then that

Ignore the compression

The cameras too good and was showing off all the address and I’m too lazy to blur stuff so compressing it 98% was the solution

[fast stratus]

What mod you in

Mode

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First flight

[void anvil]

For that it was angle mod since I was trying to be careful for the first few flights

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How did you crash

[void anvil]

Motor shorted because of the damage done by the wrong screw

[void anvil]

^

[fast stratus]

Oh so your using the bad motor

[void anvil]

So make sure you have the right screws and buy a spare motor

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Ok thanks

[void anvil]

I was though after that I’m waiting for the new ones

[fast stratus]

Do you really like fpv

[void anvil]

So far I do

Building the drone was pretty fun

[fast stratus]

I’m just scared to build since I don’t really have spare money for like a new flight controller

But also buying prebuilt to much

[void anvil]

You’ll probably want to have some extra budget just for unanticipated stuff

In total I spent around $750

[fast stratus]

Counting the googles and stuff

[void anvil]

Yes

[fast stratus]

Or the drone

[void anvil]

Everything

[fast stratus]

Ohh I already have the googles and controller

What googles you have

[void anvil]

Drone itself probably around $375 without including batteries

[void anvil]

N3

[fast stratus]

Yeah that pretty much my budget

[heavy gyro]

@void anvil what screw lengths did you buy for the Mario 5 frame?

[void anvil]

M3 0.5 X 9 and M3 0.5 X 11

You want 8 of each type 16 total

[heavy gyro]

was 10m too long and 12mm too short?

[void anvil]

12 works actually for the outer ones and is actually what I’m using but 10 is too long for the inner ones so either 9 or 8 for them though 8 doesn’t go through the full thread so 9 is what you want

This was the included screws with my motors and with the leg they didn’t even make it through

You can see how the inner screw just needs to go through the arms and motor but outer need to go through the legs first

And my outer ones are 12mm so they extend slightly farther up bit on that side it’s fine since there’s no wires

[fast stratus]

So I need to get longer one for the drone motors

[void anvil]

Probably

[fast stratus]

Ok it gonna be awhile till I buy a drone

Don’t got enough

Special since I’m paying my 3d printer back

[void anvil]

Mario5 is a thicker frame then some others so screws can struggle to reach

[fast stratus]

I’m probably going to design my own landing gear

If i go through the first one

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Do you have a 3d printer

[void anvil]

Yep

[void anvil]

I’d use the included ones or print the provided 3d files for them

[fast stratus]

Yeah I recently learned fusion

[heavy gyro]

You don’t need fusion, you need a 3d printer and some TPU

[fast stratus]

im not saying he does

and also dont need tpu

[void anvil]

For drone parts you do

Pla or petg aren’t gonna survive a hard crash and won’t absorb impacts especially if your using it to hold mount a camera or other devices

[fast stratus]

well depends what you are making

if you need a strong part use petg