Since I began constructing FPV drones, HQProp has been within the prime three of my private selection. I attempted to keep away from utilizing propellers from recognized manufacturers regardless of being cheaper. This overview will look nearer at six of their props.
Propellers, also referred to as props, are thought of consumables and should not given a lot significance, though they’re immediately liable for the drone’s flight efficiency. A poorly balanced, heavy propeller may also considerably affect the general flight time.
Efficiency and flight traits of propellers are outlined beside dimension (diameter) by variety of blades, pitch, form, weight, and materials they’re made from. Three-blade propellers are mostly used for FPV drones, which offer the perfect stability between effectivity, thrust, and grip. They’re well-suited for each racing and freestyle flying. 5 and six-blade propellers are used on micro drones and CineWhoops as a result of they’re usually quieter and supply probably the most elevate and management in duct designs.
Normally, from the prop’s title, you’ll be able to know the dimensions, pitch, and variety of blades at a look. For instance, 9X4X3 (also referred to as 9040×3) propellers are 9-inch-long 3-blade propellers with a pitch of 4 inches.
Propellers are primarily made from carbon fiber composite (CF), fiberglass-reinforced plastic, and polycarbonate (PC). Because of the manufacturing expertise, CF props are twice as costly as PC props and are primarily used on 7″ and bigger builds. PC props are extra versatile than CF and GF ones, which might produce extra vibration. Alternatively, they’ve good stiffness and can bend relatively than break if it hits one thing laborious.
Overview: HQProp propellers from 3.5 to 9″
Disclosure: I obtained these propellers for a product overview collaboration with HQProp. Though the merchandise have been supplied without cost, all opinions on this article stay my very own, and the sponsor didn’t affect me.
HQProp Co. Ltd, based in 2012, is a complete Propeller enterprise targeted on R&D, design, and manufacturing for RC interest. They declare to be one in all China’s {most professional} propeller producers and need to turn into the very best high quality RC propeller maker. The corporate has two product ranges: Multirotor (multi-blade 1.2-13″) and Airplane props (two-blades 6-12″). They despatched me six fashions of their FPV propellers: Duct-75MMX6, HQProp D76MMX3, HQ 6X3.5X3, Juicy Prop J37 4.9×3.7, MacroQuad 9X4X3 and 9X5X3. I opted for 2 forms of 9-inch propellers to check them with my newest construct, the iFlight Chimera9 ECO.
Once I was about to publish my HQProp overview, I obtained the bundle once more with the identical six units of propellers. Most likely one thing tousled on the logistics facet, and it was re-sent by mistake.
The three.5″, 5″, and 6″ props are made from polycarbonate and offered in a set of 4. Each 9-inch props (pitch of 4 and 5 inches) are offered individually (one within the zipped bag) and are made from glass fiber-reinforced nylon. All props had gray coloration and mannequin numbers printed on them. The Juicy Prop J37 and HQ 6X3.5X3 are additionally obtainable in white, inexperienced, orange, and blue colours.
Duct-75MMX6: CineWhoop propeller
Because the title says, the Duct-75MMX6 is meant for CineWhoop-style FPV drones with duct blade protectors. The 75mm propellers have six blades and are comprised of polycarbonate. They weigh simply 2.6 grams and are very responsive and tremendous quiet.
Diameter Dimension | 76mm |
Pitch | 3 |
Variety of blades | 6 |
Hub diameter | 11mm |
Hub Thickness | 6mm |
Shat diameter | 5mm |
Materials | Poly Carbonate |
Weight | 2.6 grams |
Colour choices | Gray |
HQProp D76MMX3: New stage of {smooth} flying
The HQ Ducted 76mm three-blade propellers promise to convey you a brand new stage of {smooth} flying. These props are made from skinny, sturdy PC materials and weigh simply 2 grams. The D76MMX3 are good for CineWhoop’s and Toothpick model 3″ FPV drones.
Diameter Dimension | 76mm |
Pitch | 3 |
Variety of blades | 3 |
Hub diameter | 11mm |
Hub Thickness | 6.2mm |
Shat diameter | 5mm |
Materials | Poly Carbonate |
Weight | 2 grams |
Colour choices | Gray |
HQ Juicy Prop J37: Completely balanced propellers for the juiciest flight expertise!
The HQProp Juicy 37 three-blade propellers have a diameter of 4.9″ and are meant for five″ racing and freestyling FPV drones. They’re obtainable in 5 coloration choices to match your drone’s design.
Diameter Dimension | 4.9 inch |
Pitch | 3.7 |
Variety of blades | 3 |
Hub diameter | 12.4mm |
Hub Thickness | 6mm |
Shat diameter | 5mm |
Materials | Poly Carbonate |
Weight | 3.4 grams |
Colour choices | Blue, Inexperienced, White, Orange, and Gray |
HQ 6X3.5X3: Mild and sturdy 6inch propellers for {smooth} flying
HQProp’s 6×3.5×3 propeller is made of sunshine but sturdy polycarbonate. The delicate pitch makes this prop a wonderful selection for battery-conscious and smooth-flying. I put in these props on my FlyFishRC Volador VD6 drone with Flash 2506 1750KV motors.
Diameter Dimension | 6 inch |
Pitch | 3.5 |
Variety of blades | 3 |
Hub diameter | 13.5mm |
Hub Thickness | 7mm |
Shat diameter | 5mm |
Materials | Poly Carbonate |
Weight | 6.4 grams |
Colour choices | Blue, Inexperienced, Orange, and White |
HQ MacroQuad 9X4X3 and 9X5X3
As talked about, I plan to make use of these 9″ props on the Chimera9 ECO long-range drone. The props have a 5mm shaft diameter and a hub thickness of 10mm for a 4″ pitch and 9mm for a 5″ pitch. Each variants sit completely on the LN-2812 1150KV motors.
9X4X3 | 9X5X3 | |
Diameter Dimension | 9inch | 9inch |
Pitch | 4 | 5 |
Variety of blades | 3 | 3 |
Hub diameter | 17.4 | 18 |
Hub Thickness | 10 | 9 |
Shat diameter | 5 | 5 |
Materials | Glass Fiber Strengthened Nylon | Glass Fiber Strengthened Nylon |
Weight | 18.5 grams | 17.4 grams |
Colour choices | Black | Black |
Pricing and availability
All these HQProp blades could be ordered immediately from the producer’s on-line retailer or platforms like Amazon and Aliexpress. The 9″ props are priced at $4.49/pcs, the 6X3.5X3/set at $3.59/set, the Juicy Prop J37 at $3.49/set, and the D76MMX3 and Duct-75MMX6 at $2.79/set.
Propellers are designed to spin in both a clockwise (CW) or counter-clockwise (CCW) route. On an FPV drone, two motors rotate CW, and the opposite two spin CCW, so when props are offered by one piece, you might want to select two CW and two CCW to make a set.
HQProp propellers: Sturdiness
I’ve been utilizing HQProp propellers for over 5 years and have by no means had any high quality points. Polycarbonate props take the crashes effectively; they have a tendency to bend as a substitute of break. The pliability of the blades additionally protects the motor’s shaft from bending through the collision.
Yesterday, I examined some new PID tunes on my Chimera 9, which proved an enormous mistake. After 10 seconds within the air, I crash it on the roof. The 6S LIPO was set on hearth, and two motors jammed. Three propellers additionally broke -the blades have been ripped off from the hub. Contemplating that three roof tiles have been halted after the affect, I’m stunned that not all 4 propellers bought broken.