Volador II VD6: FPV drone construct with straightforward

A number of years in the past, constructing your FPV drone was difficult and time-consuming. Placing components from 5 completely different manufacturers right into a body and making them work collectively required lots of analysis. Now, due to names reminiscent of Joshua Bardwell, Oscar Liang, ELRS, BetaFlight, FlyFish-RC, RushFPV, DJI, and others, it’s all develop into way more easy.

Earlier than constructing the Volador II VD6 long-range FPV drone, I requested ChatGPT (the preferred AI chatbot) a number of frequent questions, which in all probability any newcomer within the FPV world would wish a solution.

• What fundamental components have an FPV drone?

  • Body: Volador II VD6 body package
  • Flight controller: RushFPV F722 V2 FC
  • Motors: Flash 2506  brushless motors
  • Digital velocity controller: BLADE 50A SPORT F4 ESC
  • FPV system: DJI O3 Air Unit digital FPV system
  • Radio receiver: SuperD ELRS 2.4G Range ELRS

• What’s a digital FPV transmission system?

  Digital FPV programs provide improved video high quality, diminished interference, decrease latency, and extra options in comparison with conventional analog programs, enhancing the general FPV flying and drone racing expertise.

• What radio protocol ought to I exploit?

  A number of radio protocols (PWM, PPM, SBUS, IBUS, FrSky, CRSF, and ELRS) are generally utilized in FPV (First Individual View) drones for transmitting management alerts from the radio transmitter (distant controller) to the drone’s flight controller. For long-range flights, the final two protocols are one of the best. ExpressLRS is a comparatively new protocol that has gained reputation within the FPV group as a result of its open-source nature, flexibility, and efficiency.

• What’s the benefit/drawback of a 5 vs. six-inch body?

  The selection between a 5-inch and a 6-inch FPV drone will depend on your particular wants and use case. In the event you prioritize agility, maneuverability, and racing, a 5-inch quad could also be extra appropriate. Nevertheless, in the event you worth stability, a extra prolonged vary, and the flexibility to hold further payloads (larger digital camera), a 6-inch drone is perhaps the higher alternative.

• What’s the distinction between True-X and Deadcat design?

  Deadcat body design is characterised by a stretched X-shaped configuration, with shorter entrance arms than rear ones. The identify “Deadcat” comes from the resemblance of the body form to a lifeless cat with its limbs outstretched. The shorter entrance arms assist transfer the propellers out of the sphere of view of the FPV digital camera, lowering the chance of propeller blades obstructing the digital camera’s view. This configuration supplies higher visibility throughout ahead flight and is most well-liked by many long-range pilots.

Surprisingly, it gave comprehensible solutions and seemed prefer it found out how these items work. If synthetic intelligence had its personal arms, it may construct for you an FPV drone with no difficulty. Yeah, however then the place’s the enjoyable?

FlyFishRC Volador II VD6 O3 long-range FPV drone overview

Disclosure: I acquired these FPV components of a product overview collaboration with FlyFish-RC. Though the merchandise have been provided without spending a dime, all opinions on this article stay my very own, and the sponsor didn’t affect me. DoubleF has been on the FPV marketplace for greater than 5 years and is dedicated to steady innovation to assist FPV pilots to make their flying dream come true!

Since I printed my Volador VD5 overview, FlyFish has expanded its product vary with VTX antennas, GPS modules, TPU digital camera mounts, body and motor spare components, and drone software kits. They despatched me a 6″ body, a set of motors, a GPS module, two O3 antennas, and an FPV hex screwdriver package for this overview. FlyFishRC’s second-generation Volador body is obtainable in two dimension choices (5” and 6″) and two arm configurations (True-X and Deadcat). I opted for the VD6 V2, which, as its identify says, is appropriate for six″ propellers and adopts a dead-cat configuration with retracted entrance arms.

To assemble this FPV drone, I used solely the 7in1 FlyFish software package, together with a 1.0mm Philips screwdriver, 1.5/2.0/2.5/3.0/4.0mm Hex screwdrivers, and eight.0mm Nut driver for props. The aluminum handler has a hole construction to be gentle, and the information are magnetic to carry the screws. This package can also be wonderful for area repairs. The one piece lacking to make it full is a wire cutter.

1. Volador II VD6 body

The VD6 II body package is available in a compact field with many screw luggage, two battery velcros, 3D-printed TPU components, wire safety tubes, and bonus FF stickers. No consumer handbook is included, simply an exploded view of the body. Every screw bag is labeled with its content material (dimension x items), making the constructing half simpler. Screws have already utilized thread-locking glue, which is good.

Somebody requested me if there’s some other distinction between the 5″ and 6″ than the arm lengths. After inspecting them, it appears like the highest and backside plates are an identical on each dimension variations. So the 6-inch model permits larger motors and propellers however no additional room inside for the digital components or an even bigger battery on prime.

What’s new in Volador II?

As a substitute of reinventing a brand new body, FlyFishRC listened to the consumer’s suggestions and improved the unique (v1) Volodor body. I do not forget that I additionally had a difficulty with the earlier Volador body. Once I wished to put in the highest plate, I spotted that the XT60 socket may very well be inserted solely in a single route (with + on the best). I had it precisely the other, so I needed to desolder and reverse it. The brand new Volodor II has an oblong gap, so now you’ll be able to insert the XT60 connector in each orientations.

Others had a difficulty with the battery pad. It got here off after a number of makes use of. Within the new model, they changed the adhesive half with a high quality one and in addition included a spare double-sided tape. I feel this half nonetheless must be improved by a extra sticky facet like UMMAGRIP. One other reported difficulty was with the digital camera mount. It may accommodate solely the O3 digital camera and the inflexible mount added jello. The V2 body package now consists of 4 units of a silicone shock-absorbing digital camera plate insert (two sizes: 19mm and 20mm) for wider FPV digital camera dimension compatibility and smoother FPV footage. The TPU motor protectors have additionally been redesigned. They’re smaller, lighter, and don’t have to be put in via the motor screws. One other helpful improve is the keystone between the arm that additional reduces arm vibration and helps within the meeting half.

As a security measurement, the 4 center screws on the highest plate are actually countersunk and sit flush to eradicate attainable battery injury throughout crashes. Regardless of these nice upgrades, FlyFlishRC says the Volodor II is even lighter than its predecessor. Following the producer’s tutorial video, even newbies can assemble the body with out difficulty in lower than one hour.

The Volador II VX6 is obtainable with two TPU colour choices (Tropical Combine and Black) for $74.90. A pair of entrance spare arms might be bought for $14.99, and actual arms for $15.99.

VD6 II technical parameters

2. Flash 2506 1750KV brushless motors

FlyFish RC’s Flash 2306 motor collection has 1550KV and 1750KV variants, appropriate for 6S LIPO batteries. The motors have stunning siver&gold colours and use a Uni-Bell construction design, offering excessive crash resistance with out including extra weight. The motors promise explosive energy and thrust for FPV pilots.

The Flash 2306 motors are meant for six″ propellers and are available within the field with 4 mounting screws, a spare shaft bolt, and a gold 5mm prop nut. The motors weigh roughly 37 grams and have 20AWG 150mm wires -length proper on the restrict for the Volador VD6 body. They function thickened base and wire outlet safety braces. The motors undergo strict dynamic steadiness and efficiency QC earlier than packing to offer prime efficiency. Each Flash 2306 1550KV and 1750KV motors can be found for $23.90. Suitable substitute motor bells might be ordered for $13.90.

Flash 2506 technical parameters

3. M8QMC-5883L GPS module

The FlyFishRC M8QMC-5883L GPS is available in a pleasant plastic field with an FC-wiring cable and instruction handbook. With a dimension of 20x20x11 mm and a weight of 9 grams, this isn’t the smallest nor the lightest GPS mode you will get. By comparability, the BN-220 GPS module with comparable options measures 22mm*20mm*6mm and weighs solely 5.3 grams. 

It adopts an 18x18mm RHCP ceramic patch antenna with wonderful reception functionality and steady connectivity. The built-in QMC5883L high-precision magnetometer supplies exact azimuth pointing, and the u-blox10 technology chip permits delicate altitude adjustments to be skipped for extra stability. It has two standing LEDs: pink for energy and inexperienced for positioning. 

The built-in TCXO crystal and farad capacitor permit a quick, sizzling begin while you change to a recent LIPO pack.

It has an SH1.0-6P connection header with the next pinout: VCC (5V+), TX, RX, GND, SDA, and SCL. Usually, it’s good to use simply 4 of them. The SDA and SCL alerts are solely crucial in the event you plan to make use of the built-in QMC-5883L 3-axis magnetic sensor. The built-in compass is useful for navigation-orientated firmware like iNav. Priced at $30.90, it isn’t the most cost effective GPS module, however if you’re a model fan, the FF brand will look cool on the tail of your Volador quad 🙂

M8QMC-5883L technical specs

4. FlyFish Twin-Band O3 antenna

FlyFish presents dual-band antennas for the O3 Air Unit in three sizes: 40mm stubby, 95mm, and 145mm. There are black and pink colour choices. The antenna itself measures Φ16*17mm and is barely smaller than the unique DJI O3 antenna. It has two IPEX connectors and an RF1.13 cable and, theoretically, must also be suitable with the Avatar HD V2 VTX. All three-size variations can be found for $14.90 on FlyFishRC’s web site.

FlyFishRC O3 antenna technical parameters

Flight efficiency

underneath development 🙂