First Quadcopter

This morning, scrolling through TikTok videos, I came across a post from a content creator that showed its new selfie drone, the HoverAir X1. Like the AEE Sparrow, AirSelfie Air Neo S, or Simtoo Hoshi 007, the Zero Zero Robotic X1 Airselfie drone also has a caged design. The drone can be folded to fit inside your pocket, making it...

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...

One of my friends recently moved to a village with electricity problems. As gas boilers, pellet stoves, and heating water recirculation pumps don't like power outages, he asked me to recommend a battery backup solution, knowing that lately, I have reviewed a couple of power stations. Starting from its budget (willing to spend around $600) and its needs, I...

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"...

While everyone was busy unwrapping Christmas gifts, the BetaFlight team released a new upgrade for its popular open-source flight controller firmware. In this article, we will focus on what's new in Betaflight 4.5 and if it's worth upgrading from previous BF versions with the risk of undetected bugs of a new release. The BF 4.5 is an incremental release, meaning...

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...

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,...

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...

Insta360's tiny vlogging camera, released in June 2023 in Arctic White upon the request of many content creators, is now also available in Midnight Black color. The camera weighs only 35g (1.2oz), and its unique magnetic body provides effortless mounting. Capture amazing hands-free shots from creative angles, see the world from your pet's view, or uncover fresh perspectives. The biggest...

I'm a big fan of BetaFPV's PAVO series; I have already reviewed the Pavo Pivo, Pavo20, and Pavo30. I like the Whoop-style design with duct propellers. The new Pavo35 is the series's biggest and most powerful model and is intended to carry a full-size action camera such as the GoPro 12 or Insta360 Ace Pro. Equipped with Lava 2006-2400KV brushless...