Tricopter V4 [No longer sold as kit]

    (73 customer reviews)

    $ 70.00

    Out of stock

    SKU: tricopterV4 Categories: ,

    Description

    The RCExplorer webshop has permanently closed down. This post is here only for reference. This item is no longer sold.

    If you wish to make your own, you can download the design files for free from here

    What’s new in the Tricopter V4;

    F3F3 Tricopter

    You can now choose the RCExplorer F3FC Tricopter flight controller (with integrated Power Distribution). Designed based on all the feedback we’ve received since the release of the Naze32 frame. This frame has it all; A more powerful processor, 3A switching BEC with selectable 5/6/8V output, no need for a separate power distribution board, pressure sensor, current sensor, low noise gyro/accelerometer connected via SPI and so much more. Read all about it here.

    Another huge leap in flight performance is the feedback enabled BMS210 servo. The flight controller now knows where the servo is at all times, which allows it to much more accurately control the tail. The F3FC frame has a dedicated feedback pad straight on the board for very easy hookup. All ESC’s also have surface mount pads straight on the board, which makes for a very clean build and saves a ton of space on the top of the frame.

    A carbon fiber bottom board is now also available. Increased stiffness, reduced weight (25% less) and über cool looks.

    Camera Tray Kit

    The camera plate has been redesigned and improved. It is now made from 2mm thick matte 3K carbon fiber. This increases stiffness, which reduces vibrations as well as saves weight (more than 25% lighter). You can now easily mount RunCam2 and GoPro sized cameras.

    Landing Gear comparison

    After many requests the landing gear has now been made taller and with a wider contact area at the bottom. The sharp edge has also been removed. The new landing gear is also mounted with 4 zip-ties which absorbs more energy in a crash. As you will need more zip-ties for the build, the kit now comes with 2 bags (~50 pieces).
    The Tricopter V4 is designed to be as light as possible without compromising strength or stiffness. It only weighs 201 grams including Flightcontroller, power distribution, arms, tilt mechanism, motor mounts, screws, landing gear and vibration dampened camera mount! Yet it’s stiffer and more precise than previous versions.

    The Tricopter V4 is designed to be easy to build and repair. The landing gear and tilt mechanism are held on using zip-ties, just like in previous versions. These zip-ties acts as “mechanical fuses”, absorbing energy and protecting important pieces in a crash.

    Tired of the how easily extruded carbon fiber booms crack and loose their torsion strength, I set out to find a better alternative. Many, many hours of searching I found a factory that could make 10x10mm carbon fiber square tubes to the specifications I was looking for. These woven carbon fiber square tube arms are incredibly stiff, strong and lightweight. The torsion (twisting) strength is unparalleled which results in a crisp and precise flying experience, even with high power setups. Unlike extruded carbon fiber arms, these arms can take abuse without cracking. They are also 33-40% lighter, have more room inside to run wires and are stiffer in all aspects. The kit includes 3 arms with predrilled 3mm holes, so you don’t have to drill it yourself.

    The kit also includes a vibration dampening camera/battery tray made from 2mm thick matte 3K twill weave carbon fiber, giving maximum stiffness while reducing weight. The tray is suspended underneath the main body using 4 1.5mm thick crescent-shaped pieces of piano wire.

    The wire comes pre-bent (which saves a ton of time and frustration). This vibration dampening system was created specifically for the large flight envelope of the tricopter. The vibrations created by the motors and props spinning only has one way of reaching the camera, and that is down through the thin curved shaped wires. Since the camera plate is stiff, the whole camera tray has to vibrate for the camera to vibrate. With the heavy battery and camera mounted on the tray, a lot of energy is needed to get it moving. The thin and stiff piano wire has a high resonance frequency and low-frequency vibrations will have a hard time to travel down to the camera plate. The small amount of high-frequency vibrations that do make it down has so little energy that they are easily absorbed by the heavy battery and camera. Resulting in buttery smooth footage. The main benefit of this system compared to many soft vibration dampening solutions, is that it doesn’t move or wiggle during fast forward flight or a quick change of direction. This system you can whip around like a maniac and still get perfect video.

    Just like the previous tricopter versions, this design is also foldable. This makes transportation easier, but it also help prevent damage in a crash. The arms simply fold back and absorb some of the energy. The arms are held in place by friction, which means that you don’t have to use a tool to fold or unfold, simply grab the arm and push or pull it.

    The kit includes the new upgraded version of the tilt mechanism is made from fiberglass reinforced black Nylon which was forged in the fires of Mt. Doom, making it almost indestructible. (It’s the same plastic used by high-end propeller manufacturers). This tilt mechanism is designed to be as simple, precise, light (only 10.6g), durable and with as little air resistance as possible.  The design features a spline directly integrated into the part. The recommended servo simply slides right in and gets tightened down by the same screw that is used as the pivot point. Simple, strong and easy to assemble. You can also use any servo with a maximum distance of 8mm from the bottom of the servo body to the bottom of the spline using the “attached servo horn” method, just like on the V2.5 build. (See build-videos on the tilt mechanism product page)

    Specifications:

    • Empty weight: 198 grams (G10), 201g (F3FC + CF boards)
    • Motor to Motor distance: 570mm
    • Size unfolded: W600 x L525 x H160mm (with FPV transmitter post)
    • Size folded: W100 x L500 x H160mm (not counting propellers)
    • Recommended all up weight: 1100 grams (with GoPro, FPV setup and battery)
    • Flight time hovering: ~15 minutes (4s 3000mAh)
    • Flight time Hard flying: ~10 minutes (4s 3000mAh)
    • Recommended motor size: 28mm outside diameter (up to 33mm fits, 35mm is a little too tight)
    • Maximum battery size: 40mm tall, 60mm wide, length not really an issue. Slightly larger batteries might fit with minor modifications, like flipping the screws.

    The kit contains:

    • 3 x pre-drilled woven carbon fiber arms
    • 1 x Tricopter top board of your choice
      1 x Tricopter bottom board of your choice
    • 1 x Tilt mechanism
    • 3 x Landing gear (Large)
    • 1 x FPV transmitter post
    • 2 x Motor mounts
    • 1 x Vibration dampening Camera/battery tray (Carbon fiber)
    • 1 x GoPro velcro strap
    • 1 x Battery strap
    • 1 x Set of Pre-bent vibration dampening wire
    • 1 x Set of top wire holders
    • 1 x Set of bottom wire holders
    • 1 x 12° Camera angle Silicone Wedge
    • 1 x Front spacer
    • 50 x Zip-ties (2 bags)
    • 1 x Screw pack
    • 1 x Servo setup tool

    Build log with a ton of pictures

    Build video:

    KK2 Setup video

    Setup video:

    Recommended electronics: (not included)

    V3ElectronicsKit1 copy

    Electronics kit from RCExplorer:

    • 3 x BE2217 – 1300KV Motors
    • 3 x LittleBee 30A ESC’s
    • 3 x 432mm 18 gauge power and signal wire package
    • 1 x BMS-210DMH Servo
    • 2 x Two pack HQ8x5 CCW Propellers
    • 1 x Two pack HQ8x5 CW Propeller

    The parts above can be bought here at a discounted price

    More things you might need from the RCExplorer store:
    A beeper is highly recommended. It makes the setup procedure a lot easier, and it can be used as a lost model alarm, failsafe indicator, low battery and so on.
    6mm Wire mesh for protecting the ESC cables
    3mm Wire mesh for protecting servo cables
    Male to male servo connectors
    XT60 5cm pigtail (if you use XT60 connectors on your batteries)

    Other things you will need to get up in the air (Given that you have the electronics and parts mentioned above):
    A RC Transmitter and receiver (Such as the FRsky Taranis). Make sure the receiver supports PPM or SBUS (or serial connection)
    4S LiPo battery with a capacity of 2500-3700mAh. I personally fly on 4S 3200mAh Turnigy A-spec batteries most of the time. (I change the connector to XT60)

    If you want to fly FPV:
    A video transmitter. I personally use the Immersion RC 600mW 5.8GHz (Most countries only allow up to 25mW if you don’t have a HAM licence).
    A camera. I personally use a GoPro and fly through the video output on that. You can also use security type camera such as the HS1177.
    A viewing device, a screen or video goggles. I personally use the Fatshark attitude HD, but there are much cheaper options.
    A video receiver. Mine is built into the goggles. You might need a standalone receiver. Make sure it operates on the same frequency bands as the video transmitter.
    Antennas, I use the Immersion RC Spironets


    This kit requires an understanding of electronics, proficient skill in soldering and piloting skill. To fly multirotors, based on cleanflight/betaflight and similar, you will need to give constant stick input. The copter will not fly on its own (autonomously) nor will not hold its position in the air in standard configuration. It’s designed to give the best flight experience possible with great flying characteristics. A flight controller of the type this multirotor is using is designed to be felt as little as possible, this in order to let the pilot feel exactly what the copter is doing and to allow for precise flying without the feeling of fighting the flightcontroller.

    Although tough, the tricopter is not designed as a beginner platform, but to provide the absolute best flight characteristics and performance. It’s possible to learn to fly on it, but I would recommend that you learn on a smaller platform such as the Eflite Inductrix or on a simulator before taking on a multirotor like this.

    It is possible to connect a GPS to this platform, but functionality in the firmware is still under development. It is not a turnkey solution and it will not perform like a DJI Phantom. Autonomous flight is possible but it will require a lot of research, tuning and time to get it to work well.

     

    Additional information

    Weight 2 g

    73 reviews for Tricopter V4 [No longer sold as kit]

    1. Christophe76 (verified owner)

      Bonjour,
      I Want David!!!

    2. Christophe76 (verified owner)

      David,
      I would use my Mobius on V3, but the strap is not intended for this type of camera !!
      An idea you have?
      Christophe.

      • david

        You can very easily just use velcro or double sided tape to mount the mobius. It’s smaller and lighter than the GoPro. There is tons of space behind the camera mount so the mobius will fit without any issue.

    3. Christophe76 (verified owner)

      hello,
      A big thank you, David
      I hope that those that are expressed on the V3 and wants to buy one will be happy to buy, even without pre-order as soon as it came out.
      Christophe.

    4. Christophe76 (verified owner)

      Hello, David
      It there no information on sending the order and a tracking number.
      Sincerely, Christophe

    5. dinuc (verified owner)

      Beautiful kit

    6. American F3A

      David,

      Can you please send me the plans fot the tilt mechanism and the landing gear please?

    7. cacomistle (verified owner)

      Hey David!
      Where do you ship the kit from? USA or Sweden?

      Is it possible that you make a version that is compatible with DT750 motors and TGY-306G servo?
      I got those when building your earlier version of tricopters, and it would great if I can still use it with this kit.

      Tack!

      • david

        Sweden.
        The DT750’s fit if you fiddle around with it abit 🙂
        Haven’t tried the TGY-306G servo, but with minor modifications it should fit as well

    8. Terje (verified owner)

      Nice packaged kit with really high quality parts that fit together perfectly.

    9. kitesteez (verified owner)

      great kit, great tutorials. right now using the extra tilt mech I bought on my existing 230mm custom tri. Nice to have a legit tilt mech now.

    10. ethan seraio

      does this kit includes the motor?
      can it be shipped to the Philippines?
      BTW i like your videos in youtube and thank you for the awesome reviews

      • RCExplorer – David

        We ship pretty much world-wide, so if your can find your country in the drop-down menu when you enter your shipping address, we ship there 🙂

        No electronics are included. The kit contains:

        3 pre-drilled woven carbon fiber arms
        1 Tricopter frame
        1 Tilt mechanism
        3 Landing gear
        1 FPV transmitter post
        2 Motor mounts
        1 Vibration dampening Camera/battery tray
        1 GoPro velcro strap
        1 Battery strap
        1 Set of Pre-bent vibration dampening wire
        1 Set of top wire holders
        1 Set of bottom wire holders
        1 12° Camera angle Silicone Wedge
        1 Front spacer
        25 Zip-ties
        1 Screw pack

    11. Thomas (verified owner)

      Hej David,

      the kit just arrived. Perfect timing for Christmas :).
      I wish every package was packed like yours.
      The parts look just perfect. I can’t wait until I will receive every part to build the copter.

      Thank you very much for your incredible work.
      Wish a very good Christmas for you and your family.

      Hej då,

      Thomas

      • RCExplorer – David

        Good luck with your build 🙂

    12. DerAlexHD (verified owner)

      Hi David,
      can you tell me the advantages and disadvantages of the 4s speed setup(1200kv, 8*5 props) versus the normal 4s setup(900kv, 9*5 props). I´ve ordered mine today. When can I except it?
      Thans in advance,
      Alex.

      ps: please make more Tricopter flight videos! ;D

      • RCExplorer – David

        The 1200kV setup cuts the air better, desends straight down better and is faster. But it flies for around a minute less. The higher RPM’s also makes balancing the props more critical. Other than that they are pretty similar 🙂

    13. Michael (verified owner)

      Dave,

      I love my kit and your videos and inspiration. Just a heads up the the 4s setup alternate motor “Turnigy SK3” is not rated for 4s, at least according to hobbyking. Have you used those motors with 4s?

      • RCExplorer – David

        I have no clue why hobbyking rates it as a 2-3s motor. The voltage doesn’t really matter, only the current rating. The motor doesn’t really care about the voltage, as long as it’s not higher than what the isolation in the windings can take (which is upwards of 100V, so not really applicable in this instance) The heat generated in the motor is what is what is important and that is decided by the I^2*R law. I is the current being pumped through the motor, the R the resistance in the winding (which is a constant in this case). So The current times the Current times the resistance is how much heat that is generated in the motor. The motor can only dissipate a certain amount of heat (which is usually directly related to the size/mass of the motor). That is why the current rating is so important. The voltage rating is almost irrelevant. As long as you don’t draw more than the current rating you’re good. (There are some more things that the current rating also is good for, such as saturation of the motor core and such, but that is for another day :))

        Short answer is yes I’ve tried them and they work well 🙂

    14. danno242000 (verified owner)

      Love it ! Built a 4s version with tiger motors and the naze32 flightcontroller and it flies great, so much fun ! Camera-/Batterytray works awesome, no jello at all. Really easy to build, especially with the help of Davids Video. Only tricky part was the wiring, there is not much space between the centerplates and if you don’t pay attention, the wires could rub on the side of the plates and could get cut, which happens to me, but it was easy to fix.
      I just ordered my second kit, going to build a gimbal version. One of the members in this forum (Terje) designed a gimbal for the v3 kit which looks awesome, i have to try it out. You can find his plans on thingiverse and 3d print it. just search for motorpixie on google or youtube to find it…

      • RCExplorer – David

        Glad you like your copter 🙂 Hope you’ll have many fun adventures with it

    15. Codie

      This kit looks amazing! I am a beginner in the world of Rc, I got a quad for christmas (cheap walmart kind) and I just bought a hubsan x4 107d. I have been doing a lot of research (mostly watching youtube) and I think I have a basic understanding on how to build a multi rotor ( with the help of the build video), although I have never built anything RC before. I just would like to know if you would reccomend me to go ahead and look at buying this, or wait until I gain more experience in RC..
      Any response would be great!! And sorry if this is not a place for questions…
      P.S, does you know if the h107d transmitter is compatible with anything else (clueless..)

    16. Diego

      Hi David, great Kit. Just one question, would this SunnySky-X2216-1100KV-Brushless-Motor fit well with the default Setup instead of the NTM? Would it perform better?

    17. Terje (verified owner)

      Hi Diego, the SunnySky 2216 110Kv has a stop set collar on the shaft which makes it unsuited for use unless you replace the shaft with one that uses a C locking ring (google translate?) instead.

    18. Diego

      Hi,

      I dont get what u mean. Would this moder be suitable? I have read they perform better than the NTM motors (less vibrations).
      http://www.banggood.com/es/Wholesale-SunnySky-X2212-KV980-Brushless-Motor-p-60600.html

      Thanks,

    19. CuriousAirlines

      This kit is AMAZING. The kit should be 200 bucks for what it is.
      Cons; 1.The tilt mechanism is a little too fragile. Broke two already, and I’m waiting for the new one.
      Pros; 1. Other than the tilt mech, the durability is amazing!
      2. Camera/batt tray is very effective.
      3. Parts aren’t ridiculously expensive like E-Flite.
      4. Sharp look.
      5. Sipped very quickly for me being in the US.

    20. Jussi Valkonen (verified owner)

      I’m in the process of building the recommended 4S setup with the 900 kV NTM 28-30S motors and 9x5E Multistar props. This is my first multicopter and what confuses me is the prop installation. The props without any of the included adapters is way too loose, with the larger adapter it is still somewhat loose and the smaller one doesn’t fit.
      1) Are the props supposed to fit nice and tight over the prop mount and if no, how much tolerance should there roughly be between the shaft diameter and the prop adapter inner diameter?
      2) If there is supposed to be some tolerance between the two diameters then how do you guarantee the prop is centered and doesn’t produce vibrations?
      I don’t have a caliper to get measures but by highly accurate eyballing I’d say the difference is somewhere around a millimeter. So do I need to get more prop adapters or maybe drill the too small ones to be a snug fit?

      • RCExplorer – David

        The smaller spacer fits, it’s just really tight 🙂

    21. NicolaiVdS

      What length of male to male servo wires should i get ? Because the link in the parts list is not working

    22. mjpilot (verified owner)

      Great kit. Needs a power distribution board. Hi Jussi Valkonen, I recommend getting the 9-5 hq pros from ready to fly quads. The spacer should fit fit over the prop shaft without any slop.
      http://witespyquad.gostorego.com/propellers/hq-prop-9×5-e-carbon-composite-prop.html
      Those props come with 3 4 5 and 6 mm spacers.

    23. Maddog8024 (verified owner)

      Great kit, and awesome list of parts, you put together a great BOM (bill of materials) for a complete build. I was a little disappointed I didn’t get in early enough to get a signature addition, but was happy to receive an upgraded tilt mechanism. The carbon fiber booms are amazing! Seriously I don’t know how you can sell them so cheaply, they are worth the kit price by themselves. You are getting these from a PCB manufacturer, correct? Would be easy to integrate a power distribution board in one of the boards, but I just made my own connector, works great, and is very clean. Love the product, and love what you’ve done for the hobby.

    24. Hugo Assis (verified owner)

      Hey David!
      I’m finally going to buy the kit, but I’m afraid to break it during transport. I’m from Brazil and a friend who lives in France will receive your order and bring it to me. Could you make a more robust packaging to prevent this from happening? I’m a big fan of yours! Keep up the good work, I am happy to contribute to it 🙂

      • RCExplorer – David

        I’ve shipped a couple to brazil before without any problem. The box is pretty sturdy 🙂

    25. Hugo Assis (verified owner)

      And How long for it to be delivered in france? 😀

      • RCExplorer – David

        Shouldn’t take more than a week.

    26. Hugo Assis (verified owner)

      David! Me again!
      What’s the size of the box? How long does it take to ship it to France? thx 😀

      • RCExplorer – David

        The box is 335x220x55mm

    27. Plano Chad (verified owner)

      I’ve been flying my Tri-Copter V3 for about two weeks now. It’s a blast to fly and David really makes building it up very easy with his step by step YouTube video. His video on the KK2 board is exceptional as well and the forum page of his website will answer just about any other question you might have along the way. This was my first multi-rotor to fly and certainly my first one to build. I’ve now ordered a second kit to build up a spare.

    28. sdemaio (verified owner)

      I’m not going to brag too too much as it’s not actually in my hands yet, but David shipped this from Sweden late in the afternoon on the 17th and it arrived in the us early in the afternoon on the 18th. I’m used to waiting at least a week and a half for anything to make it into the country that is shipped from another country. 19 hours is pretty remarkable. Sweden (and David) has got their stuff together…

    29. Peter (verified owner)

      I was really surprised when the kit arrived yesterday 🙂 now im waiting for the electronics to arrive. I opened it and the parts just look amazing! My SJ4000 also fits perfectly on the camera mount. I’m so happy to have this kit 🙂

    30. Thomas (verified owner)

      How long does it take to send them to germany?

    31. DerAlexHD (verified owner)

      Hallo Thomas!
      Von Schweden braucht das Päckchen 2 Tage bis ca. 1 Woche.
      Hello Thomas!
      From Sweden it takes from 2 days to a week to deliver.

    32. Thomas (verified owner)

      Danke für die schnelle Antwort.
      Thanks for your fast answer.

    33. flitetestfan

      Hi I am a beginner and I was wondering if this is good for me with all electronics can it be under 150$

    34. Don (verified owner)

      Hi David,

      I plan on using the Afro ESC 30Amp (SimonK Firmware). Do I need to buy a ESC programming tool or may it be used standard as it comes.

      Thanks

    35. Dynotime

      David been following you on the Test Flight site. I have a few Questions. 1. How big is your Tri 600MM or more
      2. Do you have the Entire package to send out?
      Or a list of each item and were to get the items.

      3 the Flight controller and how to set it up i am just retired and i am not up to date on down loading and such. I would not be able to program with out help.

      4 I would really like to build my own but if it is to hard to program i just might have to buy a Q500 or some other off the shelf quad, But i really want a tri, with return to home, video and one that will hold at alt. Thanks and sorry if i am asking to many questions..

    36. Dynotime

      Follow up Questions Sorry, I really would like the Tri to be able to fly for a 30 min flight Plan. I know this might be hard to do. But I need to film Building and do not want to have to land every 10 min or so. I also do not know how you would size the props? I like many others are new to this except I have flown Coax and Nano QX for quite a long time. Now it is time to start with Cam’s. I have a Spectrum DX8 Radio now, would I need another Radio. So many questions just hard to find the answers. Thanks Dave or any one that can help, greg at [email protected]

    37. RCExplorer – David

      Not sure if the Tricopter is the right platform for this job, if you plan on flying for 30 minutes it’s going to have to be pretty slow and steady flight, so the tricopter flight characteristics wouldn’t really come through. Search for endurance quadcopter on google and you’ll find plenty of good stuff, like this: http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2124892

      Good luck

    38. Jacob (verified owner)

      David I’m really having a blast with your tricopter V3 Kit!
      Here’s my first FPV flight with it: http://youtu.be/gbJfUDLsXyc

    39. aeroheadtw

      Hi David,

      Been loving flying a 2.5 tri for the last couple of seasons, but I’d like something smaller without sacrificing to much of the smooth “swooshy” camera movement.

      I haven’t seen too many in-flight videos from the v3 yet. How does the image stability compare with the longer arm 2.5? Any recommendations for fc settings on APM 2.5?

      Thanks for all your good work,
      TW

    40. Thomas (verified owner)

      Guys,
      What do you prefer normal HK NTM motors or T-Motors?

    41. Agent CAL

      I really love the Tricopter! The tricopter gets so good video in my opinion as far as stability goes, and the way it combines all the movements is priceless. As getting something along with a gimbal would be more expensive, I personally think this gets the best video possible without an expensive gimbal system. Not only that, but it’s fast, performs well, and is fun to fly. Also, folding booms!

    42. razor02097 (verified owner)

      This is a great kit at a great price very high quality! A complete frame right down to the zip ties! The shipping is really fast too, received it here in the USA in just a week! I can’t wait to put it all together!

    43. Ken (verified owner)

      Lovin my Tricopter. Great kit!! Thanks David for all your hard work. Just ordered the new Power Distribution frame. Can wait!!!

    44. Reece (verified owner)

      Awesome quality frame. Outstandingly light, strong and neat looking. Not only that, knowing that I’m helping support David and this awesome hobby, making with work every penny.

      Many thanks for the product, will be buying more from you!

    45. psiegel

      I am wondering if this is an easy frame to construct. Is it better than the Talon frame on hobby king? If I buy this frame it will be my first time making a tricopter.

    46. danno242000 (verified owner)

      @psiegel: i don´t know the talon frame but i have a tri v3: you can´t go wrong with this frame,
      very good build quality, good looking, easy to build especially if you go with the pdb and naze32 options (you will need to solder though). in my mind just plain awesome, a must buy!

    47. Mohamed (verified owner)

      How long does it take to restock

    48. jonni (verified owner)

      Awesome kit! Used it to build my first multicopter and she flies great!

    49. Nicolas (verified owner)

      Almost finished with my build incl. Naze & PDB options. Already the packaging is a joy – if the box was white it would almost be Apple perfection.
      The parts a great quality and everything is so well thought out… Except one thing: The hole in the Naze plate for the wiring is way to small and too close to the header pins. I soldered the pins at an angle (not enough of an angle it turns out) and use PPM, but the few wires coming through the hole block the lower row of pins. Had I known this before I would have used straight pins or mounted the angled ones so they point the opposite side. Would have been much easier and so much cleaner.

    50. ACarty12 (verified owner)

      hi david, love the tricopter v3.
      Question, will the lumenier FX2216-11 900kv V2 motors work well with this frame

      • RCExplorer – David

        Yep those would work great

    51. agentdev (verified owner)

      This is a fantastic kit! Even with so many options out there for multi-rotors David’s design stands high above the competition. The kit combines quality materials, outstanding design and stable flight characteristics when combined with quality motors and balanced props. I opted to use Sunnysky V series 2216 KV900 motors paired with Velotech Magic SimonK 30A ESCs (no BEC). Tied to the Naze32 and power distribution frames this results in excellent flight times on 4S & 9×5 HQ props. I have flight times of over 15 minutes and have yet to go much lower than 3.8V on 20C 3000mah 4S lipos.

      I highly recommend this for everything from versatile and reliable FPV platforms to LOS fun-fliers!

    52. martyn (verified owner)

      Fantastic kit, paired mine with Turnigy Multistar 2216-KV800 motors and GWS 9×5 3 blade slowfly props I had picked up while building the Tricopter V2.5 (which was abandoned after ordering almost all the parts (no bat/props)).

      Had it’s maiden and only a couple of minor crashes earlier today 😉

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRG55S7-6ec&feature=share

      Need to work out why vbat on just beeps continuously, got solid main rail > Vbat connection, but as soon as I enable vbat monitoring the buzzer goes mental.

    53. villalji (verified owner)

      Hi David, great work on this page, I’ve been following you since the early days of Flitetest and it’s not the same without you…
      I finally ordered your kit with Naze and BEC, and I plan to use NTM 2830/900kv with 30A Afro ESC, I hope this is a right choice. A couple of years back I build one of your V2 Tricopters with simonk-flashed F30s, DTM 800kv motors and multiwii 328p board and still flies strong, I’m adding now BT and GPS to that baby just to have some fun!
      I have another question (the first one is on whether my choice of motors and ESC is OK): do you think I can adapt the camera support to use a Sony Action Cam? do you know of anyone that managed to?
      Greetings from Berlin!

    54. hertz (verified owner)

      Awesome kit!
      Running it with T-Motor 2216 900kV v2.0, but wondering, can I use the DT750s rewound for ~900kV?

    55. Don (verified owner)

      Hi David,

      I got the V3 kit a while ago. Been troubling shooting but just can’t win with this one. The tail rotor on my lifts faster than the other two rotors. I have checked center of gravity. Does this in both normal take off and auto level.I have set all settings to the recommended settings for the build type.

      It is probably something simple i am missing. Help Please?

      Video link: https://youtu.be/nzPiM5OBGTg

    56. martyn (verified owner)

      Don, looks like motor or gyro calibration is out of whack.

      When you check the model in cleanflight while the tri is flat on the surface is it level?
      Do all the motors spin up at the same time?

      Might be worth opening a Forum Thread, rather than spamming the review forum (David feel free to delete this post to keep it clean!)

    57. Don (verified owner)

      Hi Martyn,

      I have posted it on two forums. I have the latest Stevies firmware. Gyro and ACC are stable. Will check cleanflight.
      Thanks. I won’t pursue it further here.

    58. martyn (verified owner)

      Meant these forums 😉 http://rcexplorer.se/forums

    59. Don (verified owner)

      Yes.

      It is on RC Groups and Flitetest

    60. Rohitz

      Hi David,
      I did all setup correctly,but when i am trying to takeoff it just flips.I tried to calibrate ESC but still it just flip off

    61. danno242000 (verified owner)

      Did you mount the props the right way ? If you have problems, better ask in the forum for help:
      http://rcexplorer.se/forums

    62. escalator

      Hi David, maybe I have an idea for improvement on your Tricopter V4. The battery tray including the innovative pianowire dampening solution is one of the most unique features of the Tricopter, but it has a weakness point in my point of view. The vibrations from the motors and blades do have an alternative way of traveling throughout the thick and inflexible battery wires. This may could be improved by making the bottom plate as a PDB and use the pianowires as powerleads :).Not sure about the diameter, resistance and maximum elextrical load the may can carry, but at least two on each side could be used in parallel. What do you think?

      • RCExplorer – David

        Interesting idea, should be doable. would love to see some pictures if you try it! 😀

    63. RCLover

      Hey I was wondering what is a good transmitter to get under 100 for tricopter v4

      • RCExplorer – David

        Turnigy 9Xr

    64. ejwolski (verified owner)

      Awesome! It flies great and, more importantly, looks cool too! 🙂

    65. Bojan

      Hello! In inflight tune, to save the settings it is enough just to land an dissarm? The is no need to pull both sticks down and out? Or was that in triflight 0.4?

    66. obrenton

      Hello David!!!!!
      What kind of reciever and transmitter would work good for this kit on a budget? I’m new to the hobby and I’m interested in the kit and getting to tricopters so any other tips you can give me would be great!!!! Thank you!!!!

    67. Paps (verified owner)

      Hi,
      Will this firmware work on previous Naze32 board?

    68. lilstew033

      Is it possible to put a gimbal on the v4 tricopter

      • RCExplorer – David

        Yes with some ingenuity

    69. lilstew033

      Thanks love what you do with the community

    70. lance.plater1

      Is it possible to use the tricopter with ESCs that already have a BEC?

    71. sajakstrading

      Which motor with 750kv suitable for the V4 kit ?

    72. Ambrose (verified owner)

      hey david will the hot glue heatshrink fit over the new esc

      • RCExplorer – David

        Sorry missed this comment.
        Yes it will

    73. Jflite

      Will the V4 frame with F3FC and Triflight firmware work with Betaflight – Configurator??

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