Featuring the T-Motor F411 Flight Controller combined with a 6A 1-2S BLHeli_S ESC, the T-Motor Feather120 stands out in its class despite the absence of a blackbox and current sensor. It's propelled by F1102 7800KV motors beneath AVAN Mini 3024 propellers, and offers visuals through a 5.8G 400mW VTX paired with a Runcam Nano3 FPV camera. A notable omission is the radio receiver. The quadcopter's frame measures 160x160x26mm, tipping the scales at 31.5g to 33g sans battery, and 46.5g with a 1S 450mAh battery on board.
In-Depth ReviewConstruction and Durability
Constructed from 1.5mm thick carbon fiber, the frame's flexibility and significant cutouts hint at a design prioritized for weight reduction over ruggedness, advising against hard impacts.
Propulsion System
Utilizing 1102 7800KV motors paired with heavy, high-pitch, 3" tri-blade propellers, the Feather120 achieves remarkably quiet flight. This configuration, however, trades off power and agility for noise reduction, leading to lower RPMs and diminished maneuverability.
Canopy and Visual System
The drone sports a robust plastic canopy, with downloadable 3D printing files for customization. While the camera angle remains fixed, its installation method allows for slight adjustments during flight, a compromise between durability and flexibility.
Battery Installation
The lack of clear guidance for battery mounting leaves pilots to devise their own solutions, with the potential for aesthetic improvements in future designs.
Electronic Components and Setup
The inclusion of an RGB LED and pre-soldered connections for the VTX and camera streamlines the setup process. Pilots must independently source and install a receiver, configuring it to integrate smoothly with the flight system.
Configuration and Performance Optimization
Out of the box, the Feather120 runs on an older Betaflight iteration (4.2.8), necessitating updates and tweaks for peak performance. This process includes the installation of a compatible receiver, such as the ExpressLRS RP2, and adjustments within Betaflight to dial in flight characteristics and enhance the drone's capabilities.
Flight Dynamics
The drone's standout feature is its whisper-quiet operation, combined with efficient power usage that extends flight times impressively across various battery capacities. However, the low-torque motor and propeller selection limit its agility and resilience to windy conditions, making it less suited for aggressive flight styles.
Summary
The T-Motor Feather120 is optimized for discreet, efficient flight rather than high-octane aerial acrobatics. Its basic Betaflight setup invites customization, though the hardware's specific design intention—quiet and conservative flight—remains dominant. Additionally, I have used MEPS motor such as 1800kv brushless motor, meps 1404 and 2408 Brushless Motor. Which one would you prefer?
Calistae
Featuring the T-Motor F411 Flight Controller combined with a 6A 1-2S BLHeli_S ESC, the T-Motor Feather120 stands out in its class despite the absence of a blackbox and current sensor. It's propelled by F1102 7800KV motors beneath AVAN Mini 3024 propellers, and offers visuals through a 5.8G 400mW VTX paired with a Runcam Nano3 FPV camera. A notable omission is the radio receiver. The quadcopter's frame measures 160x160x26mm, tipping the scales at 31.5g to 33g sans battery, and 46.5g with a 1S 450mAh battery on board.
In-Depth ReviewConstruction and Durability
Constructed from 1.5mm thick carbon fiber, the frame's flexibility and significant cutouts hint at a design prioritized for weight reduction over ruggedness, advising against hard impacts.
Propulsion System
Utilizing 1102 7800KV motors paired with heavy, high-pitch, 3" tri-blade propellers, the Feather120 achieves remarkably quiet flight. This configuration, however, trades off power and agility for noise reduction, leading to lower RPMs and diminished maneuverability.
Canopy and Visual System
The drone sports a robust plastic canopy, with downloadable 3D printing files for customization. While the camera angle remains fixed, its installation method allows for slight adjustments during flight, a compromise between durability and flexibility.
Battery Installation
The lack of clear guidance for battery mounting leaves pilots to devise their own solutions, with the potential for aesthetic improvements in future designs.
Electronic Components and Setup
The inclusion of an RGB LED and pre-soldered connections for the VTX and camera streamlines the setup process. Pilots must independently source and install a receiver, configuring it to integrate smoothly with the flight system.
Configuration and Performance Optimization
Out of the box, the Feather120 runs on an older Betaflight iteration (4.2.8), necessitating updates and tweaks for peak performance. This process includes the installation of a compatible receiver, such as the ExpressLRS RP2, and adjustments within Betaflight to dial in flight characteristics and enhance the drone's capabilities.
Flight Dynamics
The drone's standout feature is its whisper-quiet operation, combined with efficient power usage that extends flight times impressively across various battery capacities. However, the low-torque motor and propeller selection limit its agility and resilience to windy conditions, making it less suited for aggressive flight styles.
Summary
The T-Motor Feather120 is optimized for discreet, efficient flight rather than high-octane aerial acrobatics. Its basic Betaflight setup invites customization, though the hardware's specific design intention—quiet and conservative flight—remains dominant. Additionally, I have used MEPS motor such as 1800kv brushless motor, meps 1404 and 2408 Brushless Motor. Which one would you prefer?