I have six drones now, just building the sixth, having issues but that’s another story. All of my drones are a reasonable size.
There seems to be a fascination with getting small drones built and going, I’m not knocking it, I’m just trying to understand it…
Each to their own, but how can a drone that will be out of LOS within a few seconds be of any use/good. Unless its just ‘Because we can’ type of thing…
Please add comments and help me understand…
Again, I’m not knocking these small ones!
Okay, I think I have a whole list of reasons why I like my tiny drones:
They are a better design for flying in small spaces and indoors.
They are highly agile and manoverable if you’re into all that.
They are incredibly portable: goggles, drone and radio weigh less than 500g and fit into a small backpack.
Tiny drones are a very low-risk form of flying.
With the release of the O4 Lite they have now entered the digital era, though with some minor compromises.
There are tiny BNFs with flight times pushing 7 minutes.
Batteries are cheap, chargers are small and can be run from a powerbank for field charging.
They need a lot more pilot input to fly, which sharpens the relfexes and makes larger drones seem easier by comparison.
Repairs are cheaper.
You don’t need to fly far to enjoy them.
They’re cute!
Some downsides:
The electronics are often very compact, which makes them harder to fix.
The cameras can’t compete with larger drones.
Weight is a big issue.
They rarely have any navigation hardware, or even a beeper.
Maximim payload weight = 0.
Kids will often want a go because they look like toys.
In larger spaces they require a committed spotter.
They seem more susceptible to prop wash.
I hope I’ve won you over a bit, and we get a step closer to having our own topic on DroneHub.
I think there will be an increased interest in sub 100 gm drones after 2026 as so many of the rules don’t apply !
I’ve seen some very fast small fpv drones flown inside a warehouse. The pilots never lose line of sight. They don’t fly outdoors. CAA rules don’t apply.
Mmmm, I think I’m starting to understand, smaller is usually cheaper to buy, run, maintain and repair, it makes sense that drones would be too. Smaller is also more agile, manoeuvrable and way better in small spaces.
I think the fact that they come under the CAA radar is likely to be the most attractive quality when next year arrives, As mentioned above, they are likely to become more and more popular as under 100g crafts.
So they’re a good learning tool too, because it makes you aware of just how much the sticks need to more or not in this case I suspect to get quite spectacular flying manoeuvres.
I think I’m getting convinced to try one or two, maybe an RTF and a DIY kit. I’m beginning to think the challenge might be fun!
Thanks guys, any further comments/thoughts welcome…
I’ve just built a Pavo, it comes in at 96g with a 2s 550mah battery. It’s great fun to fly close to objects and in really tight lines. It’s also a good teaching tool that is low risk.
My learning points:
My rule of thumb for building quads is it’s £100 per inch of propeller. It seems to roughly work out for my builds.
Thanks JP, good advise/info, however can you expand on “it’s easy to add jello” please?
I like loads of batteries, unless they give nice long flights, it’s a balance…
My current build doesn’t look like coming out within that equation, not that I’ve added it up properly yet. But I will…
Been looking at a sub 100 Beta FPV’s Pavo Femto as a project once I have finished my Pavo20 Pro.
Not sure why the text desription on that link is wrong, click the link to see the actual Femto
Be the change you want to see in the world…
Jello being the wobbly effect you get on the video feed caused by vibration and/or bad tuning.
Thanks mate, I understand now…
So following on from this conversation to genuinely understand about the fascination of these mini drones, I’m convinced to try one…
I’ve just ordered all, I hope, the components to build a small drone. I say that as I’m not sure what to call it, but time will be a clarifier in this case, once I have it and the other bits and pieces, then I can work out what size it is and what to call it…
I suspect it will just be called ‘The Little One’ or just Tiny
All - It looks like we really have started something here…
Have you seen the new category for Mini Quads?
Moved to New Mini Quads Category
Where do we draw the line with mini? Sub 100g?
Yes, 100g is a good line, however, I don’t think it should be a ridged line…
Someone may have built a sub 100g mini and found it came in over by a bit, they may be looking for ways to save a few grammes here and there to get it under. or such like
Enough to seprate the mini’s from the sub 250 crowd…
150 grams would be a good guidline as there’s quite a few just over the 100 gram mark minis
True.
I think the rules are different for sub 100g though…
Legislatyion might vary on weight but there are no rules on what we discuss in the new mini quad catagory
Might have to sandbag the Pavo then 