Written by Ashley Rauen A long-range indoor FPV racer Product review As seen in the Spring 2017 issue of Park Pilot.
Specifications:
Type: Multirotor Skill level: Beginner Length: 5.11 inches Weight: 1.83 ounces Price: $159.99 Info: horizonhobby.comFeatures:
>> SAFE technology >> 500 mAh 1S 3.7-volt 25C LiPo battery with USB charger >> Inverted frame >> Adjustable 5.8 GHz micro camera system >> Two flight modes >> Works with Spektrum, Fat Shark, or compatible displayProduct review
FPV racing continues to grow and Horizon Hobby makes it easier and easier to get into this facet of model aviation. I am still new to this foray, so I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to take the new Blade Nano QX2 FPV BNF for a spin. Park Pilot readers might remember the original Blade Nano QX FPV reviewed by Jon Barnes in the Summer 2015 issue. This introductory FPV racing quadcopter has been revamped with a larger frame, bigger battery, more powerful motors, and an all-new camera. The Blade Nano QX2 box contains the quadcopter with an installed micro camera system, the flight battery and USB charger, extra propellers, the manual, and stickers. The stickers are different colors and numbers. I didn’t see anything that stated their specific use, but I think it’s to identify your quad if you are flying or racing with other QX2s.
The Nano QX2 FPV BNF kit contains the multirotor with an installed camera, flight battery, USB charger, and instruction manual.
An advantage to this FPV camera system over the system in the original Nano QX is its range capability. This camera transmitter is 25 milliwatts, which means the quad can travel farther away from the FPV display, allowing for a larger flying area. The camera can also tilt for different views when flying. The camera cannot be adjusted during flight, but pilots can experiment by moving it up or down before takeoff. Another difference between the QX2 and the original is the frame. The QX2 has an inverted frame, preventing those sometimes unavoidable ceiling collisions from causing damage to the quadcopter. I am still building up my hovering ability on this model, and this was a huge advantage for me! The QX2 comes with everything you need except for a transmitter and FPV display. I paired mine with a Spektrum DX6e for this review. The micro FPV camera system works with standard Fat Shark channels. The camera is paired to the FPV display by pressing a button on top of the QX2’s canopy. I connected mine to the screen that came with my Inductrix FPV unit. I find this easier than the goggles because I often wear glasses.
The inverted frame on the Nano QX2 protects the propellers and motors from sometimes unavoidable ceiling collisions.
After the flight battery is charged, everything is ready to go. The Nano QX2 has two flight modes: Stability and Agility. Stability mode is just as it sounds. There is a reduced bank angle and the quadcopter always returns to level flight when the sticks are released. In Agility mode, there is more freedom with no bank angle limits and no return-to-level flight. Agility is for more advanced pilots and allows for experimentation with trim adjustments to fine-tune flying. My first flight with the Nano QX2 was less than skillful. It has a lot more power than I expected out of the gate (my only FPV experience is with my smaller, gentler Inductrix). After a wobbly hover, I came down too hard and cracked the fin on the bottom of the QX2’s body. Fortunately, it was easily glued back in place with CA. I cracked it again, so I removed it completely. This didn’t affect its flight characteristics, but I realize it makes the motor shaft a bit more vulnerable. My flights improved as I got more comfortable with this QX2’s power. The flight is very smooth in Stability mode because of SAFE technology. Flights were always level, and it made turns and changing direction simple. I could change to Agility mode by pushing the bind button on my DX6e. Landing requires slowly decreasing throttle while in a low hover. After touching down, lower the throttle to a complete stop. When flying is finished, always disconnect the flight battery before powering off the transmitter. I flew in a large rectangular room that was, on a guess, approximately 2,000 square feet. This provided enough space for me to feel comfortable enough to zip the QX2 up and down the room, as well as perform a few laps. This quadcopter can also be flown in your own house if space allows.
The QX2 has a stable hover and stays level with minimal throttle input.
The 1S 500 mAh LiPo battery allowed me a little more than 5 minutes of flight time. Initially, I was surprised to find that the minute the battery dropped, so did the model. I referred back to my manual and found out this is supposed to happen. The QX2 has a built-in low-voltage cutoff. When the battery reaches a determined level of power depletion, the ESC lowers power to the motors until there is a complete shutdown. This helps prevent overdischarge of the flight battery. To keep track of my flight time, and allow myself enough time to safely land, I followed the timer set up on my DX6e. When the transmitter beeps after 5 minutes of flight, I know it’s time to bring the Nano down. I really like this little racing quad and look forward to spending more time with it. When this review was written, it was winter in the Midwest, so I did all of my flying indoors. The Blade Nano QX2 FPV BNF is the perfect multirotor for an indoor FPV racing experience. -Ashley Rauen [email protected]
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