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QUADIFYRC Quadcopter reviews

HappyModel Sailfly-x: Component Review and Discussion

16/4/2019

8 Comments

 
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The Sailfly-X is a new quadcopter made by Happymodel that is due for imminent release. The objective of this preview is to run through the specifications published and comment on their suitability for this build and expected performance. A review will follow as soon as the first round of reviewer samples are available.
Full, comprehensive review of the HappyModel Sailfly-X has been completed here: https://www.quadifyrc.com/reviews/happymodel-sailfly-x-review-best-value-quad-ive-reviewed-in-2019-so-far
I can't start this component overview without noting that this specific combination of parts (the Toothpick) was heavily researched by Bob Roogi at kababfpv.com
As you probably know, Happymodel's most successful launches have been based around the all in one crazybee board: the snapper7 (reviewed here), mobula7 (reviewed here), eachine trashcan (reviewed here) and the mobula7HD. The Sailfly-X is a departure from the ducted design in response to the massive performance gains shown by Kabab as above. Lets have a look at the specs below and I'll give you my thoughts and a conclusion based on the entire package.
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Crazybee F4 Pro V2.1 Flight controller/ESC. This is the same unit used in the Mobula 7HD and key feature is it supports up to 3s. In addition it also has a more powerful 5V 1A BEC circuit, much better solder pads and has support for frsky, flysky, DSM or no receiver. This is the best integrated flight controller ESC currently available and is a great choice here.
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EX1102 9000kV motor. I really like the look of this motor - larger size as per Mobula7HD but light weight with the same moundting pattern as the 08xx variants. 9000kV is a definite improvement on the 11000kV variants in the Mobula7HD in order to spin the larger props but think lower kV would have been better ESPECIALLY with 3s. I think this motor size and especially weight is a good choice but would have preferred a lower kV, perhaps 7000-8000kV
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40CH 25mW VTX AIO 700TVL Camera. This is the same unit as used in the Mobula 7. The camera is better than people give it credit for especially in low light but limiting the Vtx to 25mW is a little short sighted given the speed this quad should hit and how quickly you can get some distance from yourself. On the upside this is a super-lightweight unit at around 3g camera and VTX. I think this is the best choice from a weight perspective but would have preferred an AIO unit with 50mW or 100mW options.
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65mm two blade props. A lot of Bob's (Kabab) work has been centred around the performance of the 65mm prop, namely the King Kong version. These look to be those props via the image but it's difficult to confirm. Looks like 2 full sets are included The floss builds would suggest this prop size if not this exact prop is the secret sauce of the Toothpick-style builds.
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105mm frame and 3d printed canopy. The frame is build from 2mm thick carbon fibre and the canopy is 3d printed TPU. Beyond that all I can say is that this combo must be quite light given it weight only 10g more than the Mobula 7 and includes 2g more worth of motor and a heavier xt30 power plug. Great news that camera angle is fixed (mush more solid mount than Eachine trashcan or mobula 7 especially since canopies with 30° and 40° camera angle are included This looks like a very light frame and canopy combo which is great news for flight characteristics but hopefully it is durable enought for the speeds this quad should hit
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XT30 connector. I recently updated the mobula7 power connecter to a JST but given the bigger motors I think the XT30 justifies the extra weight here. I'm glad they went for the slightly heavier connector here given the current this quad should pull at full throttle.
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3s 300mah 30-60c battery. Including this battery is a bold move by happymodel given these motors should be fairly thirsty at this kV with these props on 3s. It will really test the quality of the ESCs. My gut feel is the at top end of the throttle would offer little extra oomph for a lot more AMPs and would suggest a throttle limit as I blogged about here would help. I'm glad they included a battery (especially a more expensive 3s one) although personally think this will suit 2s batteries better.
Conclusion
That wraps up my review of the component specs. As a package it looks like the plan on retailing at $89 which represents really good value for money - that would only buy you the motors and flight controller right now even if they were in stock (which they are not!!). The overall build looks solid but my main complaint is too high motor kV and too low VTX power but in the scheme of things these are not major. The thing I am most pleased about is the light weight. This is VERY light for such a quad and is sure to perform in terms of flight. Of course, please take this preview with a pinch of salt, until I do my full review it is conjecture but does represent my best guess at this stage.
Video of the prototype in flight from the Happymodel youtube channel:
Thanks for reading, if you found this article useful please feel free to like or share, the facebook links below directly link/like this article. Links are affiliated and help me buy the bits I need to produce this type of content.
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8 Comments
Mark
19/4/2019 09:49:47 am

Upgradable to 200mw vtx?
Great review.

Reply
Quadifyrc
25/4/2019 03:41:48 am

Yes but not with this canopy I suspect. Ill look at this in a review

Reply
Nikotttin
22/4/2019 09:37:00 am

Great summary, thank you.

My experience with the e03 VTX has not been fantastic. I feel that it draws too much power and drains batteries. I have the trashcan VTX for testing... let’s see if that’s better...

I was not too keen on the fixed camera and it being so fast, I feel it may be beneficial in some situations to lower its angle a bit.

I would also take it PNP to avoid range issues... again with speed in mind...

The rest looks very much like kabab’s toothpick and I also look forward to testing it too :)

Maybe one little minor point: the nylon bolts on the canopy are not very resistant. I’ve lost many of these! I would much prefer bolts inside the canopy, like gnarlyFPV’s primo frame.

Reply
Quadifyrc
25/4/2019 03:43:46 am

Sounds like some good observations you have always a trade-off with fixing cam angle and durability especially with the weight of an aio cam. I hear you on the nylon!

Reply
stiggyFPV
28/4/2020 01:19:45 am

At the beginning I will commend. It's a very fast and agile microquad, because it is light. Good years already on 2S 300 mah 30C, on 2S 450 mah 80C from GNB is a total firecracker. The original 3S 300 mAh battery is unfortunately very weak, it gives about 2-3 minutes of fast flight, quickly loses voltage with aggressive flying and gets hot. After about 10 flights, it was swollen ...
At the beginning, reduce gas to around 75% because with dynamic flying you will burn FC and ESC, Crazybee v 2.1 version. It is still dynamic after this procedure. I also exchanged propellers for Emax Evan Rush 2.5 inches, because the original ones are too flexible and give more furcott than thrust at max gas. Evanach flies better for him, with full control.
Such a camera, the same as in Mobula 7, i.e. burns out on a bright day and a big fish eye. Receiver range, in my case Flysky, very weak, up to 100 m max. VTX gives a clear image up to 100 m, I have not tested yet, but there is no major interference behind the trees at this distance.
Now the biggest minus: failure rate and VERY low durability. This is a model for several flights, even a one-time payment. This is the result of low weight and delicate construction and low price. What did I get in him? One engine burned, the other broken shaft with propeller. The frame was broken by the engines, twice, I had to buy and replace with new, broken canopy fixtures. This damage is the result of GENTLY falls into the grass, I'm afraid to think what would be left of it if it fell on concrete, asphalt ...
Do I recommend? No, because you will quickly be disappointed with failures, and if you want to refurbish it forever, you will quickly spend on it just like the other one.

Reply
Quadify RC
28/4/2020 08:49:16 am

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I'm still on my first frame but I know others that are on their second. Happymodel made a V2 frame shortly after so that is probably recognition of weakness. I've also has a top of the motor shaft break but after emailing happymodel they sent me a replacement free of charge. Other than that mine is still running. Only other thing I changed was lengthening antenna to 1/2 wavelength to improve range a little. Batteries are hit and miss but I always use my own anyway

Reply
Oliver
3/6/2020 06:21:43 am

Hi,
I think your statement above that it is the same board as in the mobula7 HD is incorrect. The Mobula7 HD has the Crazybee F4 Pro 3.0 board. The regular Mobula7 has the Crazybee F4 2.0 (upgrade from the F3) and the Sailfly X has the Crazybee F4 2.1 which has some significant improvements to the 2.0 (like a plug for the VTX and yes it is compatible with the diamond VTX from happymodel). The other difference between the 2.0 and 2.1 is that the flight controller is mounted upside down. I actually ordered the F4 2.1 to upgrade my Mobula7, but I am having troubles...

Reply
Quadify RC
3/6/2020 08:50:29 am

Hi Oliver

Thanks for the heads up. Most of happymodels board upgrades are based on featureset changes but it looks like they have some subtle changes in addition.

Reply



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