T-Motor FT5 PNP Review Part 1: First look and betaflight setup

The new T-motor FT5 PNP is a new 5 inch freestyle drone from T-motor. 
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It is available in the following options:
Analogue video with 4s 2306 2400kv motors
Analogue video with 5s/6s 2207.5 1950kv motors
Digital video with 2306 motors in 4s 1750kv and 2550kv options

I've chosen to review the most powerful of these options - the Analogue 6s with the largest 2207.5 motors in 1950kv. In this part of the review I'll look at the components in the build, the quality of the build and will comment on the default betaflight settings. I'm currently test flying and once I have at least a dozen packs under my belt will start the main review.

Specifications:
A look at the specs and links to the individual product page for more details:

• Version: PNP ( Without Receiver)
• Drone Wheelbase: 225mm (frame here)
• Arm Thickness: 5mm 
• Flight Controller: T-Motor F4 OSD Flight Controller
• Brushless Motor: T-Motor P2207.5 2207.5 1750KV 6S Motor
• Brushless ESC: T-Motor P50A 50A BLheli_32 4In1 ESC
• Propeller: T5143 5.1X4.3 3-Blade Propeller
• FPV Transmitter: RUSH TANK 5.8G 48CH 25/200/500/800mW VTX Smart Audio
• FPV Camera: Caddx Ratel 1200TVL 2.1mm Lens Camera

The best way I have of summarising the specs is that it does the basics really well and this is not to damn it by faint praise. Other than the removable top deck for easy electronic access there is no F7 processor, no bluetooth access, no 4k HD recording on board. What you get instead is:

• Some of the best motors in the game in the most popular size (2207.5) and KV (1950) at present
• Full sized 50A ESC and FC that although not special on paper have a strong heritage of reliability and performance. BLHeli_32 is a good option for native RPM filtering and there are more than enough UARTS for anything you want to attach to the FC
• The Caddx Ratel is currently one of the most sought after FPV cameras
• The Rush Tank is currently the most sought after VTX maker (for good reason)
• The Frame is very conventional in design but excellent in execution with carbon in correct layout and very lightly chamfered edges, Countersunk screws are only needed where they do not impact frame strength

Check out the class touch with branding on the special standoff that allows for the top plate section access

2207.5 motors give you legitimate options for 4s, 5s and 6s

The rush tank is arguable the best VTX available at present

Caddx Ratel micro is rightly one of the most popular cameras available at present

Stack is underpinned byt 1 50ax4 BLHeli_32 ESC with heatsink and a F4 FC with a bajillion available UARTS

What's included?
Not much to talk about here. Other than the PNP quad (no receiver) there is one set of 5143 props, a very chunk battery strap, some custom cut battery rubber pads and of course the sticker, albeit a very nice one ​😂

That's all that's included - nothing else

The stap is so epic it deserves a picture all of its own!

Build quality
I'm pleased to say the build quality does the component quality justice. Soldering is clean and well put together. All FC soldering is attached to the bottom of the board for a clean look which should give good reliability. The paracord and heat shrink on the motors is a classy touch.

Paracord on motor wires is nicely done and tidies things up

At 382g not including reciever you wouldn't mistake this for a lightweight quad but those motors are mighty powerful and will move it quickly

Betaflight setup 
My FT5 came with Betaflight 4.1.1 installed which is pretty recent given 4.2 was released while this was in transit. Diff all and full dump files are available below. I've also got a screen grab and comments for each screen to show where their settings differ from stock and some of the good and peculiar changes they have made.

t_motor_ft5_beta_4.1.1_diff_all.txt
File Size:	2 kb
File Type:	txt

Download File

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t_motor_ft5_beta_4.1.1_full_dump.txt
File Size:	26 kb
File Type:	txt

Download File

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Mine shipped with betaflight version 4.1.1 which is pretty up to date - 4.2 was released just last week

Look at all the UARTs! Circles ones have been allocate from the factory

RPM filter is off, turning it on will offer improvements. Arm angle at 45° is a change from stock but I'd recommend 180°

Receiver is set up for SBUS. Why do people leave AIRMODE off? I can think of very few reasons why you wouldn't want it on all the time

ESC current and voltage reported in the analogue way which seems to be most common - very few report via UART

PIDS and rates are completely stock which is fine

Filter completely stock - an opportunity to improve these perhaps later on

All settings in the receiver tab are stock

No mode switches set up

Very little in the way of OSD set up

I'm glad this is set up because VTX tables can be a PITA! The rush transmitter is fully set up here

What's next?
Please keep an eye out for my full review in part 2 where I'll put this quad through its paces. At time of writing the 6s version as seen here is available at Banggood: T-Motor FT5 6s PNP quadcopter

The Flight review is now live: https://www.quadifyrc.com/reviews/t-motor-ft5-pnp-review-part-2-performance-and-recommendations

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