Manual Mode + FPV - How did you learn?

[Christian]

I still haven’t flown in manual mode and I’m not sure if I will or not considering how hard it would be to replace now. I’ve gotten use to flying with the headset and it feels natural and so much easier to make movements and not feel queasy. So easy to fly around a tree at distance that I would never feel comfortable doing with a screen type controller. Zipping around at extreme speeds looks to be fun but for me I think it would wear thin after a while. I always enjoy different flying modes and styles. I’ve been flying drones for about 4 years before adding FPV to the options. I really like using the MC3 and was looking for something more than just flying in the traditional sense until I tried flying FPV. I miss flying planes and this type of flying seems to reminds me of that type of flying. Doing flips and that kind of thing doesn’t appeal to me too much. I’ve done it a few times with my toy drones.

The season has ended and think I was lucky, both my drones survived 2025. The Neo without crashes, the Avata is much faster, it kissed 3 times the ground. That drone is amazingly durable, just minor scratches. I managed to recover the Neo from a uncontrolled flyawy. There are other cases on YouTube. What happened was, that I accidentally dropped the drone before the flight. I had different error messages, that I completely ignored, because all disappeared. So, a compass and IMU recalibration is highly recommended after every crash! The flight time of my Neo in continous manual mode is around 8-10 minutes. Max top speed 64 km/h (40 mph), my Avata2 had the top speed 105 km/h (65 mph) and 9-11 minutes im manual. The props I use are the 2023 hurricanes, this prop is designed for heavier 2 inch FPV drones, just like the Neo, so it flies very effectively and quietly with them. The A2 flies avesome with the HQ 3x3,2x3 or the 3x3x4.

And one more thing what I really like: without prop guards and with these props in manual mode, when the motors spin much faster, the Neo becomes very quiet. I fly around our houses and nobody came to me to stop me flying because the drone is loud, what happened last year. The A2 is quieter too. I´m really happy, that the local people don´t find the drones bothering or annoying.

 

[RcHawks]

Awesome! Where do you order yours from? About the screws do you use the original ones or the ones that come with the props without problems. I’d rather not have to drill out for do a good fit.
Aliexpress?

 

[Christian]

Awesome! Where do you order yours from? About the screws do you use the original ones or the ones that come with the props without problems. I’d rather not have to drill out for do a good fit.
Aliexpress?

I order just about everything from Aliexpress. Rarely from european FPV stores. Props mainly from MADRC, but from others too, who offer "choice" (free shipping over 10€ total on ali). Screws are easy to find too. I use regular screws only. For Standarad FPV props on the Neo M1.2mm x 6mm metric screws are required and matching size metalic washers. I have black carbon steel and regular stainless steel. The carbon is lighter, but softer. The A2 props are escially for the A2, so the original screws can be used, but I prefer regular M2.0mm x 9mm phillips head screws. They are lighter, than OEM screws and the head has a lower profile, generating less noise and drag. Less rotating weight and a tiny bit longer, than OEM, so more thread is in the motor, not easy too lose screw and prop midflight. I don´t use prop/camera or duct guards, just a UV filter to protect the lens in case of crash or when hitting a branch.