5 Designs to Try

With so many frames out right now, choosing the right one can be difficult. Each design is built for specific reasons with a range of pros and cons depending on the build you are wanting to do and the type of flying you pursue. So, to help you decide on the right frame for your fly, we have compiled a list of 5 common frame types to try out.

1. The Tiny Whoop

This frame is made of plastic which means is it perfect for beginners and for flying indoors. Feel free to build a small track in your house and race without worrying about harming anyone or anything. Just beware of your cat grabbing it out of the air mid race.

Pros: 
-small
-harmless
-allows for indoor flying
-inexpensive
-great cat toy

Cons:
-brushed motors have a shorter life span than the larger brushless motors
-plastic frames are less sturdy and may break after crashes

2. Prototype Long Range

This frame is designed to be durable to survive long range flights and freestyle flying, so, go fly through the mountains with less fear! The long wing span on this frame also allows for 7″ propellers that carry the drone farther, faster. 

Pros:
–6mm interlocking arms are very durable
-fits a 7” propeller
-allows for long range and freestyle flying 

Cons:
-heavy frame
-flight controller stack screws go through the arms which runs the risk of breaking the whole stack in a bad crash

3. TBS Open SOURCE 2

If you are a drone racer then this is the frame you are going to want to be flying. The small and compact frame fits everything you need to have a powerful and lightweight drone while also being easy to work on and affordable. 

Pros:
-4mm interlocking arms keep this frame light and durable
-simple design (easy to work on)
-open source which means the community can design and share parts to each other
-inexpensive

Cons:
–4mm arms are prone to breaking and becoming delamninated due to a lack of carbon fibre layers to keep them strong during crashes

4. X210 Pod

This frame is good for beginner racers. Like the TBS Open SOURCE2, this frame is inexpensive, but comes with many 3D printed parts (pods, motor guards, etc.) available to add extra protection to your components that the TBS does not.

Pros:
-3D printed components (armour) for added protection
-inexpensive
-unibody frame which keeps it light and fast

Cons:
-cannot replace arms, must replace whole frame
-4mm carbon fibre may be less durable
-if you don’t own, or know anybody with a 3D printer, then parts may be hard to get

5. WARP9

Another frame that works really well for free styling. This frame is designed around protecting the GoPro and battery, so you can feel better about finding your camera in one piece if you crash even if the frame ends up in pieces.

Pros:
-unique design allows for a balanced centre of gravity and added protection of components

Cons:
-advanced build
-expensive
-the base plate needs more structural integrity to be durable enough for racing