Building Your 5" FPV Drone: A Comprehensive Guide

Building Your 5" FPV Drone: A Comprehensive Guide

Whether you're a seasoned drone enthusiast or just starting your FPV (First-Person View) journey, building your own 5" FPV drone can be an exciting and rewarding experience. This guide will help you navigate the process, ensuring you have everything you need to create a high-performance drone tailored to your preferences.

Why Build Your Own 5" FPV Drone?

Building your own drone offers several advantages:

  • Customization: Tailor your drone's components to suit your flying style and performance needs.
  • Cost-Effective: Often more affordable than pre-built models, especially when selecting components based on availability and preference.
  • Learning Experience: Gain a deeper understanding of drone mechanics and electronics, enhancing your troubleshooting and modification skills.

Getting Started: Choose Your Build Kit

To simplify the building process, Unmanned Tech offers Build It 5" Kits that include all the essential components. These kits are regularly updated with suggested parts to ensure compatibility and optimal performance. You have the flexibility to order a complete kit or use it as a reference to source alternative parts.

Available Build Kits

  1. Walksnail HD ELRS Build It Kit

    • Ideal for those seeking high-definition video quality with ExpressLRS (ELRS) receiver support.

  2. DJI HD ELRS Build It Kit

    • Combines DJI's renowned HD camera with ELRS for reliable and high-quality performance.

  3. Analogue ELRS Build It Kit

    • Perfect for pilots who prefer analogue video transmission with the flexibility of ELRS.

Ordering Your Kit or Customizing Your Build

Option 1: Order a Complete Build Kit

Ordering a Build It 5" Kit is the easiest way to get started. Each kit includes:

  • Frame: Durable and lightweight 5" frame suitable for various flying styles.
  • Motors: High-performance motors sized appropriately for a 5" drone.
  • Propellers: Compatible 5" props designed for optimal thrust and efficiency.
  • Flight Controller: Advanced flight controller with features like ESC (Electronic Speed Controller) integration.
  • Receiver: ExpressLRS (ELRS) receiver for reliable and low-latency control.
  • Other Essentials: Cables, connectors, and mounting hardware.

Option 2: Customize Your Build

If you prefer to handpick your components or need to substitute any parts due to stock availability, you can use our build kits as a parts selection guide. Each kit's product page includes detailed descriptions and specifications for every component, making it easy to find compatible alternatives.

Tip: If a specific part is out of stock, look for items with similar specifications (e.g., motor size, battery capacity, flight controller features) to ensure compatibility and performance.

Additional Parts and Tools

Building a drone requires more than just the main components. Here are some additional items you'll need:

  • Soldering Iron: Essential for connecting electronic components securely.
  • Tool Kit: A set of screwdrivers, pliers, and other tools to assemble your drone.
  • Building Supplies: Items like heat shrink tubing, zip ties, and double-sided tape for organizing and securing components.
  • Battery: Choose a battery with the appropriate voltage and capacity for your build.
  • FPV Goggles: For an immersive flying experience.
  • Simulator Software: Practice flying in a virtual environment before taking your drone to the skies.

Make sure to check out our Build It Kit descriptions as we include a detailed list of recommendations on these extra parts and tools.

Learning to Fly: Start with a Simulator

Before assembling and flying your new drone, it's highly recommended to practice using an FPV simulator. Simulators offer a risk-free environment to learn the basics of drone control, maneuvering, and troubleshooting. Popular simulators include:  

  • Liftoff
  • DRL Simulator
  • Velocidrone

If you start of with one of our recommended remote controllers such as the RadioMaster Pocket, its offers compatibility with FPV simulators via USB.  This same controller can then be used to control your FPV drone once its build up.

Learning To Solder

Learning how to solder FPV drones is an essential skill for any enthusiast. We have a guide over on the DroneTrest Blog where we cover the best practices, tools, and techniques to help you master soldering, ensuring your drone builds are safe and efficient.

Happy building and flying!


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