How to Choose the Best Parts for Toothpick FPV Drones
Table of Contents
Introduction
What is a Toothpick Drone Kit?
Recently, TOOTHPICK CLASS QUADS, a new class of micro quads, have grown in popularity. Quads in the “toothpick class” are extremely light, with an AUW of less than 100g. In contrast to the larger 5″ quads, the best toothpick drones are 3″ and smaller since they can fit in small locations and are inexpensive to construct. When motor manufacturers started introducing brushless motors that were ever smaller, the toothpick quad rage started.
When using the thinnest toothpicks, utilize sizes 07xx, 08xx, and 11xx for 2″ and 2.5″ sticks, respectively. These tiny motors weigh less than 8g or less for the largest 11xx sized motors, deliver absurd amounts of thrust in a compact package.
Due to the ratio of low weight to big prop area, the primary flight characteristic is a lot of vertical float but little horizontal toss while off throttle. Due in large part to their low weight, which limits the amount of energy they carry into collisions, durability is typically far better than you’d expect. The propellers are tough enough to sustain a few crashes, and the frames are sturdy enough to be practically indestructible at these proportions.
The Advantages and Disadvantages of Toothpick Drone
In comparison to larger and more powerful FPV drones, toothpick drones have advantages of their own due to their small size and low weight. Many amateurs find them appealing because of these benefits. Toothpick drones are incredibly inexpensive since they have very small motors, cameras, frames, and all-in-one parts. The toothpick drones also have advantages in terms of durability.
Toothpick drones are challenging to construct and maintain due of their little size. It is difficult to integrate new accessories like a GPS and buzzer. So toothpick drones only have a few features.
The disadvantages of toothpick drones are also very obvious. Since all-in-one components like the 4-in-1 ESC and AIO FC are frequently used in toothpicks, replacing them if they break can be pricey. In addition, toothpick drones are not appropriate for use inside. They lack the prop protections that would prevent collisions between the props and the items in your home. When flying toothpicks indoors, you must use the throttle input very carefully. Lastly, because toothpicks have smaller and weaker motors, they can be carried away by high winds.
Parts Recommendation
Because of the smaller components, shorter wires, and smaller soldering pads, these tiny constructions are difficult to solder. It takes some time to develop these. However, once completed, they are a blast to build and fly. The parts that might be used in a build are briefly discussed below.
Drone Motors
MEPS SZ1103 Whoop Racing FPV Motor
- Quality Materials & Durable Design – Ensuring long-lasting and reliable performance.
- Lightweight & Compact – Perfect for micro drones, allowing for increased agility and speed.
- High Efficiency & Low Heat Generation – Better overall performance and longer-lasting motor life.
- Precise Control – Provides smooth and consistent power, resulting in precise control and handling.
- Ideal for Micro Drones – Designed to meet the unique demands of micro drone pilots.
- KV Option: 8000&11000
Drone Propellers
- Specially designed for Tinywhoops.
- High Resistance to Damage.
Best Toothpick Drones Recommendation
Flywoo Firefly 2S Nano Baby 20
Powerful and portable, the Flywoo Firefly 2S Nano Baby 20 runs on 2S batteries and 2″ props. Due to its square frame design, it is very robust. You can mount smaller action cameras, such the Caddx Peanut, using a mounting hole on its canopy. The camera mount, however, is not supplied. You get about 5 to 10 minutes of flight duration with the 420 mAh and 750 mAh Flywoo Explorer batteries that are suggested. Due to its lighter weight, the 420 mAh battery gives you more power, while the 750 mAh battery gives you more juice. Other batteries can be used, however they might not fit the battery holder that is included.
This toothpick is worthwhile purchasing because of four important features. It has an ELRS receiver, which is, in my opinion, the best radio link protocol. PNP and other radio receivers are also options. Second, the VTX output is higher than many other toothpick drones at 450 mW. You receive a strong signal and crisp video as a result. A dark box, which is unusual for toothpick drones, is also present. Tuning and troubleshooting your toothpick are made simpler by the black box. Finally, this drone is available in both analog and digital FPV models. Flywoo 2S Nano Baby 20 is the one to get if you solely intend to fly digital FPV.
Perhaps the camera angle cannot be changed, which is the toothpick’s main drawback. That is something you will have to accept and adjust to.
HGLRC Parrot120
With the Parrot120, HGLRC took a very different tack than all the other toothpicks, and it absolutely blew me away with its freestyle performance! At 76g, it weighs a lot for a 2.5′′ ultra-light micro quad standard, but it soars right out of the box!
Even while the quad isn’t very quick, its weight means that it “carries more momentum” than the other toothpicks, giving the impression of having “longer hang time” during inverted tricks. When you perform acrobatic maneuvers, it acts far more like a 5′′ quad and also manages the wind better.
Excellent motors, a sturdy frame, great antenna mounting, and simple setup characterize the FC/ESC/VTX stack. However, I wish they would replace that awful camera. Although it won’t provide you a long flying time and isn’t fast enough for racing, I highly recommend it for relaxed freestyle flights.
Powerful beast that is the HGLRC Petrel 120x! It supports 4-6S LiPo even though it is barely a 3″ toothpick in size. This endows it with the ability to fly swiftly.
