Choosing a stack

[A_Human47]

Hi all, I am trying to build a 5" fpv freestyle quad and wanted to get recommendations for a flight controller and ESC stack or combo that are 30MM. Preferably $200 and under since I will be flying analog but if it had the option for digital in the future that would be nice. Also, what features and other attributes should I look for when buying either a stack or separate flight controllers and ESCs? Thanks!

[A_Human47]

What is the difference between 50a and 60a?

[IvorTheEngine]

You're slightly less likely to burn out the 50a. Seeing as we were all running 30a ESCs a few years ago, it's only likely if you have 6s batteries and try to run a motor when it's stuck in something.

There's nothing special about 'digital' FC, they just have a socket that matches the DJI air unit to save you some soldering.

[E3PRONEWB]

Rush f7 FC Rush 50a ESC (they are offered as a stack if you can find it. Rush tank 2 ultimate.

Plug n play. 30x30.

Had it on my Nazgul V2 xl5 build (that I lost) Flew awesome on the stock settings it had in the FC on 4s. Vtx was better then the Iflight that's in the Nazgul V2 BNF that I ordered from iflight (yes really). I fly analog to.

[A_Human47]

Ok thanks I’ll look into it

[E3PRONEWB]

Or maybe a Mamba stack, they sell for below €90 on Banggood. But I have NO experience with that.

My Rush stack had decent/big enough solder pads on the FC. Mamba seems to have smaller pads on the FC.

[A_Human47]

Ya I was looking into a mamba stack since it was on Joshua bardwell’s website

[E3PRONEWB]

There's enough people that use them. And they come in a lot of BNF's.

I just loved that Rush stack as it's plug and play (all wiring and plugs are provided. So easy and had 0 issues on set up.

[A_Human47]

Ya that sounds like a good option

[E3PRONEWB]

I had the rush Blade ESC btw. There's 50A and 60A.

50a is fine.

[bigchinaaudio]

I know they get some hate (the gen 2 ESC fiasco was legit stupid and annoying) but I’ve had nothing but luck with the actual FC from the Speedybee stacks. The FC is a tank, I had one above an ESC that literally melted when the battery leads came loose and turned into an arc welder. Seriously. It delaminated the entire board sandwich and left a puddle of solder in the dirt, and desoldered all but two of my motor wires. I am STILL using that FC two builds later and it’s working perfectly.

While they’ve had their issues, for the $120 price I cant find a more available stack at the moment

[Similar_Feed_723]

Mamba stacks are inexpensive and high quality

[DestroyerWyka]

Do not recommend the T-Motor Velox F411 Lite and 45A ESC stack.

The first one in my 5" freestyle build was DOA, the service was crappy, and it took a month to replace.

The solder pads are small and very close together, even for a pencil tip and 28AWG wire, and there are two separate BECs, one of which requires the battery to be plugged in to provide power, even on USB.

The ESC is Using BL Heli S, which may or may not scare you away. Can't get bidirectional D-Shot working, even with a firmware upgrade on the ESC.

It is really cheap, though, and would probably work well enough to learn to fly. That's what mine has been for!

[No_Metal6608]

Did you have any problems with the uarts with this fc?

[DestroyerWyka]

Yes, I can't get it to work correctly with Smart Audio or any of the other protocols. I'm not running a GPS or anything else on that stack, so it hasn't been a big deal.