Build a 5-Inch HDZero Racing Drone: Parts List & Guide

Want to build a 5-inch HDZero racing drone? You need ten things: a frame, four motors, a flight controller and ESC stack, an HDZero video transmitter, a camera, an antenna, propellers, 6S batteries, a radio and a charger. This guide lists the exact parts we picked at FPV Depot, why each one made the cut, and how it all goes together.

HDZero is a digital FPV system built with racing in mind. It gives you a clear HD picture with very low delay, so you can see the next gate early and hold your line. This build uses a 6S setup and an ExpressLRS radio link built into the flight controller, so there is no separate receiver to buy.

The drone alone costs AED 2,114.99. With four batteries, a radio and a charger, the full kit is AED 4,472.03 (prices at the time of writing).

The Parts You Need for an HDZero Racing Drone

We chose every part to work with the others. Click any part name to see its product page.

1. Frame: BCROWFPV PRO-V7

The frame is the skeleton of your quad. The BCROWFPV PRO-V7 Carbon Fiber 5-inch Racing Frame Kit is a Quad X racing frame made from precision-cut carbon fiber and weighs just 50g. The HDZero version supports HDZero, RunCam and Foxeer camera canopies, so the camera fits without improvising.

It has CNC-drilled mounting patterns for stacks, including the common 20x20mm size, plus reinforced motor mounts that reduce vibration. Want to compare? Browse our 5-inch frames.

2. Motors: VCI YUKI Savage 2207 2160KV

The motors decide how the quad feels in the air. The VCI YUKI Savage 2207 is a brushless motor made for 6S racing and freestyle quads. It has a 5mm shaft and a 16x16mm M3 mounting pattern, and it comes in 2120KV and 2160KV. We picked 2160KV for fast, snappy response on 6S.

You need four. See more in our 22xx motors collection.

3. Flight Controller and ESC: HDZero Halo Stack

The stack is the brain and the muscle of the quad. The HDZero Halo Stack pairs an H7 flight controller that has ExpressLRS built in with a 70A 4-in-1 ESC running AM32. The mounting pattern is a compact 20x20mm, and you can choose an ICM42688P or MPU6000 gyro. We picked the ICM42688P.

Because the receiver is built in, you save a part, a few grams and a lot of wiring. More options are in our FC and ESC stack collection.

4. Video Transmitter: HDZero Race V3 VTX

This is the part that makes the build digital. The HDZero Race V3 VTX sends video on the 5.8GHz band with switchable 25mW and 200mW power. It outputs 540p at 90fps, 720p at 60fps or 1080p at 30fps. It weighs 5.5g, measures 32 x 28 x 5mm, mounts on 20x20mm and runs on 4V to 12V.

It has a reverse-polarity protection and a secured u.FL antenna connector, which helps when a crash tugs on the antenna. See our HD VTX collection.

5. Camera: HDZero Nano 90 V2

The camera is your eyes in the race. The HDZero Nano 90 V2 records at up to 90fps with the RC18D lens, which has reduced fisheye distortion. HDZero lists 14ms glass-to-glass latency with HDZero goggles, and the field of view is 162 degrees diagonal.

It offers three modes: 720x540 at 90fps for racing, 720x540 at 60fps for range, and 960x720 at 60fps for standard flying. See more in our FPV camera collection.

6. Antenna: RUSHFPV Cherry2 5.8GHz

The antenna decides how far and how cleanly your video travels. The RUSHFPV Cherry2 5.8GHz antenna is circularly polarized, 7.5cm long and weighs about 8g. This listing is the IPEX U.FL version, which plugs straight into the Race V3.

Match the polarization (LHCP or RHCP) to the antennas on your goggles, or your signal will suffer. Browse our antenna collection.

7. Propellers: Gemfan Hurricane MCK V2 51466

Props are the cheapest way to change how a quad feels. The Gemfan Hurricane MCK V2 51466 is a 5.1-inch, 3-blade polycarbonate prop with a 3.6-inch pitch, a 15mm chord and a 5mm center hole. Polycarbonate flexes on impact instead of snapping, which matters when you clip a gate.

You need two clockwise and two counter-clockwise props. Buy a spare set. You will use it.

8. Batteries: Tattu R-Line V6.0 1600mAh 6S

Batteries decide how long you fly. The Tattu R-Line V6.0 1600mAh 6S 160C uses a semi-solid electrolyte design and a 160C discharge rating. Tattu says it cuts internal resistance by 20%, for a more responsive throttle. It weighs 240g, measures 77 x 37.5 x 40mm and has an XT60 connector.

Four packs give you a full session at the track. More packs are in our 6S battery collection.

9. Radio: RadioMaster TX15 ELRS

The radio is your link to the quad, and it will serve you for many builds. The RadioMaster TX15 runs EdgeTX on an STM32 H7 processor, with a 3.5-inch IPS touchscreen, V5.0 Hall sensor gimbals and built-in ExpressLRS. It binds to the receiver inside the Halo stack. See other choices in our radio collection.

10. Charger: HOTA D6 Pro

A good charger keeps your packs healthy and your session going. The HOTA D6 Pro has two independent channels, up to 325W each from DC power, and 0.1 to 15A charge current. It charges 1S to 6S LiPo and LiHV packs and balances at 1.6A per channel. Two channels mean two packs charge at once. See our chargers collection.

What Else Do You Need?

Two things are not in the parts list, so plan for them:

• HDZero goggles: The HDZero Goggle 2 has dual 1080p OLED screens at 90Hz and takes 2S to 6S power. For better reception, add the HDZero Echo antenna kit and the rear-mount battery case.
• Tools: a soldering iron, solder and flux, hex drivers, side cutters, a multimeter, heat shrink, blue thread locker and a smoke stopper.

How to Build a 5-Inch HDZero Racing Drone

Take your time. Most beginner problems come from rushed soldering and skipped checks.

1. Prep the frame. Sand any sharp carbon edges, then wash off the dust. Carbon dust conducts electricity, so keep it away from your electronics.
2. Mount the motors. Use blue thread locker and screws that are short enough not to touch the motor windings.
3. Solder the ESC. Tin the pads with flux first, then solder the motor wires and the battery lead. Add a capacitor across the battery pads to calm voltage spikes.
4. Stack the electronics. Fit the ESC and flight controller on the 20x20mm pattern.
5. Install the HDZero VTX. Mount the Race V3 on its 20x20mm pattern and connect its harness to the flight controller. Check the manual first so the plug and pins match.
6. Add the camera and antenna. Fit the Nano 90 V2 in the canopy and plug in the Cherry2. Never power the VTX without the antenna attached.
7. Check before power-up. Test continuity with a multimeter, then plug in your first battery through a smoke stopper.
8. Set up Betaflight. With the props off, set motor direction, the receiver, flight modes, failsafe and the OSD.
9. Bind and pair. Bind the built-in receiver to your radio and link the VTX to your goggles. Use 25mW on the bench and 200mW when you fly.
10. Fit the props last. Put clockwise and counter-clockwise props on the right motors, and tighten each nut until the prop cannot move.

What Does It Cost?

• Drone only (frame, motors, stack, VTX, camera, antenna, props): AED 2,114.99
• Four Tattu 6S 1600mAh batteries: AED 905.96
• RadioMaster TX15: AED 924.00
• HOTA D6 Pro charger: AED 527.08
• Full kit: AED 4,472.03

Goggles are extra. The HDZero Goggle 2 costs AED 3,100.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do I need to build an HDZero racing drone?

A frame, four motors, a flight controller and ESC, an HDZero video transmitter, a camera, an antenna, props, batteries, a radio, a charger and HDZero-compatible goggles.

Is HDZero good for racing?

Yes. HDZero is a digital system built for low delay. The Nano 90 V2 camera runs at up to 90fps, and HDZero lists 14ms glass-to-glass latency with its goggles.

Do I need a separate receiver?

No. The HDZero Halo stack has ExpressLRS built into the flight controller. You only need an ExpressLRS radio, such as the RadioMaster TX15.

Which goggles work with the HDZero Race V3?

HDZero goggles, such as the HDZero Goggle 2.

Why build on 6S?

6S gives more power at lower current than 4S, which suits the 2207 motors and the 70A ESC in this build.

Where can I buy FPV parts in the UAE?

FPV Depot is an Abu Dhabi-based online store for FPV drones and parts. Every part in this guide links to its product page.

Browse all our FPV drone parts and build yours today. Happy flying!