Long Range FPV Drone Kits & Setups

Long Range FPV Drone Kit: GetFPV ImpulseRC ApexLR Edition Kit

Long-range FPV has been around for years at this point. It started way back with Trappy from Team Black Sheep when he was flying wings and using surveillance cameras as a means to transmit video back to some gnarly-looking modified ski goggles.

Now there are long-range drone kits specifically designed for the ultimate flying experience; these drones blend advanced technology with unmatched performance to elevate every adventure. For instance, the drone pictured above is actually part of a long range FPV drone setup for long flights because it can be paired with goggles and a radio that are up to the task of making long distance flights.

Long-range drones have grown in popularity because they’re fun and exhilarating, and the footage can be amazing, like what Gab707 used to film when he flew up and down mountains. No matter what you’re trying to fly (safely) to and from, it’s critical to have the correct gear to get your drone back!

See below, where we outline some excellent long-range drones and gear ready to fly.

Popular Long-Range FPV Drone Kits

Click Here To Get the DIY Apex Long Range Frame

If you’re more interested in a diy long range drone, I would still recommend the ApexLR. It’s a very durable frame, parts are readily available, and the carbon fiber is excellent quality.

One of the biggest long-range kits to hit the market is the ready-to-fly ImpulseRC ApexLR EVO 7″, designed for long-range FPV exploration and videography, offering unique features to enhance flight performance and video stability.

Click Here To Get the Apex Long Range Ready-To-Fly + Bundle

photo credit ImpulseRC

It stands out from the competition with its tension brace design. This design increases the frame’s stiffness and shifts the resonant frequency, which is especially beneficial as the prop size increases, and the longer arms required might otherwise cause vibration issues. This innovative approach not only maintains vibration at a manageable level but also saves weight, as the arms are 5.5mm thick and lighter than equivalent 8mm thick arms, which helps with longer flight times.

photo credit: ImpulseRC

The ApexLR EVO uses a variation of the ‘dead cat’ frame style. This modification ensures that the front and rear motors are aligned, maintaining the compressed-x geometry in the motor layout. This alignment is crucial as it ensures the frame remains balanced and the flight characteristics are not compromised, unlike the classic ‘dead cat’ design, which can affect handling by moving the rear motors closer to the body.

Another significant feature of the ApexLR EVO kit is the camera mount. The kit includes a newly redesigned aluminum camera mount and 3D-printed insulation inserts. This design firmly locks the camera, reducing vibrations and ensuring it is electrically isolated from the frame. The adjustable positioning of the camera forwards and backward within the frame is critical for providing the best possible protection and keeping the frame out of the shot.

credit: ImpulseRC

Additionally, the ApexLR EVO addresses a common issue with modern HD video systems, where the body of the unit being grounded could potentially ground the conductive carbon fiber plates and frame hardware. The kit includes a die-cut mylar insulator and custom machined ‘cone rivets’ made from non-conductive POM, ensuring the HD video system and mounting hardware are electrically isolated from the frame.

The ApexLR EVO kit includes carbon fiber frame parts, hardware, standoffs, aluminum and TPU camera mount, mylar and POM HD video isolation parts, and more. It is engineered to provide a solid and reliable foundation for long-range FPV flying, focusing on stability, video quality, and versatility.

The Mr. Steele edition comes with DJI O3 as a 4S Bundle, designed for long-range FPV flying, and includes custom GoPro mounting options, die-cut mylar insulator, and custom machined cone rivets. It also features Ethix Konasty Moon Boot V2 2507 2200KV Motors, MATEK GNSS SAM-M10Q GPS for tracking, return-to-home, and recovery, and a TBS Crossfire Diversity Nano RX. The drone is endorsed by Mr. Steele and is preloaded with his approved tune and settings. This bundle is ideal for those seeking a high-quality, long-range FPV flying experience with the convenience of a ready-to-fly model. It is available as a kit with options for FPV goggles, radio, batteries, chargers, and other accessories. Click to read more about it below.

Long Range Drone Kit Bundle

Long-range flying factors include:

• The specific area you’re flying to/from & the weather conditions
• RF interference (if any) and how well your antennas do in the given environment
• Video signal and radio link — Will the link survive the distance, and how well does it perform on the return trip if the antennas are on the back of the drone
• Battery life and if you’ll have enough juice to make it back
• Altitude and its effects on lift (as you climb higher, the air is thinner and the drone is less efficient in terms of lift)
• Lots of other details I can’t think of right now

Safe to say there is a LOT that goes into planning a long range drone and the flight plan itself.

One of the best ways to prepare for this is to do some research on the type of drone you plan to fly.

How To Choose The Optimal Long Distance FPV Drone

5 inch mini quads, FPVs bread and butter sized drone is a decent candidate, however you should also look into the other options in case they’re a better fit.

4 inch drones make for some of the best long distance choices because, although they don’t typically carry a GoPro (if this is a deal breaker don’t bother with a 4″ drone!) they make for excellent rigs because they can carry analog or digital cameras like a DJI O3 Air Unit — and can transmit both video and radio link just as far as the rest of them. Their smaller frame generally makes them sub-250 grams, and with a li-ion battery pack — it can make for a great rig!

5 inch FPV drones are the standard option, and while they are excellent choices if you’re building one purposely for long distance using a lower KV motor, they are usually a little more restricted in terms of battery life and distance given the weight these drones tend to come in as. A lot of builds tend to be in the high 600-800 gram ranges with the newer GoPro Hero 12, plus 3d printed parts… it adds up quickly.

7 in FPV drones are an interesting option, and this is typically closer to the size that commercial pilots fly for work when they need to carry a heavy camera/rig and when they need something that’s dependable yet powerful enough to do the job. While this isn’t the typical use case for 99% of FPV pilots, the 7″ is interesting because it generally allows for a wider stator motor, longer props with a bigger throw, and lower KV, increasing efficiency over longer distances.

While they might not be quiet as poppy as a freestyle rig that can RIP, the 7 inch drones, with the right blend of motor, prop, battery, and camera, can make for some epic long range FPV.

Long Range FPV Drone Kit Bundle

Long Range FPV Antenna & Transmitter

For those looking to build a drone for yourself and are looking for the best antenna and transmitter choice, I’m going to recommend you use TBS Crossfire for everything, which I will dive into below.

With Crossfire, the antenna itself, and how you mount it, is going to make or break your long range flight. I recommend going with the TBS Crossfire Immortal T Antenna V2 because it has excellent reception, it’s durable, and can be mounted in a variety of ways. In fact, if you’re building a long range drone, I’d considered doing two of these, one mounted horizontally, and one vertically (along the side of the craft) for optimal RF.

 

ELRS is another protocol that has become a favorite amongst the hobbyists, and while it is extremely impressive, it is also extremely finicky getting it set up and doing it correctly. Crossfire is a rock solid radio link that’s been around for years, and it is the radio link that the professional pilots rely on with their $100,000 drones.

TBS Crossfire TX – Long Range RC Link

Regarding receiver for the drone I would look at the Crossfire Nano Pro or the Crossfire Diversity receiver (this is my favorite) because it gives you two antenna u.fl ports which allows you to mount an antenna in two orientations — vertical and horizontal which gives you the best signal. I would also try to mount the vertical antenna towards the front of the drone to help with reception on the return trip back when the drone is pointed towards you. Otherwise if the antennas are only on the back, you risk getting your drone miles away from you, and then falling out of the sky once it turns around.

Crossfire diversity has two u.fl connectors

Also the perks with the Crossfire diversity is that it has Beacon mode and a Lipo port for battery backup and it’ll run for a full 24 hours after a crash sending out GPS coordinates and RF beacon signals to help pinpoint the craft’s location. It also has FLARM network access, for safe navigation in crowded airspace, and the whole thing only weighs 1.8 grams!

Crossfire Nano rx pro has an upgraded 500mW of output power

Long Range FPV Camera

When choosing the best FPV camera for long range flying, I’d look either into sticking with analog depending on the interference you can expect wherever it is that you’re flying. While analog can easily be wiped out by rogue WiFi signals (or by digital pilots AHEM), it is a rock solid method that has near zero latency.

For those looking for a more robust video signal, look at the DJI O3 Air Unit. This is an upgraded camera and VTX from the original air unit. This is what most commercial pilots are flying over long distances, they are extremely powerful, and generally rock solid. While I have had some hiccups over the years, it is generally the safest option.