I received some propellers to try out from DYS and Xperdrone (Hobby Cross). They have various sizes: 3 inch, 4 inch, 5 inch and 6 inch. I ran some thrust test on them comparing to HQ and Gemfan props of the same size, and also see how well they perform in real flights and how crash resistant they are.

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The DYS propellers I tested came directly from DYS. The Cross Hobby props were from XpertDrone. If you want to learn more about mini quad propellers, make sure to check out the guide.

DYS Mini Quad Props

DYS sent me their “bi-blade” props in 3030, 3545, 4040, 4045, 5045 and 6040 sizes. They are all bullnose props.

They appear to be similar material we see on the DAL indestructible props. They are lighter (weight about 20% lighter than HQ props), and flexible (can be bent easily by hand)

There are 4 colours to choose from for each type of props: red, green, orange and black.

They are very crash resistant! I deliberately flew my quad into bushes and trees a few times, propellers didn’t break, only tiny marks on the edges of the blades. However when I took off again, I felt the quad started to get some slight vibrations, I reckon the props might be slightly bent due to the crashes, which wasn’t visible at all from the outside, something you need to be aware of when using them.

There is a trade off between normal and “indestructible” props, if they don’t break, they have to transfer the force somewhere else, e.g. they put more stress on your motor shaft and bearings. The props also sometimes get bent, and cause vibrations.

Another good thing about these DYS props is the removal of prop adapter rings! Gemfan is slowly getting rid of them, and HQ is still using them.

Prop adapter rings allows you to fit the hub on prop shaft of different diameter, without any gaps. But nearly all the mini quad motors nowadays use 5mm prop shafts, which is becoming a standard. The ring is annoying to put on props, and it often gets stuck on the prop shaft when you remove the prop.

Thrust Data and Flight Performance

Here is some data from my thrust test.

Apart from the 5045 bullnose, DYS showed more efficiency than HQ props. Although it generates a bit less thrust (in some cases more thrust), it draws less current and gave me considerably longer flight time. On the 4″ and 6″ props, the HQ feels more floaty when comparing directly to the DYS props, which I don’t really like. DYS felt a more agile, great for doing acro moves and racing.

Overall, good efficiency, good peak thrust, “indestructible”, great for practice and messing around! Not the 5045 bullnose though, I would probably stick with Gemfan for that particular size.

4040BN, 4045BN and 5045BN Props on 2300KV motor

• Motors: Emax RS2205 2300KV
• ESC: Littlebee 20A ESC
• Battery/Voltage: Turnigy Nanotech 4S 1800mah 65C – 16.2V

6040BN

Motors: Cobra 2204 1960KV
ESC: XM20A
Battery/Voltage: Turnigy Nanotech 4S 1800mah 65C – 16.2V

4045BN on 2600KV motor

Motors: Emax 2205 2600KV
ESC: Littlebee 20A
Battery/Voltage: Turnigy Nanotech 4S 1800mah 65C – 16.2V

Cross Hobby Props

The Cross Hobby props I received were 6045, 5050, 5045 and 4045 bullnose props.

Manufacturer of Cross Hobby is based in China, and their aim is to achieve quality and price balance for all flyers. They are planning selling these props at a low price of USD$1.68 per set (4pcs).

They are also not using adapter rings which is good.

The 4045, 5045 and 6045 look exactly like the HQ props from appearance, here is a side by side comparison between the Hobby Cross (green) and HQ 4045 (orange) propellers. However they weight considerably lighter than the HQ (nearly 25% lighter), so that suggess the material used is probably quite different.

And they break easily just as fragile as the HQ if not worse, normally at the hub. Propellers breaking isn’t necessary a bad thing though. You can see it as a way to protect the motors. And also in some cases, for example in a free style flying competition, you want to make sure your props are not bent and in the best state, with indestructible props you might not be able to tell until you are in the air.

Another light crash, you can already see the white crease line around the hub.

Thrust Data and Flight performance

The 4045BN props runs fine on a 180, not particularly better or worse than the HQ overall, but more affordable than the HQ.

The 5045BN feels a bit under powered, but it seems to have higher RPM and active braking works pretty well (from the sound).

The 6045BN is NO GOOD at all. They disintegrate mid air when we punched throttle!! (props break at prop hub)

The 4045 and 5045 props are flyable, the 6045 is not recommended at all as they seem to explode mid air, again around the hub (which seem to be a weak point for this prop). The testing setup were 2206 2200KV motors on 4S.

4045BN, 5045BN on 2300KV Motor

Motors: Cobra 2204 2300KV Motor
ESC: KISS 24A Race ESC
Battery/Voltage Turnigy Nanotech 4S 1800mah 65C – 16.2V

4045BN on 2600KV motor

Motors: Emax RS2205 2600KV
ESC: KISS 24A Race ESC
Battery/Voltage Turnigy Nanotech 4S 1800mah 65C – 16.2V

5045BN, 6045BN, 5050BN on 1960KV Motor

Motors: Cobra 2204 1960KV Motor
ESC: KISS 24A Race ESC
Battery/Voltage Turnigy Nanotech 4S 1800mah 65C – 16.2V