The TBS Source One V5 frame has been released for a few months now but it seems many people aren’t aware of it. In this review I will go through all the improvements and changes from the previous V4, and some potential issues you might run into when using the new Source One V5 frame.
The Source One FPV drone frame is an affordable that I’d recommend to beginners as well as advanced FPV pilots. It’s a popular open source frame initiated by TBS, which means there are lots of spare parts, mods and 3D printed accessory designs available, and it’s also constantly being updated to improve performance and meet the latest hardware requirements.
Table of Contents
Where To Buy?
- GetFPV: https://oscarliang.com/product-dg3f
- AliExpress: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DEidP4J
- Amazon: https://amzn.to/3U1wyt8
- RDQ: https://oscarliang.com/product-nf0f
It includes:
- Frame carbon fibre parts: Top plate, bottom plate #1, bottom plate #2, 2x camera plates, 4x arms, 1x arm locking wedge, battery pad
- Screw & Standoff set:
- 16x M3x10mm hex screws (for standoffs)
- 4x M3x12mm hex screws (for bottom plates and arms)
- 4x M3x14mm hex screws (for bottom plates and arms)
- 4x M3 30mm standoffs (front, outer diameter 5mm)
- 4x M3 22mm standoffs (back, outer diameter 5mm)
- 8x M3 press insert nuts (already installed on bottom plate)
Source One V5 Specifications
- Wheelbase (diagonal motor to motor distance): 226mm
- Propeller Size Support Up to 5.2-inch
- Split Bottom Plates Design
- Supports Micro FPV Camera (19mm width)
- FC/ESC Stack Mounting: 20x20mm and 30.5×30.5mm
- Carbon Fibre Thickness:
- Arm thickness: 6mm
- Top Plate: 2mm
- Middle Plate: 2mm
- Bottom Plate: 2.5mm
- Arms Spacer: 6mm
- Camera plate: 2mm
- Standoff height: 30 and 22mm
- Lipo Battery Pad Included, stack screws not included
- Weight: 118g, 128g with battery pad
Closer Look at the Source One V5
The V4 iteration wasn’t particularly popular among FPV pilots due to concern about durability, many still prefer the V3. You can still find the V3 on sale in some places even though it’s a few years old: https://oscarliang.com/product-n828
The Source One V5 seems to be a complete overhaul and hopes to address some of the issues on the V4. There are 3 major changes in the V5:
- Thicker 6mm arms
- Split bottom plate design
- Arm locking wedge
No manual or documentation included, but doesn’t take much to figure out how to assemble it.
It’s fairly good quality carbon fibre and cut very cleanly, I didn’t get any carbon dusts on my fingers like some other budget frames. Note that the edges are not chamfered, you can do it yourself if you wish.
One major complaint in the V4 was how weak the arms were, because they had a much skinnier design and only 4mm thick. In the V5, the arms remains pretty narrow, but thickness has been beefed up to 6mm. And the protruded arm tip provides some protection to the motor in crashes.
The newly added arm locking wedge should improve frame durability and rigidity.
I have seen some nasty damages / cracks in the bottom plate in the V4 frame, and the new “split deck” design in the V5 might be a solution to that. There are now two separate bottom plates that sandwich the arms. Note that the front bottom plate are slightly thicker than the rear bottom plate, as the front usually take a harder hit in crashes.
It’s not as spacious as the previous Source One frames because it’s narrower, and the back has less height. If you are coming from the previous iterations, you will find it slightly harder to fit your components. There is 20x20mm mounting holes on the back for installing an analoug VTX or Caddx Vista, and comfortably fit many other components in it. But those holes are M3 size, if you plan to use M2 hardware make sure to get some washers.
Note that the bottom plate is quite narrow, and it won’t cover the whole 4in1 ESC with 30x30mm mounting – the edges of the ESC will be more exposed than the last version.
It’s a common concern that the FC stack is mounted on the arm screws, which means vibration from the motors might be transferred more directly to the flight controller. The V4 had similar design, and to be honest I didn’t find it to be too much of an issue, but it might be with some poorer quality parts. I will report back if I have noise problems with this.
This design decision reduces the number of screws required (hence lighter), and makes arm replacement possible without taking apart the whole quad. It would have been better if the stack had its own separate screws.
Talking about stack screws, these are not included. I’d recommend M3 30mm screws for the stack, those will leave about 3mm clearance to the top plate. The frame comes with the exact number of screws, no spare at all so make sure you don’t lose them!
For a clean and easy build, you definitely want to get some 3D printed TPU parts for things like antennas, buzzer and FPV camera if you are not using a micro size. Of course these are not included with the frame to keep the cost down. There should be plenty of designs on Thingiverse you can print it yourself or get somebody to do it for you.
The V5 is considerably heavier than the V4 (almost 20g more), which is reasonable given how much thicker the arms are and the additional arm lock.
Most frames out there come with a battery strap, I still wish the Source One would do the same too since those straps typically costs less than $0.5 each to make.
Here’s my build log of the Source One V5 frame.
V3 vs V4 vs V5 – Which Frame Should You Get?
Without getting into too much detail, the V3 is the community favourite because of its durability. However it’s also very heavy, flies like a tank. The arms are very wide too which contributes to the robustness, and also good if you use standalone ESC.
The developers tried to make the V4 lighter, at the cost of durability. It’s known to be the weakest of the 3 iterations, breaks easily especially the arm and bottom plate. I’d avoid the V4 if possible.
The V5 uses a different approach, it’s lighter than the V3 with increased durability compared to the V4. The stack is a bit more exposed which raises concern but for me personally it’s been fine so far. This is what I’d recommend if you are building with digital FPV systems.
14 comments
Hi Oscar, do you know of any info or guides for the Source One v5.1? I can’t find anything info or even photos of it, all I’m getting is the v5 :/
Not sure TBH, I went through TBS’s website, there’s no mention of the changes of V5.1. And no mention of V5.1 at all on Github page of the SourceOne. Compared the pictures of the frame, looks identical, specs also identical, as well as the parts list.
Anyway I am reviewing a new budget frame which I think has better value and design than the Source One, I will publish its review later this week. Stay tuned.
Will this V5 frame support a 25.5 mm all in one flight controller? None of the literature on these frames really covers the options for mounting holes.
It does not natively support 25.5mm AIO board, but you could use a 30×30 to 25.5×25.5mm adapter. Just need to get it 3D printed.
Hey oscar, do you think a ruch tank solo will fit at the back?
Hi!
I saw the 2022 budget build Video by TRONCAT FPV and he used the source one v3 but this is sold out everywhere. My question is if the v5 fits all parts that fit the v3?
Here’s my build log: How to Build an FPV Drone Tutorial (DJI & Analog)
Hey i wanna buy this frame with the 03 system and i think the camera wont fit in the camera place, will it?
thanks
No it won’t fit, it’s designed for micro size cameras (19x19mm).
However there are some 3D printed adapters you can use on Thingiverse.
I think it’s probably better to get a frame that support the O3 by design, such as the Flyfish Volardo i just reviewed. Review: FlyFishRC Volador VX5/VD5 Frames – A Quality Option for the DJI O3 Air Unit?
One of my friends has like 3 of these frames all set up differently but they all have the 03 unit in em
Hi Oscar,
With this frame the props are in view?
For FPV? Yes. For GoPro? No.
Hey Oscar
Thanks for the info.
I have built two of these now and I find the bottom plate weak.
One crash and I had to replace it.
The arm where the motor sits seem to delaminate very easy even with tpu protecting it.
Shane that the stack isn’t protected by the frame.
Vista needs m2 washer as the holes I believe are m3 on the frame.
Also you can’t fit the og dji cam in the frame. I worked around this a printed a mount but unfortunately means less protection with out the cam plates.
Other then them issues. All round decent frame.
For the Vista stack i’d probably use ziptie to mount it, lighter than using screws too i believe.
The OG DJI camera doesn’t fit and definitely requires a TPU mount like the V4, I’d probably use the same one i designed for the V4.
Can’t wait to test the arm/bottom plate durability as you pointed out!