The Xilo line of products from GetFPV brings quality components to the FPV operator at a price point for those on a budget. Part of that line is the Xilo POPO Pro series motors, which brings the tried and true (and at this point, expected) quality, efficiency, and power of the Lumenier motors to the masses, making the entry point into the hobby much more accessible.[vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”4057″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” onclick=”link_image”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
Xilo POPO Pro – 2205 2550Kv Specs
- Kv: 2550
- Configuration: 12N14P
- Termination: D (Delta)
- Stator Diameter: 22mm
- Shaft Diameter: 4mm
- Weight: 27g (with wires)
- Cells: (LiPo) 2-4S
- Motor Wire Length: 150mm
- Motor Connection: Bare Wire
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Thoughts on a Budget Motor
When one thinks “budget”, they often think about getting both a deal and perhaps having to make do with an inferior product. Perhaps it doesn’t have as many features as the latest and greatest thing on the market. Maybe it’s going to fall apart!
Motor Design
From a feature standpoint, the Xilo POPO Pro doesn’t leave much on the design table. It’s a solid little brushless motor, with many of the same advancements that the top motors on the market have.
For one thing, it’s light, coming in at 27 grams with the full 150mm length of wires. That makes it perfect for gram chasing racers to mount on ultralight builds. Long wires give it the reach for the longer arm 4-in-1 mounting options. It has a open bottom design, airflow moves into and through the motor to keep it cool, even under the most demanding situations. The bell is attaches via a screw under the motor, making maintenance easy. The Xilo POPO Pro is designed for efficiency, with N52 Arc magnets that allow for an extremely tight air gap. This means that there is very little loss power. In fact, the air gap is so small, only a single sheet of paper will fit between the magnet and the stator. Of course, let’s not forget the best feature (did the name give it away?), it has POPO Pro built in!
The POPO Pro Quick Swap System
This system enables the operator to rapidly change out POPO compatible propellers quite literally with a press of a button. The Xilo POPO Pro series motors features the second generation of the system, in which the button is fully encased within the motor shaft. This protects the system from both damage and accidental activation of the button.
When is Budget, Budget?
Is the Xilo POPO Pro truly a budget motor? Well, yes it is, and no it isn’t. I know, not really the answer you were looking for, but lets break it down for a second. The Xilo POPO Pro has a $18.99 price tag, and when looking at the multirotor motors available on the market today, it falls almost dead in the center. On one end, you have the DYS Samguk at $9.99, and on the other, the Lumenier RB2206C-9 at $34.99.
Is there a deal here? Yes! You get a feature rich motor that performs excellent, at a mid-range price! What’s the catch? In reality, not much. In fact, there are only two points which I feel the word “budget” shows through in the design of the motor. First, the bell ring on which the magnets are mounted is only .8mm thick, making it susceptible to deforming in a hard impact. Second, the stator windings are only single strand, which increases the chance of a motor failure when the windings are damaged.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”4058″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” onclick=”link_image”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
Ripping with Xilo POPO Pro 2205 2550kv Motors
I decided to install these motors on my own personally designed beater quad, lovingly nicknamed “The Wraith”. With a design for durability and aesthetics, it features heavy duty hardware, and comes in at 625 grams with a GoPro Session and Battery. I was curious how the Xilo POPO Pro 2205’s would stack up, being smaller than the Rotor Riot Freestyle Hypetrain 2306 motors that were previously installed.
Excellent Power, Adequate Torque
I was a little worried it would be under powered, but when matched up with the Lumenier 5×5.3×3 Gatebreakers, I didn’t notice much, if any difference. These motors really performed! Punch-outs were appropriately punchy, the quadcopter didn’t’ drift when making tight maneuvers, and recovery from free fallis was almost instantaneous. However, with the size and Kv of these motors, I would say an aggressive propeller such as the Gatebreaker might be approaching the limit.
The POPO Pro Quick Swap System in Practice
Having flown with the POPO Pro System with the Lumenier ZIP POPO Pro motors, I was confident that my props weren’t going to fall off. I inadvertently tested that feature when I missed a gap under a sign and slammed face first into said sign. However, I was able to recover quickly and continue merrily on! The tolerances on the Xilo POPO Pro are not quite as tight as on the Lumenier ZIP’s; barely any down force is required to seat the propeller onto the retention bearings. However, the propellers do not, in any way, bounce around on the shaft.
Swapping out a a propeller is as easy as using a screwdriver, pen, twig, or paper clip to press the button down and pull up the propeller. To put new ones on, slip the new propeller down on the shaft, press the button again to drop it down on the shaft, and then push and twist. You will hear and feel a solid click when the retention bearings have engaged.
The one downfall of the POPO Pro Quick Swap system is the inability to use non-POPO compatible propellers. This only becomes an issue if you don’t stock up on compatible props before heading to the field. So unless your friends are also flying POPO propellers, you won’t be able to snag a set from them. All the more reason to show off your new POPO motors, and spread the POPO love!
Moreover, with over 60 different styles, colors, and sizes of POPO compatible props to choose from, there’s a propeller for everyone to use with the Xilo POPO Pro motors! You (and your friends) can check out the massive selection here: POPO Compatible Propellers[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”4059″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” onclick=”link_image”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”4060″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” onclick=”link_image”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Excellent power and efficiency.
- Can adequately perform with aggressive pitch props.
- POPO Pro system is protected inside the shaft of the motor with no exposed parts.
- POPO system is easy, quick, and maintains the propellers in on the shaft despite hitting objects.
- Long wires from the factory make this a versatile motor for larger builds.
- Excellent “budget” motor with quality design and implementation.
Cons
- Durability may be a factor in a hard crash with thin bell ring and single strand windings.
- POPO Pro system tolerances are not as tight as some of the premium motors
Wrapping it Up
What could I say beyond what’s up above? The Xilo POPO Pro is a quality entry in the POPO compatible motor line at a mid-range price that is sure to be a great addition to any quad. When the Xilo FPV products first came out, I must admit I was unsure of the quality of the components; however, this motor gives me the confidence to check out more of the Xilo line! Check it out for yourself![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][ultimate_spacer height=”40″][vc_separator][ultimate_spacer height=”40″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”4119″ img_size=”medium” alignment=”center”][dt_default_button link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.getfpv.com%2Fxilo-popo-pro-2205-2550kv-motor.html||target:%20_blank|” size=”medium” button_alignment=”btn_center”]Buy the Xilo POPO Pro – 2205 2550kv Motor[/dt_default_button]