{"id":2545,"date":"2018-05-31T12:59:22","date_gmt":"2018-05-31T12:59:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.getfpv.com\/learn\/?p=2545"},"modified":"2018-06-04T10:24:55","modified_gmt":"2018-06-04T10:24:55","slug":"armattan-rooster-frame-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.getfpv.com\/learn\/fpv-product-reviews-and-comparisons\/armattan-rooster-frame-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Armattan Rooster Frame Review"},"content":{"rendered":"

It has been four months since Armattan Quads had released the Armattan Rooster. By now, they have already sorted out all early bird issues. Also, they have released the Chameleon Ti as a successor to the original Chameleon, taking the titanium camera cage from the Rooster and mashing it up with the basic design of the original Chameleon thus providing all new customers with one more choice.[vc_single_image image=”2546″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” onclick=”link_image”][vc_column_text]I had ordered my Armattan Rooster frame by the time Amattnan was already shipping them with the second batch of screws, and I have been using it for about two months, more than enough time for me to find all the pros and cons. Also, I have spent quite a lot time flying it, to see the flight characteristics and the overall way this quad feels.<\/p>\n

This article is intended to help you determine if the Rooster is the right frame for your new build. It can also help you with some building and configuration tips.[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

The story about the Rooster<\/h2>\n

Armattan Quads created the Rooster frame as an evolutionary step up from the Chameleon that in time turned out to be one of the best and most robust frames with features ahead of its time.<\/p>\n

In a nutshell, they have upgraded the baseplate with removable arms and changed the aluminum camera protection cage on the Chameleon with a titanium one, but they have done that Armattan style; creating a frame that looks very nice and it is an excellent frame option for almost every freestyle pilot when starting a new build.[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”2548″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” onclick=”link_image”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Why choose the Rooster?<\/h2>\n

What is so special about this frame? Why choose the Rooster instead the Reverb or maybe Ummagawd remix or even sticking with the old trusty Alien?<\/p>\n

The main reasons that the Armattan Quads frames became so popular are the quality of the carbon, the overall frame finish and toughness, the flight characteristics and most important the lifetime warranty in case you break the frame.<\/p>\n

My decision to buy the Armattan Quads Rooster frame was also based on the abovementioned reasons. Besides, a flying buddy was also going to order a Rooster. I liked the idea of ordering, building and flying two of them altogether and made a final decision to order it.[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Already a Chameleon user?<\/h2>\n

If you intend to switch over to the Chameleon Ti, you should be aware that you would get the shiny titanium cage but loose the adjustable GoPro angle.<\/p>\n

In case of the rooster, you will get the titanium camera cage and the ability to have separate switchable arms. You will lose some space inside the frame because of the way the arms are mounted. Also, you will get an insulated VTX antenna mount and only four screws to remove the top plate.<\/p>\n

Check the Joshua Bardwell latest video for a comprehensive comparison between the Chameleon, Chameleon Ti, and the Rooster:[\/vc_column_text][vc_video link=”https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=ekw7y4Ll-9c” align=”center”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Build process and thoughts<\/h2>\n

The frame came in the standard Armattan envelope package, with an extra bag of screws (second batch) and the inevitable candy.[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”2562″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” onclick=”link_image”][vc_column_text]It is easy to put it together even without the assembly diagram. Everything fits together nicely, but I had to replace some of the screws since the second batch had some bad ones. Replacing the screws helped me tighten the arms properly, so there were no signs of arms play.<\/p>\n

The press nuts<\/h3>\n

I would like to point out is that the press nuts are not seated into the carbon. You can insert them either by using a vice or by tightening them with a better quality M3 screw. By tightening the screw, you are slowly forcing the press nut into the carbon. You should place the washer between the carbon and the screw head to prevent the screw head from damaging the carbon.<\/p>\n

As a successor to the Chameleon, the Armattan Rooster frame also has a good community base, which means that there are a lot of tips and tricks and plenty of aftermarket parts to help you make your build even better.[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”2550″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” onclick=”link_image”][vc_column_text]I have decided to cover it with a skin from stikitskins.com<\/a> and anodize the titanium camera cage since the anodizing does not void the warranty. Also, since I\u2019m using a 4in1 ESC, I have inserted the motor wires into a nylon braided tubes to protect them from prop strikes.[\/vc_column_text][vc_cta h2=”Anodizing the titanium cage” add_icon=”left” i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-info-circle” i_color=”black” i_size=”lg”]For the anodizing process, you will need some distilled water, borax or baking soda (NaHCO3) a bit of aluminum foil, some 3S and 4S batteries, plastic container or a big jar. Place a piece of the aluminum foil on the bottom of the jar and connect it to the negative wire. Fill the jar with distilled water and stir in 3-4 spoons of borax or baking soda. Connect the titanium cage parts on the positive wire. Check the voltage-coloring chart below to see how many volts you will need to achieve the desired color. I have used 6S for purple color and 8S (2x 4S in series) for blue. Place the cage parts in the jar, connect the power source and wait two to three minutes to achieve the desired color. If you want to learn more, check the following video<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Internals<\/h3>\n

Things start to feel a bit tight if you plan to use a 4in1 ESCs. Once you place the ESC’s, the flight controller and the VTx inside the frame, you will have to be a bit creative placing the remaining components.<\/p>\n

Armattan uses FrSky XM+ on the BNF version. They are placing it over the arms brace since it is small enough and there is enough space for it. I was planning to use Fsky XSR, so I had to place the receiver behind the camera since my video transmitter has taken most of the space over the rear arms brace.[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”2557″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” onclick=”link_image”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

FPV Camera<\/h3>\n

I am using the Foxeer Monster V2 with 1.8mm lens. The camera is 28mm wide, and it fits just right. The distance between the titanium cage parts is around 28.5mm. Some users have had complains that the cage may be too wide for specific cameras. That could be easily corrected by placing plastic shims between the camera body and the cage parts.<\/p>\n

VTx<\/h3>\n

At the time of assembly, I have not had a pigtailed VTX. I have decided to try to fit a spare VTX with an integrated SMA connector, but there is no way to place it because there is not enough clearance between the rear standoffs. Alternatively, you can place it if you remove the carbon plate at the back of the frame and secure the VTX with zip ties.<\/p>\n

If you are into 3D printing and you own a printer, you could check Thingiverse and search for \u201cArmattan Rooster<\/a>.\u201d Many parts are available for 3D printing.[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Flight characteristics<\/h2>\n

The Armattan Rooster frame has compressed-x geometry. My Rooster has Kiss flight controller, Lumenier BLHeli_32 35A 4in1 ESC and T-Motor F40 Pro II motors.<\/p>\n

In flight, it feels smooth and responsive, very similar to the Chameleon, since they share the same geometry. It is a bit more sensitive on Yaw compared to a traditional X frame with the same rates. However, that feeling went away after flying couple more packs.[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Summary<\/h2>\n

Pros:<\/h3>\n