Hi @Alex-Kushleyev,

Thank you for the detailed explanation regarding the Starling 2 payload margin and the thrust-to-weight considerations. The breakdown is very helpful for my design trade-off.

I would like to ask one follow-up regarding the Stinger FPV. In my application, flight endurance is not the primary constraint, so the shorter flight time compared with Starling 2 is not necessarily a blocker. Durability, compact size, and the ability to carry a small external sensor package are more important for this specific use case.

With that in mind, could you please provide a similar payload-oriented assessment for the Stinger FPV?

Specifically:

1. What is the typical all-up weight of a standard Stinger FPV configuration, including battery?
2. What is the approximate maximum thrust per motor?
3. Using the same recommended minimum thrust-to-weight ratio of approximately 2.0 for good controllability, what additional payload margin would you consider practical?
4. Are there recommended mounting areas or structural points on the Stinger frame for small external payloads?
5. Are there any known limitations compared with Starling 2 regarding payload mounting, center-of-mass sensitivity, or PX4 attitude-controller tuning?
6. For an indoor application where flight time is less critical, would you generally consider Stinger FPV a better candidate than Starling 2 for carrying a small external sensor package, or would you still recommend staying with Starling 2?

At this stage, I am trying to make a platform selection between Starling 2 and Stinger FPV before freezing the mechanical layout. Once I understand which platform has the more suitable payload margin and mounting flexibility, I can share the planned sensor list, estimated added mass, and CAD/mounting concept for your review.

Thanks again for the support.

Best regards,
Eyal

Hello,

I’m currently designing a compact indoor-use kit around the Starling 2 platform, specifically the Starling 2, not the Starling 2 Max.

I would like to add a few additional lightweight sensors to the drone, but I could not find a clear specification in the datasheet for the available payload capacity or recommended payload margin.

Could you please clarify:

1. What is the maximum recommended additional payload for the Starling 2?
2. Is the published drone weight already close to the practical lift limit, or is there usable margin for small external sensors?
3. Are there any recommended limits regarding added mass, mounting location, or center-of-gravity shift?
4. Would adding small sensors affect flight stability, flight time, or PX4 tuning in a way that you recommend avoiding?
5. Do you have any other compact indoor-capable drone models that may be better suited for carrying additional sensors while still staying smaller than the Starling 2 Max? (Maybe the Stinger FPV?)

At this stage I am still in the design phase, so I do not yet have flight logs. I can share the planned sensor weights, mounting concept, and pictures/CAD layout if that would help.

Thanks in advance

I'm designing a kit around the starling 2 (not max) since I want to use a smaller drone for indoor use.
In my kit I want to add some extra sensors but in the datasheet it doesn't specify possible payload besides the drone weight.
Is the payload maxed out by the drone weight or do I have some margin?