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For 5-inch freestyle the standard is 6S 1100–1500 mAh. Watch the honest C-rating (a real 100–120C, not a marketing 200C), the weight (180–220 g) and voltage sag under punch-outs. XT60 is the standard connector. Avoid oversized capacity: extra weight kills dynamics faster than it adds flight time.

PETG is the universal workhorse: strong, cheap, moisture-proof. ASA is for parts living in the sun: UV doesn't destroy it like PLA or PETG. PA-CF is for loaded joints: highest strength and toughness, takes impacts. TPU covers everything flexible: camera mounts, antennas, feet. We don't use PLA at all: it cracks in sun and under load. And remember: layer orientation affects strength more than the choice of plastic.

A 6S2P on Molicel P42A: 8400 mAh, ~830 g, up to 90 A — the sweet spot for a 7″ long-ranger. A 6S3P on Samsung 50S: 15000 mAh, ~1240 g — for heavy lifters carrying over a kilo of payload. Rule of thumb: Li-ion beats LiPo when flights run past 10 minutes without aggressive punch-outs. For fast missions stay on LiPo.

Store LiPos at 3.8 V/cell in a fire-safe bag. Charge at 1C (Li-ion — 0.5C) and never unattended. Don't fly below 3.3 V/cell under load (Li-ion — 2.8 V). A puffed LiPo goes into salt water and then recycling — never the trash.