The propellers are optimized for high lift capabilities and efficiency at the cost of a loss is agility - therefore, large propellers (12x4.5 were used with slow motors). Matched standard rotation as well as pusher propellers are required.

The inexpensive thin plastic propellers are good for testing and when full performance is not required. In case of an impact with anything, these plastic propellers are probably the first to break thus minimizing damage to the rest of the airframe and the thing impacted. At the other end of the spectrum, the carbon fibre propellers are significantly more expensive, but the performance gain is unexpectedly large (50% longer flying times than with the plastic propellers).

Assembly

Hand-tighten the nuts on the propeller mounts (part of the motor, or motor accessory). Some of propellers were reasonably balanced, while others were way off. Balance all propellers before using (some vibrate quite badly without balancing).

Components

• "Thin plastic propellers" (SloFly? Electric Propellers 12x4.5)
  • First batch of propellers (all black):
    • ​Slow Fly Electric Prop 12x4.5SF (4 pc)
    • ​Slow Fly Electric Prop 12x4.5R SF (4 pc Right Hand Rotation)
  • Second batch (black and red):
    • ​Slow Fly Electric Prop 12x4.5R SF (4 pc Right Hand Rotation)
    • ​12x4.5 SF Props 4pc Standard Rotation (Red)

• "Wide plastic propellers" (Slow Fly Electric Prop 12x3.8) - those were using during the first drone competition (April 12, 2014). Turns out to be the worst performance-wise.
  • ​12x4.5E Nylon Multi-Rotor Propellers L/H and R/H Rotation (2 pairs)

• "APC Style Propellers" - made from composite materials, heavier and stiffer than any of the plastic ones
  • ​APC Style Propeller 12x6
  • ​APC Style Propeller 12x6R (Right Hand Rotation)

• "Three blade propellers"
  • ​Master Airscrew propeller 12x6 (USA Warehouse)
  • ​Master Airscrew propeller 12x6 (Pusher) (USA Warehouse)

• "Carbon fiber Wide Propellers" - note that they are especially unbalanced from the factory - they *need* balancing.
  • ​Carbon Fiber Propellers 12X3.8 LH and RH Rotation Pair

• "Carbon fiber Thin Propellers"
  • ​12x4.5 SF Carbon Fiber Propellers L/H and R/H Rotation (1 pair)

Performance

A set of tests was performed to determine the performance of the hexcopter drone with various propeller combination. All propellers were carefully balanced and the drone was hovered using 1, 2 and 3 batteries (3S, 570g each). The maximum current (in amperes) was recorded and is shown in the table below. All values are +/- 20% (possibly underestimating consumption due to ground effect). All tests were performed with a full battery (3S).

Current [A]	With 1 battery	With 2 batteries	With 3 batteries
Plastic thin propellers	30.6	31.5	36
Plastic wide propellers	33.76	39.79	57.7
APC style propellers	21.37	26.41	33.71
Three blade propellers	28	32	40
Carbon fiber thin propellers	21.15	26.27	34.42
Carbon fiber wide propellers	19.85	27.68	31.58