Repair vs Replace: When to Fix Your FPV Drone
Deciding whether to repair or replace a damaged FPV drone component. Compare repair costs, time investment, and performance impact for motors, ESCs, flight controllers, and frames.
Repair
Pros
- Costs 10-30% of replacement price
- Reduces e-waste and environmental impact
- Develops valuable technical skills
- Often faster than waiting for new parts to ship
Cons
- Requires soldering tools and skills
- Repaired components may have reduced reliability
- Time investment can be significant for complex repairs
- Some failures cannot be repaired (burned MCUs, cracked sensors)
Best for: Wire repairs, bearing replacements, connector swaps, firmware issues
$0-$15 per repair (materials cost)
Replace
Pros
- Guaranteed performance and reliability
- Opportunity to upgrade to newer components
- No repair skill required
- Manufacturer warranty on new parts
Cons
- Higher cost ($5-$350 per component)
- Generates e-waste from old component
- Shipping wait time for new parts
- May require reconfiguration and tuning
Best for: Burned ESCs, dead flight controllers, structurally cracked frames, degraded batteries
$5-$350 per component (new or refurbished)
Verdict by Scenario
Bearing replacement costs $1-$3 and takes 15 minutes. Extends motor life by 50+ hours.
MOSFET replacement requires micro-soldering skills most pilots don't have. A new ESC is $25-$50.
If single-arm replacements are available ($5-$10), repair. If not, replace the frame.
USB port replacement is possible but risky. FC is unusable without USB for configuration. Replace unless you can flash via SWD.
Frequently Asked Questions
What repairs should every FPV pilot know?
Every pilot should know how to: resolder loose motor wires, replace bearings, swap XT60 connectors, reflash firmware, replace props and camera mounts. These cover 80% of common failures.
Where should I sell replaced components?
Send old components to FPV Recycling — even partially functional parts have value for refurbishment or material recovery. Free shipping, guaranteed payment.