In-Depth Analysis of Tattu R-Line V6 Batteries: Power, Weight & Thermal Performance

FPV pilots know that battery tech can make or break flight performance. Tattu’s new R-Line V6 packs promise a leap in power, weight, and consistency. Do they deliver?

Here’s a thorough test of the latest 6S 1480mAh and 1600mAh packs, including capacity, power output, thermal behaviour, and how they stack up against the venerable SMC Racing batteries—the current kings of FPV power.

TL;DR

Tattu’s R-Line V6 packs come in two shapes (stick and square) and two capacities (1480mAh and 1600mAh).
They offer 11-18% better energy density and 20-40% higher power density than the previous V5 generation.
Performance is on par with SMC Racing’s top-tier packs, with only marginal differences.
Thermal tests reveal the battery cells stay within safe temps, but connectors can get dangerously hot under extreme loads.
Choice of pack shape and lighter weight give pilots more flexibility in setup.

Battery Overview: Shapes, Sizes, and Weight Savings

Tattu’s new R-Line V6 packs arrive in two flavours: a longer, thinner stick pack and a shorter, wider square pack. This choice caters to different quad frame top plates.

The 1480mAh stick measures about 38mm wide, 78mm long, and 37mm thick. Switching to the square shape adds 5mm in width but trims 6mm off the length, measuring roughly 43mm by 72mm. The 1600mAh packs share the same footprint but are thicker—around 40mm compared to 36.5mm for the smaller cell.

Weight-wise, the V6 packs show significant improvement over the V5 generation. The 1480mAh V6 weighs 222g, down from 238g for the V5—a 7% reduction. The 1600mAh V6 clocks in at 242g, lighter than the 255g 1550mAh V5 pack it replaces. Stick and square versions weigh nearly identically, so shape choice doesn’t cost grams but offers better fitment options.

Test Setup: Capacity and Burst Power Methodology

Testing splits into two parts. First, a constant power discharge at 15C simulates typical FPV flight, measuring capacity and energy density. Second, a burst discharge ramps current up to find the maximum power the pack can deliver under extreme load.

Tests run in a temperature-controlled 24°C environment to standardise results. A gentle fan blows on the pack during testing to mimic airflow during flight and prevent overheating artifacts.

Thermal imaging overlays the discharge curves, revealing temperature changes in real time—a neat visual to correlate heat with power draw and voltage sag.

Constant Power Discharge: Capacity and Temperature Behaviour

During the 15C constant power test, voltage initially drops steeply from 25.2V to about 24.5V, then declines gradually as the pack discharges. The pack empties in roughly four minutes.

Temperatures stay tame, peaking around 30°C early on and rising to a safe 49°C by test end. Most heat concentrates in the cells, while the connector remains cool—important for reliability.

The battery’s rated capacity is 1480mAh, and the test yielded 1485mAh, slightly exceeding the label despite the high discharge rate. This suggests Tattu rates these packs accurately for real-world FPV usage, unlike some who overstate capacity at low discharge rates.

Burst Discharge Test: Pushing to the Limits

The burst test starts with a 15C conditioning discharge, warming the pack and simulating typical flight conditions before a power ramp-up. The current increases at 2C per second, pushing the pack to and beyond its rated limits.

The 1600mAh pack delivered an astonishing 3kW—50% over its warranty rating—before voltage dropped below the 18V cutoff. The battery cells reached 70-75°C, hot but manageable. However, the XT60 connector hit a scorching 120°C, a potential failure point without adequate cooling.

This highlights a common oversight: connectors can be the weak link under high current loads, even when cells remain within safe temperatures. Forced airflow is essential to prevent connector damage during high-power bursts.

Capacity and Voltage Sag: Comparing V6 to V5 Packs

All tested V6 packs deliver at least their rated capacity at 15C discharge—an achievement not all brands manage. Voltage sag across the discharge curve is about 0.4V less than V5 packs, indicating better voltage stability under load.

This reduced sag translates to more consistent power delivery during flight, which pilots will appreciate in throttle response and flight time predictability.

Energy Density Gains: 11-18% Improvement

Accounting for capacity, voltage, and weight, energy density rises significantly with the V6 generation. The 1480mAh V6 packs show 11-15% better watt-hours per gram than the 1480mAh V5. The 1600mAh V6 packs improve by 14-18% over the 1550mAh V5s.

That’s a meaningful jump in usable energy for the same mass, extending flight times or allowing pilots to choose lighter packs without sacrificing endurance.

Head-to-Head: Tattu R-Line V6 vs SMC Racing Packs

SMC Racing’s 1400mAh and 1600mAh packs have long dominated the FPV leaderboard. The V6 packs come very close, with energy density figures just 1% behind on average. Given the tiny margin, price and availability will likely be the deciding factors for most pilots.

Both brands now offer top-tier performance, making the choice less about raw power and more about what’s in stock and what fits your budget.

Burst Current and Power Density: Substantial Uplift

The V6 packs deliver 19-33% more burst current than their V5 predecessors. The 1600mAh V6 even outperforms the larger, heavier 1800mAh V5 packs by 24-29%.

Expressed as C-rate (current divided by capacity), these new packs achieve 90-100 "Rosser C"—a custom benchmark reflecting my testing rig’s conditions. This is a significant improvement, meaning the packs can handle aggressive throttle bursts without voltage collapse.

Power output tops 2.6-3.1kW depending on pack size, with power density gains of 28-53% over V5s when factoring in weight. The 1600mAh V6 packs show a 36-41% jump in power density compared to the 1550mAh V5s.

Power Density Neck-and-Neck with SMC Racing

SMC Racing still holds a slight edge in power density, averaging 12.7W/g. The Tattu V6 packs come within 1-2% of this mark—effectively equal when considering manufacturing variation, temperature, and pack age.

For pilots chasing peak performance, either pack will deliver. Again, price, shape preferences, and availability will tip the scales.

Final Thoughts: A Solid Step Forward

Tattu’s R-Line V6 packs represent a major upgrade from V5, with double-digit improvements in energy and power density. They now compete toe-to-toe with the best packs on the market.

The option of two pack shapes is a welcome nod to practical drone build considerations—something few manufacturers bother with. Weight savings mean pilots can either go lighter or carry more capacity without penalty.

When choosing between 1480mAh and 1600mAh V6 packs, remember the new weights. If you liked the 1480mAh V5’s weight, stepping up to the 1600mAh V6 gives more capacity at the same mass. Or go lighter with the 1480mAh V6 and enjoy longer flight times or better power-to-weight ratios.

Overall, Tattu has delivered a performance battery that should satisfy most FPV pilots looking for reliable, high-power packs. Just keep an eye on those connectors during heavy bursts—adequate cooling is essential.

FAQ

What are the main improvements of the Tattu R-Line V6 over V5?

Energy density is up by 11-18%, power density by 20-40%, and the packs are lighter. Voltage sag is also reduced by about 0.4V across the discharge curve.

How do the V6 packs compare to SMC Racing batteries?

The V6 packs are within 1-2% of SMC Racing in energy and power density, making them effectively equal in performance.

Why are there two pack shapes for the V6?

Tattu offers stick and square shapes to better fit different quad frame top plates, giving pilots more mounting flexibility.

Are the packs safe under high load?

Cells stay within safe temperature limits during burst tests, but XT60 connectors can get dangerously hot without cooling. Forced airflow is recommended.

Which capacity should I choose: 1480mAh or 1600mAh?

If you want the same weight as the 1480mAh V5, upgrade to the 1600mAh V6 for more capacity. Otherwise, the 1480mAh V6 offers a lighter pack with slightly less capacity.

Takeaway Box

Tattu R-Line V6 packs offer major gains in power and energy density over V5.
The two pack shapes cater to different drone frame layouts without weight penalty.
Performance rivals SMC Racing’s top packs; choice boils down to price and availability.
Battery cells run cool under load; connectors heat up dangerously without airflow.
1600mAh V6 packs give more capacity at similar weight to older 1480mAh V5 packs.

This article was based from the video Tattu R-Line V6: The new ultimate FPV battery pack?