EMAX Hawk BNF Drones: 7, 8, 9 or 10 Inch Long-Range?
The EMAX Hawk series is a family of pre-built long-range FPV drones offered in 7, 8, 9 and 10-inch sizes, each sold as a bind-and-fly (BNF) quad with ExpressLRS 2.4 GHz control, a 5.8 GHz analog video transmitter rated up to 2.5 W and ECOII-series motors. Choosing between them comes down to two questions: how far you need to fly, and how much agility you are willing to trade for stability. The 7-inch Hawk is the lightest and most responsive of the four; the 10-inch is the most stable and the best at carrying a camera over distance. This guide compares the four sizes, their motors and frame options, and the gear you still need to add before the first flight.
What Is the EMAX Hawk BNF Series?
BNF means bind-and-fly: the frame, motors, flight electronics and video system are already assembled and tuned, so you only bind your own radio and goggles. The Hawk line is EMAX’s large-diameter long-range family, built around four frame sizes with a shared feature set — an ExpressLRS 2.4 GHz radio link, a 5.8 GHz analog VTX with a 2.5 W power ceiling, ECOII brushless motors matched to each frame, and a choice of two arm layouts that the listings call X and DC. These are big cruising quads rather than indoor machines: they suit a 6S-class LiPo pack and a pilot who is already comfortable flying in acro mode.
EMAX Hawk Sizes Compared
The table collects the published parameters of each Hawk BNF listing. The motor number is the stator size, so it tells you which propeller class the frame is built around; prices are the published BNF prices from the product pages and can change.
| Model | Frame size | Motor (ECOII) | Frame layout | BNF price (from) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EMAX Hawk 7 | 7 inch | ECOII 2807 | X or DC | $416.57 |
| EMAX Hawk 8 | 8 inch | ECOII 2812 | X or DC | $447.37 |
| EMAX Hawk 9 | 9 inch | ECOII 2814 | X or DC | $539.77 |
| EMAX Hawk 10 | 10 inch | ECOII 3115 | X or DC | $585.97 |
How to Choose Between 7, 8, 9 and 10 Inch?
Bigger propellers are more efficient. A larger diameter produces the same thrust at lower RPM, so a 9 or 10-inch Hawk can hold a cruising speed on less power than a 7-inch, which usually means longer flight times from a similar pack. What you give up is weight, agility and safety margin. The 7-inch is the most agile of the family and the easiest to carry and launch, which makes it the closest thing here to a freestyle quad. The 8-inch adds stability without becoming unwieldy. The 9-inch is the middle ground for smooth cruising with a GoPro-class camera. The 10-inch is the most stable and the best at lifting heavier payloads over distance, but it is also the heaviest, the least agile and the one that needs the most space to fly safely.
What Else Do You Need to Fly a Hawk BNF?
Three things are not in the box. First, a radio: every Hawk uses ExpressLRS 2.4 GHz, so you need an ELRS-capable transmitter or an external ELRS module. Second, goggles: the Hawk transmits analog 5.8 GHz video, so analog goggles are the direct match, while digital goggles only work through an analog input or an external receiver. Third, a battery and charger — the listings do not publish a pack specification, so size the LiPo to the frame and motor you choose rather than guessing, and read our FPV LiPo battery guide before you buy. A GPS module is also worth adding if you want return-to-home and telemetry on longer flights.
What Limits Range on a Hawk Build?
Three links decide how far you can go, and the video link is usually the first to fail. A 2.5 W VTX gives plenty of transmit power, but the limiting factor is normally the receiving side: the antenna on your goggles and its orientation. Directional antennas on the ground extend range noticeably, while a poor antenna on the quad can waste the extra power. The control link matters too — ExpressLRS 2.4 GHz gives a long, telemetry-rich link on these sizes, but it still needs a clean antenna installation away from carbon and the power wiring. Finally, the pack sets your endurance: a heavier battery buys capacity but costs efficiency, so the sweet spot is the smallest pack that still gives you the flight time you need.
EMAX Hawk BNF or a DIY Long-Range Build?
A Hawk BNF is the faster route: everything is matched and tuned, so you add a radio, goggles and a pack and fly. A DIY build lets you choose every part — the airframe, the ESC rating, the motor KV and the VTX — which is how you tune a quad to a specific job, and it is usually cheaper per component. If you prefer to build, our 7-inch long-range parts list covers the components in the order you need them. Either way, the motor size is the decision that shapes everything else: the 2807-class motor on the 7-inch Hawk sits in the same family as the 2207 and 2306 motors used on smaller and mid-size builds, so the FPV motor size guide is a useful cross-check before you commit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does BNF mean on an EMAX Hawk?
Bind-and-fly. The drone arrives assembled, wired and tuned, including motors, ESC, flight controller and video transmitter, but you supply your own radio transmitter, goggles and battery, then bind the receiver to your radio before the first flight.
Which EMAX Hawk size is best for long range?
For pure distance and stability, the 10-inch is the best of the four, because its larger props cruise more efficiently and handle wind better. For a balance of range and agility, the 7-inch and 8-inch are easier to live with, and the 9-inch sits between them.
What battery does an EMAX Hawk use?
EMAX does not publish a battery specification on the Hawk listings, so the pack should be matched to the frame and motor you choose. These are large, 6S-class long-range quads, so expect a high-capacity LiPo and a charger rated for it; check the product page before ordering.
Which radio do I need for an EMAX Hawk?
An ExpressLRS 2.4 GHz radio, or any transmitter with an external ELRS module installed. Multi-protocol radios work once an ELRS module is fitted, while older protocols such as FrSky D8 or FlySky will not control a Hawk directly.
Can I use digital goggles with an EMAX Hawk?
The Hawk series uses an analog 5.8 GHz video transmitter, so analog goggles are the direct match. Digital goggles can only be used if they accept an analog input or if you add an external receiver, which is why most long-range analog pilots keep a dedicated analog headset.
Which EMAX Hawk Should You Buy?
One recommendation: choose the 7-inch Hawk for the best mix of range and agility, the 10-inch when payload and stability matter more than nimbleness, and the 9-inch as the compromise. All four share the same ExpressLRS 2.4 GHz link, the same 5.8 GHz 2.5 W video system and the same X-or-DC frame choice, so the difference is almost entirely about size, motors and price. Budget for a radio, goggles, a pack and a GPS module on top of the quad. Not sure which Hawk fits your flying style? Contact CSKYUAV and our team will match the size, motors and accessories to your range target and budget.