8" Long Range / Cinelifter
Here you'll find links to the best performing products for 8" drones based on my testing over on AOS Labs and my own experience and research. Some of these links are affiliate links (affiliate policy).
Motors
BrotherHobby Avenger V3 2812
A 2812 motor like this one is perfect for heavily loaded 8" or lighter 9" builds. 900KV is suitable for 8S and 1115KV for 6S battery voltage.
EMAX ECO II 2812
A budget option from EMAX for heavy 8" or lightweight 9" drones. ECO II motors tend to offer good efficiency and performance at a heavier weight than more expensive options. 1100KV is suitable for 8-9" props on 6S.
GEPRC EM2812 Motor
A less expnesive 2812 option from GEPRC. A motor like this is perfect for heavily loaded 8" or lighter 9" builds. 900KV is suitable for 8S battery voltage.
T-Motor CINE Series Cine66 2812 Motor
To the freedom! Questionable tagline aside this is a powerful and reliable motor for a heavy 8" X4 or X8 build. 925KV is more suitable for 8S and 1155KV for 6S on 8-9" props.
T-Motor F100 2810 LR Cinematic Motor
A 2810 size motor like the F100 is best suited for a heavier 8" X4 or X8 build. The 1100KV version is good for 8" Props on 6S. The 1350KV version is probably overkill for all but the heaviest 7" builds on 6S.
T-Motor VELOX V2808 Cinematic Motor - 1300KV/1500KV/1950KV
It's really important to have enough motor volume for these larger props. The VELOCE 2808s have enough torque to handle any typical 7-8" prop and the 1300kV variant is the one I would suggest for 6S.
T-Motor VELOX V3008 Cinematic Motor - 1155KV/1350KV/1500KV
If you need a little more power for chasing faster targets these 3008s offer slightly more power at a higher KV at the cost of efficiency. I recommend 1350KV on 6S. They don't weigh too much more than the 2808s which is good news for vibration performance.
Electronics Stack
Matek H743-SLIM Flight Controller
Matek's top of the line H7 Flight controller. 8 motor outputs on plugs, 128MB blackbox storage and up to 8S input voltage. Supports voltage measurement up to 69V (16S) and works with Betaflight, iNav or Ardupilot. 9V/2A BEC might be a little tight for a powerful VTX so you may want a separate voltage regulator for that.
BrainFPV Radix 2 H7 Flight Controller - Analog
One of very few flight controllers that natively supports up to 8S input voltage and is designed for use with up to 12S batteries (with external voltage regulator) the Radix 2 H7 Analog is ideal for larger analog drones and supports X8 motors. It uses the BMI270 gyro (probably the most reliable IMU available today) and has two switchable camera inputs, a custom graphical OSD chip, as well as support for I2C and CAN sensors. Made in the USA, NDAA compliant.
DYS F7 Stack - F722 FC + 65A 2-8S AM_32 4-in-1 ESC - ICM42688P - 30x30
This is a great value stack from DYS that runs AM32 and supports up to 8S battery voltage. A 12V/3A BEC can be used to power VTXs that don't support 8S. This is a really impressive stack for the price.
T-Motor F55A PRO III 55A 3-8S BLHeli_32 4-in-1 ESC - 30x30
Funny story, T-Motor released this as a 6S ESC. Turns out it was so overengineered it supports 8S no problem! Now, T-Motor are marketing it as an 8S ESC. This a great option for up to 8" drones on 8S. Requires a flight controller that can handle 8S input voltage.
T-Motor F7 PRO Flight Controller w/ WiFi + Bluetooth
A solid 8S capable flight controller that can direcly plug into the Cine55A 8in1 ESC for an X8 solution. Supports Wifi and Bluetooth connection to Speedybee app for firmware flashing, configuration, and blackbox analysis. Very useful for tuning large drones in the field where the USB port is not easily accessible. 10V/2A BEC to provide power for a VTX that's not 8S compatible.
T-Motor Cine 55A BLHeli_32 3-8S 8-In-1 ESC - 30X30
A simple solution for an 8" X8 like the AOS Cine80. This 8in1 ESC is designed to plug directly into the T Motor F7 PRO Flight controller as an integrated solution.
T-Motor F7 Cine Stack - F722 FC (MPU6000) + X8 60A 3-6S BLHeli_32 ESC
An all in one solution for an X8 6S Cinelifter. Everything is connectorised for easy installation and the electronics are enclosed to provide dirt/splash resistance. A simple and reliable choice but not necessarily the cheapest option.
BrainFPV Radix 2 H7 Flight Controller - HD
One of very few flight controllers that natively supports up to 8S input voltage and is designed for use with up to 12S batteries (with external voltage regulator) the Radix 2 H7 HD is ideal for larger digital drones and supports X8 motors. It uses the BMI270 gyro (probably the most reliable IMU available today) and has an SD card for logging/debug as well as support for I2C and CAN sensors. Made in the USA, NDAA compliant.
VTX
Foxeer 5.8G Reaper Infinity 5W 40CH 5.8Ghz VTx
5W of output power for the maximum possible range on 5.8GHz. Foxeer also do a 10W version (only available direct from Foxeer). It supports up to 8S input voltage and has a 5V output for the camera. It's not legal to output more than 1W from a drone in the USA so bear that in mind.
iFlight Blitz 1.6W VTX
1.6W of output power in a compact package makes this analog VTX suitable for 5"+ drones. At maximum output you can get excellent range with a quality omnidirectional antenna on the drone and high gain antennas on goggles/ground station
Blitz Whoop 5.8G 2.5W Analog VTX
Don't let the name fool you this VTX is not for whoops! With a maximum output power of 2.5W this VTX will give you solid analog video out to extreme range when paired with a quality omni antenna on the drone and high gain receiving antennas on goggles or a ground station. The integrated fan helps prevent the VTX overheating before takeoff.
Avatar GT VTX
The Avatar GT VTX delivers a ridiculous 2W of EIRP output power across 2 antennas. This is the most powerful Avatar VTX to date and is perfect if you're looking to fly long range or need a VTX with the power to punch through obstructions to give you clear video.
HDZero Freestyle V2 VTX
True 1W output power for the HDZero system just got better. The smaller 30x30x14 mm form factor and 20mm M2 mounting pattern make this VTX perfect for 3" - 5" Freestyle drones and pilots who want the lowest possible latency of any FPV system available today. De-cased the VTX can be used on Lightweight 3" builds.
DJI O3
The DJI O3 system pushes digital FPV in a new direction. Here the focus is onboard recording and image quality at the expense of latency. It is a great looking system, some pilots are reporting issues with vibration sensitivity of the IMU used for electronic image stabilisation, hopefully this will be resolved in a future firmware update.
Receiver
ES900 DUAL RX ELRS Diversity Receiver
If you're flying Long Range alone or with only a couple of others 900MHz ELRS provides the ultimate in range and penetration. This true diversity (not just antenna diversity) receiver from Happymodel gives you two antennas and two opportunities to receive each packet sent from the radio. Two opportunities means half the chance the quad falls out of the sky!
RadioMaster RP4TD ELRS 2.4G True Diversity Receiver
Radiomaster is a reliable manufacturer of ELRS equipment and this true diversity 2.4GHz receiver (not just 2 antennas but two full receivers working together) is a great choice when you're looking for a very strong and reliable link over medium to long range.
Happymodel ExpressLRS ES900RX Receiver
If you're flying Long Range alone or with only a couple of others 900MHz ELRS provides the ultimate in range and penetration. I would recommend 2.4 GHz for everything except extreme long range as the antennas are smaller and it copes much better with multiple users in close proximity.
MATEKSYS ExpressLRS 2.4GHz Receiver - ELRS R24 TD
I've made my mind up. I'm only recommending ELRS moving forward. At this point it does everything better than any other radio link. LoRa for range and penetration, yes. 1000Hz update rate for crazy low latency, yes. Loads of manufacturers are making receivers for ELRS and I think this diversity offering from Matek (antenna diversity only) is certainly among the best performing and most reliable.
Props
LR8x4.2x3 Glass Fiber Nylon
This prop has a moderate chord and moderate pitch and is designed for lighter weight long range 8" quads. The prop is thinner and lighter than the Macroquad props. Well matched to a 2808-2810 size motor.
HQProp Macroquad 8x6x3 Glass Fiber Nylon
A wide chord and a steep pitch pitch prop for heavier 8" Lifters. Focussed around efficiency at higher speeds and top speed performance. Inefficient when flying slowly or hovering. At this size glass fiber nylon is a superior material to polycarbonate for heavily loaded props that benefit from the extra stiffness. Well matched to a 2812 motor.
Gemfan 8040-3 PC Reinforced
A wider chord with a low pitch makes these props an efficient choice for a heavier 8" lifter looking for long flight times when hovering or cruising more slowly. Well matches with a 2812 motor.
HQProp 8x4.3x3 Macroquad Glass Fiber Nylon
A slightly narrower chord length with a moderate pitch pitch prop for 8" Lifters. Provides a balance of efficiency in a hover with good thrust at higher speeds. At this size glass fiber nylon is a superior material to polycarbonate for more heavily loaded props that benefit from the extra stiffness. Well matched to a 2810-12 motor.
Gemfan 8060-3 Glass Fiber Nylon
A moderate chord and steep pitch for 8" Lifters. The 6" pitch gives this prop excellent thrust and efficiency at high speed at the cost of poor efficiency and flight time in a hover or when flying slowly. If you're after a fast cruising lifter this is a good choice paired with a 2812 motor.
HQProp MacroQuad 8x4x3 Glass Fiber Nylon
A slightly narrower chord length with a low pitch pitch prop for 8" Lifters. Provides efficiency in a hover and slow cruising but thrust drops off quickly at higher speeds. At this size glass fiber nylon is a superior material to polycarbonate for more heavily loaded props that benefit from the extra stiffness. Well matched to a 2810-12 motor
HQProp MacroQuad 8x4.5x3 Glass Fiber Nylon
A wide chord with a moderate pitch pitch prop for heavier 8" Lifters. Provides a balance of efficiency in a hover with decent thrust at higher speeds. A good all around choice. At this size glass fiber nylon is a superior material to polycarbonate for heavily loaded props that benefit from the extra stiffness. Well matched to a 2812 motor.
HQProp 8x3.7x3 Grey PC
These polycarbonate props are suitable for lightweight 8" long range quads. Anything heavier should be using the much stiffer glass fiber nylon props. The light pitch gives great efficiency in a hover and long flight times at low to moderate speeds. Well matched to a 2808 size motor.
Gemfan 8060 CL Cinelifter 3-Blade Propeller (Set of 2) - Nylon Carbon
This prop is designed for high speed applications. Best paired with a moderate KV motor of a larger size like 2812.
HQProp 8X3.7X3 Polycarbonate Propeller (Set of 2) - Gray
My favourite prop for the Cine80. Smooth and efficient with plenty of top end power and very well matched to 2808 motors.