Thanks for the info. all.

Jeff, I pulled the motor apart. The commutator is thin as paper where the brushes don't touch, so there is Definately a life expectancy.

I hear the silver brushes are 'softer' (and more powerful) so maybe if I invest in them again; I'll go with that; but I'm starting to think like You, and going full circle on this motor issue; unless they come up with an almost drop in solution for brushless.

I have FULL aluminum right now; including grips and the stock motors has no problem with them. I am currently 9 Grams over stock, and the 15c batts and esp. the 22c bats makes the weight seem not like a big deal to the motors at all.

I think with the weight, (being a little heavy is not such a bad thing, as You mentioned),folding XTREME blades, boom, etc., I'm pretty much ready for outdoor flight again.

I also contribute much greater lift (not to mention quietness) to the XTREME blades; they are AWESOME! ! I swear, if it wasn't for the whiney, piney noise of the motors, all You would hear is the air displacement from the blades. I couldn't believe it. I bet the noise level was dropped by a whole 50%!

They put out a gust of wind, and I'm currently with my set up getting 8.5 minutes on my stock batteries, and almost 9.5 with the 15c. I haven't got my 22's up out of break in yet.

I think the problem I was having all of a sudden with lifting my camera were the motors all along.

I think the more powerful aftermarket batteries is going to make some of the mods that were almost a requirement, not necessary at all, including better blades. I think the batteries are ultimately going to be Our salvation, and a 1 step cure for weight issues.

Gary