Why are we not seeing more variable-pitch quadcopters?

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Variable-pitch propellers are considered superior for quadcopters due to their potential for increased efficiency by maintaining a constant RPM and reducing air-drag at low speeds. However, challenges such as added weight, mechanical complexity, and slow response times hinder their widespread adoption. Current electronic speed controllers (ESCs) can adjust quickly, while mechanical systems struggle to match this responsiveness, making them less viable for high-speed applications. Most existing variable-pitch quadcopters remain in development, with some research focusing on petroleum-powered models. The future of professional high-speed quads may still lean towards conventional propellers due to these limitations.
Jarfi
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Been doing some research on propeller-pitch. And it seems that a variable-pitch-propeller seems superior, with a constant-speed-propeller(adjusting pitch for constant RPM) seems the most efficient of all.

A quadcopter with a low RPM will generally spend less energy on air-drag so we have more efficiency. The problem is once you accelerate the RPM increases and efficiency is lost due to airdrag, similar to a car in a low gear driving fast, causing a too high RPM of the engine itself, which wastes energy.

I've seen a few variable pitch-quads, most seem to be in the development stage, there are even petrolium variable-quads being researched.

My question is, are there(other than added weight) some big mechanical drawbacks to having a variable-pitch propellers over a conventional propeller?

Also will all the professional high-speed quads be using variable-pitch like helicopters in the future?
 
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russ_watters said:
Cost and complexity.
Already got answers on another forum, cost and complexity is an extra factor but this one seemed convincing:

the big issue is slow response time to change, The ESC can change at 400Hz, and go from 0 to 100% in close to the same time,I don't see a mechanical system or servo system getting close to 20Hz and staying in one piece long enough to fly.
 
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