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INTRODUCTION The IDEAFLY octopus F90 is a 90mm brushed FPV microquadcopter prebuilt with a propguard protection so decicaced for both indoors and outdoors applications. The electronic is based on a SPF3 Evo FC board, a micro FrSKy D16 receiver and an AIO 600TVL CMOS 25mW 48CH FPV camera. This model is equiped of 2S compatible 8.5mmx20mm brushed motors… probably to boost performances. The Octobpus F90 can be seen as a direct competitor of the Eachine QX70 for example. Let’s check the content of this model. BOX CONTENT + 1 x IDEAFLY octopus F90 + 1 x 2S 300mAh LiPo with JST connector + 1 x USB charging cable + 4 x Spare props (2 CW, 2 CCW) + 1 x Screwdriver + 1 x Instruction manual (English) OVERVIEW The general design is a X-quadcopter with builtin propguard but not large enough be considered as a ducted system. On top is installed a round ball jailing the AIO FPV camera. The shape clearly reminds an octopus. A 90mm machine so 1/3 more larger than a classic TinyWhoop. The lower frame is carbon based but a little bit thin… 1.25mm only. Should be ok for most type of crash. IMHO the most worry concerns the thickness of the propguard, only 0.75mm for the plastic structure… In practice, the guard is super flexible and is almost useless… More, it can block and prop midflight !!!! That’s a pretty bad point. -FRONT VIEW A small white LEDs is present on the front side… not strong enough in daylight conditions to help to keep your orientation for LOS flights. The 5.8G antenna is installed on top of the bubble jail. -SIDE VIEW One drawback in the design is the low clearance distance between the prop-guard and props, 1-2mm maximum. It could be a real drama, in the sens a prop can break easily midflight I strongly advise to raise motors inside they respective pod by 1-2 extra mm With the 2.4G antenna mod once the receiver is bound and installed inside the machine -REAR VIEW A JST connector has been prefered and a tiny blue light can be found With the antenna mod -UPPER VIEW The right hole in the following button welcomes the VTX/Vfreq selection button. You will need a super thin tip to press on the bottom. A short press cycles between the eight frequencies inside the current selected band while a long press will cycle inside the six supported bands. On major problem concerns the absence of visual/sound feedback to monitor the Vfreq selection. One trick is first select on your VRX the first frequency of the band. Then long press on the AIO button until you find the right band. Now you will be able to select the Vfreq by some short pressings. -BOTTOM VIEW The battery tray backside is covered with foam element. Notice the microUSB port to connect the machine to Betaflight. Version 3.0.1 is pre-installed and configured. For the calibration, when a microUSB cable is plugged it’s not obvious to install the machine horizontally to calibrate. Probably prefer the stick commands when being desarmed. Out of the box, the FrSky XM receiver is not fully installed into the canopy in order to press more easily the bind button. This D16 receiver offers much better range (>600m) versus a classic D8 while outputting RSSI on the last channel. Most part of the antenna is jailed into the heatshrink tube -WEIGHT 60.7g total weight so it’s 6g more than the Eachine QX70 but in 1S configuration. Motors and props 2S 8.5mmx20mm coreless brushed motors. No RPM indications given… In theory it should boost performances. 44mm triblade props. In practice, these props can break super easily in contact of the propguard .. LiPo A 300mAh 2S LiPo with a discharge of 30C… Should boost as maximum the performances of the motors. AIO FPV Camera module the camera is uptilted with an angle of 10 degrees approximatively. No possibility to set this angle. Jailed into the top round sphere, a 600TVL CMOS 48CH 25mW AIO camera. The exact frequency table is given below Disassembling Remove the six screws installed on the bottom side to open the machine. The AIO FPV camera mean lead wires are directly soldered while for motors we have decicaced connector. A good point for the motor’s maintenance. Always advised to stock at least one CW and one CCW motors, especially for a 2S system where they are even more stressed. UNBOXING, ANALYSIS, BINDING, CONFIGURATION AND DEMO FLIGHT The machine comes with an old Betaflight 3.0.1 installed (dump_BF_3_0_1_octobpus_F90). The FrSky receiver is configured with SBUS connexion on the UART2. PIDs settings are the 3.0.1 one. No speficic problem to bind the receiver or the upgrade the betaflight version. By default two flight modes are configured, the 6-axis stabilized one and an acro flight mode. First impression about the FPV camera and associated range is pretty good for a simple 25mW model despite having a linear antenna. No problem to cross several walls. Only the tuning of the Vfreq is a little bit annoying with the absence of clear visual indications. First take off with BF 3.1.7 with slightly optimized settings shows a really good stability but clearly the lack of motor’s thrust is the big disapointement. You can’t really say it’s more powerfull than a 1S system but for sure much weaker than any brushless model. It’s just ok for basic acro flip and roll but you will loose some altitude in any case. For indoors applications, the machine can fly in super tiny spaces but after just one or two crashes, elements of the propguard system broke and by consequence broke also props by direct contact. The achille’heel of this machine… IMHO after just a couple of flights, you will need to cut all the prop guard system to remove it. Unfortunatly, it won’t save a lot of weight to boost performances. Flight durations are a lit bit short also, around 3min30 in average. CONCLUSIONS The IDEAFLY Octopus offers honest flight performances and a good FPV rig able to fly precisely in indoors tiny spaces. The machine also flies pretty in outdoors but lack of power to be super fun for advanced acro flying. The main problem of this machine is the weakness of the thin prop guard breaking easily props. PROS + Goof Flyer + SPF3 Evo FC board + Good FPV cam with good FPV range + FrSky D16 w/RSSI channel CONS – Fragile prop guard – Low clearance between prop guard and prop – Lack of power – Can’t set easily the Vfreq This quadcopter have been courtesy provided by Tomtop in order to make a fair and not biased review. I would like to thank them for this attitude. You can find it actually for 70USD at http://www.tomtop.com/rc-quadcopter-1192/p-rm7909-3.html Cet article TEST: IDEAFLY Octopus F90 est apparu en premier sur Drone-Maniac !!!!!!!. View the full article

Want a super light FPV camera with low latency able to record in 1080p ? Have a look the new Runcam Split: https://www.banggood.com/Runcam-Split-1080P-DVR-FPV-Camera-WithWithout-WiFi-2_5mm-FOV-130-165-Degree-NTSC-PAL-Support-64G-TF-p-1159850.html The originality is the two different FOV, 130 degrees in 4:3 for the FPV part, and 165 degrees in 16:9 for HD recordings. You can record up to 1080p@60fps. Low latency is promised but no real value is given. A total of 21g is announced so clearly much lighter than a runcam HD2 for example… more you are saving also the weight of the FPV cam. If the latency is below 40ms even when recording is turned on… could be a super product from 120mm machines. Description : Brand Name : Runcam Item Name : Split RunCam 3 FOV Angle of Field FPV FOV 130° / Recording FOV 165° Video Resolution 1080@60fps / 1080@30fps / 720@60fps Video Files MOV Image Resolution 2 Megapixels TV Output NTSC / PAL Switchable Real-Time Audio Output Yes Interface Micro USB / UART Max Micro SD Card Supported 64G(need Class 6 or above, recommend Class 10/UHS-I/UHS-II) WiFi Module Support (Removable) Dimensions PCB 36*38mm / Lens Module 22*20mm Power Input DC 5V Working Current 650 mAh Weight 21g Features : HD recording, same effect as Runcam 3 Supper WDR FPV image with low latancy Recording and FPV can do at the same time 26g super light Camera + Board split, main board and FC can be installed on frame kit, camera is same as mini Swift. Lens is removable WiFi module is optional, support APP setting and previewing on mobile. Package Included : 1 x Runcam Split Camera 1 x Mounting Bracket Pack 1 x Cable Pack Cet article NEWS: Runcam Split (4:3 FPV and 16:9 1080p@60 dual FOV camera) est apparu en premier sur Drone-Maniac !!!!!!!. View the full article

INTRODUCTION After the Eachine VR-D2 pro, here is the new revision of one popular goggles model from Eachine, the Eachine EV800D. If for the VR-D2 the changes between the two editions are more concerning the LCD and DVR firmwares, with the EV800D we have major hardware changes versus the EV800. Now diversity and a builtin DVR are integrated. Paradoxally the EV800D becomes a direct competitors for the VR-D2 Pro…. Let’check this new offer. BOX CONTENT + 1 x Eachine EV800D + 1 x Charger + 1 x 5.8G halfplanner antenna with RP-SMA connector + 1 x 5.8G RHCP cloverleaf antenna with RP-SMA connector + 1 x AVin cable + 1 x DCpower cabler to balancer plug cable + 1 x Fresnel lens clearning kit + 1 x Instruction manual (English) A circular and a half plannar antenneas are provided with semi-rigid stems. Good news, the ciruclar model is 6 leaves based offering a +5dBi versus a +3dBi for a classic cloverleaf. OVERVIEW The main chassis/mask is the same versus the original model build with a beautifull mate and soft plastic. The EV800D can still be splitted in two parts to be transformed into a 5″ FPV monitor. Still no possibility to tune the Fresnel lens distance but good news, they upgraded the Fresnel lens with now a better/larger magnifying factor. The general caracteristic of the LCD screen remains the same, i.e. a 800×480 5″ model with a 600cd/m2 as brightness. 800×480 is not perfect to display a PAL source (756×578). From left to right we have: a 5.8G autoscanning button/increase value, a power indication status, a microSD card slot (only class 10 are accepted if not you will have corrupted files written), the src/menu botton, the power on/off (2s press/5s press), the CH+/band+/decrease value and picture(short press)/video (press 2s) button. If shortly pressed, the SRC button will cycle between diversity RFmode, RF antenna B, RF antenna A and the AVin. Is you long press on it (more than 2s), you will enter into the LCD menu where you will be able to set a lot of settings. In the LCD menu, press one more time this button to navigate between each settings. To increase a value press the scanning button, the decrease press CH+/band+. Press the power button to exit from any menu. Good news, the right earphone plug can be used also to input an AV source. You even have a dedicaced cable for that job. Another good news, in the bundle you have another power cable ending with a 2S balancer plug. It means, you can recharge in the field thanks to a 2S LiPo the builtin battery. You can install the FPV monitor section on a tripod vie the M6 screw. The headstrap is a three point models where you can tune the lengh for each of them. The same facial sponge is installed, confortable but you will probably sweat with in warm weather conditions. If the noze section is super large, even too much since some light can be noticed via this gap, the general opening could be a little bit more important to be compatible with most of glasses. Weight 405g in total, one of the most light model in the market. Display The display presents immediatly the white snow synonym of LCD firmware FPV friendly. No problem of blue/black screen when the FPV signal is lost. The brightness is really good, one of the best for such kind of FPV goggles. The color rendition also pretty good. A lot of settings can tuned… especially you can change the aspect ratio between 16:9 and 4:3 and rotate/flip the video source. Very usefull sometimes when the FPV camera must be placed upside down. Basic but important OSD informations are displayed in the top left corder, i.e. the type of RF sources (diversity, RF B, RF A) or AVin. If a FR source is selected, you will have also displayed the a couple letter-number respectively for the selected Vband and Vfreq and the exact frequency correspondingly. The battery capacity is displayed on the top right corner. When one bar is remaining, the status is displayed in red. No builtin buzzer to ring an alert. DVR Good news, the DVR detects automatically the type of input video source. When it’s an NTSC, files are recording in 720×480@30fps without any cropping: When it’s PAL source, files are recording in 720×576@30fps. The most surprizing is the 30fps … In theory PAL should also offer only 25fps. The DVR probably oversample to reach 30fps. For PAL, the bottom part is cropped just a little for few lines… (10 maximum), really nothing castrophic. The good news, for a NTSC or PAL source, recordings are perfectly synchronized when an HD camera. It’s great for picture in picture video editing for example. The DVR playback section presents a chinese message …. No english tranlation available. Probably a firmware update will solve this minor problem. UNBOXING, ANALYSIS AND TESTING In practice, when you start a recording (press more than 2s the corresponding button), a small red circle point appears. This point dissipears after 15s. Short press the same button to stop recording and a red square will appear. When a photo is taken you during 1s a green square appearing. I really like the LCD display with faithfull colors. The brightness is really good too. CONCLUSIONS With a good RX sensitivity, better than with the original EV800 version, good 5″ LCD screen and with a good brightness and color rendition and with a fully working DVR without any latency, frame rate drop when recording is turned on…. the EV800D can be considered as main probably the best 5″ Eachine goggles. No real drawback can be found except the non possibility to tune the fresnel lens distance and the difficulity to install easily some correction glasses. I recommend the EV800D over all other 5″ Eachine models. PROS + Good 5″ LCD screen + Good RX sensitivity (-95dBm) + Diversity + 6 leaves RHCP antenna (+5dBi vs +3dBi) + Can be transformed into FPV monitor + Good DVR working fine for both NTSC & PAL sources (detecting automatically the type of source) + No extra latency/frame rate drop when recording + Recording OSD information + Aspect ratio (16:9/4:3) and rotation settings. + Builtin battery (~1.5h of usage) CONS – No lens distance ajustement – Light introduction via the noze section – Not compatible with all correction glasses – Chinese language for the DVR playback section This FPV goggles have been courtesy provided by Banggood in order to make a fair and not biased review. I would like to thank them for this attitude. You can find it actually for 90USD at https://www.banggood.com/Eachine-EV800D-5_8G-40CH-Diversity-FPV-Goggles-5-Inch-800480-Video-Headset-HD-DVR-Build-in-Battery-p-1150119.html Cet article TEST: Eachine EV800D (5″, 800×480, diversity, DVR) est apparu en premier sur Drone-Maniac !!!!!!!. View the full article

I received a second model …. this time all motors are ok but …. after flew it 30s that all (with a radio drop out at the end)….. I bound it after two or three more times without probem. This morning, it’s different story: I noticed, the receiver is no more binding… I didn’t nothing special… just unpluged and repluged the battery :(. My intuition is the problem comes from more the voltage regulation part burning very fast. Maybe because the actual FrSky receiver draws too much current …. Anyway, I reported the problem to Banggood …. so clearly avoid this machine until the design will be fixed. Cet article BAD TESTING: Jumper X68S part2 est apparu en premier sur Drone-Maniac !!!!!!!. View the full article

Eachine is super active also with FPV goggles … and here is a new 5″ model, i.e. the VR011: https://www.banggood.com/Eachine-VR011-5-Inches-800×480-Diversity-DVR-Pro-FPV-Goggles-5_8G-40CH-Raceband-Build-In-Battery-p-1158957.html We have a 5″ 800×480 LCD screen with 500cd/m2 probably the same screen than for the VR-D2 pro. Diversity is here and promised sensitibity around -95dBm. You can plug directly the Eachine ProDVR (offered for free for the introduction period). No posstibility to tune the Fresnel’s lens distance… but you can transform the goggles into a FPV monitor. To be honest I don’t see real differences, originalities with the Eachine EV800D or the VR-D2 Pro… They are very close in practice. Specificaiton: Brand name: Eachine Item name: Eachine VR011 FPV Goggles Frequency: 5.8GHz 40CH (Raceband) Screen resolution: 800*480PX Screen brightness: 500cd/m² Voltage: 2s battery(7.4-8.4v) Working current: 350-420mA Reception sensitivity: -95dBM Battery: 7.4v 1000mah Lipo battery Working time: 1.5 hours Net weight: 370g Screen weight: 204g Straaght pole antenna weight: 6.3g Whole size: 168*172.5*100mm(exclude antenna and antenna holder) Screen size: 152*69.5*86.5mm(exclude antenna and antenna holder) Receiver connector: RP-SMA male Frequency Table(GHz) Frequency Band A 5.865 5.845 5.825 5.805 5.785 5.765 5.745 5.725 Frequency Band B 5.733 5.752 5.771 5.79 5.809 5.828 5.847 5.866 Frequency Band C 5.705 5.685 5.665 5.645 5.885 5.905 5.925 5.945 Frequency Band D 5.740 5.760 5.780 5.800 5.820 5.840 5.860 5.880 Frequency Band E 5.658 5.695 5.732 5.769 5.806 5.843 5.88 5.917 Features: – Super transformable: Disassemble the goggle and use it as a monitor,or put it on a tripod. It can be used as a monitor separately,or put it on a tripod – External DVR optional: Meticulous design,free to choose,simply to operate and worry-free – Dual reception: Real-time transmission,more stable reception – Searching method This product has accurate searching function and auto-searching frequency function to meet customers’ different habits and needs – Support video-in and audio-out – Display frequency and signal strength Real-time display of current working frequency and signal strength – OSD shut down – 5 inch LCD display – Multiple language options – External battery,convenient for replacement – Support PAL/NTSC switchable – Save all settings from power failure Package included: 1 x Eachine VR011 goggles 2 x Straight pole antenna 1 x Manual 1 x 7.4v 1000mAh Lithium battery 1 x Charger 1 x Audio cable 2 x Clean cloth Cet article NEWS: Eachine VR011 est apparu en premier sur Drone-Maniac !!!!!!!. View the full article

The “Smaller and smaller 2017 microbrushless FPV machine will be” sentence is certainly one more time true with the introduction of the Eachine Revenger 55: https://www.banggood.com/Eachine-Revenger55-Micro-55mm-FPV-Racing-Drone-BNF-with-F3-6A-BLHeli_S-Dshot-600TVL-5_8G-48CH-VTX-p-1158377.html. We have a 55mm machine, dimensions probably without the propguard, so something comparable to classic nanoquadcopter CX-20 !!!! Just incredible. In this tiny spaces, we have all mooden electronics: i) a F3 Omnibus board but seems to be without a builtin OSD :(, ii) 4-in-1 10A BLheli_S/Dshot 600 ESC board and 1102/11500 KV motors, the same motors as for the DYS ELF 82mm for example. The FPV rig a clasic 600TVL CMOS camera coupled with a 25mW 48CH VTX. Four choices of receivers: i) FrSky D8 + RSSI channel ii) FrSky D16 Smarport, iii) FlySky AFHDS-2A and iv) Spektrum DSM2/DSMX. Some originality in the design: The FPV camera is installed below the main body… probably more exposed to crash here but at least no props occlusion in the FPV signal. The receiver is installed latteraly … The machine is powered by a 400mAh 2S LiPo. I don’t think the system can handle 3D setup. Announced to weight a little bit less than 70g so not super ultralight as we could expected from it size. I asked to review one and I should The camera can be uptilted JST connector Specification: Brand name: Eachine Model: Revenger55 Item name: Eachine Revenger55 Micro 55mm FPV Racing Drone Wheelbase: 55mm Size: 82mm*82mm*37mm Weight: about 49.5g (battery not include) Take off weight: about 69.1g Flight controller: F3 Flight controller Motor: Eachine 1102 KV11500 brushless motor Propeller: 38.1mm 4-blades propeller Camera: 600TVL HD CMOS 1/4inch VTX: 5.8g 25MW 48CH NTSC/PAL Video transmitter Battery: 7.4V 400mah 40C lipo battery Firmware of Flight controller: Betaflight 3.1 Flight time: 3minutes Buzzer Ready BNF Receiver Option: – Original Frsky XSR-E receiver (Smartport ready) – Compatible Frsky SBUS D8 mode receiver (RSSI Output) – Compatible Flysky 8ch AFHDS2A receiver – Compatible Specktrum DSM2/DSMX Compatible receiver Flight controller Specification: Size: 20mm*20mm*4mm Mount hole: 15mm*15mm Processor: STM32 F303 MCU Sensor: SPI Sensor MPU6000 Firmware version: Betaflight 3.1 Dshot ready Target: OmnibusF3 ESC specification: 6A BLHeli_S Dshot 2 In 1 ESC Size: 20mm*20mm*4mm Mount hole: 15mm*15mm Firmware version: BLHELI_S 16.5 BB2, 48MHZ Chip Lipo Battery: 2S Con. Current: 6A Peak Current: 10A (10S) Programming: YES Betaflight passtrough ready Dshot600 ready(Default) Support oneshot42, oneshot125, Multishot and Dshot 150/300/600 Damped light on Features: -Extremely light and more powerful -STM32 F303MCU + BLHELI_S ESC make your Operating feel more stabilly and silky -Adjustable Angle of Camera -Jaw-dropping flight performance -Betaflight support -Acro mode/Air mode/Angle mode support -BLEHELI_S pass-through ready Package included: 1* Eachine Revenger55 micro 55mm frame kit 1* Frsky D8 reciever/Frsky D16 reciever/Flysky 8ch AFHDS2A receiver/DSM2/DSMX receiver (option) 1* F3 flight controller 1* 6A BLHeli_S Dshot 2 In 1 ESC 4* Eachine 1102 KV11500 brushless motor 4* 38.1mm 4-blades propeller 1* 600TVL camera 1* 5.8g 25MW 48CH NTSC/PAL Video transmitter 1* battery Cet article NEWS: Eachine Revenger 55 (70g, 10A BLheli_S/Dshot600, 1102/11500Kv) est apparu en premier sur Drone-Maniac !!!!!!!. View the full article

After the Pagoda antenna, there is a new variation of the Cloverleaf antenna this time with 6 leaf instead of 3 (or 4): https://www.banggood.com/Eachine-K-Loverleaves-5_8G-5dBi-6-Leaf-Clover-Mushroon-Antenna-SMARP-SMA-1-Pair-For-FPV-Transmitter-p-1152016.html. The set of two antenneas offer a gain of 5dBi instead of 3dBi for a normal CL… It’s not representing a huge gain but if no sacrifice is done for the omnidirectionality is always good to take :). 2 dBi representThe stem is semi-regid. Please check first testing from FyreSG… results are promising. Description : Brand Name : Eachine Item Name : K-Loverleaves Antenna Color : Black Dimension : 80mm(H) x 35mm(W) Weight : 12g Specification : Frequency : 5.8G Impedance : 50O VSWR : <1.3 Polarization : Right Hand Circular Polarized,RHCP Radiation : Omni Gain : 5dBi Connector : RP-SMA,SMA Features : High gain, Good stability, Strong signal, Crashworthy 6 Leaf antenna, nice looking chocolate shape Signal will be more stable when use these antennas on both TX and RX at the same time Package Included : 2 x Eachine K-Loverleaves 6 Leaf Antenna Cet article NEWS: Eachine K-loverleaves est apparu en premier sur Drone-Maniac !!!!!!!. View the full article

INTRODUCTION The DYS ELF 83mm is nothing else than a brushless slightly more larger Tiny Whoop FPV machine. Here bye-bye 0615 coreless brushed motors and hello to some 1102/10000KV strong brushless motors. The flight controller is a powerfull F3 board (a minimum nowdays) coupled with a MWOSD module. Associated with motors, we have a 4-in-1 10A BLheli_S/Dshot600 ESC board. The FPV system is based on a 800 CMOS TVL with 170 degrees of FOV and 5.8G 40CH 25mW/200mW VTX. All ingredients sound super promising ….. Let’s check how good (or not) in practice the bundle is. BOX CONTENT All elements are well jailed into a foam transportation structure + 1 x DYS ELF 83mm + 1 x Transmitter (using 4xAA batteries not included) + 1 x 600mAh 2S LiPo 25C with JST XH (2.5mm) lead connector + 1 x Charger (for 2S & 3S LiPo) + 1 x Powerunit for the charger + 4 x Spare props (2 CW, 2 CCW) + 1 x Instruction manual (English) OVERVIEW Let’s check first more precisely the technical elements. Promised flight time about 6min … be sure it’s always overrated. The main role of buttons and connectors installed bottom but we wil see that in details below. Bad news in practice the lower carbon frame is 1.25mm of thickness … so really fragile IMHO especially when a lot of stress is transmitted to the lower frame by the ducted system and the motor pods -FRONT VIEW The design is cool … the top plastic canopy structure is highly profiled and protecting well both the FPV camera and the 2.4G receiver. The ducted system is not in carbon but made with a flexible plastic a little bit thin IMHO. For indoors flights, I am not sure the system will survice a long time if you crash the ELF on very hard floors. -SIDE VIEW Any presence of connector latterally … no visible antenneas as well. -REAR VIEW The microUSB port of the SPracing F3 board can be found in rear part of the tail -UPPER VIEW -BOTTOM VIEW Green light are installed in front motor’s pod and red ones in rear. The motor plastic pods are long and play the role of landing gear. They are build with a super solid transparent plastic. The drawback of this system in practice is the transmission of a shock impact/hard landing of the kinetic energy into the lower carbon frame structure. It’s advised to install some foam circles as landing pads. It will ammortize the shocks. The battery plastic tray is jailing perfectly the 600mAh battery but surpringly the 5.8G antenna is jailed between the FC and this plastic tray. More the feed antenna point is almost located in the middle. It means in practice, it’s super hard to install the 5.8G vertically down without sacrifying the plastic battery tray…. It’s a real drawback since most of the 200mW power will be absorbed or block by the frame carbon structure…. To select the VTX power, you have two small pads installed nearby the VTX button. If they are soldered togather, 200mW is selected (default) if not it’s 25mW As you can see, the 200mW output power is preselected by default. The 5positions connector is another JST SH model with a pitch of 1mm. This connector represents a UART port and is usefull of you want to upgrade the MWOSD firmware. As main power lead connector, a non classic JST XH 2.5mm connector far from the classic JST red one. At least you can insert a normal JST connector but be aware with the polarisation to not cook your machine On the other side, we can find the VTX button to select the Vfreq (red light) and the Vband (blue light) 40 channels are supported and in practice we have a 25mW/200mW VTX set by default on 200mW. To select the Vfreq, you need first to short press the button. The red light will flash from one to eight times corresponding the column index of the previous table. A short press will incremente the column index. If you need to change the Vband, you will need to long press (more than 3s) until the blue light is here. Short press one more time and the blue light will flash betwwen one up to five time correspondly to the current selected Vband. short press to incremente the Vband. After 10s of inactivity, the selection mode is turned off and the last setting automatically saved. -WEIGHT Motors and props Some 1102 brushless motors announced to spin at 10 000 Kv. In practice, there are really powerfull…. even for a 2S system. It’s great positive point of the DYS ELF During my testing, after the first flight, one motor stopped to work. A short probably in the wiring but I managed to fix it LiPo Camera module The 800TVL CMOS camera is well jailled into the profiled canopy module. We have a suepr wide angle lens installed, announced to be 170 degrees. For me it’s a lot for outdoors flights … but adquate for indoors training. Disassembling Remove the five screws installed on the bottom side to access to the upper side Two 3 positions JST connector. The front is for the FPV camera while the rear is for the receiver with SBUS connection A buzzer is here and installed on front nearby the FPV camera plug. The camera is installed on front without the possibility to set the tilt orientation angle. Rear to him a FrSky D8 receiver with SBUS connection. Notice the 2.4G antenna is installed horrizontally not a good solution to extend the control range. The antenna mod is advised to do, i.e. drill a hole in the top canopy in order to install the antenna vertically Transmitter UNBOXING, ANALYSIS, BINDING, CONFIGURATION AND DEMO FLIGHT CONCLUSIONS PROS + Great Flyer + Powerfull Machine even in 2S + Good FPV cam + Well tuned out of the box + Real RTF + MWOSD + Good FrSky D8 transmitter included in the RTF packaging + ~5min of flight time CONS – Fragile carbon lower frame – Fragile Prop guard – 5.8G antenna location – No RSSI feedback in OSD – No standart battery lead connector This quadcopter have been courtesy provided by Banggood in order to make a fair and not biased review. I would like to thank them for this attitude. You can find it actually for 165USD at https://www.banggood.com/DYS-83mm-Micro-Brushless-FPV-Racing-Drone-F3-BLheli_S-Dshot-5_8G-25MW-48CH-VTX-BNF-RTF-p-1132509.html Cet article TEST: DYS ELF 83mm est apparu en premier sur Drone-Maniac !!!!!!!. View the full article

INTRODUCTION The VISUO XS809HW is a 250mm brushed toyquadcopter copying the design of the DJI Mavic. Don’t be wrong, it’s a toy that’s all. Here even with the HW version you have a basic 720p WiFi transmission for FPV coupled with a wide angle lens. As other features, we have some foldable arms and altitulde hold. Let’s check this product. BOX CONTENT + 1 x VISUO XS809HW + 1 x Transmitter (using 3xAA batteries not included) + 1 x 900mAh 1S LiPo + 1 x USB charging cable + 4 x Spare props (2 CW, 2 CCW) + 4 x Prop guards + 1 x Screwdriver + 1 x Instruction manual (English) The package was a bit damaged during transportation but nothing broken inside OVERVIEW The VISUO XS809HW unfolded is a 250mm machine so far larger than any micro. The plastic is thin with an average quality. I am not impressed on the first contact. -FRONT VIEW Folded position and unfolded Two small red lights installed on front. Of course no 3-axis gimbal installed below but a basic camera. At least the camera can be downtilted. -SIDE VIEW -REAR VIEW The battery can be super easily clipsed and unclipsed. -UPPER VIEW -BOTTOM VIEW The foldable arm section Green lights are installed on front and red on rear ams. Not super visible in strong daylight conditions -WEIGHT Less than 130g Motors and props Prop guard can be very easily installed without screwing session. Just remove the plastic element to free the access LiPo A microUSB port can be found latteraly to recharge the battery. 1h to recharge the LiPo. Be aware, when the charging is over the red light don’t turn off. After a while, you will have to disconnect the microUSB cable from the LiPo and reconnect it. If the light is off, it means it’s charged. Inside the plastic casing, a 1S 900mAh LiPo. Camera module Yes a miracle, they installed a M7 120 degrees wide lens !!!! and it helps a lot for FPV applications. I would say it’s a little bit more flyable but sill very hard with the poor frame rate. Disassembling Four screws to remove in the middle of arms then 8 screws bottom to open the machine. On the Flight controller board, motors’s wires are directly soldered, no connector for an easy maintenance. The RFchip is an XN297LBW. The protocol can be deviated. The barometer is well protected by a piece of foam. Transmitter A basic gamepad style radio with a foldable phone holder compatible up to 6inches smartphone Good news, all buttons are clearly referenced … it’s simple but it’s so rare…. in practice. Anyway, a drawback for me is concerning the stop button which can be confused by accident with the take off/landing one just above…. Since there is no DVR installed in the quadcopter, the photo and video buttons are useless in practice. UNBOXING, ANALYSIS AND DEMO FLIGHT The machine can be controlled either by the smartphone or the radio. More, some actions can be triggered via the app while controlling the machine with the radio. If you decide to use the radio, you need first to bind the radio to the quad then connect the machine to the app. With the take-off button the machine hover in fraction of second about 1m high. If you press it again, the machine will slowly decend until landing. During the descend, you can control the machine at least with the right stick. It’s great to fine-tune your landing location. The altitude hold stabilization is super efficient with very small variation. In other hand, the machine becomes more sensitive to the wind conditions and can drift a lot. If you are loosing the radio control (can happen beyond 30-40m), the machine waits 3s before to engage a slow landing. If you were high, the descend can take some extra seconds and distance traveled can be over 10-20m… I don’t advise the beginner rate oudoors except in 0 wind conditions… The intermadiate and expert modes are obviously faster with higher rate…. the quad is relatively fast but far to be fastest machine in the market. In term of FPV transmission, the WiFi link is correct up to 30m. The wide angle helps a lot to practice FPV but the frame rate won’t be above 13-15fps… The video feedback seems effectively in 720p resolution but for sure recordings saved into the tablet are only in VGA (640×480@15fps) resolution. I observed also a lot of jello in the FPV transmission. I advise to install a piece of foam to hold in position the camera’s lens. Both the control and FPV ranges are limited to around 40m maximum. Good news the flight duration is very good, exceeding 8min. A visual LVC alarm is here to warn about the situation. CONCLUSIONS A basic WiFi beginner brushed machine with good and soft controls. The wide angle helps a lot to practice FPV but don’t expect miracles in terms of distance’s range and frame rate… no free lunch with WiFi. The machine offers great flight time that great. The machine can be easily transported. As always for brushed systems, I always advise to stock some spare motors at least a ClockWise and one Counter ClockWise. PROS + Foldable + Efficient altitulde hold + 120 degrees wide angle lens + Well tuned speed modes + Can be controlled by either the radio or via smartphone/tablet + Good flight time (>8min) CONS – Charge status light don’t turn off when the LiPo is charged – Poor VGA (640×480@15fps) recordings – Proprietary battery connexion – YaP (Yet another Protocol) – Not wind resistant This quadcopter have been courtesy provided by Banggood in order to make a fair and not biased review. I would like to thank them for this attitude. You can find it actually for 53USD at https://www.banggood.com/VISUO-XS809HW-WIFI-FPV-With-Wide-Angle-HD-Camera-High-Hold-Mode-Foldable-Arm-RC-Quadcopter-RTF-p-1149086.html Cet article TEST: VISUO XS809HW est apparu en premier sur Drone-Maniac !!!!!!!. View the full article

PREAMBULE Sometime …. testings are not going as we wanted …. Here is the backstage of the Jumper X68S testing…. Everything was perfect until the real demo flight where I realized firt that the front left motors was not spinning correctly (kind of ESC problem) then trying to fix the first problem, the FrSky receiver also has been damaged … So I am super frustated because I was really impatient to test this model….So please enjoy basic informations about the Jumper X68S. https://www.banggood.com/Jumper-X68S-68mm-Brushless-F3-5_8G-Mini-FPV-Racing-Drone-with-32CH-25mW-VTX-600TVL-Camera-p-1151472.html. A new one just has been shipped …. I guess one more time on the slow boat. Expect my full review not before 15 days minimum :(…. Shit happens… Props pop out super easily … need to be glued The weight of all electronic The more important I would say is how to connect the FPV plug and the USB extender cable. The receiver is blocking partially the USB connexion… then you need to gently turn the receiver over their 3 pins connexions … can break or damage the receiver It’s really a bad design on the left the USB connexion (with plastic pad front of you) while for the FPV the white wire must be on the right Partial conclusions PROS + Super light machine + More thrust than the Eachine DustX58 and any brushed tinywhoop + Acro compatible + Real brushless Tinywhoop + FPV camera well protected + IR lap timer CONS – No visible microUSB and bind button, need to open the canopy – No real MicroUSB port, need to connect the machine with an awfull way (can damage the machine) – Fragile main lower frame structure and ducted system – Dshot 300 only (BB1 chip) Cet article BAD TESTING: Jumper X68S est apparu en premier sur Drone-Maniac !!!!!!!. View the full article

Yet another mini brushless machine maybe now more closer to a micro, here is the Makerfire Armor 67: https://www.banggood.com/Makerfire-Armor-67-67mm-5_8G-Mini-FPV-Racing-Drone-BNF-with-F3-OSD-48CH-25mW-VTX-600TVL-Camera-p-1157186.html So a more compact machine, only 67mm …. so really close to a Tinywhoop size. Comes with a full carbon propguard but the camera support looks like 3D printed. One more time, the electronoc is based on a F3 Omnibus + betaflightOSD integrated and a 4-in-1 10A BLheli_S/Dshot 300 ESC board (and probably Dshot 600 too). Motors are more compact some 1103/100000Kv so probably a better choice for the thrust than 0703 (Eachine DustX58) but it will add a lot of extra weight. Can we expect to run this setup in 3S ? maybe … The FPV system is based on AIO 600TVL CMOS camera + 25mW 48CH VTX. 41g is announced without the battery … and should turn around 60g with the 400mAh 2S LiPo. For indoors applications, I am a little bit afraid how robust will be the camera support. If the dustX58, no real problem are reported, here with twice the weight can be a different story. The machine is proposed in BNF with two choices of receiver: Spektrum DSM2/DSMX and FrSky D8. Specification: Brand Name: Makerfire Item Name: Armor 67 67mm 5.8G FPV Racing Drone BNF Model: Armor 67 Wheelbase: 67mm Motor: 1103 10000KV brushless motor ESC: 10A BLHELI_S 4 in 1 ESC ( Support Oneshot / Dshot300 ) Propeller: 1535 4-blades propeller Receiver: Compatible DSM2/ Frsky Receiver ( Optional) Camera: 1/4 CMOS FOV120 HD 600TVL VTX: 5.8G 48CH 25mW NTSC/PAL video transmitter Flight controller: Betaflight F3 6DOF built-in OSD OSD: Betaflight OSD Firmware of flight controller: Betaflight_OMNIBUS Flight time : 5 minutes Battery: 2S 7.4V 400mAh 30C Lipo Weight: 41g (without Battery) Features: -Armor 67 Is a brushless indoor racing drone, has jaw-dropping flight performance -Built-in OSD(Using F3 MCU controls OSD over SPI bus in DMA mode), has been include in BETAFLIGHT_OMNIBUS -The newest 4in1 10A Mini ESC with LDO function, support Oneshot/Dshot300 -Configuration 25 mw 600TVL camera transmission system, wide dynamic wide-angle camera, good backlight effect -Brushless power system provides sufficient power to experience the first perspective flight Package Included: 1x Armor 67 Frame Kit 1x F3 Flight Control Built-in OSD 4x 1103 10000KV Motor 4x 1535 4-Blade Propeller ( 2 CW & 2 CCW) 1x 10A 4 in 1 ESC 1x 600TVL Camera 1x 5.8G 48CH 25mW PAL/NTSC VTX 1x Compatible DSM2 Or Frsky Receiver 1x 2S 7.4V 400mAh 30C Lipo Battery Cet article NEWS: Makerfire Armor 67 est apparu en premier sur Drone-Maniac !!!!!!!. View the full article

The same electronic than the Firefly-90 but here we have no more a ducted system but a kind of Halo 90 machine with a carbon propguard with the Butterfly-90: https://www.banggood.com/Butterfly-84-80mm-Mini-FPV-Racing-Drone-PNP-with-F3-10A-BLHELI_S-16_5-Dshot600-5_8G-25MW-40CH-VTX-p-1156922.html. One more time this machine comes in ARF setup (without receiver) like the Firefly-90: http://www.drone-maniac.com/news-firefly-90-yet-another-microfpv-brushless-racer/ Specification: Item name: Butterfly-84 Mini FPV Racing Drone Weelbase: 80mm Size: 119mm * 119mm * 45mm Weight: 73g (without battery) Motor: 1104 7800KV brushless motor ESC: 10A BLHELI_S 16.5 2-3S 4in1 ESC Dshot600 Propeller: 50mm 5-blade propeller Compatible receiver: Frsky / DSMX / Flysky AFHDS2A Camera: 600TVL HD camera VTX: 5.8g 25MW 40CH NTSC video transmitter Flight controller: Minicube Betaflight F3 6DOF built-in OSD OSD: Betaflight OSD Firmware of FC: Betaflight 3.1 Flight time: 3-5mins Diameter of buzzer: 9mm Battery: 7.4V 550mah 80C lipo battery Minicube F3 6DOF flight controller: Size: 27mm * 27mm * 5mm Mounting hole: 20mm * 20mm MCU: STM32 F303 Sensor: SPI sensor MPU6000 Built-in Betaflight OSD Firmware: OmnibusF3 Betaflight 3.1 Dshot Minicube 10A BLHELI_S 4in1 ESC Dshot600: Size: 27mm * 27mm * 5mm Mounting hole: 20mm * 20mm Firmware: BLHELI_S 16.5 BB2, 48MHZ chip Lipo battery: 2-3S Continuous current: 10A Peak current: 15A (10S) Programming: yes Betaflight passtrough ready Dshot600 ready(Default) Support onehot42 onehot125 Multishot Dshot Support Brake function Features: -With propeller guide -STM32 F303MCU+BLHELI_S ESC, operating more stably and smoothly. -Support Cleanflight / Betaflight -Support automatic / semi-automatic / manual flight mode -PID parameters can be adjusted by remote control -Built-in OSD -BLHELI_S ESC firmware -Support telemetry RSSI return Notes: the version comes without the receiver. package included: 1 x Butterfly-84 frame kit 1 x Betaflight F3 6DOF flight controller built-in OSD 4 x 1104 7800KV brushless motor 1 x Minicube 10A BLHELI_S 16.5 2-3S 4in1 ESC Dshot600 4 x 50mm 5-blade propeller (CW) 4 x 50mm 5-blade propeller (CCW) 1 x 600TVL HD camera 1 x 5.8g 25MW 40CH NTSC vedio transmitter 1 x 7.4V 550mah 80C lipo battery Cet article NEWS: Butterfly-84 still a new microFPV racer est apparu en premier sur Drone-Maniac !!!!!!!. View the full article

Seems now we have a huge wave of microbrushless FPV machine, most of them based on minicube/minitower electronics. Here is a the Firefly 90: https://www.banggood.com/Firefly-90-90mm-Mini-FPV-Racing-Drone-PNP-with-F3-10A-BLHELI_S-16_5-Dshot600-5_8G-25MW-40CH-VTX-p-1156924.htmlFrom the specification, the electronic looks like to the Eachine Minicube with the F3 omnibus FC+Betaflight OSD integrated, the 4-in-1 10A BLheli_S/Dshot600 ESC board. Be aware it’s an ARF proposal … so you will have to add your own favorite receiver. Motors are 1104/7500Kv… All the system should work in 3S. Probably a direct competitor of the DYS ELF 83mm … even if this one is slightly larger and heavier IMHO. The machine weights 63g without the battery and receiver should turn around 90g with. The FPV rig is based on a 25mW 40CH VTX + a 600TVL CMOS camera. Specification: Item name: Firefly-90 Mini FPV Racing Drone Weelbase: 90mm Size: 110mm * 110mm * 55mm Weight: 73g (without battery) Motor: 1104 7500KV brushless motor ESC: 10A BLHELI_S 16.5 2-3S 4in1 ESC Dshot600 Propeller: 48mm 5-blade propeller Compatible receiver: DSM/SBUS/PPM Camera: 600TVL HD camera VTX: 5.8g 25MW 40CH NTSC video transmitter Flight controller: Minicube Betaflight F3 6DOF built-in OSD OSD: Betaflight OSD Firmware of FC: Betaflight 3.1 Flight time: 3-5mins Buzzer: 13*13mm (with LED) Battery: 7.4V 550mah 80C lipo battery Minicube F3 6DOF flight controller: Size: 27mm * 27mm * 5mm Mounting hole: 20mm * 20mm MCU: STM32 F303 Sensor: SPI sensor MPU6000 Built-in Betaflight OSD Firmware: OmnibusF3 Betaflight 3.1 Dshot Minicube 10A BLHELI_S 4in1 ESC Dshot600: Size: 27mm * 27mm * 5mm Mounting hole: 20mm * 20mm Firmware: BLHELI_S 16.5 BB2, 48MHZ chip Lipo battery: 2-3S Continuous current: 10A Peak current: 15A (10S) BEC: 5V 1A Programming: yes Betaflight passtrough ready Dshot600 ready(Default) Support onehot42 onehot125 Multishot Dshot Support Brake function Features: -Support Cleanflight / Betaflight -Support automatic / semi-automatic / manual flight mode -PID parameters can be adjusted by remote control -Built-in OSD -BLHELI_S ESC firmware -Support telemetry RSSI return package included: 1 x Firefly-90 frame kit 1 x Betaflight F3 6DOF flight controller built-in OSD 4 x 1104 7500KV brushless motor 1 x Minicube 10A BLHELI_S 16.5 2-3S 4in1 ESC Dshot600 4 x 48mm 5-blade propeller (CW) 4 x 48mm 5-blade propeller (CCW) 1 x 600TVL HD camera 1 x 5.8g 25MW 40CH NTSC vedio transmitter 1 x 7.4V 550mah 80C lipo battery Cet article NEWS: Firefly 90, yet another microFPV brushless racer est apparu en premier sur Drone-Maniac !!!!!!!. View the full article

Everybody knows probably the Eachine Minicube installed in a lot of last Eachine Racers (AUrora 68, 90, 100 Lizard 95 for example). Here is another more compact version 20mmx20mm only !!: https://www.banggood.com/15x15mm-Eachine-TeenyCube-Flytower-Frsky-XSR-E-Receiver-F3-Flight-Controller-6A-2-in-1-ESC-p-1156647.html Here, the Eachine TeenyCube is clearly copying the amazing work of the TeenyFish compagny, at least for the FC. We have a 3 layers electronic cube with: i) at lower position a 4-in-1 6A BLheli_S/Dshot ready ESC board + 5V@1A PDV with a peak up to 10A and compatible with 2S setup ii) in the middle, a F3 omnibus board but not builtin betaflight (the next TeenyFish FC will integrate one) iii) and a FrSky D16 with telemetry and diversity antenna A 8.8g solution !!!! amazing. You can use this cube with some 0703, 0704, 0705 brushless motors… everything should be under 15g. Specification: Brand Name: Eachine Item Name:Flight Controller & ESC & Receiver Flytower Mounting Hole: 15x15mm Size: 20x20mm Weight: 8.8g Eachine & Frsky XSR-E Telemetry Receiver: Introduction: Original Frsky Product, which has same function as XSR Receiver. Only the cable is diffirent – Channel: XSR-16CH(1-16CH from SBUS channel, 1-8ch from CPPM Channel) – Dimension: 20×20 mm – Mounting Hole: 15×15 mm – Weight: 1.8g – Operating Voltage Range: 4.0~10V – Firmware Upgradeable – Compatibility: FrSky X-series Module & Radio in D16 Mode – Smart port ready – S-BUS/CPPM output (BLUE LED stay lit indicates XSR-M in S-BUS mode, otherwise in CPPM mode) Features – How to switch S-BUS and CPPM signal: Long press the F/S button on the receiver for 3 seconds, the GREEN LED will flash thrice, indicating the switch is completed 6A BLHeli_S Dshot 2 In 1 ESC: ( More Details) Model:BS06D Con. Current: 6A Peak Current(10s): 10A Input Voltage: 2S Lipo BEC: No Programming : YES Cleanflihg/Betaflight pass-through ready Firmware: Blheli_S 16.5 Net Weight: only 1.7g (Not include wire) Size:20*20mm Mount hole: 15mm*15mm M2 6DOF F3 Flight Control Integrated with PDB BEC Model: F3T Mount Hole: 15x15mm M2 Screw Size: 20x20mm Weight: 1.6g Working Voltage: 2-4S Lipo Direct power Firmware version: Betaflight 3.1 Processor: STM32 F303 MCU SPI Sensor: MPU6000 BEC: 5V@1A SBUS/PPM/DSM2/DSMX input (Pin headers) ESC Dshot protocol compatible (Need not modify) 5V@1A BEC 3.3V output for spectrum Satellite Receiver Firmware target: Omnibus Build in PDB -ESC Dshot protocol compatible (Don’t need modify) -with 3.3V output for spectrum Satellite Receiver -Build in PDB -LED Strip solder pad ready -Buzzer solder pad ready Package Included: 1x Frsky XSR-E Receiver 2x 6A 2 In 1 ESC 1x F3 Flight Controller Cet article NEWS: Eachine TeenyCube, a 8.8g 20mmx20mm 3-in-1 cube est apparu en premier sur Drone-Maniac !!!!!!!. View the full article

As maybe you noticed, Drone-Maniac presented slow updates during last 2-3 days …. I am not off just working for different reviews: Feima J.me The product is not officially available and it’s nothing else than a direct competitor of the DJI SparK…. The firmware/app is still Under developpement but you can Watch to some of testings: DYS ELF 83mm I am working on…. waiting to somee microJST connector to show you how to connect to the MWOSD interface Kinkong GT90 Finally I received another one with a DSM2 receiver… Jumper X68S Should be already already in my hands …. but the local post seems super slow to do the last km :(…. Eachine EV800D The new revision of these goggles integrating Diversity and builtin DVR should be soon in my hands …. and many others models on the way but surrizes Cet article FYI: What is coming next in Drone-Maniac est apparu en premier sur Drone-Maniac !!!!!!!. View the full article

To the question, can a Eachine E012 carry a small AIO camera ? The answer is yes !!!! For example with a Eachine TX01, the machine can lift all the setup during around 2min … More the hacking of the protocol is on the way… Good news, the datarate is 1Mbit/s so should be possible to emulate the HS6200 with an nRF24L01+: https://www.deviationtx.com/forum/protocol-development/7150-eachine-e012 Cet article DIY: Eachine E012 FPV est apparu en premier sur Drone-Maniac !!!!!!!. View the full article

INTRODUCTION The Eachine E70 min is a basic microquadcopter without ton of advanced and often useless flight modes. The main objectif is just to train and have fun for both indoors/outdoors LoS flights. That’s all. Let’s discover the bundle. BOX CONTENT + 1 x Eachine E70 mini + 1 x Transmitter (using 4xAAA batteries not included) + 1 x 250mAh 1S LiPo with microLOSI connector + 1 x USB charging cable + 4 x Spare props (2 CW, 2 CCW) + 1 x Instruction manual (English) OVERVIEW The Eachine E70 mini is a 90mm microquadcopter “à la” Hubsan X4… one super popular quadcopter 3-4 years ago. They mimic mostly all the design. The propguard is pre-installed by default -FRONT VIEW Two small blue lights as eye… Remind me also my beloved JXD JD 385. or without the propguard The Hubsan X4 similarities are obvious in term of design -SIDE VIEW -REAR VIEW -UPPER VIEW -BOTTOM VIEW Exactly the same type of battery tray as for the X4. The battery installed. Maybe a 1cm more longer battery can be installed -WEIGHT 37.8g with the propguard Motors and pros The propguard play also the rol of landing skid but motor are well jailed into their plastic pod. 7mmx20mm coreless brushed motors are installed LiPo A simple 250mAH 1S cell LiPo is provided. MicroLOSI connector. No information about the discharge rate. A 380mAH LiPo can be inserted without any problem… extending the flight duration more than 1.5min Disassembling Remove first the four external screws blocking also the prop guard system, remove the props too. Then remove all the main body’s screws. Two tiny screws hold the FC. If you want to perform the antenna mod, you will have to remove them to have a gap large enough to move the 2.4G antenna We can find a 2-in-1 PANchip PAN159, a ARM32 core + a 2.4G module and the M540 for the 6 axis stabilization. Transmitter A gamepad style radio transmitter without any shounder buttons. For large hands, no probably to grab it. Gimbals are correct. No deadzone observed. You can have relatively precize controls with. No LCD… so all trimming will be done with the buzzer The speed mode can be selected via the throttle down trim button. Three are available. The last expert mode is more dedicaced to be played in headless mode as you will see in the video. If you click on the left stick, you can turn on/off headless mode. The right click engages automatic 360 deg flips. 4 xAAA batteries feed the radio. Rechargeable Ni-Mh model are working. The 2.4G RFchip is an XN297LBW… Unfortunatly I was not able to bind and control successfully this machine with an existing radio protocol… but I think the protocol is very close from the GW008 one. We can have strong hope it can be deviated soon. UNBOXING, ANALYSIS AND DEMO FLIGHT First testing indoors with the propguard installed. What I can see say immediatly it’s a super silent machine but not super powerfull. In fact, above 80% of throttle, you have an extra boost… With the propguard installed I find the machine behaviour a bit weird after a turn… some little instabilities nothing catastrophic in general. Probably linked with the lack of power. The major problem comes from the bahaviour of the machine when the transmission is lost!!! A minimum of 12s before to stop motors!!!! It’s just silly…. the machine may fly away over 20-30m in such conditions !!!! inaceptable !!! I continue more outdoors without the propguard. The 4g saved, boosts more the throttle performances for sure. It’s more nervous but ..Whaoohhhh whati is it !!!!!! ? I lost control sometime beyound 15m !!!! unbelievable…. the control range is so so poor. The first rate is slow especially the yaw rate… so not super adapted for tiny spaces. The intermediate mode is faster for all the main axis… much more fun outdoors whithout being super super fast and neveous. The expert mode incrases a lot the yaw rate…. but almost not the pitch & roll ones. In fact it’s impossible in fast mouvement to have super precize turns with a such yaw rate. The goad of this third mode is more to play with the headless and performs tons of pirrouettes in headless mode. I found after a couple of second, the headless reference started to be confused. Ok the antenna mod is the must to at minimum to enjoy range acceptable and decreases a bit the high probability of a flyaway With the antenna mod, results are much better …. no sign of control losts in a radius of 30m … The machine become more relexed to play with. Definitively the intermediate mode is the more interesting for both indoors and outdoors. What a pity they don’t offer a real export modes with faster pitch and rolls rates but a slower yaw one. CONCLUSIONS This machine out of the box offers a super poor range coupled with a huge flayway potential… so definitively the machine can’t be recommended as a no-brainer microquadcopter machine. The antenna mod is a must to do with representing 10min of work. In this situation, the machine in intermediate speed mode is fun without being ultra fast and sporty. I hope the radio protocol will be soon deviated to increase the general interest of this machine. PROS + Cheap + Nice Lights + Durable + Silent + Good flight time (~6min) CONS – Extreme poor range out of the box (~15m) – 12s of potential flyaway !!!! – Need to recalibrate gyros often (after a crash for example) – Useless expert mod with a so fast yaw rate This quadcopter have been courtesy provided by Banggood in order to make a fair and not biased review. I would like to thank them for this attitude. You can find it actually for 22USD at https://www.banggood.com/Eachine-E70-Mini-Headless-Mode-One-Key-Return-3D-Flips-2_4G-4CH-6-Axis-LED-RC-Quadcopter-RTF-p-1150488.html Cet article TEST: Eachine E70 mini est apparu en premier sur Drone-Maniac !!!!!!!. View the full article

INTRODUCTION The Eachine E012 is a nanoquadcopter but skrinking the tinywhoop design with a ducted propguard system boosting powerlift performances in theory. The E012 is a typical indoors machine and the big open question will be to see if a FPV rig can be installed on it. Let’s discover first the machine. BOX CONTENT + 1 x Eachine E012 + 1 x 1S 200mAh LiPo with 1.25mm microJST connector + 1 x Transmitter (using 2xAAA batteries not included) + 1 x USB charging cable + 4 x Spare props (2 CW, 2 CCW) + 1 x Instruction manual (English) OVERVIEW The E012 is a 45mm machine, ultra tiny ald lightweight when you grab it into your hands. It’s really more similar in size will a nano than a tinywhoop…. why in term of design the copy is obvious. -FRONT VIEW Very usefull: A white LED light is present on front to help to keep your orientation for your LoS flights!!! -SIDE VIEW -REAR VIEW -UPPER VIEW -BOTTOM VIEW With the battery installed 0612 motors are well jailed into these transparent pods…. but one open question: can we replace them with some 0615 motors ? -WEIGHT 16.6g in total weight represents just 1.5 more than classic nano’s Motors and props No surprize, they installed some brushed coreless 6mmx12mm motors. We have some super tiny but pitchy 26mm props LiPo Announced to be a 200mAh 1S LIpo but no real visible and written indications on the battery. No discharge mentioned too. Disassembling Just unclips the three plastic tab latterally and rear to open the machine We have a 2-in-1 MCU+2.4G receiver HS6208Q and a M688 for the 6-axis stabilization. The 2.4G antenna is a little bit long but in another hand the antenna mod will be more easy to do. Transmitter A basic nano transmitter … no super compatible with large hands. Two AA batteries are required but rechargeable models are working with. For the radio part, we have a HS62000 chip. You can find full specification here: http://www.mediafire.com/download/2y7bcu0n0u8i1ak/HS6200_DataSheet_v2.3_20141016.pdf According to the pdf, the max output power is +8dBm (10^(8/10) = 6.3mW)… so far from the 100mW allowed in the 2.4G band). The control range without antenna’s mods can be relatively short. UNBOXING, ANALYSIS AND DEMO FLIGHT First of all, you need first to plug the battery connector before to insert the battery into the tray… since the LiPo is too long. I deeply regret the absence of a small powerswitch…. Second remark, the failsafe test takes 8 secpnds before motors are stopped !!!! It’s a lot and the machine can achieve a lot of distance during these 20s. At take off, the machine hovers easily you can feel immediatly more power than classic nanos. The high pitch profile of the props and the ducted system probably help a lot. The machine is super stable and docile from the first speed mode…. From intermediate, the yaw rate is more compatible for indoors practice and the third speed mode shows obviously the more sporty attitude … It’s faster but it’s not an ultra sporty machine… For outdoors flights, the machine won’t resist from just a moderate Wind. For 360 degrees flips, you need first the machine stabilized, no real possibility to perform some while moving forward for example. I am positively surprized by the flight time, between 4min30 up to 5min not bad for such size. Thanls to the duct/prop guard system the machine is ultra durable and can bounce versus walls/obstacle while being in the air. CONCLUSIONS A nice shrinked tinywhoop nano machine super durable and strong with three well tuned speed modes. The light effects are nice a good thing to help you to keep orientation. I regret the absence of a powerswitch and the intruction of a new radio protocol…. In order to have a hope to mod this machine into an FPV plateform, I think 0612 motors must be replaced with some 0615 models… (if they could be jailed into the motor’s pods) PROS + Super stable machine + More thrust than corresponding nano’s + Nice and well tuned speed modes + Between 4min30-5min of flight time + Nice light colors CONS – No powerswitch – 8s of potential flyaway – Need to connect first the battery then to insert the battery into the tray – YaP (Yet another Protocol) This quadcopter have been courtesy provided by Banggood in order to make a fair and not biased review. I would like to thank them for this attitude. You can find it actually for 16USD at https://www.banggood.com/Eachine-E012-Mini-2_4G-4CH-6-Axis-Headless-Mode-LED-Light-RC-Quadcopter-RTF-p-1148469.html Cet article TEST: Eachine E012, the micro tinywhoop est apparu en premier sur Drone-Maniac !!!!!!!. View the full article

Probably DJI just entered into the selfie drone market and already killed all the other competitor with the DJI Spark: https://www.banggood.com/DJI-Spark-Drone-2KM-FPV-with-12MP-2-Axis-Mechanical-Gimbal-Camera-QuickShot-Gesture-Mode-Quadcopter-p-1155057.html You have a 300g machine including a 2-axis microgimbal with a 1/2.3″ CMOS 1080p@30 camera with super smooth video shooting, an autonomy of 16min, a obstacle avoidance sensor (IR based) and the possibility to have a 720p FPV link up to 20km !!! What do you want more ? Four main flight modes are offered: The quickshot represents some preprogrammed trajectories to shot some selfie videos The tapfly when you indicate on your smarphone where to go. This order is translated into real 3D GPS coordinates. Advanced target tracking The camera despite its size offers super smooth videos and for most automatic flight modes, the obstacle avoidance is active Full specifications Some first videos: Just impressive ….. no other words… Package Included: BNF: 1 x Aircraft 6 x Propeller 1 x Intelligent Flight Battery 1 x Charger 1 x Micro USB Cable 1 x Storage Box RTF: 1 x Aircraft 1 x Remote Controller 6 x propeller 4 x Propeller Guards 1 x Intelligent Flight Battery 1 x Charger 1 x Power Cable 1 x Battery Charging Hub 1 x Micro USB Cable 1 x Storage Box 1 x Shoulder Bag Cet article NEWS: DJI Spark, already the best selfie-drone ? (300g, 16min, 2-axis gimbal, 1080p@30) est apparu en premier sur Drone-Maniac !!!!!!!. View the full article

INTRODUCTION The Eachine E708 cyclone is a basic 250mm brushed quadcopter dedicaced for beginners to learn how to fly in line of sight (LoS) conditions. That’s all!!! No altitulde hold here and it’s probably a good think. Ok … you have at least headless and one key return functions. Let’s quick review this machine. BOX CONTENT + 1 x Eachine E708 Cyclone (with a 1S 120mAh LiPo directly soldered) + 1 x 550mAh/20C 1S LiPo with microLOSI connector + 1 x Transmitter (using 4xAA batteries not included) + 1 x USB charging cable + 4 x Prop guards + 4 x Spare props (2 CW, 2 CCW) + 1 x Screwdriver + 1 x Instruction manual (English) The instruction is badly translated from chinese probably with automatic program. OVERVIEW The general design is similar a bit to the Hubsan X4 coupled with the MJX Bugs3. It’s a 250mm brushed machine to be mainly flew in outdoors conditions with moderate wind. Indoors flights can be done since the machine is relatively light. The general body is based on brillant plastic not so flexible so breakable into small parts on very hard surfaces. -FRONT VIEW The frontal close up shows that a camera version will be here too. No frontal bright light installed… very usefull to keep orientation in LoS flights -SIDE VIEW -REAR VIEW the battery fits almost all the battery tray… Maybe a 0.5cm could be inserted but with difficulty to lock the battery door. -UPPER VIEW -BOTTOM VIEW No powerswitch on the machine… probably my main concern with this machine. It’s so usefull in practice. Four LEDs lights are install on bottom side of each arms more or less compatible with night flights: blue for front and orange for rear arms -WEIGHT Close to 103g with the battery. You will have to around 9g with the prop guards installed Motors and props 7mmx20mm brushed coreless motors are installed … Unfortunatly no ballbearings or even oilbushing are here. A direct contact between the metallic shaft and the plastic housing… That’s a negative point for durability of motors You will need to inspect regulary by hand of props are spinning with extra friction and time to time add a drop of sillicon oil on the shaft section. The gear system is nylon based as well as the pinion of motors. Classic props for 200mm brushed quadcopter. They offer good thrust. LiPo Disassembling 26 screws to remove to split in two the machine…. about 6-7min of work…. a bit too much IMHO The 2.4G RX antenna is installed pointing down the gorund, it should offer a good horizontal control range with this choice. A Beken BK2471 is installed for 2.4G receiver. Personally, I find it’s a good news because the beken chip are kown to offer better RX sensitiviy than other competitor. Here we have -92dBmà1Mbits (vs -88dBm for the XN297L) A 3 pins microJST connector is here installed on a UART port….Wbat’s the usage ? Camera port ? Transmitter A basic but large radio transmitter whithout any LCD display. All trimming ajustements will be done by sound. Four shoulder buttons are present. To calibrate the headless mode, push both stick in lower right positions until the flights flash fast. A Beken BK2461 RF chip installed… so a nRF24L01+ clone (capable also of 250kbits). According to http://bbs.hwrf.com.cn/down52/BT-WiFi-52rf5541.pdf , this RFchip is able to emit up to 12dBm (15.8489 mW) without PA. It will be a bit hard to hack the protocol since the 2461 is a 2-in-1 chip with an integrated MCU… so it will be hard to capture SPI data for a deviationTX futur hacking. UNBOXING, ANALYSIS AND DEMO FLIGHT The machine hovers from 30m with a good powerlift, I was a little bit afraid because in general it’s more 0820 motors whom are installed instead. The ascent rate is about 1.5m/s, very acceptable. The machine is ultra stable and precize. In beginners rate, all rates are relatively slow… so paradoxally not really adapted for indoors flights. Press the top left shoulder button to activate the second speed mode. All the three rates are increased but… in anycase the machine won’t become a rater. It’s perfect for beginner in the sens he will be able to control the machine in any situation. I would prefer to see a third flight modes to handle more easily stronger winds and being faster too. The flight time are good, between 6min up to 7min. A LVC alarm let flash all lights of the machine. The control is pretty acceptable about 50m without antenna mod. The failsafe stops the machine after 2s. CONCLUSIONS A basic but efficient brushed first beginner machine, ideal to learn how to fly in LoS and winfdree conditions. Both the control range and the flight duration are two positives points. The machine is configured to offer stable flights with large turns. I regret the absence of a powerswitch and a third more sporty rates mode. PROS + Beginner’s quadcopter + Stable machine + Basic quadcopter without altitude hold + Good radio control + Correct control range (> 50m) + 6-7 min of flight time CONS – No powerswitch – No ball bearings – Only two speed modes – YaP (Yet another Protocol) This quadcopter have been courtesy provided by Banggood in order to make a fair and not biased review. I would like to thank them for this attitude. You can find it actually for 33USD at https://www.banggood.com/Eachine-E708-Headless-Mode-2_4G-4CH-6-Axis-LED-RC-Quadcopter-RTF-p-1150487.html Cet article TEST: Eachine E708 Cyclone est apparu en premier sur Drone-Maniac !!!!!!!. View the full article

The Eachine Wizzard X220 was probably the best 250mm Eachine racer … and good news, Eachine is now introducing the “S” version: https://www.banggood.com/Eachine-Wizard-X220S-FPV-Racer-Omnibus-F4-5_8G-72CH-VTX-30A-Dshot600-800TVL-w-iRangeX-iRX-i6X-RTF-p-1153989.html It’s simple everything has been upgraded: Now we have a F4 FC incliding a betaflight OSD !!!! so no problem to run everything @8Khz even @16Khz !!!. Motors are 2206/2300Kv !!! so even larger than former 2205 motors!!! with 980g of thrust each!!! OMG Props are also upgraded to 5051 triblade props !! The same than the Eachine Racer 250 pro…. very silent and efficiient. We have individual 30A BLheli_s/Dshot 600 ESC !!!! working up to 5S !!!. The FPV rig is also upgraded to a 800TVL model but probably CMOS based. The VTX is a 72CH !! with switchable outpower (25mW/200mW/400mW). The radio ling is still based on the flySky AFHDS-2A but the radio control is also upgraded for a 10CH FlySky i6X… The arm thickness is 4mm !!! should be almost undestrictable. The machine comes with a 4S 1500mAh battery but this machine can accept 5S LiPo…. Potentially this machine is probably a futur hot cake!!!! everything is here I like it … I will ask to review one Description: Item Specification Eachine Wizards X220 Wheelbase: 220mm Frame arm: 4mm light material Weigh: 356g (without battery and camera mount) Take off weigh: 561g Package weigh: 1728g Eachine MN2206 2300KV motor KV: 2300 Max thrust: 980G Length: 35MM NO.OF cell: 3-5S Diameter: 28MM Framework: 12N14P Shaft: 3MM Propeller: 5 inch Weight: 28g Eachine 30A BLHELI_S 4 in 1 ESC Con. current: 30A Peak current (10S): 35A Input voltage: 2-5S BEC: No Programming: YES Firmware: blheli_s Weight: 28g Size: 36*36MM Eachine 800TVL camera Color: purple Operation temperature : -20 to 70°C Strong backlighting effect 5.8G 72CH 25MW 200mw 400MW switchable transmitter Video Format : NTSC/PAL Channel: 72CH Operating Temperature : -10~85? Connector: SMA Female (Inner hole) Antenna Connector: SMA male (Inner needle) Eachine Wizard X220S FPV Racer Omnibus F4 5.8G 72CH VTX 30A Dshot600 800TVL w/ iRangeX iRX-i6X RTF BF3.1.5 Omnibus F4 V2 flight controller Size: 35x35mm Mounting hole: 30.5×30.5mm Firmware: betaflight_3.1.5_OMNIBUSF4SD Input voltage: 2-6S SCM: STM32 F405 MCU Sensor: SPI Sensor MPU6000 Barometer: BMP280 Slot: standard SD card slot BEC: 5V/3A STM32 F405 MCU, Runs betaflight_3.1.5_OMNIBUSF4SD, could run faster loop time. Using F4 MCU controls OSD over SPI bus in DMA mode. OSD Configation has been included in Betaflight GUI. Built-in 5V/3A BEC. Built-in galvanometer. With LC filter. iRangeX iRX-i6X 2.4GHz 10CH remote control Channel: 6-10 (Default 6) Model Type: Fixed-Wing/Glider/Helicopter RF Range: 2.408-2.475GHz RF Power: < 20dBm RF Channel: 135 Bandwidth: 500KHz 2.4GHz System: AFHDS 2A / AFDHS Modulation Type: GFSK Stick Resolution 4096 Low Voltage Warning: < 4.2V DSC port: PS/2 Port PPM Chargeable: No Antenna Length: 26mm (Dual Antenna) Weight: 392g Power: 6V DC 1.5AA*4 Display: STNTransflective Display, LCD 128x64 Lattice, VA 73x39mm, LCD with white backlight Size: 174x89x190mm On-line Update: Yes Color: Black Certificate: CE0678, FCC ID: N4ZFLYSKYI6X iRangeX iR-A8S receiver Channels: PPM 8CH, i-BUS 18CH Model type: Multi-rotor Frequency range: 2.408-2.475GHz Band width: 500KHz Band number: 135 RX Sensitivity: -92 dBm 2.4GHz system: AFHDS 2A Modulation type: GFSK DSC port: PPM/i-BUS/S.BUS Transfer method: FHSS Data output: 1.5mm*3 Pin PPM/i-BUS/S.BUS Antenna length: 26mm (Not including brass contacts) Input power supply: 4.0-8.4V Display method: LED No ground interference ( Transmitting and receiving 1 m from the ground): >300m Working current: 40mA Each channel data: depend on the transmitter Channel delay: <15mS Size: 20*14*5.3mm Weight: 1.2g Certificate: CE0678, FCCID: N45ZA8S00 1500mAH 4S 14.8V 75C battery Capacity(mAh) : 1500 Cells (s): 4 Weight (g): 178 Length(mm): 80 Width(mm): 30 Height(mm): 35 Connector: XT60 Eachine 5051 3-blade propeller Color: purple Quantity: 10 Pairs Mounting Hole: 5mm Package included: 1 x Eachine Wizard X220S frame kit 1 x iRangeX iRX-i6X remote control 1 x iRangeX iR-A8S receiver 2 x 2206 2300KV motor CW 2 x 2206 2300KV motor CCW 1 x Eachine 30A BLHELI_S 4 in 1 ESC 1 x BF3.1.5 Omnibus F4 V2 flight controller 1 x 800TVL camera 1 x 5.8G 72CH 25MW 200mw 400MW switchable VTX 10 x Eachine 5051 3-blade propeller purple CW 10 x Eachine 5051 3-blade propeller purple CCW 1 x 1500mAH 4S 14.8V 75C battery 1 x 30° Camera Mount(For Runcam3/Gopro session) 1 x BR Pro charger 1 x Pagoda antenna 2 x Battery strap 2 x Wrench Cet article NEWS: Eachine X220S, the best 250mm RTF racer ? est apparu en premier sur Drone-Maniac !!!!!!!. View the full article

INTRODUCTION The Eachine VR-D2 pro represents the revision of their former Eachine VR-D2. We still have a 5″ FPV goggles (800×480) with diversity 40CH 5.8 receiver and a builtin DVR. The improvements for the Pro version concern more the advanced settings you can apply to the LCD display, the OSD informations now displayed and the upgrade of the builtin DVR. The more important, I would say, is to check if the Pro version fixes the freezing screen problem impacting the first edition. Let’s check and compare this new Pro version. BOX CONTENT + 1 x Eachine VR-D2 Pro + 1 x 2200mah 2S Lion with DC connector + 1 x Power unit + 1 x 5.8G halfplanner antenna with RP-SMA connector + 1 x 5.8G RHCP cloverleaf antenna with RP-SMA connector + 2 x Facial sponge + 2 x Noze sponge + 1 x Fresnel lens clearning kit + 1 x Instruction manual (English) The bundle is complet, two facial sponges so at least one spare one. For the noze section, you have also a thinner element to tape. Except that we have exactly the same elements. OVERVIEW Most of caracteristics remain the same. and in practice, the chassis remains strictly identical, except the “upgrade” sticker installed on the front panel. First bad news with the Pro version the front digits showing the current Vfreq/Vbands are no more working In practice two output channels are here. The first one AV1/RF is the default one displaying the default OSD informations overlayed to the FPV signal. The second one AV2/DVR is available if your press “CAM/DVR/QUIT” button. You still have the FPV signal but with some other OSD informations linked with the DVR module. In practice the AV2 channel it’s not FPV friendly in the sens the frame rate drops a lot with this channel around 15fps !!! It clearly not compatible with racing. Hopefully, there is a trick to apply: as soon as you are in AV2 and start recording (press the “+” button to start/stop recording), return in AV1 to enjoy FPV with full frame rate. To stop recording, you will have to return in AV2…. It’s a little bit annoying but it was exactly the same for first edition. Now in AV1, you can directly select manually the Vfreq/Vband with the “+” and “-” respectively. Of course you can also run a band scanning by pressing directly the scan button. The headstrap has been little bit modified espcially for integrated battery strap like the original model, the microSD slot is located on top. You will need absoluptly a class 10 minimum!!! If not, you will have an error msg in the DVR “CARD ERROR”. The same two latteral sliders tuning the Fresnel lens distance. They installed a Fresnel lens with a larger magnification factor (x3.5) It’s possible to install the goggles on a tripod via a M6 screw The battery can hold directly in the headstrap… Weight Display First of all and it’s a huge improvement versus the former model, the current battery, the Vfreq and indivisual channel RSSI are displayed!! It was a real missing for the original model. A lot of new settings are now available in AV1 (or AV2) by pressing the “menu” button. By pressing again on the “menu” button you will cycle between the five main panels. Pres “+” to navigate into a subsections. Press “menu” to hightlight/change a value and thanks to the “+”/”-” increases/decreases the current setting. The aspect ratio can set between the 16:9 or 4:3 You have also a band scanner displaying all RSSI received on each 40CH. A good way to have a panarama of all 5.8G frequencies. DVR For sure, the buitin DVR has been upgraded. To enter in the DVR menu, you have first to switch in AV2 channel then long press “DVR-menu”. You access to the first DVR screen. To access to the second one, long press one more time the same button. Finally to exit from the DVR manu, long press one more time. From the main interface, you can recognize the HM-DVR one… with exactly the same functionalitlies. You can playback a recorded file by long press the “-” button in the DVR menu Whatever the input source, all files are recorded in 720×480@25fps !! it’s a strange value since in general D1 NTC is 720×480@30fps while D1 PAL is 720×576@25fps… I am afraid, there will be some cropping for PAL sources. Disassembling The Fresnel lens is installed in the middle of a sliding lens support. What’s a pity, they didn’t think about to insert the lens at the 1/3 or 2/3 position also. It would have been a better option for larger myopia. A lot of users prefer to install extra glasses to focus perfectly. LiPo It’s excactly the same 2200mAh Lion battery as for the first model. A large capacity large enough to use it more than 1h30mim. UNBOXING, ANALYSIS AND TESTING The color rendition is correct, relatively sharp even if with the improved magnification factor of the lens, the pixellization effect is more important versus the former model. In term if RF sensitivity, I don’t see any better performances… it’s very close in practice. I like the scan feature and of course it’s a big plus to have important info displayed via OSD. No more buzz when LCV is close but only a visual information in the bottom left part of the screen. I reported no freezing screen versus time that’s a good point… but it’s quiet annoying to jongle between AV1/AV2 to record and fly FPV in good conditions. As expected for PAL sources, a lot of informations are lost during recording (and in AV2) while they are visible in AV1. So it’s clearly a DVR’s firmware problem not really compatible with PAL sources (like was the first firmware of the HM-DVR). Here is the layout of OSD informations I displayed in each four quadrants some information As you can see for the former VR-D2 (patched with PAL firmware), no big crop is observed while for the PRo version, it’s another story All the last 40-50 bottom lines are cropped. CONCLUSIONS I got a mixed feeling with the VR-D2 Pro. In the first hand, I really like the new important informations displayed on the screen, I would say a must to have to any FPV goggles. Like the general quality of the screen and the builtin DVR HM-DVR based. In the other hand, I didn’t see any real improvement for the 5″LCD screen, the RX sensitivity… More the actual firmware installed in the DVR is cropping PAL sources. I am sure a new firmware will solve this problem…. The zig-zag between AV1 and AV2 is still obligatory to fly FPV in smooth conditions… PROS + Complete FPV goggles with builtin DVR + Diversity + A lot of new LCD display settings + Aspect ratio can be selected + Ajustable Fresnel lens distance correcting small myopia + No observed freezing screen CONS – DVR/AV2 channel with low frame rate incompatible with FPV, need to fly with AV1 – DVR module cropping PAL source – Still incompatible from medium myopia – Front digits none-functional – No AVin/out This FPV goggles have been courtesy provided by Banggood in order to make a fair and not biased review. I would like to thank them for this attitude. You can find it actually for 90USD at https://www.banggood.com/Eachine-VR-D2-Pro-Upgraded-5-Inches-800480-40CH-5_8G-Diversity-FPV-Goggles-with-DVR-Lens-Adjustable-p-1137808.html Cet article TEST: Eachine VR-D2 Pro (5″ 800×640, OSD, diversity 40CH, builtin DVR) est apparu en premier sur Drone-Maniac !!!!!!!. View the full article

A direct competitor of the DJI Mavic is announced by Walkera, the Walkera VITUS: https://www.banggood.com/Walkera-VITUS-Lite-5_8G-Wifi-FPV-With-3-Axis-4K-Camera-Gimbal-Obstacle-Avoidance-AR-Games-Drone-p-1153627.htmlWe have a 870g machine including a mini 3-axis gimbal, 4K@30fps camera, 28min of flight time, 1080p FPV feedback. The main Appz is based on the Walkera Go (the same as for the Walkera Aibao :(). Some advanced features based on advanced computer vision is included such as gesture recognition for trigger camera/photo shooting, object tracking, etc… Two versions are proposed: The low version and one advanced with Optical sensor and obstacle avoidance… I hope this Walkera product is polished enough … because with Walkera we can have a fantastic product or a completly crapp one … Cet article NEWS: Walkera Vitus, a DJI Mavic competitor est apparu en premier sur Drone-Maniac !!!!!!!. View the full article

An interesting PNP (without receiver) microbrushless racer is introduced with the Bat-100: https://www.banggood.com/Bat-100-100mm-Mini-FPV-Racing-Drone-PNP-with-F3-10A-BLHELI_S-Dshot600-25MW-48CH-600TVL-VTX-p-1153588.html. We have a machine now including the last Tiny1S FC board now integrading a builtin betaflight OSD and stronger ESC (from 4A to 6A) !!!. The machine weights 29g without battery and receiver so probably around 50g with. Motors are 0705 15000Kv so larger than the 0703 installed in the Eachine DustX58 for example. It should boost generally the performances even in 1S setup. No information about the frame thickness … sems a little bit thin. Announced flight time are better than with the Eachine DustX58. The question I wonder if this setup can support 2S ?… Officially not, but I think it could be. Specification: Item name: Bat-100 mini FPV racing drone Wheelbase: 100mm Size: 95mm * 80mm * 25mm Weight: about 30g (without battery) Motor: 0705 15000KV brushless motor ESC: 6A BLHELI_S 16.5 2-3S 4in1 ESC Dshot600 Propeller: 56mm 2-blade propeller Camera: 600TVL camera with 25MW 48CH NTSC/PAL vedio transmitter Flight controller: Minicube Betaflight F3 6DOF built-in OSD OSD: Betaflight OSD Firmware of FC: Betaflight 3.1 Flight time: 4-6 mins Buzzer: 3*13mm (with LED) Battery: 3.7V 500mah 30C lipo battery Teeny1s F3 flight controller: Size: 20mm * 20mm * 5mm Mounting hole: 16mm * 16mm MCU: TM32 F303 MCU Sensor: SPI sensor MPU6000 Built-in Betaflight OSD Firmware: OmnibusF3 Betaflight 3.1 Dshot Teeny1s 6A 4in1 brushless ESC: Size: 20mm * 20mm * 5mm Mounting hole: 16mm * 16mm Firmware: BLHELI_S 16.5 BB2, 48MHZ chip Lipo battery: 1S Continuous current: 6A Peak current: 7A (5S) Support Dshot600 Brake function in default Note: Compatible receiver: PPM/SBUS/DSM Package included: 1* Bat-100 frame kit 1* Teeny1s F3 flight controller 1* Teeny1s 6A 4in1 brushless ESC 4* 0705 15000KV brushless motor 2* 56mm CW 2-blade propeller 2* 56mm CCW 2-blade propeller 1* 600TVL camera with 25MW 48CH NTSC/PAL vedio transmitter 1* 3.7V 500mah 30C lipo battery 1* buzzer (with LED) Cet article NEWS: BAT-100, a 0705/15000Kv 29g microbrushless racer est apparu en premier sur Drone-Maniac !!!!!!!. View the full article

INTRODUCTION The Eachine Lizard 95 is the last Eachine micro brushless racer under the 100mm category. This model comes after the excellent but fragile Eachine Aurora 100. For the Lezard 95, they improved a lot of small details. First of all, now the machine is powered by a 3S LiPo, the frame structure is also reforced to handle crash efficiently and the AIO camera offer now s a switchable output power. The other electronic conpounds remain the same, a powerfull F3 omnibus, a 4-in-1 10A BLHeli_S/Dshot600 ESC. For the motors, in order to be compatible with 3S configuration, are only 1104/6000Kv. The Lizard 95 is proposed in three BNF receiver configurations: FrSKy D8, FlySky AFHDS-2A and Spektrum DSM2/DSMX. Let’s discover this new racer. BOX CONTENT + 1 x Eachine Lizard 95 + 1 x 3S 550mAh LiPo with XT30 + 1 x USB to microJST connector + 1 x MicroJST to microUSB adaptor + 6 x Rubber bands + 4 x Spare props (2 CW, 2 CCW) + 1 x Screwdriver + 1 x M2 Allen key + 2 x Velcro bands + 1 x Instruction manual (English) A polished packaging with a high quality color printed instruction manual. Among the spare elements, some M2x4mm screws for the 1104 motors and up to six rubber band attaching the FPV camera to the pink aluminium camera mount. OVERVIEW The full specification of the machine…. It’s impressive all this Advanced technology integrated into a 95mm thanks mainly to the Eachine Minicube, a 2 PCB boards where the lower one is the 4-in-1 ESC board while the upper welcome the F3 omnibus and the 2.4G receiver. The design is a classic X lower carbon structure where is installed on top a mini hub/tower camera section jailed into a carbon structure. A direct comparaison with the Auroa 68 (left) and the Aurora 100 (right). Clearly the Lizard 95 represents an Advanced Aurora 100 model fixing important détails of this latter. The Lizard 95 inspires a strong confidence for its durability. A 95mm machine Good news, the lower frame welcoming arms is strong and 2.5mm large !!!! No problem to handle massive crash far better than the original Aurora 100 The latteral carbon structure is only 1.5mm. -FRONT VIEW The machine comes with 50mm pentablade props less flexible than the racerstar 2035 coming with the Aurora 100. These new props look more durable to crash. With the battery installed beneath. No specifc landing skid. If you install the velcro bands on the bottom side and the battery, the machine will seat a little bit more better horizontally. -SIDE VIEW No microUSB port but a miniJST 4pin connector instead. You can use directly the provided cable or microUSB adaptor. No problem to insert the connector, no prop to remove for example. ESC’s wires are directly connected on the main FC. Maybe add some liquid electrical tape to secure/waterproof this part. The camera can be uptilted about 20-25 degrees ..The machine comes with the max uptilt preset so ready for fast races -REAR VIEW Out of the box, with BF 3.1, the LED bar is correctly programmed with a larson scanner effect and turns/throttle indications. The bar is connected via a plug. You can disable the lighting via a switch in BF if you want. -UPPER VIEW As you can see, the cloverleaf antenna is not fully protected by the antenna guad, a fraction of it is still not protected on the left side and on the top. A buzzer is here well protected by the carbon structure. The bind button of the FrSky D8 receiver can be found installed and partially hidden in the front left, just below the Vfreq/Vband lights. You will need to use a thin and long tip to press on it. -BOTTOM VIEW Motors are locks with four M2x4mm screws… One of the velcro band should be tapped beneath to fully secure the battery installation. As you can see, the battery strap is not super large. -WEIGHT 110.4g in total, so more heavy than the Aurora 100 for sure (15g more) but the difference comes mainly the different type of LiPo between the two models. Motors and props For a 95mm machine, it’s normal to find some 1104 motors. For the Lizard 95, proposed Kv is limited to 6000 to be sure to be 3S compliant… so far from the 8000kv for the Aurora 100. We can probably boost even more performances with 7000 or 7500Kv…. Sound amazing. Some tiny M2x4mm screws attache the 1104 Motors. It’s advise to secure their installation with a bit of glue (cyano/lockit) Props are 50mm… pentablades now with an indicator written on top, no more doubt how to install them. The hub section is partually empty below LiPo As promoted, a 3S LiPo is now included, a 550mAh model with 40C of discharge rate. Good news, bye bye the JST connector, we have here a XT30 strong enough to handle the 40C juice of the LiPo Camera module The AIO camera includes a basic 600TVL CMOS 1/4″ sensor. The lens is in M7 format and offers a relatively large FOV, at minimum of 120 degrees but not above 150 degrees. The associated VTX is a 48CH and a nice extra option associated with this model is the possibility to set the output power between 25mW or 100mW. You will need to press both buttons during 2s to cycle between these two powers. The rear button selects the Vfreq when shortly pressed and the Vband when pressed more than 3s. The front one selects the NTSC or PAL system. By default it’s the PAL preselected. The distance between the two latteral side is 15mm. A raw video sample in good but a bit cloudy wether The colors are not super vivid like the other AIO modules used in general by Eachine. The white color dominates a bit and the light sensitivity a little bit poorest… Maybe I have to find the weakest element, it would be the camera part of the AIO module. UNBOXING, ANALYSIS, BINDING, CONFIGURATION AND DEMO FLIGHT The machine comes with BF 3.1 flashed where everything except maybe the layout of the OSD have been set for the Lizard 95. The PIDs are the default one of BF 3.1. The buzzer is associated with the AUX3 while the arming is done with the AUX1. Be aware, the flight mode controlled with AUX 2 selects by default the acro mode. I installed directly the last BF 3.1.7 firmware to enjoy anti-gravity mode to minimize the risk to meet some Flip of Death (FoD). I kept the defaut PID settings of BF 3.1.7. I just increased the pitch & roll rates to 800 deg/s Ok first take off in 6-axis stabilized mode ….and no real drift observed Humm sounds good …. Ok let’s “envoyer du lourd” with punchout …. and whaooohhhhhhh the machine is a beast !!!!!!!!!!! OMG … Take the aurora 100, add 20% or 30% and you will have the Lizard 95… Some little vibrations can heard from the motors but not big dramatic consequences for the FPV signal. By default, the 25mW offers already a good FPV link, I was afraid that the signal will be partially blocked by the surrounding carbon structure… It’s not the case. The signal is really solid over 100m without problem . Unfortunatly, some little Jello is present in the FPV feedback.. no miracle with these props. I would say the good news is about the robustness of the machine. I had many heavy frontal crashes… Nothing broke!!!! nothing even a prop, just one bent. For sure these pentablade props are much more stronger than the Racerstar 2035. It’s impressive how strong is this machine, you can recover in a fraction of second from any freestyle acro figures. Ok maybe, 800 deg/s is not fast as usual… and rates must be increased a bit. Flight time are also excellent, bye bye the frustrating 3min … now it’s over 4min30, even 5min…. CONCLUSIONS Ok I will be short, the Eachine Lizard 95 is finally for me the (almost) perfect micro brushless BNF FPV machine in the market. It’s strong, powerfull, fast, with a F3+OSD, 3S compatible, builtin Buzzer and with a switchable power AIO FPV module !!! No FoD or midflight uptilt situations !!!! I will give my SeByDocKy’s award for this machine (The last input was the XK X251). PROS + GREAT MACHINE + NO FoD (until now) + F3 Omnibus w/ OSD + Strong 2.5mm frame structure + FrSky D8 w/ RSSI + Switchable VTX power (25mW/100mW) + Tunable uptilt angle for the AIO camera + XT30 connector + Robust props + Good flight time (> 4min 30) CONS – Small amount of Jello – Light sensitivity of the FPV camera below average EL95_dump_BF_3_1 This quadcopter have been courtesy provided by Banggood in order to make a fair and not biased review. I would like to thank them for this attitude. You can find it actually for 137USD at https://www.banggood.com/Eachine-Lizard95-95mm-F3-FPV-Racer-BNF-4-in-1-10A-ESC-OSD-5_8G-48CH-25MW100MW-VTX-600TVL-Camera-3S-p-1141589.html Cet article TEST: Eachine Lizard 95 est apparu en premier sur Drone-Maniac !!!!!!!. View the full article