I’m at present available in the market for a brand new micro FPV drone that includes the DJI O4 Lite Air Unit. Whether or not it’s a tiny whoop or an open-prop 1.6-inch or 2-inch ultralight toothpick quad, I believed this might be a wonderful alternative to share my decision-making course of and assist others resolve which mannequin may greatest swimsuit their flying model.
Why Select DJI O4 Lite?
The DJI O4 Air Unit (Lite) is good for micro FPV drones if professional-grade footage isn’t your precedence and also you’re flying primarily for enjoyable. As talked about in my DJI O4 Professional overview, the Professional model is best in practically each side however is considerably heavier, bigger, and nearly double the worth. The O4 Lite is lighter, extra compact, and simpler in your pockets if you happen to count on frequent crashes and repairs.
Sub250 Nanofly20
Specs:
- Battery: 2S
- Prop Measurement: 2inch tri-blade
- Motor: 1002 14000KV (not the advertized 21000KV)
- Weight (with out battery): 42g
- Value: $279.99
The place to Purchase:
The Sub250 Nanofly20 is an open-prop drone designed for open areas. Open-prop drones are typically quieter, extra environment friendly, quicker, and considerably extra responsive than whoop drones with propeller guards. With a typical 2S 550mAh battery, count on roughly 5 minutes of flight time. One factor to bear in mind is the motor KV ranking, which feels excessive for 2-inch tri-blade props. This could result in hotter motors if pushed aggressively. Be cautious when adjusting the grasp slider in your PID tuning settings to keep away from overheating or harm.
A big disadvantage of the Nanofly20 is its video. Sub250 mounts the DJI O4 Lite digicam immediately inside a TPU cover with none gentle mounting. For the reason that DJI O4 digicam is delicate to vibrations, you’ll discover appreciable jello and shakiness within the goggles. Though it data in 4K, the gyro knowledge is simply too noisy for dependable stabilization, making cinematic footage tough. Moreover, the quad reveals wobbling throughout aggressive maneuvers, probably resulting from a PID tuning difficulty or motor overload from these heavy tri-blade props.
One other level of consideration is the worth tag. At $279, the Nanofly20 feels barely overpriced given its comparatively easy construct and video high quality considerations.
General, the Nanofly20 is constructed for enjoyable and freestyle flying quite than cinematic work. Whereas it excels in agility and pace for park flying, the noticeable vibration, jello, and excessive price ticket make it a difficult suggestion.
Sub250 Nimble65
Specs:
- Battery: 1S
- Prop Measurement: 65mm Tri-blade
- Motor: 0702 27000KV
- Weight (with out battery): 27g
- Value: $229.99
The place to Purchase:
I can not suggest this mannequin.
The motor and prop mixture is severely underpowered for a digital construct that weighs 27 grams. Anticipate sluggish efficiency, poor responsiveness, and an total unenjoyable flight expertise.
The actual deal-breaker is how Sub250 determined to energy the DJI O4 Lite immediately from the battery—a serious difficulty for 1S O4 builds. As I’ve repeatedly emphasised in my weblog posts, the DJI O4 Lite struggles when enter voltage drops under 3.7V, leading to unstable video and even full lack of sign. A correct 5V BEC ought to have been used to make sure constant energy for the O4 all through the flight. Sub250 clearly rushed their DJI O4 releases this time, and the Nimble65 is proof of that.
Flywoo Flybee 16/Flylens 75
Specs:
- Battery: 2S
- Prop Measurement: 40mm (1.6inch) 3-blade
- Motor: 1003 14800KV
- Weight (with out battery): 45.7g
- Value: $249.99
The place to Purchase:
The Flywoo Flybee16 is actually the Flylens75 cinewhoop with out prop guards—I assume that’s Flywoo’s simple option to making a brand new mannequin with no full redesign. As anticipated, eradicating the prop guard reduces weight by over 10 grams, enhancing flight efficiency, effectivity, pace, and noise ranges.
Nevertheless, the pusher design will not be preferrred for a freestyle drone that you just fixed crash and must take off anyplace within the subject. The props are so uncovered and near the bottom it complicates takeoffs and landings, notably when utilizing turtle mode, as props can simply get caught by grass or particles. Moreover, putting the O4 Air Unit on the underside, even with protecting plastic, raises sturdiness considerations since you are repeatedly touchdown/crashing on it.
On a optimistic notice, Flywoo’s methodology of mounting the DJI O4 digicam seems among the many cleanest, most dependable for Rocksteady or Gyroflow stabilization. Different methods of mounting the O4 digicam, just like the one within the BetaFPV Meteor75 Professional, tends to provide barely extra inconsistent outcomes (though it did work nicely for me many of the occasions).
The Flybee16 appears to be a reasonably nimble drone for outdoor, it’s not probably the most highly effective drones on the market, and is extra suited to cruising or gentle freestyle flying. And it reveals noticeable prop wash throughout aggressive maneuvers.
Provided that it’s an open-prop micro quad, indoor flight or flying close to folks isn’t beneficial. And on this case, would I contemplate the Flylens75 with O4 Lite? Most likely not, as a result of the O4 digicam is simply not ok for any cinematic flying. I’d quite get the model with bare O3 to be trustworthy, which presents superior video at comparable weight.
Flywoo Flybee 20 / Flylens 85
Specs:
- Battery: 2S
- Prop Measurement: 2inch 2-blade
- Motor: 1003 14800KV
- Weight (with out battery): 47.6g
- Value: $249.99
The place to Purchase:
The Flybee20 mirrors the Flybee16 however encompasses a bigger 85mm body and 2-inch bi-blade props. The remainder of the {hardware} are an identical, together with motors. And it’s basically a ductless Flylens85, over 20g lighter, providing method higher flight time and efficiency.
I beforehand reviewed each the Flylens75 and Flylens85, and I most well-liked the Flylens85. The bigger Flylens85 merely flew higher for me and offered barely longer flight occasions, presumably resulting from its extra environment friendly two-blade propellers. For the reason that Flybee16 and Flybee20 are basically ductless variations of the Flylens collection, I count on comparable efficiency variations between the Flybee fashions as nicely. Contemplating their comparable weights, I’d go for the mannequin with bigger props any day.
Between the Flybee16 and Flybee20, the Flybee20 is the higher total drone. Likewise, between the Flylens75 and Flylens85, the Flylens85 can be the superior possibility.
Flywoo Flytimes 85
Specs:
- Battery: 2S
- Prop Measurement: 2inch 2-blade
- Motor: 1003 14800KV
- Weight (with out battery): 58.9g
- Value: $269.99
The place to Purchase:
The Flytimes85 is actually a hybrid of the Flylens85 and Flybee20, that includes lighter prop guards for diminished weight and a few stage of propeller safety. Its weight falls between these two fashions, whereas different specs stay an identical.
Except you particularly require propeller safety, I’d suggest the Flybee20 for out of doors freestyle flying. The Flytimes85 may swimsuit combined flying environments the place you continuously transition between indoor and out of doors areas. Nevertheless, realistically, a 2S 2-inch whoop is barely too giant and highly effective for flying in the home for my part. Moreover, the DJI O4’s video high quality isn’t adequate for cinematic functions. If cinematic footage is your purpose, contemplate upgrading to the DJI O4 Professional.
GEPRC T-Cube18
Specs:
- Value: $269.99
- Battery: 2S
- Prop Measurement: 45mm 3-blade
- Motor: 1002 18000KV
- Weight (with out battery): 50g
The place to Purchase:
It is a new providing, and there isn’t a lot data accessible on-line but in addition to the specs. Let’s take a better have a look at that.
The very first thing that stands out to me is how heavy the T-Cube18 is for an open-prop micro quad. It’s 2.5g heavier than the Flybee20 which even has greater motors and propellers. Whereas the motors are smaller, they compensate with a really excessive KV ranking of 18000KV, nonetheless that could be a little excessive and raises considerations about effectivity and potential motor overheating.
The body design is tanky and seems crash-resistant. It additionally retains the props out of the digicam view, stopping them from showing in your footage. Nevertheless, I nonetheless suppose the load is a bit extreme for my liking given these tiny props. Moreover, its value of $269.99 feels barely excessive IMO.
BetaFPV Meteor75 Professional
Specs:
- Battery: 1S
- Prop Measurement: 45mm tri-blade
- Motor: 1102 22000KV
- Weight (with out battery): 37.2g
- Value: $199.99
The place to Purchase:
I actually loved flying this whoop indoors—it’s most likely my favourite 1S whoop geared up with the DJI O4 for the time being. I received’t go into an excessive amount of element right here since I’ve written an entire overview you may take a look at: https://oscarliang.com/betafpv-meteor75-pro-o4-whoop/
BetaFPV Pavo Femto
Specs:
- Battery: 2S
- Prop Measurement: 40mm 3-blade
- Motor: 1102 14000KV
- Weight (with out battery): 54.8g
- Value: $224.99
The place to Purchase:
The Femto, powered by a 2S battery, is noticeably extra highly effective than the1S Meteor75 Professional and might deal with stronger winds outdoor. Nevertheless, this elevated energy comes with trade-offs: the Femto is noisier and fewer agile indoors resulting from its heavier weight. The smaller props imply that the motors must work tougher (spinning at larger RPM) to maintain the drone afloat in comparison with the Meteor75 Professional, making it louder and considerably much less environment friendly. On the flip facet, the quicker RPM response interprets to larger uncooked efficiency and responsiveness.
Whereas the Femto’s enhanced energy is interesting for out of doors flying in calm circumstances, it’s in an ungainly place. For indoor flying, I nonetheless suppose the Meteor75 Professional presents superior dealing with. Open air, the Femto flies nicely, solely when the climate is calm; as quickly because the wind picks up, I begin to discover some wobble and jello within the footage, and the drone will be pushed round extra simply than bigger fashions. Take a look at my overview to be taught extra: https://oscarliang.com/betafpv-pavo-femto/
HappyModel Mobula7 O4
Specs:
- Battery: 2S
- Prop Measurement: 45mm 3-blade
- Motor: 1102 10000KV
- Weight (with out battery): 38.2g
- Value: $272.99
The place to Purchase:
The Mobula7 O4 presents an fascinating setup. It’s basically in the identical class because the 1S BetaFPV Meteor75 Professional regardless of being 2S. That’s as a result of its motor KV is lower than half that of the Meteor75, and so they have the identical prop measurement, the motor RPM can be comparable since RPM=KV*voltage. Their weights (with out batteries) are additionally fairly shut.
Nevertheless, keep in mind that 2S batteries have two cells, making the battery weight not less than double—and sure even heavier because of the XT30 connector in comparison with BT2.0. This elevated battery weight considerably raises the takeoff weight, affecting total flight efficiency.
By way of precise flight efficiency, the Mobula7 O4 seems to fly nicely, each agile and steady. But, regardless of its gentle body, it lacks adequate energy for critical out of doors freestyle, which is predicted from a tiny whoop of this measurement. You’ll be able to fly it outdoor, however solely in calm circumstances, and also you shouldn’t anticipate distinctive freestyle capabilities.
For me the first disadvantage is video high quality, which exhibits noticeable jello and vibration—even earlier than any stabilization is utilized. This seemingly stems from the digicam being mounted immediately inside the cover with out vibration isolation. One other draw back is that the digicam angle doesn’t look like adjustable.
Conclusion – Which is the Finest DJI O4 Micro Drone?
2S or 1S for DJI O4?
A 2S setup is absolutely the candy spot for the DJI O4 Air Unit as a result of it may be powered immediately from the battery, simplifying the construct considerably. In distinction, a 1S setup requires powering the O4 by way of a BEC or devoted voltage regulator to make sure reliability. At the moment, most 1S AIO flight controllers lack a sufficiently highly effective 5V BEC, that means producers should develop new flight controllers particularly geared up with strong BECs. As of now, BetaFPV is among the many few producers offering this selection (specifically the 3in1 Matrix FC board).
For Indoor Flying
For indoor flying, my best choice is the Meteor75 Professional. Personally, a light-weight 1S setup is good indoors—2S drones really feel too heavy and too highly effective for comfy flying in the home. The 1S batteries are additionally cheaper, simpler to cost, and the setup produces much less noise total. Some pilots dislike the digicam gentle mounting on the Meteor75 Professional, believing it introduces jello in footage. Nevertheless, in my expertise, it labored completely fantastic, so the precise explanation for their difficulty stays unclear.
Get the Meteor75 Professional right here:
One other good possibility is the Mobula7 O4, nevertheless it’s a 2S drone, and also you’ll want to contemplate in case your area comfortably accommodates its further energy and weight. Though extra highly effective than the Meteor75 Professional, if you end up flying at solely 30-40% throttle, the lighter and cheaper Meteor75 Professional makes extra sense, particularly given the Mobula7 prices $73 extra.
Get the Mobula7 O4 right here:
For Outside Flying
For out of doors use, an open-prop, 2S setup is crucial right here, and my suggestion can be the Flywoo Flybee20. Whereas I’m not an enormous fan of its inverted design, it delivers the cleanest video high quality I’ve seen on this class, with little to no jello current in most footage I’ve seen. Flight efficiency additionally appears to be strong; it’s not absolutely the strongest 2-inch quad accessible, nevertheless it’s greater than succesful for informal freestyle flying in your native small parks.
Get the Flybee20 right here:
The subsequent best choice can be both the Nanofly20, or the T-Cube18 – not my preferrred picks however now we have run out of choices 🙂 I lean barely in the direction of the T-Dice, simply wished it was both lighter, or has barely greater motors and run bigger 2inch props would make it a extra succesful freestyle park ripper.
For each Indoor and Outside?
In the event you’re searching for one thing versatile sufficient for each indoor and out of doors flying, it must be a whoop after all. Many choices just like the Happymodel Mobula7, BetaFPV Femto, and Flylens85 are all succesful—however they don’t excel at both class. I extremely suggest selecting a drone that excels in a single atmosphere quite than settling for mediocrity in each. As an example, whereas the Meteor75 Professional can even deal with out of doors flying beneath calm circumstances, it’s slower than 2S quads and higher suited as an indoor whoop.
