CADDXFPV GoFilm 20 evaluation: Sub 250g 4K Walksnail CineWhoop

CADDXFPV’s first FPV drone, the GoFilm 20, adopts a CineWhoop-style design with a 360-degree blade protector and onboard Walksnail Moonlight FPV system. It’s meant for each rookies and skilled FPV pilots alike. With a wheelbase of simply 94mm, it’s appropriate for indoors and flying exterior via tight areas.

I bear in mind my first flight utilizing FPV Goggles and the way immersive it was. Regardless of being disoriented and having movement illness, I needed extra, so I modified the battery and fired up the drone many times. It’s in all probability the closest feeling people can expertise to flying like a chook. I used low-resolution analog FPV at the moment, and now digital methods just like the Walksnail Avatar HD present higher video high quality and a way more life like person expertise.

The most important benefit of the CADDXFPV GoFilm 20 over its direct competitor, the AVATA 2, is that it weighs lower than 250 grams, together with the battery. Underneath this weight restrict, you possibly can fly your drone in most areas, together with the US, with none pilot license.

CADDXFPV GoFilm 20 with Walksnail Moonlight 4K

Disclosure: I acquired this 2″ CineWoop in a product evaluation collaboration with CaddxFPV. Product specs and high quality could range in accordance with the producer’s reliability, so I can’t assure that you’ll get a unit that performs the identical as seen in my evaluation.

Caddx is an outdated participant within the FPV business; they had been first recognized for his or her high-quality analog FPV cameras and later for the HD digital Vista equipment designed in shut collaboration with DJI. Their subsequent bang was growing the Walksnaul ecosystem, another resolution to the prevailing digital FPV options.

Three weeks in the past, Caddx FPV confirmed a teaser photograph of their first drone with the “Discover the Boundary” slogan. The following day, they emailed me asking if I used to be excited by reviewing their upcoming drone, however with out revealing any extra particulars about it. Resulting from some problems with FedEx and the Labor Day and Orthodox Easter holidays, receiving the package deal took shut to fifteen days, so I missed publishing the primary evaluation of the GoFilm20.

The drone comes within the field with a set of spare propellers with screws, a spare battery strap, an ND8 filter, a USB information cable, a VTX FW improve cable, a hex wrench, and a fast begin information (CN/EN).

CADDXFPV GoFilm 20: Design and important parts

At 115g (4.06oz) and 133×123×39mm (5.2×4.8×1,5″), it virtually suits into your palm, making it one of many smallest and lightest 2-inch 4K FPV drones. The GoFilm 20 adopts a Pusher-Whoop design with inverted motors. The body has two components: a prime carbon fiber plate that holds the motors and the 360-degree Whoop blade protector. The PAVO25 that I just lately constructed had the same body construction. The one factor that makes the design by some means distinctive is the plastic cowl Caddx FPV emblem that protects the digicam.

The tiny 1303 6000KV motors are paired with tri-blade HQprop T2×2×3 propellers. Contemplating that it’s meant for use with 4S LIPOs, the 6000KV is fairly excessive, making the little drone speedy and agile.

Within the middle of the body is an F405HD AIO flight controller with an built-in 20A ESC and UART ELRS radio receiver. Underneath the FC is the Walksnail Moonlight digital video transmitter. The AIO FC is put in on the highest body, and the VTX on the plastic blade guard permits easy accessibility to all of the components. It’s good to take away simply 5 screws to take it aside in case you must do a restore.

The VTX and RX antennas are thoughtfully secured on a 3D-printed TPU mount on the drone’s tails. The unique Moonlight antennas have been changed with smaller dipole antennas to be as mild as doable. The onboard RX has v3.0 ExpressLRS firmware and a full-size T-type antenna that attaches to FC via a UFL connector.

Each FC’s micro USB port and VTX’s reminiscence card slot are simply accessible. I deliberate to put in a GPS antenna on the CADDXFPV GoFilm 20, however sadly, the F405 AIO flight controller doesn’t have a free UART port, making it inconceivable for any additional improve.

The battery is put in above the drone; it’s doable that an set up on the backside would have helped stability. When you plan to make use of higher-capacity batteries, you should change the inventory velcro with the spare one included within the field (it’s about 3cm longer).

CADDXFPV GoFilm 20: FPV system | Video high quality

As talked about, the GoFilm20 is constructed across the latest and most superior Walksnail FPV system, the Moonlight. From the product title, you possibly can guess that it guarantees a superior low-light efficiency. In fact, it’s also a wonderful selection for flying in robust daylight because it comes within the equipment with a impartial density filter (you possibly can select from ND16 and ND32) to shortly adapt to completely different mild situations.

The Walksnail Moonlight system can transmit 1080p video feed over lengthy distances to your FPV goggles and onboard file as much as 4k@60fps movies. Secure, jello-free movies may be shot because of the built-in EIS and Gyroflow help. Sadly, you possibly can’t have all of the options on the identical time. When the excessive body charge is chosen, VTX recording decision is proscribed to 720 and 1080p (no 2.7k or 4K accessible). Additionally, built-in picture stabilization may be activated solely at 2.7K. When EIS is enabled, no gyro information is recorded for post-stabilization within the Gyroflow app.

Apart from decision and body charge, the Moonlight digicam helps handbook settings for:

• ISO
• Sharpness
• Publicity Worth
• Saturation
• White Steadiness
• Shutter Velocity

My Walksnail Moonlight check appears to be like nearly pretty much as good because the one recorded with the DJI O3 system, however to be truthful, I’m afraid that they will’t compete with a GoPro’s high quality.

CADDXFPV GoFilm 20: Wanted to be accomplished

Not like the DJI Avata 2 combo, a ready-to-fly equipment (RTF), the GoFim 20 drone is obtainable in a “PNP package deal,” that means that you’ll want a few additional equipment to make use of it.

As talked about, it has an XT30 battery plug and helps 3-4S batteries. To take care of an excellent stability between flight time and efficiency, I like to recommend utilizing batteries with 550mAh and 850mAh. Every battery gives about 5 minutes of flight time so that you’ll want 3-5 of them. A PD good charger with an XT30 port and a parallel board can also be required.

The GoFim 20’s AIO flight controller options an onboard ExpressLRS radio receiver that may be paired with any ELRS radio controller; for one of the best vary, I like to recommend the Jumper T14 with a built-in 1W TX module.

For FPV flights, in addition to the battery and transmitter, you will want a appropriate FPV monitor. For one of the best person expertise, I counsel the Walksnail Avatar HD Goggles X, however you can too select the AVATAR VRX if you’re on a decent price range and already personal an FPV headset with HDMI enter.

Pricing and availability

Many might say the GoFilm 20 is overpriced as a result of it isn’t a flexible DJI drone. However, contemplating that simply the onboard Walksnail Moonlight equipment prices near 200 bucks, the $399 is fairly honest. You’ll be able to pre-order it beginning the twenty ninth of April straight from CaddxFPV’s official on-line retailer. Keep in mind that the package deal consists of solely the naked drone and can want batteries.

If wanted, a set of CADDXFPV 1303 6000KV motors prices $68, and a CADDXF4_AIO_ELRS flight controller prices $59.99. A whole GoFilm20 body equipment or particular person restore components may be bought right here.

Must you purchase the GoFilm 20 CineWhoop?

When you’ve got expertise with custom-made FPV drones and already personal an ELRS radio transmitter and Walksnail Avattar Goggles, you’ll in all probability love the Gofilm 20.

Sub250g drones are nice as a result of they’re regulation-friendly in most areas, and you’ll keep underneath this weight restrict with the GoFilm20, together with when utilizing an as much as 1100mAh battery. The small measurement permits flying in tight areas, whereas the 6000KV motors present energy to fly outdoor even in windy situations.

If this CineWhoop isn’t for you

FPV isn’t for everybody, and FPV quadcopters aren’t appropriate for all filming situations or nonetheless pictures. When you principally wish to shoot aerial movies and take selfies from the air, I counsel on the lookout for a GPS-enabled digicam drone with gimbal stabilization. Among the best choices underneath 250g is the Mini 4 Professional.

The GoFilm 20 is just not able to fly out of the field; you should configure it and pair it together with your present equipment. So, in case your goal is solely to stand up within the air with out customizing the BetaFlight configurator or flashing new ELRS firmware and have all of the required equipment included within the equipment, the Avata2 might be extra for you.

CADDXFPV GoFilm 20: Pre-flight Configuration and Efficiency

The GoFilm 20 drone comes absolutely assembled, and it’s worthwhile to do just a few configuration steps earlier than having fun with your first flight.

First, you should bind it to your radio controller -the RX and TX should run the identical main ELRS software program (2.XX or 3.XX). Pairing mode may be activated by powering ON/OFF the drone 3 times.

Subsequent, join the FC to your laptop via the micro USB port and run the BetaFlight configurator (BFC). Be aware: The propellers are put in, so it is best to fastidiously configure any settings, particularly the ESC and motor configuration. Be aware: Throughout the configuration, the VTX heats up shortly; very quickly, it achieved 100°C (212°F), so it’s endorsed to make use of an exterior fan for cooling.

Within the BFC, I adjusted the swap and button format, assigned flight modes, and customised OSD settings. I didn’t contact any PID settings earlier than a few check flights. It is suggested that the ESC beacon be activated, which might assist discover the drone in the event you crash it in excessive grass. BTW, “Turtle mode – Flip-back” mode may also be activated in BFC.

Perhaps the CaddxFPV GoFilm 20 doesn’t have the flight efficiency of a 5″ racer, however it’s enjoyable to fly and fairly agile. When you’ve got the ability, you possibly can fly via tight areas equivalent to your automobile, permitting distinctive footage. With a 4S 650mAh battery, you possibly can count on about 5 minutes of flight time. Growing battery capability provides extra weight, making it much less responsive. Being so noisy, I nicknamed it “Indignant Chook” 🙂

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