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 supposed for each novices and skilled FPV pilots alike. With a wheelbase of simply 94mm, it’s appropriate for indoors and flying exterior by means of 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 hen. I used low-resolution analog FPV at the moment, and now digital programs just like the Walksnail Avatar HD present higher video high quality and a way more real looking consumer expertise.

The largest 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. Below 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 obtained this 2″ CineWoop in a product evaluation collaboration with CaddxFPV. Product specs and high quality might fluctuate based on the producer’s reliability, so I can not 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Caddx is an outdated participant within the FPV business; they had been first recognized for his or her high-quality analog FPV cameras and later for the HD digital Vista package designed in shut collaboration with DJI. Their subsequent bang was creating the Walksnaul ecosystem, an alternate answer to the prevailing digital FPV options.

Three weeks in the past, Caddx FPV confirmed a teaser picture of their first drone with the “Discover the Boundary” slogan. The subsequent day, they emailed me asking if I used to be taken with reviewing their upcoming drone, however with out revealing any extra particulars about it. Because of some issues 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 predominant parts

At 115g (4.06oz) and 133×123×39mm (5.2×4.8×1,5″), it virtually matches 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 two.5mm thick CF plate has a pleasant black paint end. The PAVO25 that I lately constructed had an analogous body construction. The one factor that makes the design someway distinctive is the plastic cowl Caddx FPV brand that protects the digicam.

The tiny 1303 6000KV motors are paired with tri-blade HQprop T2×2×3 propellers. Contemplating that it’s supposed 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. Below 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 quick access to all of the components. You have to take away simply 5 screws to take it aside in case it’s a must to 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 potential. The onboard RX has v3.0 ExpressLRS firmware and a full-size T-type antenna that attaches to FC by means of a UFL connector.

Each FC’s micro USB port and VTX’s reminiscence card slot are simply accessible. If you’re seeking to improve your CADDXFPV GoFilm 20 with a GPS module or different sensor, there’s a free UAURT port for this function (discover under the FC’s pinout)

The battery is put in above the drone; it’s potential that an set up on the backside would have helped stability. In case you plan to make use of higher-capacity batteries, you should substitute 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, additionally it is a superb selection for flying in robust daylight because it comes within the package with a impartial density filter (you possibly can select from ND16 and ND32) to shortly adapt to completely different mild circumstances.

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

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

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

My Walksnail Moonlight check seems to be 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.

Caddx GoFilm20: Wanted to be accomplished

In contrast to the DJI Avata 2 combo, a ready-to-fly package (RTF), the GoFim 20 drone is obtainable in a “PNP package deal,” that means that you’ll want a few further equipment to make use of it.

As talked about, it has an XT30 battery plug and helps 3-4S batteries. To keep up 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 sensible 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, moreover the battery and transmitter, you’ll need a appropriate FPV monitor. For one of the best consumer expertise, I recommend the Walksnail Avatar HD Goggles X, however you can too select the AVATAR VRX if you’re on a decent finances 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 package prices near 200 bucks, the $399 is fairly honest. You may 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. An entire GoFilm20 body package or particular person restore components might be bought right here.

Must you purchase the GoFilm 20 CineWhoop?

You probably have 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 beneath 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 outside even in windy circumstances.

If this CineWhoop isn’t for you

FPV isn’t for everybody, and FPV quadcopters aren’t appropriate for all filming eventualities or nonetheless pictures. In case you largely prefer to shoot aerial movies and take selfies from the air, I recommend searching for a GPS-enabled digicam drone with gimbal stabilization. Among the finest choices beneath 250g is the Mini 4 Professional.

The GoFilm 20 isn’t 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 just to rise 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 package, the Avata2 might be extra for you.

CADDXFPV GoFilm 20: Pre-flight Configuration and Efficiency

The GoFilm 20 drone comes totally assembled, and you want 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 might be activated by powering ON/OFF the drone 3 times.

Subsequent, join the FC to your pc by means of the micro USB port and run the BetaFlight configurator (BFC). Notice: The propellers are put in, so you must rigorously configure any settings, particularly the ESC and motor configuration. Notice: In the course of the configuration, the VTX heats up shortly; very quickly, it achieved 100°C (212°F), so it is strongly recommended to make use of an exterior fan for cooling.

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

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

Technical parameters

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