RushFPV BLADE F7 AIO: FC for Trouble-free FPV drone constructing

RushFPV is understood for its easy-to-use, solder-free flight controllers. This assessment will look at their newest BLADE F7 AIO flight module with a built-in 45A ESC.

An AIO (All-In-One) flight controller is a sort of flight management system used primarily in compact FPV drones. AIOs combine a number of parts crucial for drone flight right into a single circuit board. This integration generally consists of the flight controller (FC) itself, which is the mind of the drone, together with an digital velocity controller (ESC) for every motor, Energy Distribution Board (PDB), voltage regulators (BEC), Telemetry module (OSD) and generally even built-in radio receivers (RX) and video transmitters (VTX).

The first benefit of the RushFPV BLADE F7 AIO flight controller is its compactness and ease of set up. Combining a number of parts that historically require separate set up and wiring simplifies the construct course of, reduces weight, and infrequently improves reliability as a result of fewer connections that might probably fail. The BLADE F7 AIO is nearly plug-and-play; you simply have to solder the battery cable and motors, and the remainder of the equipment are plugged into the devoted onboard connectors.

Whereas AIO flight controllers provide quite a few benefits, in addition they have disadvantages in comparison with conventional separate boards, reminiscent of larger costs, rigidity in design, and restricted upgrades. Moreover, the price of changing all the board in case of failure is far larger than changing simply a person half.

RushFPV F7 AIO flight controller assessment

Disclosure: I obtained this AIO flight controller in a product assessment collaboration with RushFPV. Though the board was provided free of charge, all opinions on this article stay mine, and the sponsor didn’t affect me.

The Blade F7 AIO is available in a zipped antistatic bag with many included cables, a USB Sort-C board, and 5 (4+1spare) anti-vibration rubber grommets. No printed wiring diagram, XT60/XT30 battery cable, or Low ESR capacitor was supplied.

The double-sided PCB measures 33*33 mm and weighs round 9 grams. It has a 25.5*25.5mm-26.5*26.5mm mounting sample and must be put in in a rhombus place. Many web sites promote it with a 30.5×30.5mm mounting, however that is incorrect!

A plastic sheet with labels on it protects each side from mud. It has solely motor and battery solder tabs; the remainder of the in/out ports are accessible by way of devoted connectors. On the entrance (with the course arrow), it has HD Unit (Bat, GND, TX4, RX4, TX2, and RX2), CAM VTX (CAM, GND, 5V, 5V, GND< VTX, and TX4), and RC/LED (GND, 5V, RX1, TX1, GND, 5V, and LED) connectors. Two extra connectors are on the again: USB (Buzz-, 5V, GND, Boot, Information+, and Information-) and GNSS (SCL, SDA, TX5, RX5, 5V, and GND). It has solely two standing LEDs (PWR/SAT) subsequent to the motor1 solder pads.

There’s a 5V BEC onboard, so digital VTXs are powered straight from the principle battery. When utilizing 6S batteries, you could want an exterior 10V BEC for some digital VTXs that work as much as 4S.

Blade F7 AIO: No USB! How do you improve firmware and configure it?

As an alternative of an onboard USB port, RushFPV opted for an exterior Sort-C module. This method provides you wider flexibility in putting in the flight controller, particularly in a closed body the place the USB would usually be inaccessible (coated by body components). Many F7 boards have onboard Bluetooth connectivity to configure the flight controller remotely. It’s a pity that RushFPV didn’t assume so as to add such capabilities to their latest AIO flight controller.

The tiny USB-C module additionally consists of the “DFUBoot” button required for bootloader improve. As you’ll be able to see within the connection diagram above, the USB connector is shared with the buzzer port, so you have to to craft a splitter cable to make use of each concurrently.

Out of the field, the Blade F7 AIO comes with BetaFlight 4.4.0 (goal Blade_F7_AIO). As the subsequent model (BF 4.5) continues to be a candidate launch (RC2), I like to recommend staying with inventory firmware, which is extra steady.

Blade F7 AIO FC technical specs

Pricing and availability

The Blade F7 AIO flight controller might be ordered from RushFPV for $90.99. The FC was “offered out” after I revealed my assessment however will most likely be restocked quickly. RushFPV merchandise are additionally obtainable on Amazon, Aliexpress, and different common RC retailers, reminiscent of GetFPV and Banggood.

Blade F7 AIO FC: What’s for?

The Blade F7 AIO flight controller fits varied varieties of custom-made FPV drones. With a 25.5*25.5mm mounting sample, it may be put in in compact CineWhoop-style FPV drones, however because of its highly effective 45A ESC, it is usually appropriate for five″ racing drones. It has analog and digital VTX connectors, making it appropriate with each FPV methods.

I plan to construct an ultra-light FPV utilizing a FlyFish Atlas 4″ body package, Walksnail Avatar HD Professional FPV system, RushFPV M10 mini GPS module, RadioMaster RP4TD ELRS radio receiver, and this Blade F7 AIO flight module. The drone must be highly effective sufficient to hold a GoPro 12 however keep beneath 250 grams with out an additional payload.

RushFPV BLADE F7 AIO: Alternate options

All essential flight controller producers provide AIO boards. I can title a few of them: iFlight Beast F7 45A AIO, Axisflying Argus F7 AIO, T-Motor F7 45A AIO, Aikon F7 Mini 45A, GEPRC GEP-F722-45A AIO V2, and Foxeer Reaper F745 AIO. These BLADE F7 AIO alternate options are priced between $80 and $120. After all, should you don’t want an built-in 45A ESC, there are various different choices with 25A and 35A for much less cash.

Most AIO FCs talked about above have comparable options to the BLADE F7 AIO, aside from the plug-and-play design with onboard connectors, which is the silver bullet for simply constructing a DIY FPV drone.