Walksnail Avatar HD Nano V3: Digital FPV for all of your drones

Final month, Caddx launched its fifth digital FPV package, the Walksnail Avatar HD Nano V3. Though its identify is usually recommended to be tremendous small, it’s one in every of their most refined video transmission programs appropriate for small CineWhoop drones and larger racing/ freestyling FPV quadcopters. This new launch introduces racing mode, which guarantees to enhance latency stability.

With the ability to swap between high quality mode and latency mode makes the brand new Walksnail Avatar HD Nano V3 a singular product. Virtually, it mixes the capabilities of the DJI FPV digital system identified for excellent video high quality and the low latency of the HDZero and analog programs.

Analog FPV continues to be extensively used and most well-liked for racing because of its affordability, low latency,  and longer vary, whereas digital FPV is favored for cinematic because of its superior video high quality and interference resistance. Whereas in analog FPV programs, any dropped body because of a poor hyperlink high quality or interface is misplaced endlessly, in digital FPV, dropped frames are attempting to retransmit by superior error correction algorithms, which will increase latency.

Walksnail Avatar Nano Equipment V3 assessment

Disclosure: I obtained this digital FPV package as a part of a product assessment collaboration with CaddxFPV. Technical specs and high quality could range in keeping with the producer’s reliability, so I can not assure that you’re going to get an similar product, as seen in my article.

Though Caddx despatched me the Avatar Nano V3 package with FedEx for quicker supply, it took twenty days to obtain it. Identical to the Mini 1S and Mini 1S Lite, the V3 package can also be packed in a cigarette pack-size field. The package consists of an Avatar V3 VTX, a Nano digicam, a V2 antenna, a 4-pin USB cable, a 14 to 19-mm bracket, and mounting equipment.

At a look

At first look, visually, there may be not a lot change between the V2 and V3 -both VTXs seem like a black heatsink. In case you put them facet by facet, you possibly can see that the V3 is barely smaller as additionally it is meant for small 1S FPV drones. The Avatar Nano VTX measures 31.5*31.5*9.4mm and weighs 13.4g (about 4 grams lighter than V2). It has 25.5*25.5mm (M2) and 20*20mm (M3) and mounting patterns. The antenna has a generally used UFL connector and could be secured by a retention bar.

The Avatar V3 VTX comes with a pre-soldered and cemented knowledge/energy cable (Uart TX, Uart RX, GND, Energy 3.1-13V pin format). As most flight controllers have a 6-pin DJI digital FPV connector, I requested Caddx what sort of FC is suitable with the 4-pin connector on the finish of the cable, however they didn’t reply. Close to the solder pads is a standing LED and a tiny bind button.

The VTX has 32GB built-in storage, and the information could be transferred utilizing the included 4-pin to USB A cable. Once more, I might have favored to see a Sort-C port versus the non-standard knowledge port that may simply get broken -especially since there’s no SD card slot and you’re restricted to onboard recording. The unit can report as much as 1080P@60fps or 720P@120fps movies, however no gyro knowledge is saved for additional picture stabilization.

Meant for all-size drones, the Avatar Nano digicam measures simply 14*14*16.8mm and weighs 3 grams. For larger racing quads, a 14 to 19-mm mounting bracket is included. The digicam has a 1/3.2-Inch native 4:3 picture sensor and a 2.1mm lens that gives a 160° discipline of view. Out-of-the-box comes with a 90mm MIPI cable, however a 140mm one can also be obtainable if wanted.

Value, availability, and alternate options

The most recent Avatar Nano V3 package with built-in 32G reminiscence could be ordered from Caddx for $109.00. You need to verify the Walksnail Avatar Professional package for $159 in the event you want gyros-stabilization.

Walksnail Nano V3: Set up and Wiring

Earlier than putting in it on a drone body, I did a “dry” check to see if it binds with my Avatar VRX module and works correctly. It may be very irritating to seek out out {that a} half is just not working after every thing is wired and assembled.

Subsequent, I downloaded and put in the newest Avatar 34.40.15_beta firmware on my VRX. The method is simple; you solely want to repeat the suitable picture file (Avatar_Sky_34.40.15.img for VTX, AvatarSE_Gnd_34.40.15.img for VRX, or Avatar_Gnd_34.40.15.img for goggles) on the system’s reminiscence and press the bind button for 8 seconds. The VTX already had the newest firmware (an Avatar_version.txt file on the interior reminiscence’s root displaying the software program model). The Avatar V3 VTX turns into scorching (80-90°C) on the workbench with out pure airflow, so I like to recommend utilizing a fan throughout configuration and firmware upgrades.

Beforehand, I discussed that the WN Nano HD V3 VTX comes with a preinstalled 4-pin plug, which I supposed is just not suitable with my FC’s Air Unit 6-pin socket (that has a second GND and SBUS pin for the built-in radio receiver). After double-checking the pin order, I inserted it, and it proved to work this manner.

Walksnaill consists of mounting screws for each VTX and Digicam. The VTX has two mounting patterns. In case you go for 25.5*25.5mm, you need to exchange the inventory M2 screws that maintain collectively the VTX with longer ones. For 20x20mm, the VTX has M3 screw holes. Because it has a top of near 10mm, there was not sufficient room in my Skystars Bolt5 freestyle body to put in it on prime of the ESC + FC stack, so I mounted it in a BetaFPV Pavo25 drone. It suits completely inside the two.5″ CineWhoop body, however I want to chop a much bigger gap to entry the information port of the VTX for file switch.

Energy choices

The Avatar Nano V3 package could be powered from 3.1 to 13 volts in keeping with the technical specs. When it’s put in in 1-3S setups, it may be wired on to the LIPO battery. For 1s builds, I like to recommend utilizing a 5V step-up voltage regulator to keep away from black screens midflight – battery voltage can drop to 2.6-3V throughout acrobatic maneuvers. For 4S and 6S drones, you need to energy the VTX from a 10V BEC (Battery Eliminator Circuit) discovered on most flight controllers.

Avatar Nano V3: Canvas OSD

The complete Walksnail ecosystem, together with the Avatar Nano, totally helps Betaflight OSD and LUA scripts. You’ll be able to function the OSD menu utilizing your sticks, and all of the OSD parts could be displayed.

To show BetaFlight telemetry info in your FPV goggles, it is advisable carry out the next two instructions:

• set osd_displayport_device = MSP
• set displayport_msp_serial = Y (The place Y is one lower than the variety of the serial port. e.g.: Y = 2 for serial 3)

Walksnail’s new Racing Mode for constant, clean latency

Along with the Avatar Nano V3 package, Walksnail launched a brand new firmware that allows “Race Mode”. You’ll be able to simply swap between “Commonplace” and “Race” modes in the primary settings (system tab) of your show (FPV goggles or RVX). Observe: The system will restart, so you must keep away from doing this midflight!

I prefer to fly FPV, however primarily simply crossing at low pace, admiring nature, and possibly following some birds. Someway, my mind can’t settle for quick pace and agile maneuvers, and the movement illness kills all of the enjoyable. I normally set the very best video high quality video, with out contemplating that this will enhance the delay within the stay feed. As a substitute, low and steady latency is important in the event you’re into high-speed racing, freestyling, or flying by way of gates, timber, deserted buildings (bando), and different obstacles.

When racing mode is chosen, a ninth channel named RP turns into obtainable, and video decision is decreased from 720p/1080p to 540p to prioritize transmission stability. Fortunately, the downscale impacts solely the stay hyperlink, not the onboard recording.

WN Avatar HD Nano V3: Efficiency

Throughout my exams, in Race mode, latency was between 19-27ms; in Commonplace mode, I noticed values near 40ms. Joshua Bardwell had about the identical leads to his check video.

Sadly, through the low-light efficiency check, I hit a tree at the hours of darkness, and after I crashed, the propeller reduce the coax cable between the digicam and VTX regardless that it has protecting mesh sleeving. Lesson discovered: each cable must be zip-tied to the body.

Walksnail Avatar HD Nano V3: Takeaways

• As much as 1080P@60fps with a 4:3 native sensor that gives clean and beautiful pictures. With this package, you possibly can seize flying footage with distinctive readability and element.
• With broad enter voltage (3.1-13V) and 500mW energy output, you’ll have the ability to fly numerous sorts of drones with wonderful video high quality and vary.
• Nano digicam V3 with dimensions of 14*14mm and a weight of solely 3g, geared up with a 2.1mm lens and 160° FOV, supplies clearer and extra sensible picture high quality.
• The Avatar V3 VTX comes with 32g built-in storage; it could report 1080p HD and interference-free flight footage with out including an additional SD card and an motion digicam, lowering the general weight of the drones and lengthening the flight time, permitting you to expertise a extra snug flight whereas recording 1080 FHD movies.
• Canvas Mode helps BetaFlight, Kiss, Inav, and ArduPilot full OSD show and customization. You’ll have the ability to customise numerous OSD fonts, colours, and patterns you want and simply alter the parameters you need through distant management.

Technical specs