The Budget Speedster that Every Drone Enthusiast Needs to Know About
Ah, the SpeedyBee F405 V4: a flight controller that promises to unleash an F1 car's worth of performance in your drone for the price of a tricycle. Is it the real deal or just another product that will make your wallet lighter and your drone heavier? Let's dive in.
The Good
- Beastly Performance: With an STM32F405 MCU and an ICM42688P Gyro, this is like strapping a rocket engine onto a paper airplane.
- Easy-Peasy Setup: Comes with its own SpeedyBee App and Bluetooth capabilities.
- Barometer Onboard:
- 9 Groups of 5V Output: Like a power strip in the sky, it can practically run a small village.
- Bang for Buck: Premium features at an "Are you kidding me?" price.
- Analog OSD: You can use this if you still fly Analog
The Bad
- No WiFi: Yes, you'll have to tolerate the horror of a cable connection or Bluetooth. How archaic.
- Weight: At a stack weight of ~35g, it's not exactly the featherweight champion of the world.
- Limited Firmware Support: BetaFlight and INAV only. It's a bit like only being able to eat at two restaurants in a foodie city. Hopefully we will see ardupilot support in the future.
The Ugly
- SD Card Limitations: Only supports up to 32GB and a specific format. Its more than enough for blackbox logs, but nicer if it can support a wider range of card sizes.
Should I Buy It, Borrow It, or Forget It?
So here's the tea, drone aficionados: if you're looking for a flight controller that performs like a Ferrari but is priced like a used tricycle, this is your guy. The SpeedyBee F405 V4 brings a smorgasbord of features usually found in the high-dollar aisle right into the budget-friendly cart.
The SpeedyBee App is so intuitive that even your tech-challenged Uncle Bob could set it up. And did we mention it supports up to 8 motors? That's like having an 8-cylinder engine in a go-kart.
However, if you're the type who thinks WiFi is as essential as oxygen and can't stand any storage limitations, this might not be your jam. But let's be real: you're probably not going to fill 32GB unless you're filming the next Avatar sequel with your drone.
The Nitty-Gritty Details
The Flight Controller: Not Just Another Pretty Face
The SpeedyBee F405 V4 comes with a black PCB board that's so aesthetically pleasing it could be featured in an art gallery. With LED lights on all four corners and a gyro that has undergone significant improvements, it's like the Swiss Army knife of flight controllers.
ESC: Where the Rubber Meets the Sky
The 55A 4-in-1 ESC is akin to the bouncer at the club—big, reliable, and capable of handling a lot. It even comes with a heatsink that looks like it was stolen from a gaming PC. The continuous current is 55A with a burst of up to 70A, which means this thing could probably power a small boat.
Connectivity: It's Like Your Own Personal Assistant
With 6 UART sets, this board is more sociable than a golden retriever at a dog park. It also supports a variety of peripherals, including a 6-pin DJI Air Unit Plug that’s compatible with multiple DJI products.
User Experience: As Easy as Pie
The SpeedyBee App provides an interface that's easier to navigate than a one-way street. And with the ability to put a password, it's like having a VIP lounge for your drone settings.
The Verdict
The SpeedyBee F405 V4 is not just another flight controller; it's your ticket to making your drone feel like it's on steroids, without actually breaking any laws or your bank. If you can overlook minor inconveniences like no WiFi and some weight, this is a no-brainer. So go ahead, make your drone the envy of the skies. Just make sure it doesn't get too cocky and try to race an actual rocket. 🚀
Where to Buy
- Unmanned Tech
- Local Drone Stores: Support local and get the added bonus of immediate gratification.
