Flight controllers that are designed specifically for the DJI Digital FPV System work seamlessly with DJI Air Unit, because they can be connected directly with a cable without any soldering. In this post I will list all the DJI FPV FC on the market.
Another benefit of DJI compatible FC’s is the dedicated BEC, not only it filters out noise in the power, it also supports 6S LiPo Battery.
The DJI Air unit can only take up to 4S, if you want to power your drone with 6S, you would have to use an external voltage regulator and deal with the messy wiring. If a flight controller is designed for the DJI FPV system, it normally has a built-in BEC that provides stable power to the DJI Air Unit, making it truly plug and play.
The flight controller is also responsible for sending flight information to the Air Unit via a hardware serial port (UART), and the data can be displayed in the DJI FPV goggles as OSD (on screen display). It doesn’t require a OSD chip on the FC in order to do this like analogue system.
There are a lot of technical terms in this article, you can learn about all these in my flight controller buyer’s guide, and ESC buyer’s guide.
Holybro Kakute F7 HDV
Kakute F7 HDV FC ($38):
- Banggood: http://bit.ly/2mHJIAS
- RDQ: http://bit.ly/2mHQ4Af
- GetFPV: http://bit.ly/2lArp0w
Stack with 40A 4in1 ESC ($91):
- GetFPV: http://bit.ly/2nhcdWr
- Amazon: https://amzn.to/2mM5Jyk
- Banggood: http://bit.ly/2mHKxd7
Accessories include:
- 1 x 1000uF 35v Electrolytic capacitor (to be soldered at the ESC power pads)
- 2 x ESC to FC ribbon cable (65mm & 25mm)
- Bolts, standoffs and nuts
Table of Contents
Kakute F7 HDV FC Specs
- F7, MPU6000
- Integrated BMP280 Barometer
- SCL/SDA pads for external GPS and magnetometer
- Input voltage: 7V to 42V (recommended up to 6S only)
- 5V 1.5A BEC
- 8V 2A (16W) for DJI Air Unit
- 6 UART’s
- Built-in SD Card Reader for Blackbox
- Micro USB Port
- Dimensions: 35x35mm
- Weight: 8g
Tekko32 F3 HDV ESC Specs
- BLHeli32 Firmware (F3 MCU)
- Current: 40Ax4 cont, burst unknown
- Supports 3S – 6S LiPo Input
- Extra Capacitor required at the power (included)
- Dimensions: 44x37x6mm
- Weight: 11.6g
The Good and Bad
- Faster processors in both FC (F7) and ESC (F3), don’t make much of a difference in performance, but more future-proof
- SD card reader for blackbox
- Waterproof coating on FC, but not on ESC
- Built-in barometer for measuring height – great if you plan to use GPS on the quad
- Doesn’t support Betaflight OSD, so it’s not really ideal for analogue FPV system
- There is no solder pads for connecting the FC and ESC, you have to use the ribbon cable
iFlight Succex-D F7 TwinG
Buy FC only:
Stack with 50A or 60A 4in1 ESC:
Specs:
- Processor: F7
- Gyro: 2x ICM20689
- BEC: 9V 2.5A / 5V 2.5A
- Baro: Yes
- UART: 5
- Betaflight OSD for Analogue: Yes
- Support Voltage: 2S to 6S
- Blackbox: 32MB Flash Memory
- USB-C Port
- Mounting size: 30x30mm
- Weight: 7.5g
iFlight Succex-D Mini F7
Buy Stack with 40A 4in1 ESC:
Specs:
- Processor: F7
- Gyro: 2x ICM20689
- BEC: 9V 2.5A / 5V 2.5A
- UART: 5
- Baro: No
- Betaflight OSD for Analogue: Yes
- Support Voltage: 2S to 6S
- Blackbox: 32MB Flash Memory
- USB-C Port
- Mounting size: 20x20mm
- Weight: unknown
T-Motor F7 HD
Buy FC only:
Stack with 55A 4in1 ESC:
Specs:
- Processor: F7
- Gyro: MPU6000
- BEC: 5V 2A / 10V 2A
- UART: 5
- Baro: No
- Betaflight OSD for Analogue: No
- Input Voltage: 3S to 6S
- Blackbox: 16MB
- Micro USB Port
- Mounting Size: 30x30mm
- Weight: 8.4g
T-Motor F4 HD
Buy FC only:
Stack with 55A 4in1 ESC:
Specs:
- Processor: F4
- Gyro: MPU6000
- BEC: 5V 2A / 10V 2A
- UART: 5
- Baro: No
- Betaflight OSD for Analogue: No
- Input Voltage: 3S to 6S
- Blackbox: 16MB
- Micro USB Port
- Mounting Size: 30x30mm
- Weight: 7g
Diatone Mamba F4 DJI
Stack with BLHeli_32 50A 4in1 ESC:
Stack with BLHeli_S 50A 4in1 ESC:
Specs:
- Processor: F4
- Gyro: MPU6000
- BEC: 5V 2.5A / 9V 2A
- UART: 6
- Baro: No
- Betaflight OSD for Analogue: Yes
- Input Voltage: 3S – 6S
- Blackbox: 16MB
- Micro USB Port
- Mounting Size: 30x30mm
- Weight: 7.5g
Transtec F7 HD
FC Only:
Specs:
- Processor: F7
- Gyro: MPU6000
- BEC: 5V 2A / 12V 1.5A
- UART: 4
- Baro: No
- Betaflight OSD for Analogue: No
- Input Voltage: 2S – 6S
- Blackbox: No
- USB-C Port
- Mounting Size: 30x30mm
- Weight: 6g
MATEKSYS F722-HD
Buy FC only: Banggood
Specs:
- Processor: F7
- Gyro: MPU6000
- BEC: 5V 2A / 8V 2A
- UART: 6
- Baro: Yes
- Betaflight OSD for Analogue: No
- Input Voltage: 3S to 8S
- Blackbox: 32MB
- Micro USB Port
- Mounting Size: 30x30mm
- Weight: 6.5g
FuriousFPV RacePit HD
Buy FC only: Banggood
Specs:
- Processor: F4
- Gyro: MPU6000
- BEC: 5V 2A / 8V 2A
- UART: 6
- Baro: No
- Betaflight OSD for Analogue: No
- Input Voltage: Unknown
- Blackbox: No
- USB-C Port
- Mounting Size: 30x30mm
- Weight: Unknown
Aikon F7 Mini V2 HD
Buy FC only:
Specs:
- Processor: F7
- Gyro: MPU6000
- BEC: 5V / 10V (current unknown)
- UART: 5
- Baro: No
- Betaflight OSD for Analogue: Yes
- Input Voltage: 2S to 6S
- Blackbox: 16MB
- Micro USB Port
- Mounting Size: 20x20mm
- Weight: 8g
HGLRC Zeus F722 for DJI
Buy FC only:
Specs:
- Processor: F7
- Gyro: MPU6000
- BEC: 5V 3A / 9V 2A
- UART: 5
- Baro: Yes
- Betaflight OSD for Analogue: Yes
- Input Voltage: 3S – 6S
- Blackbox: 16MB
- USB-C Port
- Mounting Size: 30x30mm
- Weight: 8.1g
HGLRC Zeus F722 Mini for DJI
Buy FC only: Banggood
Specs:
- Processor: F7
- Gyro: MPU6000
- BEC: 5V 3A / 9V 2A
- UART: 5
- Baro: Yes
- Betaflight OSD for Analogue: Yes
- Input Voltage: 2S – 6S
- Blackbox: 16MB
- Micro USB Port
- Mounting Size: 20x20mm
- Weight: 4.6g
GEPRC SPAN F7 BT HD
Stack with 50A 4in1 ESC:
Specs:
- Processor: F7
- Gyro: 2x ICM20689
- BEC: 5V 2A / 9V 2A
- UART: 5
- Built-in Bluetooth
- Baro: No
- Betaflight OSD for Analogue: Yes
- Input Voltage: 3S – 6S
- Blackbox: 32MB
- Micro USB Port
- Mounting Size: 30x30mm
- Weight: unknown
NewBeeDrone Infinity 30
Product Page:
- NewBeeDrone: http://bit.ly/2lXSniG
- RDQ: http://bit.ly/2na8Y2T
Accessories:
- 4x Grommets
- 5x Nylon Screw 27mm
- 13x Nylon Lock nut
- 3x FC to DJI Air Unit Cable (length: 40mm, 100mm, 150mm)
- 1x FC to ESC cable 40mm
Infinity 30 FC Specs
- F4, MPU6000
- Input Voltage: 3S – 6S
- 5V 2A BEC
- 9V 2A (18W) for DJI Air Unit
- Built-in Betaflight OSD
- 6 UART’s – UART 1 inverted for SBUS
- Micro USB Port
- Size: 36×39
- Weight: 8.4g
Infinity 30 ESC Spec
- BLHeli_32 Firmware
- Supports 3S – 6S LiPo Input
- Current: 40Ax4 cont. 55Ax4 burst
- Current sensor (ADC)
- Size: 41×37.5x6mm
- Weight: 15.0g
The Good and Bad
The flight controller is a single sided PCB (components are built on only one side of the board). This means less separation is required on the bottom, and so you can mount the ESC closer to the FC and make a super low stack.
Here are the great features of the Infinity30 ESC:
- There are built-in RGB LED at the 4 corners, programmable in BLHeli_32 configurator.
- According to NewBeeDrone, there are 48 x 10uF ceramic capacitors on the Infinity30 ESC, there is no need for extra capacitors!
- You can connect the ESC to FC either with the ribbon cable, or soldering wires, very flexible.
- The 4in1 ESC has rubber grommets, which dampens and protects the ESC against crash impacts
- There is a heatsink on top of the ESC which also acts as a shielding for the FC from EM interference from the FET’s
- FC is using F4 processor – it’s totally fine in terms of performance and usage, but I wish it was an F7 anyway
- It has built-in Betaflight OSD, so you can use it for DJI FPV System, as well as analogue FPV system
- Some might prefer the more centred gyro sensor
- More user friendly solder pad layout than the Kakute
- Slightly more powerful 5V BEC
- 3 cables of different lengths for connecting DJI VTX – flexible!
Conclusion
Let me know if I missed any other FC stacks that are designed for the DJI Digital FPV system. The best FC stack depends on your application and preference.
Get an F7 if you can, it’s more powerful than F4, but flight performance wise, you won’t notice a difference. (F7 and F4 FC differences)
I think it’s nice to have Betaflight OSD feature available, you won’t be using it with the DJI FPV system, but it allows you to use the same FC with analogue FPV system.
Baro and Blakcbox are nice to have features but not necessary for everyone.
You should also compare the capability of ESC that comes with the FC, although in theory you can use any ESC you want by only getting the FC. I quite like the Infinity 4in1 ESC from the NBD Infinity stack, very powerful and has a lot of capacitors for noise filtering.
The Holybro HDV stack is also very appealing in certain ways – it has built-in barometer and SD card reader, great for GPS long range and performance tuning. Not to mentioned the faster F7 processor, and it’s nearly $10 cheaper than the NBD Infinity stack, and you can also just buy the FC alone if you want.
However something that is lacking in many of these FC: a USB-C connector! I prefer USB-C over the old micro USB because the DJI Air Unit also uses type-C connector, a matching connector in the FC means one fewer cable to carry around.
Edit History
- Sep 2019 – post created
- Jul 2020 – Updated list of products
40 comments
what do you think of the SpeedyBee F7 V3 Flight Controller ?
I have the flywoo fc F745 this also works with the dji system
Just what I was looking for. Would like to make a 3 inch quad with dji stack.
OK quick update, I figured out the UART for the DJI Air unit is UART 1 and according to the manual for connecting the GPS is also UART 1 so that’s why I couldn’t get either working correctly. This would have been much easier if they had labeled the DJI socket pins on the FC or at the least documented this in the manual. I used UART 3 for SCL,SDA and UART 4 for RX/TX for GPS and kept the DJI on UART 1, just have to select peripheral DJIFPV in ports on INAV and OSD works great. I still have not figured out how to change board alignment to correct Accelerometer calibration?
You can change board alignment in the Configurator? Should be in the “Configuration” tab somewhere.
Well I finally got the manual for the GepRC SPAN F722 HD BT, weirdly the board I purchased was supposed to have Type C usb but it has the Type B. Not sure this is an earlier version of this board or what, I am waiting for the supplier to respond and let me know.
I have connected everything and installed INAV and mostly working ok. DJI OSD is not working, still trying to figure it out, I’m not sure what UART it uses as it’s not documented in the manual or printed on the board and connects using a supplied 6 wire cable.
Also when I try to calibrate the Accelerometer the gui graphic for nose down highlights when craft is on it’s side, this occurs for all except FC up and FC Down.
Any help really appreciated as this setup is now becoming very tiresome.
Starting to wish I had gone with a different FC!
Hi Oscar, Thanks for another excellent review and relevent info. I have just received the geprc span-f7-bt-hd blheli_32 50a 4in1 esc but nowhere can I find the manual for this particular item. I’ve checked on GEPRC downloads plus various sites on the net but nothing. I’ve managed to work out most of what I need but any idea what the RSS pad is on FC?
Bought a GLR 1.28 track racing car instead and then my DJI Inspire 1 and a Raptor 650 Folding and my Futaba T10J and T14SG went in the same spirit.
Instead of Futaba, I got a new Jumper T16 Pro to drive my BetaFPV 85 HD and Mobula 6, which I was an idiotic purchase as that Jumper never came out of the box.
Brand new Eachine EV200 and two whoop are therefore lying and scrapping together with Jumper and it only gives a bad conscience.
Well, I have a “small” hobby project left too and it is a Sky Hero Spy Y6-900 with Dji Naza V2 and 4S engine system.
Without Futaba radio and an unwillingness to drive it with the Jumper, I am now thinking of a DJI FPV Fly More Combo instead.
If I buy a DJI kit with radio, goggles and air unit, can I fligh this with the Naza flight controller as well?
I have a Diatone 210 that got a kit EMax RS 2205 2600KV, Matek F722-SE FC and Runcam Split Mini 2 for 4S configuration with Jumper …
As I said, Betaflight and analogue suck both energy and patience out of me, so last winter the Runcam went out with Turnigy Evo radio and it was aimed to also take the Matek FC out and replace with OneFlight and Caddx Turtle V2.
Then Covid struck and most of it halted.
Now, however, I want this 210 race drone in airworthy condition and I am thinking of stopping in a DJI kit instead and then comes the third question.
If I can fly Air Unit with radio in RTH centered GPS lever for Sky Heron, is there a possibility that you could easily change the radio to race mode with the throttle lever at the bottom for the race drone and be able to switch between these modes?
If I can get this done and get these drones in airworthy condition again, then the hope is to replace the drive system in Sky Heron with a 6S configuration for longer flight time.
If it does not work to run the radio in different modes and have GPS mode, then the Sky Heron might have to be an FPV drone, but in a larger scale to mimic a ”wing”.
How do you make your FPV Goggle to fit your face, out of the box it’s terrible for me?
Is there a FlightOne FC that is PnP with DJI Air Unit?
Is there a DJI PnN Flight Controller with GPS to get a Naza V2 flight experience in GPS-mode?
I need a jump start to get the motivation back, and BetaFlight is NOT the way to get me back on track!
im building an Armattan Badger dji edition, and running 6s battery power… would i be ok to run the T-Motor F7 HD + F55A Pro II Stack for DJI without a voltage regulator so as not to damage the air unit?
Hi Oscar,
as i newbe i would like to know if there is any difference in quallity in these FC’s? Or is it mainly function and connecting?
Which of these would u buy?
regards Ro
Also good to add capacitors to the power leads going into the air unit to avoid video freezing issues.
Hi Oscar
Can DJi unit read data from sensors attached to FC and display it as osd, I’m thinking gps more specifically. I know you said betaflight osd doesn’t work with dji but is it just osd settings available within bf?
You can display some of the GPS related element in DJI goggles, see this diagram for the elements supported: https://oscarliang.com/dji-fpv-system-setup/#betaflight-osd-setup
According to the GEPRC manual the F722 BT HD FC does have a baro. BMP280. From the product page the once picture shows the baro on the bottom of the FC. I know the non-HD version of the flight controller the baro is an option.
Later,
Jeff
hi oscar, is the DJI osd can be used on all type of betaflight FC with latest firmware? or it is need a special FC?
DJI OSD does not depend on FC, it’d work on any FC as long as there is a spare UART for the Air Unit. can be normal UART, or softserial.
How about Mamba stack F405?
Hello,
What is your opinion of the iFlight SucceX-D F7 Stack ?
Thank you,
Not sure, haven’t tried it yet.
Hi, I’m currently building a mini quad using the tmotor F4 HD stack designed for the DJI FPV system I am experiencing a difficulty I cannot find the right UART to make my controller work on beta everything is connect like the air unit the goggles and the DJI controller, I can’t find a solution to it can you help me out ?
I used the succex f7 with the Air Unit and it overheated the flightcontroler during programing on betaflight. Now the fc is toast and the AirUnit isn’t getting power when using a 3cell lipo directly. Thats 2 componets down do to overheating. I have a support ticket with DJI, but the iflight uccex f7 was already replaced once for a soldering pad coming off. Now to buy another one and hope these are truly compatible.
I have the complete FLY MORE combo setup with all the suggest drone parts (F55A ProII and FC) but for the life of me i cannot get the contoller to connect to fly the drone. It’s registered, all the DJI parts “connects” but i don’t know how to configure everything in Betaflight to make it so that I can use the DJI controller to fly it. PLEASE HELP ANYONE.
Now that dji supports betaflight osd, does that mean I won’t be able to use Holybro F7 HDV to get osd on my screen?
DJI doesn’t support Betaflight OSD, and will never support it since it’s digital, not analogue.
DJI is using their own OSD technology, so it doesn’t matter if the FC has an OSD chip or not. You can still use the Holybro F7 HDV and get OSD in your DJI system.
Hi Oscar, I have an iflight Succex f7 TwinG which is on made for HD goggle. I’m running a 4s battery and i want to ask you, can i connect my air unit on that FC or should i buy a new one? Thanks.
You can, but you will need to power the Air Unit with an external voltage regulator.
Hi – I have 3 of the Kakute f7 HDV stacks. They shipped with betaflight 4.0.4 and the barometer worked. After I upgraded to 4.1 the barometer throws off i2c errors. I can’t figure out how to remedy. Any thoughts or suggestions? Thank you!
Any word on whether or not Kiss will be working on a way to interface their equipment with the Air Unit?
Oscar,
Is there any way to use a Pixihawk 4Mini etc or Eagle Tree Micro vector/Vector with the DJi system? It is correct to assume that the noted above Kakute F7 board would be compatible with INav? I would like to have a GPS based system for longer range work. I am using a FRSKY 9M Lite Pro now. If compared to a Orqa Goggle and analog camera (which camera would you use) for best and most clear view, what would you choose? Thank you sir for your excellent articles and assistance!
Very Best Regards,
Jim
Not sure if this has been mentioned but do not use the Kakute HDV!! It only has an 8v regulator which is not enough to power the DJI Air Unit on 700mw(not for very long anyway). I’ve ended up with a black screen mid flight resulting in a gnarly crash. I now know of countless others as well. Furthermore, the Kakute doesn’t support BF OSD so it’s worthless. Pretty upsetting considering I went long on these from the start based on my previous positive experiences with Kakute/Tekko
There are several stacks from iFlight that are PnP for DJI, including a 20×20 40A stack.
This is a good Voltage Regulator for Air Unit or you recommend other? getfpv.com/diatone-12v-2a-voltage-regulator.html
What good is the kakute F7 HDV’s barometer if you cant see it read out in betaflight OSD?
Are they anticipating some sort of osd workaround coming up from DJI?
That’s a good point, let’s just hope it will be supported by DJI’s OSD in the future.
I have the NDB stack. FWIW – oddly, they do say caps are not required for 6S BUT they mention they ARE recommended for 4S: “Note: For current version of Infinity30 FC, please add a 25v 470uf cap if you are building a quad in 4S. ” The FC seems great. Really just plug and play. Shame about not having a waterproof coating, though as the ESC’s heatsink is not really removable which makes waterproofing after the fact tough. I’m also not sure there is a target out for it. I had to use the base F4 unified target and then use information from the diff to use BF4.1 or even just reflash BF4.0.
Hi newbie question having purchased] dji fpv drone I now wish to purchase a zohd drift which would be the best dji fc to purchase out of these please as I believe there are quad fc and wing fc just not 100% which way I should be looking it’s mind twisting lol
Thanks for any advice
And it has the USB-C connector
Hi Oscar, you also have the iFlight SucceX-D F7 Stack (F7+60A ESC) for DJI Air Unit FPV Racing Drone, to be found on BG.
Fred (helicomicro.com)
You missed this one! t-motor-f55a-pro-f4-hd-stack
I’m using this stack on an Armattan Marmotte frame. clean build, however the stack is taller than the stock standoffs and I had to use custom standoffs in the rear and spacers in the front.