The DJI O3 Air Unit is expensive, and it may not be feasible to purchase one for each of your FPV drones and fixed wings. If you’re on a budget, consider using TPU or aluminum holders (backpack) so you can use one single DJI O3 Air Unit for multiple aircraft.
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Where to Buy?
There are two types of DJI O3 Air Unit backpack holders: TPU 3D-printed and aluminum. These backpack holders transform your O3 Air Unit into an action camera similar to a GoPro Session. The main advantage is that the O3 can be powered directly from the drone, eliminating the need for a separate battery while providing FPV capabilities.
The aluminum holder is more robust and offers better cooling, as the entire case acts as a heatsink for the video transmitter. Purchase the aluminum holder here: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DEzZFuD
The TPU holder is more affordable, lightweight, and still provides reliable protection during crashes. The weight saving is significant (weighs a little over 20 grams, almost 17 grams lighter than the aluminium case’s 37g), making it my preferred choice for 5″ FPV drones. Get the TPU holder here:
- AliExpress: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DlEa5rf
- Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Hja2rE
If you’re interested in purchasing an additional O3 Air Unit, find them at these retailers:
- RDQ: https://oscarliang.com/product-sadl
- GetFPV: https://oscarliang.com/product-4blv
- AliExpress: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DdQYArv
- Amazon: https://amzn.to/3RtWfm1
Installing the DJI O3 Air Unit in the Backpack Holder
Begin by inserting the camera into the holder, ensuring that the DJI logo on the back is correctly oriented. Secure the camera with four M2 screws on both sides.
Next, remove the cable in the air unit and push the Air Unit into the TPU mount. Fasten the backplate with the provided screws and position the antenna in the holder on the backplate. That’s all there is to it.
Setting Up Your Drone
Configure your flight controller as you would with a standard DJI O3 Air Unit, following the steps outlined in this tutorial: https://oscarliang.com/dji-o3-air-unit-fpv-goggles-2/#How-To-Setup-DJI-Goggles-2-and-O3-Air-Unit
Get a cable long enough to get to the O3 Air Unit from the flight controller, the connector needed is called “JST SH1.0mm 6-pin”. You will need one of these cables for every drone. Opt for silicone wires with a gauge of 26AWG, 28AWG, or 30AWG. You can find such cables easily on AliExpress: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DFQTJSV
Additionally, you will need a GoPro-style mount on each of your quads.
Transferring the Air Unit Between Models
To move the O3 Air Unit to another drone, just unplug the cable from the O3 Air Unit, attach the O3 to another quad in the same manner as a GoPro, and then connect the cable.
Conclusion
So there you have it – a straightforward and cost-effective solution for sharing a single DJI O3 Air Unit on all of your FPV drones with this backpack technique. Happy flying.
12 comments
Is there anything similar for walksnail?
I printed this thingiverse.com/thing:5827063 5% bigger and it worked with walksnail v2 vtx
Where print it, the STL Bro ?
Is there a mount for the Caddx Vista Nebula Pro that I could use to do the same thing?
Not that I know of, maybe try to search on Thingiverse and see if there’s a design you can print yourself.
Ali link doesn’t work.
Brilliant!
AliExpress links aren’t working.
sometimes you need to scroll down once clicking the link to find the desired product. AliExpress’s sorting system is quite bad.
Great idea. I ordered 3 units. Thanks for letting me know Oscar!
Do you know of a 3D print available that we can print ourselves?
Here thingiverse.com/thing:5827063