The End of BLHeli_32 and The Future of ESC Firmware in FPV Drones

BLHeli has been a staple in the FPV drones community for years, unfortunately it’s been abruptly shut down, and there won’t be any more new BLHeli_32 ESCs or software updates. So, what does this mean for FPV pilots, and what steps should you consider next? Let’s delve into the details.

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Learn more about the background of ESC firmware: https://oscarliang.com/esc/#ESC-Firmware

Why BLHeli_32 is Shutting Down

According to the letter from the company, the decision to shut down was driven by the increasingly complex geopolitical landscape and the associated risks of BLHeli32 being used in warfare drones. Norway’s strict export control regulations based on the European Union’s legal framework made it difficult for BLHeli to continue operations.

Impacts on FPV Pilots

In the short term, there is no immediate need to worry for FPV pilots.

First and foremost, if you have BLHeli32 ESCs in your quadcopter right now, they will continue to work just as they always have. You can still configure your ESCs using the BLHeliSuite32 software, change settings, and perform all the usual configurations. However, the one thing you can’t do anymore is flash new firmware updates.

The Issue with Firmware Updates

If you try to flash your BLHeli32 ESCs to another version of the firmware, you’ll encounter a message saying, “Server down for maintenance, please try again later.” Unfortunately, this server will be down for maintenance forever. This means no more firmware updates for BLHeli32 ESCs, which could be a problem if you encounter bugs or issues in the future.

BLHeli32 ESC Availability

Will there be a shortage of ESCs? Personally, I don’t think so. There is a good amount of existing BLHeli_32 ESC stock, so you should still be able to purchase them in the next few months at least. Although there might not be new BLHeli_32 updates in the future, your ESC will continue to work as they did.

Note that this incident only impacts the closed-source BLHeli_32, not BLHeli_S which is open source. How to tell if you have BLHeli32 or BLHeli_S ESC: https://oscarliang.com/identify-esc-firmware/

Manufacturers will eventually have to switch from BLHeli_32 to alternative ESC firmware. This transition might cause some disruption in the availability of ESCs, but I think the impact will be minimal. Time will tell.

BLHeli_S ESCs Remain Unaffected

The good news is that BLHeli_S ESCs are not affected by this shutdown. BLHeli_S was released as open-source firmware and is still being maintained by the community. You can continue to use, update, and configure your BLHeli_S ESCs without any issues.

ESC Firmware Alternatives

With BLHeli32 gone, the FPV community is looking for alternatives, and AM32 is quickly emerging as the new standard. AM32 is under active development and is expected to receive even more attention now that ESC manufacturers are looking for a new firmware solution.

And for BLHeli_S, there’s Bluejay.

When switching to a new ESC firmware, the flashing and updating process will change too. I’ve covered these in the following tutorials:

• How to flash Bluejay: https://oscarliang.com/bluejay-blheli-s/
• How to flash AM32: https://oscarliang.com/flash-am32-blheli32-esc/

What Should You Do Now?

If you’re currently using BLHeli_32 ESCs, there’s no immediate need to switch. Your ESCs will continue to work as they did. Don’t rush into flashing AM32 because there’s no real benefit, and once you flash AM32, there’s no going back to BLHeli32. It’s better to wait and see how the situation evolves and then make an informed decision.

If you are buying new ESCs today, it’s worth considering AM32 for future-proofing, or go with BLHeli_S ESC so you can flash Bluejay. It’s still okay to buy BLHeli_32 and switch to AM32 later if you wish. You can find ESC with AM32 firmware here:

• AliExpress: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_Dm32AXj
• Amazon: https://amzn.to/3KrHz3R
• GetFPV: https://oscarliang.com/product-2lo6

For those ready to explore AM32, it’s crucial to understand the process thoroughly. Take time to research and ensure compatibility before making any changes. I have a tutorial here: https://oscarliang.com/flash-am32-blheli32-esc/

If your ESC already has AM32 on it, you can follow this guide to update them: https://oscarliang.com/flash-update-am32-esc/

Once you’ve flashed AM32 you can follow this guide to configure your ESC: https://oscarliang.com/best-am32-settings/

For BLHeli_S users, you should flash Bluejay as it offers more features and better performance, particularly bidirectional DShot and RPM filtering. Here’s how to flash bluejay: https://oscarliang.com/bluejay-blheli-s/

Conclusion

The discontinuation of BLHeli_32 is a significant and unfortunate change, but it’s not the end of the world for FPV pilots. While there may be some short-term disruptions, the FPV community is resilient and adaptable. With alternatives like Bluejay and AM32, we have the tools to continue flying and enjoying the hobby. In the meantime, keep flying with your current gear, stay informed about the latest developments, and be prepared to adapt as the landscape of ESC firmware evolves.