In this post, I will share my 3″ Toothpick build (a sub-100g micro FPV drone) using the latest Flywoo GOKU F405 1-2S 12A AIO FC. This quad will be using the Walksnail FPV system and powered by 2S batteries. I will also share my thoughts and experience from using the GOKU F405 12A AIO FC. Consider this a mini-review.
Learn more about flight controllers in my buyer’s guide: https://oscarliang.com/flight-controller/
Table of Contents
My Experience with the Flywoo GOKU F405 1-2S 12A AIO FC
Product Page:
- Flywoo: https://oscarliang.com/product-cbch
- AliExpress: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DkJRC2R
It comes with the following accessories.
Why I really like the Flywoo GOKU 1-2S 12A AIO FC:
- Built-in ExpressLRS 2.4GHz receiver (UART), making it a compact solution.
- Offers 6 UARTs! Normally, whoop/toothpick style FCs only give you 2 UARTs, which is very limiting. With this many UARTs, you can literally use it on any build.
- Multiple 4.5V pads, which I use for powering the receiver and GPS. This allows you to power these devices through USB without the need to plug in the battery, to avoid overheating VTX.
- Has 8MB of flash memory for Blackbox logging! This is useful for tuning your quad. Most other 25.5×25.5mm FCs simply do not have this feature.
- SDA and SCL (i2c) connections allow you to connect a compass. Again, this feature is usually missing in this type of board!
- Onboard barometer!
- Offers both MPU6000 and ICM42688-P gyros.
- Has a 9V 2A BEC for powering your VTX!
- Supports iNAV!
- ESC’s have been flashed with Bluejay 0.19 24KHz in factory.
One of the biggest benefit of this FC would have to be the 9V electronic switch:
By controlling the USER2 switch, you can turn the the 9V output ON and OFF. This allows you to temporarily shut down the VTX if you are powering it with the 9V BEC, to prevent overheating on the bench. Here’s how to set it up:
- Connect the Flight Controller:
- Connect the flight controller to the Betaflight Configurator.
- Switch to the “Modes” interface.
- Configure USER2:
- Scroll down to find USER2.
- Select “Add Range.”
- Move the joystick switch on the remote controller that you wish to configure.
- Save the settings.
- Activate USER2:
- Activate USER2 to control the 9V power supply as needed.
What I don’t like about this FC:
- The biggest downside of this FC is probably the absence of the OSD chip for analog (AT7456E). The new V2 is designed for HD systems, such as Walksnail, HDZero, and DJI, which don’t need this chip to display OSD in the goggles like analog does. I guess analog is becoming less popular, and this change lowers the cost of production as well. You can still use it with analog if you really want to, but Betaflight OSD won’t work.
- I wish there was an additional version with a horizontal USB port. This would support a wider range of frames and make it more versatile.
Overall, I think the GOKU F405 1-2S 12A AIO FC is one of the best flight controller boards for 1S or 2S toothpicks and whoops, especially for those digital FPV builds like Walksnail, DJI, and HDZero with its 9V BEC.
Here’s a side-by-side comparison between the V1 and V2 of the GOKU 12A AIO FC.
Some close-ups of the flight controller, top and bottom.
Specifications
- BF Flight Controller Firmware: FLYWOOF405S_AIO
- INAV Firmware: FLYWOOF405PRO
- MCU: STM32F405BGA
- BEC: 5V 2A / 9V 2A
- Flash: 8MB
- LED: 2 × WS2812
- Barometer: DPS310 / SPL06
- Gyro: ICM42688P / MPU6000
- Motor: M1-M4 OUTPUT I2C: SCL/SDA
- UARTs: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
- Connector: Type-C
- OSD: No
- Hole: 25.5 × 25.5-3mm
- Size: 30 × 30mm
- Weight: 4.9g
Onboard 4-in-1 ESC
- Built-in 1S/2S 12A BL_S 4-in-1 ESC Supports Oneshot125, Oneshot42, Multishot, Dshot150, Dshot300, Dshot600
- Input Voltage: 1-2S Lipo
- Firmware:
BLHELI_SBluejay 0.19 24KHz - Firmware Version: Z_H_30_REV16.7
ELRS 2.4G RX (Optional)
- ESP8285 MCU
- SX1280IMLTRT RF Module
- Frequency Range: 2400 MHz to 2500 MHz
- Maximum Receive Refresh Rate: 500Hz
- Minimum Receiver Refresh Rate: 25Hz
- Serial: UART 1
- Firmware: Flywoo EL24P 2400 RX
- Version: 3.X.X
| Specification | GOKU F405 HD 1-2S ELRS AIO V2 | GOKU F405 1-2S 12A AIO ELRS |
|---|---|---|
| BF Firmware | FLYWOOF405S_AIO | FLYWOOF405S_AIO |
| BEC | 5V 2A & 9V 2A | 5V 2A |
| Flash | 8MB | 8MB |
| Onboard LED | 2*WS2812 | 2*WS2812 |
| Barometer | DPS310/SPL06 | DPS310/SPL06 |
| Gyro | ICM42688P / MPU6000 | ICM42688P / MPU6000 |
| Motor | M1-M4 OUTPUT | M1-M4 OUTPUT |
| i2c SCL/SDA | Yes | Yes |
| UARTs | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 |
| Connector | USB Type-C | Micro USB |
| Analog OSD | No | Yes (AT7456E) |
| Mounting | 25.5*25.5mm | 25.5*25.5mm |
| Size | 30*30mm | 30*30mm |
| Weight | 4.9g | 4.1g |
Here’s the pinout diagram.
3″ 2S Walksnail Toothpick Build
Parts list:
- Flywoo GOKU 1-2S 12A AIO FC: https://oscarliang.com/product-cbch
- Babytooth 3″ Toothpick frame: https://oscarliang.com/product-712k
- BetaFPV Micro Canopy: https://oscarliang.com/product-qlix
- T-Motor 1103 8000KV motors: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DkepDm3
- Gemfan 3018×2 propellers: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DBWIEdd
- Walksnail 1S Mini VTX/Camera kit: https://oscarliang.com/walksnail-avatar-1s-mini-vtx-nano-camera/
- GNB 2S 550mAh LiHV Battery: https://oscarliang.com/whoop-toothpick-lipo-battery/#:~:text=GNB%202S%20550mah%20100C
Currently, the lightest frame I could find is the Babytooth, but it’s almost never in stock (I’m also quite surprised it’s still not been cloned at this point). Also, it’s not designed for FCs with vertical USB ports, which are the most common type of FC. There aren’t many whoop-style FCs available with horizontal USB ports, so I normally just flip the board over and re-configure the board alignment in Betaflight. I am getting some new 3″ toothpick frames to try out in the next couple of weeks, hopefully will find a good replacement.
First, mount the motors.
Then, install the Walksnail 1S VTX to the frame and solder it to the FC. I am powering it from the 5V pad on the FC as the 1S VTX only supports 3.3V to 5V input.
I also soldered a capacitor to the XT30 power pads, which come with the FC. I am using BetaFPV’s micro lite canopy designed for tiny whoops, but it works fantastic on this build. It has just enough room to house the USB port. However, I do need to remove the canopy if I want to connect the FC to Betaflight, which is slightly annoying.
The build weighs only 59g excluding the battery, and with a 2S 550mAh battery, it weighs only 88g. I can still make it lighter by:
- Shortening the motor wires and XT30 pigtail.
- Using fewer zip ties.
- Not using screws for mounting propellers (I only have props with 2mm holes, and those motors have 1.5mm shafts, so I have to use screws for now).
- Using a lighter canopy.
- Using a lighter battery mount.
Let me know if you have any questions in the comments.
32 comments
I’m using this as a great FC in a sub 250g long range endurance drone, using efficient DJI 1503 motors & 2S battery. Its unique in having SDA SCL I/O to enable both a compass and GPS in INAV navigation type applications. I have working well, BUT!!!….. COME ON FLYWOO – the 9V VTX switch & PINIO is still not supported in INAV firmwares. That seems really poor since you claim its INAV compatible and the FC specifically targets HD VTXs which all get very hot when waiting for GPS fix. Some documentation would also be good…there are numerous people in these comments who struggled getting the 9V switch to function in BF.
Hey Oscar, which BF firmware has/had the PINIO for USER2 VTX 9V switch. It is virtually non-existant at the moment, and information is scarce.
Hi Thomas, I’ve faced the same issue when trying to use a 9V switch. Here are the parameters from my config that work for USER1:
resource PINIO 1 B05
set pinio_box = 40,41,255,255
Make sure you don’t use onboard LEDs; otherwise, the switch will not work stably.
Thanks for sharing Oscar,
Have you done a range test on this yet ? I have a Firefly DC16 Walksnail and am currently waiting for my GPS to come in so I can conduct one. I have an odd fascination with nano “long range” builds. Curious as to whether or not my VTX will cutout before the RX does. I have a goggles x with 4 truerc patches. Looking forward to hearing from you.
Hello Oscar, first of all thanks for your great work, sharing your Knowledge !
Long story short, I bought a flywoo Lens 85 pnp and now already bought flywoo TCXO 2.4g ELRS EL24P but i can’t figure out which analog vtx and camera i can best buy and how to connect it to the F405 hd, because i still have an old fatshark dominator V2
I have already looked at many pin out diagrams but i can’t figure it out. and PS what do all the numbers stand for behind TX 2/3/and 4 and RX 2/3and 4 what is the logic behind this?
Hey, i have this FC with my flytimes85 and I’m trying to set up the 9v switch, but I think i messed up my the resource and/or the pinio pinio box settings in my diff and I didn’t backup the stock diff. Do you mind posting the diff for your build, or the stock diff to get that user1 or user2 switch to work?
Hey Oscar,
what Kind of Battery Mount you have used?
just some 3D printed TPU battery holder I found on thingiverse. I don’t have the link, but just search for 2S battery holder with 25.5×25.5mm mounting. There are many. Get one that fits your battery.
Hey Oscar,
thanks for your great article!!!
Any ideas for EUROPEAN customers to get the “Babytooth 3″ Toothpick” frame or an equal frame?
Purchasing from american websites are no options for us, cause of extrem high shipping AND custom costs!!!
I was going to test some different frames but it was delayed. Will post more once I’ve done the test. For now I don’t really have any recommendations, but there are plenty of alternatives on sites like AliExpress: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DFsgYdX
Hey Oscar,
thanks for your build.
What you set on :
Minimum Startup Power (Boost) and Maximum Startup Power (Protection)
Because right now its to low, isnt it?
In the latest bluejay version, you need to tune Min/Max Startup Power based on your setup, here’s the documentation: https://github.com/bird-sanctuary/bluejay/wiki/Setup
Hey Oscar,
thanks for the link. I’ve tried many combinations and still can’t get the quad up in the air.
It’s like the engines are not getting enough power.
When I have armed then only 2 sometimes 3 motors are turning.
Can you share your settings?
Have you tried setting min startup power higher? Try setting it to the max, then test in motor tab see if the motors spins up smoothly. If so, reduce min startup power just a little, test again. Repeat this until the motors don’t spin up smoothly, then back up.
have found the problem. The motor screws supplied were too long and broke the motors.
I thought the problem was somewhere else the whole time.
Conclusion: I bought new motors and now it works. Currently my favorite copter!
Hello,
If someone the enable/disable 9Vpad power supply works, can you tell me what the code is in betaflight?
for me currently: resource PINIO 2 B05
I put this B05 pad on aux for anything, I can’t turn off the walksnail moonlight VTX for some reason.
Yes, but it wasn’t easy to find out because I didn’t find a schematic or at least a pin mapping table for this board.
However, the mapping of B05 to the 9V regulator switch is apparently correct. Can you tell where to find the mapping for the other exposed I/O as well?
This is how it worked for me. Go to the betaflight CLI:
# resource
…
resource MOTOR 4 A02
resource MOTOR 5 B05
…
Resource shows MOTOR 1-8. That is strange because there are only 4 motors. So B05 is currently occupied by motor 5.
Then do
# resource MOTOR 5 none
Resource is freed
That is not enough because the motors are connected by the timers. See…
# timer
…
timer B05 AF2
# pin B05: TIM3 CH2 (AF2)
…
and,,,
# dma
…
dma pin B05 0
# pin B05: DMA1 Stream 5 Channel 5
…
So the timer (AF2) must be disconnected from B05 in order to link it to the GPIO(PINIO) register by:
# timer B05 none
# timer B05: changed from AF2 to NONE
then double check that B05 is removed from the DMA as well. Betaflight did it automatically.
Now, B05 can be connected to the resource PINIO by:
# resource PINIO 1 B05
Resource is set to B05
Confirm that pinio_box exposes PINIO 1 in the Modes in the Betaflight modes tab.
The “40” links USER1 to PINIO1 as explained here: https://betaflight.com/docs/wiki/guides/current/pinio-and-piniobox
# get pinio_box
pinio_box = 40,41,255,255
Array length: 4
Default value: 255,255,255,255
Connecting USER1 to a switch of the remote control will turn the 9V switch for VTX on and off.
I also tried this to get the 9v switch to work, still can’t get it to work. I’m using the 6 pin plug provided for the DJI air unit, but i’m only using the 9v and ground from it, all I am trying to do i power a 2 wire LED and want to be able to turn it on/off with a switch. When i listed my resource, did notice motor 5 was using pin B05, free’d the mapping, timer and dma, assigned it to pinio 1 and I can see it in betaflight, my switch is working. Do I need to turn on a uart or serial switch in the betaflight settings? Or any other setting I need to enable to get this to work?
i bought this board (405 5 in one elrs 2.4 g with 400 mw vtx 12A esc ) and am useing an analog camera as opposed too walk snail im deffinatly a newb im not useing a digital walk snail camera but was useing a hd analog vtx on a two inch build ( like the fire fly nano baby but with a better board.) in all honesty i have little idea on how too set it up is this the proper web sight too get me started and can any one give me any pointers as too which tuteral too use if this is the sight too come too… was also wanting too flash it with blue jay also and am new too beta flight but very anxious on getrting started on this rather neat project if any one can please provide me with the proper pointers… thanks.
I am using this same AIO in a Pickle frame from CNC Drones. They have a version of the frame that has outboard screw holes for the BetaFPV canopy you are using. It has a slot for a downward facing USB port. I am also using 1103 8000kV HM motors and 3″ props on 2s with Walksnail Lite Air unit.
Do you have a recommendation on Betaflight 4.4.3 PID’s or a Preset that will work well with this type of quad? Or did the default PID’s fly acceptably?
Have you a chance to fly this build yet? I am building a HDZERO version very similar to your build. Except I am using a NewBeeDrone SavageBee 65mm/3″ frame, GEPRC GR1103 8000KV motors, GEPRC Flight control and HDZero Whoop VTX.
I love this AIO but the one issue is the VTX Switch, did you have any issues? it would seem that when bidirectional dshot is enabled it cuts it off every 10 seconds or so, no matter if the switch is on or off.
I haven’t tried this feature since I’m powering the VTX from 5V, not 9V. Can you try extending the range of User2 from 0 to 100%? If that fixes it, that would suggest an issue on the radio side. But if the same still happens, try removing User2 from the Modes tab and see if that works? If same problem, that would be an issue in Betaflight. Of course, make sure you backup Betaflight first before doing these.
This looks great – I have the parts ordered and this will be my first build. Is there anything special to consider when setting it up in betaflight? I am learning so much from your site, thank you.
would you mind sharing your pids for this 2S build?
Yes I am still working on that. Once it’s ready I will share it.
hado you have them, i built similar 3inch to yours and mine flies horrible.
This inspired me, for a first build, and I have the parts en route!
can I just use the connector to connect the 1s walksnail system or is it only for DJI?
It would be nice to use with GPS, and maybe even a buzzer but I suppose I am going to need to find space for those….
More questions to come….l-p thank you!
You can absolutely use the connector, just remove the SBUS wire which is not needed for Walksnail. I didn’t use the connector because the 1S VTX does not take 9V.
And yes, this FC can do GPS as well as buzzer, just need to figure out how to mount them.
Hi. I am having trouble with this board with 1s in the Nanobaby V2 hdzero (Goku f405 HD)
It saturates a motor and loses a lot of power suddenly, when the battery is almost anywhere below full and especially noticeable when below 3.7v.
I wonder if the board powers your quad motors through the whole battery range?
If you would compare this 2S all in one set up with a 4S, would the 4S be louder but have longer range?
Louder? Yes, because it’s heavier and motors have to work harder.
Longer range? Depends on battery size, so not necessary.