I completely liked the BabyApe II (V2). It was one in all my favorite analog sub-250g freestyle drones, so I used to be very excited to take a look at the brand new BabyApe III (V3). Nonetheless, DarwinFPV has utterly modified the specs—from motors, prop dimension, body design, LiPo cell depend, battery mounting, to weight. This isn’t only a new model, it’s a totally completely different quad. So the true query is: do these adjustments make it higher or worse? Let’s discover out on this evaluation.
Take a look at my evaluation of the BabyApe II (V2) right here: https://oscarliang.com/darwinfpv-babyape-ii/
The place to Purchase
Get your Darwin BabyApe III from:
It comes with:
- 1 set of propellers
- Rubber bands for mounting the battery
- Screws
- Stickers
Specs
| Specification | Particulars |
|---|---|
| Mannequin | BabyApe III Analog BNF |
| Digital camera | Caddx Ant |
| VTX | DarwinFPV 5.8GHz 1.2W VTX |
| VTX Antenna | 5.8GHz IPEX1 RF113 65mm Copper Tube Antenna |
| Max Flight Distance (No Interference) | 3km |
| AIO (FC + ESC) | DarwinFPV F411 15A ELRS AIO |
| Receiver | Onboard ELRS 2.4G receiver (model 3.0 or above) |
| GPS | None |
| Motor | DarwinFPV Bling 1104 5000KV Motor |
| Propeller | GEMFAN 3016-3 Propeller |
| Body Construction | Huge-X |
| Wheelbase | 130 mm |
| Arm Thickness | 2.5 mm |
| Most Horizontal Pace | 100km/h |
| Battery Life | 6–8 minutes |
| Really helpful Battery | 3S 500mAh 100C XT30 |
New Body Design: Smaller and Lighter
The BabyApe III is an entire redesign—a lot in order that it’s nearly unrecognisable in comparison with the V2, and it’s not what I anticipated. DarwinFPV has made the quad smaller, transferring from the V2’s 3.5-inch props right down to a 3-inch setup on the V3.
The body is completely new, with further arm bracing for assist and crash resistance. The drone is lighter, DarwinFPV additionally has decreased energy from 6S right down to 3S. The large query is whether or not it feels considerably much less highly effective within the air—I’ll cowl that intimately within the Flight Efficiency part.
New Battery Answer: Blended Emotions
Battery Compartment
As a substitute of a standard high plate for mounting a LiPo battery, the BabyApe III now incorporates a battery compartment. The battery is now safer, however it additionally restricts battery dimension—you’re restricted to packs with a most width of 16.5 mm.
Battery straps will not be wanted. As a substitute, DarwinFPV makes use of rubber bands to carry the battery in place. This protects a few grams and truly works fairly nicely in observe. That stated, rubber bands are simple to lose, so DarwinFPV contains 5 spares within the field.
DarwinFPV’s Personal Battery
DarwinFPV now affords its personal battery designed particularly for the BabyApe III: a 3S 500mAh LiPo (not LiHV).
These batteries haven’t any exterior wires—solely fastened connectors.
To cost them, you may both use the included wire extension:
Or purchase DarwinFPV’s devoted parallel charging board, which lets you plug the batteries immediately into the board and cost as much as 8 directly:
Battery Mounting Challenges
As a result of the batteries haven’t any wires, they needed to make the battery lead on the drone additional lengthy. For some motive, DarwinFPV selected to make use of comparatively skinny 20AWG wire, which isn’t best for energy supply. On most 3-inch quads, 18AWG is extra frequent. I assume this was achieved to avoid wasting a little bit of weight.
Actually, I don’t absolutely perceive why DarwinFPV is pushing this “wi-fi” battery idea. The one actual profit I can see is that it retains the battery lead safely away from the propellers. In any other case, it seems like an try to push customers to purchase their proprietary batteries when ordering this drone.
High quality management is one other concern. I solely acquired one battery, so the pattern dimension is small, however the pack I received has noticeable bulges on the ends—seemingly inner wiring. This turns into an actual downside as a result of the battery compartment is already extraordinarily tight. It’s a must to push the battery in with fairly a little bit of power, which made me fear about damaging it.
With these bulges, it’s not possible to seat the battery correctly. I needed to place it barely additional again to keep away from placing stress on the battery, however that shifts the middle of gravity to the rear. It additionally places pressure on the battery lead and solder joints. It’s simply not best.
Battery Alternate options
Satirically, the DarwinFPV 3S 500mAh LiPo is bodily bigger than each the BetaFPV LAVA 3S 450mAh and 3S 550mAh batteries—and these third get together batteries really match higher on this drone.
The BetaFPV batteries sit barely unfastened within the compartment, however as soon as secured with the rubber band, they’re completely safe. There’s no extreme stress on the battery in any respect. The one draw back is the unfastened battery wires, which you’ll have to handle rigorously to keep away from prop strikes. I merely twist the wires just a few instances earlier than plugging them in to scale back slack.
Any third get together battery with a width beneath 16.5mm ought to match positive within the BabyApe III.
FC: Minimal Specs for Low Price
The flight controller could be very restricted when it comes to options and functionality, however it’s enough to get you within the air.
There are solely two UARTs, however surprisingly each can be found. The analog VTX (SmartAudio) is related by way of a SoftSerial, and the ExpressLRS receiver is SPI-based, so it doesn’t take up any UART. This implies you need to use the accessible UARTs for extra peripherals corresponding to a GPS module or perhaps a digital FPV system like DJI O4.
That brings me to one of many predominant downsides of this flight controller: the SPI-based ELRS receiver. Whereas it really works positive in observe, updating firmware could be extra cumbersome. As a result of SPI receiver firmware is bundled with the FC firmware, it’s important to replace Betaflight itself simply to replace the receiver. For this reason UART-based receivers are typically most well-liked—they’re way more versatile and future proof.
There’s additionally no present sensor and no onboard flash reminiscence for Blackbox logging.
One other odd selection is the firmware. The FC ships with a model of Betaflight that’s a yr outdated. It’s not a deal breaker and must be completely positive for informal flying out of the field, however it does really feel a bit dated.
I additionally observed a minor QC situation: one of many stack nuts was overtightened, compressing and deforming the rubber grommet beneath. This might doubtlessly scale back the effectiveness of sentimental mounting. Fortunately, it’s a straightforward repair.
Motors: Non-Commonplace Mounting Screws
The motors have a T-mount fashion, that means the propeller is mounted to the motor bell utilizing two small screws. Nonetheless, as a substitute of the usual M2 hex screws, these motors use these tiny M1.3 Phillips screws. This caught me off guard. Whereas it technically works, it feels low cost and fewer sturdy, and the small screw are a lot simpler to strip.
I additionally bumped into points when mounting the propellers. There was a 1–2 mm hole between the prop and the highest of the motor bell, and the prop merely wouldn’t seat absolutely down regardless of how onerous I pushed. In the long run, I needed to enlarge the opening within the prop hub utilizing a 1.5 mm drill bit (the motor shaft is 1.5 mm). It was slightly irritating and could be not possible to resolve with out the appropriate instruments.
Flight Efficiency
Instantly, I used to be slightly dissatisfied that DarwinFPV decreased each the dimensions and energy of the BabyApe. The V2 was already very light-weight and comfortably beneath 250g anyway. My guess is that they have been attempting to make the V3 as low cost and minimal as doable—and it exhibits.
In flight, the BabyApe V3 is noticeably slower than different 3-inch quads I lately reviewed, such because the Seeker3 and RATE S30, although these are considerably heavier. That is anticipated: the BabyApe V3 runs on 3S and makes use of a lot smaller motors. The decreased energy and lighter weight additionally imply it struggles extra in windy situations. Even in 15mph wind, it was barely transferring in a headwind and continuously being pushed round.
Flight video, 0:00 – 1st flight with Darwin 3S 500mAh LiPo, 4:27 – 2nd flight with BetaFPV 3S 550mAh LiHV
That stated, it’s nonetheless a reasonably agile and nimble quad. It’s nice for primary freestyle, proximity flying, or ripping round bushes and obstacles. In fact, it’s not as succesful as extra highly effective choices for aggressive freestyle, however it’s nonetheless quite a lot of enjoyable to fly. And due to the decrease energy, it’s comparatively quiet, though the sound is fairly higher-pitched—nearly like a wasp.
Vary is first rate and 1km+ must be achievable in idea. The actual bottleneck is the VTX antenna placement. It sits immediately in entrance of the battery, which blocks the sign when flying away, leading to noticeably worse video. As quickly as you flip sideways or head again, the sign improves instantly. This critically limits most vary. On high of that, the drone makes use of a linear-polarized antenna. Should you’re utilizing circularly polarized antennas in your goggles (which most individuals do), you’re routinely shedding round 50% of sign. With that stated, it’s completely flyable at shut vary, however for those who plan to fly past 500m, upgrading to an longer circularly polarized antenna would make an enormous distinction.
Digital camera picture high quality isn’t nice, however it’s flyable. Readability is appropriate, however the picture seems a bit too darkish, even after rising brightness to 100% in my goggles.
The included DarwinFPV 3S 500 mAh LiPo labored positive, however the BetaFPV LAVA 3S 550 mAh was clearly higher when it comes to each energy supply and flight time. With the Darwin battery, I used to be instantly getting low voltage warning when doing punch out firstly, however the BetaFPV battery held up very well.
Flight time with the Darwin 3S 500 mAh battery is round 4–5 minutes. With the BetaFPV 3S 550 mAh, I used to be getting nearer to five–6 minutes.
The BabyApe III ships with a customized PID tune, however the filter settings are largely left at default, so there’s undoubtedly room for enchancment if you wish to fine-tune it. Nonetheless with out reminiscence for blackbox this turns into a difficult activity.
Learn how to Setup
- FC Firmware: DARWINF4SX1280HD, Betaflight 4.4.2
- ESC Firmware: Bluejay (BETA), 0.14, 48kHz
Betaflight Setup
- The drone runs “props in” (customary motor course)
- Configuration Tab: the drone has no beeper, so be certain that to setup DShot Beacon
- PID Tuning tab: Set your individual charges
- Receiver tab: Enter your individual binding phrase
- Modes tab: Setup switches for Arm, Angle mode, Turtle mode and Beeper
- OSD tab: Customise it to your desire (it makes use of NTSC format)
Conclusion
To be utterly sincere, this quad is reasonable—and it feels low cost. The {hardware} and QC aren’t the best, and you may inform DarwinFPV lower corners wherever doable. The battery becoming situation can also be annoying, and the VTX antenna actually wants an improve. That stated, it does fly moderately nicely for a quad that prices solely $145.
Get your Darwin Child Ape 3 from:
Personally, I nonetheless desire the BabyApe II (V2). It’s way more highly effective and flies brilliantly out of the field. The V2 is roughly the identical worth because the V3 and nonetheless beneath 250g. I believe it’s nonetheless accessible from each AliExpress and DarwinFPV, in order that’s the one I’d advocate as a substitute.
Get the Darwin Child Ape 2 from:
That stated, the V2 is louder and considerably sooner as a consequence of its greater energy. Should you desire a quieter, extra tame, and simpler to manage micro drone, then the BabyApe III (V3) should still be the higher selection for you.