The DJI O4 Lite Air Unit has rather a lot going for it—light-weight, compact, and best for sub-250g micro builds. However should you’ve flown it in tight areas or tried to make use of picture stabilization, you’ve in all probability observed the somewhat slender FOV (subject of view). That’s the place Flywoo steps in with a intelligent resolution: a easy wide-angle lens that considerably improves the O4 digicam’s FOV—no want to switch the digicam or glue on dangerous DIY optics. On this overview, I’ll share my hands-on expertise with the Flywoo wide-angle lens, the way it performs, what to anticipate, and what to be careful for.
Study extra in regards to the DJI O4 Lite and the most effective settings in our tutorial: https://oscarliang.com/how-to-setup-dji-o4-lite/
The place to Purchase
You should buy the Flywoo Vast-Angle Lens equipment from these distributors:
Why the Vast-Angle Lens Issues
The DJI O4 is improbable for micro FPV drones, however the slender FOV makes proximity flying really feel much less pure and restricted. Issues get even worse whenever you apply picture stabilization like RockSteady or Gyroflow, which crop into the footage additional and make it really feel even much less watchable.
Flywoo’s wide-angle lens goals to repair this, and in some ways, it succeeds. This accent is simple to put in, and bumps the O4 digicam’s FOV from round 117° to 155°, practically matching the dearer O4 Professional digicam. All with out modifying or risking injury to your delicate DJI O4 digicam.
Testing – How It Performs
On the bench, I instantly observed the rise in FOV. The broader view was apparent, however so have been the sides of the lens in each the goggles and uncooked video.
The perimeters have been seen when setting the digicam to 4:3 side ratio and Vast FOV which supplies you the widest FOV. Fortunately, should you’re utilizing Gyroflow or DJI’s built-in RockSteady stabilization, it crops in and removes these edges within the remaining video.
Not solely does the broader FOV make the footage look extra cinematic and immersive, it additionally improves your flying expertise. With extra of the setting in view, it turns into simpler to evaluate distance and timing, making proximity flying and freestyle maneuvers really feel rather more pure. I discovered myself flying extra confidently and with higher precision.
There’s a slight drop in picture readability—some softness and a gentle shade shift—however nothing dramatic. You’ll solely discover it should you zoom into the footage or evaluate it side-by-side with footage shot with out the lens. The lens flare can also be a bit extra pronounced when flying towards vibrant daylight, doubtless as a consequence of inner reflections from the additional glass lenses. Nonetheless, these minor drawbacks don’t outweigh the advantages in my view.
Bonus Characteristic – ND Filter Holder
The Flywoo Vast-Angle Lens comes with a detachable UV filter that doubles as a lens protector.
The UV filter might be swapped for ND filters (obtainable individually from Flywoo). ND filters are important for controlling publicity and sustaining correct movement blur in vibrant lighting situations, particularly when capturing cinematic movies. You possibly can study using ND filters on this tutorial: https://oscarliang.com/nd-filter-fpv/
Buy Flywoo’s ND Filters Set right here (consists of UV filter, ND8, ND16 and ND32 filters): https://oscarliang.com/product-d00b
3 Totally different Variations
The Flywoo Vast-Angle Lens additionally serves as a mounting adapter, and selecting the proper model lets you match the DJI O4 Lite digicam into frames that assist completely different cameras. This makes the O4 Lite Air Unit rather more versatile and accessible for a greater diversity of drone builds.
Plug & Play Model for Flywoo O4 Builds
Also called the “Cam Shell” model.
This model doesn’t have any mounting holes of its personal. As an alternative, it requires using the Flywoo O4 Digital camera Shell adapter from Flywoo, which have to be bought individually. The digicam shell turns the O4 Lite right into a 14x14mm kind issue, like a typical nano FPV digicam. As soon as the shell is put in, you’ll be able to merely clip the wide-angle lens onto it.
You should purchase the O4 Digital camera Shell adapter right here: https://s.click on.aliexpress.com/e/_oonV9l8
Specs:
- Dimension: 16.8mm × 21mm × 18mm
- Added Weight: 3.7g (plus 1.3g from the digicam shell, whole 5g)
O3 Mounting Model
This model turns your DJI O4 Lite digicam into the identical dimension and mounting sample because the DJI O3 digicam, making it appropriate with a variety of O3-compatible frames obtainable right now.
It’s arguably essentially the most versatile possibility, however be mindful: should you’re mounting the O4 Lite like an O3 digicam inside a full-size quad (resembling a 5-inch construct), you might want an extended digicam cable—the one designed for the O4 Professional ought to work.
Specs:
- Dimension: 21mm × 23.5mm × 22.3mm
- Weight: 7.5g
O4 Professional Mounting Model
This model turns the O4 Lite digicam into the identical kind issue and mounting because the DJI O4 Professional, best for brand new frames which can be designed for this new digicam mounting.
Similar to the O3 model, utilizing it in bigger frames could require an extended digicam cable, such because the one used for the O4 Professional.
Specs:
- Dimension: 21mm × 23.5mm × 20.5mm
- Weight: 7.5g
Which Model Ought to You Get?
It relies upon largely in your body’s digicam mount dimension:
- In case your body helps DJI O3 or O4 Professional mounting, go along with a type of variations for safer fitment.
- In case your body makes use of nano-sized 14x14mm mounts, select the Plug & Play Cam Shell model.
A Nearer Have a look at the Design
The lens housing is 3D-printed in TPU. It’s versatile, matches snugly, and is general effectively made.
Including this wide-angle lens introduces 5 to 7.5 grams of additional weight to your construct. On 2″ quads or smaller, this weight is perhaps noticeable and will barely have an effect on efficiency. Nonetheless, on 3″ or bigger drones, the added weight is negligible and shouldn’t pose any points.
Drawbacks and Quirks
Extra Weight
The lens provides round 5g to 7.5g, which might be an excessive amount of for 1S tiny whoops. Nonetheless, on open-prop micro quads, even 1S-powered ones, the additional weight is normally manageable. On something 2.5″ or bigger, it’s unlikely to be a difficulty.
Slight Picture Softening & Glare
Because of the extra glasses, the picture could seem barely softer. That is solely actually noticeable when zooming in, so it’s not a dealbreaker for most individuals. You may additionally expertise elevated lens flare when going through towards the solar, attributable to reflections between the added lens parts. Moreover, with extra glass surfaces, mud is extra prone to construct up, so you might want to scrub it extra continuously.
Lens Seen in View
Within the goggles, you may even see the sides of the wide-angle lens, particularly when utilizing 4:3 side ratio and Vast FOV settings. Nonetheless, this may be eliminated within the air unit recording utilizing picture stabilization instruments like Gyroflow or the built-in RockSteady on the DJI system.
Lens Motion in Crashes
As a result of the plug and play model of the lens is a friction match, a tough crash can shift it ahead barely, giving a fisheye “skate video” look till get the drone again and manually push it again. The O3 and O4 professional variations gained’t have this challenge.
Closing Ideas: Is It Value It?
Completely.
The Flywoo Vast-Angle Lens is a game-changer for anybody flying with the DJI O4 Lite digicam. It considerably improves the flying expertise by providing a a lot wider and extra immersive subject of view. Extra importantly, it makes stabilized footage (through Rocksteady or Gyroflow) really watchable, addressing one of many key shortcomings of the O4 digicam.
Whereas it’s not good—as a result of added weight, lens edges in view, and slight picture sharpness and glare compromises—it solves an actual drawback that DJI left unaddressed. And for builds the place house and weight permit, it is a extremely really useful improve. Simply be sure that to select the best model primarily based in your digicam and body.
You should buy the Flywoo Vast-Angle Lens equipment from these distributors:
For the plug&play model, don’t overlook to get the cam shell adapter: https://s.click on.aliexpress.com/e/_oonV9l8
And get the ND filters set as effectively for extra cinematic footage: https://oscarliang.com/product-d00b