Caddx not too long ago launched the Protos FPV drone equipment that includes their new digital FPV system, the Ascent. The equipment appears to be like surprisingly good worth and comes with every little thing you must fly, which initially had me intrigued. I used to be even planning to purchase it for evaluation — however after wanting into the small print a bit extra, I modified my thoughts. Let’s take a more in-depth take a look at what the Protos is, and clarify why I’m not dashing to choose one up.
New to FPV? Try our newcomers information: https://oscarliang.com/fpv-drone-guide/
What Is the Caddx Protos Package?
The Caddx Protos is an inexpensive all-in-one FPV drone equipment priced at $359 – lower than the worth of a pair of excessive finish goggles! It consists of primarily every little thing you must get began:
- FPV goggles
- The Protos drone
- Radio controller
- Batteries and charger
Apparently, the drone makes use of Caddx’s new Ascent digital FPV system. It isn’t Walksnail Avatar and it doesn’t match DJI by way of picture high quality, vary, or latency. Nevertheless, it does seem to look noticeably higher than analog.
This drone equipment is clearly geared toward newcomers who need a easy, plug-and-play method into FPV. However as I’ll clarify later, there are some compromises.
The place to Purchase
You may get the Caddx Protos equipment from:
What’s Included within the Caddx Protos bundle:
- FPV field goggles
- Protos micro FPV drone with Ascent VTX
- ExpressLRS radio controller
- USB charger (can cost three batteries directly)
- Three proprietary batteries
- Equipment (case, cables, battery lead, and so forth.)
The Ascent FPV System
Ascent is a model new digital FPV system. The person interface appears to be like virtually similar to Walksnail Avatar, however they don’t seem to be associated, and seems to be a very completely different ecosystem. From the footage accessible thus far, picture high quality isn’t higher than Avatar — so based mostly on the low worth of the Protos drone, it appears Caddx positioned Ascent as a budget-friendly digital choice fairly than aiming for high-end efficiency.
In the event you already personal Walksnail or DJI, there’s presently no compelling motive to change for my part – it will be a downgrade. Additionally, the utmost VTX energy is just 100mW proper now, which is ok for indoor whooping or park flying inside line of sight, however fairly limiting for freestyle or longer-range flying.
Fascinating remarks from early testers in regards to the Ascent system:
- The way in which it handles low sign is sort of distinctive: when the hyperlink will get weak, the picture shrinks to the middle (“focus mode”). At very low bitrates, it switches to black & white to take care of flyable element.
- Bitrate is comparatively low in comparison with AVatar or DJI — usually round 20–25Mbps.
- Solely 50FPS and 60FPS refresh charges accessible. Latency is flyable, however noticeably larger than Avatar/DJI making it difficult to do exact maneuvers.
- Picture high quality is healthier than analog, however not so good as Avatar, and nowhere near DJI.
The Protos Drone
The Caddx Protos is actually a small cinewhoop model drone. Due to the prop guard, it’s comparatively safer for flying in tight areas or round individuals in comparison with open-prop micro quads.
Battery & Energy System
It makes use of 40mm propellers and weighs round 62g dry, or about 104g with the battery put in. For reference, that places it in the identical dimension and weight class as BetaFPV Femto. On condition that it additionally runs 1102 motors, I’d anticipate comparable ranges of energy and dealing with — enjoyable for cruising, however undoubtedly not a freestyle beast. Nevertheless, the Protos comes with Li-ion battery, not LiPo, so it’ll have much less punch and energy. Be taught extra about LiPo battery right here: https://oscarliang.com/lipo-battery-guide/
The included batteries are 2S 840 mAh Li-ion packs.
| Li-ion (used right here) | LiPo |
| Increased vitality density → longer flight time | Extra energy + higher throttle response |
| Lighter for a similar capability | Heavier for a similar capability |
| Decrease present output → weaker punch-out energy | Excessive present output → Higher for freestyle and acro flying |
The battery has a proprietary design— it slides and clip into the drone. It’s handy and beginner-friendly, however it additionally locks you into Caddx batteries solely. No Third-party 2S LiPo choices right here.
Anticipate longer flights than an analogous whoop on LiPo, however much less energy when climbing or doing sharp inputs.
Body & Construct
The Protos makes use of a pusher configuration (propellers are mounted the other way up). The body is fully plastic, no carbon fibre. The thick shell makes it extra sturdy but additionally a bit heavier than typical pastime builds.
One attention-grabbing function: the Protos consists of down-facing LiDAR and optical stream sensors. These allow Altitude Maintain and Place Maintain modes — good for serving to absolute newcomers hover with out panic. I’ve seen this idea in BetaFPV’s Cetus drone equipment a couple of years again, personally I’m not a fan of those assisted flight modes for newcomers, firstly they don’t work that nicely, they usually don’t actually train you the right way to fly an FPV drone and working towards in a simulator continues to be the most effective place to construct abilities IMO. Luckily, while you’re prepared, you’ll be able to change into Acro mode for correct FPV flying.
Notice that the VTX has no onboard HD recording, you’ll be able to solely report within the goggles (1080p).
Lastly, the Protos drone doesn’t run Betaflight; it makes use of Caddx’s personal firmware. In case your aim is to be taught Betaflight, then this drone isn’t the suitable path.
Ascent Field Goggles
The Ascent goggles seem like a reworked model of the Walksnail Goggles L — very comparable in form, dimension, options, they usually additionally use 1080p 60hz shows.
Key factors:
- Requires an exterior battery, powered through a barrel plug
- Some customers report mild leaks, however typical in field goggles
- Inside antennas, no exterior modules or replaceable antennas
- No AV enter, doesn’t assist analog
- No HDMI enter, doesn’t assist different digital techniques
- Joystick + again button management, acquainted in case you’ve used Walksnail goggles
- OSD doesn’t burn into DVR footage — OSD knowledge is saved in separate file
Radio
The included radio is a gamepad-style controller — compact and fundamental. It appears to be like considerably like DJI’s distant controller however has ExpressLRS inbuilt (with an inside antenna).
Nevertheless:
- There’s no show and no EdgeTX interface
- No means to vary radio settings on the system
- Restricted long-term development for pilots who plan to stay with the pastime
The excellent news? The Protos drone makes use of an ELRS receiver, so you’ll be able to bind it to any third-party ELRS radio later. If you need improve concepts, take a look at my suggestions:
https://oscarliang.com/radio-transmitter/
Battery and Flight time
The equipment consists of 3 batteries and a charger.
Battery specs:
- 2S 840 mAh Li-ion packs
- Marketed 8.5 minutes of flight per pack (real-world instances could range)
These batteries have a proprietary slide-in design, so it’s essential to purchase replacements from Caddx, which locks you into their ecosystem. Sure — with modifications you would run customary 2S packs, however that defeats the simplicity that this equipment is designed to supply.
The three-bay USB-C charger can cost all three batteries concurrently — much like DJI Avata 2’s charging resolution.
Who Is This For?
It’s necessary to be clear: the Protos just isn’t a efficiency drone. It’s a beginner-focused FPV coach, designed to get new pilots flying with little setup and minimal technical hurdles. It’s not constructed for freestyle ripping, racing, or long-range.
As a result of it makes use of Li-ion batteries and tiny 1102 motors, energy is proscribed. To not point out Ascent could be very new, and isn’t as succesful as DJI and even Walksnail (and isn’t cross-compatible), you’re shopping for into an ecosystem that has an unsure future.
That mentioned — in case your aim is solely to be taught the fundamentals of FPV and have enjoyable cruising round a small house, it does precisely that.
Purchase it if…
- You’re brand-new to FPV and need a full FPV drone equipment for under $359
- You worth plug-and-play comfort over tinkering
- You propose to fly principally indoors/yard, the place lengthy vary or sign penetration doesn’t matter
Skip it if…
- You already personal Walksnail, DJI, or HDZero. There’s no motive to change to Ascent at this level.
- You want low latency or good vary/sign penetration
- You need Betaflight configurations (the Protos drone doesn’t use Betaflight however their very own firmware).
- You need a nimble drone for freestyle or racing.
- You need to keep away from proprietary batteries.
Conclusion: Would I Purchase It?
The Protos Drone Package
The Protos appears to be a strong newbie coach: simple to arrange, sturdy, and surprisingly nicely thought-out. At solely $359, it’s a tempting entry level into digital FPV. However the trade-off is that you just’re locked into Caddx’s new ecosystem (batteries + FPV system), and the efficiency ceiling is low.
If I had been beginning FPV at this time on a good price range, I’d nonetheless personally select one thing like this with open ecosystem:
With batteries and charger, this setup prices equally to the Protos equipment, however can be extra future-proof, extra versatile, and arguably extra enjoyable in the long term — particularly in case you plan to develop within the pastime.
Nevertheless, judged purely as a plug-and-play newbie bundle, Caddx has finished an excellent job right here. I simply want it:
- Ran Betaflight
- Used customary LiPo packs
- Provided extra FPV system choices, e.g. Walksnail, Analog and even DJI O4 Lite.
The Ascent System
Asserting their new Ascent system in a price range drone equipment is a brilliant transfer — individuals who purchase this are possible newcomers who’re nonetheless on the fence which FPV system to get, so Caddx has an opportunity to win them early.
However at this time, Ascent continues to be in its infancy:
- Just one goggles choice, a price range field goggles with low specs show
- Just one VTX choice with restricted 100mW energy, and it’s not even bought individually but
- Wants time to show reliability and group assist
Ascent may enhance over time — and if Caddx expands the lineup with higher goggles, extra VTX choices with higher specs, it may ultimately change into a compelling price range ecosystem. For now I’d move. I have already got DJI and Walksnail, each of which provide higher latency, higher picture high quality, extra {hardware} choice.