In the ever-evolving world of FPV drones, Flywoo often flies under the radar despite consistently delivering innovative and fun models. In a recent video, Painless360 takes a deep dive into Flywoo’s latest release—the Firefly16 Nano Baby V3—a 1S pocket quad that combines HD FPV capabilities with a lightweight, versatile design. This isn’t just another whoop; it’s a super whoop that’s ready to rock both indoors and outdoors, with some clever features that make it stand out in the crowded nano quad space.
Meet the Flywoo Firefly16 Nano Baby V3: Tiny but Mighty
Painless360 kicks off his review by highlighting Flywoo’s approach to offering the Firefly16 not only with the popular DJI system but also with HD Zero and Walksnail HD FPV options. The particular model under review comes equipped with the Walksnail Avatar HD mini 1S VTX, making it an ultra-lightweight, palm-sized quad that supports different battery sizes.
Weighing just about 35 grams with an A30 battery connector, this 1S quad resembles a super whoop but with some neat upgrades:
- Optional motor guards for indoor flying
- HQ 40mm 3-bladed props on the Firefly16 (the Firefly18 uses 45mm 2-bladed props)
- Robo 1002 motors with 23,500KV rating (Firefly18 uses 19,800KV motors)
- Goku F405 flight controller with an integrated 5A ESC and ExpressLRS receiver
At around £170, the price includes the fully integrated Walksnail unit, ready to bind to your ExpressLRS controller and Walksnail goggles for an out-of-the-box HD FPV experience. This makes it a compelling option for pilots who want HD without being locked into DJI’s ecosystem.
Betaflight Setup and Configuration: Clean and Ready to Fly
One of the standout points Painless360 notes is how well the Firefly16 comes configured from the factory. Connecting the quad to Betaflight reveals a clean setup:
- F405 flight controller with plenty of UART ports
- VTX on UART6, gyro running at 8kHz, PID loop at 2kHz
- Failsafe defaulting to drop
- Receiver set to CRSF protocol (ExpressLRS), with binding available directly inside Betaflight
- Basic flight modes: rate mode and horizon mode, with arming on channel 5
- Motors are reversed by default (important for correct prop installation)
- OSD is a bit cluttered out of the box, so some tweaking is recommended
Painless360 suggests adding angle mode if you plan to fly indoors, and recommends a quick customisation session to tailor the OSD and modes to your preference. For those interested, he provides a dump and diff file for his review unit's configuration for a head start.
Flight Performance: Smooth, Nimble, and Surprisingly Quiet
Flying the Firefly16 is where the fun really begins. Painless360 was impressed by how quiet this tiny quad is—comparable to a whoop in noise level—owing to the small motors and props. Despite its size, it flies smoothly and responsively, delivering an aggressive whoop-like experience that’s enjoyable both indoors (with guards) and outdoors, even on windy days.
The quad hovers just below 50% throttle, which is typical for 1S setups. However, don’t expect marathon flight times: aggressive flying yielded about 90 seconds of airtime, which is less than the advertised 4 minutes 40 seconds. With more conservative throttle management indoors, you can likely stretch this out considerably.
This quad is a great choice for pilots who want HD FPV without sacrificing the ability to fly in tight indoor spaces or casually outdoors without drawing too much attention. The optional prop guards add versatility, allowing for safer indoor flights or more reckless outdoor fun.
Design Highlights: Plug-and-Play Motors and Easy Battery Swaps
Two design features stood out for Painless360:
- Plug-in motors: If you manage to wreck a motor, replacing it is a breeze—no soldering required.
- Easy-change battery holders: The 750mAh battery can be removed with a simple twist, and Flywoo offers different battery sizes and even a dedicated charger system.
These practical touches mean downtime is minimal, and the ability to quickly swap batteries and props keeps you flying longer without fuss. The box includes spare props, which is a smart move since the HQ props are relatively fragile and prone to damage on impact.
Technical Caveats and Considerations
Before rushing to add the Firefly16 to your fleet, keep in mind:
- This is a 1S quad, so power is limited compared to bigger builds, but it’s nimble and fun.
- Flight times are optimistic on the website; expect shorter real-world endurance unless flying very gently.
- The camera angle is adjustable but limited due to the 3D-printed canopy; modifications could improve it if you want more aggressive flying angles.
- The quad lacks a loud beeper, so outdoors it can easily get lost in tall grass—Painless360 recommends flying with a spotter.
- Range is limited; don’t stray too far or you risk running out of battery before returning.
For those interested in tuning and setup tweaks, Painless360’s video and the provided configuration files are invaluable resources. If you want to learn more about Betaflight tuning essentials, check out this guide on building and tuning mini FPV quadcopters.
Why Flywoo’s Firefly16 Matters in the HD FPV Landscape
Flywoo’s decision to support multiple HD FPV systems beyond DJI’s O4 platform is a breath of fresh air. HD Zero and Walksnail are increasingly popular, and Flywoo’s ready-to-fly bind-and-fly quads like the Firefly16 give pilots genuine choice in ecosystem and hardware.
Painless360 applauds Flywoo for not just following the DJI bandwagon but offering solutions that cater to wider preferences, helping diversify the HD FPV market. If you’re curious about the wider HD FPV world, this article on HD FPV technology provides great insight.
Summary: A Fun, Lightweight Pocket Quad with HD FPV That Calls for Battery Backup
To sum up, the Flywoo Firefly16 Nano Baby V3 is a fantastic pocket-sized HD FPV quad that delivers a smooth, quiet, and nimble flying experience. Its versatility for indoor and outdoor use, plug-and-play design, and multi-ecosystem support make it a compelling choice for pilots wanting HD FPV without DJI exclusivity.
Just be ready to carry a handful of batteries to get the most out of your flying sessions, as aggressive flying will drain the battery quickly. And if outdoor flying is on your agenda, bring a spotter to help find your quad when it inevitably disappears in the grass.
For a full breakdown, technical insights, and the raw Betaflight configs, check out Painless360’s original video review.
FAQ
What battery does the Flywoo Firefly16 use?
It uses an A30 connector and commonly comes with a 750mAh 1S battery. Flywoo offers multiple battery sizes and a dedicated charger system for convenience.
Can I fly the Firefly16 indoors?
Yes, especially with the optional motor guards installed. The quad is quiet and nimble, making it suitable for indoor flying in larger spaces like sports halls or warehouses.
Is the Firefly16 compatible with DJI goggles?
The Firefly16 comes with Walksnail HD FPV technology, so it pairs with Walksnail goggles rather than DJI goggles. However, Flywoo offers models with DJI and HD Zero options as well.
How long is the flight time?
While Flywoo advertises up to 4 minutes 40 seconds on a 750mAh battery, real-world flight time is closer to 90 seconds with aggressive flying. Conservative throttle use indoors can extend this significantly.
Are the motors replaceable?
Yes, the Firefly16 features plug-in motors, making replacements quick and solder-free.
Does the quad have a beeper to help find it if lost?
No, the Firefly16 lacks a loud beeper, so it’s recommended to have a spotter when flying outdoors to help locate it if it crashes or lands in tall grass.
Where can I find more about FPV drone tuning and setup?
Check out this FPV quadcopter build and tuning guide and 6 essential tips for FPV pilots to improve your flying experience.
This article was created from the video NEW Flywoo Firefly16 Nano Baby V3 - HD FPV and lots of fun packed into a 1S pocket quad!.
