FlyWoo’s FireFly18 1s Nano Baby v3 aims to carve out a niche for quiet, lightweight 1s FPV flight with a dash of freestyle capability. The catch? It’s more cruiser than racer, and the limited camera angle might frustrate those chasing aggressive moves.
What’s Under the Hood: Specs and Hardware Rundown
The FireFly18 1s Nano Baby v3 ships with a Robo 1002 motor spinning HQ 45mm bi-blade props. It’s a 1s setup, running the Goku F405 HD flight controller with a micro USB port. The controller packs a 5A ESC and a TXCO ExpressLRS receiver, giving options for analog, HDZero, or Woxnell video systems. FlyWoo is among the few to offer all three video system variants, catering to different pilot preferences.
Buyers can grab the quad as Bind-and-Fly for DJI controller users, or receiver-less if they want to add their own. A handy DJI compatibility chart is available to check if your remote plays nice with the O4 camera system.
The battery connector is the GNB A30, supported by FlyWoo’s EZ Power E16 charger, which offers storage charging and USB power input. Batteries come in 450mAh, 750mAh, and 1000mAh options, with the 1000mAh pack tipping the scales at 60.7g, 750mAh at 55.9g, and 450mAh around 51g depending on brand.
The frame is 2mm carbon fibre, measuring 82mm motor-post-to-motor-post. TPU end caps protect the arms from delamination during crashes. Motor wires are neatly rolled and secured with acetate tape—a nice touch to prevent wire interference with props.
Wide Angle Lens Adapter: A Mixed Blessing
FlyWoo’s wide angle lens adapter for the O4 Lite camera is a clever add-on, allowing mounting in frames designed for the O4 Pro camera. It comes with an ND filter set and weighs roughly 3.7g in the FireFly18, with the retail adapter version weighing closer to 6.1g, or 7.5g including the metal backplate.
However, the adapter restricts camera angle adjustment due to its tight fit with the canopy. This limitation annoyed the pilot, who prefers tilting the camera up for faster flights. The adapter can vibrate loose after multiple crashes, though it held firm during most aggressive flying tests.
Flight Performance: Not Your Typical Freestyle Beast
Flight tests reveal the FireFly18 excels in quiet, stable cruising rather than aggressive freestyle. With the wide angle lens and O4 Lite combo, expect about seven minutes of flat, relaxed flight on a 1000mAh pack, five minutes on the 750mAh, and roughly three minutes and 20 seconds on the 450mAh.
Rocksteady gyro stabilization smooths footage nicely, but pilots will see some prop visibility in the corners. To achieve clean, no-prop footage, cropping in with a video editor like DaVinci Resolve is necessary—adding extra post-processing steps.
The quad’s quiet operation earns it points for flying in noise-sensitive environments. Its motor sound is low-pitched, not the high-pitched whine typical of many micros. At 15 feet or so, it becomes inaudible, making it a considerate choice for backyard or urban flying.
Handling and Flight Characteristics
Throttle control demands finesse. Rapid throttle jumps from low to full cause prop slippage and jitters, especially during punch-outs. Smoother throttle increases mitigate this, but pilots must adapt their flying style accordingly.
Prop wash handling deteriorates noticeably as battery voltage drops, a common trait in 1s setups. Early in the flight, the quad is forgiving; late in the pack, it becomes twitchy, requiring more precise inputs to avoid crashes.
Build Quality and Design Quirks
FlyWoo’s attention to detail shows in the zip-tied battery leads and voltage regulator, protecting delicate solder pads from stress during battery ejections. The five-volt regulator PCB is a neat inclusion, potentially useful for custom builds or powering peripherals.
Motor connectors on the bottom simplify motor swaps after crashes. The flight stack could benefit from metal lock nuts instead of nylon ones to reduce stack movement. The pilot manually tightened screws after each battery to improve stability but saw little difference in flight footage quality.
The battery holder uses a twist-lock mechanism, secure but requiring a bit of finger pressure and rotation to insert and remove batteries. It accommodates different battery sizes, from 450mAh to 1000mAh, which is handy for tuning flight times and weight.
Wind Sensitivity and Flight Envelope
The FireFly18’s light weight and small frame make it vulnerable to winds above 10-18 mph. At these speeds, flight footage suffers, and maintaining a tight line becomes challenging. Wind gusts in the 20s mph range effectively ground the quad unless you want to risk crashes and frustration.
Lower wind days yield the cleanest footage and smoothest flights, aligning with the quad’s design as a relaxed cruiser rather than a high-speed racer.
Price and Versions: Making Sense of the Options
The FireFly18 comes in several variants: DJI O4 Lite with the wide angle lens adapter, Woxnell HDZero, and analog. Prices range from about $109 for analog versions up to $239 for full DJI setups with wide angle lenses.
Analog versions are lighter and might offer better flight times due to reduced weight, but the camera quality and field of view will differ. Potential buyers should research user feedback on these versions to match expectations.
Final Thoughts: A Quiet Nano for the Chill Pilot
The FlyWoo FireFly18 1s Nano Baby v3 is a niche tool for pilots who value quiet, stable cruising and some light freestyle in calm conditions. It’s not built for aggressive flying or rapid throttle maneuvers without prop slip. The limited camera angle adjustment and susceptibility to wind restrict its versatility.
For those wanting a small, quiet micro with HD video options and decent flight times, it’s worth a look. But seasoned freestyle pilots will want to keep an eye out for a possible 2s version—something FlyWoo might consider to boost power and responsiveness.
FAQ
Is the FlyWoo FireFly18 compatible with DJI controllers?
Yes, the FireFly18 offers a Bind-and-Fly option compatible with DJI controllers using the O4 Lite camera system. A DJI compatibility chart is available to verify your remote’s compatibility.
What kind of flight times can I expect?
Flight times vary by battery size: about 7 minutes on 1000mAh, 5 minutes on 750mAh, and roughly 3 minutes 20 seconds on 450mAh during flat, cruising flights.
Can I adjust the camera angle?
Not easily with the wide angle lens adapter installed. The adapter restricts camera tilt due to its tight fit. Removing it reduces field of view significantly, so pilots must choose between angle flexibility and wider vision.
Is this quad suitable for aggressive freestyle?
Not really. The 1s power system struggles with rapid throttle changes, causing prop slip and jitters. It’s better suited for smooth, gentle flying in low wind conditions.
How does it handle wind?
The FireFly18 is sensitive to winds above 10-18 mph. Flight stability and footage quality degrade as wind speeds increase, making it less ideal for windy environments.
Takeaway Box
- FlyWoo FireFly18 1s Nano Baby v3 excels in quiet, stable cruising—not aggressive freestyle.
- Wide angle lens adapter improves field of view but locks camera angle.
- Throttle control requires finesse; rapid throttle jumps cause prop slip.
- Flight time ranges from 3m20s (450mAh) to 7m (1000mAh) on flat flight.
- Lightweight frame struggles in winds above 10-18 mph—best flown calm.
This article was based from the video FlyWoo FireFly18 1s Nano Baby v3 O4 "Lite" // Quiet Drone with some Freestyle capabilities
