The year closed quietly but with a lot of shifting under the hood. This article pulls the useful parts together so you can decide what to buy, test or ignore.
TLDR: What you actually need to know
- DJI O4 landed reliably, very little drama, and it is likely to keep cruising through 2026.
- Anti-Gravity Insta360 A1 gives a true 360 look-around, but signal and noisy footage remain issues.
- Cadx (Avatar) stagnated in 2025, produced the low-cost Ascent cent, which currently stutters and is 100 mW.
- New UK rules force a flashing green LED for night flights, adding roughly 6 grams and complicating C0 class status.
- Memory supply and new FCC covered-list rules threaten availability for many digital systems in 2026.
- Best for: inspection work and immersive 360 look-around, where DVR and recorded 360 are acceptable.
- Avoid if: you need long range, low-noise 360 video, or a stable, non-stuttering cheap digital link.
What did the FPV 2025 recap say about DJI?
DJI delivered a steady, low-drama year and O4 worked as promised. Hardware launched clean, with very few day-one failures. DJI restored features removed in O3, like lower latency race modes, manual power and manual channel controls. Expect O4 to remain unchanged through 2026 unless DJI decides to release a 360 module or a Neo 2 camera swap. So what, DJI plays conservatively, you get predictable, well-supported kit.
What did the FPV 2025 recap say about Caddx?
Caddx had a messy year, promising many upgrades and delivering little. Avatar HD product updates slowed, firmware gaps appeared, and promised items like Moonlight 2 and GT2 did not ship. The new Ascent cent is cheap but currently stutters and runs at 100 mW, making it poor value for many pilots. If Caddx delivers the full roadmap in 2026, they will be competitive, but community trust is fractured now.
How does the Insta360 A1 compare to the Avata 2?
The Insta360 A1 wins on immersive look-around, but loses on reliable RF range and footage cleanliness. From a static viewpoint, head-tracking feels similar, but flying them is night and day. Avata 2 head tracking introduces control conflicts because the craft must rotate to keep heading while your head moves. The A1 needs better range and has lens flare and noisy footage problems, but its goggles and DVR are impressive.
Why are 360 cameras so noisy and prone to flare?
360 rigs crop heavily into a sensor, which raises noise and sensitivity to lens flare. The video feed for A1 showed prop flicker and bright-sun artifacts during low-level flights. You end up reframing in post, which amplifies noise and removes dynamic range. So what, 360 looks are powerful for inspection and creative effects, but expect extra editing and lower raw image quality compared to a native single-lens camera.
Is Ascent and cheap digital FPV ready to buy?
Not yet, according to current testing, the Ascent cent has stuttering, low power, and noisy cameras. The tester recommended Avatar HD over cent for now, despite the higher price, because delivery and smoothness matter more than bottom-line cost. Cheap digital FPV that stutters is false economy. If Caddx fixes delivery issues and stutter, cent becomes a strong contender.
What is RadioMaster planning next?
RadioMaster hinted at a TX-16 successor, probably H7-based, with a bigger colour screen and modern IO. Their TX-15 module approach shows a platform path for future radios and modular upgrades. Expect better EdgeTX performance, more memory and faster UI response on newer models. Not stated in the video: exact release dates and pricing.
What do the new UK drone rules mean for lightweight pilots?
Night flying in the UK now requires a flashing green LED, which can add roughly 6 grams and push a 249 g drone over the 250 g threshold. That single LED can change a drone's classification and legacy status. If you add the LED and cross 250 g, the drone no longer sits neatly in C0 and likely needs to be operated under A2 legacy weight rules. Practical advice: fit the LED if you fly at night, but accept the classification trade off.
How will FCC rules and memory shortages affect FPV in 2026?
They will reduce availability and push manufacturers to prioritise high-margin devices for scarce RAM supply. Many systems, including DJI, Avatar HD and goggles, rely on external RAM and NAND. SK Hynix and others claim constrained capacity, meaning manufacturers must choose which products get components. Combined with new US covered-list checks, expect slower releases, fewer product runs, and possibly higher prices in 2026.
Can I still buy FPV gear and where do I go for events?
Yes, but expect shortages for some items and redistribution of product sources. DJI O4E units are harder to find, Amazon is currently a common place to locate stock. If you want community time and hands-on testing, EdgeTX Fest 2026 is scheduled for 19 June at Weston, UK, with sponsors and demos planned. Bring power stations and patience for queues.
FAQ
Do I need a green flashing light to fly at night in the UK?
Yes, UK guidance requires a flashing green light for night flights. The rules do not specify brightness, but the LED will affect weight and class. Fit the light and accept possible reclassification if you cross 250 grams, or avoid night flights.
Why does Insta360 A1 footage look noisy and flickery?
Because 360 capture crops into the sensor heavily, increasing noise when you reframe. Prop flicker and lens flare appear near the sun. Expect extra post processing and accept lower raw image quality.
Is Ascent cent a good value buy right now?
Not for most pilots. Cent is cheap but currently suffers from stutter and low RF power at 100 mW. Spending about $70 more on Avatar HD yields smoother delivery and better long-term value.
Will DJI change goggles LEDs or firmware for UK rules?
Not likely in the short term. DJI tends to avoid rapid firmware changes that hurt margins. A hardware refresh is more probable than a quick firmware toggle, but this is speculation not stated in the video.
How will memory shortages change which systems ship?
Manufacturers will prioritise higher-margin or government-allowed products for scarce RAM. Systems not relying on external RAM could gain market share temporarily. Expect constrained supply and selective product runs.
Is RadioMaster’s next radio worth waiting for?
If you want H7 performance, a bigger colour screen and smoother EdgeTX, yes. The modular H7 approach promises future upgrades and improved IO. Exact specs and price were not confirmed in the video.
Key takeaways
- UK night flight requires a flashing green LED, roughly 6 grams added.
- Ascent cent ships at 100 mW RF power, price example $129.92 versus Avatar bundle $207.
- Insta360 A1 records full 360 DVR on aircraft; goggles DVR records the goggles view only.
- Reported RF dropouts for Anti-Gravity A1 around five, six, seven hundred metres.
- OpenIPC latency examples around 30 ms in some tests, with stutter concerns.
