SpeedyBee shipped a neat 30.5mm flight controller and a 55A 4‑in‑1 ESC that runs OX32 firmware. This matters because the change could shift ESC software choices in the FpV hobby and racing scenes.
TL;DR
SpeedyBee's F405 V5 is a solid, well‑built FC with Bluetooth, USB‑C and modern sensors. The bundled 4‑in‑1 ESC arrives pre‑flashed with Oxbot's closed‑source OX32 firmware. OX32 mimics BLHeli32's UI and parameter ranges, which raises licensing and provenance questions. Mads Tech did not fly the stack yet and plans further testing.
What’s in the box
The kit includes the F405 V5 FC, the OX32‑flashed 4‑in‑1 ESC, a solder practice board, external USB‑C lead, buzzer, a short‑saver style voltage protector, XC60 prewired capacitor and mounting hardware. The practice board has pads sized from battery rails down to tiny pads for fine soldering practice.
Flight controller at a glance
Hardware: STM32F405 MCU, ICM42688P gyro, SPA‑06‑003 barometer, AT7456E analog OSD chip and a countersunk USB‑C port. The FC offers 16MB for blackbox, Bluetooth wireless tuning (ESP32), dual independent BECs (5V@1.5A controllable, 9V@3A) and up to 6S input. Six UARTs exist, though some pads are pre‑tied to Bluetooth and digital VTX.
ESC hardware details
The 4‑in‑1 ESC is 32‑bit, rated 55A, supports 6S and sports aluminium heat shields and conformal coating. Pads are clearly labelled and castellated for easy soldering. The board includes TVS protection, filter caps and copper distribution bus bars under the shields.
OX32 ESC firmware — what it is and how to configure
OX32 is Oxbot's closed‑source 32‑bit ESC firmware marketed as a BLHeli32 successor. Config via ox32.oxbot.com mirrors BLHeli32's options and ranges closely. Ramp‑up, motor timing, PWM frequency, DMA optimizations and telemetry settings appear familiar. Firmware updates pull from Oxbot servers; local flashing exists but server builds are the default.
Activation and the app — a privacy note
SpeedyBee requires activation via its app before you can tune or use the FC. Activation demands an email and confirmation code. That step is unusual for generic flight controllers and will annoy makers who prize local control and simple USB access.
Microscope teardown highlights
Under the microscope the FC shows neat layout and conformal coating. STM32F405 and Winbond 16MB flash are present. The ESP32 for Bluetooth is visible. Pads expose I2C (SDA/SCL) for GPS/compass and spare UARTs. The board includes solder‑bridges to disable the barometer, freeing an I2C port.
Provenance concerns: why it smells familiar
OX32's configurator matches BLHeli32 options and range values about 90%. Oxbot claims a July 2024 founding and six months of development, plus tester pilots. Recreating BLHeli32‑like functionality fast is possible—but the close parity raises legitimate questions about code origin and licensing. Mads reached out to Oxbot; no reply so far.
What Mads Tech will test next
No flight tests yet. Mads plans bench and flight tests, telemetry checks, crash rearm behaviour and brake/soft‑start safety. Until independent testing is complete, recommend caution switching production racers to OX32. The FpV hobby already has stable ESC options like AM32 and ESCape32.
Conclusion and call for reports
SpeedyBee shipped a tidy V5 stack and a bold software choice. OX32 could be a capable, modern closed‑source firmware. Or it could be a thinly reimplemented BLHeli32 clone. The community needs flight logs and forensic tests. If you fly OX32, share telemetry, problems and rearm behaviour so makers can judge it properly.
FAQ
Does the F405 V5 support both analog and digital FPV?
Yes. The board includes an AT7456E analog OSD chip and dedicated connectors for digital systems like DJI and Avatar HD.
What are the ESC ratings and physical features?
The ESC is a 55A, 32‑bit 4‑in‑1 supporting up to 6S. It has aluminium heatsinks, TVS diode, filter caps and two capacitor mounting holes.
How do I configure OX32?
Use the web configurator at ox32.oxbot.com. Connect to the COM port, then read and set parameters. Firmware updates come from Oxbot servers by default.
Takeaway
- OX32 mirrors BLHeli32 closely—use caution until provenance is clear.
- Community flight logs and tests will decide if OX32 earns trust in the FpV hobby.
SpeedyBee's activation step forces email registration. That will irk privacy‑minded builders.
SpeedyBee F405 V5 is competent hardware with modern sensors and Bluetooth tuning.
This article was based from the video SpeedyBee F405 V5 Stack With OX32 ESC - Why Is This So Familiar!
