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I’ve recently acquired the BetaFPV Meteor75 Pro O4, and I’m thrilled to share my experiences. In this review, I’ll go over how I installed and set up the O4, and give insights into my flight experiences.
Where to Buy
Purchase the Meteor75 Pro O4 whoop from:
Two variants are available:
- DJI O4 Version: Priced around $199.99.
- PNP Version (Without DJI O4): Priced at $79.99, requiring the purchase of a DJI O4 Air Unit separately.
If you don’t mind putting in some extra effort to assemble the drone, the PNP version could be a great choice. Considering the DJI O4 is priced at $109, building it yourself can lead to savings.
Unboxing
My review covers the PNP version, which doesn’t include the O4 Air Unit. It arrives with all necessary accessories, like a replacement antenna and an O4-to-FC cable, making it straightforward to install the O4 in the Meteor75 Pro immediately.
The drone weighs 37.2g with the DJI O4 or 51.4g with a 1S 550mAh battery.
Canopy
The updated canopy features an extensive cutout, allowing a wide angle adjustment for the O4 camera.
The camera soft mounting, developed by BetaFPV, is impressive—it represents one of the first proper soft mounting solutions for the DJI O4 so far, crucial for capturing jello-free footage with the demanding O4 camera.
The mount features a two-piece design with a back component holding two screws on the sides (19mm width, micro FPV camera size) and a front clamp securing the camera. Four vibration-dampening “balls” connect these pieces, mitigating vibrations to the camera.
Flight Controller
Beyond the new canopy and camera soft mounting, the Meteor75 Pro benefits from an upgraded flight controller—the Matrix 3-in-1 FC.
This setup is crafted for the DJI O4 Air Unit (Lite), with a connector that plugs directly into the O4 Air Unit sans soldering. The O4 Air Unit’s performance is optimized through a built-in 5V BEC in the FC, delivering adequate power despite low voltage conditions.
The FC boasts 16MB of Blackbox memory and includes 4 UARTs, though only 2 are active.
In typical BetaFPV style, the flight controller lacks a USB port to conserve weight; therefore, accessing Betaflight requires BetaFPV’s dedicated dongle.
Motors and Propellers
The Meteor75 Pro O4 goes beyond a 75mm specification—the inter-motor distance exceeds 80mm, aligning more with an “Meteor80”. The expansion accommodates 45mm tri-blade propellers over standard 40mm ones to handle the increased weight of the DJI O4, complemented by 1102 22000KV motors to enhance power and efficiency.
Durability
Community feedback on durability is mixed—issues mainly arise from the DJI O4 Air Unit rather than the Meteor75 itself. Some users encountered board malfunctions or damage post-crash. Personally, I haven’t had major issues because I’ve been cautious, mindful that the DJI O4 is a significant component to maintain.
Installing DJI O4 Air Unit
Building your own O4 may seem daunting due to the complex soft mounting components, yet the process was relatively straightforward. Steady hands made it possible to assemble in about 30 minutes.
Pro Tip: The O4 camera cable’s stiffness, caused by protective tape, can transmit vibrations to the camera. I recommend carefully removing tape near the camera connector to expose the more flexible wire segment. Exercise caution to avoid wiring damage.
I am concerned about the frame’s threaded tubes that hold the FC; they extend just to the top of the FC gummies and don’t support the O4 Air Unit atop the FC sufficiently. While longer screws link O4 and FC gummies, this solution has drawbacks—insufficient screw tension gives the O4 wiggle room; too much pressure compromises FC gummies’ soft mounting abilities. Although costly redesigning might solve it, I understand BetaFPV’s choice of workaround.
Battery and Flight Time
BetaFPV suggests using LAVA 1S 550mAh LiHV batteries. While lighter, smaller 450mAh batteries are an option, they reduce flight time. I’ve achieved roughly 5 minutes indoors with 550mAh batteries, versus 3.5 minutes with 450mAh ones.
Consider adding 1S 550mAh batteries to optimize your setup:
Flight Performance
Since the Meteor75 Pro O4’s release, many early videos exhibited severe jello. However, whether due to BetaFPV’s modifications or methodical assembly, I’ve experienced no similar issues. The stock setup was relatively responsive and stable, yet I adjusted various settings to fit my flying preferences.
I haven’t flown outdoors extensively due to weather, yet indoor results were commendable. Tiny whoops like the Meteor75 Pro struggle with wind outside, needing calm conditions for optimal performance. For dedicated outside use, consider larger, more robust models such as the BetaFPV Femto—a contender in an upcoming review.
How to Setup
The FC target is configured for BETAFPVG473, running Betaflight 4.5.1. Use these setup steps for optimal performance:
- Bind ELRS Receiver
- Pair O4 with Goggles 3
- Adjust Modes in Betaflight Configurator: Set switches for arming, angle mode, and turtle mode.
- Set Power tab parameters: Adjust minimum cell voltage to 3.2V and warnings at 3.4V.
- Modify PID Tuning:
- Set Dynamic Idle to 75.
- Disable Throttle expo.
Tailor your flight experience with custom rates and select settings based on your flight mode.
Specifications
- Wheelbase: 80.8mm
- Motors: 1102 22000KV
- Frame: Meteor75 Pro
- Propellers: Gemfan 45mm 3-Blade Propellers
- Camera/VTX: DJI O4 Air Unit (Lite)
- Canopy: Designed for O4 Air Unit
- FC: Matrix 1S 3IN1 HD FC
- Receiver: ELRS 2.4G
- Recommended Battery: LAVA 1S 550mAh Battery
- Weight: 37.2g
Final Thoughts
While using the BetaFPV Meteor75 Pro O4 indoors, my impressions are largely positive though nuanced:
Pros:
- Innovative design highlights, including canopy and soft mounting quality.
- Notable indoor flight capacity, with potential outdoors in steady conditions.
Cons:
- Variable stabilization success, notably outside.
- Reports highlight DJI O4 durability risks, particularly with impacts.
- While image quality shines, it’s essential to note that flight performance might not match lighter analog tiny whoops.
Explore the Meteor75 Pro O4 Whoop’s potential as part of your FPV adventures:
For lovers of FPV aiming for an HD experience, the Meteor75 Pro O4 offers a compelling mix of advanced features and compact functionality. With some adjustments, it can serve as a robust FPV tool.
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