Assessment: Walksnail Moonlight VTX/Digital camera Package – Various to DJI O3 Air Unit?

The Walksnail Moonlight digicam/VTX equipment emerges as a direct competitor to the favored DJI O3 Air Unit. Providing stabilized 4K recording and a sturdy efficiency that rivals, and in some elements, surpasses the DJI O3, the Moonlight equipment presents itself as an fascinating possibility. This evaluate delves into my private experiences with the Moonlight, evaluating it head-to-head with the DJI O3.

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New to Walksnail FPV system? Study extra on this article: https://oscarliang.com/setup-avatar-fpv-system/

Nonetheless questioning which FPV system you need to get in 2024? Try my purchaser’s information: https://oscarliang.com/fpv-system/

The place to Purchase?

Get the Walksnail Moonlight digicam/VTX equipment from these distributors:

It comes with the next equipment:

• 1x Spare screws for mounting
• 1x Wire harness for firmware improve
• 1x Wire harness for connecting the flight controller
• 1x ND8 Filter
• 2x Antenna
• 1x Handbook

Specs

• Firmware title: AvatarMoonlight_Sky_X.X.X
• Transmitter Energy: FCC:<1000mW; CE:<25mW
• Picture Sensor: Starlight sensor
• FOV: Max 160°
• Aperture: F2.1
• Shutter: Rolling shutter
• ISO: 100-25600
• Recording decision: 4K@30/60fps,2.7K@30/60fps,1080p@100/60fps,720p@60fps
• Max Mbps: 150Mbps
• Video format: MP4 (H.264)
• 3D DNR: Help
• Gyroflow: Help
• Constructed-in EIS: Help
• Huge Energy Enter: 7.4V-25.2V
• Energy consumption: [email protected], [email protected]
• Reminiscence card sort: U3 MicroSD, Max 256G
• Digital camera measurement: 19.6mm*19mm*24mm
• VTX measurement: 15.3mm*34.5mm*34.5mm
• VTX Set up gap distance: 20*20mm/25*25mm (M2)
• Weight: 38.5g(Antenna not included)
• OSD: Canvas mode
• Latency: Common delay 22ms
• Antenna: 2 (IPEX)
• Filter: ND8
• Antenna Polarization: LHCP
• Antenna Common Achieve: 1.9dBi
• Antenna VSWR: ＜1.5
• Antenna connector: IPEX-1
• Antenna Dimension: 15x45mm (with out cable)
• Antenna Weight: 2g

Moonlight is suitable with the next FPV goggles / receiver module:

It’s not suitable with DJI Goggles.

What’s the Moonlight Package?

Much like the DJI O3, the Walksnail Moonlight is a digicam/VTX combo that gives 4K recording capabilities whereas streaming HD dwell movies again to the FPV goggles on the bottom. This equipment doubtlessly eliminates the necessity for extra motion digicam on the drone, simplifying setups and lowering total weight and price.

The Moonlight not solely data in 1080p, 2.7K, and 4K resolutions but in addition options digital picture stabilization (EIS). The digicam settings enable for handbook management, together with shutter pace and ISO, which is essential for capturing high-quality footage in numerous lighting circumstances.

You possibly can be taught extra in regards to the DJI O3 right here: https://oscarliang.com/dji-o3-air-unit-fpv-goggles-2/

Design and Construct

The Moonlight has a sturdy construct, with a sturdy metallic shell that serves as a heatsink. It’s barely bigger and heavier than the DJI O3 air unit, weighing round 43g with out ND filters, in comparison with the O3’s 40g. Nevertheless, the Moonlight affords higher mounting flexibility with each 20x20mm and 25.5×25.5mm M2 mounting holes, enabling direct mounting onto most drone frames in the marketplace.

The Moonlight digicam has a 19mm width identical to any normal micro digicam. It’s simpler to mount than the O3’s non-standard 20mm measurement, although it’s considerably longer entrance to again. The yellow silicone spacers within the mounting holes assist to dampen quad vibrations, defending the built-in gyro.

Whereas the Moonlight additionally incorporates a twin antenna setup for constant sign, the antennas are particular person, in contrast to the DJI O3’s extra handy 2-in-1 design. The antennas could also be a bit difficult to plug in, fortunately you most likely solely want to do that as soon as.

The digicam is linked to the VTX by way of a MIPI connector and it’s removable.

The digicam cable lengths and antenna lengths are related between the O3 and Moonlight.

Dimensions and Weight Comparability:

The Moonlight digicam’s starlight sensor boasts a 160° FOV in a 16:9 side ratio, with an f/2.1 aperture and a formidable ISO vary of 100 to 25600. It helps 4K recording at as much as 150Mbps and is suitable with micro SD card as much as 256GB.

It comes with an ND8 filter which is well attachable and removable, affords lens safety however is over 2 grams heavier and significantly bulkier than typical O3 ND filters. It could actually probably be obstructed by the entrance standoffs, making it tough to make use of in sure FPV drone frames with out modifications. Anyway it’s good to have it included within the equipment. I want ND16 can also be included, for brilliant sunny day and snowy days, however ND8 must be fairly versatile for a lot of conditions.

The absence of a USB port on the Moonlight VTX means SD card removing is critical for footage switch and firmware updates, which is likely to be much less handy in comparison with the O3.

One other benefit of the DJI O3 is its 20GB inside reminiscence. Whereas it might not appear important because it solely holds about 20 minutes of footage, it could prevent from going dwelling empty-handed once you neglect your SD card. I want the Moonlight provided the same function.

Moonlight’s digicam cable is about 12cm lengthy whereas the antenna wires are about 5.5cm (excluding the plastic tube half).

Latency and Flying Expertise

The Moonlight supplies a flying expertise much like different Walksnail Avatar VTX and cameras, with the added benefit of onboard recording.

By way of latency, the Moonlight matches or barely outperforms the DJI O3, significantly within the 60fps mode. Whereas the latency in 30fps mode is a bit increased than 60fps, it’s notably higher than the O3 additionally, providing a extra manageable flying expertise. The O3 performs the very best in 100fps mode, however then your recording would even be in 100fps, which isn’t supreme in some instances.

Due to Moonlight’s starlight sensor, the system’s low mild efficiency is especially spectacular, outperforming the DJI O3 in difficult lighting circumstances. Its skill to seize clear and detailed photos in near-darkness is a big benefit for evening flyers.

I’ve seen that the Moonlight is simply as prone to jello because the O3, if no more. To fight this, guarantee your FPV drone is well-tuned and contemplate soft-mounting the digicam if potential. For steerage on tuning your quads, take a look at my tutorial: https://oscarliang.com/fpv-drone-tuning/. Gyroflow appears to be fairly efficient in minimizing jello in order that’s price a attempt.

Picture High quality and DJI O3 Comparability

The Moonlight was examined utilizing the newest firmware on the time of publishing (37.42.3).

The Moonlight digicam affords handbook settings that may attraction to skilled pilots, at present you possibly can regulate the next settings:

• Decision / Body Fee
• Sharpness
• Publicity Worth
• Saturation
• White Stability
• ISO
• Shutter Pace

Nevertheless, it’s price noting that in contrast to the DJI O3, the Moonlight lacks flat colour profile or 10bit recording functionality and doesn’t supply a local 4:3 mode on the time of testing. Having native 16:9 means the video is extra zoomed in after picture stabilization is utilized in publish (equivalent to Gyroflow).

By way of picture high quality, it’s fairly subjective. The Moonlight impresses with clear contrasts and sharpness, the benefit is very noticeable in low mild.

Right here’s a side-by-side comparability between the Moonlight and O3, each set to 4K 60fps with auto settings. Each cameras produce very nice-looking photos; the Moonlight seems a bit sharper and hotter, whereas the O3 has barely much less distortion and a slightly wider discipline of view (Huge setting).

In evening time circumstances, the Moonlight is the clear winner in low mild. It helps ISO settings as much as 51200, in distinction to the O3, which maxes out at 6400. Though the Moonlight excels in low-light situations, the excessive ISO can introduce noise and graininess, doubtlessly making flight difficult.

One level of critique is the auto shutter pace’s publicity adjustments, which might appear a bit unnatural. Hopefully, this may be addressed in future firmware updates. Right here’s a brief clip from the Moonlight digicam capturing a gray winter day, with Gyroflow utilized.

Modular Design

Disassembling the Moonlight VTX reveals a twin board design much like the O3. One board features because the video transmitter and the opposite because the video recording board. Caddx has designed it in such a method that the 2 boards will be separated. This makes restore more economical as you solely want to switch the broken board, not the entire unit.

In keeping with Walksnail, in spring 2024, they plan to launch a record-only unit (it consists of solely the Moonlight digicam and recording board). This may be linked to any Walksnail Avatar VTX, providing a modular method that reduces prices and simplifies replacements.

Firmware Updates

Throughout my testing, Walksnail had launched 4 firmware updates, showcasing their dedication to enhancing the Moonlight digicam. Whereas it was slightly bit annoying for the reviewers having to retest it each time, hopefully when it will get to the shopper’s hand, many of the points would have been addressed.

The firmware replace course of is barely cumbersome because of the want for a particular cable to bridge the 2 boards. Firstly, it might be arduous to achieve these tiny connectors you probably have a good body, which most likely means you’d must take the drone aside each time you wish to replace the Moonlight. Secondly, you can not lose this tiny cable otherwise you gained’t be capable to replace.

Energy Consumption Testing

25mW Output Degree

1000mW Output Degree

Energy consumption checks at numerous output ranges present that the Moonlight attracts important present, particularly when recording in 4K. The distinction in present draw between the minimal (25mW) and most (1000mW) energy ranges isn’t substantial. For security, a 9V BEC with a minimum of 2A, ideally 3A, is really useful.

An necessary notice: the VTX underreports the enter voltage by about 0.4V. This discrepancy shouldn’t be a problem when powered by a BEC with fixed voltage, however should you energy it immediately from a battery, it could make you wish to land sooner than you need to.

The best way to Use

Connecting the Moonlight VTX to the flight controller is strictly the identical as different Walksnail VTX. You energy it from a BEC or immediately from the battery, and join RX/TX pins to a spare UART on the FC.

Within the goggles’ menu, you possibly can choose the specified decision and body charge for recording. The FPV system’s body charge setting impacts the accessible recording resolutions.

• Setting body charge to excessive, solely 1080p 100fps/60fps/30fps can be found.
• Setting body charge to plain, you get 4k 60fps/30fps, 2.7K 60fps/30fps in addition to 1080p60fps/30fps (100fps shouldn’t be accessible).

By default, urgent the DVR document button on the goggles begins each the VTX and goggles recording.

Digital camera settings like body charge and determination take about 4-5 seconds to reboot after adjustments.

Constructed-in EIS (picture stabilization) is barely accessible in 2.7K decision, not accessible in 1080p / 4K. Stabilization is utilized within the recorded video immediately. No gyro information is recorded when built-in EIS is enabled.

However when Constructed-in EIS is disabled, the VTX data gyro information in a separate file together with the video (.gcsv) which you’ll import in Gyroflow for picture stabilization in publish, which I imagine yields higher outcome than the built-in EIS. Subsequently I like to recommend disabling built-in EIS and use Gyroflow for picture stabilization.

In Gyroflow, digicam and lens profiles are mechanically detected and loaded once you import footage.

• 4K 60fps bit charge: 150Mbps
• 2.7K 60fps bit charge: 100Mbps
• 1080p 100fps bit charge: 100Mbps
• 1080p 60fps bit charge: 80Mbps

Greatest Settings

Walksnail appears to be nonetheless refining the firmware for the Moonlight, changes to settings and the introduction of latest options are ongoing.

Subsequently, I’ll maintain off on publishing my most well-liked settings for the Moonlight till a secure firmware model is launched, on condition that adjustments are anticipated previous to that.

Conclusion

The Walksnail Avatar Moonlight digicam/VTX equipment is a robust contender within the HD FPV market. It affords 4K recording, spectacular low-light efficiency, and versatile digicam settings.

Buy the Walksnail Moonlight digicam/VTX equipment from the next distributors:

Whereas it reveals promise, the Moonlight nonetheless has areas for enchancment to match the DJI O3, such because the addition of a flat colour profile, 10-bit colour, a neater firmware replace course of, and the inclusion of inside reminiscence and a USB port. The O3 maintains an edge as a extra subtle and highly effective digicam. However, for these looking for a lighter Walksnail FPV drone with out the necessity for a heavy digicam like a GoPro, the Moonlight presents a compelling different.