Caddx not too long ago launched the Protos FPV drone equipment that includes their new digital FPV system, the Ascent. The equipment appears to be like surprisingly good worth and comes with all the things it’s essential fly, which initially had me intrigued. I used to be even planning to purchase it for overview — however after trying into the small print a bit extra, I modified my thoughts. Let’s take a more in-depth have a look at what the Protos is, and clarify why I’m not speeding to choose one up.
New to FPV? Try our newcomers information:
What Is the Caddx Protos Package?
The Caddx Protos is an inexpensive all-in-one FPV drone equipment priced at $359 – lower than the worth of a pair of excessive finish goggles! It contains primarily all the things it’s essential get began:
FPV goggles The Protos drone Radio controller Batteries and charger
Curiously, the drone makes use of Caddx’s new Ascent digital FPV system. It isn’t Walksnail Avatar and it doesn’t match DJI by way of picture high quality, vary, or latency. Nevertheless, it does seem to look noticeably higher than analog.
This drone equipment is clearly geared toward newcomers who desire a easy, plug-and-play method into FPV. However as I’ll clarify later, there are some compromises.
The place to Purchase
You may get the Caddx Protos equipment from:
What’s Included within the Caddx Protos bundle:
FPV field goggles Protos micro FPV drone with Ascent VTX ExpressLRS radio controller USB charger (can cost three batteries directly) Three proprietary batteries Equipment (case, cables, battery lead, and so forth.)
The Ascent FPV System
Ascent is a model new digital FPV system. The consumer interface appears to be like virtually an identical to Walksnail Avatar, however they don’t seem to be associated, and seems to be a very totally different ecosystem. From the footage out there thus far, picture high quality isn’t higher than Avatar — so primarily based on the low value of the Protos drone, it appears Caddx positioned Ascent as a budget-friendly digital choice quite than aiming for high-end efficiency.
When you already personal Walksnail or DJI, there’s at the moment no compelling cause to change in my view – it could be a downgrade. Additionally, the utmost VTX energy is simply 100mW proper now, which is ok for indoor whooping or park flying inside line of sight, however fairly limiting for freestyle or longer-range flying.
Fascinating remarks from early testers in regards to the Ascent system:
The best way it handles low sign is kind of distinctive: when the hyperlink will get weak, the picture shrinks to the middle (“focus mode”). At very low bitrates, it switches to black & white to keep up flyable element. Bitrate is comparatively low in comparison with AVatar or DJI — usually round 20–25Mbps. Solely 50FPS and 60FPS refresh charges out there. Latency is flyable, however noticeably larger than Avatar/DJI making it difficult to do exact maneuvers. Picture high quality is healthier than analog, however inferior to Avatar, and nowhere near DJI.
The Protos Drone
The Caddx Protos is basically a small cinewhoop model drone. Due to the prop guard, it’s comparatively safer for flying in tight areas or round folks in comparison with open-prop micro quads.
Battery & Energy System
It makes use of 40mm propellers and weighs round 62g dry, or about 104g with the battery put in. For reference, that places it in the identical measurement and weight class as BetaFPV Femto. Provided that it additionally runs 1102 motors, I’d anticipate related ranges of energy and dealing with — enjoyable for cruising, however positively not a freestyle beast. Nevertheless, the Protos comes with Li-ion battery, not LiPo, so it’s going to have much less punch and energy. Study extra about LiPo battery right here:
The included batteries are 2S 840 mAh Li-ion packs.
The battery has a proprietary design— it slides and clip into the drone. It’s handy and beginner-friendly, nevertheless it additionally locks you into Caddx batteries solely. No Third-party 2S LiPo choices right here.
Anticipate longer flights than an analogous whoop on LiPo, however much less energy when climbing or doing sharp inputs.
Body & Construct
The Protos makes use of a pusher configuration (propellers are mounted the other way up). The body is fully plastic, no carbon fibre. The thick shell makes it extra sturdy but in addition a bit heavier than typical interest builds.
One attention-grabbing function: the Protos contains down-facing LiDAR and optical movement sensors. These allow Altitude Maintain and Place Maintain modes — good for serving to absolute newcomers hover with out panic. I’ve seen this idea in BetaFPV’s Cetus drone equipment just a few years again, personally I’m not a fan of those assisted flight modes for newcomers, firstly they don’t work that nicely, they usually don’t actually train you fly an FPV drone and working towards in a simulator continues to be the perfect place to construct abilities IMO. Fortuitously, if you’re prepared, you may change into Acro mode for correct FPV flying.
Word that the VTX has no onboard HD recording, you may solely document within the goggles (1080p).
Lastly, the Protos drone doesn’t run Betaflight; it makes use of Caddx’s personal firmware. In case your purpose is to study Betaflight, then this drone isn’t the correct path.
Ascent Field Goggles
The Ascent goggles seem like a reworked model of the Walksnail Goggles L — very related in form, measurement, options, they usually additionally use 1080p 60hz shows.
Key factors:
Requires an exterior battery, powered by way of a barrel plug Some customers report gentle leaks, however typical in field goggles Inner antennas, no exterior modules or replaceable antennas No AV enter, doesn’t assist analog No HDMI enter, doesn’t assist different digital methods Joystick + again button management, acquainted when you’ve used Walksnail goggles OSD doesn’t burn into DVR footage — OSD information is saved in separate file
Radio
The included radio is a gamepad-style controller — compact and primary. It appears to be like considerably like DJI’s distant controller however has ExpressLRS inbuilt (with an inside antenna).
Nevertheless:
There’s no show and no EdgeTX interface No capacity to vary radio settings on the system Restricted long-term progress for pilots who plan to stay with the interest
The excellent news? The Protos drone makes use of an ELRS receiver, so you may bind it to any third-party ELRS radio later. If you’d like improve concepts, take a look at my suggestions:
Battery and Flight time
The equipment contains 3 batteries and a charger.
Battery specs:
2S 840 mAh Li-ion packs Marketed 8.5 minutes of flight per pack (real-world instances could differ)
These batteries have a proprietary slide-in design, so you will need to purchase replacements from Caddx, which locks you into their ecosystem. Sure — with modifications you can run normal 2S packs, however that defeats the simplicity that this equipment is designed to supply.
The three-bay USB-C charger can cost all three batteries concurrently — just like DJI Avata 2’s charging answer.
Who Is This For?
It’s necessary to be clear: the Protos isn’t a efficiency drone. It’s a beginner-focused FPV coach, designed to get new pilots flying with little setup and minimal technical hurdles. It’s not constructed for freestyle ripping, racing, or long-range.
As a result of it makes use of Li-ion batteries and tiny 1102 motors, energy is restricted. To not point out Ascent could be very new, and isn’t as succesful as DJI and even Walksnail (and isn’t cross-compatible), you’re shopping for into an ecosystem that has an unsure future.
That mentioned — in case your purpose is solely to study the fundamentals of FPV and have enjoyable cruising round a small house, it does precisely that.
Purchase it if…
You’re brand-new to FPV and desire a full FPV drone equipment for under $359 You worth plug-and-play comfort over tinkering You intend to fly largely indoors/yard, the place lengthy vary or sign penetration doesn’t matter
Skip it if…
You already personal Walksnail, DJI, or HDZero. There’s no cause to change to Ascent at this level. You want low latency or good vary/sign penetration You need Betaflight configurations (the Protos drone doesn’t use Betaflight however their very own firmware). You desire a nimble drone for freestyle or racing. You wish to keep away from proprietary batteries.
Conclusion: Would I Purchase It?
The Protos Drone Package
The Protos appears to be a stable newbie coach: straightforward to arrange, sturdy, and surprisingly nicely thought-out. At solely $359, it’s a tempting entry level into digital FPV. However the trade-off is that you simply’re locked into Caddx’s new ecosystem (batteries + FPV system), and the efficiency ceiling is low.
If I had been beginning FPV right this moment on a decent funds, I’d nonetheless personally select one thing like this with open ecosystem:
With batteries and charger, this setup prices equally to the Protos equipment, however could be extra future-proof, extra versatile, and arguably extra enjoyable in the long term — particularly when you plan to develop within the interest.
Nevertheless, judged purely as a plug-and-play newbie bundle, Caddx has completed an awesome job right here. I simply want it:
Ran Betaflight Used normal LiPo packs Provided extra FPV system choices, e.g. Walksnail, Analog and even DJI O4 Lite.
The Ascent System
Asserting their new Ascent system in a funds drone equipment is a brilliant transfer — individuals who purchase this are probably newcomers who’re nonetheless on the fence which FPV system to get, so Caddx has an opportunity to win them early.
However right this moment, Ascent continues to be in its infancy:
Just one goggles choice, a funds field goggles with low specs show Just one VTX choice with restricted 100mW energy, and it’s not even offered individually but Wants time to show reliability and group assist
Ascent would possibly enhance over time — and if Caddx expands the lineup with higher goggles, extra VTX choices with higher specs, it may finally change into a compelling funds ecosystem. For now I’d go. I have already got DJI and Walksnail, each of which supply higher latency, higher picture high quality, extra {hardware} choice.
