Beitrag von Carl ...
I have seen comments about HDZero durability. It is correct that there was design flaw on Whoop VTX for missing diode on initial batch. The bug got fixed for later production run.
Unlike Analog or DJI, HDZero tries to make different VTX for different applications:
- HDZero Race VTX is designed for compact, low weight and high durability. However, it is a bare board without any protection. Special care is needed, especially soft mounting and a wide top plate will protect the board from hard crash;
- HDZero Whoop VTX is designed for compact and low weight. It is also a bare board without any protection. It is not designed for hard crash, and it is for whoop application;
- HDZero freestyle VTX is very stable because of physical protection from heat sink.;
We strongly suggest using VTX according to the application. For example, the Whoop VTX, having many 0201 small SMD components, no antenna retention and hard to soft mounting, should not be used for racing.
HDZero VTX uses many ceramic capacitors that can be mechanically damaged by a hard crash. Too much physical stress (pressure on the part or the board is bent a little too much) can cause a crack on these capacitors that will then develop short circuits between layers. The short circuits lead to big current that will damage the DC regulator and even power amplify. Therefore, it is very important to soft mount the VTX and avoid VTX being squeezed during a crash is very important for it has no heat sink to absorb any force.
The below notes are in the VTX manual, and I recommend following them when installing HDZero into a quad for maximum durability:
- All HDZero VTXes use an U.FL connector for its smaller footprint and lighter weight. However, it is not a mechanically strong connector. Never run a cable from the UFL connector straight off the side of a board. Instead, run the antenna cable towards the middle of the board, and secure it.
- Using a battery eliminator circuit (BEC) is highly recommended to avoid voltage spikes, which can damage the VTX. Although you can power the VTX directly from the battery (VBAT), a BEC will provide more consistent power and will help absorb any voltage spikes, protecting your VTX from over-voltage conditions.
I have seen some pilots having not damaged a single VTX for the whole post year, however some pilots were frustrated by several damaged VTXes. It is the above notes that make the difference. The comment that HDZero has durability issue would be true if all the above notes were ignored