Caddx just lately launched the Protos FPV drone equipment that includes their new digital FPV system, the Ascent. The equipment seems surprisingly good worth and comes with every part you have to fly, which initially had me intrigued. I used to be even planning to purchase it for overview — however after trying into the main points a bit extra, I modified my thoughts. Let’s take a better take a look at what the Protos is, and clarify why I’m not speeding to select one up.
New to FPV? Take a look at our inexperienced persons information: https://oscarliang.com/fpv-drone-guide/
What Is the Caddx Protos Equipment?
The Caddx Protos is an inexpensive all-in-one FPV drone equipment priced at $359. It consists of primarily every part you have to get began:
- FPV goggles
- The Protos drone
- Radio controller
- Batteries and charger
Apparently, the drone makes use of Caddx’s new Ascent digital FPV system. It isn’t Walksnail Avatar and it doesn’t match DJI when it comes to picture high quality, vary, or latency. Nonetheless, it does seem to look noticeably higher than analog.
This drone equipment is clearly geared toward inexperienced persons 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 will 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 without delay)
- Three proprietary batteries
- Equipment (case, cables, battery lead, and so on.)
The Ascent FPV System
Ascent is a model new digital FPV system. The consumer interface seems virtually equivalent to Walksnail Avatar, however they don’t seem to be associated, and seems to be a totally completely different ecosystem. From the footage obtainable up to now, picture high quality isn’t higher than Avatar — so based mostly on the low value of the Protos drone, it appears Caddx positioned Ascent as a budget-friendly digital possibility moderately than aiming for high-end efficiency.
If you happen to already personal Walksnail or DJI, there’s presently no compelling purpose to modify in my view – it might 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.
Attention-grabbing remarks from early testers concerning the Ascent system:
- The way in which 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 take care of flyable element.
- Bitrate is comparatively low in comparison with AVatar or DJI — usually round 20–25Mbps.
- Solely 50FPS and 60FPS refresh charges obtainable. Latency is flyable, however noticeably greater than Avatar/DJI making it difficult to do exact maneuvers.
- Picture high quality is best than analog, however not so good as Avatar, and nowhere near DJI.
The Protos Drone
The Caddx Protos is basically a small cinewhoop model drone. Because of the prop guard, it’s comparatively safer for flying in tight areas or round individuals 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 dimension and weight class as BetaFPV Femto. On condition that it additionally runs 1102 motors, I’d count on comparable ranges of energy and dealing with — enjoyable for cruising, however undoubtedly not a freestyle beast. Nonetheless, the Protos comes with Li-ion battery, not LiPo, so it is going to have much less punch and energy. Study extra about LiPo battery right here: https://oscarliang.com/lipo-battery-guide/
The included batteries are 2S 840 mAh Li-ion packs.
| Li-ion (used right here) | LiPo |
| Larger power density → longer flight time | Extra energy + higher throttle response |
| Lighter for a similar capability | Heavier for a similar capability |
| Decrease present output → weaker punch-out energy | Excessive present output → Higher for freestyle and acro flying |
The battery has a proprietary design— it slides and clip into the drone. It’s handy and beginner-friendly, however it additionally locks you into Caddx batteries solely. No Third-party 2S LiPo choices right here.
Anticipate longer flights than the same 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 wrong way up). The body is totally plastic, no carbon fibre. The thick shell makes it extra sturdy but additionally a bit heavier than typical interest builds.
One attention-grabbing function: the Protos consists of down-facing LiDAR and optical circulation sensors. These allow Altitude Maintain and Place Maintain modes — good for serving to absolute inexperienced persons 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 inexperienced persons, firstly they don’t work that nicely, they usually don’t actually educate you learn how to fly an FPV drone and training in a simulator continues to be the perfect place to construct expertise IMO. Happily, once you’re prepared, you possibly can swap into Acro mode for correct FPV flying.
Be aware that the VTX has no onboard HD recording, you possibly can solely report within the goggles (1080p).
Lastly, the Protos drone doesn’t run Betaflight; it makes use of Caddx’s personal firmware. In case your objective is to be taught 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 comparable in form, dimension, 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 help analog
- No HDMI enter, doesn’t help different digital techniques
- 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 seems considerably like DJI’s distant controller however has ExpressLRS inbuilt (with an inside antenna).
Nonetheless:
- There’s no show and no EdgeTX interface
- No means to alter 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 possibly can bind it to any third-party ELRS radio later. In order for you improve concepts, take a look at my suggestions:
https://oscarliang.com/radio-transmitter/
Battery and Flight time
The equipment consists of 3 batteries and a charger.
Battery specs:
- 2S 840 mAh Li-ion packs
- Marketed 8.5 minutes of flight per pack (real-world occasions might fluctuate)
These batteries have a proprietary slide-in design, so you should purchase replacements from Caddx, which locks you into their ecosystem. Sure — with modifications you could possibly run commonplace 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 vital to be clear: the Protos just 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 proscribed. 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 objective is just to be taught 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 purpose to modify 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 Equipment
The Protos appears to be a strong newbie coach: simple 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 just’re locked into Caddx’s new ecosystem (batteries + FPV system), and the efficiency ceiling is low.
If I have been beginning FPV in the present day on a good finances, 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 can be extra future-proof, extra versatile, and arguably extra enjoyable in the long term — particularly when you plan to develop within the interest.
Nonetheless, judged purely as a plug-and-play newbie bundle, Caddx has carried out an amazing job right here. I simply want it:
- Ran Betaflight
- Used commonplace 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 finances drone equipment is a great transfer — individuals who purchase this are probably inexperienced persons who’re nonetheless on the fence which FPV system to get, so Caddx has an opportunity to win them early.
However in the present day, Ascent continues to be in its infancy:
- Just one goggles possibility, a finances field goggles with low specs show
- Just one VTX possibility with restricted 100mW energy, and it’s not even offered individually but
- Wants time to show reliability and group help
Ascent would possibly enhance over time — and if Caddx expands the lineup with higher goggles, extra VTX choices with higher specs, it may finally turn into a compelling finances ecosystem. For now I’d move. I have already got DJI and Walksnail, each of which supply higher latency, higher picture high quality, extra {hardware} choice.
