We lately did a roundup of all the favored 3-inch FPV drones with the DJI O4 system and concluded that the DeepSpace Seeker3 stands out as top-of-the-line choices based mostly on specs and design. As promised, I picked one up for a extra in-depth assessment to find out whether or not that is an FPV drone really value getting!
Take a look at my 3-inch FPV drone with O4 Air Unit comparability right here: https://oscarliang.com/best-3inch-micro-fpv-drone/
The place to Purchase
Get the Seeker3 right here:
Within the field:
- 1 × Seeker3 3-Inch 4S Freestyle FPV Drone
- 2 × Battery Straps
- 8 × HQ T3×3×3 Propellers (2 units)
- Mounting {hardware} for DJI O3/O4 Professional Air Unit
- Handbook
- 2 stickers
Specs
- Body wheelbase: 139 mm
- FC: HAKRC F722 (ICM42688-P Gyro, 16MB Blackbox)
- ESC: 40A 4-in-1 BLHeli_32
- Motors: Aether 1505 4000KV
- Propellers: HQ T3×3×3
- Suitable FPV Techniques: Analog / DJI O4 Professional / DJI O3
- Receiver Choices: ELRS 2.4 GHz / TBS Crossfire / DJI Distant Controller (with O4 or O3)
- Battery Connector: XT30
- Advisable Battery: 4S 650–850mAh
- Max Battery Bay: 72 × 26 × 33 mm
- Weight (with out battery): 178g (together with DJI O4 Professional Air Unit)
The 1505 motor measurement has grow to be the brand new customary for in the present day’s 3-inch and three.5-inch quads. Previously, we frequently used 1404 motors, however they at all times felt a bit underpowered in comparison with 1505s. The Aether 1505 motors ship wonderful torque, giving the Seeker3 a power-to-weight ratio that feels a lot nearer to a light-weight 5-inch freestyle quad.
Putting in the DJI O4 Professional Air Unit
The model I acquired didn’t include the DJI O4 Professional, so I needed to set up it myself — however the course of is simple. Right here’s a fast overview.
You possibly can go away the SBUS wire linked. It’s wired to UART3 (RX3) on the FC, which isn’t utilized by default, so it shouldn’t trigger any issues. Nevertheless, in case you plan to make use of UART3 for an additional peripheral, be certain to take away the SBUS wire from the harness.
The O4 Professional Air Unit connects to UART4, and it’s already configured in Betaflight. You shouldn’t want to alter any settings — it ought to work immediately after set up.
Design and Construct
The DeepSpace Seeker3 has an old-school design, however it’s sensible and straightforward to take care of. It makes use of a deadcat model body, which helps preserve the propellers out of the digicam view.
The carbon fiber body consists of:
- Replaceable 3.5mm thick arms (about 7.5mm extensive)
- 2mm thick high plate
- Cut up 2mm thick backside plates
- Arm guards, the GPS mount, and antenna mounts are all 3D printed from TPU.
On the entrance, there’s a CNC-machined aluminum digicam mount designed to suit DJI O3, DJI O4, and even analog cameras. This mount isn’t simply purposeful; it provides rigidity to the entrance finish and offers the drone a premium, high-quality look.
The XT30 connector is securely mounted on the rear, stopping the facility lead from flopping into the props. Nevertheless, I’d have preferred to see a bit extra solder on the joints for additional reliability. It might even be clever if DeepSpace had utilized liquid electrical tape or glue over the joints to stop potential quick circuits.
The ESC comes preloaded with an older BLHeli_32 firmware model (32.8). Throughout my testing it appears to work tremendous and didn’t trigger any points, however observe that BLHeli_32 improvement has formally ended, which means future updates are not attainable. Extra particulars right here: https://oscarliang.com/end-of-blheli_32/
Minor Points:
- The receiver solely powers up when a battery is linked, not via the USB port. This makes bench setup and troubleshooting much less handy, as you’ll must both take away the propellers or use a smoke stopper for security when engaged on the drone on the bench.
- The present sensor isn’t correctly calibrated — it overestimates present draw significantly. Setting the amperage meter scale to 275 appears to repair the readings.
GPS Module and Rescue Mode
GPS Rescue Mode is a implausible function — it’s primarily a return-to-home operate that brings your drone again to its takeoff level once you lose sign. It’s particularly useful for newcomers and long-range pilots who need peace of thoughts in case of a failsafe or lack of orientation.
The Seeker3 ships with a GPS module pre-installed on the entrance, which is a perfect location because it’s removed from each the VTX and RC antennas, lowering interference. As a pleasant design refinement I want the GPS mount had a few slight upward tilt so it stays comparatively degree with the bottom throughout ahead flight.
DeepSpace didn’t specify the precise GPS mannequin used, however based mostly on the variety of satellites detected (as much as round 25), it’s nearly definitely M10-based — which is superb. That mentioned, the module is sort of tiny with a small antenna, so it could possibly take round 2 minutes to lock onto no less than 8 satellites on a chilly begin. As soon as powered up, although, subsequent satellite tv for pc search are a lot quicker.
GPS Rescue is pre-configured because the default failsafe motion out of the field, however it’s not assigned to a change within the Modes tab, so that you’ll must set that up manually. In my testing, it labored nicely in open fields. Nevertheless, just a few parameters will be optimized, corresponding to:
- Throttle Hover – needs to be tuned to match the battery and general weight of your setup.
- Return Velocity – will be elevated significantly.
- Channel Fallback Settings – not configured.
You must at all times fine-tune Rescue Mode in your distinctive flying setting to make sure it performs reliably. Take a look at my full tutorial right here: https://oscarliang.com/setup-gps-rescue-mode-betaflight/
One minor inconvenience — the USB connection doesn’t energy the GPS module. You want to plug in a LiPo battery to energy it, which additionally activates the air unit/VTX. This may introduce interference and decelerate satellite tv for pc acquisition throughout startup.
Flight Efficiency
Proper off the bat — the Seeker3 rips. Regardless of its small measurement, it doesn’t really feel underpowered in any respect. Acceleration is on the spot, and throttle response feels crisp.
In calm circumstances, the highest pace can attain round 150 km/h, which is spectacular for a 3-inch quad. When flown gently, it can be fairly environment friendly — however these torquey 1505 motors can draw a variety of present at excessive throttle, considerably shortening flight time. With aggressive freestyle flying, I usually get 4–5 minutes of flight time with 4S 850mAh, however when cruising easily, it could possibly stretch to round 7 minutes.
In my take a look at flight video, the wind was round 20mph, and the Seeker3 dealt with it surprisingly nicely — although efficiency will be even higher in calmer climate.
It’s nearly vibration-free, with solely minor instability or propwash throughout sharp turns or Cut up-S.
Total, the Seeker3 feels quick, nimble, and extremely enjoyable to fly. There are not any props in view, making it an excellent alternative for cinematic flying. In comparison with a typical 5-inch quad, it’s additionally noticeably quieter, which makes it good for park flying with out drawing an excessive amount of consideration.
My Customized PID Tune
The inventory PID and filter tune on the Seeker3 is already fairly good — most pilots can be pleased flying it straight out of the field.
If I needed to be essential, although, the inventory tune feels barely smooth and never as snappy or locked-in as I choose. It’s a conservative tune, which is smart — it’s extra forgiving to bent props or minor vibrations.
That mentioned, there’s undoubtedly room to tighten the tune and push the PIDs and filters a bit additional to make it much more responsive and higher at dealing with propwash.
Would you wish to see my customized tune for the Seeker3? Let me know — it takes me hours to make a customized tune, if there’s sufficient curiosity, I’ll fortunately do it.
Battery Selection
If you wish to keep beneath the 250g weight restrict, the most important battery you possibly can realistically use is the Sub250 4S 720mAh LiHV (get it right here: https://oscarliang.com/product-fmf7), which weighs solely 67g. Alternatively, the BetaFPV LAVA 4S 650mAh LiPo is one other wonderful light-weight choice.
If weight isn’t a priority, I’d advocate stepping as much as the BetaFPV LAVA 4S 850mAh. It gives loads of punch and longer flight occasions. The Tattu 4S 850mAh can be a great choice, however in my expertise, the LAVA has noticeably higher longevity — I purchased each packs across the identical time, but the Tattu already reveals extra voltage sag. In my flight footage above, you possibly can truly see low-voltage warnings showing early throughout punch-outs when utilizing the Tattu.
When cruising, the Seeker3 attracts round 6A to 7A, which is impressively environment friendly. Nevertheless, as quickly as you begin flying aggressively, the present draw will increase sharply, so your flight time will rely closely in your flying model. Anticipate round 5–7 minutes on a 4S 850mAh LiPo, and as much as quarter-hour on a 4S 3000mAh Li-ion pack when cruising gently.
The way to Setup
FC / ESC / RX Firmware:
- Flight Controller Board Goal: HAKRCF722V2(preloaded with Betaflight 4.4.3). Authentic CLI Diff accessible right here.
- ESC Firmware: BLHeli32 (Model 32.8)
- Receiver: Generic ESP8285 PA 2.4GHz RX operating ExpressLRS v3.5.1
Setup Directions:
- Bind the ELRS Receiver: Plug within the USB cable, wait about 60 seconds till the receiver enters WiFi mode (inexperienced LED flashing quickly). In your telephone, be a part of the ExpressLRS RX WiFi community (be certain to position your telephone near the drone, because the WiFi sign from the FC is extraordinarily weak). Open browser and go to 10.0.0.1, then enter your bind phrase on the webpage. Detailed directions will be discovered right here: https://oscarliang.com/bind-expresslrs-receivers/#Technique-3-Coming into-Bind-Phrase-in-Internet-UI
- Pair the DJI O4 Professional Air Unit together with your Goggles: Observe the directions right here: https://oscarliang.com/how-to-setup-dji-o4-pro/#Pairing-DJI-Goggles-3-with-O4-Air-Unit-Professional.
- Connecting the drone to Betaflight Configurator. Setup the Modes Tab: Configure your arm change, angle mode, and turtle mode. For steerage, see this tutorial: https://oscarliang.com/betaflight-modes/#How-to-Setup-Arm-Change
- In Energy tab, set Amperage Meter (present sensor) scale to 275 for extra correct present / mah drawn readings.
- Out of the field, you gained’t be capable of arm till you get a GPS repair. In the event you don’t wish to wait, you would disable “Enable arming with out repair” in Failsafe tab – however observe that rescue mode gained’t work when there’s no GPS repair earlier than take off! Or change failsafe technique from Rescue to Drop (this primarily disable Rescue mode once you failsafe)
- To setup OSD for the O4 correctly, be certain to re-select HD in OSD video format (choose analog then choose HD and save, for some purpose the canvas was caught in analog though HD was chosen)
That’s it—your Seeker3 ought to now be prepared for its maiden flight!
Right here’s the included handbook:
FC wiring diagram:
Conclusion
The DeepSpace Seeker3 isn’t low-cost — however you get what you pay for. In case your finances permits, I can wholeheartedly advocate it.
For freestyle and park flying, the Seeker 3 hits the right stability — highly effective sufficient to fly like a 5-inch and lightweight sufficient to remain beneath 250g. It’s simply top-of-the-line all-rounder 3-inch FPV drones accessible proper now — particularly for many who need a compact quad that may journey, freestyle, and nonetheless supply GPS security.
Get the Seeker3 right here:
