Is DJI O4 Finally Ready For Racing? (Time Trial vs. HDZero!)

[@RyanQuellet]

Unsurprisingly, in my own tests, I see lots of interference between DJI O4 and Analog/HDZero. People reading this, please do your own testing is what I'd say. My findings: HDZero interferes with DJI a lot when drones are closer together (stutters, even black out at one point). There's a lot of interference visible in HDZero as fast horizontal lines. My test is 9ft apart from goggle-to-goggle - check on my channel if you're interested

[@JoshuaBardwell]

Your tests were done at 1 channel spacing, is I think the biggest difference.

[@RyanQuellet]

​@JoshuaBardwell of course! I will try R1 and R3 next time

[@Snakkerz003]

This is crazy! Glad to hear digital is potential coming more into racing. It would be awesome if you added in walksnail into this test and have Evan fly that as well to see how they all stack up

[@RyanQuellet]

Update: R1 and R3 still cause a ton of interference

[@Levafpv]

With 1 channel??? Why?

[@headsupfpv]

Had so much fun doing this ! Thanks for coming by, DJI O4 is so promising.

[@RobFPV1]

Dude! You are all grown now lol 😂… sorry I’m old and remember you from about 7 years ago

[@headsupfpv]

@@RobFPV1hahahaha 7 years changes a lot!

[@hughjanus5518]

As someone upgrading to digital and just a flyer at home currently, should I go DJI or HDzero? I have worries for both and really need help deciding which is best for me.

[@RobFPV1]

@ dji is the king of digital

[@Furadi]

@ DJI.

[@KaptenInsano]

Man the skills of these drone racers is insane. New to fpv and watching stuff like this gets me amped to practice all the time.

[@KOrnhOliO1]

Freestyle flying is so much more fun and so less stressful with no anxiety. It's chill and relaxing!

[@FPV_TOMMY]

Sim sim sim nonstop 🙌🙌🙌

[@dimanfpv3247]

Look up your local multiGP group in your area and go out to a race. Everyone there will be happy to help you out and give you a chance to run the course. With just a little practice, you can do it. Probably not as fast, but it's still a shitload of fun.

[@jana171]

You Just had a popular community drone on the "bench", combining you technical insights and Evan's racing skills to do a comparison that everyone, at least in this field, has been wondering about. This, Joshua, is the kind of collab that I think will further the channel and community as a whole... This was SO good ! Well Done !

[@roberttruesdell6151]

That Dudes flying is just Mind Blowing! I can’t even see where he’s going and he already made 5 turns. Just crazy!

[@Furadi]

Bro wtf how is he even flying that fast with no FOV. 🤣 Felt like I was watching a live national qualifier. Super intense. Thanks boys!

[@josefdahari]

I was wondering the same lol. The dudes a machine.

[@powersv2]

Thanks for making use of Evan!! Love to see it when yall collab.

[@kwboost]

I could see the fov throwing Evan off right off the bat! He did an Excellent job adapting to it on the fly!

[@xXREDEEMEDXx]

Thanks!

[@nathanvannorman]

Great Video JB. Fun format of collaborating and doing some testing on a product we are all very interested about. Thanks for putting this one together.

[@tlanfer]

About those USB-C cables ziptied to the chairs for DJI pilots. You could try grabbing some of the magnetic USB-C cables, that way when pilots stand up and walk away the magnet just lets go, instead of ripping the cable out and/or breaking the usb port

[@JeffWok]

I didn't care about the results and I still watched it all, great video.

[@williamlosch]

Great video & real world testing. awesome to see Mondo get some screentime. Him and Shawn from Heart of America put on some legendary races in the St. Louis region back in the day

[@xer125]

rip Sk8 Liborious

[@baggszilla]

This is truly amazing! The video I've been waiting for and I'm so glad it was you, Evan and Mondo! I can't wait for the future of FPV drone racing!

[@supergeek02468]

The multipathing you all were having indoors with HDZero is crazy! We race whoops in a brewery that’s hell for analog reception and I’ve moved over to HDZero because it looks incredible, even in those environments. I think you could make a raceable O4 65mm whoop with all the other weight improvements.

[@scorpion_7694]

it amazes me how much one person can know. Love your vids

[@MCsCreations]

Fantastic flying and testing! Thanks a bunch, Joshua and everybody! 😃 Joshua, there are already whoops with O4! Could be a great indoor test indeed! Stay safe there with your families! 🖖😊

[@RGMGFitness]

These guys are insane with their speeds! Watching these guys fly reminds me of playing call of duty for the first time...and asking the other guy 'who just shot me'....I can't even keep up with how fast these guys are....Thanks for sharing...excellent way to test this stuff!

[@GMx_1]

I think that this is a good thing to see happen. More choices, more development, better pricing and availability... And cool to see you team up with Evan and his team!

[@timmytronz]

When DJI release an EventRX equivalent, then it will be race ready. Event organisers are not going to tolerate DJI at any big events until such a product exists (and not as a service per event)

[@DanielSingerX]

I can definitely feel the difference flying in 50hz on elrs, many times I've forgotten to change it and I always catch it just free styling. very interesting video😎

[@Mape26]

This is the content that will CATEr to innovation... and we will all benifit

[@JD-FPV]

nice, cant wait to see how this develops. We've been working on integrating all of the systems at our club in a scaleable manner for a few years. My experiences personally when I have flown the older bi-directional systems is my consistency goes down. Best times are comparable. But 'goo' times are more flukeish and harder to repeat on the variable latency. just my 2 cents

[@lewis5866]

You guys are pushing fpv forward with these types of tests. Well done five33!

[@butterflyfpv]

Great work Joshua & Team! Thank you for your work guys!

[@Gabriel-qh5yv]

You done a great work J.B 👍 great pilots gives more confidence in 👍

[@winder6]

Great video exciting times for fpv. Cheers.

[@Flychedelic]

I learned something today, thanks yall

[@GideonFPV]

Jb’s jacket tho 🔥🔥🔥

[@obreezily]

fr

[@ramonsmithnz]

My bloody wife who has no interest in FPV suddenly asked who that guy is😐... I might stop giving money to his patron!!!😂... " Hi I am Joshua Bardwell... I am going to make your wife smile tonight😉"

[@GideonFPV]

@@ramonsmithnz 😂

[@jlarson42]

Cool and fun test video. I did watch a couple of videos where the O4 lite lens was replaced. Definitely not for everyone. 😎

[@CapnBry]

🤣 At giving headsup your controller with ExpressLRS set to 50Hz! You gotta try that test again yourself on a set race course you're confident and with HDZero. I guarantee you will notice a difference between 50Hz and 500Hz as you're constantly oversteering in tight lines. This was a great video with a lot of good comparisons with the right people to do the testing, nice one!

[@thompaulson5152]

U can tell 50 from 500 in elrs. I keep wondering y i couldn't perch like with my flysky i6s 500 but my range was horrible. I learned something today

[@Editer38738]

Freestyles everywhere Peeps East Knoxville represent 🙌

[@georgelai2810]

Great video. Thanks for making this.

[@tristanturner5907]

I'm so jealous that you guys can do this stuff. If you're ever in the Northwoods WI you got spots to SHRED😎

[@luv4God]

loved this one 🥰

[@robertle558]

The most interesting part was the topic with ELRS HZ , I think 250 hz should be the sweet spot

[@Perceivedshift]

I say they try again with a wider lens on the O4, aftermarket will provide a lot of options.

[@TheSangjy]

1:28 The name Skip for the drone tech is just like a game reference 😊

[@DMDphotography]

DJI might have been impressive but the real winner here is that new Sony camera gear. Damn that image is crispy clean.

[@JoshuaBardwell]

That's still the Lumix, I'm afraid. Fabio is an incredible colorist.

[@DMDphotography]

@JoshuaBardwell no way. The focus is so sharp. I'm totally shocked. Amazing work Fabio 👍👍

[@X862go]

That jacket 👏👏

[@FPZzzz]

Awesome video. I bet with a little time and Even's own radio and setup the results would even be more amazing!

[@NordyFPV]

HDZero all the way :) Great video

[@putrid.p]

The way to compare timing system accuracy would be to put both an HD0 and a DJI 04 Vtx on the same quad. There may be some interfence issues, although TBF, VTx's in close proximity when racing is a real-world scenario anyway (just not quite so close).

[@viktorl5937]

Hi Joshua Did you know that TrypFPV simulator added "Bardwell's house" map and now it is possible to experience FPV flying near your house? Cooool!

[@mx118racer]

04 lite just needs wider lens mods , seen a few people doing it already . i also have overheating issues with mine , you guys all in winter , our summer conditions havent been very favourable for the 04 lite .

[@JEFF-P-V]

Yo Happy Birthday, JB!

[@almacfpv74]

I'm not a great pilots by any means but I for sure felt a difference between crossfire to tracer and elrs by the refresh rate. Felt so much more connected to the quad. I'm surprised at you JB😅

[@geometerfpv2804]

It's really difficult to avoid the placebo effect though. I definitely believe you felt the difference between 50hz and 250hz, but I don't believe you felt the difference between 250, 500, and 1000. That's like saying you could tell if someone moved your feed forward slider a few ticks, it's just nonsense.

[@DronePH-2024]

GREAT VIDEO THE BEST❤

[@APEXAerial-51]

🤯 wowzers!!!

[@Miguel_Hchhm]

Really nice & interesting video, please more from that! The skills from these drone racers are absolut sick!!! :o At the beginning you say „… we even include walksnail“ I missing this, will there be a second video?

[@makasii]

1:24 I have a VERY large... engineering background - humble af 😂😂😂

[@justainchoe]

In other words he doesn't have anything official to say. The next guy calls himself an expert builder. A lot of self proclaimed greatness of importance.

[@gmivisualsjason3729]

Very encouraging results.... The next point to bear in mind like all the other systems is "Durability" Theirs a weakness on the O4 with the connection point to the back of camera. It needs re-enforcing with some hot melt.

[@plstewaf3]

Super fast WOW

[@LehtusBphree2flyFPV]

DJI PLEASE TAKE MY MONEY I've been with DJI on day 1 and I'm blown away to see EVEN not 💩on DJI. DJI is now listening

[@Sir_Prints_alot4202]

Holy Moses he made the drone screame liked the devil was on his tail 🥹🤌🏻Bret respect brother

[@QuintinHumbert]

Hey Bardwell can you review the axisflying 3.6 inch manta. If so can please do a setup guide I can’t find a single setup video.

[@Fly_High_FPV]

What settings are you using? If this racemode 20mhz 25mw (proper racing) or my favorite 40mhz 1200mw? Can you get side by side. 8 pilots on 25mw 20mhz? What if you alternate Left hand and Right hand antennas.

[@JoshuaBardwell]

Race 20 MHz 25 mW.

[@Fly_High_FPV]

@JoshuaBardwell did you guys try side by side channels like R1 and R2 to see if you can fill a grid with 6 or 8 pilots?

[@PeighDay]

Where can I get headsup HDZero power cable from?

[@bantyFPV]

Dude 🔥 🔥 Fast

[@RustbucketFPV]

Really cool video!

[@ThieoKok]

Can you please do a build guide for the 04 because I want to build a freestyle quad between 3,5 an 5 inches and I have a hard time finding components mainly with the frame since I don’t have a 3d printer nor a big budget (around 40 max)

[@tlanfer]

"Get one of the good batteries!" - gets in the air, immediate battery warning :D

[@jp-3dairgunworks152]

So the more stick time on a track the faster he got. So it’s less about the system now and more about stick times. Fly what you enjoy and will fly the most.

[@LordRejion]

That looks to fun. Guys.. I think you need to invite me nxt time.. 😊

[@willsintheair]

Although not exactly the same as the Cosmostreamer I’ve figured out a cheaper option that doesn’t require numerous licenses. Install DJI FLY to a Raspberry Pi 5 running LegionOS (Android) and power it via the GPIO pins to keep the USB-C free for your goggles or controller (RC-N*). I use this method to feed video into my Quest 3.

[@saturn_fpv]

Interesting workaround. But why not use an android phone? Also, goggles 3 stream wirelessly, no need for usb. (I don't own them so maybe quality is worse, I don't know)

[@thenameless88]

Could you send me a link to this android version?

[@TweakRacer]

Need test with 5" on O4 Pro/Goggles 3

[@LoganimFPV]

I’m interested in what the o4 pro has to offer but I don’t see most racers switching anytime soon. Also you can upgrade the lense on the o4 in a diy way using the caddx ant lense

[@ChainsawFPV]

The DJI 04 Lite (for whoops), does it require that "Cosmo streamer" module to work with timing systems like the full size?

[@JoshuaBardwell]

Yes. You can still time but if you want to spectate, Cosmostreamer is recommended. You can stream to DJI Fly app on phone as well.

[@ductgoosefpv]

I can 100% feel 50 vs 500. Don't understand how people can't.

[@tonhabraken9339]

Can't you use those DJI SDR transmission/receiver units to receive video? Or don't they receive O4's signal?

[@KainniaK]

Hey bardwell, I am a newbie ... flying 6 months now. And first time I messed with elrs to try to match the performance with DJI video (03) I switched my 5 inch nazgul with taranis q7 (happy model 250 mw) from 250hz to 50hz ...and you can absolutely notice that almost instantly. Now my controller does not do 500 hz and I don't claim I could feel the difference between 250 hz and 500 hz (I don't have a system that can do 500 hz). But 50 hz and 250 hz is extremely noticeable. You start flying on 50 hz when used to 250 hz and within 30 second you are going to be like: something feels wrong ... Try it man, maybe you test everything so much that YOU are the only one immune to this but if you are used to 250hz, then 50 hz is a no no (unless ofcourse when trying to aim for max range)

[@alfonsosangiao2818]

OMG what a speed

[@irom77]

I would 100% forget and pull that HDMI cable with me and the entire timing gear every time I race 😂

[@aliremo]

Do I go for the O4 lite with Goggles 3 or Goggles N3 with O4 Pro ? I was thinking about the O4 pro with the Goggles N3 please some help. Love your videos.

[@lucasm1043]

What laptimer did you use? We did some testing on Rotorhazard we had to ramp up the output power on DJI to 200mW to get similar RSSI values like Analog or HDZERO on 25mW. About the Interferenz we had the same results like in the video, but we did some testing on Walksnail last year with the same result, but in a Race we had issues like with Vista DJI Pilots.

[@Layered_vision]

Quick question for anyone out there. I decided to build my first drone. I’ve followed videos step by step to a T. However, my receiver cannot be found in beta flight. When I try to get it up and running, under “system info” it says “no valid receiver signal detected. I’ve tried multiple receivers, tried flysky and speedy bee nano. Rx to TX then TX to TX rx to rx. Still nothing. The radio binds to reciever, but it will not communicate to the flight controller. Any ideas on what will this cause this and how I can fix it?

[@matuka3755]

As a baseline, it would have been informative to see Evan's best lap time using old DJI technology - say, a Caddx Vista w/ Nebula Pro. He's flying his home course, so there is likely some "muscle memory" at play.

[@JoshuaBardwell]

True. But you saw how much less control he had when ELRS was at 50 Hz. So he clearly is sensitive to latency.

[@ivanfranceschin]

Is that the quad they usually train on? Is it the same they race? Do pilots usually use the same rig for racing/training?

[@JoshuaBardwell]

The Tiny Trainer is used for spec racing.

[@BenderFPV]

Great video and interesting results. Two thoughts I would like to share. - It seems as if the DJI Goggle somehow interfered at intervals. At one point the goggles were only a few feet away from Evan, and the next time they were practically next to him. The same could be said for the interference in the video streams, particularly analog. It was there at the start block, then it disappeared, then it came back. I have the feeling that the goggles are not transmitting all the time. Is this possible? - In general, I think this improves the situation a lot and makes it easier to integrate DJI into a race event. However, we have already noticed a drop in video quality, especially for analog. This was with only three pilots in the air. Four pilots will make it even worse, and if we take into account tracks that are indoors or in a very noisy environment, DJI will push the other system even closer to the edge. To be fully race compatible I would say: We need a spotter solution, passive receiving goggles (maybe software change only?) and the ability to put the DJI system on additional channels, such as F-band (for IMD6C; again, could be a software change). Competition is good for us consumers, so I look forward to what is to come.

[@dayyanhanif8493]

Hi man i want to inform that ELRS Radiomaster, BR3 diversity Receiver able to mod into 2000mw, yes u heard me 2WATTS output power so i can go so far to the moon and back with super solid ass (but its hot). Pair it with Radiomaster Bandit 868, remember 868mhz dont use 915mhz (its sucks interference) i research to telecommunication base data no one providers using 868mhz man its great. So it will be 2w RX - 2W TX, and use 25hz 1:128 ratio, super long range to the moon and back

[@JoshuaBardwell]

There's no possible way the power amplifier on the BR3 can output 2 watts. Whatever you think you've done, I think you're confused. If you're using 868 in the USA, you're interfering with cellular networks.

[@scottmilano2940]

On the 50Hz vs 500Hz ELRS, are you actually getting failsafes on 500? I fly 500Hz LORA (1Watt) all the time and have never had failsafe all the way out to the edge of my usable video range.

[@JoshuaBardwell]

The O4 Lite was able to easily outrun even 50 Hz LoRa when paired with an EP2 receiver in that tiny trainer.

[@BuddsSkyCam]

Did you see any speeding up and slowing down of the live footage that was coming out of the cosmostreamer?

[@fooojin]

You can 3d print a new lens housing, rip the one on the o4 lite off with a hot air gun and then glue the 3d printed one on and then use different lenses, its been done already

[@michaelwilkes0]

If you glued his throttle at max he wouldn't even notice.

[@tylerfields7465]

So stylish, very demure

[@1917VIL]

finally...been waiting for this video:)

[@xdxdxdunix]

Is the O4 Pro or the normal O4 discussed here? Edit: Seems like it's the non-pro from what I can tell. But I'm still unsure where the air unit PCB sits, I can just spot the FC/ESC stack.

[@JoshuaBardwell]

It's the Lite (normal) O4.

[@xdxdxdunix]

@@JoshuaBardwell Is it an AIO? I could only spot two PCBs in the build, I assume the bottom one is an FC/ESC all in one and the DJI air unit sits on top?

[@D18racer51]

Awesome video! 😅 headsup is so fast it dosnt make any sense

[@getcass]

He's starting to believe :D

[@jake6087]

Yes!!!

[@saturn_fpv]

9:14 the goggles 3 can stream the dvr wirelessly to a phone (which can then be hooked up) 11:28 some pilots already changed the lens, it's possible.

[@JoshuaBardwell]

I'm not sure I'd trust wireless streaming to officiate a race. The LiveTime system is recording video that will be used to judge race timing (if the automatic timing system makes a mistake or is questioned). If there's lag in the video transmission, it defeats that purpose.

[@twinturbostang]

Side by side video of O4 and HDZero on the track would be cool (image quality & FOV differences).

[@musaka14]

Offtopic, but out of curiousity, what camera did you use to film yourself from 0:28 onwards? Looks pretty good.

[@JoshuaBardwell]

Lumix G9. But the look is 100% credit to Fabio, my editor. The camera is good, but relatively unremarkable.

[@marcelocorreiaborges6455]

It would be great to see the ExpressLRS Configurator optimized for ARM systems like Windows 10/11 ARM and Linux ARM. With the growing number of ARM devices like the Samsung Book Go, many users would appreciate a native version without relying on emulation. This would improve accessibility and performance for the ARM community. Considering this update would be a huge help!

[@doom3crazy]

Nice matrix reference bardwell

[@modocfpv6305]

On the O4 video feed I saw less picture updates per time in comparison to HDZ correlating to an expected higher latency. As this race course is well known to the racer I assume that a higher time resolution matters not as much.

[@JoshuaBardwell]

I don't know what you think you're seeing, but the video is at 30 fps, while the DJI is at 100 fps, and HDZero at 90 fps. Objectively, HDZero has slightly fewer updates per second than DJI, but realistically, you can't be seeing either of them because YT is taking everything down to 30 fps. DJI's higher latency is due to increased processing time and increased pipeline latency, not lower framerate.

[@modocfpv6305]

​@@JoshuaBardwell Hi Joshua sorry for the misunderstanding. I updated the post. I was talking about time resolution, not FPS. Higher FPS can not undo a higher latency.

[@IanF-FPV]

Was this test done on a new track layout for Evan?

[@willtoulan]

"he's starting to believe" 😅

[@TatersFPV]

I only fly freestyle and I can very easily tell the difference between 50hz and 250hz. Like very easily. Now between 250hz and 500hz, no I cannot tell the difference. And by the way, 250hz on elrs will give you all the range you'd ever need with a quad.

[@lemonsquareFPV]

50:250 I can tell the difference 100% of the time 250:500 is basically within margin of error to be a guess. BUT Looking back at lap times and freestyle video. 500 gives tangible consistency and accuracy improvements over 250, even though I can't consciously identify it. So I just run 500. Another thing I noticed... Going from SIM (240Hz OLED) to IRL. With 500 it's a super smooth transition and I can do everything exactly as the SIM, but with 250 or lower it doesn't translate, and feels awkward.