Review: ZOHD VC400 FPV backpack

ZOHD provided this FPV backpack as part of a PNF Talon Nano Evo but I thought it deserved its own review.
Pros:
- the picture isn't half bad for a Spanish (el-cheapo) unit
- its very lightweight, ideal for Sub-250g
- it's super-easy to fit (a 10 second job?)
- it works as advertised
- the OSD has some handy info on it
- VTX produces a pretty clean signal (no lines)
Cons:
- fishbowl lens might not suit some people
- how fast can you run if you're not a good spot-lander?
- no microphone (if that's important to you)
Bottom line... this is definitely better than I expected but that 30-second countdown to spontaneous combustion is a worry -- although at least they're honest about it.

[@zohdofficial6484]

Thanks for the suggestions Bruce, we'll check how to improve some of the things you've said. As for the 30 seconds, it's just to stress the point that you can't leave it sitting there the whole day under the sun... you can easily leave it more than that (actually we haven't blown up any unit for doing so... but better safe than sorry.) But since we pilots tend to get lazy... :) you get the point. Also if you have a good airflow while on the bench (a fan for example) you don't need to be that apocalyptic on it neither). The reason to leave it on 400mw by default is that on our test runs, 80% of the people leave it on 25mw and flew with that saying that wasn't enough range (without realizing it needs to be changed to 400mw for more range)... so well... easier to say than do :P In any case, Always a pleasure to watch you videos! Thanks! PS: it's Z.O.H.D (pronouncing every letter) :)

[@echobeefpv8530]

Good to see a positive manufacturer response to a good review !!

[@zohdofficial6484]

@@echobeefpv8530 Thanks! Bruce is a legend! :D

[@echobeefpv8530]

@@zohdofficial6484 Bruce is a legend for sure, though much too humble to say so. He represents some of the best of this hobby, that is to say passion and fun. I'm all about that, ie learning about my craft ( and new items ), and learning how they work. And having fun, which for me , go hand in hand. I would not have stayed in the hobby without the help of RCModelReviews, and channels like it. Having manufacturers pay attention to, and appreciate feedback for what it is, constructive criticism, goes along way . Cheers, clearskies and low winds !!

[@zohdofficial6484]

@@echobeefpv8530 Cheers for that! :)

[@southwestkittyit]

✌️❤️🤘

[@echobeefpv8530]

Could be a little over the top on sarcasm, but still a good review. I like the fact they responded so well. This is the kind of useful development between manufacturers, reviewers, and me, the buying public, I like to see.

[@markhinchcliffe5803]

Here here...well said

[@Deceptive24]

Looks good actually. No messing about just plug and play, there is value in that.

[@craigcupit1917]

I am okay with the excess heat from a small package...With a Matek board you can turn vtx on and off on a switch. Smart audio can also do this if was included. ..It never over heats if its on a flight controller with a switch. Or just plug and go if ya dont have a no GPS. VTx is off when GPS searching. and still super light at the same time. Plane crashes turn off the vtx. No need to run to a downed plane! Heat sinc ass a lot of weight when its in the wind mot of the time anyways.

[@AggieRC]

Cheers Bruce :) I've got one of these on the way in a dart 250g and it's good to know the ins and outs. appreciated the response from @ZOHD Official also.

[@tylerone4183]

Pro tip add a small aluminum heatsink to the back for some thermal protection.

[@DeadlyDiddly]

£31.75 on Banggood - the foam strips are to sit the camera on for anti-vibration (and possibly to stop it from melting your foamie/setting fire to your balsa plane.) ZOHD name or not, it's about twice the price I'd want to pay for it. 🤔

[@gittarpikk]

my apologies.. I overlooked that you replied 200 mw. You have always had a great channel. Love it.

[@BarefootBeekeeper]

How did "VTX produces a pretty good signal" end up in the "cons" column?

[@btbplanevids]

Hey Bruce, these AIO units do often have heat issues ... would be nice to have some sort of thermal shutdown mechanism though, rather than letting the smoke out. I have a couple of 1S whoops with 25 mW AIOs that are fine in forward flight but do shut down (without damage) if you hover for too long.

[@TheXanUser]

I really think the red/orange plane body might tend to make the image look off. have you considered putting black paper on the body and seeing how it might change the coloring balance of the image?

[@nickmarangelis2251]

Thanks Bruce, thought the picture was great and good value for money, 200mw good enough, i ordered one , I have also ordered the kopilot. Please review the kopilot flight controller

[@RCModelReviews]

Kopilot review is in the works -- this looks like a nice product but I haven't flown it yet so stay tuned!

[@stevencristofero968]

$40 US on amazon for VC400. Good video and information as always

[@paulhenderson9585]

Hats of to zohd for giving the warning,you get no warning on eachine lizard and that camera unsolders itself fast

[@MrZeek101]

great review Sir Bruce very well done $53.60 Canadian for this unit ps would make a not to bad of a backup unit

[@navigator902]

Beautiful Music Bruce....makes one want to fly.

[@johncarold]

Hi Bruce Great video and review of this little camera/ VTX , I have had the same product for my whoop or a little build, yeah they are not that expensive. Thanks for the info

[@tgfcujhb7583]

What's the difference's with the antennas ???🍻👍

[@marko5766]

Eachine has a bunch of these for half to one third the cost, is this two to three times better than those? Seems way overpriced at $40.

[@PiDsPagePrototypes]

Footage doesn't look bad in those conditions, certainly good for a 'My First FPV' install - is there a 16:9 mode? Or, did it look like the lens would be hard to swap out for something with narrower FoV, that could then be rigged with cheap 1.33:1 anamorphic?

[@Graybear78]

I am getting ready to go FPV on my planes. Which do you think is better. A single unit camera and transmitter, or the camera and transmitter as separate units? Thank you in advance.

[@keithnerison1017]

Great review Bruce, I have one coming with the Dart 250 Stellar that ZOHD had some input, Aside from a little lens distortion I find the little camera completely flyable after all I am flying for fun not for a fantastic youtube video, or something where I need a 1080p or 4k video, chances are I will be flying on 200mw and loving my 109.00 USD purchase, I actually have a couple other small fixed wing planes / wings that this little guy might find a home in. Thanks a million for the review as always informative and entertaining.

[@nobbythunder3419]

Nice vid Bruce...very helpfull.

[@robertthayer5779]

Just use a micro switch to an extra Channel and just turn it off if you have to land far away.

[@altermannfliegt3927]

I installed an electric switch and had no problems. It's a solution;-)

[@landlifem5872]

For a small craft like a bonsai these camera/vtx packages are great.

[@gittarpikk]

maybe a better question since I have missed a lot of your vids.... Do you notice a LOT of video quality/range differences between brands when running at the 25 mw settings. I'm started exploring a new class of foam pylon racers this year and want to be able to fly the races running only 25 mw. The video on this model seems quite clear over some of my vtx/cam/clover models. It would be nice to see this models performance level when only 25 mw. You flew out much farther than I do on our pylon course as most of the competition is being flown LOS.

[@rodher12]

Great and neat review as always Sir Greetings from Mex. Rod

[@AntsRC]

I support the manufactures that support Bruce

[@Burn377]

Protip for anyone running betaflight, turn on low power disarm basically when the qaud isn't armed betaflight sets the lowest output setting for the vtx. Once armed it sets to your defined power output. Sorry can't help the guys without a flight controller. Edit: this only works if your vtx is smart audio capable*

[@RGCbaseace]

I got one of thees cams for a zohd dart 250g you aint lying lil bugger gets hot really hot not a fan of the osd fonts too big and ya cant turn it off it is what it is Works ok if mounted out side of a plane keep up the good work bruce Love your vids

[@IanParkerNZ]

A number of RC switches are available. I might look at using one of them to switch on and off.

[@dho9yds]

The background piano music reminds me of Stobe the Hobo. R.I.P.

[@randallhuston1466]

My personal favorites are the 25/50/200mw Eachine units.

[@DKoppJr]

Did ZOHD try and make you to bow to his will like Superman? LOL 😁 .......Thumbs up great video.

[@robertbrander2074]

I see 1080p wifi surveillance cameras with two axis gimbals that have good quality pictures ..... for 50 bucks ........ but the same for RC is Hundreds ...... is this Hobby lagging behind ?

[@typxxilps]

30 min. too late cause just purchased a nano talo Evo fpv where this is part of, I guess along with a flight board or stabilizer for 158$ What to buy instead ? What goggles ...? I have already DJI racing goggles ... so might have to buy there camera system too. ...

[@stewartdavis8618]

Hi Bruce would like a video on how to set up the ZOHD flight controller ??

[@MCsCreations]

Damn, I thought I commented here before! 😕 Anyway, fantastic review, Bruce! 😃

[@wdavie27]

Bruce iv got two of this type of camera and the lens fell of the two of them I tried hot glue but the heat doesn't hold would it be ok to use poxy resin :-)

[@robertdillon4572]

Is it the antenna Left or Right polarised

[@gittarpikk]

Hi Bruce... what was the power setting during that video?

[@robertbrander2074]

Maybe it's the video quality from KZbin , but All those micro cams seem to have Crap Video ....... 480p ...... You test all those cameras .... which one is the Best Bang for Your Buck ? Cheers ! :-)

[@Johnn_T]

Might need one of those Rx operated switches with this if you want to use it over 25mw which makes you wonder if its worth it. I must get you to tune in my FPV gear bruce, even this is better than mine (less interference).

[@Hoggdoc1946]

John T - Bruce flys out in the sticks, less people equal less interference. Those of us that live in more populated areas of the world will never see FPV as good as Bruce's.

[@lDavidl]

> VTX produces a pretty clean signal (no lines) Not really a con, is it? :P

[@Billo-07]

Uh oh, bruce

[@RCModelReviews]

Yes, must have been asleep when I got that wrong :-/

[@gayantissera6092]

What is the location of the Video transmitter chip?

[@thomasjagoe3257]

I would put it on a switch

[@CaveyMoth]

Wow, it doubles as a magic smoke generator if you turn it on without flying your model.

[@pavalige]

FPV is all about what you see when your flying and I would always go with a good quality camera that has an excellent image I can't see the point in compromising. Cheaping out on what you see doesn't fly with me

[@brownie6451]

I would agree with everything you said except that sometimes budget just won't allow for it. That is why some look for good alternatives that give them the best value.

[@JamesHurd]

30 seconds! lasts longer than me!

[@jimscobie6646]

🤣

[@NormanLedoyen]

Whats the chance of installing a remote on/off switch controlled from your transmitter. Now I am speaking of use in an airplane at this point.

[@vonSchwartzwolfe]

Many RC power switchs out there mostly used for ignition switch for gas engines, but they can be used to control power for anything in an RC plane.

[@kevingrainger2530]

My Dear Bruce, It must have been windy as you're all over. Mount the unit to your car and drive home at 100mph, then we'll compare ! It's that bad. Take care while you're travell

[@raptr49]

10 minute video but not a mention on how to set power or frequency.

[@bertbeinaaf8314]

Nice backpack 🤔 review....

[@loc4725]

Zed or zee (xee)?

[@vonSchwartzwolfe]

Were you flying it at 25 mw at the end?

[@mortache]

200, as seen in the osd

[@vonSchwartzwolfe]

Thank you I missed that.

[@bwxmoto]

For $40 I'd want a better lens.

[@marc_frank]

ov231 + eachine nano vtx

[@DFDuck55]

$39.99 USD on banggood.

[@billybbob18]

8:20 shoots phazer pulse

[@blancsteve4819]

Zed ohhhh HD

[@altermannfliegt3927]

Electronic remote switch is the right name. Sorry

[@jujucattys156]

h it no whhat ya modle bat v is

[@davidmgillmer]

ZOHD need to stick to aircraft...

[@robertbrander2074]

Those cameras do get seriously hot ....... so where are the 2 - 5 gram aluminum heat sinks ? ....... It's Chinese Torture and Criminal ........ Sue the damn Country ! ....... :-D

[@robertbrander2074]

Maybe it's the video quality from KZbin , but All those micro cams seem to have Crap Video ....... 480p ...... You test all those cameras .... which one is the Best Bang for Your Buck ? Cheers ! :-)

[@robertbrander2074]

I see 1080p wifi surveillance cameras with two axis gimbals that have good quality pictures ..... for 50 bucks ........ but the same for RC is Hundreds ...... is this Hobby lagging behind ?

[@robertbrander2074]

Those cameras do get seriously hot ....... so where are the 2 - 5 gram aluminum heat sinks ? ....... It's Chinese Torture and Criminal ........ Sue the damn Country ! ....... :-D