DarwinFPV Baby Ape SPECIFICATIONS

Video Capture Resolution: 720P HD

Type: HELICOPTER

Remote Distance: 1000

Remote Control: Yes

Recommend Age: 12+y

Package Includes: Original Box,Batteries,Remote Controller,Charger

Origin: Mainland China

Material: Carbon Fiber

Indoor/Outdoor Use: Indoor-Outdoor

Features: App-Controlled

Controller Mode: MODE2

Controller Battery: 2

Control Channels: 9 Channel

Camera Mount Type: Other

Brand Name: DarwinFPV

Aerial Photography: Yes

It's the best choice for the FPV beginners to start your FPV life and explore the FPV world. You no longer have to worry about the difficulty of the FPV drone and be afraid to buy. If you are a beginner, don't know how to solder, can't adjust parameters, and don't know what software to install, then buy our FPV kit. 

Now Darwin can help you solve all problems, specializing in difficult problems. Best starter kit, best value for money. We will help you assemble, weld and debug. Get the paddle in your hand, plug in the battery, and enjoy the fun of flying.

Baby Ape 3'' / Pro FPV drone

 Baby Ape is a cost-effective FPV drone. You can just spend  the less money to enjoy the more happiness. The cute body will bring you big surprise.

Rediomaster T8-Lite Radio Transmitter

T8-Lite transmitter uses CC2500 RF chip, which which can control the D8 model after the first charge. It is designed with a high-precision, high-rebound potentiometer rocker, which can precisely control your drone.

T8 Lite has USB-C Simulator support tool your favorite sims with the supplied USB cable . no special adapters needed.

FPV Goggles VR009 5.8G Dual Antenna 40CH 3 inch Monitor

It comes with 3.7V 1200mA battery. It supports key search frequency, the 40 port automatic search real-time video return 5.8G FPV receiver.

Package：

1 * Baby Ape 3"/ Baby Ape Pro

1 * Radiomaster T8 LITE Transmitter

1 * VR009 5.8G Dual Antenna 40CH 3 inch FPV Goggles

2 * 380mAH 80C 3S Lipo Battery

1 * 3S USB Battery Charger and Voltage Tester

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Related Article

DarwinFPV Tiny APE Review

The DarwinFPV Tiny APE is a remarkable pre-built FPV drone that stands out as one of the best budget-friendly options available. With its high-quality RunCam Nano 4 camera, powerful 600mW VTX, and versatile F4 flight controller featuring an onboard ELRS receiver, this quadcopter offers excellent value for money. In this review, we'll explore the pros and cons of the TinyAPE 2.5" freestyle quadcopter.

FPV drones provide an incredibly immersive flying experience, but they also present unique challenges. If you're new to this hobby, it's crucial to practice with computer RC simulators before diving into FPV flights. Without proper practice, your venture into the FPV world might be short-lived and costly.

Flying FPV can be risky, as I discovered during my test flight with the DarwinFPV Tiny APE. While wearing the FPV headset, I suddenly detected a strange scent. Faced with a quick decision, I had to choose between being devoured by a beast or removing the goggles and potentially crashing the drone to defend myself. Opting for self-preservation, I swiftly turned the drone around and flew it back to safety. To my surprise, I found three curious dogs inspecting me upon removing the goggles. My recommendation is to always have a friend accompany you to supervise both you and the drone.

Similar to most FPV quadcopters, the DarwinFPV Tiny APE offers three flight modes. Angle and Horizon modes provide stability for novice pilots, while Acro mode is tailored for experienced flyers who desire full control over the drone, enabling them to perform impressive freestyle maneuvers.

Let's dive into the hands-on review of the DarwinFPV Tiny APE.

Disclaimer: I received this 2.5" FPV quadcopter as part of a product review collaboration with DarwinFPV. Please note that product specifications and quality may vary, so I cannot guarantee that your drone will perform exactly the same as the one reviewed in this article.

The Tiny APE comes neatly packaged in a small box with foam padding, accompanied by various accessories: propellers, spare battery velcro, screws of different sizes, zip-ties, a 3D printed RunCam Thumb camera mount, and bonus DarwinFPV stickers. While the package lacks detailed instructions, it includes an A4 page with the Darwin ELRS2.0 F411 flight controller's wiring diagram.

Upon unboxing the Tiny APE, you'll notice that it is a pre-built FPV drone, requiring you to only mount the propellers. The accessory bag contains screws of various sizes, but it's crucial to pay attention during propeller installation to avoid damaging the motor windings by using excessively long screws.

The Tiny APE boasts a "Wide X" design, specifically designed for freestyle flying. The arms are splayed outward to the side, creating a unique geometry. It features a 100mm wheelbase (diagonal motor-to-motor distance) and weighs precisely 50 grams without a battery. The front and rear arm bracers enhance impact resistance, and the top plate includes anti-slip rubber padding for secure battery installation. The XT30 battery plug, 5.8GHz VTX, and 2.4GHz RX antennas are positioned at the rear of the drone.

The F411 AIO flight controller is mounted on the bottom plate using vibration grommets, and the 600mW VTX board sits atop the FC. Internally, the drone is clean and well-organized. The micro USB port is easily accessible from the bottom.

Equipped with tiny

1103 8000KV motors and Gemfan 2512 propellers, the Tiny APE is a powerful performer. The manufacturer states that the drone can be powered by 2S and 3S LIPO packs. However, it's important to note that using 3S batteries at full throttle may potentially damage the motors.

The FPV system of the Tiny APE includes an onboard RunCam Nano 4 camera with a 1/3" CMOS sensor and a 2.1mm lens. While it's not designed for long-range flights, it comes with a high-power 5.8GHz FPV transmitter. The broadcast power can be adjusted between 25mW and 600mW using the VTX's button, BetaFlight configurator, or remotely via SmartAudio. Additionally, DarwinFPV includes a RunCam Thumb camera mount for onboard recording.

Binding the Tiny APE with the RadioMaster Zorro ELRS transmitter proved to be challenging. Although both the transmitter and the drone's ELRS receiver were updated to the latest versions (v2.4 and v2.0, respectively), I encountered difficulties getting them to bind successfully. After some research, I discovered that upgrading the Tiny APE's flight controller firmware from BetaFlight 4.3.0 to the latest 4.3.0 - RC6 (25.04.2022) was recommended. During the firmware upgrade process, I encountered an issue that was resolved by updating the DFU driver of the BETAFPVF4SX1280 board's serial com port using ImpulseRC Driver Fixer. Finally, I managed to pair the transmitter and receiver successfully.

During my flight experience, I initially conducted a quick indoor hovering test to ensure proper configuration of flight modes, switches, VTX, and propeller installation. Using a 2S/500mAh LIPO battery, everything functioned as expected. The following day, I embarked on a full maiden flight.

In angle mode, the DarwinFPV Tiny APE proved to be stable and easy to fly. It also exhibited surprisingly low noise levels. While using the VTX at 400mW, I achieved a decent FPV range, although not particularly exceptional, possibly due to the limitations of the small antenna.

The drone possesses ample power, allowing for the installation of an Insta360 GO2 camera using two rubber bands without any noticeable impact on flight performance. According to DarwinFPV, you can expect around 5 minutes of flight time with a 380mAh (3S) or 450mAh (2S) battery, which aligns closely with my own findings.

During testing, I experienced only a minor crash that resulted in a cracked arm. Fortunately, the drone remained in working condition for further adventures.

In terms of pricing and availability, the Tiny APE can be purchased from DarwinFPV starting at $129.99. For an additional $60, you can opt for a bundle that includes a RunCam Thumb camera, enabling 1080p@60fps recording at a mere 10 grams.

Summary:

The DarwinFPV Tiny APE is an outstanding freestyle FPV drone, despite being pre-built. It requires some experience to handle effectively. The battery life is remarkable considering the drone's small size, and the ability to mount an Insta360 GO2 camera is a welcome feature.

Pros:
- Well-built construction
- Excellent flight performance
- Impressive battery life
- High-power VTX

Cons:
- Risky to use with 3S batteries

User Review: 3.9 (based on 6 votes)

To get the Tiny APE in the air, you need to purchase the BNF (Bind aNd Fly) package, which includes an onboard radio receiver

. However, you will need to use your own remote controller. Additionally, you will require an ExpressLRS compatible transmitter, one or more LIPO batteries (2S 350-650mAh), and a charger. For a first-person flight experience, a 5.8GHz FPV goggles set is also necessary.