Review of Xiaomi FIMI A3 5.8G 1KM FPV With 2-axis Gimbal 1080P Camera GPS RC Drone Quadcopter RTF - 5.8G FPV



This is first time I see that high level quad like this with 1080P 2-axis Gimbal Camera uses analog 5.8GHz RF signal for video transmission. That means that along built-in monitor in remote you can use any 5.8GHz receiver/monitor or FPV goggles like this skyzone one I have and optionally combine ti with directional antennas like this to get better range.



This should be very interesting. Here is 1km range test (stuff use to record it is in video desc.)

Xiaomi FIMI A3 1km range DVR test - 5.8G FPV 2-axis Gimbal 1080P Cam GPS RC Drone Quad RTF (9 min 58 sec)

and sunny day HD footage:

Xiaomi FIMI A3 Sunny Day Flight - 5.8G FPV 2-axis Gimbal 1080P Cam GPS RC Drone Quad RTF (2 min 25 sec)

Maiden test flight:

Xiaomi FIMI A3 Maiden flight - 5.8G FPV 2-axis Gimbal 1080P Cam GPS RC Drone Quadcopter RTF 5.8G FPV (2 min 25 sec)

video file details:





Description:

FIMI A3 RC Quadcopter



Model: A3
Color: White
Dimension: 285*229*69mm
Diagonal Size: 323mm
Weight: 560g
Hover Accuracy: when GPS Positioning is active, Vertical: ± 0.5 m & Horizontal: ± 1.5 m
Max ascending speed: 6 m/s
Max descending speed: 5 m/s
Max cruising speed: 18 m/s
Max R/C distance: about 1km
Flying Limited Altitude: 500 m
Flight time: 25mins
(25mins flight time if fully charged by 4.35HV balance charger; about 21mins flight time if charged by original charger)
Wind resistance: ≤ 4
Satellite positioning systems: GPS+GLONASS
Operating frequency: 2.4-2.483GHz; 5.725-5.850 GHz (40CH)
Battery: 11.1V 2000 mAh 3S Lipo Battery



Package Weight: 1.68kg
Package Size: 344x292.5x107mm


Remote Controller



Screen resolution: 480*272
Screen size: 4.3inch
Frequency: 2.4-2.483GHz; 5.725-5.850 GHz (40CH)
Max R/C distance: About 1000m
Built-in Battery: 2950 mAh lipo battery with about 2.5h working time
Voltage: 3.7V
Charge port type: Micro USB
DVR: 720*480 video resolution


Gimbal



Controlled Rotation Scope: 0° ~ -90° Pitch angle
Stabilizaton: 2-aixs mechanical and 3-aixs electronical gimbal


HD 1080P Camera



Lens: FOV 80°
Aperture: f2.0
Focal Distance: 3.54 mm
Equivalent Focal Distance: 27mm
Sensor: 1/3.2" CMOS
ISO Range: 100 - 3200 for video; 100 - 1600 for picture
Shutter Speed: 4 ~ 1/8000 s
Max Bitrate: 60Mbps
Max Photo Resolution: 8M 3264*2448
Video Resolution: 1920x1080 30 fps / 1920x1080 25 fps
File System: FAT32 / exFAT
Image Format: JPG
Video Format: MP4
DVR: 1920x1080 30 fps / 1920x1080 25 fps


Adapter

Rated Output: 14V 0.8A
Rated Input: 100-240V ~ 50/60Hz 0.3A
Rated Output Power :11.2W


Balance Charger

Rated Output: 11.1V 0.8A
Rated Input:14V 0.8A
Applicable Battery: 3S
Charging Limit Voltage: 12.75 V
Rated Voltage: 11.1 V
Rated Capacity: 2000 mAh / 22.2 Wh
Weight: about 162g


Propeller

Item Name: Quick-release propeller
Length: 7.5inch
Pitch: 3.6inch



Remarks from manufactured:
The flight time is tested with constant speed in breeze, the max flight time is 21mins for the single cell voltage at 4.2V;
25minis for the single cell voltage at 4.35V, and please use charger supported 4.35V.

4.35V HV Lipo Battery Charger Link: URUAV 2-3S HV 1.5A Lipo Battery Charger (Tested by FIMI)



Features:
1. HD 1080P camera powered by Ambarella ISP processor and Sony CMOS sensor, provides perfect HD picture and video.
2. The 2-aixs mechanical and 3-aixs electronical gimbal provides stable and smooth footage in any situation.
3. With lightweight design, the drone flies faster.
4. Wth quick-release propellers, fast and powerful propulsion with durable,well balanced design.
5. Flight time is up to 25mins with 11.1V 2000mAh lipo battery.
6. 1km range 5.8G real time transmission system.
7. With DIY port, you can explore your way to play with the drone, like driving a servo, lighting a led.
8. Remote Controller is built-in LCD screen, DVR, and User Interface.
9. Headless Mode,no need to adjust the position of aircraft before flying .
10. One key to return function makes it easily to find the way home.



Functions:

• Up/down
• Forward/backward
• Turn left/right
• Sideward flight
• One key taking on/off
• GPS mode
• Headless mode
• One key return
• Follow me
• Orbit
• Fixed-wing mode
• Dronie
• DIY supported
• Low battery protection
• Automatic return losing signal
• mode 1/ mode 2 switchable

In the box: (unboxing pics are in gallery)




1 x RC Quadcopter( with camera)
1 x Transmitter
1 x Gimbal
1 x 11.1V 2000mAh Lipo Battery
1 x USB Cable
6 x Propeller
1 x Charging Cable
1 x Balance Charger
1 x Manual(Download)



Pros:

• 1. SUPER EASY TO SETUP AND FLY - most user friendly drone I met so far, literally charge lipo and go fly... No complicated SW/APP to instal on phone, to bind, to configure, select settings, etc...
• price
• build quality
• unique analog 5.8GHz video transmission (FPV goggles compatible):
  
• Recorded with FPV Eachine ROTG01 Pro DVR:

  Fpv fimi (14 min 31 sec)

  
  
  
  
• perfect flight characteristics
• holds attitude and position perfect
• smooth and precise RC controls
• HD camera gimbal works great:
  
  

  Gimbal performance test - Xiaomi FIMI A3 2-axis Gimbal 1080P GPS RC Drone Quadcopter RTF - 5.8G FPV (1 min 34 sec)

  
  
  
  

Cons:

• no setting for auto EV, pilot must track EV and adjust manually
• slicing videos in 2m30s clips
• charger gets the battery full but charger balancing performance is not so perfect, check post #4

Grab yours Xiaomi FIMI A3 HERE

Lipo came in box at nice storage voltage:

Now its charging in original charger so we will see final cell voltages:

Charging results:
Battery is full, 12,64V, bat charger balancing performance is not so perfect.

Video file details

Follow me mode test:
works awesome

Xiaomi FIMI A3 follow me mode - 5.8G FPV 2-axis Gimbal 1080P Cam GPS RC Drone Quad RTF 5.8G FPV (2 min 25 sec)

Orbit mode test:
works awesome

Xiaomi FIMI A3 Orbit mode - 5.8G FPV 2-axis Gimbal 1080P Cam GPS RC Drone Quadcopter RTF 5.8G FPV (2 min 25 sec)

I have just flown the FIMI A3 for the first time and noticed the the video clips are broker int o about 3 minutes segments. Is there a way to change this? Thanks in advance for any info.

Originally Posted by mmccaule

I have just flown the FIMI A3 for the first time and noticed the the video clips are broker int o about 3 minutes segments. Is there a way to change this? Thanks in advance for any info.

Mine are in 2m30s clips. Some drones do that, met a few.

Don't know how to turn that off, I afraid that the feature of the built-in DVR FW.

Night performance test

ISO: AUTO
Shutter: AUTO
EV 0

Xiaomi FIMI A3 Night performance test - 5.8G FPV 2-axis Gimbal 1080P Cam GPS RC Drone Quad RTF (2 min 25 sec)

1km range test DVR:

Xiaomi FIMI A3 1km range DVR test - 5.8G FPV 2-axis Gimbal 1080P Cam GPS RC Drone Quad RTF (9 min 58 sec)

Other equipment used to record this flight:
Skyzone FPV goggles - http://bit.ly/2M7Rgnv
with ImmersionRC SpiroNet 5.8GHz RHCP Antenna - https://goo.gl/aFuLfr
URUAV UXII 5.8GHz 220Mhz 8.4dBi Gain 76 Degree RHCP FPV Patch Antenna: http://bit.ly/UruavUxii
HMDVR Mini DVR - https://goo.gl/xOtjm0

Xiaomi FIMI A3 Sunny Day Flight - 5.8G FPV 2-axis Gimbal 1080P Cam GPS RC Drone Quad RTF (2 min 25 sec)

Originally Posted by mlilasic

Review of Xiaomi FIMI A3 5.8G 1KM FPV With 2-axis Gimbal 1080P Camera GPS RC Drone Quadcopter RTF - 5.8G FPV



Lens: FOV 80°
Aperture: f2.0
Focal Distance: 3.54 mm
Equivalent Focal Distance: 27mm
Sensor: 1/3.2" CMOS
ISO Range: 100 - 3200 for video; 100 - 1600 for picture
Shutter Speed: 4 ~ 1/8000 s
Max Bitrate: 60Mbps
Max Photo Resolution: 8M 3264*2448
Video Resolution: 1920x1080 30 fps / 1920x1080 25 fps
File System: FAT32 / exFAT
Image Format: JPG
Video Format: MP4
DVR: 1920x1080 30 fps / 1920x1080 25 fps


Rated Output: 14V 0.8A
Rated Input: 100-240V ~ 50/60Hz 0.3A
Rated Output Power :11.2W




Rated Output: 11.1V 0.8A
Rated Input:14V 0.8A
Applicable Battery: 3S
Charging Limit Voltage: 12.75 V
Rated Voltage: 11.1 V
Rated Capacity: 2000 mAh / 22.2 Wh
Weight: about 162g





Grab yours Xiaomi FIMI A3 HERE

Have anyone mastered the manual settings on this drone? Shutter speed settings are like I've never seen, and when I set to ISO 100 it still seem to be on auto.