Why contemplate a 7-inch FPV drone in a world more and more shifting in direction of smaller, sub-250g fashions? Effectively, bigger drones outperform smaller ones, carry heavier payloads, and supply longer flight occasions. They’re additionally sooner, important for conditions requiring velocity and endurance. The GEPRC MOZ7 V2, that includes 7.5-inch props and highly effective 2809 motors, addresses this want completely, delivering velocity, stability, and flight time for high-speed chases and long-range cinematic flights. On this assessment, we’ll discover its options, specs, and flight efficiency to see if that is the suitable drone for you.
Priced from $664.99, the MOZ7 V2 is just not an affordable drone. When you’ve got a good price range, you may construct your personal 7-inch FPV drone for as low-cost as $150, though it actually received’t match the options and efficiency of the MOZ7. It’s price trying out: https://oscarliang.com/150-dollar-7inch-fpv-drone/
The place to Purchase
Get the MOZ7 V2 FPV Drone from AliExpress: https://s.click on.aliexpress.com/e/_oB7c6Sv
Included Equipment:
- 1 x GEPRC MOZ7 V2 FPV Drone
- 2 x HQ 7.5×3.7×3 Props (2CW+2CCW)
- 4 x Battery straps (15x250mm and 15x300mm)
- 1 x L-shaped screwdriver (1.5mm)
- 1 x L-shaped screwdriver (2.0mm)
- 1 x L-shaped screwdriver (3.0mm)
- 1 x Spare screw pack
- 2 x Battery anti-slip pads
- 1 x Bind button pin for O4 Professional
- 2 x O4 antennas, 1 x Receiver dual-band antenna
Specs
- Body: GEP-MOZ7 V2
- Wheelbase: 336mm
- Prime/Backside Plate Thickness: 2.5mm
- Center Plate Thickness: 3mm
- Arm Thickness: 6mm
- FC/ESC stack peak: 30mm
- FC: TAKER H743 BT
- MCU: STM32H743
- Gyroscope: MPU6000 & ICM42688-P (Twin Gyro)
- Barometer: Sure
- OSD: BetaFlight OSD w/ AT7456E chip
- ESC: GEP 4-in-1 ESC BLHeli32 50A
- GPS: GEP-M1025
- VTX & Digicam: DJI O4 Air Unit Professional
- Antenna: Momoda2 SMA (LHCP)
- Energy Connector: XT60
- Motor: SPEEDX2 2809-1450KV V1.1
- Prop: HQ 7.5×3.7×3
- Weight: HD 750±10g (claimed)
- Receiver Choices: PNP / ELRS 915M/2.4G GemX / TBS NanoRX
- Beneficial Battery: LiPo 6S 3300mAh / Li-ion 6S 8000mAh
- Claimed Flight Time: Approx. 25 minutes (varies with battery, flying model, and circumstances)
Design and Construct High quality
Technically, the MOZ7 V2 is a 7.5-inch drone, tuned particularly for 7.5-inch props. Whereas it will probably use customary 7-inch props, utilizing the really useful 7.5-inch props gives higher efficiency and longer flight time.
GEPRC claims the body has been strengthened over its predecessor, leading to higher crash resistance and extra steady flight efficiency. Nonetheless, this reinforcement additionally means elevated weight. Though GEPRC’s specs listing the drone at round 750g, I measured practically 843g and not using a battery—virtually 100g heavier than marketed. A lighter design would considerably enhance effectivity.
Measured weights:
- With out battery: 843g
- With 6S 2200mAh LiPo: 1218g
- With 6S 4000mAh (21700 6S1P): 1265g
- With 6S 6000mAh (18650 6S2P): 1480g
The heavier weight partly outcomes from its spacious body design, which simplifies upkeep, restore, and modifications—a refreshing change from tightly packed competitions just like the iFlight Chimera 7 Professional.
The aluminum cage for mounting the digital camera gives ample lens safety, with no propellers seen within the digital camera’s view.
The facet panels, designed with correct cutouts, defend electronics from filth and facilitate quick access to USB ports and the DJI O4 Air Unit’s SD card slot. These facet panels are detachable for weight financial savings. Fortunately, GEPRC skipped pointless RGB LEDs, avoiding additional value and useless weight. There are a number of cooling vents holding the O4 Professional Air Unit cool.
GEPRC has clearly prioritized practicality within the MOZ7’s design. The hard-mounted XT60 connector simplifies battery connections.
Nonetheless, GEPRC’s claims in regards to the facet bars “making certain a balanced heart of gravity” appear doubtful. Whereas these bars improve the underside plate structural energy, their precise practical profit is unclear. They don’t add important weight, so I’ll simply depart them.
Regardless of GEPRC’s enhancements, the MOZ7 V2 nonetheless feels barely tail-heavy, particularly when fitted with lengthy antennas. Utilizing a GoPro within the entrance may also help steadiness the drone. Moreover, it’s potential to swap the areas of the GoPro mount and lens cap to additional shift the middle of gravity ahead.
With out an motion digital camera, anticipate tail heaviness, and you must shift the battery ahead to compensate. Why is that an issue? Effectively, when one facet is heavier, the motors on that facet must work tougher consistently.
I respect the strong arm guards, which double as touchdown gear, defending the underside plate throughout landings.
Digital Parts
The MOZ7 V2 comes with GPS—actually, you may’t get it with out GPS. The included buzzer and neatly routed GPS wires showcase GEPRC’s consideration to element. GPS module tilt angle might be adjusted based mostly in your deliberate cruise velocity.
It’s good to see that Failsafe and Rescue modes are arrange out of the field, which is uncommon to see in BNF FPV drones. Whereas the default settings look okay for essentially the most half, I strongly suggest reviewing the Rescue mode values to make sure they fit your flying atmosphere. Take a look at my tutorial on Rescue mode: https://oscarliang.com/setup-gps-rescue-mode-betaflight/. Settings equivalent to Return Altitude, Return Floor Pace, and Throttle Hover and many others, must be custom-made to your setup and necessities. Moreover, Channel Fallback isn’t set by default, and I strongly suggest configuring it as nicely—check with my Rescue Mode tutorial for steering.
The GPS unit features a compass, but it surely’s not related to the flight controller, probably to simplify the construct. For Betaflight customers, this isn’t a problem because the compass isn’t used for “return to dwelling”, however it might profit iNav customers. In line with GEPRC, the TAKER H743 BT flight controller is appropriate with iNav, although I haven’t personally examined this.
Though the specs declare the included O4 antennas are RHCP, they’re truly LHCP, identical to the inventory DJI O4 antennas. All of the antennas have SMA connectors.
The flight controller options twin gyros, which appears considerably overkill since just one gyro can be utilized at a time. Nonetheless, having two gyro choices does assist you to select the one which performs higher, making tuning probably simpler—albeit at a better value. For my part, that is barely pointless.
The 2809 motors are fairly beefy for a 7/7.5-inch FPV drone, as typical setups often use 2806 or 2807 motors. Bigger stator measurement interprets into extra highly effective and torque, making the drone responsive and steady, enhancing flight expertise.
My major criticism is the ESC. Firstly, the 50A present ranking feels barely low for a 7.5-inch FPV drone, particularly when even GEPRC’s 5-inch Vapor mannequin ships with 60A ESCs. Whereas the MOZ7 V2 is meant for environment friendly, long-range cruising quite than aggressive freestyle or racing, and 50A is adequate for Li-ion battery setups (because it’s close to not possible to drag that a lot present from Li-ion packs), I really feel like a premium drone ought to no less than match the price range choice. One other concern is GEPRC’s use of a prototype model of the BLHeli32 firmware on the ESCs. That is problematic as a result of firstly, it’s an unofficial testing model, and secondly, BLHeli32 itself is now thought of a useless firmware with no deliberate future updates.
DJI O4 Professional vs GoPro
A standout characteristic of the MOZ7 is the seamless integration of the DJI O4 Air Unit, which data spectacular 4K video at 60 or 120fps straight onboard. The picture high quality rivals high-end motion cameras just like the GoPro. For a lot of hobbyist pilots, the O4 Professional eliminates the necessity for an motion digital camera, saving each weight and value. The O4 Professional digital camera is mounted utilizing vibration-isolating silicone inserts, important for attaining jello-free flight footage.
The included MOMODA2 antennas are LHCP.
The O4 Professional Air Unit is mounted on customized heatsink, which successfully addresses the infamous overheating points, permitting dependable operation even throughout extended floor idling whereas buying GPS lock.
For pilots preferring utilizing motion cameras such because the GoPro or DJI Motion 5 Professional, GEPRC conveniently offers mounting choices out of the field.
Twin-band Gemini ExpressLRS Receiver
GEPRC gives three receiver choices: PNP, ELRS, and Crossfire. I’m reviewing the ELRS model right here.
The MOZ7 V2 is supplied with the GemX Twin-Band ExpressLRS Receiver. For these unfamiliar, Crossband Gemini represents cutting-edge ExpressLRS know-how, concurrently using 868/915MHz and a pair of.4GHz frequencies to transmit indicators, considerably enhancing hyperlink consistency, particularly in environments with potential frequency interference.
Along with Crossband Gemini, the receiver additionally options true range, which means it makes use of two antennas, every able to working on each 868/915MHz and a pair of.4GHz frequencies. One antenna is horizontally mounted on the entrance of the quad, and the opposite is vertically mounted on the rear. This association ensures no less than one antenna maintains line-of-sight with the transmitter whatever the quad’s orientation, decreasing sign blockage by elements or the battery.
Nonetheless, to completely leverage the GemX Twin-Band receiver’s capabilities, a dual-band transmitter such because the Radiomaster GX12 radio or Nomad transmitter module is really useful. For those who solely have a standard single-band 2.4GHz ELRS transmitter, you may nonetheless bind it to the GemX receiver and function in regular mode, however you received’t get the dual-band advantages.
Battery Choices
You’ve gotten the flexibleness to mount the battery both on the highest or backside plate, and GEPRC offers two battery pads for this objective. I personally choose mounting the battery on the highest plate, as that’s the place the battery connector is positioned. The utmost battery size for the highest plate is roughly 16.5cm.
Nonetheless, for those who’re utilizing an motion digital camera (equivalent to a GoPro) or an extended battery that exceeds 16.5cm, the highest plate may not present sufficient house. In that state of affairs, mounting the battery beneath the underside plate is a viable workaround. Nonetheless, watch out throughout touchdown to keep away from damaging the battery cells when doing it this manner. Additionally, you will want an extended cable to attach the battery.
GEPRC thoughtfully contains two battery straps of various lengths—250mm and 300mm—making certain compatibility with varied battery sizes.
Flight Efficiency
The M10 GPS efficiency was spectacular. In my assessments, I achieved a GPS lock (8 satellites) in nearly 1 minute and 10 seconds (chilly begin). After 5 minutes, the satellite tv for pc depend rose to round 19 satellites, offering sturdy positional accuracy. Between altering batteries, I might get a lock once more inside 10-20 seconds.
I performed flight assessments utilizing a 6S 6000mAh Li-ion battery (see assessment) in wind circumstances of 15-20 mph:
- Hover throttle: round 30% (or 26% with a lighter 6S 4000mAh Li-ion pack).
- Prime velocity: about 110 km/h (greater speeds achievable with LiPo batteries).
- Optimum cruising velocity (environment friendly long-range flight): round 60-70 km/h, similar to round 35% throttle.
When it comes to maneuverability, the MOZ7 V2 carried out nicely—very steady even in sturdy gusts. Freestyle maneuvers felt easy. In fact, it’s much less responsive and fewer punchy than a 5-inch freestyle drone, however the MOZ7 V2 gives superior stability and endurance for long-range flights, and able to carrying heavier payload.
Throughout my take a look at flights, I achieved just below 16 minutes of flight time, protecting a distance of over 15 km.
For Li-ion battery setups, it might make sense to set a throttle scale restrict round 80%. That’s as a result of at greater throttle ranges, Li-ion voltage sags a lot, it gives little or no additional energy. Cutting down throttle helps you obtain higher throttle decision, enhancing flight management.
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Sturdiness
All through testing, I had a number of crashes, together with a full velocity crash into the bottom from about 10 meters excessive. Surprisingly, the drone itself suffered no structural injury, other than some bent propellers. The body held up very well. Nonetheless, the weakest level gave the impression to be the receiver antenna on the rear. As a result of it’s constructed from inflexible plastic, it simply snapped off on the base within the crash. I’d suggest GEPRC to change to a versatile materials for the receiver antenna sooner or later to enhance sturdiness.
Areas for Enchancment
- Embrace ND filters: It might be useful if ND filters have been offered for the O4 Professional digital camera, which is important for cinematic footage. Study the benefits of ND filters right here: https://oscarliang.com/nd-filter-fpv/
- ESC firmware: The 4in1 ESC makes use of a prototype model of BLHeli32 firmware. Whereas it would carry out simply high-quality in observe, it might be preferable and extra future-proof to make the most of an formally launched model, and even higher a firmware that’s actively maintained equivalent to AM32 and even Bluejay.
- USB powering GPS/Receiver: The flight controller’s USB port doesn’t energy the GPS or receiver. It’s essential to plug within the battery to energy these elements.
- Versatile RX antenna: As talked about, the rear RX antenna is just too fragile and must be changed by a extra versatile antenna for improved sturdiness.
- Self-powered buzzer: Given its premium worth level, and long-range design, it might be useful to incorporate a self-powered buzzer for enhanced security and simpler restoration in crashes. See suggestions right here: https://oscarliang.com/best-5-inch-fpv-drone-parts/#Beeper
The way to Setup
Out of the Field Setup
Earlier than the primary flight, I did the next:
- Eliminated all labels on the drone.
- Eliminated the motor path playing cards—these point out the motor spin path (which is utilizing Betaflight default – props in).
- Eliminated the protecting movie from the digital camera lens.
- Positioned the battery pad on the highest plate.
- Put in the 2 battery straps by becoming them via the holes beneath the highest plate.
- Put in the 2 O4 antennas, and one receiver antenna on the again.
- Plug in a battery utilizing a smoke stopper for testing, make certain it powers up high-quality.
Firmware
- The flight controller (FC) board goal is GEPRC_TAKER_H743, and it comes preloaded with Betaflight firmware model 4.5.1. For inventory CLI Diff, see right here.
- ESC Firmware: BLHeli_32 31.9.2 ST G0 05
- ELRS Receiver Firmware Goal: GEPRC 900/2400 Gemini Xrossband RX, firmware ELRS 3.5.3 (ISM2G4)
Betaflight Setup
Remaining Thought
The GEPRC MOZ7 V2 stands out as among the best 7-inch FPV drones at present out there, particularly concerning its complete options and glorious flight traits. Regardless that it’s spectacular, thorough testing revealed some areas for potential enchancment—most notably the delicate receiver antenna and the ESC firmware model. These minor points aren’t essentially deal-breakers however are price noting for future updates from GEPRC.
Total, I used to be significantly impressed with its PID and filter tune, providing a extremely satisfying flying expertise. The body held up very nicely in crashes and the design is consumer pleasant. With a large enough battery, flight occasions of 15 to twenty minutes beneath ideally suited circumstances are achievable. If this assessment was useful, please help the weblog by utilizing our affiliate hyperlinks or becoming a member of my Patreon.
Get the MOZ7 V2 FPV Drone from AliExpress: https://s.click on.aliexpress.com/e/_oB7c6Sv