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Tuesday, October 8, 2024

What is the Greatest GPS Module for FPV Drones (Betaflight Rescue Mode, iNav Return to Dwelling)


GPS has turn into a useful element for FPV drones because of important developments in options like Rescue Mode in Betaflight and Return to Dwelling in iNav. In the present day, I’ll be testing among the hottest GPS modules from Flywoo, HGRLC, Beitian, GEPRC, and FlyfishRC, evaluating their efficiency, and providing my suggestions.

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Why You Want GPS on Your FPV Drone

Hglrc Sector X5 Bnf Fpv Drone Rx Vtx Antenna Gps 3d Print

The newest Betaflight has revolutionized the GPS Rescue Mode, making it much more dependable and user-friendly. This development makes incorporating a GPS module into all of your quad builds nearly a no brainer. Nevertheless, the problem lies to find a dependable GPS module that balances value, measurement, and weight with out compromising accuracy.

Try this submit to study extra about Rescue Mode in Betaflight: https://oscarliang.com/setup-gps-rescue-mode-betaflight/

On this roundup, we’ll discover varied choices to search out the most affordable, smallest, and best-performing GPS modules obtainable.

GPS Spherical-up

Listed here are the GPS modules I’ve examined. You’ll find these GPS items by the affiliate hyperlinks offered under.

HGLRC M100 Mini

Hglrc M100 Mini Gps

The HGLRC M100 Mini GPS module stands out because of its affordability, tiny kind issue and light-weight design, even smaller and lighter than the BN180.

Hglrc M100 Mini Gps Size Comparison Bn180

Regardless of its low value, small 15x15mm measurement and a pair of.8g weight, it makes use of the superior UBlox M10 chip, supporting GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and BDS satellite tv for pc alerts for world performance.

Outperforming the BN220 proper out of the field, the HGLRC M100 Mini requires no configuration tinkering. Priced comparably to the BN220, this spectacular GPS module has been my go-to alternative for five″ freestyle quad funds builds.

You’ll find the M100 Mini right here:

HGLRC M100-5883

Hglrc M100 5883 Gps

The M100 Mini’s larger brother affords superior efficiency and features a compass.

Get it right here:

HGLRC M80

Hglrc M80 Gps

This GPS makes use of the older M8 chip and, sadly, the unit I obtained was defective, due to this fact I used to be unable to check it. Anyway it’s larger and heavier than another M10 GPS, and it affords no actual worth benefit, so I don’t see why you’ll need to get this over the M10 counterparts.

HGLRC M80 Professional

Hglrc M80 Pro Gps

An improve from the M80, the HGLRC M80 Professional makes use of the M8 chip. Whereas it doesn’t carry out in addition to the M10 counterparts, it’s barely cheaper and features a compass, making it appropriate for funds builds.

Get it right here:

FlyfishRC M10 Mini

Flyfishrc M10 Mini Gps

One of many smallest M10 GPS modules available on the market, made by FlyfishRC.

Get it from AliExpress: https://s.click on.aliexpress.com/e/_DkCU7qr

Flywoo GOKU GM10 Nano V3

Flywoo Goku Gm10 Nano V3 Gps

Though the Anonymous GPS is technically the smallest I’ve ever examined, its efficiency is unreliable and takes a very long time to get a GPS lock. The GOKU Nano V3 from Flywoo, nevertheless, is a tiny GPS module with spectacular efficiency, outperforming the BN220 even with optimized U-Middle settings. With an analogous worth and a considerably smaller and lighter design, the Flywoo GOKU Nano V3 is improbable for micro builds.

I’ve flown this module on the Flywoo CineRace20 and persistently stand up to 26 satellites, which is outstanding for its measurement. Make sure you’re utilizing Betaflight model 4.3 or newer to assist the tenth technology Ublox GPS chip.

You’ll find the GOKU Nano GPS right here:

In addition they provide a model with compass, which considerably improves it’s versatility.

Flywoo GOKU GM10 Professional V3

Flywoo Goku Gm10 Pro V3 Gps

The GOKU GM10 Nano’s larger brother affords extra dependable efficiency and features a compass, excellent for iNav builds.

Get the Flywoo GOKU GM10 Professional V3 from

Beitian BN-220

Beitian Bn220 Gps

As extra GPS modules with the superior M10 chip emerge, it’s turning into tougher to suggest the older BN220. Don’t get me improper – the BN220 has been round for years, and it’s a dependable, time-tested GPS that performs nicely for Betaflight, particularly while you optimize its settings through U-Middle: https://oscarliang.com/gps-settings-u-center/

If you happen to already personal a BN220, it’ll proceed to serve you nicely. Nevertheless, when you’re contemplating buying a brand new GPS module, I extremely suggest choosing the newer M10-based GPS choices. They have an inclination to carry out noticeably higher at an analogous value.

Purchase the Beitian BN220 right here:

Beitian BN-180

Beitian Bn180 Gps

The BN180 was once possibility, however I don’t suggest it anymore as there are various cheaper, higher, and even smaller choices obtainable. The BN180 takes for much longer to get a GPS lock in comparison with M10 GPS modules and doesn’t see as many satellites.

GEPRC M1025Q

Geprc Gep M1025q Gps

If you’re in search of a dependable GPS in your bigger fashions, the GEPRC M1025Q is a severe contender. It is perhaps massive, but it surely gives glorious efficiency, making it value it. It additionally comes with a compass, good for iNav builds. If measurement and weight aren’t an issue, get it.

You’ll find the GEP M1025Q from these sellers:

VK GPS – The $4 GPS Module

Vk2828u7g5lf $4 Dollar Gps Cheapest Fpv Drone Betaflight

Whereas looking AliExpress, I stumbled upon the VK2828U7G5LF GPS module, priced at a mere $4 – presumably the most affordable GPS obtainable for FPV drones! Naturally, I needed to give it a attempt. Regardless of my low expectations, this funds GPS really works!

By default, the GPS comes with a 1Hz refresh charge and a 9600 baud charge. I adjusted these settings in U-Middle to 5Hz and 57600Hz for higher efficiency. Sadly, I couldn’t modify every other settings on this GPS module. You can even configure it utilizing U-Middle by following my tutorial: https://oscarliang.com/gps-settings-u-center/

It bought a 3D repair inside 2 minutes subsequent to my room window, not unhealthy in any respect for $4, however I couldn’t get greater than 8 satellites after ready for five minutes. For an inexpensive construct, this GPS module is value contemplating. Nevertheless, I wouldn’t suggest counting on it in your extra precious fashions.

Be sure to get the identical one as pictured on this overview. You’ll find this $4 GPS right here:

FlyFishRC M8QMC

Flyfishrc M8qmc Gps Size Compare Bn180

Flyfishrc M8qmc Gps Manual Instruction Pinout

Though FlyFishRC claims it’s a UBLOX10 GPS, it performs extra like an M8 GPS in my expertise. This GPS comes with an onboard compass (QMC5883L Magnetometer chip) for many who want extra correct route efficiency.

It’s related in measurement to the BN180, making it very compact. Nevertheless, it’s fairly a bit thicker and heavier, weighing 9.4g and measuring 20x20x11mm.

Buy the FlyFishRC M8QMC right here:

Beitian BH-182

Beitian Bh 182 Gps

The newest GPS launched by Beitian in 2024, it has an analogous kind issue and weight to the BN180. Nevertheless, I couldn’t get it to work in Betaflight 4.5 after attempting for hours. It seems to have the “B101” chip in line with its datasheet, not the same old M sequence chip. That may very well be why it’s not presently supported. Due to this fact, I don’t suggest it for now.

You’ll find this GPS at:

Beitian BH-222Q

Beitian Bh 222q Gps

The newest GPS launched by Beitian in 2024, it has an analogous kind issue and weight to the BN220, with an built-in compass. Nevertheless, I couldn’t get it to work with Betaflight after attempting for hours. It seems to make use of the “B101” chip in line with its datasheet, not the M sequence chipo. Possibly that’s why it’s not presently supported. Due to this fact, I don’t suggest it for now.

You’ll find this GPS from Banggood: https://oscarliang.com/product-dv9i

Beitian BH-252Q

Beitian Bh 252q Gps

Newest GPS launched by Beitian in 2024, it’s the larger brother of the BH222Q, with compass built-in. Nevertheless I couldn’t get it to work with Betaflight after attempting for hours. It seems to be utilizing the “B101” chip in line with its datasheet, and never the widespread M sequence chip, maybe that’s why it’s not presently supported. Due to this fact I don’t suggest it for now.

You’ll find this GPS from Banggood: https://oscarliang.com/product-5d6i

Efficiency Testing

Right here’s a abstract of the efficiency outcomes, exhibiting the time taken to lock onto 8 satellites (beneficial by Betaflight for a dependable Rescue mode) from a cold and warm begin, and the utmost variety of satellites acquired after being powered for five minutes.

Definitions:

  • Chilly Begin: GPS hasn’t been powered on for at the very least 12 hours.
  • Sizzling Begin: GPS hasn’t been powered on for lower than an hour.

Testing Situations: These GPS have been examined on an overcast day in a suburban space, you possibly can anticipate higher efficiency in atmosphere with much less interference and on a sunny day with out clouds.

GPS Module Chilly Begin Sizzling Begin 5 Minutes (no. of sats)
BN180 4:10 1:27 9
BN220 3:15 1:55 11
FlyfishRC M10 Mini 1:14 1:02 15
FlyfishRC M8QMC 2:02 1:35 11
Flywoo GM10 Nano V3 1:21 0:42 12
Flywoo GM10 Professional V3 0:56 0:36 14
GEPRC M1025Q 0:32 0:31 16
HGLRC M100 Mini 1:40 1:14 12
HGLRC M100 5883 0:46 0:40 16
HGLRC M80 Professional 2:19 1:55 10
VK GPS 4:04 2:17 8

Suggestions

For Pure Efficiency

No matter measurement, the GEPRC M1025Q, HGLRC M100 5883 and Flywoo GM10 Professional V3 are all my prime selections in terms of efficiency. All have an onboard compass, making them very versatile.

GEPRC M1025Q

HGLRC M100 5883

GOKU GM10 Professional V3

For Compactness and Micro Quads

Think about the Flywoo GM10 Nano V3 or Flyfish M10 Mini. These are good for light-weight and small drones.

GOKU Nano V3:

FlyFishRC M10 Mini:

For Funds GPS

Each the Flyfish M10 Mini and HGLRC M100 Mini are glorious funds choices, priced at solely $13 every. The VK GPS is perhaps the most affordable at solely $4, but it surely’s not dependable sufficient for me to suggest.

HGLRC M100 Mini:

All the beneficial GPS modules are plug-and-play in Betaflight. They require simply 4 wires: energy (5V), floor, and a spare UART TX/RX in your flight controller. Compass modules would require two further wires. For setup directions, check with my information: https://oscarliang.com/setup-gps-rescue-mode-betaflight/

Conclusion

Now’s the proper time so as to add a GPS module to your FPV drone when you haven’t performed so already. GPS modules have turn into extra reasonably priced and user-friendly. For as little as $4 (or round $16 for a top-performing GPS), it’s a small funding that might doubtlessly save your drone within the occasion of a misplaced sign. Equip your FPV drone with a GPS module and expertise the peace of thoughts it brings as you are taking to the skies.

Edit Historical past

  • 2023 – Assessment posted.
  • July 2024 – Re-ran testing and added extra GPS module choices within the round-up.

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