Q: The 19.5g Whoop With a 400mW VTX: Hummingbird V4.1

Updated 3 min read

Quick Answer

The NewBeeDrone Hummingbird V4.1 is a 19.5g, 65mm analogue whoop built for fast indoor flying, with 0702 30,000KV motors, SPI ELRS and a temperature-managed VTX rated up to 400mW. We would buy the BNF for flying; the separate AIO only makes sense for a repair or a deliberate custom whoop.

Why This 19.5g Whoop Is Not Just Another Air65

The headline number is not 400mW. It is how much NewBeeDrone has packed around a 1S power system without turning the aircraft into a heavy outdoor micro. The current Hummingbird V4.1 BNF uses a 65mm Cockroach V3 frame, 31mm Azi tri-blades and 0702 V2 30,000KV motors, while its quoted 19.5g excludes the battery.

NewBeeDrone Hummingbird V4.1 65mm BNF whoop with prop guards and BeeEye camera
The complete BNF is the sensible route if you want NewBeeDrone's matched frame, motors and factory configuration.

That specification puts it beside the light analogue racers rather than the heavier digital whoops. If your priority is forgiving indoor practice, our BetaFPV Air65 article explains the alternative. We pick the Hummingbird when 30,000KV motors and selectable analogue VTX power matter more than a broad choice of versions.

The AIO Board Is the Real Story

The aircraft centres on an F411 AIO with a BMI270 gyro, 12A BLHeli_S ESCs and Bluejay 0.19.2 at 48kHz. It also carries an SPI ELRS 2.4GHz receiver, analogue OSD and a 5.8GHz VTX with 25mW, 100mW and 400mW settings. Two free UARTs remain available, which is useful on a board this small.

Part Current specification Why it matters
Flight controller STM32F411, BMI270 Proven whoop-class hardware
ESC 12A, Bluejay 0.19.2, 48kHz Supports RPM-filtered 1S setups
Radio link SPI ELRS 2.4GHz No separate receiver board
Video 5.8GHz, 25/100/400mW SmartMax More headroom than a basic 25mW race VTX
Board 4.57g, 29 x 29 x 7.6mm 25.5 x 25.5mm whoop mounting

Our catalogue also carries the Hummingbird V4 AIO flight controller. Its strength is integration; its downside is the same thing. The FC, receiver, four ESCs and VTX share one board, so a failed section can turn into a whole-board repair. We would not imitate the BNF from loose parts unless we already owned the correct frame, motors and camera.

NewBeeDrone Hummingbird V4 AIO flight controller with integrated ELRS receiver and 5.8GHz VTX
The replacement AIO combines the FC, four ESCs, SPI ELRS receiver and analogue VTX on one 4.57g board.

Three Setup Details That Matter

First, current V4.1 aircraft use NewBeeDrone's NX69 battery connector; the manufacturer dates that change to 29 August 2025. Check the connector on your packs rather than assuming every 1S battery fits. Second, the current BNF requires an ELRS 3.x-or-later transmitter setup and enters binding mode through the button beneath the board. Our RadioMaster Pocket ELRS setup covers the radio side.

Third, 400mW is a hardware capability, not a default recommendation. Ofcom's April 2026 IR 2030 lists 25mW e.i.r.p. for airborne equipment in 5725–5875MHz. UK pilots should use a region-compliant channel and power setting rather than treating maximum output as automatically licence-exempt. For a living-room course, 25mW is normally the right starting point anyway.

What We Would Actually Buy

Buy the BNF if you already have an analogue 5.8GHz goggle and an ELRS radio. Add suitable NX69 1S packs, then use the factory configuration before changing firmware. NewBeeDrone explicitly advises a factory reset and accelerometer calibration if settings are disturbed, rather than flashing first.

Buy the bare AIO for a damaged Hummingbird or a carefully planned 65mm custom build. For everyone else, browse our complete drones and ready-to-fly kits and choose the whole aircraft. On this scale, a matched build is worth more than theoretical flexibility.

FAQ

Q: Is the Hummingbird V4.1 digital?

A: No. It uses a 5.8GHz analogue camera and VTX, so it needs analogue-compatible goggles or a suitable analogue receiver.

Q: Does the Hummingbird V4.1 include a battery?

A: No. The current product listing specifies a 1S input and recommends a 300mAh 1S NX69 HV pack.

Q: Can I use the 400mW VTX setting in the UK?

A: Do not assume so. The current Ofcom licence-exempt airborne limit for 5725–5875MHz is 25mW e.i.r.p.; configure the aircraft for the rules that apply to your operation.