Review: BetaFPV M02 mini VTX

BetaFPV has released the M02 VTX. This VTX is super small, but is rated to be able to output up to the 350mW. Lets take a look at it in detail and test the power output.

Specifications

• Item: M02 5.8G VTX
• Output power: 25/100/200/350mW (adjustable)
• Supply voltage range: 4.5-5.5V
• Weight: 1.7g ( Mounting plate 0.7g)
• VTX internal size: 18x14mm
• Frequency: 5.8GHz 37 channels, with Raceband: 5645~5945MHz
• VTX control: SmartAudio
• Modulation type: FM
• Channel Indicate: 3 LEDs
• Frequency control: PLL
• All harmonic: Max -50dBm
• Frequency stability: ±100KHz (Typ.)
• Frequency precision: ±200KHz (Typ.)
• Channel carrier error: ±1.5dB
• Antenna port: 50 Ω
• Operating temperature: -10℃~+60℃

 

BetaFPV M02 VTX package contains M02 VTX, 26x26mm mounting plate with screws and silicone rubber spacers for mounting, right hand circular polarized (RHCP) antenna, silicone wires with 5 pin JST-SH plug on them.

On the top side of the VTX there are 4 status LEDs, VTX control button and the IPEX (Hirose U.FL) type antenna connector. All the solder pads are marked clearly for your convenience. Notice that there are pass through connection pads (CAM) for connecting the camera to the flight controller. 

On the back of the M02 VTX you can find the 5pin JST-SH socket for the solder less connection. I think it’s meaningless, because you anyway need to solder the supplied pigtail to the flight controller and the additional socket-plug parts just add weight and take the precious place in the tight builds. 

The supplied antenna is RHCP (Right Hand Circular Polarized). All clues show that this is custom build ZRC 5.8G 2dBi Lollipop FPV Antenna. 

Antenna has semi flexible cable and can be bent to the needed angle.

Size & weight

Because of the 5pin JST-SH socket on the back, the VTX is 6mm thick. Again I think this connector is unnecessary part.

BetaFPV M02 VTX is really small. Size is only 18x14mm.

Single M02 VTX weights only 1.7 grams.

Weight of the M02 VTX with 26x26mm mount is 2.6 grams.

M02 VTX weights 4.6 grams with the mounting plate and supplied antenna.

And full VTX set weights 4.8 grams.

If you want to use only the VTX and the supplied antenna, then total weight is 3.8 grams.

BetaFPV M02 VTX connection pinout schemes

RF power measurements

Power output test on 25mW setting. RF power meter shows 39.1mW.

On 100mW setting RF power meter shows 121 mW. 

On 200mW setting RF power meter shows 217 mW

On 350mW setting RF power meter shows 282 mW, slightly less than expected and heats up a lot.

On 350mW power level setting and no active cooling the VTX heats up and the power output drops down to 95mW.

BetaFPV M02 VTX RF power output can reach the nominal values if you apply enough active cooling. Below is the result of the power measurement while blowing the air to the VTX by mouth.

Below are the RF power outputs for all power levels. Measured at Raceband, Channel 5.

Power output vs frequency for 100mW power level on Raceband.

Power output vs frequency for 200mW power level on Raceband.

Power output vs frequency for 350mW power level on Raceband.

Changing the settings

BetaFPV M02 VTX settings can be changed by button and by Betaflight OSD control. 

VTX has 3 LED for status display. Red for channel, blue for band and multicolor led for power setting indication. 

Changing the settings by button

For setting the channel you need to press and hold the settings button for a few seconds. Red LED should blink tree times on button release indicating that VTX is in channel setting mode. Short press the button to change the channel.

If you are in the channel setting mode then you can proceed to the band setting mode. You need again to press and hold the settings button for a few seconds. Now Blue LED should blink tree times on button release indicating that VTX is in band setting mode. Short press the button to change the band.

Finally, if you are in the channel setting mode then you can proceed to the power setting mode by press and hold the settings button for a few seconds. Now multicolor LED should blink tree times on button release indicating that VTX is in power setting mode. Short press the button to change the power. Green power led indicates 25mW, Purple LED indicates 100mW, Red LED indicates 200mW and the Blue LED indicates 350mW power mode.

M02 VTX has pit mode that can be switched on/off by double clicking the settings button. 

Below is the setup flowchart (for setting by button).

Betaflight VTX Tables

If you are using (or planing to use) the Betaflight versions 4.x  and want to control the VTX by Betaflight OSD, then you should set up the VTX Tables.

Read more on setting up the VTX tables here: VTX Tables and how to set them up

Open Betaflight Configurator, connect to the flight controller, select “Video Transmitter” tab. Load the VTX table from the file by clicking on the “Load from file”.

Select the VTX table file. There can be separate VTX table files for US and EU region as there are different range of the allowed frequencies to use. (Hint: European table has only the 3 channels on Raceband). 

BetaFPV M02 VTX Table file: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CrmemS-_cdVHQp78sWZk_pGnJITI7cqa

PROS

• Small size
• Lightweight
• Wide range of power levels Pit/25/100/200/350mW
• Whoop type mount bracket
• Circular polarized antenna
• Pit mode can be controlled by button

CONS

• Needs proper cooling for nominal power output
• Pit mode cannot be controlled via Betaflight OSD
• The bulky connector is unnecessary 

 

CONCLUSION

BetaFPV M02 VTX is the most advanced and the most powerful VTX from BetaFPV. It comes in the premium package with a lot of extras – with whoop mount format adapter board, circular polarized antenna and mounting hardware. It has solder pads along the edges and the connector socket for versatility of the connection, however I think that solder pads alone would be enough. M02 VTX has metallic shield and is well protected and robust.

This VTX is really tiny (18x14mm) and lightweight (only 1.7g). Can be mounted almost in any aircraft. 

Power output of the BetaFPV M02 VTX is pretty good. Exceeds the rated values almost on all power levels. However this VTX requires the appropriate cooling to provide the power on the max power output setting (350mW). Power output can drop down to 95mW and less if the VTX is not cooled actively, but can provide 340mW and more if cooled enough.

BetaFPV M02 VTX is available @

BetaFPV: https://betafpv.com/collections/camera-vtx/products/m02-aio-5-8g-vtxpin-connected

 

Disclaimer: This item was supplied by BetaFPV for a fair and unbiased review. BetaFPV never asked for a positive review and never influenced my opinion in any way. I’m trying my best to stay uninfluenced and give only my own opinion. All affiliate links if there are any help me purchase items for future reviews and tests.