After much deliberation, I've finally decided to get a small drone so I can occasionally film with it. This drone isn't for fast or freestyle flying, but for slow and steady flight to learn how to fly a drone and make videos. Sharp, smooth, and cinematic video footage is possible in steady flight.

Update

Unfortunately, I've discovered that many of the original links are no longer available because the product is no longer manufactured. Most of the links to BETAFPV, the manufacturer of the Cinewhoop, are already broken, which I find very disappointing. I will gather all the remaining information and post it so that we can hopefully continue to enjoy the Cinewhoop for a long time.

Note: At the end of the article, I've also compiled tuning tips, which can be used to build your own Cinewhoop. Happy Flying & Filming.

Why now?

I've been involved in model sports for over 20 years and have only owned land and water models until now. I've never dared to take the plunge because flying is significantly more dangerous, and most models can only be flown at designated airfields, which increases the effort and takes the fun out of it for me. For a long time, it was very unclear how drone regulations would develop—that is, the law that permits, prohibits, or imposes strict requirements for flying certain drones. The great thing about this drone is that it weighs well under 250g, even with the battery, because the original battery only weighs 50g (4S 450mAh), resulting in a total flying weight of less than 200g. Without a camera, the drone is considered a toy. More information about drone regulations within the EU, valid from January 1, 2021, can be found in this article: EU Drone Regulations

Since I haven't flown a real drone myself yet, I'm documenting my process and all the information I find helpful so you can follow along, and so I can refer back to it later if I forget anything.

The Drone - BetaFPV 85X 4K

First Steps for Setup:

The drone comes without a remote control, battery, charger, and without video goggles or a monitor.

Configuring the Remote Control
 I chose the FrSky Taranis X-Lite Pro because it's small and very ergonomically designed. Visually, it looks more like a gaming controller. I've summarized more information about the remote control in this article: FrSky Taranis X-Lite Pro.

First, you need to configure the remote control and bind it to the receiver (the drone):
http://support.betafpv.com/support/solutions/folders/27000055529

This video helped me calibrate the remote control and the copter:

Configuring the Drone
Flight Controller and ESC

 
F4 V2 Flight Controller with ESC

The installed flight controller is a combined controller from BetaFPV:
Manufacturer Link
Amazon DE

The installed ESC is controlled by BL Heli.
BlHeli: https://www.mediafire.com/folder/dx6kfaasyo24l/BLHeliSuite

Switching the BL Heli to 48kHz will improve flight time, especially if you remove the camera; you'll get significantly longer flight times with the higher PWM signal. So, the lighter the drone, the greater the effect a higher PWM signal has on flight time.

The Flight Controller
The software used to configure the copter is called BetaFlight and is open source.

https://github.com/betaflight/betaflight-configurator/releases

Here are instructions for configuring the software with the controller:
http://support.betafpv.com/support/solutions/articles/27000049796-new-to-betaflight-and-never-have-whoop-drone

More information can be found in the BetaFlight Wiki:
https://github.com/betaflight/betaflight/wiki

I also have more information about Betaflight in this article: Betaflight compiled.

All information about the firmware, as the supplied firmware is Betaflight 3.5, in case you want to flash/update it:

Firmware Version: BETAFPVF405 (BEFH)

Presets: http://support.betafpv.com/support/solutions/articles/27000056114-cli-diff-of-beta85x-4s-hd-frsky

VTX Tables: http://support.betafpv.com/support/solutions/articles/27000059297-troubleshooting-how-to-set-up-vtxtable-on-betaflight-4-1-x-firmware

However, I strongly advise beginners against a firmware update, as from firmware version 3.5 onwards... 4.1 requires reconfiguring everything, and the new PID controllers are significantly more complicated. Furthermore, you lose the ability to use the D-Shot 1200, as it is no longer supported from BetaFlight 4.0 onwards. t is no longer supported. For those who still want to give it a try, here's my CLI dump:

{slider CLI Dump Betaflight 4.2 Betaflight 84X 4K}

# version
# Betaflight / STM32F405 (S405) 4.2.1 Jul 19 2020 / 06:18:01 (caa0d683c) MSP API: 1.43
# config: manufacturer_id: BEFH, board_name: BETAFPVF405, version: d2a1f0ac, date: 2019-12-30T03:19:12Z

# start the command batch
batch start

board_name OMNIBUSF4SD
manufacturer_id BEFH

# name: 85X 4K Trucker

# feature
feature -AIRMODE
feature MOTOR_STOP

#map
map TREA1234

# serial
serial 5 2048 115200 57600 0 115200

#led
led 0 0.0::L:0
led 1 1.0::L:0
led 2 0.1::L:0
led 3 1.1::L:0

# aux
aux 0 0 0 1700 2100 0 0
aux 1 1 2 900 1300 0 0
aux 2 2 2 1300 1700 0 0
aux 3 13 3 1700 2100 0 0
aux 4 35 1 1700 2100 0 0
aux 5 47 2 1700 2100 0 0

# vtxtable
vtxtable bands 5
vtxtable channels 8
vtxtable band 1 BOSCAM_A A FACTORY 5865 5845 5825 5805 5785 5765 5745 5725
vtxtable band 2 BOSCAM_B B FACTORY 5733 5752 5771 5790 5809 5828 5847 5866
vtxtable band 3 BOSCAM_E E FACTORY 5705 5685 5665 5645 5885 5905 5925 5945
vtxtable band 4 FATSHARK F FACTORY 5740 5760 5780 5800 5820 5840 5860 5880
vtxtable band 5 RACEBAND R FACTORY 5658 5695 5732 5769 5806 5843 5880 5917
vtxtable power levels 4
vtxtable powervalues ​​0 1 2 3
vtxtable power labels 25 200 500 800

# master
set gyro_lowpass2_hz = 300
set dyn_notch_width_percent = 1
set dyn_notch_q = 200
set dyn_notch_min_hz = 90
set dyn_lpf_gyro_min_hz = 240
set dyn_lpf_gyro_max_hz = 600
set acc_trim_pitch = -6
set acc_calibration = 73.58,-110.1
set rssi_channel = 16
set rc_smoothing_auto_smoothness = 40
set blackbox_device = NONE
set dshot_bidir = ON
set use_unsynced_pwm = OFF
set vbat_min_cell_voltage = 335
set small_angle = 180
set pid_process_denom = 2
set vtx_band = 3
set vtx_channel = 1
set vtx_power = 0
set vtx_freq = 5705
set gyro_rpm_notch_q = 900
set name = 85X 4K Trucker

profile 0

# profiles 0
set dyn_lpf_dterm_min_hz = 84
set dyn_lpf_dterm_max_hz = 204
set dyn_lpf_dterm_curve_expo = 8
set dterm_lowpass2_hz = 180
set anti_gravity_gain = 1000
set feedforward_transition = 70
set iterm_relax_cutoff = 5
set iterm_windup = 75
set yaw_lowpass_hz = 50
set throttle_boost = 2
set throttle_boost_cutoff = 10
set d_pitch = 29
set f_pitch = 76
set d_roll = 27
set f_roll = 72
set f_yaw = 72
set angle_level_strength = 70
set horizon_level_strength = 70
set level_limit = 70
set d_min_roll = 0
set d_min_pitch = 0
set ff_interpolate_sp = AVERAGED_4
set ff_spike_limit = 50
set ff_smooth_factor = 50
set ff_boost = 0

rateprofile 0

# rateprofile 0
set rates_type = ACTUAL
set roll_rc_rate = 20
set pitch_rc_rate = 20
set yaw_rc_rate = 20
set roll_expo = 70
set pitch_expo = 60
set yaw_expo = 20
set roll_rate = 67
set pitch_rate = 67
set yaw_rate = 67

 There are more tips for setting up under:

https://oscarliang.com/tiny-whoop-angle-mode/

The Cameras
The built-in camera is a Caddx Tarsier V2 and can output an FPV image and, with a second camera, record video in up to 4k 30fps at 70Mbit/s to a Micro SD card (U3 with at least V30) record.

http://support.betafpv.com/support/solutions/articles/27000056418-troubleshooting-how-to-operate-caddx-tarsier-4k-camera

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0036/3921/4169/files/tarsier_user_manual.jpg?497

More information from the manufacturer:
https://caddxfpv.com/products/caddx-tarsier

https://amzn.to/3pVdE8e

Recommended memory cards:

Unfortunately, the camera initially recognized the A FAT32-formatted SD card didn't work either, so I used the app with a Wi-Fi connection to access the settings and formatted the SD card in the camera. Now I could start recording video via the app ("CADDXFPV" in the App Store) and see the live image. The default password to connect to the drone's camera is 12345678; I only heard this in a video, otherwise I couldn't find the information directly. My problem was with Pit Mode, which sets a minimum transmission power to avoid interfering with other pilots during a race while you adjust the settings. https://betafpv.com/products/a01-25-200mw-5-8g-vtx The camera allows you to transmit the 4K camera image to your phone or tablet via WiFi, but with a very high latency (delay). Therefore, the image is not suitable for flight, but only for checking if the camera is working correctly. The FPV camera is built in to ensure lag-free transmission, and to receive the image, you need a special monitor or goggles. FPV Monitor/Goggles: I want to use the drone purely for slow-fly video recording, so I don't use video goggles and can't offer any recommendations. To start with, my girlfriend gave me...I received a "watch monitor" from X... as a gift, also so she can see what the camera is currently filming.

Currently, I've borrowed a simple monitor with a 5.8GHz receiver to get a feel for the drone. Unfortunately, there aren't any good monitors on the market at the moment, so I'll probably have to develop something myself, because I don't want to fly with goggles, as I can't see what's happening around the drone that way.

Battery & Charger
The last and one of the most important things are the batteries and a suitable charger. The batteries used are LiPo batteries; more information on how to care for them properly can be found here: Proper Battery Care.

For beginners flying a quadcopter for the first or second time, I recommend choosing a 3S battery, as these don't have as much power and therefore make the drone much easier to handle. This is also ideal if you fly indoors and don't have much space. The great thing is that the 3S batteries are a bit lighter, and the lighter the drone, the easier and better it reacts to changes in direction.

{tab-Akku 3S Langsam} 

 
BetaFPV 300mAh 3S 45C

The ideal battery for making your first flights indoors
Amazon DE
 
BetaFPV 450mAh 3S 75C

Description
Amazon DE
 

 
Turnigy 700mAh 3S 30C Lipo Pack (XT30)

Description
Hobbyking
 

 
Turnigy 450mAh 3S 60C Lipo Pack w/XT30

Description
Hobby King

 
Tattu 450mAh 11.1V 75C 3S1P

Description
Amazon DE

 
Tattu 650mAh 11.1V 75C 3S

Description
Amazon DE

{tab battery 4S Fast}

Amazon.de (affiliate links)

Hobbykinng.com (affiliate Links)

The First Flight
Here I have described my procedure for the first flight. I did this at home to avoid endangering anyone and to be close to my tools and PC so I could quickly make any necessary changes:

First, I checked that everything was configured correctly, placed the drone on my bed, and let it rise to 10-20 cm. Since I am a beginner and the drone is not computer-stabilized, I tried to keep it stable in the air and get used to the controls. I found that a 3S battery was significantly easier to control due to its slightly lower voltage, as the drone didn't have as much power and was therefore much easier to handle, especially indoors. After the first 5 minutes of hovering, the battery was already empty and needed recharging. To bridge the waiting time, I practiced in a simulator. More information about this can be found in the article Quadcopter Simulators. More tips for learning to fly can be found here: https://github.com/betaflight/betaflight/wiki/Flying-Tips Once you can reliably maintain altitude and don't have enough space indoors, you can find a windless spot in a park or similar location and fly your first circuits. Please note that flying a drone is not permitted everywhere. You can find more information in my articles on drone regulations: Drone regulations Austria Drone regulations Germany In windy conditions, I recommend a 3S LiPo battery with a maximum weight of 90g, because the heavier the battery, the better the drone will handle the wind. A battery over 90g is too heavy for the drone and the motors would overheat. Therefore, please always check that the motors aren't getting too hot when using a large battery, additional telemetry, or perhaps even a better camera (more on this in the article "Build: The Perfect Cine Whoop"). My First Flights Spare Parts: Anyone who flies their drone will inevitably crash, so I've compiled the most important spare parts: Motors Description Manufacturer Link Amazon DE
 

Tuning Parts
 

 
SD Card

Memory card for the integrated 4K camera:

Transport

Carrier bag for some 300mAh and 450mAh batteries, a few small parts and propellers, and the drone:

Spare Parts
Propeller
        

 
Frame
 

for DIY Print:

http://support.betafpv.com/support/solutions/articles/27000058057-stl-file-for-canopy-of-beta85x-4k

I will also design a few tuning parts myself, e.g., a more stable canopy, or a battery protector that makes it easier for beginners to take off and land without damaging the battery.

Electronics
                         

Tuning
Anyone who wants to tune the drone a bit can install the following:

 
BetaFPV 1204 5000kV

Original is the Threaten something serious fThe entire system and the 1105 motors are working hard. This can be remedied by using slightly larger and more powerful motors, which offer better efficiency during cinematic flights due to their higher torque (especially at >48kHz PWM). Less vibration results in a significantly sharper image.
Referral Link:
Amazon DE
 
Gemfan 2020 Propellers

The perfect propellers for the 85x.
Referral Link:
Amazon DE

Conversion to Beta95X Whoop:
Only a new, larger frame and 2.5" propellers are required; all other parts are compatible. The larger size has the advantage that the copter is more stable in the air and operates more efficiently, as a larger lift surface (propeller) works against almost the same weight, resulting in a better power-to-weight ratio and thus guaranteeing longer and more stable flight times. This conversion is also the ideal prerequisite for a build: The Perfect Cine Whoop.

My goal is to be able to use different ND filters, but I'm still working on a solution. The following filters could be suitable:

https://oscarliang.com/repair-2-4ghz-antenna-rx/