There are several HDZero VTXes to choose from, with varying sizes, power requirements, and capabilities. In this article, I will cover each VTX, explain the differences between them, and help you decide which of these HDZero VTX options is the best choice for your needs.
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HDZero Whoop VTX
Mounting Pattern: 25×25 mm
Input Power: 2S-6S (7-26V)
Weight: 5.4g
Output Power: 25mW, 200mW
The Whoop VTX is the most affordable VTX for HDZero, and is also one of the smallest and lightest options while providing a very respectable 200mW of output power. For these reasons, it’s almost certainly the most popular of the HDZero VTX options. When I plan a build, I typically look at the Whoop VTX first, and only move to a different option if I need one of the specific capabilities of another model. This VTX probably has more collective run time than every other VTX option, and it’s a reliable performer.
The primary downsides of this VTX are mounting and durability. The 25x25mm mounting pattern is ideal for whoops and toothpicks, but won’t natively fit on many racing builds–you’ll need to use an adapter plate for mounting on a 20×20 stack. The mounting holes are also too small to allow for soft mounting, which makes this VTX more prone to damage in crashes.
Adding to this, the Whoop VTX uses a thinner board and smaller surface-mount parts than some of the larger VTX options, and doesn’t provide physical retention for the antenna and camera connectors. Although I’ve had great success with this VTX even after multiple crashes, these design choices make the Whoop VTX more likely to suffer damage in a bad crash.
View the HDZero Whoop VTX here:
HDZero Shop
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RaceDayQuads
HDZero Race V2 VTX
Mounting Pattern: 20×20 mm soft mount
Input Power: 2S-6S (7-26V)
Weight: 6.2g
Output Power: 25mW, 200mW
The Race V2 VTX is essentially a hardened Whoop VTX designed for builds where durability and 20×20 mounting are needed. Despite the smaller mounting pattern, this VTX is actually slightly larger than the Whoop VTX, measuring 34 x 34mm with a weight of 6.2 grams.
The Race V2 VTX prioritizes durability, with larger surface-mount electronics and mounting holes that are designed to use M3 bolts with rubber “gummies” for soft mounting. It includes a screw-on bracket to secure the antenna connection. These features should make the Race V2 VTX more resistant to damage in crashes than some of the other VTX options.
Functionally, the Race V2 is similar to most of the other HDZero VTX options. It supports a maximum power output level of 200mW, which I have found to be comparable or slightly better than analog VTXes at 200mW. This VTX does support SmartAudio, which you will need if you want to use a script or switch on your radio to control the VTX settings.
I would recommend the Race V2 VTX if you are building a drone with a 20×20 stack or if you need the additional durability that it provides.
View the HDZero Race V2 VTX here:
HDZero Shop
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RaceDayQuads
HDZero Freestyle VTX
Mounting Pattern: 30x30mm soft mount
Input Power: 2S-4S (included BEC for up to 6S)
Weight: 28g
Output Power: 25mW, 200mW, 500mW, 1000mW (higher power levels require an unlock procedure)
The Freestyle VTX offers the highest output power available in an HDZero VTX, with up to 1 watt of power. This much power makes the Freestyle VTX ideal for long-range use or obstacle-heavy environments, but that power comes at the cost of a significantly higher weight and larger physical size than the other VTX options.
The 500mW and 1W settings require an unlock procedure, and it’s your responsibility to ensure you’re following all of the laws in your area. The procedure is simple and free, and I have a video to walk you through it.
The Freestyle VTX also offers unparalleled durability among HDZero VTXes, with a thick metal heatsink fully encasing the board and screw-on brackets to secure the antenna and camera connectors. You are very unlikely to damage this VTX in a crash.
The biggest thing that may hold you back from using this VTX is finding a way to fit it into your drone frame. With a 30x30mm mounting pattern and a physical size of 40x40mm, it can be a challenge to fit the Freestyle VTX into a build. You may also need to use the included BEC to power the VTX if your drone uses 4S or higher battery voltage, which adds additional bulk and complexity to the build.
If you can fit the Freestyle VTX into your drone and can handle the 28 gram weight, it’s an excellent choice that will give you more range and penetration than any other HDZero VTX option.
View the HDZero Freestyle VTX here:
HDZero Shop
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RaceDayQuads
HDZero Whoop Lite VTX
Mounting Pattern: 25 x 25mm soft mount
Input Power: 1S-3S
Weight: 4.5g without shield
Output Power: 25mW, 200mW
The Whoop Lite VTX is a 1S-capable VTX that prioritizes light weight for use on whoops and other smaller drones. It has the same 200mW power output of the original Whoop VTX, and improves on the design by including larger holes for soft mounting as well as an optional metal shield to protect the VTX from physical damage.
The Whoop Lite VTX is the only HDZero VTX that supports 1S, so the obvious use is for 1S whoops. I’ll update this page with additional recommendations for this VTX once I’ve had the opportunity to test it further.
View the HDZero Whoop Lite VTX here:
HDZero Shop
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HDZero Race V1 VTX (Deprecated)
Mounting Pattern: 20x20mm soft mount
Input Power: 2S-6S (7-26V)
Weight: 7g
Output Power: 25mW, 200mW
The Race V1 VTX is deprecated in favor of the Race V2 VTX, and most retailers no longer have any of them in stock. For more information on the capabilities of this VTX, see the description above for the Race V2 VTX. The only difference between that model and this one is the physical dimensions. This VTX was a more rectangular shape, measuring 27 x 45mm.
If you have the Race V1 VTX, it’s still supported with firmware updates and is still a good choice for use with HDZero, but for new builds, I would recommend the Race V2 VTX instead.