Review: Caddx GoFilm 20 Cinewhoop with Walksnail Moonlight Camera
I previously reviewed the Walksnail Moonlight camera, a competitor to the DJI O3 Air Unit. Now, we have the first commercially available cinewhoop equipped with the Moonlight—the Caddx GoFilm20 Cinewhoop. Let’s dive deep into what this drone offers and if it truly lives up to its expectations.
Interested in Cinewhoops? Check out my buyer’s guide: https://oscarliang.com/cinewhoop/
Where to Buy?
The GoFilm20 is available for purchase from the following vendors:
Inside the box, you’ll find a variety of accessories:
- 4 x M2*6mm screws
- 4 x M2*8mm screws
- 1 x 1.5mm Allen wrench
- 1 x USB data cable
- 1 x 180mm strap
- 1 x set of paddles
- 1 x Micro USB cable for FC
- 1 x Instruction manual
Specifications
Drone Specifications:
- Flight Controller (FC): CADDXF4_AIO_ELRS
- Video Transmitter (VTX): Moonlight Kit
- Wheelbase: 94mm
- Motors: 1303 6000KV
- Propellers: HQprop T2×2×3
- Weight: 115±5g
- Dimensions: 133×123×39mm
- Flight Time: Approximately 5.5 minutes with a 4S 650mAh battery
- Receiver: ELRS 2.4G
- Battery Interface: XT30
FC Details:
- Microcontroller Unit (MCU): STM32F405RGT6
- Gyroscope and IMU: ICM42688
- Barometer: BMP280
- ExpressLRS Receiver: ELRS V3.0 UART
- Electronic Speed Controller (ESC): 20A 4-IN-1
- Blackbox: 8MB
- Supported Power: 2~4S Lipo/LiHV
- Mounting Hole Distance: 25.5×25.5mm
- Firmware Target: CADDXF4_AIO_ELRS
Build and Design
The Caddx GoFilm20 Cinewhoop stands out with its lightweight and compact design, weighing in at just around 121 grams. This makes it possible to keep the total weight under 250 grams with a 4S 650mAh battery (typically weighs around 75g), an essential factor for those conscious about drone regulations.
For context, here’s a size comparison with the BetaFPV Pavo 20.
At the heart of the GoFilm20 is the Walksnail Moonlight camera. This 4K camera comes with an ND filter and is mounted on an anti-vibration mount at the front of the drone, aiming to minimize shaky footage. The ability to change ND filters easily is a plus for adapting to different lighting conditions quickly.
The frame is designed around the Walksnail Moonlight camera which supports 4K 60fps recording, and offers 1080p video feed back to your Walksnail goggles. On the bottom there’s a large cut out for airflow and cooling.
From a design perspective, the GoFilm20 is remarkably user-friendly. Key components like firmware update connectors, the SD card slot, and control buttons are all readily accessible, which I greatly appreciate. This thoughtful layout enhances the overall user experience, especially when in the field.
The drone features 1303 6000KV motors paired with tri-blade propellers enclosed within protective ducts. This setup enhances safety, minimizing risks during indoor flights or close encounters with obstacles.
One minor gripe I have is the continued use of a micro USB connector for the flight controller. In an era where USB-C is becoming standard due to its robustness and ease of use, this feels like a missed opportunity for modernization. However, the silver lining is the placement of the micro USB port, which is strategically positioned for easy access.
The video transmitter and receiver antennas are thoughtfully secured on a 3D printed mount at the drone’s rear, which adds a layer of durability and stability to the setup.
The all-in-one (AIO) flight controller integrates an ExpressLRS receiver (UART based), simplifying the setup. The drone’s assembly is user-friendly, making disassembly and repairs relatively straightforward—there are only 5 screws you need to remove.
Here’s a close up of the flight controller board.
Flight Performance
Flying the GoFilm20 Cinewhoop is truly a delight. Its agility and responsiveness make it a joy to pilot. The drone handles nicely, capable of executing nimble maneuvers and maintaining stable flight, even when navigating close to obstacles.
However, I noticed some propwash and vibration with the stock PID tune. Fortunately, Gyroflow is impressively effective at eliminating these shakes and jello, ensuring that once the footage is stabilized in post-production, these minor issues are hardly noticeable. Generally, these shakes aren’t a major concern because with a cinewhoop, you’re typically cruising smoothly rather than performing aggressive acrobatics. With some additional PID and filter tuning though, I’m confident that propwash and vibration can be further minimized. If you’d like me to fine-tune this quad and share the settings, please drop a request in the comments.
The GoFilm20 offers 5 minutes of flight time with a 4S 650mAh LiPo battery and about three to four minutes with a 4S 450mAh. This is fairly standard for 2-inch cinewhoops, providing decent flight time for a satisfying session.
Regarding image quality, the Moonlight camera impresses with its 4K 60fps video capability and support for Gyroflow stabilization. However, to be completely honest, while the image quality is quite good, it still slightly lags behind the DJI O3 Air Unit with the current firmware. I hope they can improve it in future updates because I do believe the Moonlight has potential. Despite this, having the ability to record in 4K in such a compact drone is a significant advantage, and the overall design of the GoFilm20 is commendable for its integration of high-level features in a streamlined package.
How to Setup
Inside the box, you’ll find the official manual, which offers detailed guidance for getting started with the drone.
Out of the box, the drone arrives pre-configured with Betaflight, which was surprisingly well set up. I found that only minor tweaks were necessary for the maiden flight. It’s worth noting that while the PID and Filters have been slightly adjusted, based on my testing, there seems to be some room for improvement.
The drone was loaded with Betaflight 4.4.3, and the FC board target is BETAFLIGHTF4. You can get the original CLI dump/diff here.
Adjustments I Made in Betaflight:
- Configuration Tab: Enable ESC Beacon to help locate the drone in case of a crash.
- Preset Tab: Apply the ExpressLRS preset suitable for your packet rate to optimize smoothness of your inputs
- PID Tuning Tab: Adjust Rates/Expo according to your flying style and preferences.
- Modes Tab: Assign an arm switch.
Binding the Receiver:
The GoFilm20’s receiver is a Happymodel EP1/2 2.4GHz, pre-loaded with firmware version 3.0.1. To bind the receiver, follow the guide available here: https://oscarliang.com/bind-expresslrs-receivers/
ESC:
The integrated ESC in the AIO Flight Controller is already pre-flashed with Bluejay firmware (0.19, 48KHz, target F-H-40), so there’s no need for additional flashing.
Final Thoughts
The Caddx GoFilm20 Cinewhoop is ideal for anyone looking to capture high-quality video in tighter spaces where larger drones wouldn’t dare to fly. Its ducted propellers and compact size allow it to slip through tighter gaps safely, making it perfect for indoor shoots or closely packed environments. Moreover, its relatively quiet compared to larger FPV drones, making it less intrusive, ideal for places where noise could be a concern. Its integration with the Walksnail system, ease of use, and robust build quality make it a compelling choice for both seasoned pilots and newcomers to the drone cinematography scene. However, it’s not made for crashing due to the skinny prop guards.
The GoFilm20 is available for purchase from the following vendors:
In conclusion, if you’re in the market for a small, capable HD drone that combines portability with decent filming capabilities, the Caddx GoFilm20 Cinewhoop is worth considering. Its performance and feature set provide great value, promising exhilarating flying and filming experiences right out of the box.