by 20 reviews.
HappyModel Mobula8 1-2S 85mm Micro FPV Whoop Drone Review: A Fun but Flawed FPV Experience
The HappyModel Mobula8 is an 85mm micro FPV whoop drone designed for both indoor and outdoor flying. It features an X12 AIO flight controller with a built-in ELRS receiver, a 400mW OPENVTX, a Caddx Ant 1200TVL camera, and EX1103 KV11000 motors. This compact drone is compatible with 1S-2S Lipo/LIHV batteries and is marketed as a great option for intermediate pilots and FPV enthusiasts. But does it live up to the hype? Let’s dive into the details based on real customer experiences.
Pros and Cons: What Customers Are Saying
Performance and Flight Experience
The Mobula8 has received praise for its smooth flight performance and versatility. Many users have noted that it flies like a larger 5-inch drone outdoors while still being nimble enough for indoor use. One reviewer raved, "These are an absolute blast. Video is fantastic, they fly like a 5" outside and even handle indoor flight with a 1S." Another user described it as "perfect out of the box," highlighting the excellent tuning and rates straight from the factory.
However, some users have reported issues with motor performance. One beginner shared a frustrating experience: "Right out of the box, one of the motors failed to spin, rendering the drone unusable." This seems to be a recurring issue, with multiple reports of faulty ESCs or motors not spinning properly.
Build Quality and Durability
The Mobula8’s build quality has been a mixed bag. On the positive side, many users have praised its sturdiness, especially for a micro drone. One reviewer said, "Sturdy thing! Handles lots of indoor crashes just fine, no problem!" Another user mentioned that even after a bad crash, the frame remained intact, which is impressive for a whoop drone.
On the flip side, there have been reports of quality control issues. One customer discovered that the camera plug wasn’t properly soldered, leading to a loss of video after just one hour of use. Another user had a terrifying experience when the drone’s board burst into flames mid-flight, turning it into a "flying fireball of death." While these incidents seem to be outliers, they raise concerns about the consistency of HappyModel’s manufacturing process.
Features and Usability
The Mobula8’s feature set is one of its strongest selling points. The inclusion of a 400mW OPENVTX and a Caddx Ant 1200TVL camera ensures high-quality video transmission, which is crucial for FPV flying. The X12 AIO flight controller with built-in ELRS receiver is also a standout feature, offering reliable connectivity and ease of setup.
However, some users were disappointed to find that the drone does not come with a battery, despite the product description suggesting otherwise. One reviewer noted, "Product description says it comes with a battery.... it does NOT come with a battery... I'll have to purchase a battery for it now." This omission can be frustrating, especially for beginners who may not have spare batteries on hand.
Customer Support and Brand Reputation
HappyModel has a solid reputation in the FPV community, but the Mobula8 has exposed some cracks in their armor. While many users have had positive experiences, others have expressed frustration with recurring issues like faulty motors and poor quality control. One reviewer lamented, "It’s disheartening to know that such a well-known company like Happymodel is associated with such recurrent issues in their products."
On the bright side, some users have been able to resolve issues through DIY fixes, such as soldering the camera directly to the flight controller. However, these fixes shouldn’t be necessary for a product straight out of the box. Better customer support and quality control could go a long way in improving the overall experience.
Conclusion: Is the HappyModel Mobula8 Worth It?
The HappyModel Mobula8 is a fun and capable micro FPV drone that offers excellent flight performance and a robust feature set. Its smooth handling, durable frame, and high-quality video transmission make it a great choice for both indoor and outdoor flying. However, the recurring issues with motor failures, quality control, and the lack of a battery in the package are significant drawbacks.
If you’re willing to take a chance and potentially deal with some troubleshooting, the Mobula8 can be a rewarding addition to your FPV fleet. However, beginners or those looking for a hassle-free experience may want to consider other options or wait for HappyModel to address these issues.
Final Verdict:
- Pros: Smooth flight performance, durable frame, excellent video quality, versatile for indoor and outdoor use.
- Cons: Quality control issues, no included battery, occasional motor failures.
For experienced FPV pilots who don’t mind tinkering, the Mobula8 is a solid choice. But for beginners or those seeking reliability, it might be worth exploring other options in the micro drone market.
Specification HappyModel Mobula8 1-2S 85mm Micro FPV Whoop Drone,With X12 AIO Flight Controller Build in ELRS Receiver, 400mW OPENVTX,Caddx Ant 1200TVL Camera,EX1103 KV11000 Motor:
Comments from Amazon:
I accidentally purchased two of these for my school drone class that uses mob 7. These are an absolute blast. Video is fantastic, they fly like a 5" outside and even handle indoor flight with a 1s. I did give 4 star rating because one of the two lost video after the first hour. It turned out that the camera plug wasn't soldered into place. Quick fix by soldering the camera direct to the fc but definitely a quality concern. I will buy this again.
Product description says it coems with a battery.... it does NOT come with a battery... I'll have to purchase a bterry for it now, and come back and update my review. Also the box came smashed but it looks like everything is intact.
I love the Mob 8, it is perfect out of the box. Just put your rates in and the tune it come with is great. After a pretty bad crash, the ufl plug ripped off the flight controller. But everything else was just fine to include the frame, most will say it's the first thing to go. "That Whoop Lyf"
isappointing Experience with Mobula 8 - Motors Not Spinning I was excited to get my hands on the Mobula 8, especially as a beginner in the FPV drone space. However, my experience was frustrating and disappointing. Right out of the box, one of the motors failed to spin, rendering the drone unusable. As someone new to this hobby, encountering such a critical issue so early on has been quite devastating. What’s even more upsetting is that I’ve come across numerous reports and videos online from others facing the exact same issue—motors not spinning or faulty ESCs. It’s disheartening to know that such a well-known company like Happymodel is associated with such recurrent issues in their products. I expected a higher standard, especially considering the brand’s reputation in the FPV community. Having to wait up to two weeks for a refund and then placing a new order is inconvenient, especially when all I wanted was a smooth and enjoyable introduction to the FPV world. This kind of experience for a beginner can easily sour long-term loyalty and trust in the brand. At this point, I’m hesitant to repurchase, as I don’t want to risk encountering the same problem again. It would be great to see Happymodel step up and address these recurring issues more proactively, providing better quality control and customer support. I truly hope Happymodel reaches out to make this right, as I would love to give the Mobula 8 another chance—if only I had confidence that the next one will work flawlessly.
My first whoop. sturdy thing! handles lots of indoor crashes just fine, no problem! Happymodel slaps.
Was super excited to get this thing. I plug it into Betaflight set it all up. Plug a brand new battery. 1st flight on battery and drone mind you. The board burst into flames mid air! I got to it just as the lipo started to get scorched . Literal FLYING FIREBALL of DEATH!!! Inside our house. What a hunk of junk! Do not buy this thing! You may not be as lucky as I was when I was able to get to it before it set the freaking sofa on fire. I know Happy Model makes good recievers and what not but i will not even be getting a replacement just my freaking money back and a bad taste in my mouth. Seriously dissappointed.
Absolutely LOOOVE THIS LIL THING! I have been building soo many drones lately for clients of mine. & ended up caving in and buying one for myself haha I am loving it. No wonder why people get addicted to this sport.