Hawkeye has launched one other compact HD digicam, the Thumb 2. That includes comparable specs to the 4K Thumb, it affords 4K 30fps video capabilities and helps Gyroflow stabilization. Nevertheless, my expertise means that the Hawkeye Thumb 2 won’t be the very best match for FPV drone functions.

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For these trying to find a brand new motion digicam for FPV drones, take a look at my complete purchaser’s information right here: https://oscarliang.com/action-camera/

The place to Purchase?

You should purchase the Hawkeye Thumb 2 digicam from these distributors:

Included within the field, you’ll discover:

• A guide
• A cap mount
• A neck mount

Specs

• Sensor: SONY 12MP
• Discipline of View: FOV 170 levels
• Video Decision:
  • 4K 50/30FPS
  • 2.5K 4:3 50/30FPS
  • 2.5K16:9 50FPS
  • 1080P 50/30FPS
  • Be aware: 4K 50FPS doesn’t assist Gyroflow stabilization, all others do
• Video Format: mp4/H.265
• TV Out: PAL/NTSC with a latency of 40ms
• USB Port: Kind-C
• Battery Life: As much as 100 minutes
• Extra Options:
  • AV out assist
  • RC distant management functionality
  • WiFi preview performance
  • SD Card assist: 8-256GB (U1 or above)
  • Energy Provide: DC 5-23V
  • Dimension: 53×23×22mm
  • Weight: 34.5g
  • Max Present: 550mA@5V

What Modified from the Thumb V1?

The Hawkeye Thumb 2, measuring 52.5 x 23 x 21.7 mm and weighing 34g, comes with an built-in 1S 620mAh LiPo battery. This battery permits for as much as 100 minutes of recording at 1080p with out WiFi, in line with the producer.

It helps a telephone app linked through WiFi for previewing, video recording playback, digicam management, and settings adjustment, providing flexibility much like that of a GoPro when it comes to digicam parameter changes.

Notably, the Thumb 2 now features a built-in battery, enhancing its versatility for on a regular basis filming—not only for FPV. The digicam may be charged utilizing a USB-C connector or by way of DC enter (5 to 23V). Its casing is magnetic, facilitating straightforward attachment to the included mounts. Nevertheless, in contrast to the Insta360 Go, it isn’t waterproof as a result of cooling holes within the housing.

Moreover, the digicam can hook up with a flight controller (FC) through a UART port and be managed from radio switches by way of Betaflight, though the required cable will not be included.

The lens is appropriate with the Thumb V1, that means you need to use ND filter from the earlier digicam.

Why The Thumb 2 Isn’t For FPV?

The Hawkeye Thumb 2 appears to be focused extra in direction of normal utilization reasonably than pure FPV drone functions.

First off, the equipment included with the Thumb 2 remind me of these supplied with the Insta360 GO 2, akin to mounts for caps or neck. Actually, these kind of mounts usually produce shaky footage with unpredictable angles, and in my expertise, they’re not sensible for capturing high quality video. Moreover, in contrast to the GO 2 or GO 3, the Thumb 2 lacks water resistance, decreasing its versatility for outside actions.

The built-in battery permits you to use this digicam by itself, in contrast to the Thumb V1 which requires further energy from the drone. Nevertheless, this design change leads to a heavier and bulkier digicam, which is lower than excellent for smaller FPV drones. Having a battery additionally means you must cost it each 30-40 minutes to keep away from shutting down mid air when it runs out of juice. The excellent news is you possibly can join it to an exterior energy supply to maintain it powered on a regular basis, but it surely doesn’t include this cable!

Whereas there’s a port for connecting the digicam to a flight controller—permitting management by way of your radio through Betaflight—the absence of the required cable within the bundle means that FPV pilots won’t be the first viewers Hawkeye had in thoughts for this product.

Picture High quality

Within the first a part of my check video, I used to be holding the digicam in my hand whereas strolling. Regardless of making use of Gyroflow stabilization, it’s nonetheless fairly wobbly—I feel my telephone’s built-in stabilization performs higher. That stated, the colour, sharpness, and total picture high quality are commendable.

Within the second a part of the check, I strapped the digicam to my 3″ quad utilizing a zipper tie as a result of lack of 3D printed mount (identical drone i used to check the Thumb V1). The footage was extremely prone to “jello”. Utilizing the default FOV setting in Gyroflow, the black edges remained seen within the stabilized video—in contrast to my footage from the DJI O3 and Walksnail, which permits zooming out to 1.1 and even 1.2 with out exhibiting black edges. For those who zoomed in to do away with all of the black edges, the FOV is simply too slim.

General, it simply looks like this digicam doesn’t work that properly with Gyroflow.

Conclusion

For those who’re searching for a standalone 4K digicam for non-FPV filming and never choosy about picture high quality, the Thumb 2 is an honest, budget-friendly various to the Insta360 GO 2 and GO 3. Nevertheless, its efficiency with Gyroflow is subpar, leading to insufficient stabilization and extreme cropping.

You should purchase the Hawkeye Thumb 2 digicam from these distributors:

For FPV pilots, I like to recommend sticking with the unique Hawkeye Thumb digicam. It’s cheaper, lighter, consists of the required cables, is much less liable to jello, affords comparable picture high quality, and works higher with Gyroflow.

See my assessment of the Hawkeye V1 right here: https://oscarliang.com/hawkeye-thumb-4k-camera/