[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]EMAX has released a second version of the very popular TinyHawk. This time, it claims it solved some problems from the previous generations and has upgraded some parts making it compatible with 2S batteries. Is the EMAX TinyHawk S the new king of these whoop class drones?[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_single_image image=”5494″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” onclick=”link_image”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
This article was submitted through the GetFPV Community Program by Ervin Liao. You can check out more of Ervin’s content at his YouTube, and Instagram.
Disclaimer: This article was written solely by a member of the FPV Community. Views and advice in this article are that of the author and does not necessarily reflect the opinion or views of GetFPV.
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EMAX TinyHawk S Specs
- Diagonal Wheelbase: 75mm
- Max. Size of Aircraft (w/o antenna, cable tie): 125mm
- Weight(w/o battery): 30g
- Motor: TH0802 15500Kv
- Propeller: Avan TH Turtlemode
- Flight Controller: F4 (Matek F411 FW) Factory Dump Bf4.0
- ESC: 5A 4-in-1
- Receiver: EMAX Tiny RX (FrSky D8/D16 Compatible)
- Camera: 600TVL CMOS
- VTX: 25mW Adjustable Freq. 37CH
Features
- Revised 08025 brushless motor with durable ball bearing for increase flight and low maintenance, now lighter and more powerful!
- Revised polypropylene plastic frame with propeller guards, now even more durable!
- Motor beeper function. Find your tinyhawk after a crash.
- Fast F4 Processor for smooth stable flight characteristics.
- MPU6000 gyro for vibration free operations.
- Unique inverted motor design to keep CG as low as possible to fit in the smallest of spaces.
- 25mw VTX and 600tvl Camera included for fun FPV flight via FPV style goggles.
- Smart Audio function to change the VTX channel via your transmitter.
- OSD settings control to customize flight feel.
- Pre-tuned from the factory with expert pilots and new pilots in mind. 3 rate profile settings for all types of flying feel.
- Plug in type motors for easy maintenance.
- 1S (and now 2S) High Voltage (HV) 450mah LiPo included.
- Frsky compatible receiver built in.
- Custom carbon fiber themed carrying case.
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Initial Thoughts
When I saw the EMAX TinyHawk S online, I knew I wanted it. It had everything I needed, from brushless motors, which are better than brushed motors, prop guards so that I could fly inside and not break anything along with compatibility with 2S which I could use outdoors. Furthermore, reviews on the first EMAX TinyHawk were great. For only $100 I decided to buy these and give them a try.
When I opened the package for the first time, I was greeted with a nice carrying case. Opening the case, there was everything needed inside. A battery charger, a 2S and 1S lipo battery, instructions, extra props, a screwdriver, and extra screws, and last but not least the drone itself. I was amazed by the package from EMAX, with the foam and the carrying case. It protected the drone well. The instructions seem well written, and the extra propellers were also a real plus.
With good previous experiences with EMAX, upon the first inspection, it seemed like they have done it again with this TinyHawk S.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_single_image image=”5495″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” onclick=”link_image”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
Setup
The setup of the EMAX TinyHawk S is really easy. All you have to do is bind the internal receiver on your flight controller to your Taranis radio and then do minimal setup on Betaflight. The great thing about the drone is that you do not need to press the button and then plug in the battery to get the drone into bind mode. The battery can be plugged in and then the button is pressed. Here is a video by Drone Camps RC on how to set up the EMAX TinyHawk S. Setup starts at 40:00.
Build Quality
The build quality of the EMAX TinyHawk S is okay. There are parts of the drone that really shines, but some minor problems in other parts. Excellent parts of the TinyHawk S include the durability. The frame is durable, and from the many bashings in my house and on concrete, the plastic frame has held up really well. Other parts of the drone are also very durable. Nothing has been broken yet, except for a few scratches on the propellers and frame.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_single_image image=”5496″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” onclick=”link_image”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Most of the internals of the EMAX TinyHawk S are pretty good. The motors are all replaceable with plugs in case of damage. The flight controller has an F4 chip which is really good. The flight controller also runs Betaflight which lets you change settings right from the computer. The FrSky receiver in the drone is decent. It gives you enough range to fly around a 2 story suburban house, but the range is not as good as receivers such as the R-XSR or the XM+.
One part lacking in the TinyHawk S is the FPV system. The picture on the camera is decent and gets the job done, but mounting the camera is the problem. After a few flights, the camera will come out of place, and you will have to put the camera back into its slot in the frame again. This easy to do, but it is really annoying. I solved this issue by hot gluing the camera in place.
Also part of the FPV system, the VTx range is not good. The antenna is inside the frame, and the output is only 25mw which makes the range horrible. At the start, I could only get a few feet before getting a snowy picture. However, I solved it by rerouting the antenna to the outside, and this gives enough range to get the job done. This requires taking the drone apart, which is hard with the tiny screws.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”5498″ img_size=”medium” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” onclick=”link_image”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”5500″ img_size=”medium” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” onclick=”link_image”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
Flight Performance
The EMAX TinyHawk S can fly on both 1S and 2S batteries. Using the two types of batteries have really different flight characteristics. There is even a separate PID profile needed to fly the TinyHawk S because of the differences.
Flying on 1S is great for indoors. There is significantly less power than on 2S. It is really easy to control on 1S which means it is great for beginners. In good conditions, such as inside a house, the drone is stable, with no random oscillations in angle mode and in acro mode. The default rates are also good coming at 400 degrees per second which is perfect for beginners. Some people may think the speed at 1S is going to be below average, but full-throttle runs at 1S prove that the EMAX TinyHawk S is fast.
The 2S batteries have way more power than 1S making them perfect for outdoor flying. Indoors, the 2Ss batteries are too powerful, and a blip of throttle will make the drone hit the ceiling of the house. Unless you have a huge house, I do not recommend 2S flying indoors. Outdoors, however, flying the EMAX TinyHawk S is loads of fun, the prop guards make the drone safe for other people, and the wind does not affect it as much as the 1S batteries. The 2S battery is a great second step if you master flying the drone on 1S.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_single_image image=”5503″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” onclick=”link_image”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The great thing about the EMAX TinyHawk S is the ability to turtle mode. The first version of the TinyHawk, turtle mode was not possible until upgrading the propellers. Now it comes with propellers that allow turtle mode. This is good because if you are flipped over, turtle mode can get you back up without the walk of shame.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
Pros and Cons
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Pros
- Tiny and safe to fly around the house
- Safe around people outdoors, it will not hurt anyone
- Works with Betaflight
- Ready to bind and flight out of the box, minimal setup needed
- Takes 1S and 2S
- No need to register with FAA
- Cheap at $100
- Durable, it can hit the concrete and still be fine!
- Very stable in the air with default PIDs and settings
- Comes with extra parts
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Cons
- The video transmitter range is subpar
- The camera comes out of place sometimes
- Some of the VTX channels comes locked upon arrival
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Final Thoughts
The new Emax TinyHawk S is a really good whoop class drone for beginners and advanced pilots alike. Beginner pilots can start on the drone to learn, while advanced pilots can use this drone during the winter months when it is cold and rainy. Even theRCaddict has good things to say about the TinyHawk in this video. The drone is decent for only $100, but the fact that the FPV system is not great makes me give it a lower grade. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][ultimate_spacer height=”20″][vc_separator][ultimate_spacer height=”20″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”5505″ img_size=”medium” alignment=”center”]
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I bought the original and at first was not impressed but after switching to profile 2 and 3 the thing moved. Very agile and very quick for 1s. So when the S came out 8 had to have it and after all the hype about 2s was almost too much speed, I was amped. But now I have it and I can’t get it to go anywhere. I put on 2 x PH 2.0 Connectors and have new batteries. Switched the profile to 2 but it’s not any faster than the 1s… I don’t get it! Any ideas?
1s profile is for ones and 2s profile is for twos