MJX Bugs 8. The best choice for the first FPV flight with b/c motors

Introduction

MJX Bugs 8 is a popular quadcopter model from a well-known budget UAV developer. He received consumer recognition for the quality of workmanship, a full-fledged analog FPV kit, flight potential and a very affordable price tag.

Peculiarities

Impact resistant materials
Built on 250mm frame
Brushless motors MT1806 1800KV
Vari-angle HD FPV camera working in tandem with analog 8-channel 5.8GHz video transmitter (optional)
Photo / video recording on microSD via built-in DVR
LCD 4.3″ FPV monitor with built-in 32-channel 5.8GHz video receiver (optional)
FPV headset G3 (optional)
Max. flight time 12 min
Max. FPV removal distance 500m
Max. horizontal flight speed 65km/h
Battery charge control
2 × speed modes
Programmed 360° flips
Front and back LED lighting
Ready to fly out of the box

Equipment

The manufacturer offers the drone in three trim levels:

without camera
Camera + FPV Monitor
Camera + FPV Monitor + FPV Headset

The standard kit will include:

Drone
Control equipment (powered by 4 × “AA”, purchased separately)
4 × rotors (2CW/2CCW)
4 × spare rotors (2CW/2CCW)
Accumulator battery
USB charger (2S/3S)
USB cable for memory
Companion Tool
4 × spare O-rings (placed between main rotor and nut)
Replaceable top panel (color: red)
Instruction

All accessories (FPV Camera/FPV Monitor/FPV Goggles) are available for purchase separately.

Specification

Drone

Brand:

MJX

Model:

Bugs 8

Year of issue:

June 2017

Color:

The black

Execution materials:

Nylon + Fiber

Dimensions:

210×210×85mm

Rotor length:

155mm

Motors:

brushless motors 1806 1800KV

ESC:

built-in type 4 in 1

Diagonal size:

250mm

Weight (with battery):

about 370g

Drone Power:

7.4V 1300mAh 25C LiPo

Charging time:

about 4h

Remote control power:

4 × “AA” (purchased separately)

Frequency:

2.4GHz

Max. flight time:

12 min

Max. FPV Removal Distance:

300m

Max. flight speed:

65 km/h

FPV Camera C5820

Eff. pixels:

Video resolution:

1280×720p

Video Format:

AVI

Record source:

built-in DVR

Supported memory cards:

microSD class 10, up to 32GB

Video transmitter:

8-channel 5.8GHz 500mW

Max. transmission distance:

500m

FPV Camera C5830

Eff. pixels:

Lens:

6 optical elements; FOV 90°

Video resolution:

1280×720p

Video Format:

AVI

Record source:

built-in DVR

Supported memory cards:

microSD class 10, up to 32GB

Video transmitter:

8-channel 5.8GHz 500mW

Max. transmission distance:

500m

FPV Monitor

Permission:

1280×720p

Diagonal:

4.3 inches (10.9cm)

Video receiver:

8ch 5.8GHz

Max Removal Distance:

500m

Food:

1S 3.7V 800mAh Li-ion

Charger:

microUSB cable

Charging time:

Time of continuous work:

12 min

Appearance

Motors

MJX Bugs 8 is equipped with 1806 1800KV brushless motors. They work in tandem with 2-bladed 155mm rotors. The body of the motors is made of plastic, which made it possible to reduce weight, increase speed and flight time. In practice, the potential of the power plant is more than enough, the thrust reserve allows you to install an additional GoPro format camera on board the drone.

Camera

The developer offers two options for FPV cameras for this drone: C5820 and C5830. The main purpose is to ensure high-quality flight in first-person mode. Both work in conjunction with an 8-channel 5.8GHz video transmitter with a power of 500mW, have a manually adjustable tilt angle, and a built-in DVR that allows you to record photo / video on a microSD card. Photo quality: 2MP; Video: 1280×720p. Video format: AVI. Max. video transmission distance is 500 meters.

The main difference is the C5830 lens. As a result of modernization, he received 6 optical elements and a viewing angle of 90 °. In practice, in the FPV camera mode, their potential is quite enough.

FPV Monitor

MJX D43 4.3 LCD RX – Universal 4.3″ LCD FPV Monitor, with manual brightness control. The built-in 32-channel video receiver operating in the 5.8GHz band is responsible for receiving the video stream from the drone’s camera. Powered by built-in 1-cell lithium-ion battery 800mAh. Charging with the included USB cable. It mounts to stock control equipment using the included mount, and also supports pairing with FPV headset – MJX G3 5.8G FPV Goggles for full-fledged first-person flight.

FPV headset

MJX G3 5.8G FPV Goggles – when paired with an FPV monitor, provides a fully immersive first-person flight experience. Available in a top-end configuration, or purchased separately.

Food

The Bugs 8 quadcopter is equipped with a 2-cell (2S/7.4V) 1300mAh lithium polymer battery with a peak discharge of 25C, an XT30 connector and a balanced cable. The battery is placed in a kind of plastic box. Provides max. flight time – 12 minutes. In practice, this time is generally true, the version with the camera fits in 10-12 minutes.

Without a camera, the flight time increases by an average of 2 minutes.

Control

Drone control is implemented using classic Bugs series control equipment operating at a frequency of 2.4GHz. Power is supplied by four AA batteries (sold separately). According to the specification, it provides a removal distance of up to 500 meters.

*Remote control in combination with FPV monitor.

Button assignment

The “Start/Stop” button is active when the throttle stick is lowered to the “0” position, otherwise the start will not take place. It’s worth considering!

Price

Available for purchase on all Internet trading platforms at a price of $75.

In February 2018, the developer offered the consumer an advanced version – BUGS 8 Pro. Features include 3-bladed rotors (red), 2204 1800KV B/C motors, Angel/Acro flight modes, 3S 1300mAh battery and redesigned control gear. But, despite the advantages of new items for all time, the model has received less consumer recognition.

Recommendations and remarks

In order to extend battery life and reduce charging time, it is recommended to stop using the bundled charger and replace it with a more technologically advanced one, such as iMax B6 or an equivalent.
The user has two speed modes “Low / High”. By default, the mode is always set to “High”. Even if the last flight was in Low mode, turning the aircraft off and on again will return to High mode.
After the next flight, before disconnecting the battery, you must make sure that the video mode is stopped, otherwise the recorded video will be damaged.
Both the drone and the control equipment are equipped with an audible alarm warning the pilot of a low battery level. After it works, the pilot has about 3 minutes to land the drone. The motors are then turned off.

Conclusion

MJX Bugs 8 from $75

Functionality

6/10

Flight time

7/10

flight qualities

9/10

compactness

7/10

Equipment

9/10

Reliability

8/10

Price quality

10/10

pros

Execution quality
Lightweight/Durable
Racing format 250mm
B / C motors / Flight performance (up to 65 km / h)
Controllability
Activity modes
Video stream quality/Monitor is bright with brightness control
Equipment (3 options)
LED backlight
Price

Minuses

When the throttle stick is at zero position the motors are running
SD card slot in an awkward location

One of the best racing offers for the novice user segment. For all the time he has proven himself exclusively from the best side. High quality, lightweight, durable, manageable, dynamic (up to 65 km/h at max. flow rates). The quality of the video stream deserves respect, the flight from the first person only adds to the pleasure of a dynamic flight. It will show itself to the maximum in the top configuration. Beginners will fully appreciate for whom the potential of collector quadrics and FPV over Wi-Fi is not enough. It will serve as a good simulator for getting the first experience on the C/C motors in the flight mode from the first person.