When NewBeeDrone introduced their new NX69 battery connector for 1S whoops, my first thought was: Do we actually want one other connector? In any case, the FPV group is already flooded with choices – PH2.0, BT2.0, A30, and even EMAX’s EM2.0. Every one promised higher efficiency and fewer voltage sag.
So why did NewBeeDrone resolve to introduce their very own answer? I made a decision to check the NX69 myself and see whether or not it actually affords a bonus—or if it’s simply one other connector so as to add to the pile.
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The place to Purchase
On the time of publishing, the NX69 bundle is on sale for $17 on NBD’s website (consists of 4 batteries plus an influence cable in your whoop):
Every field comes with 4 batteries and an NX69 battery lead, so you’ll be able to swap out the present one in your whoop.
What Is the NX69 Connector?
The NX69 is NewBeeDrone’s newest connector for 1S whoop batteries, designed as a improve for the ageing PH2.0. It appears fairly much like PH2.0 and is even semi-compatible, however the important thing enchancment is elevated metallic contact, which reduces resistance and improves energy supply.
NewBeeDrone pairs the NX69 connector with their new “laminated flat pack” LiHV batteries, which I’ll be testing alongside the connector. Luckily, these batteries will nonetheless work with current PH2.0 connectors in your whoop and chargers.
Specs
For comparability, listed here are the scale and weight variations:
- NBD Nitro Nectar 1S 300mAh battery
- Weight: 8.42g
- Dimensions: 10.4 × 6.3 × 63mm
- NX69 Energy Cable size: 4cm
- BetaFPV LAVA 1S 300mAh battery
- Weight: 8.34g
- Dimensions: 10.5 × 6.5 × 64mm
The NBD Nitro Nectar 1S 300mAh is lower than 0.1g heavier, however when you add the NX69 connector, the whole setup is about 0.14g heavier. May not sound lots however this could possibly be a consideration for the hardcore builders/racers.
Value noting:
- NewBeeDrone makes use of 20AWG wires of their energy cable, whereas BetaFPV makes use of 22AWG.
- In my expertise, the distinction between 20AWG and 22AWG in 65mm tiny whoops is negligible (extra impactful in 75mm setups). I usually want 22AWG because it’s barely lighter.
- Nonetheless, in battery efficiency testing (the place present draw is way greater), the thicker 20AWG may scale back resistance and make a noticeable distinction.
Compatibility
One of the crucial essential questions: Will NX69 batteries work with current gear?
- ✅ NX69 battery → NX69 whoop/charger → Works effective.
- ✅ NX69 battery → PH2.0 whoop/charger → Works effective.
- ❌ PH2.0 battery → NX69 whoop/charger → Doesn’t match (holes are too small).
And sure, you’ll be able to cost NX69 batteries utilizing chargers which have PH2.0 connectors.
My Testing
For this evaluate, I used the SkyRC BD350 Battery Analyzer, which logs information and plots discharge graphs. Because the BD350 solely helps a minimal of 2S, I needed to join two 1S cells in sequence, that’s why voltage is between 8.7V to 6V.
- The NX69 connector was examined with the brand new Nitro Nectar 1S 300mAh batteries.
- The BT2.0 and A30 connectors had been examined with BetaFPV LAVA 1S 300mAh packs.
- I additionally repeated the PH2.0 take a look at with the NX69 Nitro Nectar cells.
Every battery was discharged at a continuing 12A load, stopping as soon as the voltage dropped beneath 3.0V per cell. This load is an inexpensive illustration of the acute calls for positioned on 1S or 2S micro quads, though tiny whoops usually draw a lot much less in actual flight.
The important thing efficiency metric to have a look at right here is voltage sag. A connector with decrease resistance will present much less sag, which signifies higher efficiency.
Outcomes
Earlier than leaping to conclusions, it’s value declaring that this wasn’t a superbly honest take a look at. That’s as a result of the brand new Nitro Nectar 300mAh cells really turned out to have significantly greater capability than the BetaFPV LAVA cells I used for BT2.0 and A30 testing:
- NewBeeDrone Nitro Nectar NX69 1S 300mAh → measured 345mAh
- BetaFPV LAVA 1S 300mAh → measured 316mAh
Maybe NBD ought to have printed the proper quantity on their label, however to attain practically 10% additional capability at nearly the identical weight is genuinely spectacular.
It’s additionally doable that the NBD cells simply have greater discharge charge than BetaFPV’s. Since they use totally different connectors, I couldn’t evaluate the cells straight towards one another. Nonetheless, even with the identical C score, the next capability cell will are inclined to sag much less and last more underneath the identical load. That seemingly explains why the NX69 + Nitro Nectar combo confirmed each decrease voltage sag and lasted longer within the take a look at.
One other issue is wire gauge:
- NBD makes use of 20AWG wires → a tiny bit heavier, however barely decrease resistance.
- BetaFPV makes use of 22AWG wires → lighter, however barely greater resistance.
In real-world flying (particularly on 65mm whoops), the efficiency distinction could also be minimal and even imperceptible, since present draw is normally modest. However in high-load checks like this, the 20AWG benefit turns into extra noticeable, which once more favors the NX69 setup.
General I feel the NX69 connector’s efficiency is on par with BT2.0 and A30, perhaps even a contact higher. Nonetheless, the distinction is so small it’s unlikely to be noticeable in flight.
What stunned me most was that even when utilizing the older PH2.0 connector on the whoop, the brand new Nitro Nectar NX69 batteries nonetheless carried out exceptionally nicely. Actually, they rivaled BT2.0 and A30 by way of resistance and voltage sag.
Why One other Connector?
For those who’ve been in FPV for some time, this in all probability feels acquainted. BetaFPV created BT2.0, then GNB launched A30, and EMAX launched EM2.0 — primarily to keep away from licensing charges and to maintain pilots locked into their very own whoop + battery ecosystem. Now, NewBeeDrone is following an identical path with NX69.
Do we’d like one other connector? Most likely not. However is NX69 dangerous? Completely not. From NBD’s perspective, it is smart:
- They already make a number of the greatest 1S batteries and whoops available on the market.
- By introducing their very own connector, they guarantee plug-and-play compatibility on all their ready-to-fly whoops.
- Newcomers gained’t must solder and improve the ability lead on their whoop.
Remaining Ideas: Who Is the NX69 Connector For?
New Pilots Shopping for NewBeeDrone Whoops
For learners, NX69 is nice information. I’m glad NewBeeDrone lastly modernized their connector, so clients get higher efficiency with out changing the ability cable. For those who’re shopping for a brand new whoop from NBD, NX69 is a no brainer.
Get NX69 right here:
Current Pilots Already Utilizing BT2.0 or A30
There’s no instant want to modify.
Sure, NX69 paired with NBD’s Nitro Nectar batteries confirmed superior efficiency in my testing, however the good points are small and doubtless don’t justify changing a complete fleet and battery assortment.
Current Pilots Nonetheless Utilizing PH2.0
That is the place NX69 makes essentially the most sense. For those who’re nonetheless utilizing PH2.0 in your whoop, NX69 battery packs offers you a right away efficiency increase, respiratory new life into your previous tiny whoops. For those who nonetheless have a bunch of PH2.0 batteries, hold the PH2.0 energy cable in your whoop, this fashion it really works with each PH2.0 and NX69 batteries. You’ll nonetheless profit from the NX69 battery’s improved design when used with PH2.0. As soon as all of your previous PH2.0 packs are retired, you’ll be able to then change the whoop over to a devoted NX69 connector to take full benefit.
That stated, you may additionally need to take into account BT2.0 or A30 as a result of:
- They’re already broadly adopted within the business, there are extra batteries to select from.
- The following whoop you might be gonna purchase is prone to include BT2.0 or A30 as a substitute of NX69.
- It’s seemingly that NewBeeDrone will stay the one model that helps NX69, for a similar motive why they by no means adopted BT2.0.
Briefly: NX69 is superb when you’re staying within the NewBeeDrone ecosystem. However outdoors of that, BT2.0 and A30 stay safer bets for long-term compatibility, not less than in the intervening time.
