HappyModel Mobula 7 setup and review

Introduction
The Mobula7 is made by Happymodel who also released the popular Snapper7 which I reviewed here. Like the Snapper 7 it is a 75mm brushless whoop but it is lighter and more importantly, designed for 2s batteries. The Mobula 7 is not the first ready to fly 2s brushless whoop to the market but it is by far and away the lightest at just 28g without battery. That means the small and light 0802 16000kV motors are able to reach their power potential even on the small 260mah batteries included in the kit and make this quadcopter move very quickly with extremely nimble handling.

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Update!
​I've had this for 3 months now and have put a lot of packs through the Mobula7. After trying the Eachine trashcan, TinyLeader and Tinyhawk it remains my favourite brushelss micro. I've started modding it and am documenting everything as I go. There are certainly improvements to be had. (links made live as articles updated):

• upgrading to a nearly unbreakable frame
• installing a better battery connector, mobula7-upgrade-more-power-with-better-battery-connector.html
• tuning betaflight filters more specifically for brushless whoops, 
• converting to run 'props out' 
• propeller upgrades. 
• receiver range improvement
• modding your 1s battery to be a proper 2s

What is included in the pack?

• Mobula 7 quadcopter with receiver on board*
• 4 x 250mah 1s HV batteries that are run 2 cells at a time in series
• 3d printed TPU adapter to allow 2 batteries to fit frame
• Spare set of 4-bladed 40mm props and prop remover
• Surprisingly good colour instructions
• Charger: single USB charger in basic kit and premium 6 cell charger in standard kit.

* Flysky, DSM2/X and FRSKY Non-EU have a built in SPI receiver with full telemetry. FRSKY EU has a discrete XM receiver.

Specs and breakdown

• Crazybee Pro F3 board. This single board is the key to the weight and simplicity of this product and contains the following components: F3 flight control with OSD, SPI connected full telemetry receiever, Full UART, 5A BLHeli_S ESC with BB2 chip capable of true DSHOT600, Current sensor
• AIO CMOS camera with 25 milliWatt VTX including smart audio. 120° FOV and 40 channels. Pretty standard stuff but nice to have smart audio. Note: FRSKY EU with discrete reveiver takes up the UART meaning no smart audio on this model. The stock canopy allows for an adjustable camera angle.
• 16000kV 0802 motors. Lower stator height means the props are more in line with the frame (see below)
• 40mm quad props. These were superior to the standard 3 blade props on the Snapper 7
• An actual discrete buzzer.

This is the Snapper 7 components on a Bwhoop7 frame as built here. Props sit proud of the ducts with the 0703 motors

The lower profile 0802 motors on the mobula 7 allow props to sit inside ducts for better performance and less drag

Setup
As per the instructions you'll need to bind the receiver first. Since this receiver is integrated, binding process is really easy: power on THEN hold down for bind button for 2 seconds to enter bind mode. Don't need to hold down the tiny button when powering on!!! It's a small win but a win nonetheless. Please not the receiver bind button is underneath the canopy (you'll need to remove it). The button you can see underneath the quad is for the DFU FC boot mode.

Open the canopy up with included screwdriver for accessing the bind button

This is the flight controller boot mode button, NOT the bind button

Betaflight
Great news that at the time of writing the Mobula 7 ships with betaflight 3.5.0 which is the latest major release. It is fully setup out of the factory although you may want to set up your own rates, OSD and anything else that is unique to you. Please see below for all factory settings in screenshot form.

Batteries and throttle limit
The mobula7 is capable of both 1s and 2s power supply. The stock batteries are 1s but are designed to be used in series. If you are looking a new batteries I'd recommend 2s 250-350mah and changing the connector to a JST or XT30. Most people seem to be having success with the following hobbyking batteries:
Turnigy nano-tech 300mah 2S 45~90C Lipo Pack
Turnigy Nano-Tech Plus 300mAh 2S 70C Lipo Pack

If you are looking at flying indoors I'd recommend against using larger 1s batteries (450-600mah) but instead use a throttle limit in betaflight. The advantages here are lower current draw and less battery sag. Putting the limit in betaflight rather than on your radio gives you better control and allows you to put throttle limits on an auxilliary switch. Full details on how to limit throttle in betaflight 3.4.0 and up here.

Flight performance
There has been much already said about this quads performance and it is all true. You simply cannot compare this to any brushed whoop (e.g. santa whoop) or brushless whoop that has come before, 2s makes it so much more powerful and responsive. It flies like a full sized quadcopter in terms of ability to perform freestyle moves including dives, split s, power loops except that prop wash is exaggurated due to betaflights inability to cope with this well (compared to say, NFE silverware).

Where does the mobula 7 fit?
For me you cannot beat a lightweight 1s brushed whoop running NFE sliverware in tight indoor spaces for simplicity, agility and its ability not to get confused when you bump into things. In tight indoor spaces 2s on the Mobula 7 too sensitive on the throttle unless of course you limit throttle. For outdoor flight I prefer to have no prop gaurds on micros like on my eyas x2 build. So where does the mobula 7 fit in? I think the very best scenario is a large indoor area where you can really open it up or a smaller outdoor area where people or property can be upset - reason being it is tiny, quiet and if you do happen to crash into something or someone then between prop gaurds and the extremely light weight, that something or someone is unlikely to be damaged. Furthermore I often here people asking for 1 quad that can peform in all situations - not perfect for anything in particular but capable of all. I can think of not other quad that can perform this broad role better - for example 1s brushed quads lack power for outdoor flight and ductless brushed quads will damage an inside environment.

Below is a night time flight I did that should give you a feel of the camera performance in the dark which was surprisingly fly-able. As you can see I was fairly gentle on the throtte given the lighting.

Turtle mode
It works! So much better than the 1s brushless quads - the extra voltage from 2s means turtle mode works just as well as the bigger quads on a hard surface.

Durability
Straight up this is not a strong frame, especially if you are flying in colder weather. It is however easy to fix with flexible e6000 glue available here but I would definitely recommend a spare frame available here for only $4. Apparently Happymodel are working on a new more durable frame. In my mind frame strength is the weakpoint on this quad.

Conclusions
I can genuinely see why there is a lot of hype around this quad. There is no other quad available at any price that will perform capable in both tight indoors and large outdoor space so competently. But this is not any price, it is just $80-$90 depending on where and when you buy it. Yes it has shortcomings, the frame is weak, ducts handle propwash poorly the camera performance and range is limited. But the fun this quad offers and represents easily offsets those issues. My final summary is this: If I were to go on a trip and take just 1 quad for ANY situation, it would be this one.

I hope you enjoyed the review, please feel free to like or share the article on facebook or anywhere else if you found it useful.

Spares available here:

0802 16000kV motor 

Crazybee F3 pro board

2s battery holder

Adjustable canopy

300mah batteries

40mm props

Frame

E6000 glue for frame repairs

V3 Frame - see here for full walkthrough install