Eachine Novice-IV 3-4S Brushless Long Range FPV Drone

1. Installation and Initial Setup

1.1 Antenna Mount and Battery Anti-slip Mat

Screw the antenna fixing mount and insert the antenna sleeve into the fixing mount. Use hot melt glue to secure the antenna sleeve. Points labeled 1, 2, and 3 in the diagram require hot melt glue for fixing.

Diagram Description: An image shows the Eachine Novice-IV drone with numbered points (1, 2, 3) indicating areas where hot melt glue should be applied to secure the antenna mount and sleeve.

1.2 Battery Installation

Radio Transmitter: Install the battery into the radio transmitter (as shown in Picture A). Turn on the power switch. Press any key to skip any alarm messages that may appear on the screen (as shown in Picture B).

Drone Battery: Connect the battery to the NOVICE-IV Drone and ensure it is securely fastened using the LiPo strap.

Image Description A: Shows the radio transmitter battery being installed. Image Description B: Shows the radio screen displaying an alarm message.

2. Specifications

3. Features

• The lightest 4-inch LR FPV drone.
• New AIO Flight controller with 25A ESC.
• Efficiency 1404 KV2750 brushless motor.
• Long flight time: around 20 minutes with stock battery (sub 250g).
• Around 31 minutes flight time with 4s 18650 3000mAh battery.
• Very stable and easy to control.
• Includes M8N GPS Rescue system.
• Equipped with Buzzer and LED drone tracker finder.
• Distance Range: more than 1KM in an open area without interference.

4. Flight Operations

4.1 Starting FPV Flight

Install the antenna to the radio and the goggles. Power on your radio and goggles. The NOVICE-IV is pre-bound to your radio and set to the correct video channel for your goggles. Connect the drone battery. Place the NOVICE-IV on a stable surface for calibration, which takes a few seconds. The drone is now ready to fly. Please fly in open areas, away from crowds and buildings.

Image Description: Shows the remote controller and FPV goggles, with the drone battery connected.

4.2 Flight and Radio Stick Controls

Always use caution when flying and operate in an open, controllable area. Familiarize yourself with the flight controls before powering on the aircraft. The left stick controls throttle (up/down) and yaw direction (left/right). The right stick controls pitch (forward/backward) and roll (left/right).

Left Stick Diagram:

• Throttle Up: Climb
• Throttle Down: Descend
• Yaw Left: Nose Yaws Left
• Yaw Right: Nose Yaws Right

Right Stick Diagram:

• Pitch Up: Forward
• Pitch Down: Backward
• Roll Left: Left
• Roll Right: Right

4.3 Flight Modes

Toggle the SB switch to change the flight mode. The default mode is Air Mode. Angle Mode is highly recommended for beginners. Note: In Air Mode, the motors will auto-spin when armed.

Diagram Description: Illustrates different flight modes (Air Mode, Angle Mode) and the SB switch.

5. Advanced Functions

5.1 DT-B90 Buzzer & LED Finder

The DT-B90 Finder can power itself to beep and flash an LED even if the drone battery is ejected.

• To turn it on, press the button for 2-3 seconds.
• The buzzer can be activated using the AUX4 (SF Switch) channel.
• To turn it off, press the button for 2-3 seconds after disconnecting the main battery.

5.2 Eachine M8N GPS Rescue Function

For the GPS rescue function to work:

1. Before arming, the GPS must acquire a lock on more than 6 satellites to establish the home position.
2. After arming, observe the OSD data during flight. The rescue function is only active if the flight distance exceeds 100 meters; otherwise, the drone may crash.
3. If the remote controller signal is lost suddenly, the GPS rescue function will automatically activate, returning the drone to the home position. However, the drone will not land automatically. You must regain control by slightly adjusting the stick when the remote control signal is restored, then guide the drone to land.
4. To prevent accidental activation, the GPS rescue function is not enabled by default via an Aux channel. You can configure this in the Betaflight configurator's 'Modes' tab.

6. Battery Charging

Radio Battery Charge: Connect the charger to the radio battery. The charger emits a "drop" sound, and the display shows the battery voltage. After charging, the display shows "FULL" and flashes, with a buzzer sounding every five seconds. Charging stops automatically when the battery is full.

Main Battery Charge: Insert the battery into the charger. The charger emits "drip - drip" sounds twice to start charging. The display cycles through total battery voltage and current battery voltage. After the battery is fully charged, the charger stops automatically, displaying "FULL" and flashing, with a buzzer sounding every five seconds.

Diagram Description: Shows separate charging indicators for the radio battery and the main drone battery.

7. Flight Controller and Configuration

7.1 Flight Controller Connection Diagram

Diagram Description: A diagram of the flight controller board is shown, with various pins labeled: GND, +5V, 3-4S BAT+, BOOT, VCC, Video_in, TX6, RX6, IR, Video_out, VCC+9V, TX1, LED_STRIP, RX2, RX1, BUZ-, TX2, M4_A/B/C, M3_A/B/C, BAT+, M2_A/B/C, M1_A/B/B.

7.2 Binding Procedure

1. Press and hold the BIND button on the receiver, then plug in the USB to power it. After approximately 3 seconds, the receiver's Red LED will be solid, indicating it is in bind mode.
2. In the radio transmitter's multi-mode settings, select the Frsky D8 protocol and press the [BIND] option. The receiver's red LED should blink rapidly, signifying a successful bind. Unplug and then replug the USB. A solid red LED indicates the connection with the radio is established.

LED Status Meanings:

• Solid: Normal operation or in Bind mode.
• Blinking: Bind successful.
• Turned off: No RC signal.

7.3 Receiver Configuration (Betaflight Configurator)

In the Betaflight Configurator:

• Ports Tab: Enable Serial RX for UART6.
• Configuration Tab: Set Receiver Mode to "Serial-based receiver" and select "SBUS" as the Serial Receiver Provider.

Note: Do not disable MSP on the first serial port unless you are certain of the consequences, as it may require reflashing and erasing your configuration.

Diagram Description: Screenshots of the Betaflight Configurator's Ports and Configuration tabs, showing the settings for receiver configuration.

7.4 VTX Bands and Channels Setup

Diagram Description: Shows the VTX board with connections for U.FL, GND, +5V out, Cam_IN, Video_IN, Video_out, GND, +5V Input, and smare Audio.

VTX Frequency and Channel Table:

There are three methods to switch VTX channels:

1. Short press the switch button to select the VTX channel. Press and hold the button to select the VTX Band (this setting is temporary and will be lost upon power off).
2. Use Betaflight CLI: Type the commands set vtx_band=X, set vtx_channel=Y, and then save. (Note: vtx_freq must match vtx_band and vtx_channel as per the table).
3. Enable Smartaudio for UART1. Use the transmitter sticks (THR MID + YAW LEFT + PITCH UP) to enter the OSD Menu, navigate to Features, then VTX SA to set the VTX Band and channel.

7.5 Goggles and VTX Receiver Channel Setting

Diagram Description: Shows the buttons and ports on the goggles/VTX receiver unit. Buttons include: 1) CH+/Band+, 2) POWER and RETURN, 3) SRC/MENU, 4) SEARCH, 5) CHARGING PORT, 6) RESET, 7) TF CARD SLOT, 8) VIDEO IN/AUDIO OUT PORT, 9) Pic/Rec.

Button Functions:

• CH+/Band+: Short press to cycle through channels 1-8.
• POWER and RETURN: Long press to boot/shut down. Short press during operation to return.
• SRC/MENU: Short press to select video sources (V-in/RF A/RF B/Diversity). Long press to call out the MENU.
• SEARCH: Press to automatically search for signals.
• CHARGING PORT: DC 5-18V wide range recharging port/power backup port (typically @ 5V/2A).
• RESET: Reset hole; shut down the device if necessary.
• TF CARD SLOT: Supports up to 32GB (typical @ C10).
• VIDEO IN/AUDIO OUT PORT: Video input @ AV in mode; Audio output @ RF mode.
• Pic/Rec: Short press to take a screenshot. Long press to start recording video, then a short press to save. In MENU operations, use buttons 3 (down), 4 (+ settings), and 1 (- settings).

Charging Indicator LED: Red = charging, Green = fully charged.

VTX Channel Frequency Table (Alternative View):

7.6 Mixer Type, ESC/Motor Protocol, and Sensor Alignment

Propeller Installation: Fix CCW propellers onto the M1 and M4 motors (CCW motors). Fix CW propellers onto the M2 and M3 motors (CW motors).

ESC/Motor Features:

• Firmware target: H-40
• BLHeli_S Revision: 16.80
• Motor Direction: Normal / Reversed
• Demag Compensation: Low / Medium / High
• Motor Timing: Medium / High
• Motor poles (number of magnets on the motor bell): 12
• Motor Idle Throttle Value: 5.5%
• Motor STOP: Enabled / Disabled
• ESC_SENSOR: Enabled / Disabled
• ESC/Motor protocol: DSHOT600
• Don't spin the motors when armed: Enabled / Disabled
• Use KISS/BLHeli_32 ESC telemetry over a separate wire: Enabled / Disabled
• Bidirectional DShot (requires supported ESC firmware): Enabled / Disabled

Board and Sensor Alignment:

• Roll Degrees: 90
• Pitch Degrees: 90
• Yaw Degrees: 180
• MAG Alignment: Default

8. GPS and GPS Rescue Settings

In Betaflight Configurator:

• GPS: Enable GPS for navigation and telemetry.
• Protocol: UBLOX
• Ground Assistance Type: GPS Rescue
• Set Home Point Once: Enabled
• GPS Rescue Settings:
  • Initial altitude (meters): 100
  • Descent distance (meters): 100
  • Ground speed (meters/second): 15.00
  • Throttle minimum: 1100
  • Throttle maximum: 1600
  • Throttle hover: 1280
  • Ascend rate (meters/second): 5.00
  • Descend rate (meters/second): 1.50
  • Return to Home: Enabled
  • Minimum satellites: 6
• Allow arming without fix: WARNING: GPS Rescue will not be available.

Diagram Description: Screenshot of the Betaflight Configurator GPS and GPS Rescue settings interface.

9. Radio Channels/Switch and Betaflight Mode Setting

Diagram Description: An illustration of the Eachine TX12 radio transmitter, showing the handle, antenna, TYPE-C USB port, trainer port, switches (SE, SB, SF, SC), buttons (SA, SD, SYS, RTN, PAGE, TELE), slider pots (S1, S2), gimbals, menu wheel, and LCD screen.

Betaflight Mode Settings (Example using switches):

• SE Switch (3 Position): Typically mapped to flight modes like ANGLE, HORIZON, ACRO.
• SB Switch (3 Position): Can be used for ARM, OFF, or other functions.
• SF Switch (3 Position): Often used for GPS Rescue, ARM, OFF, or other modes.
• SA Button: Can be assigned to BEEPER, ARM, or other functions.
• S1 Slider Pot: Can control features like rates or expo.
• S2 Slider Pot: Can control features like rates or expo.

Channel Ranges (Example):

• AUX 1 (SE): Min: 1000, Max: 2100
• AUX 2 (SB): Min: 1800, Max: 2100
• AUX 3 (SF): Min: 1700, Max: 2100
• AUX 4 (SA): Min: 1000, Max: 2100

Diagram Description: Screenshots showing channel mapping and settings in Betaflight Configurator, including AUX channels and their minimum/maximum values.

10. ESC Check and Firmware Update

10.1 ESC Check and Flash Firmware

1. Download the latest BLHeliSuite from: https://www.mediafire.com/folder/dx6kfaasyo241/BLHeliSuite
2. Connect the NOVICE-IV flight controller to your computer via USB.
3. Open your computer's Device Manager. Navigate to Ports (COM & LPT). Ensure the COM port serial number is under 255; otherwise, BLHELISUITE may not connect. You can change the COM port serial number by accessing Advanced Settings for the COM port.
4. Diagram Description: Shows Device Manager with COM ports listed, and a dialog for Advanced Settings of a COM port, highlighting the COM Port Number field.
5. Open BLHELISUITE. Select "SILABS BLHeli Bootloader (Cleanflight)" from the third tab. Select the correct Serial COM port and click "Connect". You can also flash new BLHeli_s firmware using BLHEILISUITE; the firmware target is "F-H-40".
6. Diagram Description: Screenshot of the BLHeliSuite software interface, showing ESC setup options like Startup Power, Motor Direction, Motor Timing, and buttons for Read Setup, Write Setup, Flash BLHeli.
7. Click "Check" to view details of the 4-in-1 ESC.

ESC Setup Options:

• Startup Power: 1.00
• Temperature Protection: 140
• Low RPM Power Protect: On
• Motor Direction: Normal / Reversed
• Demag Compensation: Low / Medium / High
• Motor Timing: Medium / High
• Motor poles: 12
• Motor Idle Throttle Value: 5.5%
• PPM Min Throttle: 1148
• PPM Max Throttle: 1832
• PPM Center Throttle: 1488
• Startup Beep Volume: 40
• Beacon/Signal Volume: 80
• Beacon Delay: 10 minutes
• Brake On Stop: Off

10.2 Flight Controller Firmware Update

1. Install the latest STM32 Virtual COM Port Driver from: http://www.st.com/web/en/catalog/tools/PF257938
2. Install the STM BOOTLOAD Driver (for STM Device in DFU MODE).
3. Open the Betaflight configurator. Choose the firmware target "BETAFLIGHTF4" and select the desired firmware version.
4. Enter DFU Mode:
   • Method 1: Press and hold the boot button, then plug the USB into the computer.
   • Method 2: Load the Betaflight firmware and click "Flash"; it will automatically enter DFU Mode.
5. Open Zadig tools to replace the drivers from "STM32 Bootloader" to "WINUSB Driver".
6. Diagram Description: Shows the Zadig tool interface with options to select a driver, highlighting the "Replace Driver" button and the selection of WINUSB.
7. Reconnect the flight controller to the computer after driver replacement. Open Betaflight Configurator, load the firmware, and flash it.