Order Number: 713083
Product Name: Hm-5a10080
Brand: HappyModel
I have no video in the goggles and cannot get no access to the VTX via the provided USB cable.
A red light is visible on the VTX when powered up with the battery.
The drone arms and fly’s fine.
Being a BNF I haven’t flashed anything,
I can connect to Betaflight, just not the VTX via the provided USB.
The VTX hasn’t been over heated, and I haven’t taken anything apart.
We have been helping this customer directly via email, but if anyone else has a similar issue an experience a no video/no VTX connection issue with their brand new Happymodel Mobula8 Walksnail drone, hopefully this will help.
In this case we ultimately agreed to replace the unit for the customer, the troubleshooting process revealed several steps that might help others facing similar problems.
Symptoms:
No video feed in goggles.
Inability to connect to the VTX via the provided USB cable.
Drone arms and flies, indicating a functional flight controller.
Red light visible on the VTX when powered.
Troubleshooting Steps (Based on Customer Experience & Manufacturer Suggestions):
If you encounter a similar issue with your Mobula8 walksnail HD, here’s what you should check:
Power & Connections:
Fully Charged Battery: Ensure your 2S battery is fully charged. The walksnail VTX requires battery power to function, even when connected via USB.
Correct USB Cable: Use the provided USB cable designed for the walksnail VTX. It’s not a standard Type-C cable.
Direct Connection: Connect the USB cable directly to a USB port on your PC, avoid USB hubs.
Inspect VTX USB Port: Carefully check for any bent or damaged pins inside the VTX’s USB connector.
Test with another PC/Mac to rule out computer specific issues.
Software & Drivers:
Disable Power Saving: In your PC’s Device Manager, disable any power-saving features for USB ports.
Check Betaflight, but remember HD VTX control is via goggles.
Try with another working HD mini 1s VTX if you have one.
VTX Specific Checks:
LED Indicator: Observe the VTX’s LED behavior during startup. A solid red light usually indicates power, but the absence of other colors or blinking patterns could indicate a fault. Document this if possible.
Try re-flashing or binding the VTX if it is reachable. In this case it wasn’t possible but is a valid step.
Ensure the correct firmware version is installed for your region.
What Happened in This Case:
Despite the customer meticulously trying all the above steps (and even providing video documentation), the VTX remained unresponsive. Caddx initially suggested the troubleshooting steps listed above, then later directed the customer back to us (the retailer). Happymodel offered to replace the VTX module only, which wasn’t acceptable given the drone was brand new.
Resolution:
As the drone was within the 30-day return window and the issue appeared to be a hardware fault, we provided the customer with a full replacement.
Important Considerations:
Documentation: If you encounter this issue, document each step you take, including photos or videos of the VTX LED behavior and your connection attempts. This is helpful when dealing with manufacturers or retailers.
Firmware: Make sure your goggles and VTX are on compatible firmware versions, although in this case, the drone was BNF and shipped with a matching version.
If you’ve experienced similar issues with the Mobula8 walksnail HD VTX and found other solutions, please share them below! Your experiences can help others troubleshoot and resolve their problems.