This is the latest addition to the Vortex family - the Vortex 150 Mini Racing Quadcopter. ImmersionRC have managed to take all that is loved with the Vortex 250, added to it, whilst at the same time shrinking it. The Vortex 150 Mini is packed full of features including twin F3 processors (for the flight controller and OSD), third generation 16A ESCs with OneShot125/42 and a PitStick mode for simple channel changes. 

It is the perfect quad to introduce new pilots to the mini-quad craze as no soldering is required. It is also the perfect quad for the pro pilots to hide in the corner of their backpack to bring out at a moments notice. 

The feature list is long... integrated Tramp, TNR tag, integrated microphone, pit-mode, DSMX Tx control, Multishot, 8kHz SPI gyro, Betaflight 3.0... to name just a few.

Key Features:

• Twin ‘F3’ Processors (Flight Control, and OSD)
• 3rd Gen 16A EzESCs, With OneShot125/42 support
• Fusion of 3k weave Carbon Fibre and molded, tough plastic
• Direct connection to PPM, Spektrum, S-Bus, XBus receivers
• 4s 500mAh – 750mAh battery recommended
• Sub 250 gram configuration with 500mAh pack

Fusion2 + Tramp = Synergy

The new ImmersionRC ‘Synergy’ flight controller integrates a full-graphic OSD and an onboard video transmitter based on the new Tramp HV design.
Twin F3 processors ensure an 8kHz loop time and full support of BetaFlight 3.x.
Factory calibrated power levels from 1mW -> 600mW, glitch-free channel changing, and a micro-power pit-mode ensure that the Vortex 150 will receive a warm welcome at any race event.

The Synergy weighs in at a mere 6.41g, vs. the Fusion Gen2’s 10g, the latter without a video transmitter!

Integrated Leading-edge 5.8GHz Video Tx

The fully integrated ‘Tramp’ video transmitter has all the bells and whistles. Support for all standard FPV channels and power levels from sub-1mW to >600mW.

Dynamic Power Control, introduced with the Vortex 250 Pro, is taken to a new level, pre-take-off power level may be dropped to sub-1mW while waiting on the starting grid, saving precious battery power, and keeping temperatures low.

After a crash landing the power level is dropped to a minimum to preserve battery life during the search and to help with localization using a directional antenna.

Integrated Touch’n’Race

A TNR (NFC) antenna integrated into the side of the quad provides full support for the ImmersionRC Personal and Race Director’s wand. The latter enables additional channels for events with special spectrum use permissions.

Setting your video transmitter frequency and power without touching the quad, greatly simplifying casual and race channel setup. No fiddly dip switches, no push-buttons and key-press sequences to remember and no guesswork.

DSMX Video Transmitter Control

Another first in the FPV world, ImmersionRC has teamed up with Horizon Hobbies to integrate video transmitter control into certain Spektrum(tm) radios.

Quads using this feature power up safely in pit-mode, and after finding a free channel on the video goggles, the menu on the Spektrum radio may be used to select frequency band, channel, and power level.

PitStick Mode for Simple Channel Changing

When placed in this mode, the Vortex 150 Mini will power up with the video transmitter disabled, and will only start transmitting when instructed to by a the R/C transmitter.

For mode 2 pilots, the right stick is used to select channels 1..8 using the extremes of stick movement. Up for CH1, Up-Right for CH2, etc.

Lights! Music! Action!!!

Ok, there is no music, we’ll leave that to the post-processing, but there are lights, and plenty of action!

A set of RGB LEDs sit on the tail of the Vortex Mini shine through a light-pipe diffuser, ensuring visibility from a wide angle.

Since Airgonay’s now-famous ‘Star Wars’ video, rear lights on mini-quads have become not a ‘nice to have’, but a ‘no fun without ‘m’.

‘Gen3’ 32-bit, 16-20A ESCs, with OneShot42 and 125 

Custom 16-20A ESCs supporting all of the common standards provide regenerative braking, for crisp-responsive flight using CleanFlight, or BetaFlight. A 32-bit ARM processor runs each ESC, ensuring plenty of processing power to drive even the most fussy brushless motors.

These third-generation ESCs include advanced de-sync detection critical for use with tiny brushless motors running at high rpms.

Of course no ImmersionRC ESC would be complete without our innovative rotorSENSE, which programs prop direction with the flick of a finger. No more swapping motor wires.

Full Graphic OSD, with EzOSD pedigree

An on-board full-graphic OSD provides in-flight updates of critical parameters and sports a menu which allows all options to be programmed in the field using the R/C Tx and a set of goggles, or, alternatively, an LCD screen.

A real-time interface with the flight controller enables artificial horizons, F-18 style displays and exchange of critical flight parameters.

Automatic warnings for battery capacity, voltage, and remaining flight time keep the pilot updated before batteries are exhausted.

Seven! 32-bit ARM processors

There are not many quads out there with that claim to fame, especially not in the 150mm class… the Vortex 150 Mini, like its 250 and 285 sized big-brothers sports no less than seven 32-bit ARM processors, all working together for maximum fun-factor and reliability.

A dedicated ARM for the flight controller, another for the full-graphic OSD, a third one to drive the RGB LEDs and support the TNR functionality, and finally four high performance ARMs for the custom ESCs.

Custom OSD Layouts

Several OSD layouts are included in the package:

• A classical EzOSD-type layout, with all critical parameters available on-screen.
• A Heads-Up display which would be more at home in a fighter-jet, with artificial horizon and altitude indicator.
• A Race layout, with just the critical parameters, tucked around the edges of the display.

All OSD layouts include screen-center alerts for critical warnings, such as battery voltage, EzUHF Link Critical, etc.

Pimp It!

The Vortex 285 and 250 were the first race quads supported by a large array of ‘pimp kits’, enabling users to customize their quad. The 150 Mini continues this trend, and greatly simplifies their installation, no soldering-iron required!

Vortex 250 vs Vortex 150 Mini Comparison Table:

Specifications:

• International version
• Weight: < 250 grams with 500mAh 4s pack
• Power Requirements: 3s-4s LiPo, 4s 750mAh >45C recommended
• ESCs: Full Custom, 16A cont. 20A peak, rotorSENSE, OneShot125, OneShot42, Multishot
• Motors: Custom V-Spec 1306-3200kV
• Props: RaceKraft 3″ Tri-Blades
• Flight Camera: FatShark CCD (HS1177 Sensor & Chipset)
• Receiver Compatibility: CPPM, S-Bus, Spektrum™, XBus, SumH, SumD (no external adapters required) (Auto-Sense!)
• Flight Time: Highly dependent upon battery, and flying style, 3-4 mins typical

Included in the box

• 1x Vortex 150 Mini Race Quad, Fully assembled and flight-tested
• 2x ImmersionRC Branded battery straps (Installed)
• 1x SpiroNET Omni 5.8GHz antenna (Stubby, v2)
• 1x PPM Interface Cable
• 1x Spektrum(tm) Interface Cable
• 1x SBus Interface Cable
• 8x RaceKraft 3" Tri-Blade Props

Resources:

See the Vortex 150 Mini Racing Quadcopter Manual for extra information.