The beeper (or buzzer) is a valuable component of your FPV drone. A beeper is basically an audio detector that emits a loud, sustained sound to help locate the drone after a collision. It can also serve as a status indicator for the drone. In this guide, we’ll break down the different types of FPV drone beeps available and help you understand which type is best suited to your needs. I’ll also briefly explain how to connect to your drone and set it up in Betaflight.
Purpose of Beeper on FPV Drone
There are many reasons why you might want to install a beeper on your drone.
- Model lost alarm – If the drone is out of sight after a collision, a beep will help you locate the drone.
- low voltage warning – A beep sounds when the battery voltage is low to let you know it is time to land.
- Drone Status – Alert sounds help you identify the current status of the drone.
Types of FPV drone beepers
Let’s take a look at the main types of beepers available for FPV drones.
default beeper
The most basic option is a simple beep (sometimes called an “active buzzer”). It usually has two pins and can be soldered directly to the flight controller. Please do not use “passive buzzers” as they require AC voltage to operate and are not compatible with FPV drone flight controllers.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Basic pagers are the most popular choice because they are small, lightweight, easy to install, and very affordable. However, it will stop working if the battery is disconnected or completely discharged, making it unreliable in a crash scenario.
This beacon is a solid choice for beginners or people looking for a cheap and simple solution but who don’t need high reliability after a crash.
Where to buy
The diameter of a standard basic tone is 12 mm, and tests have shown that the maximum volume is about 89 dB at a distance of 20 cm.
As for the micro drones, they weigh only 0.7g and there is also a mini version with a diameter of 9mm, but it is quieter at around 86dB at a distance of 20cm.
wiring
Simply connect the beeper to the dedicated buzzer pad on your flight controller. These pads are typically labeled “BZ+” and “BZ-” or “B+” and “B-”.
Betaflight Settings
First, set the switches you want to use on your radio. If you’re not sure how to do this, see the tutorial here: https://oscarliang.com/setup-switch-mixes/
Activate it in Betaflight’s Mods tab beeper Activate it by assigning a switch. Learn more about the Modes tab here: https://oscarliang.com/betaflight-modes/
You can then activate this beeper by flipping the switch assigned to the transmitter, which will send a signal to the flight controller to emit an audible warning. The beeper also activates automatically under certain conditions, such as low battery.
If you find the beeping annoying under certain conditions (e.g. while a USB cable is connected to the bench), you can disable certain options on the configuration page.
Beeper with built-in battery
This beeper comes with an integrated battery, which means it will operate much more reliably in crash situations where the drone battery is disconnected or completely discharged.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Because these types of beepers have their own power source, they will continue to beep for hours after a power outage, increasing your chances of finding your drone. This beacon is the preferred choice of many FPV pilots, especially on long-distance flights.
The downside is that these beepers are much more expensive and take up more space and weight, making them unsuitable for small FPV drones. Charging and maintenance checks are also required to ensure the internal battery is operating optimally.
Where to buy
Vifly Finder Mini (3g, up to 7 hours battery):
VIFLY offers a higher-end model called the Finder V2, which includes bright LEDs and a light sensor that detects ambient light. This allows the beeper to blink the LED at night and save power during the day. The light reflects so you can easily see it at night. It’s bigger than the mini, but it’s also louder.
Vifly Finder V2 (5g, up to 30 hours battery):
wiring
Beepers with built-in batteries typically have three wires. An additional ground wire is required to charge the beeper’s internal battery. Connect GND to GND, 5V to B+, and B- to B-.
Betaflight Settings
The beeper settings with a built-in battery are the same as the default beeper settings.
First, configure your radio’s switches if you haven’t already done so. There’s a tutorial here if you need it: https://oscarliang.com/setup-switch-mixes/
Activate it in the Betaflight mode tab beeper Assign the switch to activate. More information about the Modes tab can be found here: https://oscarliang.com/betaflight-modes/
Flipping the switch on the transmitter to activate the beeper will send a signal to the flight controller, which will beep. It also activates automatically under certain conditions, such as low battery.
wireless pager
The latest innovation in pager technology, wireless pagers are completely self-contained devices that do not need to be connected to the drone’s flight controller. For example, VIFLY Beacon is a popular choice in this category.
The beeper charges via USB-C and lasts up to 30 hours on a single charge. It features a built-in motion sensor that automatically activates audible sounds after sudden movements, such as collisions. You can also manually activate the beeper before takeoff so that it sounds throughout the flight until you manually turn it off upon landing.
These types of beacons are especially useful because they are easy to install, require no soldering, and operate independently of the drone’s batteries or electronics. The motion sensor allows it to be activated in a collision even if the drone loses battery power. This “wireless” beeper is particularly suitable for DJI camera drones such as the Mavic and Mini series due to its standalone nature. However, for custom FPV drones, traditional “wired” beeps are usually a better option.
One downside is that you have to remember to activate the radio beacon before every flight and it needs to be recharged regularly before each session. In some cases, it is possible that a collision may cause the beeper to not be activated, so it is best to manually activate the beeper before flight.
Get your ViFly beacon here:
Dshot Beacon
If you have a micro drone that doesn’t have enough power to carry even a basic beeper, or if your drone doesn’t have a beeper at all, you can enable the DShot Beacon in Betaflight to use the motor as a beeper. Although not as loud as a dedicated pager, it provides audible assistance to help locate the drone after a crash.
One requirement to use DShot beacons is that the ESC and FC must run the DShot protocol. If your FC or ESC is too old to support DShot, you’re out of luck. You may consider upgrading FC and ESC: https://oscarliang.com/flight-controller/#The-Best-FC- Recommendations
Besides the low volume, another downside is that the motors cannot beep during flight, so alarms such as low voltage warnings will not work. Also, setting the DShot beacon volume too high can cause the motor to overheat, so be careful not to increase the volume to maximum without proper testing.
There is a detailed tutorial on how to set up a DShot beacon: https://oscarliang.com/dshot-beacon/
Tips for using beeps effectively
Consider the environment
If you frequently fly over open fields or forested areas, a pager with a built-in battery, such as the VIFLY Finder V2, can be especially useful. This type of beep can help you find a downed drone more easily, even if the main battery is discharged in a crash.
Test your beeps regularly
Before each flight, activate the beeper with your transmitter to ensure the beeper is working properly. Regular maintenance ensures that it’s working properly when you need it most.
Solder safely
For beepers that require soldering, make sure the connections are strong and clean. A reliable connection is especially important for primary beepers that power main batteries.
How to make beep louder
You can increase the volume by connecting multiple buzzers in parallel (link) or by using a buzzer with a higher voltage rating and providing a higher voltage, such as 12V (link).
How to make beep sounds quieter
If the beep is too loud, you can reduce the volume by placing a resistor in series with the positive or negative pin. This reduces current flow, lowering the volume. The greater the resistance, the greater the volume reduction.
final thoughts
The tone you choose will depend on your flying environment and personal needs. A well-chosen beeper can make a big difference in recovering your drone after a crash. Whether you choose a basic, battery-backed, wireless, or motor-based beeper, having any form of audio beacon can give you peace of mind every time you fly.
