iFlight BLITZ F7 V1.1 flight controller: Is it good?

The flight controller (FC) is the brain of the FPV drone and is probably the most critical component, as it is responsible for stabilizing the drone. The FC generates the motors’ control signals based on the pilot’s and sensors’ inputs. If you are starting with this hobby, I strongly recommend using BetaFlight-based flight controllers like this iFlight BLITZ F7 V1.1 -BF has the largest community with many helpful online resources.

The iFlight BLITZ F7 V1.1 uses the latest generation STM32 F722 high-performance microprocessor. In addition to the onboard 32GB flash memory and six UART ports, the board features BMI270 gyro and DPS310 barometer (air-pressure) sensors.

With a 30x30mm mounting pattern, the BLITZ F7 V1.1 is intended for five-inch and larger FPV drones. iFlight uses this FC in many ready-to-fly drones, such as the Nazgul 5, Chimera7, and Helion 10.

iFlight BLITZ F7 V1.1 review

Disclosure: I received this digital F722 flight controller for a product review collaboration with iFlight. Although the FC was offered for free, all opinions in this article remain mine, and the sponsor did not influence me. They didn’t have any special requirements for writing or accessing my review before publishing.

The BLITZ F7 V1.1 flight controller comes in a plastic box with two types of ESC cables and tones of servo cables, including DJI Air Unit cable. A set of silicone grommets for soft mounting is also provided in the kit. The manufacturing date on the box is 02 November 2023, and I received it through their EU warehouse on 03 December 2023.

Without any cable connected, the FC weighs around 8 grams. It measures 36.5*35 mm and has a 30.5*30.5mm/4mm mounting pattern. The unit has six connectors for extensions and a Type-C socket for firmware upgrade. It has four status LEDs: Bat, 5V, 3.3V, and Start. If you prefer hardwiring, well-sized soldering pads and a 4-pin Buzzer/LED header are on the back.

To power external devices such as the VTX and FPV cameras, it has onboard 5V 2A and 10V 2A BECs (electronic voltage regulators). It has 32MB onboard flash memory for blackboxing.

Big thumbs up to the excellent PCB layout and all the clearly labeled solder pads and connectors. My only complaint is that it can’t be used with original DJI VTX cables because signal pins are divided into two headers. Anyway, I hope it will work as well as it looks.

iFlight BLITZ F7 V1.1 firmware

Even though the label on the case says it comes with pre-installed Betaflight 4.4.0 firmware, connecting it to the BF configurator, I found out it has an older version of v4.3.2 software. Stock configuration can be downloaded from here. The board is compatible with the latest V4.4.3 BF and can be flashed without issue.

Pricing, availability, and other options

The BLITZ F7 V1.1 is priced at $59.99 on iFlight’s website. This price includes tons of UART cables and rubber grommets. For $129.99, you can also find it in a combo pack with 4in1 55ESC. If you prefer the 20x20mm mounting pattern, iFlight also has the “Mini” version of this flight controller, priced at $63.99. Recently, iFlight opened an EU warehouse where you can get this FC for €92,99. iFlight products are also available on Amazon and other platforms.

iFlight BLITZ F7 V1.1: Technical parameters

Original BLITZ F7 vs. V1.1 edition: What’s improved?

The most significant difference between the original (V1.0) and V1.1 is the gyro sensor (6-axis Motion Tracking). Since February 2022, due to the lack of stocks, iFlight switched from MPU6000 to the Bosch BMP280. Initially, the FPV community was skeptical of the new sensor’s performance. Later, the test results showed that the BM280 produced slightly less noise and had better stability. The V1.1 also has improved circuit design, better components, and lower electrical noise.

iFlight BLITZ F7 V1.1: ESC compatibility

Flight controllers work with ESCs (electronic speed controllers) to drive the motors in tandem. It is compatible with BLHeli and Blheli_32 MCUs. The BLITZ F7 has four motor signals and can be used with four individual ESCs or a 4in1 module. The wiring between the FC and ESC can be done through the onboard connector or direct soldering. iFlight provides two types of ESC cables with the FC for wider compatibility. It has RX and Current pins for ESC telemetry. For my project (a 9″ long-range), I paired it with the iFlight BLITZ E55 4-IN-1 ESC.

When using ESCs and FCs from different brands, the pinout between these boards might be incompatible, so it’s essential to double-check the wiring before connecting the LIPO battery!

iFlight BLITZ F7 V1.1 alternatives

Most flight controller brands offer similar F722 flight controllers. Here on FirstQuadcopter, we reviewed the RushFPV Blade F722 V2, SKYSTARS F722HD Pro, and JHEMCU GF30F722-ICM. The BLITZ F7 and Blade F722 feature many onboard connectors, allowing solder-free wiring. What I liked most about the Blade FC is the protective cover with a pinout diagram. The GF30F722 is slightly cheaper than the BLITZ F7 V1.1 but is lower quality.

When you look for an F7 flight controller, besides the price, consider the number of UART ports your build will need, as well as the mounting pattern. As mentioned at the beginning of my review, the BLITZ F7 V1.1 features six full UART ports, although most of the alternatives have only five. While the BLITZ F7 uses high-quality BOSCH gyro, budget FCs use unbranded sensors with questionable performances.