Smart LiPo (Lithium Polymer) batteries like the ISDT BattAir are revolutionizing the hobby with built-in safety features, real-time data monitoring, and improved efficiency. In this review, we explore the second-generation smart FPV LiPo battery, exploring its performance, durability, and how it enhances your flying experience. Whether you’re a freestyle pilot or a long-range explorer, let’s determine if this battery is worth adding to your gear!
The performance and longevity of your LiPo battery are crucial when flying FPV drones. Three key factors—C-Rating, Internal Resistance (IR), and Cell Balance significantly determine how well your battery performs and lasts.
The C-rating of an FPV battery indicates its maximum discharge rate or how quickly it can deliver energy. It is expressed as a multiplier of the battery’s capacity. For example, these BattAir LiPo V2 1300mAh batteries with an 80C rating can theoretically deliver 104A (1.3Ah × 80C).
Internal Resistance (IR) measures how much a battery resists the current flow. It is typically measured in milliohms (mΩ) and is a critical factor affecting performance and battery life. The lower the IR, the better, allowing the battery to deliver power efficiently while minimizing voltage sag and heat generation. New LiPos should have a reading between 2 and 20 mΩ, depending on the pack’s capacity and quality.
A LiPo pack consists of multiple cells connected in series, each providing approximately a nominal voltage of 3.7V. For example, a 4S battery has four cells, and a 6S battery has six cells, resulting in nominal voltages of 14.8V and 22.2V, respectively. Proper cell balance ensures each cell maintains the same voltage, vital for performance and safety.
ISDT BattAir 4S & 6S LiPo V2 Review
Disclosure: I received these smart LiPo batteries for a product review collaboration with ISDT. Product specifications and quality may vary depending on the manufacturer’s reliability, so I cannot guarantee that you will receive a battery that performs exactly as seen in my review, especially since I received a sample unit from the test batch.
Last month, ISDT sent me four packs of Gen 2 BattAir LiPos—two 4S and two 6S 1300mAh batteries. These batteries are sold in pairs and are nicely packed in a fireproof bag. The cells inside the pack are made by SEFU, a company dedicated to the R&D, production, and sale of high-quality lithium polymer batteries with super 120C continuous rate discharge technology. Both packs use the same sized cells, and they arrived with ~3.74 cell voltage, below the optimal voltage (~3.8v/cell) for long-time storage.
According to ISDT, the cells incorporate carbon to create a single layer just 0.335nm thick, resulting in an ultra-thin battery substrate. This dense compound allows electrons to flow with less resistance, outperforming traditional LiPo battery technologies.
To reduce power usage during storage, the Bluetooth transmission can be turned off after a specific time and wake up when needed by shaking the battery pack. Shaking sensitivity can be adjusted to avoid accidental triggering. Unfortunately, minor power consumption still exists, which can lead to total discharge while sitting on the shelf. To avoid this, it is recommended that their voltage be checked every few months.
The ISDT BattAir LIPO V2 batteries have metal side shields for improved impact resistance. The 80C guaranteed by these batteries may not sound like much, considering that are 240C batteries on the market, but it’s enough for most pilots. They have JST-XH balance cables and XT60 discharge connectors.
Key features
- [Battery information visualization] This feature details the battery manufacturer, capacity, voltage, and more, helping users monitor their battery’s status more effectively. You can manage multiple BattAir batteries via the mobile APP, making it easier to manage multiple batteries simultaneously.
- [Smart recording of charge and discharge cycles] It automatically records the number of charge and discharge cycles, helping you better manage its usage.
- [Customizable storage and discharge cycles] You can customize the battery’s storage and discharge cycles to maximize lifespan.
- [Shake to connect] The battery has a motion sensor—shake it to wake it up.
4S 1300mAh ISDT BattAir V2 (B4S13X2)
The BattAir 4S 1300mAh v2 measures 73×62×45mm and weighs 154 grams. Thanks to the slim design, they can be used in parallel for longer flight time and battery fail-safe redundancy or in series for an 8S setup. The 4S packs have an average internal resistance of 7 mΩ.
Technical specifications
Capacity | 1300mAh |
Voltage | 14.8V / 4-Cell / 4S1P |
Power | 19.24Wh |
Energy density | 0.128Wh/1gr |
Discharge rate | 80C |
Output connector | XT60 (AWG12 cable) |
Balance connector | JST / XH |
Size | 73×62×45mm |
Weight | 150 grams |
6S 1300mAh ISDT BattAir V2 (B6S13X2)
The BattAir 6S 1300mAh v2 measures 63×52×35mm and weighs more than 214 grams. These LIPOs are suitable for applications that require high power output and lightweight design. High voltage (22.2V nominal) provides more power, efficiency, and punch than 4S packs. They are perfect for 5-inch and 6-inch FPV drones.
During my tests, I averaged 11 minutes of flight time with my FlyFish-RC Volador II VD6 long-range drone equipped with Flash 2506 1750KV motors and a DJI O4 Air Unit Pro digital FPV system. The take-off weight, including the battery, was 750 grams. I’m currently about 20+ cycles through each of my ISDT BattAir V2 6s 1300mAh batteries, and I’m still getting excellent balance charges and not seeing performance degradation.
Technical specifications
Capacity | 1300mAh |
Voltage | 22.2 / 6-Cell / 6S1P |
Power | 28.86Wh |
Energy density | 0.139Wh/1gr |
Discharge rate | 80C |
Output connector | XT60 (AWG12 cable) |
Balance connector | JST / XH |
Size | 63×52×35mm |
Weight | 214 grams |
BattAir App
ISDT’s second-generation batteries work with the same mobile app as its predecessors. The BattAir APP is available for both Android and iOS devices. The app is minimalist and hasn’t evolved much in the last year since I started using it.
The app allows you to monitor all your batteries at a glance. The details page shows the charging level (as a percentage), total voltage, individual cell voltages, and temperature. Cells with the lowest and highest voltages are highlighted in different colors for quick identification. Additionally, you can assign custom names to each BattAir pack for easier tracking.
Pricing and availability
The BattAir batteries were produced in limited quantities to test the market. These next-generation smart batteries are exclusively available in the company’s online store, and both are currently on sale. The 4S 1300mAh was available for $27.81/pair (29%), and the 6S 1300mAh for $37.81/pair (23% off). These prices also include a fireproof bag.
What’s improved? Gen 2 vs. Gen 1 BattAir
As you can see in the photo below, the second-generation BattAir has a much more compact form factor, which results in a lower weight.
V1 6S 1300mAh | V2 6S 1300mAh | |
Size | 80x47x37mm | 63×52×35mm |
Volume | 139120 millimeters3 | 114660 millimeters3 |
Weight | 240g | 208g |
Energy density | 0.120Wh/1gr | 0.139Wh/1gr |
Discharge rate | 85C | 80C |
Average IR | 11.2 mΩ | 6.9 mΩ |
Cell manufacturer | N/A | SEFU |
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Absolutely useless to have such smart features on FPV LiPos. The BT module just adds extra weight and drains power while idle (not used)…