Camera BetaFPV Insta360 SMO 360

The BetaFPV SMO 360 is an ultra-lightweight, high-resolution panoramic action camera engineered by BetaFPV using proprietary Insta360 imaging technology explicitly for cinematic FPV drone platforms. Stripping away the excess structural bulk, internal battery blocks, and heavy displays of standard consumer action cameras, this split-core system achieves a bare chassis weight of just 55 grams. Outfitted with twin back-to-back fisheye lenses spaced at an optimized 40mm corridor, it captures high-bitrate 5.7K spherical video with a native 360-degree dynamic range. Powered directly by wide-range flight batteries and integrated with Insta360’s industry-standard FlowState horizon-locking stabilization algorithms, the SMO 360 offers an out-of-the-box solution for capturing flawless panoramic footage where the aircraft is completely stitched out of the field of view.

Features

Co-Engineered Insta360 Core: Combines BetaFPV's minimalist, high-vibration structural FPV framing with Insta360’s high-bitrate video processing pipelines and software ecosystem.

Spherical Invisible Drone Mapping: Back-to-back panoramic fisheye optics capture full 5.7K layouts, working in tandem with desktop and mobile stitching algorithms to completely eliminate the airframe from final flight footage.

FlowState Stabilization & Horizon Lock: Integrated with advanced multi-axis electronic stabilization algorithms, ensuring ultra-smooth, cinematic capture during high-speed dives, aggressive snaps, and high-G maneuvers.

Expanded Dual-Lens Footprint: Extended 40mm spatial distance between the dual lenses provides optimal clearance for vertical airframe integration, a direct mechanical improvement over standard 34mm consumer setups.

Integrated Transmitter Telemetry Control: Supports hard-wired remote integration with flight controller UARTs, enabling pilots to trigger remote power states and toggle video recording modes via auxiliary radio transmitter switches.

High-Voltage Micro Grid Integration: Features a robust onboard BEC regulator module supporting a direct 6V to 27V DC power pipeline, allowing it to draw power directly from primary flight battery pads without external voltage regulators.

Specifications

Brand: BetaFPV (Powered by Insta360)

Model Name: SMO 360 Panoramic Action Camera Matrix

Physical Structural Net Mass: 55.0 g

Physical Footprint Dimensions: 40.0 mm × 49.6 mm × 52.0 mm

Primary Optical Aperture: F2.0 Fixed Focus Lens Array

35mm Equivalent Focal Length: 7.2 mm

Primary Input Power Interface: SH1.0 4-Pin Locking Connector

Input Operating Voltage Corridor: DC 6.0V – 27.0V Range (2S – 6S LiPo Battery Base Safe)

Video Encoding Output Format: .insv (Proprietary format for export and stitching via Insta360 Studio or App)

Compression Video Codec Protocol: H.265 (HEVC) Matrix

Maximum Video Encoding Bitrate: 100 Mbps Line Yield

Primary Video Mode Matrix: Standard Video, High Dynamic Range (HDR), Time-Lapse

Wireless Connectivity Pipelines: Bluetooth BLE 4.0 / 5G Wi-Fi Network Band (10-meter operational diagnostic radius)

Storage Matrix Compatibility: MicroSD Card Slot (Supports up to 1TB capacities; formatted to exFAT; strict UHS-I V30 speed class minimum policy)

Environmental Operating Boundaries: -20°C to 40°C (-4°F to 104°F)

Video Resolution and Frame Rate Matrix

5760 × 2880 (5.7K) @ 24 fps / 25 fps / 30 fps (2:1 Panoramic Sphere)

3840 × 1920 (4K) @ 30 fps / 50 fps (2:1 Panoramic Sphere)

3008 × 1504 (3K) @ 100 fps (2:1 High-Speed Slow-Motion)

Hardware Installation and Power Routing

The SMO 360 is optimized for drop-in mechanical convergence with the BetaFPV Pavo360 FPV quadcopter airframe by unlatching the primary top canopy shield. For custom builds or external airframe transformations, the use of a specialized SMO 4K Flexible Camera Adapter Cable is highly recommended to bridge connectivity gaps safely.

Power Wire Mapping Schema

The bundled SH1.0 4-pin harness must be precisely hand-soldered to the Flight Controller (FC) or primary Power Distribution Board (PDB) rails.

Red Wire (VBat+): Solder directly to the primary battery positive terminal pad (6V – 27V maximum input ceiling).

Black Wire (GND): Solder directly to a primary battery ground pad.

Yellow Wire (Record Trigger): Solder to a designated remappable hardware pad (e.g., a free TX pad or PINIO pad) on the flight controller.

Blue Wire (Power Mode Trigger): Solder to a designated remappable hardware pad (e.g., a secondary free TX pad or PINIO pad) on the flight controller.

Software Configuration (Betaflight PINIO Setup)

To map remote control functions from an RC transmitter toggle switch down the yellow and blue signaling leads to trigger automated video operations, execute the following CLI commands inside the Betaflight Configurator utility:

resource SERIAL_TX 1 NONE

resource PINIO 2 A09

set pinio_box = 40,41,255,255

save

Remote Triggering Operation Sequence

Once the mapping profile is committed to the flight controller memory, the secondary PINIO assignment maps out directly to USER2 mapping nodes, bridging with your designated auxiliary radio transmitter channel (e.g., AUX5).

Trigger Mechanics: To send a hardware toggle pulse to the camera's processing unit, move your selected transmitter physical switch from its default Inactive State (Low/White Area) into the Active Position (High/Yellow Area), and immediately return it back to the Inactive Position.

Pulse Sequence Result: Cycling the switch sends a momentary command pulse that switches the camera's current state (Powering ON/OFF or Starting/Stopping the 5.7K data recording stream).

Notes

Exposed Panoramic Lens Hazards: The SMO 360 camera ships from the factory production line without pre-installed outer protective glass lenses. Because the high-curvature fisheye optics protrude past the physical frame limits, they are highly susceptible to severe abrasive marking and terminal impact shattering during crashes. It is highly recommended to mount a dedicated dual-lens protective shield shell accessory before attempting flight operations.

Isolated Lead Protection Policy: If you elect not to use the automated software remote triggering capabilities, you must completely separate, clip, and wrap the exposed Yellow and Blue signaling lines with insulated heat-shrink tubing or electrical tape. Allowing loose, live control lines to brush against bare carbon fiber airframe components or ground tracks will cause an immediate catastrophic short-circuit, permanently destroying the camera processor.

Forced Direct VBat Overdrive Restriction: The onboard BEC circuit handles input up to 27V DC (6S LiPo max limits). Never connect this module to unregulated 7S–8S power delivery rigs or massive inductive motor lines prone to heavy voltage spikes, as bypassing input limits will instantly destroy the internal regulation circuitry.

Storage MicroSD Speed Thresholds: Due to the severe 100 Mbps data throughput overhead generated when writing concurrent dual-lens 5.7K video paths, standard class memory cards will experience rapid buffer choking, frame drops, or data corruption. Only install premium exFAT-formatted storage drives validating a strict UHS-I V30 rating or higher.

Package

1 x BetaFPV SMO 360 Dual-Lens 5.7K Panoramic FPV Action Camera Module

2 x Custom SH1.0 4-Pin Direct Power & Remote Control Interface Connection Cables

1 x Technical User Operational Reference Manual