I was really tempted to get the Axisflying aluminium case for the DJI O4 Lite. The idea of adding standard mounting screw holes to the oddly designed DJI O4 Lite camera seemed like a game-changer. It would allow me to mount it easily on basically any 3″ or 5″ freestyle FPV frame without needing adapters or modifications. At just $109, the DJI O4 Lite is an attractive budget-friendly alternative to the full fledgedO4 Pro, which costs $219. So, a simple aluminium case to make mounting easier seemed like a great upgrade—at first.
Further Reading:
Who Is This Case For?
There are a few reasons why someone might consider this aluminium case:
- Better Cooling – The aluminium material may help with heat dissipation. The O4 Lite is known to overheat fairly quickly on the bench.
- Crash Protection – The case adds durability and protects the camera and transmission module.
- Easier Mounting – The camera case provides a standard mounting pattern, making it compatible with a wide range of frames.
Check out this DIY O4 housing from Axisflying: https://axisflying.com/products/dji-04-lite-air-unit-kit
Wish It Was Cheaper
Firstly, this case is expensive. The 20mm version of this case costs $15.90, plus $20 shipping (not including VAT). For some reason, the smaller 14mm version is even pricier at $19.90.
To make matters worse, you’ll also need a longer coaxial cable for $12.90 if you want to mount it in a 3″ or 5″ freestyle frame, and if you want ND filters, that’s another $13.90—and those ND filters are only compatible with Axisflying’s case, not with the O4 Pro or Avata 2.
A Step Backward?
Let’s be real—DJI designed the O4 Lite as an ultra-lightweight, stripped-down version of the O4 Pro to save weight and space. Why would anyone spend this much money just to put it back in a case? It completely defeats the purpose of its lightweight design.
And if you’re already spending $40 to $60 on this case and accessories, you are not that far off from getting the O4 Pro, which offers better range, penetration, image quality, latency, and features.
Finally, this case adds around 15g to the air unit, making the O4 Lite almost as heavy and bulky as the O4 Pro—eliminating its biggest advantage. Plus, you’re locked into using Axisflying’s proprietary ND filters. Because of the added weight, this case only makes sense for larger quads like 3″ and 5″ freestyle drones. For micro FPV drones, adding 15g or more is simply not practical.
Final Thoughts
The more I think about it, the less sense the Axisflying aluminium case for DJI O4 Lite makes, the extra weight cancels out the O4 Lite’s main advantages. I wish it was cheaper without the hefty $20 shipping fee, then maybe it would still be a good option for budget setups. I found a listing on AliExpress with free shipping. Even if the unit price is slightly higher, it might still be the cheaper overall. Get it on AliExpress: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_olo7CtB
With that said, I am looking forward to a O4 Pro naked kit! Micro FPV drones would definitely benefit from the cinematic capability of the O4 Pro.
