What is the best ESC firmware for FPV drones?

For existing BLHeli_S ESCs, Bluejay is the best free upgrade — it adds Bidirectional DShot and RPM filtering. For new builds, AM32 is the recommended choice as the open-source 32-bit successor to BLHeli_32. Existing BLHeli_32 ESCs still work well but are discontinued with no future updates.

Can I use RPM filtering with Bluejay firmware?

Yes, Bluejay firmware (v0.16+) fully supports Bidirectional DShot and RPM filtering on BLHeli_S ESCs. This is the primary reason to flash Bluejay — it unlocks modern Betaflight features on older ESC hardware that was previously limited to basic protocols.

Why was BLHeli_32 discontinued?

BLHeli_32 development was discontinued by its creator in 2024. The developer cited the shift toward open-source alternatives (Bluejay, AM32) and the closed-source licensing model becoming unsustainable. Existing BLHeli_32 ESCs continue to work but will receive no further updates.

What is the difference between AM32 and Bluejay?

AM32 runs on 32-bit G4 MCUs and offers full ESC telemetry, up to 128 kHz PWM, and native current sensing. Bluejay runs on 8-bit EFM8 MCUs (BLHeli_S hardware) and provides Bidirectional DShot, variable PWM up to 96 kHz, and Sine mode on budget ESCs. AM32 is more powerful; Bluejay enables older hardware.

BLHeli_32 vs Bluejay vs AM32 ESC Firmware: Features, Performance, and Setup

# BLHeli_32 vs Bluejay vs AM32 ESC Firmware: Features, Performance, and Setup Comparison

The ESC firmware you choose determines your drone’s flight characteristics, motor efficiency, and available tuning features. Three major firmware ecosystems dominate the FPV world: BLHeli_32, Bluejay, and AM32. This comparison guide breaks down each option so you can choose the right firmware for your build.

## Firmware Overview

## BLHeli_32: The Legacy King

BLHeli_32 was the gold standard for years — closed-source but extremely reliable. However, the developer discontinued it in 2024.

### What Still Works Well

– **Bidirectional DShot** with RPM filtering (the feature that made it popular)
– **Full ESC telemetry** — voltage, current, temperature, RPM per ESC
– **Auto-timing** — automatically selects optimal motor timing
– **Mature, battle-tested codebase** with years of flight hours

### The Problem

With BLHeli_32 discontinued, no new features or bug fixes will be released. New ESCs are moving to Bluejay (for BLHeli_S hardware) or AM32 (for 32-bit G4 hardware). Existing BLHeli_32 ESCs will continue working indefinitely, but long-term support is dead.

## Bluejay: The BLHeli_S Revolution

Bluejay is an open-source firmware that runs on BLHeli_S ESCs (EFM8BB1/BB2 8-bit MCUs). It unlocks Bidirectional DShot, RPM filtering, and variable PWM on hardware that was previously limited to BLHeli_S’s basic features.

### Bluejay Key Features

### Bluejay Settings Table

### Bluejay Limitation: 8-bit MCU

The EFM8BB1/2 MCU on BLHeli_S ESCs is an 8-bit chip running at 48 MHz. It handles Bidirectional DShot well but struggles with:

– Very high RPM motors (50,000+ RPM) — RPM telemetry may glitch
– Simultaneous DShot + telemetry at 8K PID loops
– Complex firmware features that 32-bit MCUs handle easily

## AM32: The Open-Source 32-Bit Successor

AM32 is the open-source answer to BLHeli_32’s discontinuation. It runs on modern 32-bit G4-series MCUs (STM32G071, AT32F421) and is designed to match or exceed BLHeli_32’s feature set.

### AM32 Key Advantages

| Feature | AM32 | Bluejay | BLHeli_32 |
|———|——|———|———–|
| MCU architecture | 32-bit G4 | 8-bit EFM8 | 32-bit F0 |
| Processing power | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| ESC telemetry | Full | Limited | Full |
| PWM up to 128 kHz | ✅ | 96 kHz max | 48 kHz max |
| Native current sensor | Some ESCs | No | Some ESCs |
| Open source | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Active development | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ (discontinued) |

### AM32 Settings Table

## Which Firmware Should You Choose?

## Flashing Guide

### Flashing Bluejay to BLHeli_S

1. Visit [esc-configurator.com](https://esc-configurator.com) (web-based, Chrome required)
2. Connect FC via USB, plug in battery (props OFF)
3. Click “Read Settings” — identifies all ESCs
4. Select “Flash All” and choose latest Bluejay version
5. Set PWM Frequency, Startup Power, and other settings
6. Click “Flash” — takes 10-15 seconds per ESC

### Flashing AM32

1. Download AM32 Configurator
2. Connect via Betaflight passthrough
3. Select target matching your ESC’s MCU type
4. Flash and configure

## Recommended Hardware

Whether you need new AM32 ESCs for a modern build or want to flash Bluejay onto existing BLHeli_S hardware, [uavmodel.com](https://uavmodel.com) carries ESCs from SpeedyBee, iFlight, and GEPRC — all compatible with the latest open-source firmware.

## Watch: ESC Firmware Comparison

## Firmware Selection Checklist

– [ ] Identify current ESC hardware (BLHeli_S 8-bit or BLHeli_32/G4 32-bit)
– [ ] For BLHeli_S: Flash Bluejay for free Bidirectional DShot
– [ ] For new builds: Buy AM32 ESCs for future-proof 32-bit performance
– [ ] Set PWM frequency (24 kHz for torque, 48 kHz for smoothness)
– [ ] Enable RPM filtering in Betaflight after Bidirectional DShot is confirmed
– [ ] Configure demag and startup power appropriate for your motors
– [ ] Test hover after flashing — verify all motors run smoothly

The ESC firmware landscape has shifted dramatically since BLHeli_32’s sunset. Bluejay breathes new life into older BLHeli_S hardware, while AM32 carries the 32-bit torch forward as the open-source successor. Choose the right firmware, and your quad will fly better than ever.

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply