FPV Starlight JS-18Por vs Caddx Ratel Pro: A Low-Light Comparison

Comparison by specification

Values follow this order: FPV Starlight JS-18Por / Caddx Ratel Pro 1500TVL.

• Manufacturer: Not stated / Caddx
• Resolution: 1800 TVL / 1500 TVL [1]
• Sensor: BSI CMOS (size not stated) / 1/1.8” BSI [1]
• Minimum illumination: 0.00001 Lux (F/1.2, AGC ON) / 0.00001 Lux [1]
• WDR: >100 dB / Super WDR (HDR) [1]
• Noise reduction: 3DNR / 3-DNR [1]
• Modes: Full Color / black-and-white / Day/Night: Auto / Color / B&W / EXT [1]
• Lens: 2.7 mm / Not stated
• Field of view: 125° / 125° [1]
• Video system: PAL / NTSC (CVBS output) / NTSC / PAL, switchable [1]
• Image format: Not stated / 4:3 / 16:9, switchable [1]
• Power: DC 5–27 V / DC 4.5–27 V [1]
• Size: 19 × 19 × 26 mm / 19 × 19 × 27 mm [1]
• Weight: 8.8 g / 9.5 g
• Price (retail): 1 500 ₴ / 1 850 ₴
• Batch pricing: 100+ pcs - 1 480 ₴, 500+ pcs - 1 450 ₴ / Calculated individually

What the differences mean

1800 versus 1500 TVL. TVL describes the detail of an analogue image. It does not show how a camera behaves in weak light or in a scene with a large brightness range, so TVL alone cannot predict the real image. More in “How to Choose an FPV Camera: TVL, Lux, WDR and PAL/NTSC”.

The same 0.00001 Lux. For Starlight JS-18Por the value is given with conditions (F/1.2, AGC ON). The Ratel Pro specification we used [1] does not list measurement conditions. Minimum illumination depends on the lens, gain and the criterion for a usable image, so the two numbers cannot be compared directly. See “As Daylight Fades”.

WDR. Starlight states “>100 dB”, while Ratel Pro names the technology “Super WDR (HDR)”. These are different forms of description and cannot be compared directly.

Modes and video format. Starlight has Full Color and black-and-white modes and 3DNR noise reduction. According to Caddx, Ratel Pro has 3-DNR and Day/Night modes and lets you change the NTSC/PAL system and the 4:3 / 16:9 image format. The Starlight product page lists “PAL / NTSC” without describing switching. Format matching is covered in “PAL vs NTSC in FPV Cameras”.

Price and batches

The retail price of Starlight JS-18Por is 1 500 ₴ and Ratel Pro is 1 850 ₴: a difference of 350 ₴ per unit. Starlight has confirmed tiers: 1 500 ₴ for 1–99 pcs, 1 480 ₴ from 100 pcs and 1 450 ₴ from 500 pcs. For Ratel Pro, batches are calculated individually.

You can estimate a Starlight batch in the calculator; batch order terms are on the “Wholesale and batch FPV cameras” page.

Who each camera may suit

FPV Starlight JS-18Por. If you need a low-light camera with 1800 TVL, a Full Color mode, WDR >100 dB and 3DNR, plus batch price tiers, it is worth considering. The product page does not state the manufacturer or country of origin for this model.

Caddx Ratel Pro. If manufacturer-documented parameters matter - a 1/1.8” BSI sensor, Super WDR, switchable NTSC/PAL and 4:3 / 16:9 - Ratel Pro is the logical one to look at. Its product page also notes that the camera is not intended for complete darkness.

No single table parameter replaces comparing real footage in the conditions where the camera will work.

How to choose between them

1. Describe the lighting. Dusk, night with limited light, or changing light.
2. Check power. DC 5–27 V versus DC 4.5–27 V - match it to your supply.
3. Confirm the video format. Whether PAL or NTSC matches the rest of your system.
4. Compare real footage. The same scene under the same conditions.
5. Calculate the batch. Starlight has confirmed price tiers; Ratel Pro is calculated individually.