When BetaFPV instructed me they have been releasing the Pavo20 Professional II (V2), I used to be anticipating a brand new quad. Turned out it’s mainly the V1 with just a few tweaks. So the actual query is: who is that this V2 really for, and must you improve? On this evaluate, I’ll stroll you thru what’s modified, what I like and don’t like, and whether or not it is smart to maneuver from the Pavo20 Professional V1 to the V2.
New to FPV? Begin with our Cinewhoop Purchaser’s Information: https://oscarliang.com/cinewhoop/
The place to Purchase
Buy the Pavo20 Professional II from:
The Pavo20 Professional II comes with:
- Digital camera cage for DJI O4 Lite
- Digital camera cage for DJI O4 Professional
- 1 set of propellers (4 complete)
- NightFire LED strip and controller board
- Mounting {hardware}
Variations Between V1 and V2
The variations between the unique Pavo20 Professional V1 and the brand new V2 are minor.
Left: V2; Proper: V1
Right here is the specs comparability.
| Pavo20 Professional V1 | Pavo20 Professional V2 | |
| Worth | $105 | $105 |
| Body Wheelbase | 93.9mm | 93.7mm |
| FC/ESC | F4 2-3S 20A AIO FC V1 | F4 2-3S 20A AIO FC V1 |
| Motors | LAVA Sequence 1104 7200KV | LAVA Sequence 1104 7200KV |
| Props | Gemfan 2218 3-Blade | Gemfan 2218 3-Blade |
| Battery Slot Width | 20mm | 20mm |
| Weight (with DJI O4 Professional, no LiPo) | 106.6g | 107g |
| Appropriate FPV Setup | O4 Lite / O4 Professional | O4 Professional / O3 |
The principle modifications are:
- The V2 contains two totally different digicam cages for the DJI O4 Lite and O4 Professional (the identical mounts discovered within the Pavo Pico II).
- The general body design and geometry stay largely unchanged, with solely slight tweaks to the carbon fiber plate and plastic body to accommodate the brand new digicam cages.
- NightFire RGB LED strip is now included as customary, whereas it was beforehand unique to the Pavo20 NightFire version. Personally, I don’t care a lot for LEDs and often take away them—they add weight with out enhancing efficiency.
That’s mainly it.
The motors, propellers, flight controller, ESC, and total weight are successfully equivalent, so you’ll be able to count on very related flight efficiency and flight time in comparison with the V1.
Left: V1, Proper: V2
Left: Pavo Pico II; Proper: Pavo20 Professional II
Added O4 Professional and O4 Lite Assist
The one significant change within the V2 is the cover (digicam cages).
On the V1, the body was designed particularly for the DJI O4 Professional and O3. If you happen to needed to run the DJI O4 Lite, the reply was: purchase a unique mannequin just like the Pavo Pico II or Meteor75.
With the Pavo20 Professional V2, the carbon fiber plate has been redesigned to help each the DJI O4 Professional and DJI O4 Lite, utilizing devoted digicam cages. These cages are primarily the identical design as these used on the Pavo Pico II and are totally interchangeable. This implies you’ll be able to transfer your O4 Lite or O4 Professional between these fashions.
Flight Efficiency
Actually, there’s not a lot new to say right here. The drone feels precisely like the unique Pavo20 Professional—besides now it helps each the DJI O4 Lite and O4 Professional.
For an in depth evaluation of flight efficiency, you’ll be able to check with my unique Pavo20 Professional evaluate: https://oscarliang.com/betafpv-pavo20-pro-dji-o4-pro/#Flight-Efficiency
For reassurance, there aren’t any noticeable oscillations or jello out of the field, which is nice. BetaFPV offers two separate PID profiles, one for the DJI O4 Lite and one for the O4 Professional, so ensure you choose the proper profile for the air unit you’re utilizing.
When it comes to pace, it’s not corresponding to highly effective freestyle drones, however it has sufficient punch to stay enjoyable for out of doors flying. Being a small ducted cinewhoop, it additionally works effectively indoors, though it may be a bit loud and highly effective for tight, confined areas the place very exact management is required. That stated, it’s nonetheless comparatively safer to fly round folks or pets in comparison with open-prop freestyle quads.
O4 Set up
To put in the DJI O4 Lite or O4 Professional air unit within the Pavo20 Professional V2, observe my directions from the Pavo Pico II evaluate—the set up course of is actually equivalent: https://oscarliang.com/betafpv-pavo-pico-ii/#How-to-Set up-the-DJI-O4-Lite
Methods to Setup
Earlier than the primary flight, I did the next:
- Put in the 2 O4 antennas within the antenna mount.
- Eliminated the protecting movie from the digicam lens.
- Plug in a smoke stopper, and join a battery and take a look at the drone and see if it powers up appropriately. It is best to hear the ESC/motor initiation beeps.
- Personally I’d keep away from putting in the LED strip to save lots of weight.
Firmware
- The flight controller (FC) board goal is BETAFPVF405, and it comes preloaded with Betaflight firmware model 4.5.0. For inventory CLI Diff, see right here.
- ESC Firmware: Bluejay, 0.19 (C-X-70)
- ELRS Receiver Firmware Goal: Generic ESP8285 2.4GHz RX, firmware 3.3.0
Betaflight Setup
Conclusion: Who Ought to Contemplate the Pavo20 Professional V2?
To be frank, this doesn’t actually really feel like a real V2—extra like a V1.1. If you happen to already personal the unique Pavo20 Professional and don’t plan to make use of the DJI O4 Lite, there’s no purpose to improve. They fly precisely the identical.
If you happen to’re contemplating this quad particularly to steadily swap between the O4 Lite and O4 Professional, assume twice. The digicam cages are mounted to the body utilizing small rubber grommets, and putting in them is fiddly and time-consuming.
Nonetheless, when you’re new to FPV and desire a beginner-friendly 2-inch cinewhoop, the Pavo20 Professional V2 is a really stable alternative. It flies effectively straight out of the field, has prop guards for added security, and now helps each the DJI O4 Lite and O4 Professional, making it extra versatile for newcomers.