When BetaFPV informed 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 true 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:
- Digicam cage for DJI O4 Lite
- Digicam cage for DJI O4 Professional
- 1 set of propellers (4 whole)
- 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 | |
| Value | $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 Collection 1104 7200KV | LAVA Collection 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 |
| Suitable FPV Setup | O4 Lite / O4 Professional | O4 Professional / O3 |
The principle adjustments are:
- The V2 consists of two completely different digital camera 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 digital camera cages.
- NightFire RGB LED strip is now included as commonplace, 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 bettering efficiency.
That’s mainly it.
The motors, propellers, flight controller, ESC, and general weight are successfully equivalent, so you’ll be able to anticipate 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 (digital camera cages).
On the V1, the body was designed particularly for the DJI O4 Professional and O3. In case you wished 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 assist each the DJI O4 Professional and DJI O4 Lite, utilizing devoted digital camera cages. These cages are primarily the identical design as these used on the Pavo Pico II and are absolutely interchangeable. This implies you’ll be able to transfer your O4 Lite or O4 Professional between these fashions.
Flight Efficiency
Truthfully, 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 consult with my unique Pavo20 Professional evaluate: https://oscarliang.com/betafpv-pavo20-pro-dji-o4-pro/#Flight-Efficiency
For reassurance, there are not any noticeable oscillations or jello out of the field, which is nice. BetaFPV gives two separate PID profiles, one for the DJI O4 Lite and one for the O4 Professional, so be sure to choose the right profile for the air unit you’re utilizing.
By way of velocity, it’s not akin to highly effective freestyle drones, but it surely has sufficient punch to stay enjoyable for outside flying. Being a small ducted cinewhoop, it additionally works properly 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
The way 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 digital camera lens.
- Plug in a smoke stopper, and join a battery and check 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. In case you already personal the unique Pavo20 Professional and don’t plan to make use of the DJI O4 Lite, there’s no motive to improve. They fly precisely the identical.
In case you’re contemplating this quad particularly to incessantly swap between the O4 Lite and O4 Professional, assume twice. The digital camera cages are mounted to the body utilizing small rubber grommets, and putting in them is fiddly and time-consuming.
Nevertheless, in the event you’re new to FPV and need a beginner-friendly 2-inch cinewhoop, the Pavo20 Professional V2 is a really strong alternative. It flies properly 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.