With drone laws getting more and more strict, I’m all the time excited when an FPV drone guarantees huge efficiency in a tiny bundle. Enter the YMZFPV Eagle2, a micro FPV drone designed particularly for the DJI O4 Professional Air Unit, weighing below 104g together with the battery. On this assessment, I’ll share my hands-on expertise with the Eagle2, information you thru the setup, supply sensible ideas, and assist you determine if this drone fits your wants.
New to the DJI FPV system? Take a look at my newbie’s information right here: Set Up DJI O4 Professional: https://oscarliang.com/how-to-setup-dji-o4-pro/
The place to Purchase
You may get the YMZFPV Eagle2 from:
Get some spare props (Gemfan 1608×3, 1.5mm gap): https://s.click on.aliexpress.com/e/_oBNHbki
Batteries not included, they suggest GNB 3S 380mAh 90C: https://s.click on.aliexpress.com/e/_om27LLo
What’s the field:
- 1x YMZFPV Eagle2 FPV Drone
- 8x GEMFAN 1608-3 Propellers
- 1x M1.5 screwdriver
- 1x Phillips screwdriver
- 2x Battery Mounts (3D-printed TPU)
- Spare screws
Specs
- Wheelbase: 88mm
- Motors: 1002 brushless motors (1.5mm shaft)
- Body: YMZFPV E2F carbon-fiber and aluminum alloy
- Flight Controller: F411 AIO with built-in 40A 4-in-1 ESC
- Beneficial Props: Gemfan 40mm 1608 3-blade or HQ 35mm 3-blade
- Receiver: BetaFPV Nano 2.4GHz ExpressLRS
- FPV Setup (Elective): DJI O4 Professional Air Unit
- Beneficial Battery: 3S 380mAh 90C LiHV (not included)
- Whole Weight: Approx. 72g (103g with battery)
General Design
The YMZFPV Eagle2 has a barely comical look, with its tiny propellers starkly contrasting the comparatively massive DJI O4 Professional digital camera and air unit.
Compares to 5inch Quad
Nevertheless, past its appears, the Eagle2 impresses as an exceptionally environment friendly construct, designed meticulously to attenuate weight. Quick wiring, minimal carbon fiber utilization, and light-weight aluminum alloy elements all contribute to the drone’s ultra-low weight whereas sustaining structural integrity.
Regardless of its minimalistic design, the Eagle2 feels surprisingly strong. The body is inflexible but light-weight, offering glorious sturdiness.
Nevertheless, the DJI O4 Professional digital camera does protrude noticeably from the entrance, growing the chance of scratches or harm in crashes. To guard this invaluable part, I strongly suggest utilizing an ND or UV filter—even when purely for lens safety.
The battery mount, produced from versatile TPU materials, is simple to take away and reinstall—excellent for packing in compact circumstances throughout transportation. Nevertheless, word that the battery mount is particularly designed for batteries measuring roughly 17x22x55mm (such because the advisable GNB 3S 380mAh 90C LiHV). You will have to design and print customized mount if you wish to use batteries of various dimension.
Nearer Take a look at the Parts
YMZFPV changed the DJI O4 Professional antennas with dipole antennas to avoid wasting weight. The draw back is diminished vary and sign penetration.
Nevertheless, in case you favor larger vary, YMZFPV contains the unique antennas within the field, so you possibly can simply swap them again.
The propellers on the Eagle2 are friction-fit on the motor shafts – they’re simply pushed on. This makes me barely nervous, notably given the costly O4 Professional air unit on board. It’s essential to all the time double-check that the props are securely connected earlier than every flight to keep away from potential mishaps.
One other level of concern is the O4 Professional digital camera, which protrudes noticeably from the entrance of the body. Coupled with small, uncovered props that will detach upon crashing, this drone isn’t preferrred for aggressive freestyle flying or bashing.
Moreover, attributable to its compact dimension, the Eagle2 lacks an onboard buzzer, making it difficult to find in tall grass after a crash. Though DShot Beacon is enabled out of the field, which makes use of the motors as beepers, they’re extraordinarily quiet. As soon as once more, the most effective recommendation is solely: attempt to not crash!
Flight Efficiency
I examined the YMZFPV Eagle2 in very windy situation – 15 MPH wind which is much from preferrred. Regardless of some minor shakes seen within the FPV footage, I used to be genuinely impressed by how properly the drone dealt with the wind contemplating its micro dimension. And after making use of Gyroflow stabilization, these vibrations have been completely gone, nice information in case you are on the lookout for easy cinematic footage.
It hovers at round 26% throttle, leaving ample room for aggressive aerobatic maneuvers. The Eagle2 genuinely feels nearer to a bigger, 3-inch freestyle drone—it’s extremely nimble and snappy.
Initially, I didn’t understand the Eagle2 comes with its motor output restricted to 80% by default (I suppose it’s to forestall newbies from being overwhelmed by its energy). Nevertheless, I discovered even at this diminished energy, the drone felt highly effective sufficient for freestyle flying. However, I like to recommend setting the motor output to 100% in Betaflight. If it’s too highly effective to your choice, you possibly can use throttle scaling (e.g., 80%) within the Rateprofile tab as a substitute. This technique ensures optimum efficiency and stability, whereas artificially limiting motor output could negatively influence the flight traits.
Flight time additionally pleasantly shocked me, providing 4:00 to 4:half-hour throughout light cruising flights. Nevertheless, going loopy on throttle will quickly drains the battery, decreasing flight instances nearer to three minutes.
Lastly, I used to be getting frequent “telemetry warning” alerts even at shut vary, one thing I nonetheless want to research additional. Fortunately, these warnings didn’t have an effect on flying the Eagle2 in any significant manner.
Setup for First Flight
Firmware
- The flight controller (FC) board goal is JHEF411HD, and it comes preloaded with Betaflight firmware model 4.4.3. For inventory CLI Diff, see right here.
- ESC Firmware: G-H-30 – Bluejay, 0.19, 48kHz.
- ELRS Receiver Firmware Goal: BETAFPV 2.4GHz Nano RX, firmware model 3.5.3.
Steps to Setup
Considerations and Enhancements
I genuinely love the YMZFPV Eagle2 and recognize its nice potential, however there are undoubtedly areas for enchancment.
Firstly, there are two protruding screws beneath the body the place the battery mounts. These screws rub towards the battery each time you insert it into the TPU mount, and there’s a real danger of puncturing the battery cells—particularly contemplating that is the facet the drone usually lands on. Countersunk screws would have fully averted this situation.
One other minor concern is the uncovered receiver antenna connector (U.FL). The antenna can simply come free throughout crashes. A barely longer heat-shrink overlaying would safe the connector in place higher. Personally, in case you’re utilizing the DJI Distant Controller 3, this drone can be excellent with out the ExpressLRS receiver, saving weight and simplifying the setup. Should you’re , right here’s my information on establishing the DJI RC3 with the O4 Professional Air Unit: https://oscarliang.com/setup-dji-rc3-o4-betaflight/
The flight controller makes use of a Micro USB connector, which is much less strong and more and more unusual in comparison with USB-C. I’ve beforehand skilled micro USB connectors coming off FC boards. Moreover, there’s no present sensor on the FC—though neither situation is a deal-breaker, these would have been good upgrades.
The DJI O4 Professional digital camera is soft-mounted, and even when the screws are absolutely tightened, the digital camera feels considerably free. You may simply transfer the digital camera by hand and unintentionally change the lean angle. Nevertheless, this softness appears to work properly and I’ve no situation with Gyroflow stabilization, so it appears that is intentional. Simply bear in mind to double-check your digital camera angle earlier than every flight. The battery mount can be not particularly safe and should come free in crashes. Mixed with friction-fit props, these small particulars imply it’s worthwhile to fastidiously examine the drone earlier than every flight.
I’m nonetheless debating whether or not so as to add a tiny GPS module, like the Flywoo Nano GPS I used beforehand on the Cinelog30. Contemplating the Eagle2’s 4-minute flight time and 1-mile vary, including GPS may be useful. Should you’re all in favour of establishing GPS, see my tutorial: https://oscarliang.com/setup-gps-rescue-mode-betaflight/
Lastly, as a substitute of setting a motor output restrict, I believe YMZFPV ought to have used throttle scale in Betaflight. With 40A ESCs, the Eagle2 simply handles full motor output, so throttle scaling can be a greater solution to restrict energy with out compromising efficiency.
PID Tuning and Optimizations
I’ve a number of concepts for optimizing the Eagle2 additional and can doubtless share detailed steps in a future publish. As a fast teaser, right here’s what I plan:
Provided that YMZFPV ships the Eagle2 with an almost two-year-old Betaflight firmware, it appears they’ve merely up to date their earlier Eagle mannequin to accommodate the O4 Professional Air Unit with out particularly tuning PID. Even the filters are left as Betaflight defaults. Not deal breakers, the drone flies positive as-is. However I intend to improve the firmware, take away the motor output restrict, and make a customized tune for filters and PID settings to unlock the drone’s full potential. As standard, I’ll share my customized tune on my Patreon web page.
Moreover, I plan to take away the ExpressLRS receiver and rely solely on the DJI RC3 for management. I’m nonetheless undecided about including GPS, but it surely’s a risk.
With that mentioned, you possibly can merely fly the drone because it arrives—in case you’re proud of its efficiency out of the field, there’s no want to vary something.
Ultimate Ideas
General, the YMZFPV Eagle2 is a formidable drone, providing big-drone efficiency in an extremely compact type issue. It does really feel a bit costly although (round $200, plus one other $230 for the DJI O4 Professional), but it surely’s at present the one 1.6inch drone with DJI O4 Professional – delivering 4K 60FPS HD FPV footage in a bundle below 105 grams, battery included. In case your price range permits, and also you’re looking for a palm-sized, agile HD FPV drone excellent for flying round native parks or your yard, the Eagle2 is a genuinely gratifying and advisable alternative.
You may get the YMZFPV Eagle2 from:
Get some spare props (Gemfan 1608×3, 1.5mm gap): https://s.click on.aliexpress.com/e/_oBNHbki
Batteries not included, they suggest GNB 3S 380mAh 90C: https://s.click on.aliexpress.com/e/_om27LLo