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 principally the V1 with a couple of tweaks. So the true query is: who is that this V2 really for, and do you have to improve? On this assessment, I’ll stroll you thru what’s modified, what I like and don’t like, and whether or not it is sensible 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 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 |
| Suitable FPV Setup | O4 Lite / O4 Professional | O4 Professional / O3 |
The primary adjustments are:
- The V2 contains 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 normal, 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 principally it.
The motors, propellers, flight controller, ESC, and total weight are successfully an identical, so you possibly can anticipate very comparable 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 Help
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 the event you wished to run the DJI O4 Lite, the reply was: purchase a distinct 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 basically the identical design as these used on the Pavo Pico II and are totally interchangeable. This implies you possibly can 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 possibly can check with my unique Pavo20 Professional assessment: 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 ensure you choose the proper profile for the air unit you’re utilizing.
By way of velocity, it’s not similar 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 mentioned, it’s nonetheless comparatively safer to fly round individuals 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, comply with my directions from the Pavo Pico II assessment—the set up course of is basically an identical: https://oscarliang.com/betafpv-pavo-pico-ii/#How-to-Set up-the-DJI-O4-Lite
Easy 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 digital camera 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. In the event you already personal the unique Pavo20 Professional and don’t plan to make use of the DJI O4 Lite, there’s no cause to improve. They fly precisely the identical.
In the event you’re contemplating this quad particularly to regularly 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.
Nonetheless, should you’re new to FPV and need a beginner-friendly 2-inch cinewhoop, the Pavo20 Professional V2 is a really strong selection. 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.
