The SpeedyBee Bee25 is a sub-250g cinewhoop designed with the DJI O3 Air Unit in thoughts, making it a superb possibility for FPV drone pilots searching for a compact, versatile, and feature-rich drone. With its modern modular design, considerate engineering, and stable flight efficiency, the Bee25 affords so much in a small package deal. On this evaluation, I’ll share my expertise with the Bee25, discussing its construct high quality, flight efficiency, and general worth.
New to FPV? Take a look at my purchaser’s information for cinewhoops: https://oscarliang.com/cinewhoop/
The place to Purchase
You should purchase the SpeedyBee Bee25 from the next retailers:
Battery just isn’t included, try my suggestions right here: https://oscarliang.com/whoop-toothpick-lipo-battery/#4S-LiPOLiHV. Get the 4S 650mAh if you wish to keep underneath 250g restrict, or get the 4S 850mAh in order for you longer flight time.
Don’t overlook to get some spare propellers too: https://oscarliang.com/product-rw6u
The Bee25 package deal features a consumer information, a set of stickers, spare {hardware}, antenna holders, and two screw drivers— a pleasant contact, contemplating many BNF drones don’t normally include any.
I’m reviewing the ExpressLRS model.
Specs
- Body: SpeedyBee Bee25 Normal Model
- Wheelbase: 120mm
- Flight Controller: STM32F405 with ICM42688-P Gyro, 8MB Blackbox, Bluetooth Assist
- ESC: 35A 8-bit ESC (BlueJay firmware)
- Motors: 1404 4600KV
- Propeller: HQprop DT63mm-3 blades
- VTX: Not included (Appropriate with DJI O3 Air Unit)
- Digicam: Not included (Appropriate with DJI O3 Air Unit)
- Receiver Choices: ELRS 2.4G / TBS Crossfire Nano / With out Receiver
- Battery Connector: XT30
- Battery measurement: Helps 4S 650-1100mAh batteries, Most 64*31*40mm (Vertical), 75*31*40mm (Horizontal)
- LED System: Meteor LED with 88 LED beads (totally customizable by way of SpeedyBee app)
- Receiver: ELRS 2.4G / TBS / None (select primarily based on model)
- Weight:
- With out DJI O3 and Battery: 123g
- With DJI O3: 172g
- With DJI O3 and 4S 650mAh: 248g
- With DJI O3 and 4S 850mAh: 266g
Construct High quality and Design
The Bee25 drone boasts a modern design with a clear tinted plastic body that homes its elements. This provides the Bee25 a singular and trendy aesthetic, whereas additionally permitting you to see the internals, particularly these stunning LEDs across the body.
The built-in Meteor LEDs not solely add visible enchantment however are additionally purposeful. They show the drone’s standing, akin to whether or not it’s armed or in fail-safe mode, and assist with finding the drone in low-light circumstances. This function, together with the flexibility to regulate the LEDs via Betaflight or the SpeedyBee app, provides one other layer of practicality and value.
Regardless of the light-weight supplies, the Bee25 feels sturdy. SpeedyBee has carried out sensible design selections to guard delicate elements, such because the hard-mounted XT30 connector and protecting housing for the GPS. Nevertheless, my evaluation unit didn’t include a GPS module, so I couldn’t take a look at the Rescue mode. Moreover, the easy-access USB-C port on the flight controller makes altering the drone’s settings far more handy.
Weighing round 165g with out the battery, the Bee25 is designed to remain underneath the 250g restrict with a suitable 4S battery. That is necessary for complying with drone laws in some areas. When you’re including the DJI O3 Air Unit, be conscious of the battery weight to remain inside this restrict. The most important battery you should use to stay underneath 250g is a 4S 650mAh, which brings the entire weight to round 248g.
The elastic battery band, although unconventional, works surprisingly nicely to safe batteries of assorted sizes. A minor problem arises with longer batteries (over 60mm), which can have hassle becoming correctly because of the mounted XT30 connector placement. You possibly can work round this by rotating the mounting brackets to suit the battery sideways. Whereas a small inconvenience, it’s value noting if you happen to plan to make use of bigger batteries.
Made For DJI O3
The Bee25 is particularly designed to deal with the DJI O3 Air Unit, although my evaluation unit didn’t include one, so I needed to set up my very own. Thankfully, the set up course of is easy. The modular digital camera mount for the O3 may appear a bit complicated initially in comparison with minimalist designs just like the BetaFPV Pavo20 Professional, but it surely’s nicely thought-out. It gives glorious safety for the O3 Air Unit, which is essential for sturdiness and reliability.
Whereas the modular system requires a bit extra effort to put in, detailed directions can be found on SpeedyBee’s web site, making the method simpler. It’s a one-time activity, and as soon as put in, the modular design makes accessing the microSD card and USB-C port very handy. Moreover, the drone features a cooling duct built-in into the antenna mount, which helps to forestall the O3 Air Unit from overheating throughout longer flights—a sensible and welcome function.
I did ask SpeedyBee about compatibility with the Walksnail VTX system, however sadly, this mannequin doesn’t help it. For the most effective consumer expertise, stick to the DJI O3 Air Unit.
Flight Efficiency
The Bee25 flew very well, higher than I anticipated to be trustworthy, probably the most effective 2.5inch cinewhoop I’ve flown this 12 months. It’s tuned straight out of the field for cinematic flying, making it simple to seize fluid, stabilized pictures.
The Bee25’s 1404 4600KV motors are highly effective and responsive, providing loads of thrust with out compromising flight stability. Paired with HQ 63mm props, this mix gives glorious efficiency for clean, cinematic flying. Even with a big 4S 850mAh LiPo, it nonetheless managed to hover round 25% throttle providing you with loads of headroom for extra aggressive maneuvers if wanted which is fairly spectacular.
Battery life on the Bee25 is stable. Utilizing a 650mAh 4S battery, I used to be in a position to get about 5.5 minutes of clean, cinematic flying. Once I upgraded to an 850mAh battery, flight time prolonged to about 7.5 minutes.
Whether or not I used to be flying sluggish and regular for cinematic pictures or pushing the drone with extra freestyle maneuvers, it dealt with every thing with ease. I did discover some minor prop wash right here and there, however nothing important sufficient to affect the general expertise.
However as a 2.5″ drone, it’s simply as noisy as different cinewhoops of comparable measurement – you’ll draw some consideration if you happen to’re flying in public areas. It’s a lot louder than even my 3″ open prop drone just like the Sub250 Oasisfly25 I lately reviewed, however that’s to be anticipated for a cinewhoop, one thing you ought to be conscious of.
Areas for Enchancment
First off, the Bee25 doesn’t include spare propellers, which might be inconvenient. You’ll wish to decide some up right here: https://oscarliang.com/product-rw6u.
From a efficiency perspective, I’d counsel eradicating the LED strip to avoid wasting weight, and probably make the DJI O3 “bare” as nicely utilizing this package: https://oscarliang.com/flywoo-naked-o3-lite-ultra-kit/. This may can help you use a bigger 4S 850mAh battery whereas nonetheless staying underneath the 250g weight restrict, providing you with longer flight instances and improved efficiency.
GPS isn’t mandatory for indoor or close-proximity flying, however if you happen to’re flying outside or need an added layer of safety, I’d suggest including GPS and organising Rescue Mode. Right here’s a information: https://oscarliang.com/setup-gps-rescue-mode-betaflight/.
The prop guards are light-weight, which makes them much less sturdy. When you anticipate frequent crashes, it’s smart to choose up some spare body elements to keep away from downtime.
SpeedyBee at all times delivers distinctive designs with cautious consideration to element. Nevertheless, the tendency to design frames that require numerous sorts and sizes of screws could make repairs and upkeep a bit extra sophisticated. They do present two additional screws for every kind, however this complexity won’t enchantment to everybody. When you recognize distinctive, aesthetically pleasing frames, SpeedyBee is a good possibility, however if you happen to favor simplicity, it might not be your best option. On a constructive observe, I do love that they embrace screwdrivers within the package deal, which is nice for rookies.
One other limitation is the Bee25’s lack of compatibility with FPV methods exterior of DJI. If you wish to use one thing just like the Walksnail system, it might require modifications and tinkering, which might be a trouble for some customers.
Setup
Establishing the Bee25 for its first flight was simple:
Unique CLI Diff might be discovered right here.
Ultimate Ideas: Is the SpeedyBee Bee25 Price It?
The SpeedyBee Bee25 is definitely one in all my favourite 2.5-inch cinewhoops for 2024. It flies exceptionally nicely proper out of the field, affords nice worth with its considerate design, and pairs completely with the DJI O3 Air Unit. Whereas there are a number of areas for enchancment as talked about within the evaluation, the general efficiency and construct high quality of the Bee25 make it a standout possibility within the sub-250g class.
When you’re searching for a light-weight cinewhoop that provides nice flight efficiency, the Bee25 is a improbable selection. Whether or not you’re flying indoors, filming cinematic pictures outside, or just need a dependable sub-250g drone, the SpeedyBee Bee25 delivers on all fronts.
