After flying the DJI Avata 2 for over six months, I’ve gathered some insights on the way it compares to conventional 5-inch FPV drones. Whereas the Avata 2 is a wonderful drone in lots of respects, it’s not with out its trade-offs. On this purchaser’s information, we’ll examine the DJI Avata 2 and 5-inch FPV drones by way of flight efficiency, purposes, and limitations. This can make it easier to make an knowledgeable resolution primarily based in your wants and flying type.
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The place to Purchase?
Get the DJI Avata 2 right here:
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Chasing Quick-Shifting Objects
Not like conventional digicam drones just like the DJI Mavic or Mini, the Avata 2 gives dynamic, responsive, and fascinating flight experiences—excellent for cinematic photographs or informal flying. You possibly can fly it like a freestyle drone, but it surely’s significantly slower in comparison with {custom} constructed 5inch FPV drones.
In case your aim is to chase fast-moving objects like vehicles, a 5-inch FPV drone is unquestionably the higher alternative. These drones can simply attain speeds over 150km/h (~100mph), and a few fashions even exceed 200 km/h (~130mph). The DJI Avata 2, then again, tops out round 100km/h (~60mph) in calm circumstances.
Whereas the Avata 2 has built-in prop guards for security, they create extra air resistance, decreasing the drone’s agility and making it much less ultimate for freestyle flying. In case your focus is on cinematic photographs and cruising, the Avata 2 is a strong alternative, however for high-speed motion, the 5-inch FPV drone wins fingers down.
Diving Mountains and Buildings
For excessive dives off tall mountains or buildings, the Avata 2 faces some limitations. It has a 500-meter restrict, which causes the drone to refuse to fly any larger when you attain that top cap. Moreover, the prop guards don’t permit for easy dives, resulting in potential wobbles or shakes throughout free falls. 5-inch drones, with out prop guards, excel at dives and supply a smoother free-fall expertise. And you may fly as far and as excessive as your battery and radio/video hyperlinks permit.
Flying within the Wind
Relating to flying in windy circumstances, 5-inch FPV drones are the clear winners. These drones are heavier and extra highly effective, permitting them to deal with stronger winds. In distinction, the Avata 2 struggles in winds exceeding 30km/h (20MPH), typically displaying “Excessive wind velocity” warnings, and the drone is much less steady on this situation and can drift.
Lengthy-Vary Flying
Each the DJI Avata 2 and 5-inch FPV drones can obtain spectacular vary, however the Avata 2 may be very succesful at this out of the field. You don’t must tinker with the setup, or add extra tools, it simply works. For 5-inch FPV drones, attaining long-range flight requires deciding on the proper propellers, utilizing a big Li-ion battery, and optimizing antenna—duties that demand extra expertise and information. For a simple long-range setup, the Avata 2 is the better choice.
Ease of Use and Comfort
As somebody who travels continuously, I prioritize comfort and portability.
The DJI Avata 2 may be very moveable, mild weight and hassle-free. I like how all of the gear matches in the identical small storage bag. It’s a ready-to-fly answer that doesn’t require any meeting or tuning. Proper out of the field, the Avata 2 gives 15-20 minutes of flight time and greater than 5 km of vary.
Against this, with my 5-inch FPV drones, I’ve to deliver an enormous backpack with plenty of completely different tools. In addition they provide a lot shorter flight time, usually round 5-6 minutes (although you possibly can prolong this with a bigger battery), they usually require extra observe to grasp resulting from their uncooked energy. There’s additionally the added complexity of constructing, tuning, and sustaining the drone.
The DJI Avata 2 helps a number of flight modes—Regular, Sport, and Guide (Acro). For novices, Regular and Sport modes provide altitude maintain, sensible touchdown, and return-to-home options, significantly decreasing the chance of crashes. This makes studying FPV flying considerably extra accessible.
Inventive Photographs
My favourite function of the Avata 2 is its adjustable one-axis digicam gimbal. Conventional FPV drones usually have mounted digicam angles, limiting inventive flexibility. With Avata 2, you possibly can dynamically change digicam angles mid-flight, enabling progressive photographs like flying backwards whereas adjusting the digicam angle, offering unparalleled cinematic prospects.
Reliability
It may be stunning for some, however I truly really feel extra assured flying long-range or over water with the Avata 2 resulting from its dependable GPS system and Return to Dwelling (RTH) function. Whilst you can add GPS to a {custom} constructed 5-inch FPV drone and setup related “return to house” function in Betaflight, DJI’s autonomous flight know-how is extra dependable, mature and user-friendly. The Avata 2’s superior options give it a security edge over custom-built drones with none tinkering.
The Avata 2 additionally has emergency braking, by urgent the brake button, the drone simply stops and hover on the similar spot and wait to your command, which is basically helpful in difficult atmosphere, espeically for novices. Customized constructed drones don’t have this function, you possibly can put it in self-stabilized mode comparable to Angle mode, however it would drift round and you continue to have to regulate its altitude manually which isn’t very newbie pleasant.
Flexibility
5-inch FPV drones provide unmatched flexibility and customization, whereas Avata 2 suffers from its closed DJI ecosystem.
Not like custom-built drones the place particular person elements might be changed or upgraded primarily based in your flying type. Whether or not you need to concentrate on freestyle, racing, or long-range flights, you possibly can customise the drone to fit your wants.
With the Avata 2, you’re locked into DJI’s equipment, batteries, goggles, and controllers. Repairing or customizing the drone your self voids the guarantee. It’s a incredible out-of-the-box drone however lacks the flexibility that comes with a {custom} 5-inch setup.
Sturdiness
The Avata 2 isn’t made for crashes and the plastic body might be simply broken. However, {custom} constructed FPV drones often use sturdy carbon fibre frames and might take some beating.
Value
The preliminary price for each drones is definitely fairly related, particularly in case you’re utilizing DJI elements (comparable to DJI Goggles and the O4 Professional air unit) in your 5-inch FPV drone construct. Nonetheless, relating to repairs, 5-inch drones are cheaper and simpler to repair. You possibly can substitute particular person components, like motors or frames, your self. The Avata 2, then again, is nearly inconceivable to restore at house resulting from its refined design. You possibly can change propellers, that’s about it.
Whereas DJI gives DJI Care, which reduces restore and alternative prices, you might be restricted within the variety of claims, and replacements can take weeks. DJI Care Refresh insurance coverage prices round $59/12 months, with a $50 alternative payment for the primary crash and $200 for subsequent replacements. This may be costly if crashes are frequent.
And in case you plan to fly rather a lot, buying further batteries are expensive, roughly $100 every, in comparison with $20-$40 for typical FPV drone batteries.
Digital camera Body Fee Restrictions
The Avata 2 digicam lacks the favored cinematic body charge of 24fps. Though it helps 4K 60fps, filmmakers preferring conventional movie aesthetics would possibly miss having 24fps or 48fps choices. With a {custom} constructed FPV drones, you possibly can simply put a GoPro on it and use 24fps. You might also put a GoPro on the Avata 2, but it surely’s going to fly so badly as a result of lack of energy.
Closing Verdict: Which Drone Is Proper for You?
After a 12 months of use, I firmly imagine the DJI Avata 2 stays a incredible drone, particularly for content material creators prioritizing comfort, portability, and reliability. Its proprietary nature and value could deter freestyle pilots preferring customization, however for skilled filmmakers or hobbyists who need highly effective inventive flexibility with out complexity, the Avata 2 stays a compelling alternative—even as we speak.
Select the DJI Avata 2 if:
- You need an all-in-one, ready-to-fly answer that avoids the complexity of {custom} builds.
- You prioritize easy, high-quality footage for cinematography.
- Security and GPS return-to-home options are vital to you.
- You like an easier setup with minimal tuning and upkeep.
Get the DJI Avata 2 right here:
Select a 5-Inch FPV Drone if:
- You’re in search of high-performance freestyle flying or racing.
- You take pleasure in constructing, repairing, and customizing your drone for various flying types.
- You need to have the ability to fly in windy environments or deal with difficult, fast-paced flights.
- You’re concerned with pushing the boundaries of what an FPV drone can do by way of agility and velocity.
- You count on to crash rather a lot and will probably be repairing the drone by your self.
Discover ways to construct your personal 5inch FPV drone on this tutorial: https://oscarliang.com/how-to-build-fpv-drone/
Each the DJI Avata 2 and 5-inch FPV drones excel in numerous areas. The Avata 2 is ideal for cinematic FPV photographs and other people searching for easy FPV options, whereas 5-inch FPV drones are the go-to for seasoned pilots who don’t thoughts tinkering and like excessive efficiency. Your alternative finally comes all the way down to your flying type, expertise degree, and what you need to obtain together with your drone.