Introduction: FPV (First Person View) drones have gained popularity in recent years, offering immersive flying experiences and the ability to capture stunning aerial footage. While self-build FPV drones have been the norm, ready-to-fly (RTF) and bind-and-fly (BNF) kits are becoming increasingly popular, eliminating the need for building your own drone. The BetaFPV Pavo 25 Walksnail Whoop Kit is a 2.5-inch cinewhoop FPV drone that falls into the bind-and-fly category, making it easy to get up and running. However, there are a few additional components you will need to purchase separately to complete the kit. In this article, we will explore the features, performance, and overall verdict of the
BetaFPV Pavo 25 Walksnail Whoop Kit.
Design: The BetaFPV Pavo 25 features a cinewhoop design with propeller guards and foam bumpers, making it safer to fly indoors and close to objects and people. The frame is made of tough injection-molded PA12 plastic, while the electronics are attached to a section of carbon fiber. The top section houses the Avatar FPV camera, battery, and action camera mount, which can be easily removed by undoing six screws for binding, firmware updates, and repairs. The drone weighs just 5.15 ounces (146g) without the battery and action camera and measures 153.2×153.7mm without the bumper foam. Despite its small size, the Pavo 25 delivers impressive power, although it is primarily designed for capturing cinematic video rather than freestyle flying. The kit includes the BetaFPV LiteRadio 3 Transmitter, spare propellers, two 4S 850mAh batteries, cables, and a shell carry case. Compatible goggles, such as the Walksnail Avatar goggles or Fat Shark Dominator HD (Avatar) goggles, need to be purchased separately.
Functionality: The Pavo 25 does not have features like GPS positioning or collision avoidance, as FPV drones prioritize performance and flight characteristics over automated functions. It offers three flight modes: Level, Angle, and Manual/Acro. Level mode automatically levels the drone when the pitch and roll controls are released, while Angle mode limits the angle of pitch and roll. Manual/Acro mode requires the pilot to manually adjust and level all controls to avoid crashing. The Walksnail Avatar Digital HD System provides an excellent FPV feed to compatible goggles. The goggles have an FHDOLED display with a wide 46° field of view, adjustable focus for glasses wearers, and a fan to reduce condensation. While the goggles can record the FPV feed with an installed microSD card, it’s recommended to use a lightweight action camera for video capture. Unfortunately, the Pavo 25 does not include a micro GPS tracker or micro buzzer, which would be helpful for locating crashed drones.
Performance: To shoot video, the Pavo 25 requires a separate action camera. The BetaFPV SMO4K is a recommended option that weighs just 35g and offers up to 4K video at up to 60fps. The camera comes with a UV filter, ND16 filter, spare back cover, power cables for soldering onto the VTX, and a manual. It can be controlled through the Insta360 Android and iOS smartphone app, allowing you to adjust settings and set exposure. The SMO4K captures video in various resolutions and frame rates, including 4K, 2.7K, 1440p, and FHD, with different profiles available for color grading.
The BetaFPV Pavo25 Walksnail Whoop Kit is a bind-and-fly PFV cinewhoop drone kit that offers simplicity and a high-quality digital FPV feed.
It is designed for drone pilots with FPV flight experience and is ideal for capturing cinematic video footage. However, it is not suitable for absolute beginners. In this review, we will discuss the design, functionality, performance, and cost of the kit.Design: The Pavo25 features a cinewhoop design with prop guards and foam bumpers, making it safe to fly indoors and close to objects and people. The frame is made of tough injection-molded PA12 plastic, and the electronics are attached to a carbon fiber section. The kit includes an ELRS LiteRadio 3 Transmitter/Controller, which is set up and ready to use. The compact size of the drone allows for impressive power, but it is less nimble with a camera attached.
The BetaFPV Pavo25 Walksnail Whoop Kit is a highly capable cinewhoop FPV drone, offering a high-quality digital FPV feed and the ability to capture cinematic video footage. However, it is important to note that the kit is not complete, as compatible goggles, a LiPo battery charger, and an action camera need to be purchased separately. The kit is suitable for drone pilots with FPV flight experience but may not be the best option for absolute beginners.
