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 superb drone in lots of respects, it’s not with out its trade-offs. On this purchaser’s information, we’ll evaluate the DJI Avata 2 and 5-inch FPV drones when it comes to flight efficiency, purposes, and limitations. It will assist you to make an knowledgeable resolution primarily based in your wants and flying type.
within the Avata 2? Try my full assessment right here: https://oscarliang.com/dji-avata-2/
The place to Purchase?
Get the DJI Avata 2 right here:
Learn to construct your individual 5inch FPV drone on this tutorial: https://oscarliang.com/how-to-build-fpv-drone/
Chasing Quick-Shifting Objects
In contrast to conventional digital camera drones just like the DJI Mavic or Mini, the Avata 2 offers dynamic, responsive, and interesting flight experiences—good for cinematic pictures or informal flying. You possibly can fly it like a freestyle drone, however it’s significantly slower in comparison with {custom} constructed 5inch FPV drones.
In case your aim is to chase fast-moving objects like automobiles, a 5-inch FPV drone is unquestionably the higher selection. These drones can simply attain speeds over 150km/h (~100mph), and a few fashions even exceed 200 km/h (~130mph). The DJI Avata 2, alternatively, tops out round 100km/h (~60mph) in calm circumstances.
Whereas the Avata 2 has built-in prop guards for security, they create further air resistance, decreasing the drone’s agility and making it much less excellent for freestyle flying. In case your focus is on cinematic pictures and cruising, the Avata 2 is a stable selection, however for high-speed motion, the 5-inch FPV drone wins arms 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 increased when you attain that peak cap. Moreover, the prop guards don’t enable 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 enable.
Flying within the Wind
In the case of 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), usually displaying “Excessive wind velocity” warnings, and the drone is much less secure 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 further tools, it simply works. For 5-inch FPV drones, attaining long-range flight requires deciding on the fitting propellers, utilizing a big Li-ion battery, and optimizing antenna—duties that demand extra expertise and data. For an easy long-range setup, the Avata 2 is the better choice.
Ease of Use and Comfort
As somebody who travels steadily, I prioritize comfort and portability.
The DJI Avata 2 may be very transportable, gentle weight and hassle-free. I really like how all of the gear suits in the identical small storage bag. It’s a ready-to-fly resolution that doesn’t require any meeting or tuning. Proper out of the field, the Avata 2 presents 15-20 minutes of flight time and greater than 5 km of vary.
In contrast, with my 5-inch FPV drones, I’ve to carry an enormous backpack with a number of totally different tools. Additionally they supply a lot shorter flight time, sometimes round 5-6 minutes (although you possibly can prolong this with a bigger battery), and so they require extra apply to grasp because of 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 inexperienced persons, Regular and Sport modes supply altitude maintain, sensible touchdown, and return-to-home options, drastically decreasing the chance of crashes. This makes studying FPV flying considerably extra accessible.
Inventive Photographs
My favourite characteristic of the Avata 2 is its adjustable one-axis digital camera gimbal. Conventional FPV drones sometimes have fastened digital camera angles, limiting artistic flexibility. With Avata 2, you possibly can dynamically change digital camera angles mid-flight, enabling revolutionary pictures like flying backwards whereas adjusting the digital camera angle, offering unparalleled cinematic potentialities.
Reliability
It is perhaps shocking for some, however I truly really feel extra assured flying long-range or over water with the Avata 2 because of its dependable GPS system and Return to House (RTH) characteristic. When you can add GPS to a {custom} constructed 5-inch FPV drone and setup related “return to dwelling” characteristic in Betaflight, DJI’s autonomous flight expertise 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 actually helpful in difficult setting, espeically for inexperienced persons. Customized constructed drones don’t have this characteristic, you possibly can put it in self-stabilized mode akin 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 supply unmatched flexibility and customization, whereas Avata 2 suffers from its closed DJI ecosystem.
In contrast to custom-built drones the place particular person parts may be changed or upgraded primarily based in your flying type. Whether or not you need to deal with 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 unbelievable 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 may be simply broken. However, {custom} constructed FPV drones often use sturdy carbon fibre frames and may take some beating.
Value
The preliminary value for each drones is definitely fairly related, particularly if you happen to’re utilizing DJI parts (akin to DJI Goggles and the O4 Professional air unit) in your 5-inch FPV drone construct. Nevertheless, in terms of repairs, 5-inch drones are cheaper and simpler to repair. You possibly can change particular person elements, like motors or frames, your self. The Avata 2, alternatively, is nearly not possible to restore at dwelling because of its subtle design. You possibly can change propellers, that’s about it.
Whereas DJI presents 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 price for the primary crash and $200 for subsequent replacements. This may be costly if crashes are frequent.
And if you happen to plan to fly loads, buying further batteries are expensive, roughly $100 every, in comparison with $20-$40 for typical FPV drone batteries.
Digicam Body Price Restrictions
The Avata 2 digital camera lacks the favored cinematic body price 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, however it’s going to fly so badly because of the 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 unbelievable drone, particularly for content material creators prioritizing comfort, portability, and reliability. Its proprietary nature and price could deter freestyle pilots preferring customization, however for skilled filmmakers or hobbyists who need highly effective artistic flexibility with out complexity, the Avata 2 stays a compelling selection—even right this moment.
Select the DJI Avata 2 if:
- You need an all-in-one, ready-to-fly resolution that avoids the complexity of {custom} builds.
- You prioritize easy, high-quality footage for cinematography.
- Security and GPS return-to-home options are necessary to you.
- You like a less complicated 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 enthusiastic about pushing the bounds of what an FPV drone can do when it comes to agility and pace.
- You anticipate to crash loads and might be repairing the drone by your self.
Learn to construct your individual 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 pictures and folks in search of 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 selection finally comes right down to your flying type, expertise stage, and what you need to obtain along with your drone.
