The NewBeeDrone Hummingbird RaceSpec V2 represents an bold refinement of an already high-performance platform. On this overview, I’ll stroll you thru my hands-on expertise flying and organising the RaceSpec V2, present an sincere and sensible analysis of its professionals and cons, and provide help to resolve whether or not this drone matches your flying type.
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The place to Purchase
You should buy the Hummingbird RaceSpec V2 immediately from NewBeeDrone: https://oscarliang.com/link-h9ba
Within the field comes with:
- The Hummingbird RaceSpec V2 Whoop (with props pre-installed)
- Two further units of propellers
- Prop remover software
- Spare cover
- Spare screws
- USB-C adapter
- Stickers
Not for Learners
This is likely one of the first FPV drones I’ve encountered that explicitly states on their product web page it’s not supposed for newbies, and new FPV pilots ought to keep away from buying it. That candid warning tells you every little thing it is advisable find out about this drone: it’s extremely quick, difficult to regulate, and never notably forgiving when it comes to sturdiness. If you happen to break it, repairs are solely on you.
Specs
- Flight Controller: AT32 F4 (ICM42688 Gyro)
- ESC: 18A 4in1 ESC (Bluejay Firmware 0.19 48KHz)
- Motors: HMB RS 0702 30000KV
- VTX: Adjustable Outputs (25mW, 100mW, 400mW)
- Receiver: UART-based ELRS with WiFi settings
- RX Antenna: Ceramic SMT for sturdiness and weight financial savings
- Digicam: BeeEye V2 800TVL (10x10mm PCB)
- Battery Connector: A30 (suitable with BT2.0)
- Beneficial battery: 1S 300mAh LiHV
- Firmware: Betaflight 4.5.1 RacePro
- Weight: 16.5g
First Impressions on Design
Out of the field, my first concern was the intense 45° digicam angle. Given earlier expertise with the Air65’s extra modest 35° angle—already difficult indoors—I feared fixed crashes can be inevitable with out changes. Beforehand, I needed to scale back my digicam angle to about 20° to comfortably fly indoors.
On a optimistic word, the body is notably versatile, which successfully absorbs impression from crashes and improves sturdiness in comparison with extra inflexible conventional whoop frames.
One other important enchancment over the V1 is the cover redesign, which positions the digicam additional ahead. This solves a essential situation skilled by many V1 customers, the place the digicam PCB may hit the flight controller throughout impacts, inflicting harm. The up to date cover appears strong, with minimal jello throughout flight.
Nonetheless, the cover materials (TPU) is kind of versatile and might deform barely after sitting within the field for some time. Utilizing a hairdryer to heat up the fabric and straighten the cover earlier than flight could also be crucial.
Designed particularly for hardcore racers, the RaceSpec V2 options ultra-light 0702 30,000KV motors, immediately soldered to the FC board utilizing ultra-thin wires to avoid wasting weight. Nonetheless, changing these motors will be difficult, particularly for pilots who aren’t assured with soldering, as a result of extraordinarily tiny solder pads.
Moreover, these motors use common magnets fairly than curved magnets, a minor element however noteworthy for racers searching for each potential efficiency edge.
Electronics: A Nearer Look
The Hummingbird RaceSpec V2 introduces a brand new AT32-based F4 flight controller, providing superior specs on paper in comparison with the BetaFPV Matrix 5-in-1 used within the Air65. Listed below are some notable upgrades:
- AT32 F435 MCU: This quicker microcontroller replaces the older STM32 F411.
- ICM42688 Gyro: Upgraded from the earlier BMI270 gyro.
These adjustments seem primarily pushed by value and provide chain concerns fairly than a dramatic efficiency leap. Personally, I didn’t discover a major distinction in flight dealing with in comparison with the V1.
The AIO FC board additionally incorporates a powerful 18A 4-in-1 ESC, which is certainly overkill for a 1S tiny whoop. Nonetheless, having further headroom is reassuring, particularly for voltage spikes throughout crashes. Clearly, sturdiness and robustness have been key concerns, even when most pilots gained’t ever push the ESC to its full potential.
The flight controller integrates each a VTX and receiver (RX), with the FPV digicam conveniently related through a plug-in connector, considerably minimizing soldering.
The upgraded 400mW VTX is a substantial enchancment over the V1’s restricted 25mW transmitter.
One other welcome improve is the swap from an SPI-based to a UART-based ExpressLRS receiver. This transition is a major enchancment for long-term firmware assist, in addition to permitting receiver updates independently from Betaflight.
For weight discount, NewBeeDrone eliminated the onboard USB connector, changing it with a small exterior USB-C dongle related through a 4-pin header.
Lastly, it’s nice to see the transition from the older PH2.0 connectors to the extra environment friendly A30 connectors, which offer higher energy supply and general efficiency.
Flight Efficiency
Indoors
Even throughout preliminary hovering exams indoor, the Hummingbird RaceSpec V2 clearly was extra highly effective than the Air65. It feels extremely light-weight and punchy. Nonetheless, the intense 45° digicam tilt made indoor flights practically unimaginable. All through indoor flights, it felt like I used to be virtually all the time staring on the ceiling; each time I pitched ahead to see forward, the drone shot ahead at such excessive pace that it shortly turned uncontrollable. Finally, I made a decision outside flights have been crucial to check this drone correctly.
Outside
Utilizing really useful 1S 300mAh batteries, I acquired simply over 2 minutes of flight time. The RaceSpec V2 is notably power-hungry resulting from its excessive KV motors and 48kHz ESC setting. Even one punch-out instantly triggered voltage warnings, but it stays undoubtedly one of many quickest and most responsive 1S whoops I’ve ever flown.
Surprisingly, this tiny quad handles windy circumstances remarkably effectively. Flying confidently in 15MPH wind, it genuinely felt extra like a bigger 2-inch freestyle drone fairly than a small 1S whoop. The RaceSpec V2 is exceptionally fast, agile, and impressively snappy round corners.
Nonetheless, keep in mind that this distinctive efficiency compromises sturdiness. With minimal protecting construction, this whoop gained’t endure repeated arduous crashes as gracefully as typical tiny whoops. Contemplate this rigorously if aggressive flying and frequent crashes are a part of your FPV journey.
Downsides
For my part, probably the most important draw back is the intense digicam angle, which is just too aggressive for comfy indoor flying. Whereas I perceive the drone is designed for hardcore racing—because the identify clearly implies—this severely limits its versatility and attraction to most of the people. Together with an non-obligatory cover with a decrease digicam angle would significantly broaden its usability, permitting extra pilots to comfortably get pleasure from this whoop.
One other minor situation includes the brand new A30 battery connector. Whereas I’m glad that NewBeeDrone has lastly transitioned away from PH2.0, the straight connector and comparatively quick cable aren’t supreme. When utilizing a normal 1S 300mAh battery, the connector pushes the battery ahead, offsetting the quad’s heart of gravity. A 180-degree connector, just like the one used on the Air65, can be a more sensible choice.
Lastly, I’m not against utilizing an exterior USB dongle to connect with Betaflight—BetaFPV additionally makes use of this strategy to avoid wasting weight and house on the FC. Nonetheless, NewBeeDrone’s implementation feels overly excessive. As a substitute of a correct connector, the FC has solely 4 tiny holes on the PCB, requiring exact alignment of the adapter’s pins. If the USB cable is wiggled barely throughout connection, you threat dropping contact, making the method fiddly and irritating.
Learn how to Setup for First Flight
To configure the drone, if that is the primary time you ever encountered FC with AT32 processors, you may want to put in drivers (for those who can’t hook up with Betaflight after plugging in USB cable).
To attach the FC to Betaflight, you additionally want to make use of the USB adapter supplied within the field, be very cautious when plugging it in.
The FC comes with Betaflight 4.5.1 RacePro, and the FC goal is HUMMINGBIRD_RS_V2.
Firstly, bind the receiver, receiver firmware goal is NewBeeDrone 2.4GHz Micro RX. Firmware model is 3.5.3. Comply with this information for those who don’t know the way: https://oscarliang.com/bind-expresslrs-receivers/
For maiden flight, listed below are the Betaflight configurations:
- Load ExpressLRS Preset
- Set Your Charges
- Set Arm swap, angle mode swap, turtle mode swap
- Set OSD (disable “Core Temperature” underneath warnings, exchange RSSI with RSSI_dBm
- Modify your VTX channel and energy (25mW to 400mW) based mostly in your flying setting.
Necessary:
The RaceSpec V2 makes use of a customized model of Betaflight firmware (Betaflight 4.5.1 RacePro), particularly tuned and optimized by NewBeeDrone. The default settings are tailor-made for the Hummingbird RaceSpec V2 and differ considerably from Betaflight’s normal defaults. NewBeeDrone explicitly warns in opposition to flashing normal Betaflight firmware because of this. If you happen to ever want to revive the drone’s manufacturing facility settings, merely click on the “RESET” button in Betaflight’s Setup tab.
Nonetheless Not the Absolute Lightest
At 16.5 grams, the Hummingbird RaceSpec V2 is among the many lightest tiny whoops in the marketplace (for comparability, the BetaFPV Air65 weighs 17.1 grams).
Regardless of its minimalist design, there’s nonetheless room for additional weight discount. Beforehand, I weighed particular person elements from each the BetaFPV Air65 and Hummingbird RaceSpec V1. Combining absolutely the lightest components from every may end in an ultra-light whoop at round 15.6 grams—virtually a full gram lighter than the RaceSpec V2. Try my detailed breakdown right here: https://oscarliang.com/best-tiny-whoop/#The-Lightest-65mm-Analog-Tiny-Whoop-Construct-2025
Ultimate Verdict
The Hummingbird RaceSpec V2 is arguably one of many quickest BNF tiny whoops at present obtainable. If you happen to’re a talented pilot and have ample house to fly aggressively, it’s really a dream—agile, responsive, and impressively highly effective. Nonetheless, in case your purpose is informal indoor flying or relaxed flights in smaller areas, this whoop could also be too aggressive and difficult to regulate, with comparatively quick flight occasions.
Sturdiness is one other consideration. Its minimalist construction and aggressive efficiency imply lowered crash resistance and extra complicated repairs. Until you’re extremely skilled and cozy dealing with intricate repairs, this in all probability isn’t your best option for informal bashing or frequent crashes.
Finally, the RaceSpec V2 is a superb choice for critical racers trying to shave fractions of a second off lap occasions. Nonetheless, for those who’re new to FPV, I strongly advocate selecting a extra beginner-friendly drone with strong building, less complicated repairs, and plug-and-play comfort. Try my detailed tiny whoop suggestions right here: https://oscarliang.com/best-tiny-whoop/#Greatest-65mm-Tiny-Whoops
