With drone laws getting more and more strict, I’m all the time excited when an FPV drone guarantees large efficiency in a tiny bundle. Enter the YMZFPV Eagle2, a micro FPV drone designed particularly for the DJI O4 Professional Air Unit, weighing underneath 104g together with the battery. On this evaluation, I’ll share my hands-on expertise with the Eagle2, information you thru the setup, supply sensible suggestions, and enable you determine if this drone fits your wants.
New to the DJI FPV system? Take a look at my newbie’s information right here: Tips on how to Set Up DJI O4 Professional: https://oscarliang.com/how-to-setup-dji-o4-pro/
The place to Purchase
You may get the YMZFPV Eagle2 from:
Get some spare props (Gemfan 1608×3, 1.5mm gap): https://s.click on.aliexpress.com/e/_oBNHbki
Batteries not included, they advocate GNB 3S 380mAh 90C: https://s.click on.aliexpress.com/e/_om27LLo
What’s the field:
- 1x YMZFPV Eagle2 FPV Drone
- 8x GEMFAN 1608-3 Propellers
- 1x M1.5 screwdriver
- 1x Phillips screwdriver
- 2x Battery Mounts (3D-printed TPU)
- Spare screws
Specs
- Wheelbase: 88mm
- Motors: 1002 brushless motors (1.5mm shaft)
- Body: YMZFPV E2F carbon-fiber and aluminum alloy
- Flight Controller: F411 AIO with built-in 40A 4-in-1 ESC
- Really useful Props: Gemfan 40mm 1608 3-blade or HQ 35mm 3-blade
- Receiver: BetaFPV Nano 2.4GHz ExpressLRS
- FPV Setup (Elective): DJI O4 Professional Air Unit
- Really useful Battery: 3S 380mAh 90C LiHV (not included)
- Whole Weight: Approx. 72g (103g with battery)
General Design
The YMZFPV Eagle2 has a barely comical look, with its tiny propellers starkly contrasting the comparatively massive DJI O4 Professional digicam and air unit.
Compares to 5inch Quad
Nonetheless, past its appears, the Eagle2 impresses as an exceptionally environment friendly construct, designed meticulously to attenuate weight. Quick wiring, minimal carbon fiber utilization, and light-weight aluminum alloy elements all contribute to the drone’s ultra-low weight whereas sustaining structural integrity.
Regardless of its minimalistic design, the Eagle2 feels surprisingly sturdy. The body is inflexible but light-weight, offering wonderful sturdiness.
Nonetheless, the DJI O4 Professional digicam does protrude noticeably from the entrance, rising the danger of scratches or harm in crashes. To guard this priceless element, I strongly advocate utilizing an ND or UV filter—even when purely for lens safety.
The battery mount, produced from versatile TPU materials, is straightforward to take away and reinstall—good for packing in compact instances throughout transportation. Nonetheless, word that the battery mount is particularly designed for batteries measuring roughly 17x22x55mm (such because the really helpful GNB 3S 380mAh 90C LiHV). You’ll need to design and print customized mount if you wish to use batteries of various dimension.
Nearer Have a look at the Parts
YMZFPV changed the DJI O4 Professional antennas with dipole antennas to avoid wasting weight. The draw back is lowered vary and sign penetration.
Nonetheless, should you desire higher vary, YMZFPV contains the unique antennas within the field, so you possibly can simply swap them again.
The propellers on the Eagle2 are friction-fit on the motor shafts – they’re simply pushed on. This makes me barely nervous, significantly given the costly O4 Professional air unit on board. It’s essential to all the time double-check that the props are securely connected earlier than every flight to keep away from potential mishaps.
One other level of concern is the O4 Professional digicam, which protrudes noticeably from the entrance of the body. Coupled with small, uncovered props which will detach upon crashing, this drone isn’t excellent for aggressive freestyle flying or bashing.
Moreover, resulting from its compact dimension, the Eagle2 lacks an onboard buzzer, making it difficult to find in tall grass after a crash. Though DShot Beacon is enabled out of the field, which makes use of the motors as beepers, they’re extraordinarily quiet. As soon as once more, the most effective recommendation is solely: attempt to not crash!
Flight Efficiency
I examined the YMZFPV Eagle2 in very windy situation – 15 MPH wind which is way from excellent. Regardless of some minor shakes seen within the FPV footage, I used to be genuinely impressed by how properly the drone dealt with the wind contemplating its micro dimension. And after making use of Gyroflow stabilization, these vibrations had been completely gone, nice information if you’re in search of easy cinematic footage.
It hovers at round 26% throttle, leaving ample room for aggressive aerobatic maneuvers. The Eagle2 genuinely feels nearer to a bigger, 3-inch freestyle drone—it’s extremely nimble and snappy.
Initially, I didn’t understand the Eagle2 comes with its motor output restricted to 80% by default (I suppose it’s to stop newcomers from being overwhelmed by its energy). Nonetheless, I discovered even at this lowered energy, the drone felt highly effective sufficient for freestyle flying. Nonetheless, I like to recommend setting the motor output to 100% in Betaflight. If it’s too highly effective on your choice, you possibly can use throttle scaling (e.g., 80%) within the Rateprofile tab as an alternative. This technique ensures optimum efficiency and stability, whereas artificially limiting motor output might negatively influence the flight traits.
Flight time additionally pleasantly stunned me, providing 4:00 to 4:half-hour throughout mild cruising flights. Nonetheless, going loopy on throttle will quickly drains the battery, decreasing flight instances nearer to three minutes.
Lastly, I used to be getting frequent “telemetry warning” alerts even at shut vary, one thing I nonetheless want to research additional. Fortunately, these warnings didn’t have an effect on flying the Eagle2 in any significant means.
Tips on how to Setup for First Flight
Firmware
- The flight controller (FC) board goal is JHEF411HD, and it comes preloaded with Betaflight firmware model 4.4.3. For inventory CLI Diff, see right here.
- ESC Firmware: G-H-30 – Bluejay, 0.19, 48kHz.
- ELRS Receiver Firmware Goal: BETAFPV 2.4GHz Nano RX, firmware model 3.5.3.
Steps to Setup
Issues and Enhancements
I genuinely love the YMZFPV Eagle2 and respect its nice potential, however there are positively areas for enchancment.
Firstly, there are two protruding screws beneath the body the place the battery mounts. These screws rub in opposition to the battery each time you insert it into the TPU mount, and there’s a real threat of puncturing the battery cells—particularly contemplating that is the aspect the drone usually lands on. Countersunk screws would have fully averted this challenge.
One other minor concern is the uncovered receiver antenna connector (U.FL). The antenna can simply come free throughout crashes. A barely longer heat-shrink overlaying would safe the connector in place higher. Personally, should you’re utilizing the DJI Distant Controller 3, this drone can be good with out the ExpressLRS receiver, saving weight and simplifying the setup. For those who’re , right here’s my information on establishing the DJI RC3 with the O4 Professional Air Unit: https://oscarliang.com/setup-dji-rc3-o4-betaflight/
The flight controller makes use of a Micro USB connector, which is much less sturdy and more and more unusual in comparison with USB-C. I’ve beforehand skilled micro USB connectors coming off FC boards. Moreover, there’s no present sensor on the FC—though neither challenge is a deal-breaker, these would have been good upgrades.
The DJI O4 Professional digicam is soft-mounted, and even when the screws are absolutely tightened, the digicam feels considerably free. You possibly can simply transfer the digicam by hand and unintentionally change the lean angle. Nonetheless, this softness appears to work properly and I’ve no challenge with Gyroflow stabilization, so it appears that is intentional. Simply keep in mind to double-check your digicam angle earlier than every flight. The battery mount can be not particularly safe and will come free in crashes. Mixed with friction-fit props, these small particulars imply it’s essential rigorously examine the drone earlier than every flight.
I’m nonetheless debating whether or not so as to add a tiny GPS module, like the Flywoo Nano GPS I used beforehand on the Cinelog30. Contemplating the Eagle2’s 4-minute flight time and 1-mile vary, including GPS may be helpful. For those who’re fascinated about establishing GPS, see my tutorial: https://oscarliang.com/setup-gps-rescue-mode-betaflight/
Lastly, as an alternative of setting a motor output restrict, I feel YMZFPV ought to have used throttle scale in Betaflight. With 40A ESCs, the Eagle2 simply handles full motor output, so throttle scaling can be a greater technique to restrict energy with out compromising efficiency.
PID Tuning and Optimizations
I’ve a number of concepts for optimizing the Eagle2 additional and can probably share detailed steps in a future publish. As a fast teaser, right here’s what I plan:
Provided that YMZFPV ships the Eagle2 with a virtually two-year-old Betaflight firmware, it appears they’ve merely up to date their earlier Eagle mannequin to accommodate the O4 Professional Air Unit with out particularly tuning PID. Even the filters are left as Betaflight defaults. Not deal breakers, the drone flies superb as-is. However I intend to improve the firmware, take away the motor output restrict, and make a customized tune for filters and PID settings to unlock the drone’s full potential. As regular, I’ll share my customized tune on my Patreon web page.
Moreover, I plan to take away the ExpressLRS receiver and rely solely on the DJI RC3 for management. I’m nonetheless undecided about including GPS, however it’s a risk.
With that mentioned, you possibly can merely fly the drone because it arrives—should you’re proud of its efficiency out of the field, there’s no want to alter something.
Ultimate Ideas
General, the YMZFPV Eagle2 is a powerful drone, providing big-drone efficiency in an extremely compact kind issue. It does really feel a bit costly although (round $200, plus one other $230 for the DJI O4 Professional), however it’s presently the one 1.6inch drone with DJI O4 Professional – delivering 4K 60FPS HD FPV footage in a bundle underneath 105 grams, battery included. In case your price range permits, and also you’re in search of a palm-sized, agile HD FPV drone good for flying round native parks or your yard, the Eagle2 is a genuinely gratifying and really helpful alternative.
You may get the YMZFPV Eagle2 from:
Get some spare props (Gemfan 1608×3, 1.5mm gap): https://s.click on.aliexpress.com/e/_oBNHbki
Batteries not included, they advocate GNB 3S 380mAh 90C: https://s.click on.aliexpress.com/e/_om27LLo
