BetaFPV has unveiled a premium iteration of its popular Pavo20 model, introducing the Pavo20 Professional. While sharing a striking resemblance to its precursor, the Professional model boasts a slightly larger frame capable of housing more substantial propellers and upgraded, high-performance engines. Do these cumulative enhancements collectively elevate the drone’s overall performance and capabilities?
In this comprehensive overview, I’ll draw upon my hands-on experience with the Pavo20 Professional, identifying its unique features and evaluating whether it can serve as a viable addition to, or alternative for, your existing drone fleet.
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The package deal comprises screws securing the cover to the body, DJI O3 antennas, and a LED strip, familiar to those who’ve used other BetaFPV models such as the Pavo25. It also includes an additional set of Gemfan 2.2-inch tri-blade propellers and a USB-C adapter for connecting the flight controller to Betaflight.
- 93.7mm
- What’s your aerial photography and videography setup?
- DJI O3 Digital Camera, Caddx Sequence, and RunCam Sequence (both 19mm and 20mm configurations).
- Vertical
- XT30
- 20mm
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- Lava Sequence 1104: Elevate Your Drone Experience with 7200KV Brushless Motors
- GemFan 2218 3-Blade Propellers: Robust Performance for R/C Aircraft (1.5mm Shaft)
- ExpressLRS, TBS Crossfire
- 70.1g
- High-Performance Lithium-Ion Batteries: Lava Series
* Lava 3S 450mAh 75C Battery: Compact and powerful, delivering rapid discharges with its impressive 75C rating.
* Lava 3S 550mAh 75C Battery: A step up in capacity and performance, ideal for demanding applications that require sustained power output.
* 3S 650mAh Battery: The flagship model, offering a balance of size, weight, and energy density for high-intensity use cases.
Upon initial inspection, the Pavo20 Professional bears a resemblance to its predecessors, yet boasts several significant enhancements.
The injection-molded plastic body has been reinforced to provide a noticeable increase in sturdiness, while the upgraded carbon fiber plate has grown in thickness to an impressive 2.4 millimeters, further amplifying its durability.
What are your expectations from a professional-grade Pavo20?
With the upgrade of propellers from 2-inch, two-blade designs to 2.2-inch tri-blades, and the swap from 1103 8500KV motors to more powerful 1104 7200KV variants, the overall system is now capable of harnessing additional energy.
The refined cover design now offers a range of antenna mounting options specifically tailored to the DJI O3 antenna, as well as additional holes for customizable digital camera configurations, ensuring greater flexibility and versatility in your setup.
The Pavo20 Professional tips the scales at a mere 70.1g without the DJI O3, increasing to 108g when paired with this accessory – an added 14g compared to its predecessor, the Pavo20. Notwithstanding the added weight, this design upgrade yields enhanced stability and streamlined performance.
The flight controller remains unchanged, using an F405 20A All-In-One (AIO) Flight Controller, compatible with 2S to 3S battery configurations.
While one notable aspect of the flight controller is its lack of a USB port, it’s essential to mention that this necessitates the use of a specific dongle for establishing a connection with Betaflight, something that would be unfortunate to misplace. This identical adapter is used within both the and whoops?
The ExpressLRS receiver is integrated into the flight controller, simplifying the setup process with ease and clarity. Despite its humble appearance as a simple, curved copper wire concealed beneath the body, this internal antenna’s performance may be hampered by its limitations compared to an external dipole antenna designed for optimal reception and transmission.
Without an included video transmitter or digital camera, the out-of-the-box Pavo 20 Professional setup requires users to bring their own equipment for seamless integration.
The Pavo20 Professional is specifically designed with the DJI O3 Air Unit in mind. To utilize diverse cameras and VTXs compatible with Walksnail or analog systems, one must consider creative mounting options.
The setup of the O3 is straightforward and hassle-free, eliminating the need for soldering skills.
The miniature drone is equipped with interchangeable dipole antennas, so we’ll swap out the unique antenna for one of these options. Meanwhile, the high-definition digital camera will be securely fastened into its designated plastic housing.
The bracket’s design ensures a secure hold on the Air Unit without requiring any screws.
Meticulously align the supplied rubber grommets to their corresponding positions within the product’s framework.
Bracket setup complete: the O3 is securely fastened to the body using the provided screws, a straightforward and effective installation process.
Here’s some unedited raw footage without stabilization, captured at a windy speed of 15MPH.
The new motor and propeller combination in the Pavo20 Professional yields a marked improvement in efficiency compared to its predecessor, the original Pavo20. The combination of 1104 motors and 2.2-inch tri-blade propellers yields increased thrust, allowing the Pavo20 Professional to accelerate faster and respond more quickly while better handling propeller wash.
This setup proves to be exceptionally effective in tracking fast-moving targets such as vehicles or bicycles. The increased weight and power enable the drone to effectively counteract gusts of wind when flying outdoors, making it an essential feature for navigating turbulent conditions. What’s more, a larger storage capacity enhances efficiency, effectively countervailing the increased weight and thereby prolonging flight duration.
The Pavo20 Professional is equipped with a 3S 550mAh battery, providing approximately 5 minutes of flight duration when flown aggressively, similar to its counterpart, the original Pavo20?
While seemingly designed specifically to accommodate 550mAh batteries, caution is advised when using larger batteries, as improper positioning of the propellers can lead to potential issues.
The default PID/filter tune proves effective, delivering crisp and stable footage devoid of any noticeable jello effect; conversely, regulating the drone presents a seamless experience. While minor turbulence in 15MPH winds may cause occasional wobbling, the innovative Gyroflow stabilization technology effectively eliminates the majority of vibrations, resulting in effortlessly smooth and professional-looking footage. The stabilization feature also crops the footage slightly, a useful byproduct that conveniently eliminates the propellers from the digital camera’s field of view, a welcome additional benefit. Despite this, larger drones remain a better option for optimal performance in windy conditions.
Noise Evaluation in PID Toolbox:
The General Aviation BetaFPV Pavo20 Professional represents a significant enhancement over its predecessor, the Pavo20. While the 0.2-inch increased propeller size might seem insignificant, it actually yields higher efficiency without compromising portability, rendering the Pavo20 Professional remarkably adaptable to a wide range of flight scenarios. While addressing some of the Pavo20’s limitations through upgraded motors and a reinforced chassis, this iteration presents an attractive option for those seeking a more thrilling aerial experience.
