The SpeedyBee Bee25 is a compact, sub-250g cinewhoop that excels as a versatile and feature-rich option for FPV drone enthusiasts, specifically designed with the DJI O3 Air Unit in mind. With its sleek modular design, meticulous engineering, and impressive flight efficiency, the Bee25 offers an astonishing amount of capabilities within a compact package. Here is the improved/revised text:
This evaluation provides an expert assessment of the Bee25, examining its build quality, flight performance, and overall value to users.
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New to FPV? What follows the purchase of Cinewhoops?
Battery isn’t included. Try these suggestions right here! To meet a weight constraint of under 250 grams, opt for the 4S 650mAh battery. Alternatively, choose the 4S 850mAh option for extended flight duration.
Ensure you also procure supplementary propeller replacements.
This comprehensive bundle, dubbed the Bee25, comprises a customer guide, a selection of stickers, additional hardware, antenna holders, and two screwdrivers – a thoughtful touch, given that many BNF drones often omit such essentials.
I’m reviewing the ExpressLRS model.
- SpeedyBee Bee25 Commonplace Model
- 120mm
- What’s the Status of My Flight: STM32F405 Powering ICM42688 Gyroscope, 8MB Data Log, and Seamless Bluetooth Connectivity?
- 35A 8-bit ESC (BlueJay firmware)
- 1404 4600KV
- : HQprop DT63mm-3 blades
- This accessory is specifically designed to work seamlessly with the DJI O3 Air Unit.
- Included (Optimized for use with DJI O3 Air Unit)
- ELRS 2.4GHz and TBS Crossfire Nano transmitters are now compatible with this device.
- XT30
- Designed for use with 4S 650-1100mAh lithium-ion batteries, this device is compact in size at 64x31x40mm (vertical orientation) or 75x31x40mm (horizontal orientation).
- Meteor LED features 88 adjustable LED beads, fully customizable via the intuitive SpeedyBee app.
- ELRS (Default) / TBS (for specific models and regions)
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- Without DJI O3 module and battery: approximately 123 grams.
- With DJI O3: 172g
- With DJI O3 technology and a 4S battery rated at 650mAh, the drone weighs in at just 248 grams.
- With DJI O3 and 4S 850mAh battery: 266 grams
The Bee 25 drone showcases a sleek design, its elements elegantly housed within a transparent, tinted plastic body. This design grants the Bee25 a fresh, modern appearance, while also allowing visibility into its internal components, showcasing the sleek LEDs that run along its body.
The Meteor’s built-in LEDs don’t just provide a touch of visual flair but also serve a practical purpose. The displays indicate the drone’s status, mirroring its readiness for flight, including whether it’s pre-programmed or operating in a safe mode, while also enhancing navigation by locating the drone even in poor lighting conditions. This characteristic, combined with the ability to control LEDs via Betaflight or the SpeedyBee app, adds another dimension of practicality and value.
Despite its lightweight nature, the Bee25 exudes a sense of sturdiness. SpeedyBee has implemented thoughtful design choices to safeguard sensitive components, including the robustly mounted XT30 connector and protective housing surrounding the GPS module. As my evaluation unit lacked a GPS module, I was unable to explore the Rescue mode. The USB-C port on the flight controller offers seamless accessibility, allowing for effortless alterations to the drone’s settings through its intuitive interface.
At approximately 165 grams without its battery, the Bee25 is engineered to stay below the 250-gram limit when paired with an appropriately sized 4S battery. It is crucial to comply with local regulations regarding drones, as failure to do so may result in severe penalties. When incorporating the DJI O3 Air Unit, take note that the battery’s weight must stay within this limit. When it comes to batteries that keep your overall weight below 250g, the standout choice is a 4S 650mAh unit, which, when combined with other components, results in a total weight of approximately 248g.
While the elastic battery band may seem unconventional, its surprising effectiveness lies in safely storing batteries of various sizes. While longer batteries exceeding 60mm in length may present a minor challenge, it’s not uncommon to encounter difficulties when installing an XT30 connector due to its mounting position. Consider reorienting the mounting brackets to accommodate the battery’s lateral placement for a secure fit. While planning to utilize larger batteries, consider that a minor drawback may arise.
While the Bee 25 is specifically designed for seamless integration with the DJI O3 Air Unit, my review sample didn’t come equipped with one, thus requiring me to establish a separate setup. Fortunately, the setup process is straightforward. While the modular digital camera mount for the O3 might seem complex at first glance, its design is actually well-thought-out and effective. The design provides unparalleled protection for the O3 Air Unit, ensuring its structural integrity and dependability are safeguarded.
While the modular system may necessitate a slight additional effort upfront, users can leverage detailed instructions available on SpeedyBee’s website to streamline the process. With its modular design, users can effortlessly access the microSD card and USB-C port immediately upon setup, rendering this a single-use operation. The O3 Air Unit’s efficient thermal regulation is ensured by a cleverly integrated cooling duct within the antenna mount, effectively preventing overheating during extended flight periods – a thoughtful design consideration.
Although I inquired about SpeedyBee’s compatibility with the Walksnail VTX system from SpeedyBee itself, unfortunately, this model is not compatible with it. To maximize your customer experience, consider opting for the tried-and-trusted DJI O3 Air Unit.
The Bee 2.5 flew exceptionally well, surpassing my initial expectations and cementing its position as one of the most impressive 2.5-inch cinewhoops I’ve had the pleasure of flying this year. Tuned directly from the field, this drone excels in capturing cinematic-quality footage, allowing for effortless and stabilized photography.
The Bee25’s 1404 4600KV motors demonstrate impressive effectiveness and responsiveness, delivering ample thrust without sacrificing flight stability or precision. When combined with high-quality 63mm props, this motor blend delivers outstanding performance for seamless and visually stunning flight operations. Even with its large 4S 850mAh LiPo battery, the drone still had ample power to maintain a steady hover at around 25% throttle, providing plenty of reserve energy for more spirited flight modes if desired, which is truly impressive.
The battery life of the Bee25 is impressive, delivering a robust performance. With a 650mAh 4S battery, I was able to achieve approximately 5.5 minutes of uninterrupted, high-quality flight time. With the upgrade to an 850mAh battery, flight time was significantly extended to approximately seven and a half minutes.
Regardless of whether I was capturing cinematic masterpieces through steady and predictable flight paths or pushing the limits with daring freestyle moves, the drone consistently handled every situation with precision. While I did encounter some minor prop wash here and there, fortunately it didn’t have a significant impact on the overall experience.
As a 2.5-inch drone, its noise level is comparable to other cinewhoops of similar size; you’ll likely garner attention if flying in public spaces? Notably louder than my 3-inch open-prop drone, such as the recently reviewed Sub250 Oasisfly25, which is characteristic of cinewhoops, something to keep in mind.
The Bee25’s design decision to omit spare propellers may pose an inconvenience for some users, potentially requiring additional purchases or creative workarounds. Choose what exactly?
From an efficiency standpoint, eliminating the LED strip would likely save weight and potentially enhance performance by making the DJI O3 a more streamlined device. By opting for this option, you can install a larger 4S 850mAh battery, which enables you to stay within the 250g weight limit while providing longer flight times and enhanced performance.
While GPS is not essential for indoor or proximity flights, it’s highly recommended for outdoor operations or as a safety backup to enable Rescue Mode. Right here’s a information: .
While the prop guards are designed to be lightweight, this design choice unfortunately sacrifices their overall sturdiness. To minimize unexpected shutdowns, consider procuring replacement parts in advance, thereby preventing costly and time-consuming repairs.
SpeedyBee consistently creates unique designs with meticulous attention to detail. Despite this, designing frames that necessitate diverse screw types and sizes may inadvertently complicate repairs and maintenance to some extent. While they provide two extra screws per type, this added complexity may not charm everyone. While SpeedyBee excels at delivering striking, visually appealing frame designs, its ornate style may not appeal to those preferring understated simplicity. It’s refreshing to see that the package includes screwdrivers, making it an excellent option for novices to get started.
The Bee25’s limited compatibility with external FPV (First-Person View) systems, excluding those from DJI, poses another restriction in its overall usability. To utilize the Walksnail system seamlessly, minor tweaks and adjustments are necessary, posing potential challenges for some users.
Establishing the Bee 25 for its maiden voyage proved to be a straightforward process.
Uniquely, the CLI (Command-Line Interface) will be distinguished by its novel features.
The SpeedyBee Bee25 stands out as a top choice among my favored 2.5-inch cinewhoops for the upcoming year, boasting impressive performance and innovative features that elevate its capabilities. This exceptional drone takes flight seamlessly out of the field, offering impressive value through its thoughtful design, and harmonizes effortlessly with the DJI O3 Air Unit. While minor areas for improvement were highlighted in the assessment, the overall performance and build quality of the Bee25 firmly establish it as an exceptional option in the under 250g category.
If you’re on the hunt for a lightweight cinewhoop offering excellent flight efficiency, the Bee25 is an outstanding choice to consider. Whether navigating indoor spaces or capturing stunning aerial shots outside, the SpeedyBee Bee25 consistently impresses with its reliability and performance as a lightweight, sub-250g drone.
