The BetaFPV Aquila20 FPV Drone Equipment is a budget-friendly newbie FPV package deal that features every little thing you’ll want to begin flying. It’s designed to decrease the barrier to entry and cut back the educational curve—no have to analysis particular person parts or fear about compatibility. Simply purchase the equipment, cost the batteries, and fly straight out of the field. However is that this the equipment for you? Let’s discover out on this evaluate.
New to FPV? Begin with this newbie’s information: https://oscarliang.com/fpv-drone-guide/
The place to Purchase
Get the Aquila20 FPV equipment from these distributors:
It comes with:
- Aquila20 Quadcopter
- LiteRadio 4 SE Radio
- VR04 FPV Goggles
- 2 × Batteries
- Battery Charger
- 1 Set of Spare Propellers (Gemfan 2218 3-Blade)
- USB-C Cable and Adapter
- Prop Removing Instrument
- Screwdriver
Specs
- Goggles: VR04 FPV Goggles
- Radio Transmitter: LiteRadio 4 SE
- Video Transmission Energy & Vary: 350mW, vary above 200m
- Radio Protocol: ExpressLRS 2.4GHz V3
- Digital camera Angle Adjustment: 10°–30°
- Flight Controller: Aquila20 V1.0
- Propellers: Gemfan 2218 3-Blade
- Motors: 1103 10500KV
- Battery: Aquila20 Unique 2S HV 1100mAh
- Charger: 2S HV Charger & Voltage Tester (BT3.0 Connector)
- Wheelbase: 100mm
- Body Materials: PA
- Flight Modes: N / S / M Mode
- Flight Time: ~10 minutes
- Drone Weight (with out battery): 67.6g
- Battery Weight: 52.8g
- Drone Takeoff Weight: 120.4g
- Goggles Weight: 430g
- Radio Weight: 217g
Design and Overview
In the event you’ve seen the unique Aquila16 (evaluate right here: https://oscarliang.com/betafpv-aquila16/), the Aquila20 is actually the larger, extra highly effective sibling. It makes use of bigger propellers, stronger motors, and a 2S battery, giving it noticeably extra punch and longer flight time. The trade-off? It’s significantly heavier, hits tougher in a crash and it’s undoubtedly louder.
Left: Air65 tiny whoop; Proper: Aquila20
Regardless of being referred to as the 20, it truly makes use of 2.2-inch propellers, so technically it ought to have been named Aquila22. The bigger dimension makes it a lot better suited to outside flying, even with a little bit of wind.
Constructed for Rookies with DJI-Impressed Components
The drone is clearly designed to be sturdy and crash-resistant, which is strictly what a newbie desires. Nonetheless, that sturdiness comes with a draw back: extra weight and fewer agility. It teaches the basics of flying, nevertheless it gained’t provide the full, uncooked FPV expertise.
The design of all the Aquila20 equipment feels closely influenced by the DJI Avata 2. You possibly can see DJI-style components all over the place:
- the aesthetics of the drone
- the slide-in battery
- the swap structure on the radio
- the goggle menu buttons
- the N/S/M flight modes
It feels very very like BetaFPV’s interpretation of a mini Avata-style coach.
It’s essential to notice that the Aquila20 does NOT run Betaflight. As an alternative, it makes use of BetaFPV’s personal simplified firmware.
This has execs and cons:
Professionals:
- Fewer settings to confuse newcomers
- Works out of the field with no tuning or setup required
- Helps LiDAR and optical circulate for place maintain out of the field
Cons:
- Very restricted customization
- Not appropriate with Betaflight tuning or instruments
- It’s a must to study the software program once more whenever you transfer on to different fashions
One situation I encountered: once I tried connecting the Aquila20 drone to the BetaFPV Configurator, however I couldn’t get it to attach—my pc didn’t acknowledge the FC although it powered on. Possibly I simply have a foul unit. Both means, the nice factor is you don’t really want to alter something; it’s plug-and-play.
BetaFPV Configurator obtain: https://help.betafpv.com/hc/en-us/articles/40712112687769-BETAFPV-Configurator-Consumer-Guide
VR04 Goggles – The Shock Spotlight
I already favored the budget-friendly VR03 goggles, however the brand new VR04 goggles are even higher, and truthfully one of many highlights of the entire equipment.
They aren’t premium goggles, however they get the job performed:
- Bigger design, permitting you to put on glasses whereas utilizing the goggles
- DVR recording to micro SD card
- Detachable antenna (RP-SMA), so you’ll be able to improve to a higher-gain antenna
- Easy interface and simple controls
One limitation: the VR04 receiver shouldn’t be range and doesn’t help exterior receiver modules both, so vary is restricted. However for flying indoors, within the yard or small parks, they’re completely enough.
I’m round –4 diopters and was shocked that I may fly them with out corrective lenses; solely among the smaller OSD textual content wasn’t completely sharp. And if wanted, I can put on my glasses contained in the goggles.
Clearly, if in case you have the finances, I’d undoubtedly get one thing higher. However for the reasonably priced worth, the VR04 goggles supply actually good worth. Take a look at my FPV goggles suggestions right here: https://oscarliang.com/fpv-goggles/
Proprietary Battery Packs
The battery packs have a built-in energy swap—you have to flip the battery on earlier than powering the drone and earlier than charging it. Personally, I’m not a fan of proprietary batteries. They could combine neatly into the RTF design and assist the drone look extra streamlined, however they sacrifice versatility.
These batteries are primarily 2S 1100mAh LiHV packs (8.7V max, 4.35V per cell). Each the battery and the drone use BT3 connectors, which suggests you may theoretically use different BT3 batteries on the Aquila20, the true problem can be mounting it securely for the reason that inventory battery slides right into a customized compartment.
Nonetheless, BT3 is a proprietary connector created by BetaFPV, so BetaFPV shall be your solely sensible supply of appropriate batteries. It’s extremely unlikely you’ll discover third-party choices that work with this drone with out modification.
Vital Notice About Leaving Batteries Plugged In
As a result of the battery has an influence swap, you’ll be able to in principle depart it linked to the drone for brief durations. Nonetheless, I strongly suggest eradicating the battery whenever you’re not flying—particularly in case you gained’t contact the drone for greater than per week.
Even when switched off, the battery doesn’t utterly disconnect energy. I measured round 0.04V on the output, which means the drone nonetheless attracts a really small quantity of present. Over an extended sufficient interval, this might ultimately over-discharge the pack. The present draw is tiny, so it will take a very long time to completely drain, nevertheless it’s nonetheless safer to unplug the battery every time potential.
LiteRadio 4 SE Radio Controller
The included radio is actually the LiteRadio 4 I lately reviewed, nevertheless it’s referred to as “SE Model” due to the shortage of trim buttons (that’s the one distinction I discover). It’s a really fundamental, budget-friendly radio aimed toward newcomers. Configuration choices are restricted, and it lacks the flexibility of extra superior transmitters—nevertheless it works superb for studying.
The radio makes use of the ExpressLRS 2.4GHz hyperlink, so you should utilize it with most fashionable BNF drones as effectively. Simply needless to say vary shall be restricted because of the low output energy, and the interior, non-removable antenna.
For informal flying, whoops, and short-range park flights, it will get the job performed.
Consumer Expertise
This equipment is genuinely easy and beginner-friendly. Simply cost every little thing, energy it on, and also you’re mainly able to fly.
Preparation
The included fast begin information is absolutely useful and makes setup extraordinarily easy.
I actually like how easy battery charging is. You don’t want to consider charger settings or something technical—simply plug the battery into the included USB charger and also you’re good to go. The batteries arrived at about half charged, so the primary top-up took solely round 10 minutes (a completely depleted pack takes roughly 20 to half-hour to cost).
The draw back is that the USB charger solely handles one battery at a time, so anticipate a brief ready interval between flights whereas the opposite pack expenses. It pulls about 12W, so it’s moderately quick for a USB charger.
The radio is already pre-bound to the drone, however the goggles had been set to the improper video channel out of the field. The video feed was flickering with “unhealthy sign” warnings till I switched the goggles to R4—after that, every little thing labored completely.
Arming and Flight Modes
You turn flight mode utilizing the left 3-position swap on the transmitter.
In the event you’re new, depart it in N mode.
N Mode
N Mode is actually place maintain—in case you launch the sticks at middle, the drone maintains its place within the air. I’ve to say, it really works so a lot better on the Aquila20 than it did on the Aquila16. On the 16, the optical circulate and LiDAR had been inconsistent and drifted an excessive amount of. On the Aquila20, it’s shockingly steady. It could drift barely when it’s too near the bottom—however when you’re 1–2 meters up, it holds its spot extraordinarily effectively.
It additionally holds altitude when the throttle stick is centered, so newcomers have one much less factor to handle. You possibly can nonetheless get some drifting whereas yawing, however general stability is great.
Touchdown can be beginner-friendly. Even in case you drop the throttle to 0 mid-air, it descends slowly and gently—good for youths or anybody who desires a secure, stress-free flying expertise.
S Mode
S Mode is mainly Angle mode in Betaflight. It self stabilizes utilizing the accelerometer solely so the drone will drift a bit and would require consumer enter. It additionally removes assistive altitude maintain. You’ll have to always handle top your self utilizing the throttle stick, making it an excellent stepping stone earlier than studying full handbook FPV.
M Mode
M Mode is full handbook mode, the flight mode each FPV pilot ultimately makes use of. There’s no stabilization—simply pure, direct management by the pilot. It’s the toughest mode to study however gives essentially the most freedom and efficiency.
Stick Sensitivity
The precise 3-position swap controls stick sensitivity.
- Greater sensitivity = sooner, extra responsive flight
- Decrease sensitivity = simpler management for newcomers
Flight Efficiency
You possibly can comfortably fly the Aquila20 each indoors and open air, nevertheless it undoubtedly shines extra open air.
As a result of it runs on a 2S battery, the additional voltage provides it noticeably extra punch. It’s sooner, extra highly effective, and handles wind much better than the Aquila16 or any typical 1S whoop. The trade-off is noise—this drone is loud. Indoors, it’s loud sufficient to bother anybody in the identical room (truthfully, it sounds as loud as a vacuum cleaner, if not louder.
Indoor vs Out of doors Flying
When you can fly it indoors, I usually discovered myself slowing down so much. In the event you crash right into a wall, it’s going to depart some scratch mark due to how heavy it’s. The Aquila20 additionally carries an excellent quantity of momentum when turning, so it’s a must to decelerate to be exact. Fast turns require more room and extra braking time, so it’s a must to fly cautiously. It nearly seems like coaching within the fitness center with a weight vest on, however when you grasp controlling this heavy drone, I think about flying a lighter tiny whoop would really feel easy.
That stated, it’s completely flyable for a yard or small park. The ability is sufficient for enjoyable beginner-level acro strikes—flips, rolls, split-S, inverted yaw spins, and so on. It gained’t really feel as agile as any typical freestyle quad, nevertheless it’s undoubtedly succesful.
Digital camera Efficiency
The Aquila20 makes use of the brand new C04 digital camera, an improve from the C02 used within the Aquila16. Clearly, it’s nowhere close to the readability of HD techniques like DJI or Walksnail, however for an analog cam, it’s fairly strong. Dynamic vary is first rate — I may fly from a shiny room right into a darkish room and nonetheless see effectively sufficient. I don’t have any complaints relating to picture high quality, completely acceptable for each indoor and outside flying.
Vary and Sign Penetration
That is the place I used to be most disenchanted.
BetaFPV claims a 200m vary, however in my testing, the video began getting noticeably glitchy round 100m, and penetration by obstacles (like timber) was poor. In some instances, the video turned nearly unflyable with simply a few timber in between.
That is shocking as a result of the VTX is supposedly 350mW, which ought to carry out means higher. I think the principle situation is antenna placement—it’s buried deep contained in the drone body, surrounded by digital parts, which seemingly blocks loads of the RF sign. An externally mounted antenna would have made a distinction.
Anyway, for flying round the home or yard, the vary is adequate. However in case you’re hoping to discover bigger areas, you would possibly end up hitting the bounds ahead of you’d anticipate.
Tear Down
Some photos exhibiting how I disassemble the drone and what it seems to be like inside.
It’s utilizing a specifically made AIO FC board with built-in 4in1 ESC. The optical circulate sensor and LiDAR sensor are additionally built-in on the identical board.
The VTX is mounted above the digital camera. You too can see the VTX antenna is tucked behind the digital camera and below the VTX, not a perfect spot for an antenna TBH.
Conclusion – Ought to You Purchase This Equipment?
For absolute FPV newcomers, my advice stay the identical: begin with a simulator. You’ll keep away from numerous real-world crashes, lower your expenses, and construct strong muscle reminiscence earlier than you ever contact an actual drone. With that strategy, you’ll be able to skip RTF (Prepared-To-Fly) kits altogether and bounce straight right into a “actual” FPV drone whenever you’re prepared.
RTF drone kits just like the Aquila20 primarily make sense for individuals who can’t observe in sims—perhaps you don’t have entry to a pc, otherwise you’re getting this for a kid who simply desires one thing enjoyable and secure to fly. The Aquila20 is strong and crash-resistant sufficient for coaching, however its efficiency ceiling is low, and most of the people will outgrow it pretty rapidly.
BetaFPV deserves credit score for simplifying all the system with their very own software program and {hardware}. It lowers the educational curve, reduces the setup complexity, and makes the equipment way more approachable for true newcomers. Nonetheless, a part of me feels they need to have used commonplace FPV software program (like Betaflight and EdgeTX) in order that newcomers don’t should study every little thing once more later after they improve.
What I Advocate if You’re New to FPV
In the event you’re getting began and desire a path that grows with you:
When you’re prepared, select a drone primarily based on the place you’ll be able to fly:
- Restricted indoor house? Get the Air65 tiny whoop and finances goggles just like the VR04.
- Small outside areas however need one thing sooner? A 3-inch or 3.5-inch freestyle drone is ideal.
- If you’re actually courageous, 5inch is the last word beast! They will go as much as 150MPH whereas carrying a GoPro!
Who Ought to Get the Aquila20 Equipment?
- Youngsters studying FPV
- Anybody with out entry to a pc or simulator
- Somebody who desires a “simply works” equipment with no configuration
- Rookies who wish to fly safely and hassle-free
The Aquila20 shouldn’t be a efficiency drone. It’s a beginner-focused FPV coach—ultimate for studying and constructing confidence, however not meant for freestyle ripping, racing, or long-range flight. It shines in simplicity: it really works straight out of the field, no constructing or soldering, and the flight modes are genuinely newbie pleasant. The drone is sturdy, the system is simple to cost and function, and every little thing within the equipment is designed to cut back frustration.
Simply keep in mind: you’ll seemingly outgrow the drone, the goggles and the radio pretty rapidly. This can be a stepping-stone equipment—nice for the primary chapter of your FPV journey, however not the entire guide.