The unique BetaFPV Pavo Pico was one of many smallest FPV drones able to carrying the DJI O3 Air Unit. BetaFPV has now upgraded it with help for each the DJI O4 Lite and DJI O4 Professional — meet the brand new Pavo Pico II! On this assessment, I’ll stroll you thru the design, set up the O4 and O4 Professional, the way it flies, and enable you determine whether or not that is the correct drone for you.
Be taught extra about cinewhoops on this purchaser’s information: https://oscarliang.com/cinewhoop/
The place to Purchase
You may get the BetaFPV Pavo Pico II from:
It’s accessible in two variations:
- With DJI O4 Air Unit (Lite) pre-installed
- PNP model (no Air Unit included)
I’m reviewing the PNP model right here. It comes with two canopies — one for the DJI O4 Lite and one for the DJI O4 Professional, so whichever Air Unit you select, you’re lined.
Oh! And don’t neglect to seize some spare props and batteries.
Spare Propellers (Gemfan 45mm 3-Blade):
Batteries (LAVA 2S 550mAh):
Equipment within the field:
- 4 × Gemfan 45mm 3-Blade Propellers
- 1 × USB Adapter (Kind-C to 4-pin SH1.0 Connector)
- 1 × Phillips Screwdriver
- 1 × H1.5 Hex Screwdriver
- 1 × Cover for DJI O4 Air Unit
- 1 × Cover for DJI O4 Professional Air Unit
- Mounting {hardware} for the DJI O4 Professional and O4
Specs
- Wheelbase: 80 mm
- Body: Pavo Pico II Brushless Whoop Body
- Flight Controller: F4 20A AIO FC
- Propellers: Gemfan 45mm 3-Blade
- Motors: LAVA 1102 14,000 KV
- Battery Connector: XT30
- Enter Voltage: 2S
- Receiver Choices: 2.4GHz ExpressLRS or DJI SBUS
- Weight:
- With out FPV Setup: 41g
- With DJI O4: 54g (84g with 2S 550mAh)
- With DJI O4 Professional: 78g (108g with 2S 550mAh)
Design & Construct
I actually preferred the unique Pavo Pico — paired with the DJI O3, it was able to capturing surprisingly stunning footage for its dimension. So I used to be genuinely excited to see BetaFPV improve it to help not solely the DJI O4 Lite, but in addition the O4 Professional Air Unit.
The Pavo Pico II ships with two cover choices, letting you select primarily based on which DJI Air Unit you propose to make use of. Apparently, the cover for the O4 Professional is the very same one used on the Pavo20 Professional, whereas the O4 Lite cover is a brand new design.
At first look, the Pavo Pico II seems to be fairly much like the Pavo Femto, however there are just a few key variations. The Pico II makes use of bigger 45mm propellers in comparison with the Femto’s 40mm props. Regardless of the dimensions improve, the Pico II stays extraordinarily compact — nonetheless a lot smaller than the Pavo20.
Left: Pavo Pico II; Proper: Pavo20
One of many largest enhancements on the Pavo Pico II is the redesigned digicam mounting system for the DJI O4 Lite, aimed particularly at eliminating jello in footage. On the Pavo Femto, the O4 Lite digicam was held by small rubber strips, which regularly led to undesirable vibration. On the brand new Pico II, BetaFPV utterly reworked the design — now your complete digicam cage, together with the Air Unit, is soft-mounted on 4 massive rubber grommets.
Tips on how to Set up the DJI O4 Lite
Mounting the DJI O4 Lite on the Pavo Pico II isn’t probably the most easy course of, particularly since BetaFPV doesn’t present any directions. It took me a little bit of trial and error, however right here’s how I managed to put in it efficiently.
Set up the 4 o-rings on the pillars beneath the cover. These assist cushion the Air Unit’s essential board.
Place the O4 essential board into the cover, resting it on the o-rings.
Exchange the inventory antenna with the shorter antenna included with the Pavo Pico II. The shorter one matches higher and retains the construct compact.
Connect the plastic case to the digicam (this piece comes with the DJI O4 Air Unit however isn’t pre-installed). Ensure that it clicks securely in place.
Mount the digicam into the cover utilizing the self-tapping screws offered.
Set up the 4 rubber grommets onto the plastic backside plate of the digicam cage. Observe that the grommet ends are totally different sizes — a smaller facet and an even bigger facet. The smaller finish ought to face the digicam cage, whereas the larger finish faces the drone body.
Safe the underside plate to the digicam cage with the 6 tiny screws offered. Tighten them evenly however don’t over-torque them — they’re very small.
Lastly, mount the digicam cage to the drone. There aren’t any screws wanted right here — merely slot the grommets into the carbon fibre body’s cutouts. As soon as in place, the rubber holds the cage securely.
Tips on how to Set up the DJI O4 Professional
Putting in the DJI O4 Professional is far less complicated — it follows the identical course of because the Pavo20.
Exchange the inventory antennas with the shorter variations included within the equipment.
- This step is non-compulsory, however I extremely suggest it. You’ll save nearly 3 grams, which is substantial on such a light-weight drone.
- The smaller antennas are additionally extra compact, much less prone to snag on branches, and higher fitted to tight areas.
- Except you’re flying lengthy vary, these shorter antennas nonetheless present loads of sign vary — simply a few kilometres outside and greater than sufficient for indoor flying.
Set up the Air Unit inside the cover. It merely clips into place — no screws required.
Safe the digicam into the cover utilizing the screws offered.
Insert the 4 rubber grommets, adopted by the bolts that undergo them.
Join the Air Unit to the flight controller utilizing the present 4-pin cable.
Lastly, mount the digicam cage on high of the drone. Don’t fear about overtightening the bolts — they’re solely threaded midway. Simply hold turning till they cease naturally.
Battery and Charging
Due to the inflexible battery mount design — constituted of non-flexible, injection-molded plastic — the Pavo Pico II solely helps batteries of a selected dimension. The slot comfortably matches packs with a width and top of roughly 25.5 × 24 mm, which limits compatibility considerably.
BetaFPV recommends their LAVA 2S 550 mAh packs, they usually match completely. Different batteries of comparable dimensions may additionally work, however something bigger gained’t slide into the mount simply with out modification.
Get the LAVA 2S 550mAh right here:
You’ll be able to clip off the battery holder, and loop a strap by, so you should utilize batteries of different sizes. However you want to get your personal battery strap because it’s not included.
For charging, I’ve been utilizing the Vifly ToothStor, a easy LiPo charger designed for 2S packs. It actually simplifies charging small batteries within the area.
Flight Efficiency & Video High quality
I examined the Pavo Pico II utilizing BetaFPV’s LAVA 2S 550 mAh LiPo packs, flying with each the DJI O4 Lite and DJI O4 Professional Air Models.
PID & Filter Tune
The Pico 2 seems to have a customized PID tune, however the filters are left at default values which I believe could be optimized additional (so can the PID tune). Regardless of the conservative tune, it nonetheless flew fairly nicely in my testing, I believe most individuals can be pleased with the way it performs. Anyway I’ll attempt to create my very own filter and PID tune for this quad and publish it on my patreon possibly in per week or two. Let me know within the remark if you wish to see the tune for the O4 Lite or the O4 Professional.
With DJI O4 Lite
Flight time: round 6 minutes
Video high quality: The redesigned soft-mount system utterly eliminates jello in my testing. Additionally each DJI Rocksteady and Gyroflow stabilization labored superbly, delivering clean, cinematic footage. Even with none stabilization utilized, the uncooked footage seemed surprisingly clear and vibration-free — completely usable for informal flying.
Dealing with: With the lighter O4 Lite put in, the Pavo Pico II feels extraordinarily nimble and agile, best for tight areas or fast-moving pictures. It’s fast, responsive, and playful — good for park flying, indoor flights, or mild freestyle.
With DJI O4 Professional
Flight time: round 4.5 minutes
Video high quality: As anticipated from the DJI O4 Professional, picture high quality is excellent. You get crisp 4K footage with wealthy element and glorious coloration depth, even in breezy situations. I strongly suggest including an ND filter, each to enhance picture high quality and defend the lens. The O4 Professional digicam sits barely ahead of the prop guards, making it susceptible in crashes. BetaFPV sells a devoted ND filter set for the O4 Professional: https://oscarliang.com/betafpv-nd-filters-dji-o4-pro/.
Dealing with: Regardless of the added weight, the Pico II nonetheless performs fairly nicely. The LAVA 1102 motors deal with the load with ease, giving the drone sufficient thrust for clean cinematic cruising. It’s noticeably slower and “tankier” than with the O4 Lite, and barely much less responsive. I believe it’s best for gradual, flowing, cinematic pictures reasonably than quick, acrobatic maneuvers.
Tips on how to Setup for the First Flight
Connecting the Pavo Pico 2 to Betaflight Configurator utilizing the offered USB-C adapter (the port is situated on the rear of the drone).
FC / ESC / RX Firmware:
- Flight Controller Board Goal: BETAFPVF405 (preloaded with Betaflight 4.5.0). Unique CLI Diff accessible right here.
- ESC Firmware: Pre-flashed with Bluejay (C-X-70, v0.19)
- Onboard Receiver: BETAFPV 2.4GHz AIO RX working ExpressLRS v3.5.6
Setup Directions:
- Bind the ELRS Receiver: Plug within the USB cable, wait about 60 seconds till the receiver enters WiFi mode (inexperienced LED flashing quickly). In your telephone, be a part of the ExpressLRS RX WiFi community (ensure to position your telephone near the drone, because the WiFi sign from the FC is extraordinarily weak). Open browser and go to 10.0.0.1, then enter your bind phrase on the webpage. Detailed directions could be discovered right here: https://oscarliang.com/bind-expresslrs-receivers/#Methodology-3-Coming into-Bind-Phrase-in-Internet-UI
- Pair the DJI O4 Air Unit together with your Goggles: Observe the directions right here: https://oscarliang.com/how-to-setup-dji-o4-lite/#Pairing-DJI-Goggles-3-with-O4-Lite. The O4 doesn’t require activation, so you may fly as quickly because it’s paired.
- Setup the Modes Tab: Configure your arm swap, angle mode, and turtle mode. For steerage, see this tutorial: https://oscarliang.com/betaflight-modes/#How-to-Setup-Arm-Change
- In Energy tab, set warning voltage to three.4V, and min voltage to three.2V – I are inclined to land when voltage drops to three.3V resulting from voltage sag, and if you land the voltage would usually rise to three.5-3.6V.
That’s it—your Pavo Pico 2 ought to now be prepared for its maiden flight!
Closing Ideas – Who Is the Pavo Pico II For?
The BetaFPV Pavo Pico II fills a singular spot within the Pavo lineup. Whereas the Pavo Femto solely helps the DJI O4 Lite, and the Pavo20 solely helps the DJI O4 Professional, the Pico II is probably the most versatile of the three — it helps each air items proper out of the field!
Get the Pavo Pico II right here:
Measurement-wise, it sits between the Femto and the Pavo20. It’s simply highly effective sufficient to deal with the DJI O4 Professional Air Unit, and realistically, you may’t get any smaller than this whereas protecting the drone flyable and well-balanced.
For outside flying, the Pavo20 is undoubtedly the extra succesful platform for carrying the heavier O4 Professional. It’s extra agile, highly effective, and higher fitted to sooner freestyle flying. It additionally handles the wind higher. Nevertheless, in case your purpose is slower, steady cinematic footage within the smallest doable kind issue, the Pavo Pico 2 completely delivers. At simply 108g AUW (together with battery and O4 Professional), it’s astonishing how a lot efficiency BetaFPV has managed to pack into such a tiny drone.
With the lighter DJI O4 Lite, the Pico 2 really shines. It transforms right into a nimble micro ripper — quick, enjoyable, and able to weaving by tight areas with ease. The bigger 45mm props give it noticeably extra thrust and effectivity than the Femto, whereas the improved digicam mount largely eliminates jello. Regardless of being nearly the identical weight, it performs much better outside, making it my most popular selection between the 2.
For those who’ve been in search of a tiny DJI FPV cinewhoop that balances enjoyable and performance, the Pavo Pico II would possibly simply be the right match.
Don’t neglect to get some spare propellers: