After flying the DJI Avata 2 for over six months, I’ve gathered some insights on how it compares to traditional 5-inch FPV drones. While the Avata 2 is an excellent drone in many respects, it’s not without its trade-offs. In this buyer’s guide, we’ll compare the DJI Avata 2 and 5-inch FPV drones in terms of flight performance, applications, and limitations. This will help you make an informed decision based on your needs and flying style.
Interested in the Avata 2? Check out my full review here: https://oscarliang.com/dji-avata-2/
Where to Buy?
Get the DJI Avata 2 here:
Avata 2 Accessories: https://oscarliang.com/dji-avata-2-accessories/
Learn how to build your own 5inch FPV drone in this tutorial: https://oscarliang.com/how-to-build-fpv-drone/
Chasing Fast-Moving Objects
If your goal is to chase fast-moving objects like cars, a 5-inch FPV drone is the better choice. These drones can easily reach speeds over 150km/h (~100mph), and some models even exceed 200 km/h (~130mph). The DJI Avata 2, on the other hand, tops out around 100km/h (~60mph) in calm conditions, which is considerably slower.
While the Avata 2 has built-in prop guards for safety, they create additional air resistance, reducing the drone’s agility and making it less ideal for freestyle flying. If your focus is on cinematic shots and cruising, the Avata 2 is a solid choice, but for high-speed action, the 5-inch FPV drone wins hands down.
Diving Mountains and Buildings
For extreme dives off tall mountains or buildings, the Avata 2 faces some limitations. It has a 500-meter height cap, which causes the drone to refuse to fly any higher once you reach that limit. Additionally, the prop guards don’t allow for smooth dives, leading to potential wobbles or shakes during free falls. 5-inch drones, without prop guards, excel at dives and provide a smoother free-fall experience.
Flying in the Wind
When it comes to flying in windy conditions, 5-inch FPV drones are the clear winners. These drones are heavier and more powerful, allowing them to handle stronger winds. In contrast, the Avata 2 struggles in winds exceeding 30km/h (20MPH), often displaying “High wind velocity” warnings, and the drone is less stable in this condition and will drift.
Long-Range Flying
Both the DJI Avata 2 and 5-inch FPV drones can achieve impressive range, but the Avata 2 is very capable at this out of the box. You don’t need to tinker with the setup, or add additional equipment, it just works. For 5-inch FPV drones, achieving long-range flight requires selecting the right propellers, using a large Li-ion battery, and optimizing antenna—tasks that demand more experience and knowledge. For a straightforward long-range setup, the Avata 2 is the easier option.
Ease of Use and Setup
The DJI Avata 2 is by far the easiest to fly and set up, especially for beginners. I love how all the gear fits in the same small storage bag. It’s a ready-to-fly solution that doesn’t require any building or tuning. Right out of the box, the Avata 2 offers 15-20 minutes of flight time and more than 5 km of range.
By contrast, when I am flying my 5-inch FPV drones, I have to bring a big backpack with lots of different equipment. They typically offer 5-6 minutes of flight time (though you can extend this with a larger battery), and they require more practice to master due to their raw power. There’s also the added complexity of building, tuning, and maintaining the drone.
Creative Shots
The Avata 2 features a one-axis gimbal, allowing you to adjust the camera angle before and during flight, which makes it possible for creative shots. You can smoothly transition between different perspectives, such as flying forward or backward while tilting the camera down. 5-inch FPV drones, with their fixed camera angles, cannot achieve this level of shot versatility, making the Avata 2 better for creative cinematography.
Reliability
I feel more confident flying long-range or over water with the Avata 2 due to its reliable GPS system and Return to Home (RTH) feature. While you can add GPS to a 5-inch FPV drone, DJI’s GPS and RTH technology is more reliable and user-friendly. The Avata 2’s advanced features give it a safety edge over custom-built drones without any settings.
Flexibility
5-inch FPV drones offer unmatched flexibility. You can swap out components based on the style of flying you prefer. Whether you want to focus on freestyle, racing, or long-range flights, you can customize the drone to suit your needs. The Avata 2, while convenient, offers little in the way of customization. It’s a fantastic out-of-the-box drone but lacks the versatility that comes with a custom 5-inch setup.
Cost
The initial cost for both drones is actually quite similar, especially if you’re using DJI components (such as goggles and the O3 air unit) in your 5-inch FPV drone build. However, when it comes to repairs, 5-inch drones are cheaper and easier to fix. You can replace individual parts, like motors or frames, yourself. The Avata 2, on the other hand, is almost impossible to repair at home due to its sophisticated design. You can change propellers, that’s about it. While DJI offers DJI Care, which reduces repair and replacement costs, you are limited in the number of claims, and replacements can take weeks. Furthermore, the Avata 2 is actually not that crash resilient so be careful not to crash it!
Final Verdict: Which Drone Is Right for You?
Choose the DJI Avata 2 if:
- You want an all-in-one, ready-to-fly solution that avoids the complexity of custom builds.
- You prioritize smooth, high-quality footage for cinematography.
- Safety and GPS return-to-home features are important to you.
- You prefer a simpler setup with minimal tuning and maintenance.
Get the DJI Avata 2 here:
Choose a 5-Inch FPV Drone if:
- You’re looking for high-performance freestyle flying or racing.
- You enjoy building, repairing, and customizing your drone for different flying styles.
- You want to be able to fly in windy environments or tackle challenging, fast-paced flights.
- You’re interested in pushing the limits of what an FPV drone can do in terms of agility and speed.
Learn how to build your own 5inch FPV drone in this tutorial: https://oscarliang.com/how-to-build-fpv-drone/
Both the DJI Avata 2 and 5-inch FPV drones excel in different areas. The Avata 2 is perfect for cinematic FPV shots and people seeking simple FPV solutions, while 5-inch FPV drones are the go-to for seasoned pilots who don’t mind tinkering and prefer high performance. Your choice ultimately comes down to your flying style, experience level, and what you want to achieve with your drone.
