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BETAFPV Aquila16 FPV Drone Kit Review: A Beginner’s Dream or a Missed Opportunity?
If you're looking to dive into the world of FPV (First Person View) drones, the BETAFPV Aquila16 FPV Drone Kit might just be the perfect starting point. Designed with beginners in mind, this kit promises an easy-to-use, durable, and feature-packed experience. But does it live up to the hype? Let’s break it down based on real customer experiences.
Product Overview
The BETAFPV Aquila16 FPV Drone Kit is a ready-to-fly (RTF) package that includes everything you need to get started: a brushless drone, a radio transmitter, FPV goggles, batteries, and accessories. Key features include:
- 8-minute flight time
Ideal for extended practice sessions. - Altitude Hold
Ensures stable hovering for easier control. - 3 Flight Modes
N/S/M modes with adjustable speeds (SLOW/MID/FAST). - Turtle Mode
Flip the drone back over after a crash. - Inverted Duct Design
Enhances thrust and stability. - DVR Recording
Capture your flights with the included goggles.
Pros and Cons: What Customers Are Saying
1. Flight Time and Durability
Pros: One of the standout features of the Aquila16 is its 8-minute flight time, which is a rarity in beginner drones. As one user put it, "Most of this time you'll be walking to pick it up," highlighting its forgiving nature for new pilots. The drone is also built like a tank, surviving countless crashes into walls, floors, and obstacles. "I've lost count of times I smashed mine into obstacles or ground. It still flies! Unbelievable."
Cons: While the flight time is impressive, some users noted that the battery life diminishes over time, especially with frequent crashes. However, this is a common issue with most drones.
2. Ease of Use for Beginners
Pros: The Aquila16 is designed to be beginner-friendly. It comes pre-bound and ready to fly out of the box, eliminating the need for complicated setup processes. The three flight modes (N/S/M) cater to different skill levels, with the slower modes being particularly forgiving for absolute beginners. "If you're an absolute beginner, you'll absolutely appreciate them."
Cons: Some users found the lack of a buzzer to be a drawback, especially when trying to locate the drone after a crash. Additionally, the camera struggles in low-light conditions, making dusk flights nearly impossible. "Camera is good only in good sunlight. Dusk makes it unusable."
3. Build Quality and Design
Pros: The inverted duct design not only enhances stability but also protects the propellers from damage during crashes. The portable EVA storage bag is a nice touch, making it easy to transport and store all components safely.
Cons: While the drone itself is durable, some users reported issues with the controller's gimbals. "After less than 2 days of flying in the simulator, I started getting some jitter on the bottom of my throttle stick." This can be frustrating for beginners who may need to invest in a better controller.
4. Customer Support
Pros: BETAFPV’s customer service received high praise from users. One reviewer shared their experience: "I contacted BetaFPV, and they were very helpful. They sent me a new quad with two new batteries." This level of support is reassuring for beginners who may encounter issues.
Cons: While the support is excellent, some users felt that the drone’s limitations became apparent as their skills improved. "When you get the hang of Acro, you'll discover Aquila's limitations." However, this is expected for an entry-level drone.
5. Performance and Limitations
Pros: The Aquila16 excels in indoor flying, providing a smooth and stable experience. It’s also capable of handling light outdoor flights, though it struggles in windy conditions. The Turtle Mode is a lifesaver, allowing you to flip the drone back over after a crash without manually retrieving it.
Cons: The drone is not designed for high-speed racing or freestyle flying. As one user noted, "This drone is constantly trying to keep itself level and will fight you if you push it too hard." Additionally, the lack of BetaFlight configurability may disappoint more advanced users, though this is not a dealbreaker for beginners.
6. Value for Money
Pros: At its price point, the Aquila16 offers excellent value for beginners. The inclusion of FPV goggles and a radio transmitter makes it a complete package. "Can you put together a better kit from other components? Yes. At this price point? Maybe. But the learning curve? You'll need to know a lot to pull together a similar kit by yourself."
Cons: The controller’s quality is a recurring issue, with some users needing to purchase a better one to continue their FPV journey. "I'm now stuck coming out of pocket 100+ dollars for a controller to continue."
Final Verdict
The BETAFPV Aquila16 FPV Drone Kit is a solid entry-level option for anyone looking to get into FPV flying. Its durability, beginner-friendly features, and excellent customer support make it a great choice for new pilots. However, its limitations in performance and controller quality may require upgrades as your skills improve.
Who is it for?
- Absolute beginners looking for an easy-to-use, durable drone.
- Those who want a complete FPV kit without the hassle of assembling components.
Who should look elsewhere?
- Advanced pilots seeking high-speed racing or freestyle capabilities.
- Users unwilling to invest in a better controller down the line.
In conclusion, the BETAFPV Aquila16 is a fantastic starter kit that delivers on its promise of making FPV flying accessible to beginners. While it has its flaws, it’s a small price to pay for the joy of learning to fly. If you’re ready to take your first step into the world of FPV drones, this kit is worth considering.
Specification BETAFPV Aquila16 FPV Drone Kit with Altitude Hold, 8Mins Flight, for FPV Beginner to Fly Indoor Outdoor Longer, 3 Flight&Speed Modes, DVR Recording, Simulator Supported, 1S RTF Kit with ELRS 3.0:
Comments from Amazon:
Much better than the smaller one sold by betafpv. Batteries last longer. Handling is better. Goggles are lighter and clearer (that might be my imagination). Was really easy to learn to get good fast. Doesn’t fly away in the wind
This is an updated review after receiving a new drone from BetaFPV. I'll say that customer service is great from them. I got this kit to learn to fly FPV, the first drone I got was the whole kit from Amazon and the drone itself was plagued with issues. It would yaw out super hard if you pushed it, like >360° yaw washouts. It was like hitting a banana peel on Mario Cart. It would also randomly disarm itself, and that's how I lost the first drone. I contacted BetaFPV and this is why I'm updating my review. They were very helpful and sent me a new quad with two new batteries. They told me that they would test the drone before sending it and it seems like they did what they said. The new drone operates way better and I'm assuming this is closer to how it's supposed to be. Just don't expect this thing to be an FPV racing style drone. It's what is called a cinewhoop and they are designed to fly smooth, and slower than a freestyle drone. A big part of why my old drone was messing up is because I was expecting too much out of it. I tried to push it to fly fast/smooth and this drone doesn't like it but I adjusted my flight style and have achieved fast smooth. You have to fly properly though, like using roll and yaw in the turns to prevent the drone yawing out of control. I posted a video on this review showing some of the flight issues on the new drone. After this one disarm it hasn't done it again. Flying inside is a dream with this drone and outside is a blast as long as the wind isn't too strong. Just remember that this drone is constantly trying to keep itself level and it will fight you if you push it too hard. This is a good starter kit, just remember it don't like going fast.
I received this kit a < a week from this review and the controller shipped with my Aquila is already unusable. This kit would be a total grand slam for someone looking to get into FPV. However, I am giving 2 stars because the controller gimbals are so poor in quality. This is a widely known fact, but I assumed since some reviews were so dated and possibly exaggerating the issue, but after less than 2 days of flying in the simulator using the Literadio2 I started getting some jitter on the bottom of my throttle stick, okay no worries its rarely at the total bottom, except when you cannot arm your drone because the jitter won't let the value hit 0. With a little recalibration I could work past it UNTIL the other gimbal started jittering and as my skill has increased the jitter has made flying in the simulator or with the Aquila impossible. If I wasn't prepared to purchase a real controller this issue might be enough to dissuade me from continuing to learn how to pilot FPV. The goggles and drone are both great. I have crashed the drone on every surface of my house and it is a little scratched up but holding together, and the video quality on the goggles is better than I expected. I just wished that the controller was as solid. I'm now stuck coming out of pocket 100+ dollars for a controller to continue eliminating any savings gained by going with a bundle.
If you've never flown an FPV drone in Acro mode, this is one of the best tickets to the sport. Pros 1) long flight time (up to 8 minutes) is very useful for beginners as most of this time you'll be walking to pick it up 2) it's built like a tank. I've lost count of times I smashed mine into obstacles or ground. It still flies! Unbelievable. 3) Besides acro, there are two more forgiving modes. If you're an absolute beginner, you'll absolutely appreciate them 4) Decent goggles that go over glasses and can record your flight 5) Everything is pre-bound and is ready to fly out of the box. Can you put together a better kit from other components? Yes. At this price point? Mmm... Maybe. But the learning curve? You'll need to know a lot to pull together a similar kit by yourself. 6) Good customer support from BetaFPV Cons: 1) When you get the hang of Acro, you'll discover Aquila's limitations. But hey, it's not a racing drone! It's an entry level drone that delivers tons of fun and lets you learn FPV. If you begin to feel really limited by Aquicla16, then it has served its purpose and you're ready to move onto something more serious. 2) No buzzer. Would be nice for beginners. 3) Camera is good only in good sunlight. Dusk makes it unusable. 4) Can't configure it in BetaFlight. But if you know what BetaFlight is, you're not a beginner :-)