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Right here we’ve a brand new Bind and Fly (BNF) FPV drone from AxisFlying, the Manta5 Professional. In line with the producer, this can be a pre-built FPV drone designed for cinematic and freestyle flying. It has a powerful deal with aesthetics, which makes it stand out within the aggressive FPV drone market. With its glossy design, it goals to offer an distinctive flying expertise for each novice {and professional} pilots. However does it stay as much as the promise? Let’s discover out on this overview.
The place to Purchase?
You should purchase the AxisFlying Manta5 Professional from the next distributors:
Accessible Receiver Choices:
- TBS Crossfire 915MHz
- ExpressLRS 2.4GHz
Body Configuration Choices:
- DC (Deadcat) body
- Sq. X body
The DC configuration is designed for cinematic-style flying, maintaining the propellers out of the digicam’s view. The X configuration is most well-liked by freestyle pilots as a result of its symmetrical motor structure.
It seems they’re promoting this drone with the DJI O3 Air Unit put in. Nevertheless, in my overview unit, the DJI O3 Air Unit was not included, and I needed to set up my very own.
The AxisFlying Manta5 Professional consists of the next equipment:
- Two units of spare propellers
- Detailed guide
- Two battery straps
- Two antennas for the DJI O3
- Spare screws
- M2 Hex screw Allen key
Specs
- Body: AXISFLYING MANTA 5 PRO
- Body Weight: 143g
- Body Dimensions: DC wheelbase 228.8mm, Extensive X wheelbase 226.5mm
- Prime Plate Thickness: 2mm Carbon Fibre Plate
- Backside Plate Thickness: 3mm Carbon Fibre Plate
- Arm Thickness: 6mm Carbon Fibre Plate
- Max FC Stack Peak: 30mm
- FC: AXISFLYING-F722-Mini
- Gyro Choices: MPU6000 or ICM42688-P
- ESC: 55A BLHeli_32 4in1 ESC
- VTX Choices: DJI O3 Air Unit or Analog 5.8G
- Motor: C227-1960KV
- Propellers: 5.1×3.8×3 (Most assist 5.1-inch blade)
- Antenna: AXISFLYING Branded 5.8GHz LHCP Antenna
- Energy Connector: XT60
- Receiver Choices: TBS Crossfire Nano RX, ELRS 2.4GHz RX
- Drone Weight (with out battery): 472g with out O3, 504g together with O3, 690g together with 6S 1100mAh LiPo, 844g together with GoPro Hero 12.
- Really useful Battery: 6S 1300-1800mAh LiPo (not included) See my battery suggestions: https://oscarliang.com/lipo-battery-guide/
Nearer Look
Out of the field, I used to be impressed by the claimed “cast” carbon fibre body, which has a novel marble-like sample. Sturdiness stays to be seen, however it appears costly to provide and provides to its aesthetics.
The physique is totally enclosed with plastic aspect plates, giving it a glossy look and defending the electronics from grime.
The body design appears to have a water creature theme, as from the edges it seems like a shark.
The battery pad additionally has a novel design formed like a fish. It has an anti-slip and rubbery texture, although maybe a bit skinny. Nevertheless, that is offset by means of counter-sunk screws on the highest plate, eliminating the concern of puncturing the battery.
The receiver is mounted on the rear below the VTX antenna mount.
A large heatsink on the underside aids in VTX cooling, which is a pleasant contact. The air consumption design directs cool air from the entrance, over the VTX, and out the again by means of the heatsink, enhancing video transmitter cooling, particularly in sizzling climate.
There are over 30 LEDs all through the drone, all related to the devoted LED management board within the entrance, which is spectacular.
You may customise these LEDs individually in Betaflight for various features, including to its versatility. I’ve a information on tips on how to arrange LEDs in Betaflight: https://oscarliang.com/setup-led-betaflight/
There may be an LED gentle panel below the middle of every arm, giving it a novel impact. Nevertheless, there’s a concern that this would possibly influence body sturdiness, which stays to be seen in the long term. I discovered it to be somewhat pointless for the reason that gentle from these panels just isn’t very seen even at night time.
The underside plate is made from CNC aluminium, which seems robust and premium.
The entrance arms and rear arms are interlocked, and all 4 arms are secured effectively utilizing solely six screws.
There are cutouts within the aspect plates for the O3 and FC USB ports, which is considerate.
The soldering and construct high quality seem top-notch.
Consumer Expertise
You may inform AxisFlying has put plenty of thought into the design of the Manta5 Professional. The eye to element is spectacular. I additionally admire the small booklet they supply, explaining tips on how to arrange this drone, which could be very useful for inexperienced persons.
The largest draw back of this drone is the load. Many elements are purely for aesthetics. For some, this is perhaps interesting, however for these after efficiency, these elements may appear pointless, such because the plastic plates on the edges and the flashy LEDs. These LEDs will not be very seen in the course of the day and are principally good for night time flying.
On a associated notice, not solely do these aesthetic particulars improve the load, lowering the drone’s agility and flight time, however additionally they improve the price of the drone. Additionally they add to the meeting complexity and improve the difficulties of restore and upkeep. Fortunately, this can be a pre-built drone, so you must be capable of simply bind it and fly.
My overview unit didn’t include the DJI O3 Air Unit, so it was fairly a bit of labor to get this chicken up within the air. Additionally, it didn’t include the mandatory UFL to SMA cables, so I couldn’t use the included antennas. Ultimately, I simply went with the O3 Holder, which makes organising a lot simpler: https://oscarliang.com/dji-o3-holder/
The flight controller is operating an AT32 chip, not the standard STM32 chips. The AT32 has comparable efficiency however at a decrease price in comparison with STM32, and it’s selecting up in recognition inside new FPV FCs. This can be a very primary FC with solely a 5V BEC. For a premium FPV drone, I want it a minimum of had a 9V BEC for powering the DJI O3, which is safer than utilizing battery voltage immediately. The excellent news is there are 6 UARTS, and it additionally has the nice outdated MPU6000 gyro as an possibility if you buy this drone.
The ESC makes use of BLHeli_32 firmware, with 32.9 firmware. Sadly, BLHeli_32 has been shut down and there’s no extra updates. They may have used AM32 as a substitute or used a BLHeli_32 ESC with the newest 32.10 firmware. And for some motive, they set the PWM frequency to 96KHz, which isn’t the optimum possibility for five″ drones for my part. I’d in all probability go along with 48KHz for a extra balanced efficiency. See my information for extra element: https://oscarliang.com/best-blheli-32-settings/
The present sensor additionally wants calibration, because the reported present and mAh in OSD is barely off.
Flight Efficiency
Upon the primary flight, it was clear that the quad is on the heavy aspect. It’s roughly 100g heavier than the iFlight Nazgul ECO I just lately reviewed.
Nevertheless, because of the highly effective motor and propeller mixture, it nonetheless provides respectable energy and punch, hovering at round 30% throttle when totally charged. The Manta5 drone is well-tuned out of the field. It’s responsive with no noticeable bounce-backs throughout flips and rolls.
One function I notably like is the pre-installed GPS.
Regardless of being mounted very near the VTX antennas, it carried out fairly properly throughout my testing, getting a GPS lock inside two minutes (whereas the VTX is powered on), averaging round 12 satellites in 5 minutes. The default GPS Rescue settings labored properly in an open area; I didn’t want to vary any settings, however you must double-check for the setting you intend to fly. This makes it nice for long-range exploration. I do want the GPS was mounted a bit additional again, as an illustration utilizing an prolonged mount, which could improve GPS efficiency. In my expertise, the O3 antenna may cause interference when they’re mounted too shut to one another.
Conclusion
The largest promoting level of the Manta5 Professional might be its skilled design. For acrobatics and freestyle flying, the Manta5 is probably not the only option as a result of its weight. The extra weight additionally means it’s not as sturdy as lighter drones, as impacts are stronger. It’s additionally not my best choice for lengthy vary, as the load impacts effectivity considerably. Nevertheless, the AxisFlying Manta5 Professional is a smooth-flying drone that’s well-tuned out of the field, making it ideally suited for cinematic-style flying, and appropriate for inexperienced persons who wish to keep away from constructing and tuning a drone from scratch.
The aesthetic parts, whereas interesting to some, won’t justify the added weight and complexity for performance-focused pilots. Total, it’s a professional-looking drone that performs admirably in its supposed roles.
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