As an FPV drone enthusiast and a beginner myself, We’ve had the chance to dive into the Lumenier Beginner DIY FPV Drone Kit – QAV-S 2 Joshua Bardwell SE 5 inch – Analog. This kit stands out as an excellent choice for newcomers looking to build their first drone while also providing seasoned pilots with a reliable platform for freestyle flying. In this review, I’ll cover the specifications, installation experience, performance testing, and overall beginner-friendliness of this intriguing kit.

Product Specs

The QAV-S 2 Joshua Bardwell SE 5 inch kit is packed with high-quality components designed for optimal performance. Here’s a closer look at what’s included:

• Frame: The Lumenier QAV-S 2 frame is crafted from durable carbon fiber, ensuring a lightweight yet robust structure. The design features a sleek profile that not only looks great but also enhances aerodynamics.
  
• Motors: The kit comes with Xilo Stealth 2207 motors with a KV rating of 1800. These motors are optimized for 6S battery systems, providing ample power and efficiency during flight. Their lightweight design contributes to improved flight times and responsiveness.
  
• ESC: The Xilo Stax V2 45A BLHeli_32 electronic speed controllers (ESCs) are included in the kit. These ESCs support high-speed performance and are equipped with advanced features like telemetry and programmable settings, allowing for fine-tuning based on pilot preference.
  
• Flight Controller: The Xilo Stax V2 F4 flight controller is at the heart of this drone. It features an F4 processor, which offers excellent processing power for flight stabilization and responsiveness. The controller is compatible with Betaflight, making it easy to customize settings via software.
  
• FPV Camera: The Caddx Ratel 2 camera is known for its impressive low-light capabilities and wide dynamic range. This camera captures vibrant colors and sharp details, enhancing the overall FPV experience.
  
• VTX: The Xilo Stax 5.8GHz video transmitter provides reliable video transmission with adjustable power settings. This allows pilots to choose between longer range or better penetration through obstacles depending on their flying environment.
  
• Antenna: The kit includes a high-quality Xilo 5.8GHz RHCP SMA antenna, which ensures strong signal reception and transmission during flights.
  
• Propellers: The JB Gemfan Hurricane 51477 propellers are designed for optimal thrust and efficiency. They provide a good balance between speed and control, making them ideal for freestyle maneuvers.

Overall, the specifications of the QAV-S 2 Joshua Bardwell SE kit reflect a well-thought-out combination of components that cater to both beginners and experienced pilots alike.

Building Process

Building the QAV-S 2 was surprisingly straightforward. The kit comes with a detailed step-by-step guide by Joshua Bardwell himself, which is a huge plus. As someone who had never built a drone before, I appreciated how each component was clearly labeled and organized.

Initial Preparation

Before diving into the assembly process, I gathered all the necessary tools:

• A soldering iron
• Solder
• Heat shrink tubing
• Phillips screwdriver
• Hex driver set
• Battery strap
• Replaceable screw parts

Having everything ready made the build process smoother and more enjoyable.

Frame Building

The first step was assembling the frame. The new X-Lock Arm Mechanism simplifies this process by allowing the arms to lock into place with just one screw. This feature not only enhances rigidity but also makes transportation easier—perfect for those of us who might not have the most spacious workspaces!

I started by attaching the front arms to the main body of the frame. Each arm fit snugly into place, and I was impressed by how sturdy it felt right from the get-go. After securing all four arms, I moved on to attaching the rear support plate, which adds extra stability during flight.

Motor and ESC installation

Next up were the motors. The Xilo Stealth motors came pre-wired with bullet connectors, making installation hassle-free. I mounted each motor onto its corresponding arm using screws provided in the kit.

Once the motors were in place, I connected them to the ESCs. This part required some soldering; however, thanks to clear instructions in the manual, I found it manageable even as a novice. After soldering each motor wire to its respective ESC pad, I used heat shrink tubing to protect my connections from potential shorts.

Flight control and FPV systems

With the motors secured and wired up, I moved on to installing the flight controller. The Xilo Stax V2 F4 is compact and lightweight, fitting perfectly onto the designated mounting area on the frame.

Next came connecting the FPV camera and video transmitter. The Caddx Ratel 2 camera mounts easily onto the front of the frame using provided brackets. I connected it to the VTX using a simple plug-and-play connector, which saved me from additional soldering headaches!

Complete Build

After ensuring all components were securely attached and properly wired, I took a moment to double-check everything before powering it up for testing. It’s always wise to make sure there are no loose wires or connections that could lead to issues later on.

With everything in place, I powered up my drone for its maiden flight tests!

Performance test

Once assembled, it was time to take the QAV-S 2 out for its maiden flight. With its powerful Xilo Stealth motors and responsive flight controller, the drone performed exceptionally well right out of the box.

Flight

During my initial flights, I was immediately struck by how intuitive it felt to fly this drone. With Betaflight pre-configured settings tailored for beginners, I found that it handled smoothly without any excessive wobbling or instability.

The analog FPV system provided clear video transmission without noticeable lag or interference—an essential aspect when navigating through tight spaces or performing tricks at speed.

Dynamic test

To really put this drone through its paces, I pushed it through various maneuvers—flips, rolls, and fast turns—and it handled beautifully. The frame’s design minimizes vibrations thanks to its low center of gravity and stiff construction; this is crucial for capturing stable footage during acrobatic flights.

The Caddx Ratel camera delivered vibrant colors and decent low-light performance; even as dusk approached during one of my flights, I was impressed by how well it captured details in darker environments.

Battery life

In terms of battery life, using a 6S LiPo battery provided me with around 4–6 minutes of flight time depending on my flying style—long enough for some serious fun! During testing sessions where I focused more on aggressive flying styles like racing or freestyle tricks, I noticed that my flight times decreased slightly due to higher power demands from rapid throttle changes.

Friendly to beginner players

For beginners like myself, this kit is incredibly user-friendly. The comprehensive build guide demystifies assembly processes while quality components ensure even novice pilots can achieve great results without extensive prior knowledge.

Community support

Additionally, community support surrounding this kit is robust. Many users share tips and tricks online; forums filled with experienced pilots offer invaluable advice as you learn how to fly and troubleshoot any issues that arise during your journey into FPV flying.

Adjustment and optimization

One of my favorite aspects of learning about FPV drones has been experimenting with Betaflight configurations after building my QAV-S 2! Adjusting PID settings allowed me to fine-tune how responsive my drone felt during flight—something that can greatly enhance your overall experience once you become comfortable piloting your craft!

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Beginner DIY FPV Drone Kit – QAV-S 2 Joshua Bardwell SE 5 inch – Analog is an outstanding choice for both beginners and experienced pilots looking to build a reliable freestyle drone. Its thoughtful design combined with quality components makes it an ideal entry point into FPV flying while still catering well enough towards more advanced users seeking performance upgrades down-the-line!

Whether you’re looking to capture stunning aerial footage or simply enjoy thrilling flights through nature’s landscapes—the QAV-S 2 has you covered! My journey with this incredible piece of technology has been nothing short of exhilarating; I can confidently recommend it to anyone eager to explore new heights in their aerial adventures!

As you embark on your own FPV journey with this kit or any other similar setup—remember that practice makes perfect! Don’t hesitate to reach out within online communities if you ever find yourself needing guidance along your way; there’s always someone willing help fellow enthusiasts succeed!