With a price ticket of round $200, the AxisFlying Manta 5 SE (Analog model) is without doubt one of the most reasonably priced BNF 5-inch FPV drones available on the market. Naturally, I used to be excited to get my palms on it. Nonetheless, AxisFlying by accident despatched me the DJI O3 model as a substitute. Oh nicely—let’s simply fake we’ve the analog model and see the way it performs! On this assessment, I’ll stroll you thru the setup course of, options, and flight efficiency that can assist you determine if this drone is the precise match for you.
If you happen to’re out there for an inexpensive analog 5-inch FPV drone, take a look at my elements checklist right here: https://oscarliang.com/cheapest-fpv-drone-build/.
However should you’d slightly not construct it your self, then preserve studying…
The place to Purchase?
Analog Model:
DJI O3 Model:
Within the field it comes with the next equipment:
- FPV Drone ×1
- Propellers ×2 luggage
- VTX Antenna
- M3 Screwdriver
- Spare Battery Anti-Slip Sticker
- Spare Battery Straps
- GoPro Fixing Screws (together with nuts)
- Guide
They even labeled the motor instructions (props out), and also you get two battery straps included.
Specs
- Wheelbase: 223 mm
- Weight (±10 g):
- Analog: 362 g
- DJI O3: 401 g
- Prime Plate Thickness: 2 mm
- Backside Plate Thickness: 3 mm
- Center Plate Thickness: 3 mm
- Arm Thickness: 5.5 mm
- Flight Controller: Axisflying Argus ECO FC F405
- ESC: Axisflying Argus ECO 60A-6S (Bluejay 8-bit)
- Gyro: ICM-42688-P
- VTX Choices:
- DJI O3 Air Unit
- Axisflying Swerls VTX-5.8G-1.6W
- Motors: AE2207 V2 1960KV
- Receiver Variations: TBS Nano RX or ELRS 2.4 GHz
- Really helpful Battery: LiHV/LiPo 1050–1300 mAh (6S)
O3 vs O4
Truthfully, this couldn’t be worse timing for AxisFlying to ship me the O3 model. In my latest assessment of the DJI O4 Professional, I recommended to keep away from shopping for new O3 as a result of the O4 Professional is healthier in each method for a similar worth. Nonetheless, AxisFlying at the moment doesn’t provide a BNF with the O4 Professional—solely the O4 Lite, which I’m additionally not notably keen on (as defined in my earlier submit). So, the O3 model is the best choice from AxisFlying in the mean time. Regardless, I’ll give it a correct assessment, so we get an impression how the analog would carry out as nicely since they’ve comparable specs.
Design: The Good and the Dangerous
A few months in the past, I reviewed the Manta 5 SE body by itself, and I actually preferred its easy, budget-friendly design. It’s easy but sensible, and it is sensible that AxisFlying would use it as the idea for an reasonably priced BNF drone.
Key Design Highlights
- Body: Light-weight, sensible, and simple to restore—nice for each reliability and efficiency.
- Motors: The 2207 1960KV motors ship loads of punch for freestyle.
- Antenna Placement: Comes with two separate antennas (changing the unique 2-in-1). They’re lengthy and unobstructed by the battery or body, making them excellent for long-range flights.
- Buzzer: There’s a loud buzzer inside, which is uncommon in finances BNF drones as of late.
Regardless of these positives, the quad is noticeably tail-heavy—even with a GoPro mounted up entrance. I feel analog setup could be extra suited on this body, since a typical analog VTX is far lighter than a DJI Air Unit, and we are likely to put a GoPro on the quad. For O3 and O4 builds, nevertheless, you often don’t want a GoPro, and people heavier air models push the middle of gravity far to the rear.
I imagine an extended digital camera cage (or a deadcat-style body) might assist tackle each the burden distribution and the annoyance of getting propellers in your digital camera’s view. Having such a tail-heavy quad considerably defeats the aim of a freestyle-focused X configuration.
In the case of weight:
- With out battery/GoPro: 461.1g
- With 6S 1100mAh LiPo: 652.7g
- With 6S 1100mAh LiPo and GoPro Hero 11: 807.6g
That is 60 g heavier than AxisFlying’s printed specs. Maintain that in thoughts if weight is a priority for you.
Construct High quality: Let’s Look Inside
Taking the quad aside for repairs and upkeep is a breeze. Fortunately, there are not any facet plates—merely take away the highest plates to entry the FC stack.
The construct high quality is top-notch: solder joints are clear and strong, and the best way the motors are soldered to the ESC offers the drone an expert really feel and is simple to deal with.
The FC is designed with solder pads on the highest and connectors on the underside, curiously Axisflying determined to flip the FC over within the construct—probably for simpler meeting on the manufacturing unit. Whereas this will simplify manufacturing, it makes it more durable for customers to entry the solder pads for tinkering in the event that they want entry to the soldering pads. It additionally makes it extra sophisticated to configure Betaflight in the event that they determined to replace the firmware.
Nearly each element is related to the FC through connectors, apart from the GPS, which is soldered to the underside. For the GPS, they may have used a unique 5V pad that could possibly be powered through the USB-C port, because it at the moment solely powers on when the battery is related.
Flight Efficiency
Pace and Energy
The Manta 5 SE is a really quick and highly effective 5-inch FPV drone, able to high speeds between 170–180 km/h, very spectacular! It additionally hovers at simply 16% throttle because of the extraordinarily excessive thrust to weight ratio, however this makes exact maneuvers difficult particularly for learners. To handle this, you could wish to arrange a throttle curve or restrict motor output relying in your capibility.
Throughout testing, I used BetaFPV LAVA 6S 1100mAh LiPo and GNB 6S 1300mAh LiHV batteries. Each work nicely with this drone, although the GNB batteries provide barely extra energy as confirmed in my testing. I get round 5 minutes of flight time utilizing these batteries, however you possibly can undoubtedly use larger batteries for longer flight time.
Tuning
Out of the field, the Manta 5 SE felt nicely tuned, with no noticeable vibration or jello. Nonetheless, it was tuned with out utilizing the Betaflight sliders, which is a draw back as a result of it makes nice tuning PID and filters more durable for the customers.
Whereas the tune is sweet total, it undoubtedly has room for enchancment, as an illustration, there may be some instability when dropping throttle to zero, and there may be some prop wash as nicely. Growing Motor Idle barely or enabling Dynamic Idle may assist, particularly on condition that the quad is back-heavy.
The ESC is working Bluejay firmware at 24 kHz PWM frequency. Whereas this appeared to work nice throughout my testing, I really feel that for DJI O3 or O4 setups, a 48 kHz PWM frequency might yield even smoother footage.
GPS Efficiency
The GPS does work, nevertheless it isn’t the perfect I’ve examined. A chilly begin takes 2–3 minutes to get a 3D repair, whereas a scorching begin is fast—about 10 to twenty seconds. Nonetheless, the utmost variety of satellites I might get was solely 8–9, which is the naked minimal required in Betaflight.
If you happen to plan to fly lengthy vary or depend on GPS Rescue, it is perhaps value changing the GPS for a greater one. See my GPS testing for suggestions: https://oscarliang.com/gps-review/
Video High quality
My greatest criticism for the Manta 5 SE O3 Version is that the props are seen within the digital camera’s view. Whereas this design selection protects the digital camera, these spinning propellers destroy the cinematic footage. I imagine this body would work nice for analog setups—the place you don’t actually care about seeing these props within the goggles—however for DJI O3 or O4 programs, the body would profit from an extended digital camera cage. This adjustment wouldn’t solely enhance weight distribution but in addition cut back the possibility of getting props within the digital camera’s view, successfully killing two birds with one stone.
The right way to Setup For First Flight
The flight controller board goal is SPEDIXF405, comes with Betaflight firmware model 4.4.3. For inventory CLI Diff, see right here.
ESC firmware: B-X-30 (Bluejay firmware, model 0.19, 24 kHz)
ELRS Receiver: Goal: AxisFlying AXIS Thor 2.4GHz RX, firmware 3.4.0 (CE_LBT)
Setup:
That’s it.
Closing Ideas
The AxisFlying Manta 5 SE delivers strong worth for its worth and serves as a fantastic entry level into the FPV passion. Whereas it isn’t excellent—particularly with its GPS points and freestyle tuning—it affords a number of versatility for each learners and budget-conscious pilots.
Who’s it for?
- Funds-Acutely aware Pilots: At round $200 for the analog model, it’s some of the budget-friendly 5-inch BNF drones available on the market.
- New FPV Pilots: The pre-built configuration and easy setup make it excellent for these new to FPV.
- A number of Configurations: Out there in each analog and DJI O3 variations.
Personally I feel I just like the analog model extra as a result of it affords higher worth (though I solely examined the O3 model). Get it from these distributors:
Analog Model:
DJI O3 Model:
The Axisflying Manta 5 SE BNF flew nicely, nevertheless it’s not excellent, there are room for enhancements:
- Longer digital camera cage for higher weight distribution and to scale back props within the digital camera’s view.
- Enhance tuning flexibility through the use of Betaflight sliders and enabling bi-directional DShot.
- Think about a 48 kHz PWM frequency for smoother footage.
- Improve the GPS for a smoother consumer expertise and configure GPS Rescue correctly out of the field.
Regardless of a number of downsides, the Manta 5 SE is without doubt one of the most reasonably priced choices available on the market and undoubtedly deserves a spot in your shortlist.
