The SpeedyBee Mario 5 FPV Drone is lastly right here, providing an inexpensive choice for individuals who desire a succesful FPV drone with out the trouble of constructing from scratch. Primarily based on SpeedyBee’s lately launched Mario 5 body, this drone requires solely a receiver to be flight-ready. Right here’s my in-depth take a look at the Mario 5, from unboxing to flight efficiency, and my closing verdict on whether or not it’s price including to your FPV fleet.
The place to Purchase
You should purchase the Mario 5 FPV Drone from:
Completely different Choices
The SpeedyBee Mario 5 collection consists of two variations: one with out an FPV system and one other with the DJI O3 Air Unit. Each fashions share the identical flight controller, ESC, and body.
The Mario 5 can also be accessible in two body configurations:
- X Body: Gives extra exact dealing with, perfect for freestyle flying. Nevertheless, when utilizing the DJI O3, you may see the propellers in view, which could possibly be distracting for cinematic photographs.
- Deadcat Body: Retains the propellers out of view when utilizing an motion digital camera or the DJI O3, excellent for cinematic footage. If capturing easy video is your precedence, I’d suggest the deadcat body.
I’m reviewing the deadcat model geared up with the DJI O3 and GPS.
Notice: The SpeedyBee Mario 5 doesn’t include a receiver. You’ll want so as to add one, equivalent to an ExpressLRS receiver: https://oscarliang.com/setup-expresslrs-2-4ghz/#Receivers
Unboxing
Right here’s what comes within the field:
- HQ J40 Props: A set of 4 5.1x4x3 propellers.
- Battery Straps: Two SpeedyBee rubberized straps.
- {Hardware}: Screws, prop mounts, spare aspect plates and a receiver cable.
Specs
- Body: Mario 5
- Motors: SpeedyBee Storm 2306.5 1880KV
- Flight Controller: SpeedyBee F405 V4
- ESC: SpeedyBee 55A 4-in-1 BLS ESC (flashed with Bluejay)
- FPV System (Optionally available): DJI O3 Air Unit
- Propellers: HQ J40 5.1x4x3
- LEDs: Facet panels with built-in LED Strip
- Really useful Battery: 6S 1000–1800mAh
- Prime Pace: Marketed max pace 190 km/h
- Flight Time: 5 to 10 minutes, relying on flight fashion and battery dimension
- Weight (with DJI O3):
- With out battery: 497g
- With 6S 1100mAh: 697g
- With 6S 1100mAh and GoPro 11: 1051g
Design
Taking the Mario 5 out of the field, my first thought was, “This factor is constructed like a chunk of artwork!” It options clear aspect panels with built-in LED strip, including a flashy but purposeful aesthetic. For these seeking to optimize weight, these panels will be eliminated to barely improve flight efficiency, which I’ll do later on this overview.
The body is constructed with 6mm arms and a pair of.5mm carbon fiber prime/backside plates, strengthened with a CNC aluminum digital camera cage within the entrance for added sturdiness. The construct high quality is spectacular, with SpeedyBee’s consideration to element evident in neatly routed wiring, sturdy motor mounts, and safe fastening.
The body is suitable with analog, Walksnail, and DJI O3 air models, giving pilots flexibility in FPV setup choices.
Having reviewed the Mario 5 body earlier than, I can say it’s well-engineered however advanced, with some heavy ornamental components that might not be important for each pilot. It’s a sturdy 5-inch drone weighing 497g with out the battery—undoubtedly crash-resilient, although a bit on the heavy aspect for a 5-inch FPV drone. For comparability, the Orqa DreamX, which I reviewed lately, weighs simply 340 grams. However that’s an analog quad, with the O3 Air Unit factored in, the Mario 5 is roughly 130g heavier. It’s A LOT.
One pleasant function is the Mario startup sound. Upon plugging within the battery, the Mario 5 performs the long-lasting Mario theme music, including persona to every flight. It’s a small contact, but it surely provides to the enjoyable issue.
The drone’s design consists of mounting house for a GPS module, which I might undoubtedly suggest for enabling GPS Rescue mode. This can be a helpful function in the event you plan to fly long-range or in unfamiliar areas, as it should enable the drone to return house if it loses sign.
The XT60 pigtail comes out in the midst of the highest plate, the situation is purposeful and handy, although it might probably get in the best way and restrict digital camera tilt in the event you’re utilizing a GoPro. For extra flexibility in digital camera angles, relocating the XT60 to the again may be preferable.
Lastly, the O3 Air Unit is surrounded by aluminium aspect panels that act as heatsink. Fortunately, you continue to have quick access to the USB-C port and SD card slot, downloading O3 footage is handy. However the place I stay, it’s chilly sufficient that overheating hasn’t been a difficulty, so I plan to take away the heatsink to avoid wasting weight.
Construct High quality
Taking the Mario 5 aside, I used to be instantly impressed by SpeedyBee’s consideration to element. The cables are trimmed to the proper size, and the soldering is clear {and professional}. This meticulous meeting not solely enhances sturdiness but additionally minimizes potential points over time—one thing SpeedyBee has clearly prioritized on this design.
I additionally recognize that all {hardware} is SpeedyBee-branded—the body, flight controller, ESC, and motors are all from the identical model, making a cohesive construct the place every part is totally suitable with the others.
Lastly, one main inconvenience, is that the aspect panel blocks the USB port on the flight controller. It’s a must to unscrew one screw first to open the aspect panel.
Then you’ll understand it doesn’t open fairly vast sufficient to insert the USB cable, which is embarrassing.
I needed to take away the aluminium “fin” subsequent to the digital camera to be able to open the aspect panel extra. Alternatively, you might additionally use the SpeedyBee app in your cellphone, and configure the drone wirelessly via Bluetooth.
The aspect plate additionally covers the SD card slot on the flight controller, which could possibly be inconvenient in the event you plan to make use of Blackbox. You’ll must take away the aspect plate to entry it, and I’ll stroll you thru this course of later within the overview.
Including Your Personal Receiver
Apparently, the Mario 5 doesn’t include a receiver, so technically it’s not a real BNF (bind and fly) drone; as a substitute, it’s a PNP (plug and play) mannequin. Whereas this may appear uncommon and inconvenient, it does supply flexibility in choosing your most popular receiver sort.
Fortunately, putting in the receiver is fairly simple if you’re utilizing an ELRS receiver. The drone features a receiver cable that you would be able to solder to your receiver after which plug straight into the drone. It’s a simple course of, and also you gained’t must fully disassemble the drone to put in it, which is a pleasant contact for anybody seeking to get airborne rapidly.
Flight efficiency
Proper from takeoff, it was clear this drone packs critical energy. Though the Mario 5 is on the heavy aspect, and the motors are the comparatively smaller 2306.5 (most 5″ drones nowadays use 2207 motors), it nonetheless delivers an exhilarating quantity of thrust. It’s quick, highly effective, and responsive—all the pieces you need in an FPV drone.
The Mario 5 simply hits speeds of as much as 150 km/h and cruises comfortably round 100 km/h. This makes it greater than succesful for high-speed chases.
Whereas the inventory tune has room for enchancment, it offers a easy flight expertise. The controls really feel barely “mushy” as a result of conservative tune, however I believe it fits properly to rookies and pilots targeted on relaxed, cinematic footage. For extra aggressive flyers, some tuning could make the Mario 5 much more responsive.
Right here’s the gyro noise graph of the inventory tune.
When it comes to flight time, I received round 5:30 to six:30 utilizing a 6S 1100mAh LiPo battery, relying on flying fashion. It hovers at round 21% throttle with a completely charged battery—not as quick as another BNF quads with lighter construct and bigger motors, but it surely nonetheless gives loads of energy and feels extra manageable when navigating via tight areas.
The GPS performs properly, getting 17 satellites after a few minutes. Nevertheless, rescue mode isn’t configured, so that you’ll must set it up your self. I’ve a information right here for anybody who wants assist with that: https://oscarliang.com/setup-gps-rescue-mode-betaflight/
The present sensor is fairly correct out of the field, though I wanted to barely improve the size by 3 factors for optimum readings.
With additional PID and filter tuning, this drone’s efficiency will be elevated considerably. I spent 2 hours on a customized tune for this quad, which I’ve shared on my Patreon. By optimizing the filters and PID settings, I managed to make the Mario 5 way more exact and responsive, giving it a extra linked, snappy really feel that’s excellent for freestyle flying.
Try a few of my flight footage to see the distinction:
Inventory Tune:
Customized PID/Filter Tune:
Find out how to Setup
Default CLI dump (CLI diff) will be discovered right here.
Establishing the SpeedyBee Mario 5 FPV Drone for its first flight is simple:
- Set up and Bind Receiver: Solder your ELRS receiver (I’m utilizing the BetaFPV Nano 2400 RX) and full the binding course of.
- Bind DJI O3: The DJI O3 unit comes pre-activated, so it’s able to bind out of the field.
- Modes: Configure switches for arming and mode adjustments, equivalent to angle mode.
- OSD: Apply my OSD template: https://oscarliang.com/betaflight-osd/#HD-with-GPS
- That’s it!
The ESCs come pre-flashed with Bluejay firmware (J-H-40 Bluejay 0.19 48kHz), so no further configuration is required.
To alter settings in Betaflight, you may wish to take away the aspect plates first. Alternatively, the SpeedyBee app in your cellphone lets you configure settings remotely by way of Bluetooth or WiFi—perfect for fast discipline changes.
For weight discount, I eliminated non-essential components just like the aspect panels and O3 heatsink. These are largely for aesthetics and don’t contribute to flight efficiency, in truth they make it worse as they’re simply lifeless weight. 45g of weight saving is huge on a 5″ quad!
When changing the O3 heatsink with standoffs, I observed the body peak is definitely 23mm which requires 23mm standoffs, an unusual size. I’ve each 22 and 24mm standoffs, simply no 23mm. Ultimately I simply used 22mm standoffs with a 1mm spacer as a substitute.
A Few Drawbacks
Whereas the Mario 5 has rather a lot going for it, there are a number of areas it might probably enhance on:
- Restricted USB Entry: Accessing the USB port on the flight controller requires partial disassembly. Though the SpeedyBee app covers most configuration wants, simpler USB entry can be helpful.
- No Pre-installed Receiver: An included ExpressLRS receiver would make it a real BNF, sparing pilots from further soldering and meeting.
- Weight: At 497g, it’s on the heavier aspect for a 5-inch quad. Eradicating the aspect plates and metallic components can cut back weight by as much as 45g, making it extra agile and environment friendly.
- PID and Filter Tuning: The inventory tune leaves room for optimization. SpeedyBee has taken a conservative strategy right here, which offers a secure margin for error and minimizes potential points like motor overheating, however superior pilots might favor a extra aggressive setup.
- No Buzzer: It has flashy LEDs, however no buzzer?! Please can we get our precedence straight? 🙂
Ultimate Verdict: Is the SpeedyBee Mario 5 for You?
The SpeedyBee Mario 5 is a superb alternative for anybody seeking to dive into FPV or improve to a robust 5inch 6S platform with out the trouble of constructing from scratch. The Mario 5 combines high-quality parts, considerate design, and easy flight efficiency in a single bundle, making it a unbelievable choice for pilots who desire a virtually ready-to-fly expertise.
You should purchase the Mario 5 FPV Drone from:
Whereas the setup course of requires including a receiver, and the body design has some inconveniences, these aren’t deal breakers. With a little bit of modifications, tuning and persistence, these limitations will be overcome.
General, SpeedyBee has delivered a strong, well-built quad within the Mario 5 FPV drone, providing the efficiency FPV pilots want. For those who’re after a robust, dependable quad that saves you from constructing it your self, the Mario 5 is a superb decide.
For many who wish to optimize freestyle efficiency, take a look at my customized tune accessible on my Patreon. Benefit from the flight!
