The dynamic and engaging video footage that FPV (first-person view) drones like the BetaFPV Cetus Pro can capture is transforming the drone industry. Unfortunately, the drawbacks of FPV drones are that they are often self-built, necessitating some understanding of electronics, and they are notoriously challenging to operate.
So despite the availability of more and more models that don’t require soldering, flying remains challenging.
The four rotors of the Cetus Pro Brushless Quadcopter are powered by brushless motors, which are more efficient than brushed motors, as the name implies.
The drone is palm-sized with dimensions of 117x117x35mm and a weight of only 33.1g. However, the total take-off weight is 45.8g due to the 12.7g weight of the batteries.
A simple FPV controller that works great with the Cetus is also included in the LiteRadio 2 SE Transmitter kit. Although FPV controllers differ from camera drone controllers, the instructions make everything plain.
The affordable analog box goggles known as the VR02 FPV Goggles transmit an FPV feed from the Cetus camera.
However, low quality and frequent interruptions in the stream when the drone is flown around obstacles make them difficult to use at first. The primary drawbacks are that they don’t have an integrated DVR recording the FPV broadcast and that you can’t wear glasses while wearing them.
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Pricing of Beta FPV Cetus Pro Kit
For just $230, you can purchase the BetaFPV Cetus Pro Kit, which includes the LiteRadio 2SE Transmitter, Cetus Pro Brushless Quadcopter, VR02 FPV Goggles, a USB battery charger and cable, two 1S LiPo batteries, four spare propellers, a USB-C adaptor for firmware updates, a propeller removal tool and a carry case.
The cost is a modest sum to pay for a complete FPV kit with a sturdy, crash-resistant drone.
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Features of beta FPV Cetus Pro Kit
Because the Cetus Pro has three flight modes, you may progressively move to Manual/Acro Mode as your flying abilities advance. The simplest mode to fly is Normal, which uses an optical flow sensor to assist the drone hover.
With camera drones, it’s not as accurate as GPS placement, but it does make it simpler to maintain drone altitude than the other two flight modes.
With the Cetus Pro, Sport Mode is similar to Angle Mode on a fully featured FPV drone. In this mode, the drone’s roll and pitch angles are fixed at an angle, preventing it from flipping or rolling as it can in Manual/Acro Mode. The drone will level off once the direction stick is released.
The last and most challenging mode to fly is Manual/Acro Mode since you have to control the throttle in addition to the direction stick. Once the drone has been rolled or pitched left or right, forward or backward, it will stay at that angle until it is manually leveled again.
Any flying mode, including Turtle Mode, lets you remotely turn the drone if it crashes and lands upside down. Unfortunately, the Cetus Pro lacks a beep or siren, so if Turtle Mode doesn’t flip the drone after you crash, you’ll have to locate it only by sight, which might be challenging depending on where you crashed.
Conclusion
The Cetus Pro Kit is an excellent starter kit. If you’re curious to learn how to fly FPV drones without spending much money on a pro kit, you’re likely to crash, damage, and perhaps lose. Additionally, the three flying modes that lead to Manual/Acro Mode provide the ideal path for advancement.
Although disappointing, the drone’s camera cannot record 1080p or 4K videos in addition to the FPV broadcast to the goggles because it is not intended to be a fully functional FPV drone.
Though these kits are often more expensive than the Cetus Pro Kit, some rival models provide video recording for both the drone and the FPV stream in the goggles.
