I recently reviewed the analog version of the BetaFPV Aquila20 FPV drone kit, and this time I’m taking a look at the HD version. This is the first drone kit to feature BetaFPV’s own digital FPV system, Artlynk, which makes it particularly interesting.
The Aquila20 HD FPV kit includes everything you need to start flying in a budget-friendly package. It’s designed to lower the barrier to entry and reduce the learning curve. Just buy the kit, charge the batteries, and fly straight out of the box.
Is the HD kit better than the analog kit? Let’s find out.
New to FPV? Start with this beginner’s guide: https://oscarliang.com/fpv-drone-guide/
Where to Buy
Get the Aquila20 HD FPV kit from these vendors:
It comes with:
- Aquila20 HD Quadcopter
- LiteRadio 4 SE Radio
- VR04 HD FPV Goggles
- 2 × Batteries
- Battery Charger
- 1 Set of Spare Propellers (Gemfan 2218 3-Blade)
- USB-C Cable and Adapter
- Prop Removal Tool
- Screwdriver
Specifications
- Goggles: VR04 HD FPV Goggles
- Radio Transmitter: LiteRadio 4 SE
- Video Transmission Power & Range: 200mW and range above 400m
- Radio Protocol: ExpressLRS 2.4GHz V3
- Camera Angle Adjustment: 10°–30°
- Flight Controller: Aquila20 V1.0
- Propellers: Gemfan 2218 3-Blade
- Motors: 1103 10500KV
- Battery: Aquila20 Exclusive 2S HV 1100mAh
- Charger: 2S HV Charger & Voltage Tester (BT3.0 Connector)
- Wheelbase: 100mm
- Frame Material: PA
- Flight Modes: N / S / M Mode
- Flight Time: ~10 minutes
- Drone Takeoff Weight (including battery): 127.5g
Very Similar to the Analog Version
I feel like I don’t have a lot to say in this review because the HD version of the Aquila20 drone kit is almost identical to the analog version:
- Same battery
- Same drone design
- Same motors and propellers
- Same radio transmitter
- Same carry case and accessories
As a result, the drone flies very similarly. The flight modes and overall operation are identical as well. The only real difference is the FPV system—this kit marks the debut of the Artlynk digital system:
- Different VTX and camera on the drone
- Different FPV goggles
I have a separate post that goes into detail on the pros and cons of the Artlynk system here: https://oscarliang.com/betafpv-artlynk/
I’ll keep this review concise and focus mainly on what’s different, along with the pros and cons compared to the analog version. Be sure to also check out my full review of the analog Aquila20 kit for a more complete understanding of how the Aquila20 platform works and performs: https://oscarliang.com/betafpv-aquila20/
VR04 HD Goggles
The BetaFPV VR04 HD FPV Goggles look almost identical to the analog VR04 goggles, but the HD version features two antennas.
The goggles are powered by an external battery mounted on the rear of the headband. It’s essentially a battery holder that takes two 18650 Li-ion cells, with a USB port for charging and a dedicated power button.
The goggles use a single LCD screen and have a very spacious faceplate—I was able to wear my glasses comfortably while using them.
Betaflight OSD displayed correctly, and you get all the usual useful info at the bottom of the screen: VTX/Goggles input voltage, bitrate, distance, and available SD card storage.
They look considerably bulkier than the DJI Goggles 3, but that’s expected given the significantly lower price.
The Drone
From the outside, the Aquila20 HD drone looks identical to the analog version. The differences are mainly in the electronics—specifically the camera and VTX.
Let’s take it apart and have a closer look.
The VTX antenna is a PCB-style antenna mounted on the side of the drone.
The VTX features a lightweight heatsink that’s loosely attached using a silicone thermal pad. It’s easy to remove without making a mess.
The VTX and camera are part of BetaFPV’s latest Artlynk P1 Air Unit. Below are some close-up shots.
The antenna itself is simply a PCB with copper traces.
The VTX, camera, and antenna together weigh around 7.1g, which is almost as light as the analog setup. However, due to the additional plastic mounting brackets, heatsink, and related hardware, the overall drone weight is about 7g heavier than the analog version (120.5g vs 127.5g).
The battery connector is a BT3.0.
Flying Experience
Let’s check out some flight footage first:
The drone hovers at around 35% throttle, and it doesn’t feel very powerful—which is actually ideal for beginners who are still learning the basics.
As I mentioned in my review of the analog version, the Aquila20 is relatively heavy for its size. The HD version is even slightly worse in this regard, as it’s about 7g heavier. It’s slow and not suited for freestyle flying at all. It feels underpowered for aggressive maneuvers, and I crashed many times simply because I couldn’t recover from dives or inverted positions due to the lack of power. It also tends to become unstable and can even freak out if you apply too much yaw input too quickly.
That said, if you’re just cruising around gently, it’s totally flyable—and that’s exactly what it’s designed for. This is a beginner-focused drone.
Flight time is around 7–8 minutes, which is fairly decent.
What really surprised me was the image quality. The HD Artlynk system is way better than analog in terms of clarity. You can see objects farther away and branches more clearly. It’s not on the level of DJI O4, of course, but for a budget digital system, it’s very impressive.
Range is also significantly better than the analog version. The advertised 400m+ range is actually quite conservative. In my testing, I was able to fly over 500m with reasonably good signal and could have gone even farther if I hadn’t reached the edge of the field. I was also able to fly behind nearby trees and bushes.
By comparison, with the analog version, I was already seeing static at around 100 meters, and flying behind trees was almost impossible—instant glitchy video. You can learn to fly with both analog and HD versions, but better video gives you much more confidence. Not having to constantly worry about video breakup lets you push yourself further.
However, latency is noticeably higher than analog (and even higher than DJI). This forces you to slow down when doing anything that requires precision, such as flying through gaps. I did get somewhat used to it after a few flights, but it definitely makes flying proximity a bit more challenging. That said, I’d personally trade the slightly higher latency for the improved range any day—it’s far more reliable and ultimately lets you do more.
Given how much I crashed during testing, I really wish the Aquila20 had a buzzer. It would make finding the drone in grass much easier. The drone is already fairly heavy anyway, adding a buzzer wouldn’t make much difference weight-wise.
Oh, and the drone is also extremely loud, something to consider if that’s something you worry about.
Final Thoughts: Which Aquila20 Kit Should You Get—Analog or HD?
If you don’t mind spending $100 more, the HD version is clearly the better choice thanks to its superior image quality, penetration, and range. It’s simply more enjoyable to fly than the analog version.
That said, the Aquila20 has a low performance ceiling. It’s not designed for freestyle ripping, racing, or long-range flying, and you may outgrow it fairly quickly.
BetaFPV does deserve credit for simplifying the entire experience with their own software and hardware ecosystem. It lowers the learning curve, reduces setup complexity, and makes the kit far more approachable for true beginners.
Get the Aquila20 HD FPV kit from these vendors:
That said, my advice for beginners remains the same: get a radio first and practice in an FPV simulator, then move on to a real drone such as a tiny whoop (like the Air65), a 3.5-inch, or even a 5-inch freestyle drone. This approach allows you to skip beginner drone kits entirely.
In my opinion, beginner drone kits like the Aquila20 make the most sense for people who can’t practice in simulators—perhaps you don’t have access to a computer, or you’re buying it for children who just want something simple to fly.
