Is the DJI Avata 2 good for freestyle FPV?

Yes, the DJI Avata 2 can fly freestyle, with limits. With the DJI FPV Remote Controller 3 it flies true Manual (acro) mode up to 27 m/s, so you can do flips, rolls, power loops and dives by hand. It's a ducted cinewhoop, though, so it feels heavier and less punchy than a 5-inch freestyle quad. It's best for proximity lines, gaps, buildings and smooth rolls rather than big, aggressive tricks.

What you need for real freestyle

• FPV Remote Controller 3. The RC Motion 3 can't fly Manual mode. It only offers stabilized flight and Easy ACRO tricks.
• Goggles 3 or Goggles N3. Both work with the Avata 2 and the FPV RC 3.
• Manual mode enabled. It's off by default. You set the throttle so it doesn't re-center, then pick Manual as the Custom Mode in the goggles. Step by step: Avata 2 manual mode.

Avata 2 vs a 5-inch freestyle quad

	Avata 2	Typical 5-inch freestyle quad
Props	Ducted, guarded	Open
Weight	About 377 g	Usually heavier with battery
Feel	Smooth, floaty, slower to recover	Punchy, fast recovery from dives
Crash damage	Guards absorb bumps	Props and frames break more often
Camera	Built-in 1/1.3-inch, 4K/60, stabilized	Usually a separate action camera
Setup	Ready to fly	Builds, tuning and parts

The Avata 2's ducts protect props and surroundings, but they add drag and weight. Expect slower recoveries from dives and less hang time on tricks than an open-prop freestyle build. The upside is reliability: GPS, Return to Home, an easy switch back to stabilized Normal mode, and footage that's already stabilized.

Freestyle moves that suit the Avata 2

• Rolls and flips in open air, with plenty of height.
• Gaps through trees, doors and structures. The guards forgive small touches.
• Proximity lines along walls, cliffs and buildings.
• Orbits and dives at moderate speed. Big dives off tall drops are harder to pull out of.
• Power loops over trees or poles.

If you just want a quick flip for a clip, Easy ACRO on the RC Motion 3 does flips, rolls, 180° drifts and power loops with one push. See Avata 2 flips.

Camera settings for freestyle

1. 4K at 50 or 60 fps. Leaves room to slow down and crop. 2.7K at 120 fps works for slow motion.
2. Ultra-wide FOV for the classic FPV look.
3. RockSteady or HorizonSteady off if you want raw freestyle footage that rolls with the drone. Turn stabilization off and DJI says wide-angle footage can be stabilized later with Gyroflow.
4. D-Log M if you grade, Normal color if you post straight away.
5. ND filters in bright sun to keep shutter near 1/100 to 1/120 at 50 to 60 fps for natural motion blur. See Avata 2 ND filters.

Practice before you fly acro

Learn acro in a simulator first. DJI says the FPV Remote Controller 3 works with sims including Liftoff, Uncrashed, The Drone Racing League and DCL. Spend a few hours there before your first real Manual flight. See how to practice drone flying on PC.

On your first real flights:

• Start with DJI's default attitude limit, then remove it once you're comfortable.
• Tune expo and rates in the goggles in small steps.
• Fly a big, open field away from people.
• Keep a visual observer next to you. US rules require one when you fly with goggles.
• Know the emergency stop and land with battery to spare.

Who should freestyle an Avata 2?

It's a great first acro drone and a strong choice for cinematic freestyle around people and structures. If you want hard-hitting freestyle tricks, you'll eventually want an open-prop 5-inch build too. Many drone pilots keep both.

Ready to start? See the DJI Avata 2 or browse the FPV collection.

Related guides

• DJI Avata 2 controllers: RC Motion 3 vs FPV Remote Controller 3
• DJI Avata 2 vs DJI FPV: cinewhoop or speed machine?
• DJI Avata 2 vs Mini 4 Pro: FPV fun or all-round camera drone?
• Best DJI Avata 2 camera settings for photo and video
• Best drones with goggles (FPV headset): DJI Avata 2, Neo and more
• DJI Avata 2 vs Neo: which FPV drone should you buy?

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