I believe I simply discovered the finest price range body in 2024—the AxisFlying Manta 5 SE! This freestyle FPV body equipment combines efficiency, affordability, and ease. By mixing CNC aluminium elements with high-quality carbon fiber and sensible 3D-printed equipment, the Manta5 SE is designed to ship worth and flexibility for FPV drone builders. On this assessment, we’ll dive into the design, options, and the way it stacks up in opposition to the favored TBS Supply One V5.
New to FPV, be taught concerning the fundamentals of FPV drone frames on this tutorial: https://oscarliang.com/fpv-drone-frames/
The place to Purchase
You should buy the Manta 5 SE body equipment from these distributors:
The packaging is spectacular for a price range body, rivalling and even surpassing frames that value twice as a lot. The eye to element units the Manta 5 SE aside from its opponents.
One of many largest promoting factors for me is the inclusion of 3D printed TPU elements such because the GoPro mount, VTX/receiver antenna mount, GPS holder, and arm guards. It even comes with a mini beeper, which is cleverly built-in into the body design.
Specs
- Wheelbase: 223mm (diagonal motor-to-motor distance)
- Propeller Measurement: Helps as much as 5.1-inch props
- Backside Plates: Cut up design
- FPV Digital camera Compatibility: Micro FPV digicam (19mm width) and DJI O3 digicam (20mm width)
- FC/ESC Stack Mounting: 20x20mm (M3) and 30.5×30.5mm (M3)
- VTX Mounting: 20x20mm (M2) and 25.5×25.5mm (M2)
- Motor Mount: 16x16mm (M3)
- Stack top (standoff): 20mm
- Materials: T700 Carbon Fiber and Aluminum
- Lipo battery pad, strap, and stack screws included
Carbon Fiber Thickness:
- Arms: 5.5mm
- Prime Plate: 2mm
- Center Plate: 3mm
- Backside Plate: 3mm
- Digital camera Plate: 2mm
Weight:
- 130g (with out TPU elements)
- 157g (with TPU elements)
Higher Than Supply One?
It’s been over two years because the launch of the TBS Supply One V5, and it had undoubtedly been one of many finest price range 5-inch FPV drone frames. Whereas many challengers have emerged, none have matched its affordability and consumer expertise—till now, with the AxisFlying Manta 5 SE.
Supply One’s Stagnant Growth
Though the Supply One is an open-source challenge, this comes with inherent drawbacks. As an example, there hasn’t been any replace on the body prior to now couple of years. Many within the FPV neighborhood, together with myself, have been eagerly ready for a brand new model with native DJI O3 assist for a very long time, and now even the DJI O4 is on the horizon, hope is fading. There are customized made TPU elements you’ll be able to add to the Supply One to make it appropriate with the O3, however not everybody has a 3D printer and it’s a problem. The open-source nature means improvement is pushed largely by neighborhood ardour quite than revenue, which sadly means unpredictable consequence.
Manta 5 SE vs. Supply One V5
The TBS Supply One V5 continues to be the least expensive model title body in the marketplace, priced at $29.99. Nevertheless, the AxisFlying Manta 5 SE, priced at $39.99, presents considerably extra options that, in my view, make it properly price the additional $10.
Why the Manta 5 SE is Higher, to sum it up:
- Native DJI O3 Help: No want for modifications or additional elements—the Manta 5 SE helps the DJI O3 system proper out of the field.
- 3D Printed TPU Components Included: The equipment comes with arm guards, VTX and receiver antenna mounts, and a GPS holder—no must supply or print these individually.
- Built-in Buzzer: Comes with a small buzzer, which is a helpful addition for finding your drone after a crash.
- Lovely Carbon Fiber End: The carbon fiber is superbly crafted, with chamfered edges requiring no extra sanding or preparation.
- Full {Hardware} Package: Consists of lengthy stack screws, motor screws, and battery straps—gadgets lacking within the Supply One equipment.
- Consumer Pleasant VTX Mounting: Helps each 20x20mm and 25.5×25.5mm mounts with M2 holes, providing higher compatibility for contemporary VTX methods.
- Less complicated Meeting: Barely simpler to construct, with meeting directions included (a considerate contact absent within the Supply One equipment).
- Premium Packaging: Is available in safe {and professional} packaging, making certain all elements arrive in good situation.
Benefits of the Supply One V5:
- Extra 3D Printed Accent Designs Out there: Due to its open-source nature and huge consumer base, there’s a variety of free 3D-printed accent designs obtainable on-line—however you’ll want entry to a 3D printer to make use of them.
- Open Supply Flexibility: You possibly can reduce your personal alternative elements (i.e. arms and plates) if in case you have entry to CNC gear.
- Spare Components Availability: Spare arms and plates can be found to buy.
Components High quality
Regardless of the low value, AxisFlying didn’t reduce corners with the Manta 5 SE body design. Its beautiful aesthetic, that includes blue aluminium accents and carbon plates with a singular blue sample, makes it a visually putting addition to any construct.
The floor of the carbon plates has a high-quality sprayed “blue marble” end, including a contact of sophistication. All arms and plates have chamfered edges, offering a clean and premium really feel whereas eliminating sharp edges.
The underside plate incorporates black threaded inserts, which not solely make meeting straightforward, but in addition keep a clear {and professional} look.
I additionally recognize the an identical arm design, which makes constructing easy and reduces confusion in the course of the meeting/restore course of.
Design
The AxisFlying Manta 5 SE adopts an analogous “cut up deck” design to the Supply One V5, the place the arms are sandwiched between two plates. In a cut up deck design, the underside plates solely overlap within the heart, it reduces weight whereas permitting for extra room within the entrance, offering additional house for mounting the FPV digicam. To accommodate for the additional top within the entrance, the Manta makes use of customized made CNC aluminum plates, that are dearer to fabricate however avoids utilizing longer standoffs. In distinction, the Supply One V5 depends on an previous trend answer – carbon fiber plates for mounting the FPV digicam, and requiring two totally different standoff sizes which I all the time discover barely annoying.
The digicam cage on the Manta is roughly 23.5mm extensive. With the suitable rubber inserts, you’ll be able to set up FPV cameras of both 19mm or 20mm width, together with normal micro cameras and the DJI O3.
Nevertheless, whereas the arms are barely extra stretched out than the Supply One, the digicam cage is positioned barely additional again. This might enhance the chance of propellers showing within the digicam’s view in case your digicam angle is low, significantly with extensive FOV cameras just like the DJI O3.
FC/VTX Mounting Choices
In the course of the body, each the Manta 5 SE and Supply One V5 assist 20x20mm and 30.5×30.5mm FC stacks with M3 bolts. Neither body natively helps 25.5×25.5mm AIO boards, however this may be resolved with 3D-printed adapters.
On the rear, the Manta presents each 20x20mm and 25.5×25.5mm mounting choices on your VTX, whereas the Supply One solely offers 20x20mm mounting. The Manta makes use of M2 holes for VTX mounting, whereas the Supply One makes use of M3 holes. This makes the Manta extra appropriate with most VTX methods, that are usually designed for M2 {hardware}.
Arm Design and Rigidity
Every arm on the Manta is secured with three screws, making arm alternative fast and straightforward. The arms interlock, offering adequate rigidity; nevertheless, the addition of an arm locking wedge (just like the one on the Supply One) might additional improve general power and rigidity.
The body helps motors with 16x16mm mounting holes, that are appropriate with almost all common motors. It accommodates propellers as much as 5.1 inches, providing flexibility for various energy setups.
Sturdiness and Weight
The highest and backside plates of the Manta are barely wider than these of the Supply One, offering additional safety for the electronics. Whereas the arms on the Manta are 0.5mm thinner, they’re additionally wider, which ought to steadiness out the sturdiness.
With regards to weight, the 2 frames are almost an identical. The Supply One V5 weighs 128g, whereas the Manta 5 SE weighs 130g (excluding 3D-printed elements).
Right here’s how the assembled Manta 5 SE seems to be with out 3D-printed elements:
Right here’s the way it seems to be with 3D printed elements:
XT60 Pigtail Placement
A rising development in FPV body design is routing the XT60 pigtail via a gap in the midst of the highest plate. This design minimizes the danger of the facility wires being reduce by propellers. Nevertheless, the Manta 5 SE doesn’t have a high plate cutout for this objective, so the pigtail should exit from the rear.
How you can Assemble
The Manta 5 SE body equipment makes use of numerous forms of screws, which could be complicated at first. Whereas there may be an meeting guide included, it may benefit from extra diagrams to additional make clear the meeting steps.
On the intense facet, the guide color-codes the screws within the diagrams and matches them to the accent checklist, making identification a lot simpler. Nevertheless, including coloration labels to the precise screw baggage would have made the method much more intuitive.
The tolerances for the carbon fiber and 3D-printed elements are good—not overly tight, making meeting and repairs easy, whereas nonetheless sustaining the required stiffness for vibration-free efficiency. This can be a testomony to the wonderful execution of the design.
Start by putting in the buzzer on the underside plate.
Determine how you’ll set up the arms.
Safe the arms to between the 2 backside plates.
Set up the CNC aluminuim digicam facet plates.
Connect the six standoffs to the underside plate.
Right here’s how the body seems to be from the underside:
Stick the battery pad onto the highest plate, then set up the highest plate to the body.
Lastly, connect the 3D-printed equipment (e.g., GoPro mount, GPS holder, VTX/antenna mounts) as wanted. Solely set up the equipment you require to maintain the burden down.
Right here’s how the body seems to be from above:
What Can Be Accomplished Higher
- Supply Spare Components: Supply spare arms and high/backside plates individually for restore with out shopping for an entire equipment once more.
- Embrace Further Screws: The body comes with simply the precise variety of screws and no spares in any respect, so be sure to don’t lose them. Together with additional screws can be a considerate addition.
- Enhance Arm Rigidity: Whereas the arms interlock properly sufficient to keep away from main rigidity points, incorporating some form of arm locking mechanism, just like the arm locking wedge within the Supply One, might additional improve power and stiffness.
- Share TPU Mount Designs: Sharing the 3D-printable TPU mount designs can be a giant assist for builders who need to print replacements or modify them for his or her particular wants.
- Help Bigger GPS Modules: The included GPS mount solely helps 18x18mm modules. Including a mount for 20x20mm or bigger GPS items, that are additionally frequent, would enhance flexibility.
- Extra Detailed Handbook: Whereas the body features a easy meeting leaflet, extra detailed directions with step-by-step diagrams can be invaluable, particularly for newcomers.
Conclusion
The AxisFlying Manta 5 SE body equipment is a no brainer, particularly for individuals who don’t personal a 3D printer and want a ready-to-go 5inch FPV drone body for freestyle, cinematic or lengthy vary. This body combines options, ease of use, and aesthetic enchantment, making it stand out as a premium freestyle possibility.
You should buy the Manta 5 SE body equipment from these distributors:
Its Squashed X design offers glorious agility for freestyle flying whereas maintaining props out of the digicam’s view for clear HD footage. The usage of CNC aluminum and T700 carbon fiber delivers spectacular sturdiness with out compromising flight efficiency.
In case your purpose is to maintain prices as little as potential and you’ve got entry to a 3D printer, the Supply One stays a strong different. Nevertheless, for these on the lookout for a totally outfitted, hassle-free body, the Manta 5 SE is undoubtedly one of the best price range body in 2025, good for each newcomers and skilled pilots.
