EMAX Hawk 5 Guide: 5-Inch Racing Drone BNF vs PNP Specs
The EMAX Hawk 5 is a 5-inch FPV racing drone sold ready to fly with your radio: as a BNF at $402.69 it comes with a FrSky XM+ receiver, and as a PNP at $387.29 it ships without one. Both versions share the same proven Magnum F4 tower — LS2206 2300KV brushless motors, a Bullet 30A 4-in-1 BLHeli_S ESC with DSHOT600, a 48-channel 25/200 mW switchable VTX, a Foxeer Arrow Micro V2 600TVL CCD camera and Avan Flow 5×4.3×3 three-blade props. This guide decodes the specifications, compares BNF vs PNP, positions the Hawk 5 against the Buzz 245mm and Babyhawk R Pro, and covers the 4S battery setup.
What is the EMAX Hawk 5?
The Hawk 5 is EMAX’s classic 5-inch racing quad, built around what the product page calls the “proven Magnum F4 Tower System”: a stackable Omnibus F4 flight controller with built-in Betaflight OSD, bolted to a 4-in-1 ESC on a carbon frame, with a vibration dampening suspension system isolating the flight controller. The BNF adds a FrSky XM+ 16-channel S.BUS micro receiver, so any FrSky D16-protocol radio binds directly. EMAX sells it in two configurations: the Hawk 5 BNF (SKU EMAX-2135) at $402.69 and the Hawk 5 PNP (SKU EMA-2137) at $387.29.
Where does it sit in the EMAX line-up? The Babyhawk R Pro flies 4-inch props for tighter tracks, the Buzz 245mm is the 5-inch freestyle sibling with a bigger 45A ESC, and the Hawk family’s long-range BNF models stretch to 7–10 inch frames — our EMAX Hawk long-range guide covers those. The Hawk 5 is the pure 5-inch racing model: 2300KV motors on a 4S pack and a camera-and-VTX pair aimed at analog racing.
How do the BNF and PNP versions differ?
The two versions differ in exactly one component: the radio receiver. Everything else — flight controller, ESC, motors, VTX, camera and propellers — is identical. The BNF includes the FrSky XM+ 16-channel S.BUS receiver; the PNP leaves the receiver slot empty for pilots who want to install their own, for example an ExpressLRS receiver. That single difference explains the $15.40 price gap ($402.69 versus $387.29).
| Specification | Hawk 5 BNF | Hawk 5 PNP |
|---|---|---|
| SKU / price | EMAX-2135 / $402.69 | EMA-2137 / $387.29 |
| Receiver | FrSky XM+ 16ch S.BUS | None (fit your own) |
| Flight controller | EMAX Magnum F4, Betaflight OSD (Omnibus F4) | |
| ESC | Bullet 30A 4-in-1, BLHeli_S, DSHOT600 | |
| Motors | EMAX LS2206 2300KV brushless | |
| VTX | 48-channel 5.8 GHz, 25/200 mW switchable | |
| Camera | Foxeer Arrow Micro V2, 600TVL CCD, 150° wide angle | |
| Propellers | Avan Flow 5×4.3×3 three-blade, 5 inch | |
| Battery | Not included; 70–100C 1300–1500 mAh 4S recommended | |
Which should you buy? If you already fly a FrSky D16 radio — an X9D, a Q X7 or any transmitter with an external FrSky module — the BNF is the faster path: bind and fly. If you fly ExpressLRS, Crossfire or another protocol, buy the PNP and fit a matching receiver; our ExpressLRS 915 MHz vs 2.4 GHz receiver guide and the FPV receiver guide walk through the options — the $15.40 saving roughly pays for a budget receiver.
How does the power system perform?
The LS2206 2300KV motors are the heart of the Hawk 5. In the 2206 stator class — compared with the 2207 and 2306 sizes in our FPV motor size guide — the LS2206 keeps weight down while 2300KV suits 4S packs for balanced racing rather than raw top speed. The Bullet 30A 4-in-1 ESC runs BLHeli_S on DSHOT600: fast, clean throttle communication and enough headroom for the 2300KV motors on a fully charged 4S pack (16.8 V).
The vibration dampening suspension under the flight controller is a meaningful detail: it isolates the gyro from frame resonances, keeping OSD readouts clean and the tune stable without heavy software filtering that adds latency. EMAX specifies the battery separately: the Hawk 5 ships without one, and the product page recommends 70–100C packs of 1300–1500 mAh at 4S — the standard capacity class for 5-inch racing, enough energy for punchy laps without excess weight. Our FPV LiPo battery guide explains how C-rating, capacity and cell count interact if you are choosing your first 4S packs.
What about the camera and video link?
The Foxeer Arrow Micro V2 is a 600TVL CCD camera with a sharp 150-degree wide-angle lens. CCD sensors handle rapid light transitions — sun to shade on a track — without the smear of older CMOS analog cameras, and 600TVL remains the racing standard for low-latency analog video. Our FPV camera guide breaks down sensor types, TVL and WDR.
Video is transmitted by a 48-channel 5.8 GHz VTX with switchable 25/200 mW output. That dual-power design matters: 25 mW keeps you legal and interference-free at club races with many pilots in the air, while 200 mW extends practice range on open fields. Our FPV VTX buying guide explains channel planning and power rules. Unlike the Buzz 245mm with Smart Audio, on the Hawk 5 you switch power bands on the VTX itself.
How does the Hawk 5 compare with other EMAX 5-inch quads?
The closest sibling is the Buzz 245mm freestyle quad: a 245 mm diagonal wheelbase, 358 g without battery, FS 2306 motors at 1700KV (5–6S) or 2400KV (4S), a 45A 32-bit 4-in-1 ESC and a Caddx Micro S1 CCD camera. The Buzz is heavier, carries more ESC headroom and is tuned for freestyle on 5–6S. The Hawk 5 is lighter on the throttle side — 2206 motors and 30A — which suits the snappy, aggressive lines of gate racing on 4S. Full breakdown in our EMAX Buzz 245mm guide.
Against the Babyhawk R Pro 4 inch, the Hawk 5 trades some agility for speed and stability: 5-inch props carry more momentum and cut through wind better, while the 4-inch Babyhawk R Pro is more crash-friendly and better for tighter spaces. And if your flying leans toward long cruising rather than racing, the Hawk family’s 7–10 inch long-range BNF models in our long-range guide are the better tool.
One more practical note: EMAX sells dedicated spare parts for the Hawk 5, including a 5-inch replacement arms set (2 pieces, $13.84) and 6-inch frame arms at 4.5 mm thickness for a stretched build. Cheap, available arms are one of the quiet advantages of a mainstream EMAX racing platform.
How do you set up the Hawk 5 for the first flight?
Setup is short because the Hawk 5 arrives factory-built and pre-tuned. BNF pilots: bind the XM+ receiver to your FrSky radio, verify channel direction in Betaflight, and check the OSD — it renders battery voltage, flight time and receiver signal strength in real time. PNP pilots: install and solder your receiver, then bind. Both versions need a 4S 1300–1500 mAh pack (not included) and an FPV headset with a 5.8 GHz analog receiver. Pick a free channel, start at 25 mW when flying with others, and do first checks with props off.
Who should buy the EMAX Hawk 5?
Buy the Hawk 5 BNF if you fly a FrSky radio and want a complete, classic 5-inch analog racing quad without build time. Buy the PNP if you run ExpressLRS or another protocol and prefer to choose your own receiver. Both give you a proven Magnum F4 stack, 2300KV motors on 4S and a racing camera-VTX pair. Pilots who want more freestyle headroom should look at the Buzz 245mm; those who want a smaller crash footprint, at the Babyhawk R Pro.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the EMAX Hawk 5 BNF and PNP?
Only the receiver. The BNF ($402.69, SKU EMAX-2135) includes a FrSky XM+ 16-channel S.BUS receiver; the PNP ($387.29, SKU EMA-2137) has none, so you fit your own. Everything else — flight controller, ESC, motors, VTX, camera, props — is identical, and the price difference is $15.40.
What battery does the EMAX Hawk 5 use?
The Hawk 5 ships without a battery. EMAX recommends 70–100C LiPo packs of 1300–1500 mAh at 4S — the standard capacity class for 5-inch racing quads. A fully charged 4S pack reaches 16.8 V, pairing with the 2300KV motors for the intended performance.
Is the EMAX Hawk 5 suitable for beginners?
Yes, with conditions. It arrives built, pre-tuned and — as BNF — receiver-ready, so setup is mostly binding and Betaflight checks. But 2300KV motors on 4S make it genuinely fast, so beginners should start with low rates, open space and simulator practice. Never-flown-FPV pilots may find the smaller Babyhawk R Pro more forgiving.
Which radios work with the Hawk 5 BNF?
The included FrSky XM+ receiver works with any FrSky D16-protocol transmitter, such as the X9D or Q X7. ExpressLRS, Crossfire and other protocol owners should buy the PNP version and install a matching receiver. Our FPV receiver guide covers protocol compatibility in detail.
Are spare parts available for the Hawk 5?
Yes. EMAX offers a 5-inch replacement arms set (2 pieces, $13.84) and 6-inch frame arms at 4.5 mm thickness, alongside the broader parts catalogue. Standard 5×4.3×3 Avan Flow props are inexpensive and widely stocked, keeping running costs low.
The EMAX Hawk 5 remains a straightforward answer: a complete 5-inch analog racing quad with a proven Magnum F4 stack, LS2206 2300KV motors, a 30A BLHeli_S ESC and a 200 mW-capable video link, at $402.69 as BNF or $387.29 as PNP. Check current price on the Hawk 5 BNF product page or the Hawk 5 PNP product page — and if this is your first 5-inch racer, pick the right 4S packs with our FPV LiPo battery guide.