BETAFPV Pavo20 Pro II Guide: 3S vs 4S Specs & O4 Setup
The BETAFPV Pavo20 Pro II is the brand’s 2.2-inch cinewhoop built around DJI O4 HD systems, and the version choice is simple: buy the 3S (F4 2-3S 20A FC + 7200KV motors) if you want agility and efficiency, or the 4S (Cube 2-4S 30A FC + 5500KV motors) if you want maximum airtime — up to 10 minutes 30 seconds with a LAVA II 4S 680mAh battery. Both share a 93.9mm frame, weigh 116.2g with the O4 Pro air unit installed, and support the O4, O4 Wide and O4 Pro air units out of the box. This guide compares every published specification and the 3S-vs-4S differences so you can decide before you spend.
What Is the Pavo20 Pro II and Who Is It For?
The Pavo20 Pro II sits in BETAFPV’s Pavo cinewhoop line as a lightweight freestyle and cinematic platform. At 72.6g for the PNP version and 116.2g with the O4 Pro air unit fitted, it targets DJI pilots who want a compact, durable whoop for indoor and close-proximity filming. The official positioning calls it “the ultimate whoop for pilots demanding professional freestyle and cinematic performance”, with pre-optimized PIDs for DJI O4 — you select your configuration in the OSD and fly.
One availability note before the details: the product page currently carries an out-of-stock notice for the 4S versions, with orders shipping as inventory arrives. The 3S and PNP configurations remain the safer pick if you need a quad quickly, and stock can change, so check the live listing.
3S vs 4S: Which Version Should You Buy?
The two configurations differ in three published areas: flight controller, motor KV and flight time. The 3S pairs the F4 2-3S 20A FC — purpose-built for digital HD VTX with a dual BEC delivering 9V 2A for the DJI O4 system and 5V 3A for external devices — with LAVA 1104 7200KV motors for agile, responsive performance. The 4S steps up to the Cube 3IN1 2-4S 30A FC, which integrates an STM32G473 MCU running at 168MHz, a 30A continuous ESC on 2oz copper, and a Serial ELRS 2.4GHz receiver, paired with LAVA 1104 5500KV motors optimized for efficiency.
Flight time is where the split becomes concrete. With LAVA II 580mAh packs the 3S manages 7 minutes 30 seconds and the 4S 8 minutes 30 seconds; with 680mAh packs it is 9 minutes on 3S versus 10 minutes 30 seconds on 4S. The official comparison table also lists thrust-to-weight ratios of 5.5:1 for the 4S and 5.9:1 for the 3S, both measured with the O4 Pro aboard — the lighter 3S actually carries the higher ratio, while the 4S buys endurance. In short: technical indoor freestyle favors 3S, long cinematic sessions favor 4S.
Full Specifications at a Glance
| Specification | Pavo20 Pro II (3S / 4S) |
|---|---|
| Wheelbase | 93.9mm |
| Weight | 72.6g (PNP), 116.2g (O4 Pro version) |
| Flight controller | F4 2-3S 20A AIO (3S), Cube 3IN1 2-4S 30A (4S) |
| Motors | LAVA 1104 7200KV (3S), LAVA 1104 5500KV (4S) |
| Props | Gemfan D2.2 3-blade, screw-fixed |
| Flight time | 7’30″/9′ (3S 580/680mAh), 8’30″/10’30” (4S 580/680mAh) |
| RX version | Serial ELRS, DJI SBUS |
| Battery connector | XT30 |
| Battery slot | 29mm wide, unlimited height |
| HD VTX bracket | O4 Air Unit Pro Bracket, O4 Air Unit Bracket II |
| Supported VTX | DJI O4 Air Unit Pro, O4 Wide Air Unit, O4 Air Unit |
| LED strip | NightFire RGB (10 effects, 7 colors) |
Three numbers summarize the package: a 93.9mm wheelbase, 116.2g all-up weight with O4 Pro, and propellers screwed directly to the motor shafts to eliminate the loose-prop failures common on smaller whoops.
O4, O4 Wide and O4 Pro: How the Compatibility Works
A redesigned carbon plate is the key to the Pavo20 Pro II’s air-unit flexibility: it integrates the O4 Air Unit Pro, the O4 Wide Air Unit and the standard O4 Air Unit. The included O4 Air Unit Pro Bracket is engineered for stable footage, with a reinforced camera side panel, dual fixing holes that optimize the camera’s center of rotation, and smooth 0–40° tilt adjustment — with ND filter access kept unobstructed even at wide angles. Antenna mounts sit at 30° for optimal signal, swaps are tool-free, and shock-absorbing balls damp vibration.
For exposure control, BETAFPV recommends the ND filter set for the O4 Pro camera — ND8, ND16 and ND32 options plus a UV filter — mounted vertically to perfect motion blur in bright conditions. Remember the packaging distinction: the O4 Pro version includes the O4 Pro VTX, while PNP versions ship without a VTX and require a separate purchase.
Pavo20 Pro II vs Pavo Pico II: Which Pavo Fits You?
BETAFPV’s own comparison table contrasts the Pavo20 Pro II with the smaller Pavo Pico II Brushless Whoop, and the numbers make the split clear. The Pico II runs an 80mm wheelbase, weighs 39.1g PNP (53.4g without battery), uses LAVA 1102 14000KV motors with GF 45mm props on a 2S LAVA battery, and delivers 6 minutes 30 seconds on O4 with a 2S 550mAh pack (5 minutes 40 seconds on O4 Pro). Thrust-to-weight is higher on paper — 6.35:1 on O4 — but it carries a smaller HD system.
Practically, the Pico II is the ultra-light indoor option, while the Pavo20 Pro II accepts the full-size O4 Pro for genuinely cinematic output. Comparing across BETAFPV’s whoop catalog, our Meteor Pro II guide covers the 65mm and 75mm O4 siblings of the same generation.
Frame and Assembly: Why the “II” Frame Matters
The Pavo20 Pro II Brushless Whoop Frame is a significant part of the upgrade story. Its injection-molded structure combines PA12 thickened whoop ducts for crash resilience with embedded nuts and a four-screw assembly system that locks the carbon plate rigidly in place. Three guided mounting points guarantee perfect plate alignment, and the supported structure reportedly contributes an 8–11% aerodynamic thrust boost. The battery slot widens to 29mm with no height limit, accommodating larger 4S packs like the LAVA II 4S Battery.
Power delivery stays predictable thanks to the screw-fixed Gemfan D2.2 3-blade propellers, which remove the loose-prop issue entirely.
Buzzer, GPS and Night Flying Extras
Recovery hardware is now built in: an onboard buzzer makes locating a downed whoop quick, and two included GPS brackets (22×22mm and 14×17mm) accept most 12x and 18x GPS modules for return-to-home on a cinewhoop. For evening sessions, the NightFire RGB LED Strip — the same lighting as the Pavo20 Pro NightFire Limited Edition — offers 10 preset effects across 7 colors, switched by onboard buttons.
One component note worth knowing before buying spares: from August 2026, the F4 2-3S 20A FC in 3S versions ships with either an STM32F405 or AT32F435 MCU depending on stock, with identical flight performance confirmed by BETAFPV. Similarly, a compatible-firmware revision swaps the scarce ICM42688 IMU for the ICM42605 with no performance change.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Pavo20 Pro II include a camera or VTX?
Only the O4 Pro version includes the O4 Pro VTX. All PNP versions ship without a VTX system, which must be purchased separately — budget for the air unit when comparing prices.
What battery should I use with the 3S and 4S versions?
BETAFPV recommends LAVA II 3S 580/680mAh packs for the 3S version and LAVA II 4S 580/680mAh for the 4S, with LAVA 3S 450/550mAh 75C packs also listed. Flight times scale directly: 7’30″–9′ on 3S and 8’30″–10’30” on 4S. All connect via XT30.
Is the Pavo20 Pro II good for beginners?
It is beginner-friendly as a DJI-first cinewhoop: pre-optimized PIDs for O4 mean no tuning is required, the onboard buzzer reduces crash-loss risk, and the PA12 ducts protect props and surroundings. Beginners should still expect a learning curve, and the O4 air unit is separate on PNP versions.
Which DJI air units fit the Pavo20 Pro II?
All three: the DJI O4 Air Unit Pro, O4 Wide Air Unit and standard O4 Air Unit. The redesigned carbon plate and the O4 Air Unit Pro Bracket handle mounting, with 0–40° camera tilt and tool-free antenna swaps. A Top Plate solution exists for using the Canopy II with the standard O4 Air Unit.
How does it differ from the Pavo Pico II?
The Pico II is smaller (80mm vs 93.9mm) and lighter (39.1g vs 72.6g PNP), flying 2S with LAVA 1102 14000KV motors, while the Pavo20 Pro II runs 3S/4S with LAVA 1104 motors and carries the full-size O4 Pro. Pick the Pico II for ultra-light indoor flying, the Pavo20 Pro II for cinematic O4 footage.
Why does my flight controller say AT32F435 instead of STM32F405?
From August 2026 BETAFPV ships the F4 2-3S 20A FC with either STM32F405 or AT32F435 MCUs at random, depending on stock availability. Both deliver identical flight performance. The same logic applies to the IMU: ICM42605 replaces the shortaged ICM42688 with compatible firmware and no performance change.
Conclusion: A Cinewhoop Built Around O4
The BETAFPV Pavo20 Pro II is a thoughtfully engineered 2.2-inch cinewhoop: pick 3S for agile flying up to 9 minutes, or 4S for endurance up to 10 minutes 30 seconds — either way you get native O4/O4 Wide/O4 Pro support, a rigid four-screw frame, screw-fixed props and extras like the buzzer and GPS brackets. Verify every figure against the official Pavo20 Pro II product page, then complete your hangar with matched batteries, filters and props in our FPV store.