DolphinRC Beginner DIY FPV Kit (QAV-S 2 JB SE) Review [2026]
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Beginner DIY FPV Kit — QAV-S 2 Joshua Bardwell SE
A 5-inch build-it-yourself kit around the Lumenier QAV-S 2 Joshua Bardwell Signature Edition frame, meant to teach the build process rather than hand you a finished drone.
Is this DIY kit worth it?
If your goal is genuinely learning to build a 5" freestyle drone from parts rather than just owning one, yes — this kit leans into that with Joshua Bardwell's video guides, a full hardware set, 3D printed parts and even a soft carry case. It does not include an FPV camera/video system (DJI O3 or Walksnail, sold separately), so the $389.99 price is for the airframe-and-electronics build, not a complete ready-to-fly package.
A teaching kit, not a shortcut
Built around the Lumenier QAV-S 2 Joshua Bardwell Signature Edition 5" frame with its X-Lock arm mechanism, the kit bundles four Xilo Stealth 2207 1800KV 6S motors, a Xilo Stax V2 F4 flight controller, a Xilo Stax V2 45A BLHeli_32 ESC with telemetry, and three JB Gemfan Hurricane 51477 propellers (spares included). It's designed around Joshua Bardwell's own build tutorials, so the parts list and assembly order are meant to match his video guides closely.
What makes it stand out
QAV-S 2 with X-Lock arm mechanism
The X-Lock arm system is built to simplify replacing a bent or broken arm without a full frame teardown — a practical detail for a kit aimed at people who are still learning to fly and will crash occasionally.
Xilo Stealth 2207 1800KV motors on a 45A ESC
Four 6S-rated 1800KV motors paired with a 45A BLHeli_32 ESC with telemetry give a reasonably capable freestyle power system — telemetry in particular is a nice inclusion for a beginner kit, since it makes diagnosing an ESC issue much easier down the line.
Built to follow Joshua Bardwell's tutorials
Rather than a generic instruction sheet, this kit's parts list is designed to match Joshua Bardwell's own build videos step for step, which matters if you've never soldered a flight stack before and want to follow along with someone showing you exactly how.
Hardware, 3D printed parts and a carry case, no FPV system
The box includes the frame kit, flight controller, ESC, four motors, three propellers, connecting wires, 3D printed parts, a hardware set, ten zip ties, a soft carry case and a frequency/voltage chart sticker. It does not include a camera, VTX, receiver or FPV goggles — DJI O3 or Walksnail systems are compatible but sold separately.
Full spec sheet
| Frame | Lumenier QAV-S 2 Joshua Bardwell Signature Edition, 5" |
| Arm system | X-Lock arm mechanism, up to 5.1" clearance |
| Motors | Xilo Stealth 2207 1800KV, 6S (×4) |
| Flight controller | Xilo Stax V2 F4 |
| ESC | Xilo Stax V2 45A BLHeli_32, with telemetry |
| Propellers | JB Gemfan Hurricane 51477 (×3 sets) |
| FPV system | Not included (DJI O3 / Walksnail compatible, sold separately) |
| Recommended battery | 6S LiPo (not included) |
| Extras included | 3D printed parts, hardware set, 10 zip ties, soft carry case |
| Price | $389.99 |
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Genuinely designed as a learn-to-build kit, matched to Joshua Bardwell's own tutorial videos
- X-Lock arm mechanism makes crash repairs simpler for a first-timer
- 45A ESC includes telemetry, useful for diagnosing issues as you learn
- Comes with a soft carry case and spare hardware, not just the bare minimum parts
Cons
- No FPV camera, VTX, receiver or goggles included — real all-in cost is higher than $389.99
- Requires soldering and assembly skills (or willingness to learn them) — not a quick-start kit
- At $389.99 before adding a battery and FPV system, it's a real investment for a first build
- No independently verifiable customer rating on DolphinRC's own product listing
Answers before you buy
Does this kit include a camera or video system?
Do I need soldering experience to build this?
What battery does it need?
What's included besides the electronics?
A legitimate way to learn to build, if you're ready to solder
This isn't a shortcut to flying fast — it's a structured way to learn how a 5" freestyle drone actually comes together, backed by Joshua Bardwell's tutorials. Budget extra for an FPV system and battery, and set aside real time for the build itself.
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