A quadcopter frame with AIR INTAKES! // Speedybee Mario Review

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00:00:00 - The Speedybee Mario is truly exceptional
00:01:16 - Deadcat vs. X Geometry
00:03:04 - Assembly manual is sparse but sufficient
00:03:51 - This frame has some sophisticated milling!
00:04:33 - The arm mounting is VERY clever
00:07:59 - The arm mounting is also kind of a pain in the butt
00:09:29 - Huge library of 3D prints available to buy or download
00:10:40 - Receiver mounting cavity
00:13:57 - Mounting options for FC, ESC, vTX
00:16:02 - Capacitor mounting cavity
00:16:50 - Camera mounting plates and front end
00:19:03 - GoPro Mount
00:20:04 - There's a frickin AIR INTAKE
00:21:02 - Rear antenna and XT60 mounting
00:22:26 - Additional accessories and options
00:22:58 - Weight
00:24:00 - Price
I only hate one thing about this quadcopter frame (Flyfish Volador)
• I only hate one thing ...
Unbreakable Quadcopter Frame Too Heavy To Fly? Rotor Riot Tanq Review! • Unbreakable Quadcopter...

[@MadMrMeeseeks]

I figured dead cat was named for looking like a dead cat, but I would have never thought it was from someone actually turning their dead cat into a quad 😂

[@SanneBerkhuizen]

I learned something today... Something I might didn't want to know.

[@LowetheTechGuy]

It seems like such a minute event with all the craziness we have going on these days.

[@user-xt1zg9yd9f]

I've seen this video, but assumed it wasn't real cat turned into the drone

[@MCsCreations]

Hey guys, how the heck do I unsee it? 😂

[@kingkieck]

I saw that video before getting into the hobby and as soon as I heard about a DC frame I knew instantly what it referred to. I literally laughed out loud about it.

[@mikes1796]

I've built this frame and love it. I do have one major complaint. The 03 Air Unit armory part that JB talks about is NOT available! The website says it's part of Upgrade Kit B. You can't buy that. It's not even part of the 3D printable download files. I contacted Speedybee about this and their reply was "Sorry to say our upgrade B kit has not yet been released and will be released soon on the official website. We are very sorry for any misunderstandings". It's easy to "misunderstand", when you can't even get the product that they're showing and advertising.

[@TimothyStewart-qy8sz]

I’m sorry I didn’t rrr

[@dysisinfluence]

Hey, Did you get it yet? I want to order it also.

[@mikes1796]

@@dysisinfluence They now have the Upgrade Kit B available for the frame. Since I already had the frame, I was able to order just the Kit B. I haven't received it yet. I do like the frame.

[@daliag_439]

Its a-me A-speedybee

[@ArchonLicht]

ROFL

[@Seanflipz]

Hi bud, love your vids. I started 8 months ago with the Dji Fpv. Now Im flying Speedy Bee M5 V2. My skills are skyrocketing! You're my gotoo guy for help and inspiration. Great content! 👌

[@velocistafpv]

Ah. Now I know why they call it deadcat. You learn new things and more from JB! 🤣🤣🤣

[@Webuildstuff720]

Just got mine in the mail today. Perfect timing.

[@MrVlodato]

Using M2 20x20 stacks on 5in is useful for people who also run a 2/3/4 inch with a 20x20 stack. It allows you to swap parts between multiple quads in a pinch.

[@MCsCreations]

Joshua, the joint between the arms is really strong. In woodworking we call it "half lap".

[@st33ldi9ital]

Joint may be strong but still compromising the strength of the arm... especially with lateral leverage towards that half cut...

[@MCsCreations]

@@st33ldi9ital I've seen people testing it to see when they break... It would surprise you!

[@Todd_G_FPV]

Not really, it has two carbon plates sandwiched over them which will help keep them bending sideways and the other shims as he calls them locks them in too. I think ifs pretty well thought out personally but i see why u would think that the smaller slab would break off being half the thickness ​@st33ldi9ital

[@revodrvr]

Speedybee really stepping it up this past year.

[@thechillingdrone]

I've been flying this thing for a week and I can tell this is one of the most amazing frames u can get on a budget

[@wearemany73]

RIP 🪦 dead cat 🐈 Ohh I like that arm design 🧐

[@FPV-Drones]

Already crashed it a few times a no problem! This frame is a bit heavier than others, but looks strong too. Good for everyday flying.

[@ChrisQuadFPV]

Speedybee is killing it. 😎

[@ThaSlothFPV]

Pretty damn cool! I asked about those frames on one of your Q&A’s but I damn glad you made this review! Most of reviews out there are about the DC version only, and I wanted to see that XH version! I am getting that frame as my first 5inch quad build! Looks sick, damn good price and seems durable! Time will tell! Thank you for the content! 👌🏻🙏🏻

[@73FPV]

your the best.. Thanks JB

[@mepanza]

I have one ready and fly very well!!!

[@MrBlueSky2112]

My Mario5 DC came in the mail a couple of days ago. Got the 3D prints too. Getting ready to start the build with a Vista and Speedybee F7V3 stack. This frame build video will help. Thanks!

[@dwimulyadisam1]

best design .. always lot of improvement products and prices too .. go speedybee go

[@davejackson8303]

Like so many of your videos… awesome just finished building my second Mario. Your video really made it easier along with keeping me entertained. - Thank you!

[@serhiizabobonin1016]

I have bought one. I like it.

[@davidcane7211]

I've bought this frame as my first build. So far I have the frame assembled, which was really straight forward. Once my soldering is up to scratch I'll finish the build.

[@kettioriginal]

I love speedybee products 😍 and they also have a great support. 👍🏻

[@GhostRyderFPV]

I've had mine for a week, along with the SB stack and VTx I ordered at the same time. Go SpeedyBee shipping! But motors and camera are on a much, much slower boat apparently, so I'll just keep flipping the hourglass over until they get here.

[@DMARZFPV]

Built it and the Mario 5 XH rocks bruh..... Love it. and the price... awesome. all tpu free available.

[@Dorff_Meister]

Nice review, Thanks! It looks great. My daily flyer is a build in a SpeedyBee Bee35Pro frame, which is another awesome SB frame. If I find myself in the market for a 5" frame, I'll def. consider it. I'm having a lot of fun in the 3.5" range and am working on my indoor 65mm game, too.

[@1337flite]

If people think an SMA connector causes loss, they should try sitting their end of their antenna's pigtail next to a munged no longer servicalbe, exceeded it's 60 or whatever the lifetime number of connections is for a UFL connector. Battery mounting is an area where some innovation could really be nice. Like - get this - you have a couple of terminals on the quad and some terminals on the battery and they mate together!!!! Maybe a positive rail and a necative rail on both that just mates up. Having vulnerable cables with somewhat vulnetable XT60s that get in the way soemwhat no matter you you route them sucks. Chris leroux's XT60 saver on the original Chameleon was a better soluton but the batery still had a floppy vulnetable cable. Like it should not be an insurmountable problem, and it should be something the industry should be able to sort out with one or two standards. Then again I'm the guy who liked the PoPo props/motors, so what do I know. I guess I'm just uber lazy compared to other pilots.

[@Maxim_Nub]

was really interested to hear about vibration resistance of this frame, i wish you will do some build on it in the future to do this testing and what you like and dont like about it frame after using it. but about binding the rx, literally done it just once on each of my drones :D so i think its pretty cool that they thought about some cover for the rx and the capacitor too

[@Girtthquake]

It's rare that I disagree with you, but I gotta say that I'm super happy flying a 20x20 stack on my 5". I'm running a 75a ESC, so it can definitely handle the abuse. I've had this set up on my apex for over a year with no issues.

[@jonah6496]

The thing about the Speedybee Mario frame is that it requires you to flash the Mario theme song to your ESCs. Loved the review! What a price, I'll be looking at the Mario next time I need a frame.

[@Stepanhuge]

I like de frame, but I write some cons after build it. No straps included You need a bit large screws for the motors because the legs injected protectors height which are also no included. No design available for single antenna + gps+ connector. No softmount for the motors included neither designed For the rest it is a really nice option for the price

[@smooth_ops2942]

My first quad was a TBS Vendetta, which even by todays standards way ahead of its time. Still look at it all the time and just think Wow!!, Trappy was wild for doing this in 2015-2016.

[@aarondodson1261]

Just bought one

[@FlyZoneFpv]

Awesome review JB 👊🏻🫶Thanks brother

[@fpvDRE]

cool looking frame that brudda 👍

[@MJColeofficial]

This is comedy gold 😂

[@GaweNowakowski]

I think about buying this frame as upgrade for my old tired mark 4 framed 5". I would love to see vibrational performence of this frame especially x version. It really only lacks 30x30 at the back.

[@ChainsawFPV]

"There is no reason to put a 20x20 on a 5 inch frame" Thank you!!! I could never understand the point of putting a small one in, when there is all that room.

[@NaorFPV]

its 40$ with the tpu and 34$ the lite version. a bit tricky to align the small carbon parts in the middle, but i love it.

[@DigitalCruzer]

I really like this frame except for one issue and its a major one for me... every single frame I've had that uses the standoffs instead of steel press nuts to clamp down on the arms (cough cough) end up ripping the threads out of the aluminum standoffs because the arms work like levers and the aluminum doesn't stand a chance. I've never had that happen with steel press nuts! So I'm glad i watched this assembly video cuz i want to build a my first deadcat 5 inch for my moonlight and seeing that has made me decide this isn't the frame for me!

[@KidCe.]

im also searching for a frame for the moonlight. You dont want to use it foor moonlight, is it just because of the aluminum standoffs? coulndt you just source some steel standoffs somehere else?

[@Silor]

I'ver had a frame with the same interlocking arm system, with the butt half milled off. The arms liked to delaminate along the layer line of the carbon sheet where the milling stopped.

[@alexanderklenk2195]

I assume JB just misread the website or something but it's even cheaper. $34 for just the frame and $40 if you buy the frame with the upgrade kit in one package.

[@661FPV]

Same as BQE Ripsqueak arms

[@senditsamfpv]

I would have really liked to see how much props were in view on the true x

[@cmosdaboss]

Its actually now 33.99 for the frame true x or DC and $40 with 3d printed parts. Price cannot be beat for that

[@KrazyCase_FPV]

im glad im not the only one having trouble with those damn shims but they are a nice place to hide the cap

[@davidcane7211]

Mine only slotted into their final position when I tightened the screws and clamped it in place with the bottom plates. Up till then, it was stubborn as hell.

[@modquad18]

Hmmm, dead cat’s arms looked X config to me. Maybe he came up with the frame idea after a few crashes 🤔

[@user-uu9hc9gl8e]

Could you make a video on the jumperrc t14 ?

[@ViralFailsCN]

Quite a few ideas have been taken from the FlyFish Violator frame. Like the receiver cavity being the biggest most obvious one. But however smart the arm mounting may seem, they are not symmetrical, and just changing arms will be the biggest ass pains in the universe.

[@powersv2]

Is that for capacitor or receiver.

[@JoshuaBardwell]

The arms are symmetrical.

[@ViralFailsCN]

@@JoshuaBardwell so how about swapping arms? How difficult is that?

[@MCsCreations]

Fantastic review, Joshua! Thanks! 😃 That frame has my name! No, I mean literally: MC comes from Mario Cesar! 😂 Anyway, stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

[@tesimpamonami9188]

Hi Joshua, can you please give me some tips on what to purchases to be able to upgrade or my fix my whoop drones. I will really appreciate. Thanks

[@johnsmithe4656]

That flying dead cat..... wow. I mean, taxidermy in general is crazy, never would have thought of mounting some on a drone. Now how about a ferocious bear head? I want to scare the bejeezus out of the children pls.

[@ArchonLicht]

Oh, I remember that dutch taxidermy-FPV enthusiast and his flying dead cat. But - from looking at the footage it's pretty clear he actually used an X frame for that quad. I guess the deadcat frame does actually look like a dead cat. Perhaps the taxidermy drone has given people the direction for the naming though.

[@Binkoro]

Since I want to install a GPS, it looks like I will have to have the XT60 come through the front. However, I don't want to install the FC/ESC facing backwards since it affect the length of all my other cables from the FC to peripherals. If I mount the FC/ESC stack facing forward, is there enough room between the stack to pull a long XT60 pigtail through to the front?

[@forkbombfpv]

in terms of the receiver slot. its not like you're going to need to bind it all that often.

[@IVAN_ENT]

Lol I remember seeing that taxidermy quad well before I ever got into fpv wonder is he in the community

[@Mau_DelS]

i'm the only one shocked about the dead cat story?! I really learned something new today...ahahaha

[@AtradiesInc]

There is a Tanq V2

[@kingkieck]

Samsung Galaxy removed the damn headphone jack! But I like this frame, might be my next one.

[@stst8301]

Finally a good frame without patent pendings...................

[@frnkguard1]

What I want is 4k vtx reception and transmission

[@TAGE_FPV]

Having owned and flown SpeedyBees previous frames I can attest to the fact that the half notch cut for the arms to make them jig together is a terrible idea for durability. In almost all cases this is where stress fractures show up and the arms delaminate after crashes. would not recommend. Just use normal methods to make things pressure fit without compromising the integrity of the frames.

[@Flying_machines]

Can i use 20mm 35amp stack on 6inch drone????

[@kermitFPV]

Anyone know if the fancy pro side cover bits play nice with the dimentions of the walksnail moonlight?

[@miguelt.7997]

Do you even use the Sovol printer anymore? Bambu labs is the DJI of the 3D printer world!

[@macualey]

I expected it to be at least double the price!

[@fnkycoldmedina]

josh , can a original dji air unit and camera fit in this frame? i been asking everywhere i can with no luck .

[@fnkycoldmedina]

i will answer my own question here for those who are wondering . the short answer is "no" the og air unit will not fit . speedybee actually sent me pictures of a og air unit in the rear of this frame and it does not fit . then they offered me a refund since my frame had not shipped yet . good on them . i went with a geprc mark4 hd5 dji frame which is made for the original air unit and includes tpu mount for it .

[@tweekFPV]

👍🏻👍🏻

[@parkswreckfpv3547]

33.99 for the lite version, 39.99 for the advanced version (looks like this version includes the upgrade kit). So its actually 40 bucks for the full frame :) EDIT: Looks like there is a Pro version coming soon that includes the upgrade kit B which is the Armour/LED upgrade. That will probably be the $50 version

[@MikeBanger]

We can all agree that the frame review here took the back seat. Dead cat!?

[@smokyFPV]

20:05 The Air Intake part you came for

[@tiefflieger9712]

Can you change the DC arms with the X arms?

[@JoshuaBardwell]

Yes.

[@ianwalton284]

Hopefully they will start selling replacement arms... before I break one. That would suck to have to buy a whole frame to get one replacement arm.

[@steviefpv]

I always but 2 frames at a time then you got every single spare you may need and will need

[@simplegr33n420]

Why is this frame $40 when the speedybee master 5 v2 is $73? Any reason to buy one over the other?

[@JinKee]

You can now play as Luigi

[@antiricergt]

I got a DJI mini 4 pro for Christmas. My son now wants ones and needs something that will hold up. I want to build him one of these with the FPV. Can someone tell me what’s a good kit that comes with everything that will stand up to abuse. I want to be able to use to goggles. Been watching alot of Ken heron videos. Something like the drone he uses to go in buildings and stuff like that would be perfect. I’ve seen him crash it pretty hard Thanks for the help.

[@cwarnock7967]

Thanks JB. I’ve been anxiously waiting for some reviews of this frame since I’m a budget guy and can’t justify a fully decked out Supafly frame. I figured it was going to be a bust, but it looks like a steal for the price. I think it’s actually less expensive than you quote. $40 for a frame with prints! You can literally buy 2,3, or even 4 of these frames for the cost of other frames on the market, so durability can even itself out with cost if that’s what ends up coming from the design.

[@exiledfpv]

May 1000 curses be upon your head, Bardwell!!!! 1. Had vowed not to spend any more on FPV stuff....for a while. 2. Not confident enough in my soldering skills so I had vowed to buy only BNF/RTF. Well.....I've just ordered this frame (went with the X....I'm a flier not a filmer). Guess I'll be building!!! P.S. (only kidding about the curses!!!)

[@robertamberwich1368]

Nothing new, I've had Air intakes on my drones since 2020. But must admit this is a good idea

[@itsgoofy3189]

Ineed help I just got the jumper t light v2 and I need help flashing it I open the configurator and set the release as 3.3.2 device category should be jumper 2.4GHz and the device should have 2400 tx but the only options are stuff that says 2.4GHz please I need help I might quit I don't want to I want to fly whoops

[@divingfalconfpv4602]

Shouldn't vents be on the VTx?

[@artisticyeti22]

Actually some people triple stack,maybe this is ideal for triple stack instead of a stack and vtx in the back. Not sure though

[@unRealityFPV]

Wait, you didn’t fly it?!

[@whatsthematter8767]

Quadcopter Carcinization, this is it... Quadcopters are canonically living beings.

[@kamilgheraba4214]

I wish to see Mario 8" foldable

[@lemafpvlaf1758]

I will arrange to put it on the shelves

[@unRealityFPV]

a review?! must be big!

[@rainbowrunner1136]

Speedybee has been the only reason for my salary to get over in a week. After speedybee bee35 pro, now its this :( btw Joshua, what do you suggest on frame ? Should I sell my sell my geprc mark5 o3 squashed x frame and buy mario or keep the mark5 ? Which is the better frame ?

[@Nullscr1pt]

looks like some thin spots on that carbon... but maybe it doesn't truely matter?

[@John_Doe_6996]

Hard to say, my frame is very skeletal, but so far has been very durable.

[@squnxfisher9831]

20mm stacks on 5-6" frames is pretty normal on racing frames these days

[@prOkrEAt]

I just got the chriss rosser recommended stack on a new 5" I'm building and got to say it fits so nicely. Will probably never go back to 30s... Which I do have on its 6" version of the frame. But main reason was to get the AM32 ESC vs blheli32. Both are f7 FC. Both O3 video. Also put rossers motors on the 5".

[@aarondodson1261]

Only 30 millameter stacks here lol

[@TorontoFPV]

Build my frame :)

[@Binkoro]

I wonder why the GPS mount has holes for dual antennas only. I wish they had a GPS mount for a single antenna.

[@aarondodson1261]

For the 03

[@Binkoro]

@@aarondodson1261 But my O3 only has one antenna.

[@eelcowisse]

@o I suppose it can be used for Walksnail Avatar HD Pro Kit or the Walksnail Moonlight kit. Both have two antennes. What I am wondering though, where can I find that part for two antenna's? It is not in the mario 5 set I received yesterday and I want to mount the moonlight kit on it with two antennas. Missing that 3d printed part though......

[@Binkoro]

@@eelcowisse it’s I. The open source file. You have have to 3D print it yourself. I don’t think the GPS module or the dual SMA with the XT60 are n the kit.

[@eelcowisse]

@@Binkorothanks! Found it! Now all I need is a 3D printer 🙂

[@kellywasden]

Who pushes the bind button these days with receivers?

[@mark6302]

it's a mee

[@hozrhayt]

Two things...why all the love for the bind button? I hate them. I only use cli commands to bind. I carry a tablet with a configurator for field rebinds. Second... Apple removed that jack because they are morons and trying to force feed air pods to us, not for any good reason. And it has bitten them ever since.

[@flaparoundfpv8632]

You're shittn' me. 50 bucks??

[@jayaneyon9316]

Why are you talking about binding like you don't use elrs lol? And most of us do too.

[@powerstroke01]

I was thinking the same. 😂

[@Cweam0clips]

forth!

[@cutterhead13]

Shame i cant find this frame in 7inch

[@pippifpv]

Hey Joshua!!! What is the weight of this thing? It seems you kind of overlooked, to me, one of the most important info about this product!!! The weight.

[@JoshuaBardwell]

My brother in Christ there is literally a chapter marker titled "weight".

[@pippifpv]

You are the man, Joshua. Love you 😍 Sorry if i ruined your day

[@strykerfpv]

my only thing is with speedybee electronics. so many bad reports, are they really that bad?

[@JoshuaBardwell]

Absolutely not. Speedybee FC is the most popular FC sold today, and for the last 2 years or so. There are probably 10x more Speedybee FC in the world than any other FC. So there are also more problem reports. But overall, the defect rate is not that bad.

[@strykerfpv]

@@JoshuaBardwellthanks jb! yeah they are sold so so much that i can see why there would be more defects.

[@spikester]

They had one dud of a 4-in-one ESC but that was over a year ago, none of the new ones have issues.

[@mikes1796]

I've used 4 of the SpeedyBee F7 V3 BL32 50A 30x30 Stacks. Haven't had a problem with any of them. .....(Your results may vary?!)

[@spikester]

@@mikes1796 Yeah the issue was on the V1's I believe.

[@denniskompany5524]

How much they payed you to change the opinion. This one is completely opposite to the previous review

[@JoshuaBardwell]

I have never reviewed this frame before. Are you confusing this frame with the Speedybee Master? I still don't like that frame. They are different frames.

[@highlandcrawler]

Why aren't any of the reviewers actually flying these? This is probably the 6th or 7th review from the big name reviewers and nothing more than a frame assembly video. What give? Why aren't we seeing actual builds with flight reviews on this thing?

[@catbroh]

I fly mine 😊

[@tiefflieger9712]

need the old crashtest frame reviews back!

[@JoshuaBardwell]

If I had to build an entire quadcopter every time I looked at a frame, I wouldn't be able to review many frames. But this one is interesting enough I might build it.

[@highlandcrawler]

@JoshuaBardwell just as a long time consumer of your content what you do and don't says a lot to your viewers. When you review a product and we never see it again or it's just a quick blurb like this about something we know it's obviously not worth your time to build so obviously not worth our time either. Nobody asked you to build every frame you get but the ones you do and don't say a lot to your viewers. This frame seems like everyone is saying it's so great just to make speedybee happy but kicking it to the side once the obligations are met add wise.

[@JoshuaBardwell]

Sorry but you are looking for meaning where there is none. Last fall, I reviewed five or seven frames in a row: Apex, AOS5, Tanq, Volador, QAV-S v2, Demibot, Quadmula Siren. Of those, I built out two of them. One for my Beginner Build Series and one for my 8S build. I haven't done a build since then. That doesn't mean the other frames that I didn't build are bad, though. Just that they weren't the one that best fit the type of build I was trying to do. If you think I'm saying nice things about this frame "to make Speedybee happy," then you have absolutely no idea where my priorities are. I could give a shit what a manufacturer thinks of what I say about their product. I give my honest opinion and you can take it or leave it. Would you be interested to learn that Speedybee emailed me weeks ago asking if I wanted to review this frame and I didn't reply. Only after a livestream commenter asked me to take a look at it, and I went OMG this is a really interesting frame, did I reach out and ask for a review copy. You can find that livestream clip and watch my unedited reaction to the frame if you want pure honesty. Will I build it out? Maybe. That remains to be seen. If I do build it out, all that means is I'm curious enough about it to want to see it fly. It doesn't mean it's better or worse than some other frame that I didn't build out. I mean, the ImpulseRC Apex is arguably the best 5" freestyle frame around, and you won't see me build it out because it's such a known quantity that I woudln't learn anything from building it. But by your logic that makes it a bad frame. See the problem?