2nd place in our ranking. Plenty of light, smooth 4K video and movement in all directions at a fair price. The best choice for most hobby pilots.
- 5,000 lumens of light
- 4K at 60 frames per second
- Movement in all directions
- Officially up to 2 knots of current
- Only about 1 h runtime at full speed
- Gripper arm costs extra
Rating in detail
The grades are based on the manufacturer's figures and our rating scheme. We will add our own hands-on test in the water later.
Introduction
QYSEA sells its drones under the FIFISH name. The V-EVO is the hobby model of the V series, with the V6 Expert and the professional line above it. Its trademark is movement: the drone can tilt and turn in every direction, so it can lie on its side or look straight down. On top of that come a strong camera and very bright lighting.
Technical specifications
| Depth rating | up to 100 m |
| Cable | 100 m standard, optionally 200 m or 300 m |
| Camera | 1/2.3" sensor, 12 megapixels, 96° underwater field of view |
| Video | 4K at up to 60 frames per second |
| Movement | 360°, 6 degrees of freedom, AI Vision Lock |
| Lighting | 5,000 lumens (2 × 2,500), 5,500 kelvin |
| Battery | 97.2 Wh – up to 4 h hovering, approx. 1 h at full speed |
| Speed | up to 3 knots (1.5 m/s), current up to 2 knots |
| Weight | 3.9 kg |
| Operating temperature | −10 to 60 °C |
| Accessories | Gripper arm (70 N), VR goggles, HDMI box – some at extra cost |
| Price, Germany | €1,599 excl. VAT (QYSEA shop), with gripper arm €1,899 excl. VAT; retailers approx. €1,780 |
| Price, Switzerland | CHF 1,760, with gripper CHF 2,090, both incl. VAT (tauchshop.ch) |
Pros and cons
- Very bright lighting at 5,000 lumens
- 4K at 60 frames for smooth footage
- Movement in all directions, ideal for inspections
- Officially up to 2 knots of current
- German shop and retailers in Switzerland
- Only around 1 hour of runtime at full speed
- Gripper arm costs extra
- No warranty cover on cable and propellers
- More expensive than the Gladius Mini S
Use cases for hobby pilots
- Underwater filming: The bright light and 60 frames per second make the V-EVO the best choice for anyone who wants to shoot good-looking videos.
- Boat and jetty: Thanks to its free movement you can point the camera straight at a propeller, the keel or a chain and hold position.
- Flowing water and the sea: With its stated current resistance of 2 knots it also copes with light currents.
- Small recoveries: With the optional gripper arm you can pick light objects up from the bottom.
In video
The V-EVO in QYSEA's official video, plus the manufacturer's getting-started guide:
Verdict
The FIFISH V-EVO is our recommendation for anyone who mainly wants to film and manoeuvre flexibly. Lighting, frame rate and agility are the best in this price class.
If you want to spend less and are happy with conventional controls, the Chasing Gladius Mini S is a cheaper alternative.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the FIFISH V-EVO cost?
In the QYSEA shop in Germany it is €1,599 excluding VAT (around €1,900 with 19% VAT), or €1,899 excluding VAT with the gripper arm. Retailers charge about €1,780. In Switzerland it costs CHF 1,760 including VAT from the retailer tauchshop.ch.
How long does the V-EVO's battery last?
According to QYSEA, up to 4 hours when hovering and about 1 hour at full speed. The battery is rated at 97.2 watt-hours.
How much current can the V-EVO handle?
Officially up to 2 knots. The top speed is 3 knots.
What can the V-EVO's camera do?
4K at up to 60 frames per second, 12 megapixels and a 96 degree field of view underwater. On top of that come 5,000 lumens of light.
Who is the V-EVO the right choice for?
For anyone who mainly wants to film, check boats and jetties, and manoeuvre flexibly. It is our best-value winner, with a grade of 1.8 and 2nd place.
You can find reactions and comments on this article in the Unterwasserpilot forum (in German, English posts welcome).
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