I'm ready to move from my BetaFPV Cetus Pro to a proper 5" setup. Everyone says "build your own to learn repair" but I'm seeing BNF prices that are actually competitive with custom builds when you factor in all the components.

Looking at something like the iFlight Nazgul Evoque F5 V2 BNF vs building around a similar spec frame with F7 FC, Xing2 motors, etc. The BNF is actually coming out cheaper and includes professional assembly/tuning.

Am I missing something here? Is the "learning" aspect worth paying more and risking a botched first build?

Current skill level: Comfortable with basic betaflight tuning, can solder battery connectors, but never built from scratch.

You're not wrong about the economics - BNF often wins on pure cost/performance. The "build your own" advice comes from the old days when BNF quality was poor. Modern BNFs from iFlight/GEPRC are as good as anything you'd build yourself, often better tuned.

The real question is: do you enjoy the building process? If you just want to fly, go BNF. But if you're genuinely curious about how everything works together and want that deeper understanding, building teaches you things you can't learn any other way. Neither choice is wrong.

Here's the compromise: buy a quality BNF to get flying immediately, then build a second quad later when you have time to experiment. That way crashes don't ground you completely, and you can take your time learning construction without pressure.