iFlight is likely one of the hottest manufacturers for prebuilt Bind-N-Fly (BNF) FPV drones, they usually’ve received a number of 5-inch choices now that includes the brand new DJI O4 Professional Air Unit. Nevertheless, most of these fashions are primarily older designs with up to date digital camera mounts to accommodate the O4 Professional. The CineFlow 5 is a genuinely new design constructed particularly across the DJI O4 Professional Air Unit. As its title implies, this drone is geared in the direction of cinematic flying—capturing footage that flows easily. However can it additionally deal with long-range cruising and even freestyle maneuvers? Let’s discover out.
I beforehand in contrast all of the accessible 5inch BNF FPV drones with DJI O4 Professional on this purchaser’s information, let’s see the way it truly preform on this evaluate 🙂
The place to Purchase?
You may decide up the iFlight CineFlow 5 from these retailers:
What’s Included within the Field:
- 1 x SH CineFlow 5 6S O4 HD BNF
- 2 x Antennas
- 1 x Battery pad
- 4 x Propellers
- 1 x Battery strap
Specs
- Body wheelbase: 222mm
- FC: BLITZ Mini F7 Flight Controller
- ESC: BLITZ Mini E55R 4-IN-1 ESC
- Video Transmission: DJI O4 Professional Air Unit
- Motors: XING2 2207 2050KV
- Propeller: Nazgul F5Dimensions (L×W×H): 182*133*42mm
- Claimed Weight: 488±5g (precise weight: 493g)
- Takeoff Weight: ~733g (with 6S 1400mAh battery)
- Most Velocity: 190 km/h (Claimed)
- Most Takeoff Altitude: 7000m (Claimed)
- Most Hover Time: Approx. 12 minutes (Claimed)
- Most Flight Distance: 5 km (Claimed)
Design & Construct High quality
The CineFlow incorporates a “deadcat” body format, guaranteeing the props keep utterly out of your FPV digital camera’s view, making it supreme for cinematic flying.
The drone options 3D-printed facet panels. Though they aren’t as glossy trying as injection-molded ones, they’re completely practical, providing first rate safety and could be eliminated to avoid wasting weight if wanted.
Body Sturdiness and Thickness:
- High/Backside Plate: 2mm
- Middle Plate: 3mm
- Arms: 5mm
DJI O4 Professional and GPS
The O4 Professional Air Unit is situated within the entrance, instantly behind the digital camera. This can be a intelligent design selection as a result of it means no lengthy MIPI cable runs beneath the flight controller and the air unit doesn’t get in the best way of the XT60 pigtail. It additionally will get first rate airflow that retains that O4 cool. The SD card slot and USB port are simply accessible.
One design difficulty, although, is the acute uncovered O4 digital camera lens, susceptible in crashes and even tough landings. Oddly sufficient, this isn’t simply an remoted downside with the CineFlow; each iFlight BNF drone that includes the O4 Professional digital camera has this precise flaw—from the Nazgul ECO, Nazgul Evoque, and Afterburner to this one. It’s puzzling and considerably disappointing that iFlight hasn’t addressed this but. Defending that lens ought to have been a precedence.
It comes with 2 lengthy antennas (13cm lengthy) for the DJI O4 Professional, so sign is much less prone to get blocked by the body or battery throughout flight. Be aware that these antennas have RP-SMA connectors, not SMA!
The GPS module is hidden below the antenna TPU mount simply above the connectors, you’ll be able to’t actually see it from the surface. Simply want they made a cutout to show the antenna which is best for sign.
Receiver Antenna
The receiver antenna is mounted horizontally proper beneath the O4 antennas—it is a widespread apply in prebuilt drones as a result of it’s simple, however not supreme for long-range flying. In case you’re trying to push distances past a few kilometers, you need to in all probability reposition the receiver antenna vertically and away from any obstructions. Right here’s a useful information on optimum antenna mounting: https://oscarliang.com/antenna-positioning/
Motors and LED Lighting
The motors, though unlabeled, are XING2 2207 at a notably excessive 2050KV score. This KV is extremely excessive for 6S setups, which implies you’ll have loads of energy however probably sacrifice effectivity.
There’s additionally an LED strip contained in the body, including a refined aesthetic contact at the hours of darkness, however you’ll be able to’t actually see it throughout day time so sort of pointless to be sincere except you fly at evening.
Weight Issues
Whereas iFlight claims a weight round 488g and not using a battery, my measurements confirmed it coming in barely heavier at 493g. With a GNB 6S 1100mAh LiPo battery, the drone weighs round 685g; add a GoPro 11, and the entire weight hits roughly 845g.
Upkeep
Accessing inner electronics is easy, you’ll have to take away the eight top-plate screws, in addition to the XT60 connector mounted beneath the highest plate. As soon as eliminated the highest plate, you’ll find the parts and wiring are tightly packed, however the construct high quality is great, tidy, and well-organized.
Flight Efficiency
My first impression flying the iFlight CineFlow is that it feels extraordinarily quick and responsive, due to these high-KV motors. I initially anticipated poor effectivity as a result of extraordinarily excessive motor KV, however I nonetheless managed round 5 minutes of flight time on a 6S 1100mAh LiPo, which is about common for a 5-inch FPV drone.
What genuinely impressed me was how well-tuned the PID and filters are proper out of the field—I’d simply charge it a strong 9 out of 10. That speaks volumes about iFlight’s design and the care they put into their manufacturing unit tune. The drone felt exceptionally easy, with very minimal propwash. Nevertheless, I did discover some slight wobble in windy circumstances, in all probability as a result of CineFlow’s tail-heavy steadiness. Why is tail-heaviness problematic? Effectively, motors on the heavier facet should consistently work tougher, which limits their skill of adjusting RPM and results in much less stability.
One other good contact is the correct present sensor calibration, giving dependable battery consumption knowledge straight from the manufacturing unit.
Cinematic
Unquestionably, the CineFlow excels right here. Given its purpose-built cinematic design, the CineFlow handles exceptionally easily in flight. Responsive monitoring, steady cruising, and minimal vibrations or “jello” within the footage make this drone incredible for cinematic pictures.
Lengthy-Vary
The drone contains GPS and has comparatively good vary capabilities, particularly with its lengthy O4 antennas. However keep in mind, the receiver antenna place just isn’t optimum for excessive vary. Changes could also be crucial in case you usually fly past a few kilometers. Though the motor KV is extraordinarily excessive, so long as you retain your throttle at minimal you need to get some long way utilizing a big Li-ion battery like those from our sponsor: https://bit.ly/41qcvcT
Freestyle
Regardless of its cinematic roots, the CineFlow has surprisingly sturdy freestyle potential due to its high-KV motors. It has loads of punch for flips, rolls, and acrobatic maneuvers, however be aware: aggressive freestyle flying will drain your battery sooner than you may anticipate.
Downsides
Whereas I really like the flight efficiency, the CineFlow isn’t with out its flaws:
- Doesn’t include O4 Professional ND filter – which is important for cinematic footage: https://oscarliang.com/nd-filter-fpv/
- Uncovered Digicam Lens: The DJI O4 digital camera lens protrudes too far, leaving it susceptible in crashes and laborious landings.
- No Constructed-in Buzzer: I used to be disillusioned that an costly drone like this didn’t embrace a buzzer out of the field.
- Tail-Heavy Stability: With out an motion digital camera mounted within the entrance, the drone is noticeably tail heavy, affecting stability barely.
- Suboptimal Receiver Antenna Mounting: iFlight mounted the receiver antenna the “lazy means”, horizontally beneath the video antennas. It’s acceptable for close-range flying however not supreme for longer-range purposes.
- Excessive Value, Common Worth: Actually, for the value, the CineFlow’s {hardware} and total design don’t absolutely justify the $655 price ticket. I’m not paid to say this, and I even bought the GEPRC Vapor D5 with my very own cash, however compared, the Vapor appears like a considerably higher worth—you merely get extra for much less cash.
- Very minimal accent bundle, and solely embrace one set of propellers!
- Utilizing Useless ESC Firmware: The ESCs come loaded with BLHeli_32 firmware v32.9. Whereas this isn’t essentially a dealbreaker (most individuals in all probability gained’t discover the distinction), BLHeli_32 growth has successfully stopped. A extra future-proof firmware, like AM32 or Bluejay, would’ve been preferable.
Find out how to Setup
Earlier than the primary flight, I did the next:
- Eliminated all labels on the drone.
- Eliminated the motor path playing cards—these point out the motor spin path (which is utilizing Betaflight default – props in).
- Eliminated the protecting movie from the digital camera lens.
- Placed on the 2 O4 antennas
- Positioned the battery pad on the highest plate.
- Put in the 2 battery straps
- Plug in a battery utilizing a smoke stopper for testing, be certain it powers up superb.
Firmware
- The flight controller (FC) board goal is IFLIGHT_BLITZ_F722, and it comes preloaded with Betaflight firmware model 4.5.1. For inventory CLI Diff, see right here.
- ESC Firmware: ESC BLHeli_32 firmware v32.9.
- ELRS Receiver Firmware Goal: iFlight 2.4GHz RX, ELRS 3.5.3 firmware (ISM2G4)
Betaflight Setup
Earlier than first flight, placed on the propellers, it’s utilizing “props out” configuration.
Conclusion
Whereas the iFlight CineFlow 5-inch FPV drone has some excellent qualities—notably its nice freestyle functionality and spectacular PID tune for easy, cinematic footage—it’s not with out shortcomings. Suboptimal receiver antenna placement limits its long-range potential, and the high-KV motors cut back effectivity and flight instances.
Most significantly, the $655 price ticket feels steep contemplating the drone’s pretty normal {hardware} and the competitors accessible. For instance, the GEPRC Vapor D5 I not too long ago reviewed gives comparable efficiency for over $200 much less. And with the uncovered O4 digital camera, it’s simply asking for hassle down the street.
Regardless of these downsides, the CineFlow is a high-quality drone that flies nice out of the field, due to its wonderful construct high quality and well-tuned PID. In case you resolve to get the Cineflow, simply strive to not crash! 🙂
Purchase it right here:
