iFlight is without doubt one of the hottest manufacturers for prebuilt Bind-N-Fly (BNF) FPV drones, and so they’ve bought a number of 5-inch choices now that includes the brand new DJI O4 Professional Air Unit. Nonetheless, most of these fashions are basically older designs with up to date digicam 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 identify 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 evaluation 🙂
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 structure, guaranteeing the props keep fully out of your FPV digicam’s view, making it best for cinematic flying.
The drone options 3D-printed facet panels. Though they aren’t as glossy wanting as injection-molded ones, they’re completely useful, providing respectable safety and might 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, straight behind the digicam. It is 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 respectable airflow that retains that O4 cool. The SD card slot and USB port are simply accessible.
One design concern, although, is the acute uncovered O4 digicam lens, susceptible in crashes and even tough landings. Oddly sufficient, this isn’t simply an remoted drawback with the CineFlow; each iFlight BNF drone that includes the O4 Professional digicam 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 more likely to get blocked by the body or battery throughout flight. Observe that these antennas have RP-SMA connectors, not SMA!
The GPS module is hidden below the antenna TPU mount simply above the connectors, you possibly can’t actually see it from the surface. Simply want they made a cutout to show the antenna which is healthier for sign.
Receiver Antenna
The receiver antenna is mounted horizontally proper beneath the O4 antennas—this can be a widespread observe in prebuilt drones as a result of it’s simple, however not best for long-range flying. If you happen to’re seeking to push distances past a few kilometers, it is best 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 suggests you’ll have loads of energy however probably sacrifice effectivity.
There’s additionally an LED strip contained in the body, including a delicate aesthetic contact at midnight, however you possibly can’t actually see it throughout day time so type of pointless to be trustworthy except you fly at night time.
Weight Concerns
Whereas iFlight claims a weight round 488g with no 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 whole weight hits roughly 845g.
Upkeep
Accessing inside electronics is simple, 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 will see 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 price it a strong 9 out of 10. That speaks volumes about iFlight’s design and the care they put into their manufacturing facility tune. The drone felt exceptionally clean, with very minimal propwash. Nonetheless, I did discover some slight wobble in windy situations, in all probability as a result of CineFlow’s tail-heavy steadiness. Why is tail-heaviness problematic? Nicely, motors on the heavier facet should always work more durable, which limits their means 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 facility.
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 implausible for cinematic photographs.
Lengthy-Vary
The drone consists of 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 obligatory if you happen to frequently fly past a few kilometers. Though the motor KV is extraordinarily excessive, so long as you retain your throttle at minimal it is best to get some good 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 quicker than you would possibly count on.
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 digicam lens protrudes too far, leaving it susceptible in crashes and exhausting landings.
- No Constructed-in Buzzer: I used to be disenchanted that an costly drone like this didn’t embrace a buzzer out of the field.
- Tail-Heavy Stability: With out an motion digicam mounted within the entrance, the drone is noticeably tail heavy, affecting stability barely.
- Suboptimal Receiver Antenna Mounting: iFlight mounted the receiver antenna the “lazy method”, horizontally beneath the video antennas. It’s acceptable for close-range flying however not best for longer-range purposes.
- Excessive Value, Common Worth: Truthfully, for the worth, the CineFlow’s {hardware} and general design don’t totally 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 seems like a considerably higher worth—you merely get extra for much less cash.
- Very minimal accent package deal, and solely embrace one set of propellers!
- Utilizing Lifeless 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.
How you can 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 digicam 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, ensure it powers up advantageous.
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 clean, 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 occasions.
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 just lately reviewed supplies comparable efficiency for over $200 much less. And with the uncovered O4 digicam, 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. If you happen to determine to get the Cineflow, simply strive to not crash! 🙂
Purchase it right here:
