DarwinFPV CineApe 25 overview: CineWhoop for $139

CineWhoop-style FPV drones are probably the most applicable for newcomers to the RC interest. The DarwinFPV CineApe 25 comes with an injection-molded 360° propeller guard and an easy upkeep method, all for a pleasant price ticket. First-time FPV pilots, even when they’re after a number of hours of practising with PC drone simulators, will crash their drones in acro mode. At this level, the Whoop ducts turn out to be useful. The low-profile design can be useful when flying in tight areas, similar to underneath a automobile.

Cinewhoop quadcopters are all the fad now, as they will dive and spin by means of unreachable locations to seize breathtaking footage. DarwinFPV initially jumped on that development with the little Whoop75, adopted by the extra highly effective CineApe 25.

My son turns thirteenth this yr, and one way or the other, he’s nonetheless proof against this RC interest. Most of his buddies can be completely satisfied to get a drone for his or her birthday, however mine would in all probability favor a online game. He acquired his first drone when he was 5. Possibly he was too younger again then, so I’ll attempt to rekindle the eagerness by giving him this DarwinFPV CineApe 25 as a birthday current.

Key options

• Underneath 250 grams take-off weight, together with battery
• Excessive-strength one-piece injection-molded 360° propeller guard
• Analog and HD digital FPV choices
• Price-effective upkeep. Flight stack (FCC+ESC) as an alternative of AIO method
• Exterior Kind-C configuration port
• Motion digital camera mount for Insta360 GO2, Bare GoPro, and SMO 4K
• 3S and 4S LIPO suitable

DarwinFPV CineApe 25 CineWhoop FPV drone

Disclosure: I obtained this 2.5″ CineWhoop as a part of a product overview collaboration with DarwinFPV. Product specs and high quality could range in keeping with the producer’s reliability, so I can not assure that you’re going to get a drone that performs the identical as seen in my article.

The drone got here effectively protected in its field, with second battery velcro, additional screws, and a bunch of goggled-monkey-head stickers. It additionally got here with adhesive EVA crashproof foam for the sting of the blade guard. Upon my request, they despatched me the ELRS model, with the radio receiver already wired and put in contained in the body. There’s a person guide included with just about the knowledge you should make it work.

At a look

The CineApe 25 adopts a ‘Pusher Whoop’ design with duct blade protectors and inverted motors. Probably the most important good thing about an inverted quad is that the body doesn’t impede the airflow. Within the middle of the body, between two carbon fiber plates, is a flight stack with an F411 flight controller (FC), 4-in-1 30A ESC, and 600mW VTX boards. The 1504-3600KV motors are put in on the two.5mm thick high plate. DarwinFPV opted for six-blade HQProp T63MMX6 propellers. It adopts true-x designs with a wheelbase (motor-to-motor diagonal distance) of 112mm.

Along with the onboard micro USB port (accessible provided that you are taking it aside), DarwinFPV put in a second USB Kind C port in entrance (protected with a rubber cap) that’s soldered to the FC. I want to see this as a regular for all Whoops.

If you take away the underside plate, take care that the VTX is hooked up to it and has just a few cm of wires in order that it may simply break from the soldering level. The FPV transmitter has a tiny dipole antenna.

Relying on the scale (size) of the LIPO pack, you possibly can go for one or two velcro bands. The highest plate has antislip rubber padding for safe battery set up. There’s sufficient room on the again for as much as 1800mAh packs. Fairly candy from a 2.5″ Whoop.

Beneath are 4 spherical rubber pads that ought to dampen the touchdown and supply some floor clearance. Within the entrance, above the CADDX ANT digital camera, there’s a GoPro-compatible 3D-printed TPU mount. Possibly the CineApe 25 can’t deal with the burden of a full-size motion digital camera, however it may carry an Insta360 GO 2 with none difficulty. On the again, there’s a second TPU mont for VTX and RX antennas. There are three TPU colour choices: black, gray, and inexperienced.

It has an approximate measurement of 160x160x43mm and a weight of 151 grams with out the battery. The general construct high quality is first rate however not extraordinary. I can’t clarify why nevertheless it didn’t give me the impression of a premium product, similar to from different respected FPV manufacturers.

Pricing, availability, and choices

The analog CineApe 25 model with ELRS receivers, proven on this overview, could be ordered from the producer’s web site for $152.99. For the fly extra combo pack with 4 included batteries (4S/850mAh), you have to to pay $232.99. In the event you already personal Walksnail Avatar HD goggles, you possibly can go for the digital model for $259.99. If you wish to make a customized construct, the two.5″ Whoop body package is obtainable at $29.99.

DarwinFPV CineApe 25: Configuration and flight expertise

The DarwinFPV CineApe 25 is comparatively straightforward to be configured. It was up and flying in lower than half-hour. Firstly, I wanted to improve the ELRS receiver’s firmware model from 2.xx to the most recent 3.11 launch. This may be performed wirelessly through a WiFi connection. Because the DarwinFPV 2.4G ELRS Nano Receiver was not listed on the official goal checklist, I opted for BetaFPV RX ELRS firmware. Excepting that I continuously acquired a ‘NO telemetry’ warning message on my RadioMaster Zorro controller, all the things labored effectively.

Subsequent, within the BetaFlight configurator, I set flight modes and stick format and configured the OSD format. By default, VTX energy is ready to 600mW; I lowered it to 400mW and enabled PIT mode until the primary motor arm.

The common flight time with a 4S 850mAh battery is about 5-7 minutes in windless circumstances. In the event you add Insta360 GO 2, SMO 4K, or Bare (de-cased) GoPro, battery life is diminished by 1-2 minutes. With the built-in stabilization, you will get some implausible cinematic footage.

It’s well-tuned and flies nice out of the field. It has wonderful stability and tons of energy. The 3600KV motors with 4S make it tremendous nimble and enjoyable to fly. It’s appropriate for each gradual indoor fly and outside freestyling.

Though the arms (high plate) are solely 2.5mm thick, they maintain up effectively throughout crashes. The prop guard can be very sturdy.

DarwinFPV CineApe 25 analog versus HD digital

DarwinFPV launched the brand new CineApe 25 with two FPV choices. Compared, the analog version (proven on this overview) comes with CADDX ANT and 5.8Ghz 600mW VTX, and the digital model with the WALKSNAIL AVATAR MINI 1S system. Each variants have three radio receiver choices: PNP (no receiver), Frsky R81, and ELRS 2.4G.