The Orqa Dream X is Orqa’s first Bind-N-Fly (BNF) drone, designed and manufactured within the EU. This 5-inch FPV drone is marketed as a performance-oriented freestyle quad, combining Orqa’s in depth know-how and expertise right into a single bundle. On this overview, I’ll be diving into the analog model of the Dream X to see the way it stacks up towards the competitors.
The place to Purchase
The Orqa Dream X is offered in two variations: analog and HD. The HD model doesn’t include any digicam/VTX, so you may set up your individual. This overview focuses on the analog model.
You should buy the Dream X BNF 5″ Drone from Orqa right here: https://oscarliang.com/product-pg2o
Orqa FPV.CTRL Radio: https://oscarliang.com/product-az53
Orqa FPV.One Pilot Goggles: https://oscarliang.com/product-n3mt
Word: The LiPo battery will not be included. Orqa recommends utilizing a 6S 1000-1500mAh battery. You may see my suggestions right here: https://oscarliang.com/lipo-battery-guide/#5percentE2percent80percentB3-Freestyle-and-Racing-Drones
Get some spare props
Promoting Factors
Orqa touts the Dream X as a high-performance freestyle FPV drone with the comfort of a real BNF (bind-and-fly) expertise. The drone is totally tuned on the manufacturing unit and able to fly proper out of the field. The bundle is designed for simplicity: take the quad out of the field, unfold the props, connect the battery, bind it to the radio, and also you’re able to fly.
What makes the Dream X notably distinctive is its integration of Orqa’s full suite of expertise:
- Orqa FPV.One Pilot and Race analog goggles
- Orqa FPV.Ctrl radio controller
- Orqa Flight electronics (20×20 stacks, each digital and analog)
- ImmersionRC Ghost RF system (acquired by Orqa a few years in the past)
- ImmersionRC RapidFIRE VRX module for the Goggles
- Upcoming Orqa RTR motor line
A lot of the electronics within the Dream X are designed by Orqa, with the notable exceptions of the “Toothless” FPV digicam and “Lollipop 4” antenna, that are rebranded by Orqa. The maker will not be explicitly acknowledged, however I feel we will all guess it’s.
Specs
Analog Model:
- FC/ESC: Orqa FC2020-F722 Analog + 60A 4in1 ESC2020 (20x20mm stack)
- VTX: ImmersionRC Ghost Final Hybrid
- FPV Digital camera: Orqa Toothless
- VTX Antenna: Orqa Lollipop 4
- Management Hyperlink: ImmersionRC Ghost
- Motor: Orqa RTR 6S
- Props: Gemfan Floppy Proppy
- Weight (with out battery):
360g371g - Weight (with a 6S 1100mAh): 565g
- Weight (with a 6S 1100mAh and GoPro 11): 719g
- Beneficial Battery: 6S 1000-1500mAh
HD Model:
- FC/ESC: Orqa FC2020-F722 HD + 60A 4in1 ESC2020 (20x20mm stack)
- Video Transmission: Appropriate with any present HD Video System
- Management Hyperlink: ImmersionRC Ghost
- Motor: Orqa RTR 6S
- Props: Gemfan Floppy Proppy
- Weight (with out battery and FPV system): 340g
- Beneficial Battery: 6S 1000-1500 mAh
Body Specs:
- A number of mounting choices for flight electronics
- 6mm arms
- 3mm backside plate
- 2mm mid plate
- 2mm prime plate
- Designed for 5-inch propellers with a dry weight of 115g
Motor Specs:
- Dimension: 2207 stator
- KV: 1900KV
- Unibell design
- N55SH curved magnets
- Silver-plated copper wire for effectivity
- NSK684 (4x9x4) bearings
- Titanium TC4 hole shaft
- 4mm shaft diameter
- 2-6S rated enter voltage
- 20AWG silicone motor wires
- Weight: 31.5g (excluding wires)
Design and Construct High quality
Orqa has targeted on constructing a no-nonsense, performance-oriented quad. The body design avoids pointless options like aspect plates and LEDs, which retains the burden down and improves flight efficiency. The body has a easy but efficient design, makes it simpler to assemble, restore, and keep.
There are 3 locations to your electronics: a 20×20 mount on the entrance, a 20×20 or 30×30 mount within the center, and a 20×20 or 25×25 mount on the rear.
Whereas many frames now include arm guards to guard the carbon fiber when crashing towards concrete, Orqa has opted to not embody them, based mostly on their testing they imagine they aren’t wanted for this body.
Each the digicam and VTX antenna are mounted utilizing 3D-printed TPU holders, and the quad comes with a common GoPro mount.
The radio receiver antenna is mounted underneath one of many rear arms utilizing a rubber band – a easy but efficient methodology.
The construct high quality is great; and the eye to particulars is admirable – all screws on the body and motors have threadlock (blue loctite). Nevertheless, the screws might be tightened a bit extra to make sure they don’t loosen over time.
Aesthetically, the Dream X is glossy with its black body and crimson accents, sticking to Orqa’s trademark colours. Therefore the one crimson prop and three black props which is finished on function.
Taking it aside for restore is straightforward.
Motors and Props
The motors on the Dream X are spectacular, delivering loads of energy and responsiveness. These are Orqa’s new RTR 2207 1900KV motors, with single strand motor windings and unibell design.
The included foldable Gemfan Floppy Proppy F5135 tri-blade props are handy for transportation, however they aren’t the only option for efficiency.
They generate much less thrust, are much less environment friendly than normal props. The one benefit I can see is that the quad might be shipped with props put in, however actually it’s not that arduous to put in 4 propellers. For a drone marketed as performance-oriented, I’d have most popular normal props out of the field.
They’re additionally much less sturdy – one of many props broke within the hub after a couple of crashes.
In my overview unit, there have been no spare props included, though Orqa has acknowledged that the retail bundle will embody additional propellers.
FC and ESC Stack
The Dream X comes with a well-built FC and ESC stack. Nevertheless, one draw back is that the USB port doesn’t energy the receiver, which means you’ll should plug within the battery to bind and configure the quad.
FPV Setup
You need to use any analog goggles to fly the Dream X, together with Orqa’s FPV.One Pilot goggles. I reviewed these goggles some time a go: https://oscarliang.com/orqa-fpv-one-pilot-fpv-goggles/
The FPV setup is stable for brief vary freestyle flying and racing, however the digicam protrudes barely from the body, making it weak in crashes.
The VTX and receiver are mixed in a single board to cut back complexity of the construct, however it solely advantages Ghost customers who fly analog.
The VTX is able to as much as 1.5W of RF output energy, which is nice for lengthy vary. Nevertheless, the VTX antenna is sort of brief and may simply get blocked by the battery throughout flight. For brief vary that is often not an issue, however it’s not excellent for longer vary. This may be resolved by utilizing an extended antenna, nevertheless the antenna will not be simply detachable, which might be a limitation for some pilots. This might be addressed by utilizing a UFL to SMA extension cable.
For these eager about digital FPV, the HD model of the Dream X comes with out digicam and VTX, so you may set up any FPV system of your alternative. In keeping with Orqa the HD model is appropriate with most present HD techniques, though becoming a DJI O3 system is perhaps a decent match.
Radio Controller
The Dream X makes use of the ImmersionRC Ghost system, which is straightforward to make use of and arrange. Every part might be configured through Orqa’s cellular app (search FPV.CTRL in Play Retailer), permitting you to bind, replace firmware, and configure the radio with ease. Nevertheless, it’s essential to disconnect the radio out of your telephone after setup, as it may possibly mess together with your telephone’s keyboard when related.
The FPV.CTRL radio controller is fundamental however practical, making it excellent for inexperienced persons. Nevertheless, superior pilots preferring open-source choices like ExpressLRS may discover the dearth of receiver choices a draw back. The Ghost system is closed-source and never as versatile as another choices available on the market.
For newcomers, you may both get the FPV.CTRL radio controller, which comes with a fundamental Ghost RF Lite module (put in on the again and detachable).
This radio is okay for inexperienced persons, nevertheless, skilled pilots may want larger finish radios. Personally I discover the gimbals on the FPV.CTRL a bit free across the middle sticks, affecting management really feel. And the top factors and mid level are a bit off even after calibrations which impacts precision.
You need to use the Ghost radio system by choosing their full-size Ghost RF module and use your individual radio with a JR module bay. Listed here are my radio suggestions: https://oscarliang.com/radio-transmitter/#Radio-Suggestions
Whereas you may also use ExpressLRS or TBS Crossfire by connecting a separate receiver within the drone, these receiver choices usually are not accessible for buy instantly from Orqa, which is a limitation.
The receiver standing LED is an RGB one, regardless of being able to displaying a spread of colours, might be complicated for customers.
Flight Efficiency
The Dream X delivers a robust and clean flight expertise. It hovers at round 21% throttle when totally charged, the thrust to weight ratio is insane. It was so energy it made low throttle administration fairly exhausting, it may possibly absolutely profit from some throttle expo. For inexperienced persons, I feel placing a motor output restrict to cut back the facility can be a good suggestion earlier than you get good at flying 🙂 Flight instances are first rate, I acquired round 4:30 to five:00 minutes of freestyle flying.
Switching to plain props noticeably improves each energy and flight time, with the quad hovering at even decrease 19% throttle and 5:00 to five:half-hour of flight time after the change.
Listed here are the gyro/dterm noise graphs from PIDToolbox to your reference (inventory tune utilizing inventory props).
The inventory tune from Orqa is fairly good, with minimal vibrations or wobbles, even in windy circumstances. Nevertheless, there may be room for enchancment within the PID and filter settings. Maybe they have been being conservative, filters are mainly left at default. After spending simply half-hour optimizing these settings, I used to be capable of additional improve the quad’s efficiency and propwash dealing with. Find out about PID/Filter tuning on this information: https://oscarliang.com/pid-filter-tuning-blackbox/
Consumer Expertise and Concerns
Whereas the FPV.Ctrl radio works superb, it lacks a few of the options and high quality discovered in additional superior radios. The shortage of a display means most configurations should be made by the cellular app.
For these closely invested in open-source software program akin to EdgeTX and ExpressLRS, the FPV.CTRL radio and ImmersionRC Ghost system may really feel over simplified and restrictive. Nevertheless, for newcomers or these in search of a extra plug-and-play expertise, the benefit of setup and use with the Ghost system is usually a important benefit, eliminating steep studying curve. Efficiency sensible it’s a very succesful system for freestyle and racing.
Just a few issues might be improved: the flexibility to vary VTX settings instantly from the OSD menu (proper now you may solely do that within the android app), together with spare props within the bundle (presently it solely comes with 1 set), including a buzzer for misplaced drone restoration, and together with GPS for Rescue Mode.
Find out how to Setup
Setting Up the Radio
Binding the radio to the drone is finished by the FPV.Ctrl telephone app. Observe the prompts to bind the radio and arrange your controls. The endpoints and midpoints might have slight changes in Betaflight, however this received’t stop you from flying the drone.
Setting Up Betaflight
Orqa has executed a stable job with the Betaflight configuration, and never a lot must be modified. Default CLI diff might be discovered right here.
- Configuration Tab:
- Set Arming Angle to 180
- Allow DShot Beacon is a should since there’s no beeper onboard
- PID Tuning Tab:
- Set your charges
- You may strive my customized PID/filter tune (make sure you again up the present config first in case you wish to return)
- Modes:
- Set your arm change
- Take away Horizon mode if not wanted
- Energy:
- Present sensor scaling appears a bit low, setting it to 116 is extra correct for me
Conclusion
The Orqa Dream X 5″ FPV drone affords a compelling bundle for each inexperienced persons and superior pilots. It comes optimized as a freestyle/racing drone and flies exceptionally effectively proper out of the field. The setup is easy with Orqa’s personal radio and FPV goggles, however you continue to have the pliability to make use of your individual radio and goggles should you want.
Nevertheless, the dearth of GPS, buzzer, and a brief non-removable VTX antenna makes it much less excellent for long-range and cinematic flying. The Dream X is a stable platform, and customers can add these lacking options to make it a extra versatile FPV drone. I do hope Orqa will provide a model with all these options in a extra superior BNF configuration sooner or later.
Whereas there are a couple of areas for enchancment, the general expertise is constructive, and Orqa’s dedication to high quality and efficiency is obvious. Should you’re available in the market for a BNF drone that requires minimal setup and delivers sturdy efficiency, the Dream X is value contemplating.
