Review: DarwinFPV CineApe35 – The Best Value 3.5″ Cinewhoop in 2024?

I’ve always been impressed with DarwinFPV’s ability to deliver high-performing drones at such affordable prices. Their latest offering, the DarwinFPV CineApe35, is a budget-friendly 3.5-inch cinewhoop that stands out in the market for its value. Despite its competitive price tag, it doesn’t cut corners on features or ease of use. Could this model earn the title of the best value cinewhoop in 2024? Yet, it’s not without its shortcomings. I’ll delve into the details in this review to see if it’s the right choice for you.

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Learn more about Cinewhoop in this buyer’s guide: https://oscarliang.com/cinewhoop/

Where to Buy?

Get the DarwinFPV CineApe35 from these vendors:

• AliExpress: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DBNPBCD
• DarwinFPV: https://oscarliang.com/product-jzer

The CineApe35 is available in both 4S and 6S versions. I am reviewing the 6S version. The main different is just in the motor KV. The choice depends on what batteries you already have – if you already have a bunch of 4S batteries, then get the 4S version; however if you don’t have any batteries yet, then I’d recommend going 6S. Why? See this post: https://oscarliang.com/6s-mini-quad-racing-drone/

The CineApe35 arrived with the following accessories: manual, stickers, spare screws, extra landing foam pads, zip ties, and even foam for protecting the prop guards, which is a nice touch for indoor flying.

Specifications

Here’s the official specifications:

• Frame Type: Ture-X
• Wheelbase: 151.5mm
• Arm thickness: 3.5mm
• AIO: DarwinFPV F411 3-6S 45A ELRS AIO
• Receiver: Integrated SPI ELRS 2.4GHz
• GPS: DarwinFPV GM8 GPS
• Motor:
  • 4S Version: 2006-3400KV
  • 6S Version: 2006-2030KV
• Propeller: GEMFAN D90S-3

Comparison between different versions:

Size comparison to the BetaFPV Pavo35:

Design and Build Quality

The CineApe35 features a classic cinewhoop design. Its carbon fibre plate with inverted motors and prop guards attached to standoffs is a common design in cinewhoops. The layout is similar to other Cinewhoops like the Pavo35, but the CineApe35 feels exceptionally sturdy and well-built for its price range.

The drone’s build quality feels sturdy, with a 3.5mm thick carbon plate and durable plastic prop guards, ensuring commendable crash resistance.

However, it’s not without its flaws. The GoPro mount was incompatible with the GoPro Hero 11 due to misaligned screw holes. For my tests, I resorted to using a zip tie for attaching the GoPro in my review, though a better designed 3D printed GoPro mount would be ideal.

Unlike most of its more expensive counterparts, such as the Speedybee Bee35 and Pavo35, the CineApe35 does not come with RGB LED strips. Personally I don’t really mind, as I typically tend not to put LEDs on my drones to minimize weight.

Components

This drone is equipped with the DarwinFPV F411 45A AIO flight controller with a built-in SPI ELRS receiver. The USB-C port, conveniently located on the top plate and protected by a rubber cover, speaks to the design’s user-centric approach.

The AIO flight controller features a 25.5×25.5mm mounting pattern and is covered in waterproofing material, offering protection from water splashes or damp conditions. However this could impact its heat handling ability and it would be interesting to see how it holds up in the summer.

The motors are 2006 2030KV, the propellers are Gemfan D90S-3 triblade.

The CineApe35 comes equipped with a Caddx Ant camera and DarwinFPV’s TX805P VTX, a budget-friendly choice that aligns with the overall affordability of the drone.

The addition of GPS is a remarkable feature for a budget-friendly drone. Although its placement might be questionable—potentially obstructed by a mounted GoPro, it’s a thoughtful design. Considering that even pricier 3.5″ cinewhoops often lack GPS, its inclusion here is commendable. That said, GPS didn’t work out of the box and required additional configuration for Rescue mode to work.

One disappointment would be the VTX and RX antennas – the RX is a simple monopole antenna while the VTX antenna is a simple dipole antenna. While these antennas work fine in close proximity in line of sight, they don’t provide the best range and penetration behind obstacles. If these are your priority you should consider upgrading them.

Flight Performance

Out of the box, the CineApe35 came with Betaflight default PIDs.

My initial flights were impressively smooth. There were no noticeable oscillations or jello, suggesting a well design, clean build. The 1W VTX combined with ExpressLRS receiver provided excellent range and signal penetration. I experienced no image breakup within a 500-meter line of sight, and I’m confident it could go a lot further (only if the park was larger).

The CineApe35 handled well, offering stable and controlled flights that are ideal for cinematic shots.

On a 6S 1100mAh LiPo battery without a GoPro, the drone achieved around 10 minutes of flight time—a remarkable efficiency for a Cinewhoop. Hovered around 28% throttle, it’s nimble and powerful enough for freestyle flying when not carrying additional weight.

Mounting a GoPro Hero 11, the flight time was reduced to 6-7 minutes. The drone was slightly front-heavy even when shifting the battery all the way to the rear, that impacted stability a little bit especially when it’s windy. Nevertheless, it delivered smooth flying experience, and with image stabilization, the footage from the GoPro was smooth and stable.

Note that the current sensor appeared to be inaccurate and required calibration; it overestimated the “mAh consumed” by approximately 40% (reporting 1500mAh for a 1100mAh pack).

How to Setup

The included manual, both in Chinese and English, provides comprehensive guidance, covering details like binding the receiver and flight configurations.

The Cineape35 is shipped with Betaflight firmware version BF4.42.

The FC target is DARWINF4SX1280HD.

You can find the original CLI dump here.

It has a built-in ExpressLRS SPI receiver – SPI meaning, to update its receiver firmware, you have to update Betaflight firmware as well. It already comes with ELRS V3 firmware, so if your transmitter module has ELRS V3 as well, there’s no firmware update needed.

To bind the receiver, enter the bind phrase in the Betaflight receiver tab, or use the “Bind receiver” button to initiate bind mode.

For my first flight, I changed the following settings:

• In the Configuration tab, I adjusted the Arming Angle to 180 degrees.
• In the Modes tab, I configured switches for arm and angle modes.

The VTX SmartAudio was already set up and working as expected.

Final Thoughts: Is the CineApe35 the Right Choice?

DarwinFPV impressed again with the CineApe35. Its flight performance is stellar, particularly considering its affordable price point. It’s a strong candidate for those looking for a budget-friendly cinewhoop style FPV drone.

Get the DarwinFPV CineApe35 from these vendors:

• AliExpress: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DBNPBCD
• DarwinFPV: https://oscarliang.com/product-m42q

With its robust build, user-friendly features, onboard GPS, and capability to carry a full-sized GoPro, it stands as a compelling option for anyone in need of a cheap and reliable Cinewhoop. For $200, it’s hard to find any significant faults with this drone, making it a strong contender in the budget FPV market.