GEPRC has recently introduced the DarkStar 22, the larger sibling to the DarkStar 16. With its vibrant orange design and sleek, compact build, the DarkStar 22 has been tuned for more power, stability, and longer flight times. But how does it compare to the Cinelog 25 and the Synalog 30 V3? Let’s dive into the review and see how this new offering stacks up.
What’s in the Box?
As with most GEPRC drones, the DarkStar 22 comes with a comprehensive kit. Inside the box, you’ll find:
- Spare prop guards
- A spare canopy and camera cover (in gray, for a stealthier look)
- A spare battery strap and landing cover
- A five-pin terminal cable and USB adapter
- Spare props (GemFan 2219)
- A battery grip
- Assorted screws and instructions
- GEPRC stickers
While there’s no Gasi keychain this time, it’s worth noting that this kit includes everything you need to get started, with a few nice extras.
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Build Quality & Design
The DarkStar 22 features a solid, durable build. The base plate is made of carbon fiber, and the chassis is reinforced with tough plastic. The canopy, which houses the O4 Air unit, is also made of tough plastic and includes a five-point dampening system designed to reduce jello similar to the DarkStar 16. This means the drone can handle light bumps and crashes, but it might not fare well against solid obstacles like concrete.
The frame houses GEPRC’s latest Taker F45 all in one board, which includes built-in LEDs. These LEDs not only add visual appeal but also enhance visibility in low light, and you can toggle them on and off as needed. There’s also a mounting spot for a mini GPS, although its placement near the O4 Air unit could cause some interference.
Connecting the drone to Betaflight requires using the included USB adapter and P5 cable. In Betaflight, I adjusted the OSD elements to maintain consistency across my drones and reconfigured the controls for the DJI remote controller. A small personal preference, as I find the arm switch on a three position switch a bit odd, but otherwise, the drone’s layout is clean, compact, and easy to service.
Weight & Battery
The DarkStar 22 is sub-250g, making it a lightweight option for its class. The recommended battery for the drone is the GEPRC Storm Lithium High Voltage 3S 720mAh, which comes with an XT30 connector. Ensure your charger supports this connector, as I’ve been using the HG LRC Thor balance board for charging.
GEPRC has also included a battery tray to help the drone stand during takeoff and protect the battery during landing. Personally, I prefer to skip this tray and just strap the battery directly, as it feels tighter and improves flight performance.
Flight Performance
The DarkStar 22 runs on Speedex 2 1104 7500KV motors with GemFan 2219 props, and the flight experience is outstanding. Like other GEPRC drones, it has enough power for flips and rolls, but it remains smooth enough for cinematic shots. The stock tune is impressive, and while many people ask about my rates, I find that the stock tune is perfect for this drone, so I haven’t changed anything.
Being lightweight, the drone can be pushed around by the wind, but it still flies very quietly. GEPRC has done an excellent job in making this drone particularly quiet, especially compared to the high-pitched whine of the DJI Neo.
In terms of flight times, I was able to get approximately 7 minutes of flight time with slow cruising on a 3S battery, which is in line with GEPRC’s claim of 6 minutes and 45 seconds. When pushing the drone harder with flips, rolls, and freestyle flying, the flight time decreases, but it’s still impressive overall.
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Camera & VTX
For this review, I received the DarkStar 22 without the DJI O4 Air unit. However, I had one on hand and easily installed it into the drone. Mounting the O4 Air unit is straightforward just secure it with the included screws and arrange the antennas at the rear.
The image quality from the O4 Air unit speaks for itself, offering excellent visuals for both flying and filming. If you purchase the O4Air version from GEPRC, you also receive a free ND filter, redesigned to fit more securely than previous models. This is a nice touch, as older filters were difficult to install and prone to damaging the camera.
While I didn’t test it with an external camera like the Insta 360 Go 3 or DJI Nano, the DarkStar 22 should be able to support these cameras. However, there are no official TPU mounts available yet, though I encourage anyone who designs one to share their files.
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Transmission & Control
The DarkStar 22 uses the DJI O4 system, providing a rock solid signal, making it ideal for indoor flights and fly-throughs where penetration is essential. The drone is available in both ELRS and PNP options, with the PNP version offering an effortless setup for the O4 system. If you prefer ELRS, there’s an integrated antenna mount on the all in one board for easy installation.
Use Cases
One of the standout features of the DarkStar 22 is its versatility. It’s small enough for indoor flying, although I recommend flying in angle mode due to its speed. The drone is also well-suited for outdoor flying, where it handles tight spaces like playgrounds beautifully and can even do some freestyle flying. With its built-in LEDs, the DarkStar 22 is also capable of night flights, offering opportunities for stunning long-exposure photos.
Positioned between the Cinelog 30 and DarkStar 16, the DarkStar 22 seems to find the perfect balance, offering a great blend of power and portability. A comparison video is coming soon, so make sure you’re subscribed to stay updated.
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Article Summary
The DarkStar 22 has a lot going for it. While the battery tray may not be the most practical feature, and the USB adapter for connecting to Betaflight is a minor inconvenience, everything else about this drone feels well-designed. It’s quiet, under 250g, and features the O4 Pro system, with built-in LEDs and the option to install a GPS. The drone is easy to handle and offers a solid flight performance. It strikes the perfect balance between power, portability, and fun, making it an excellent choice for both new and experienced pilots.
Read More: GEPRC DarkStar 16 O4 Pro Review
