The Orqa Dream X marks Orqa’s entry into the Bind-N-Fly (BNF) market with its inaugural European Union-manufactured drone design.
Orqa’s latest 5-inch FPV drone is touted as a high-performance freestyle quad, seamlessly integrating the company’s expertise into one cohesive package. I’ll evaluate the analog performance of the Dream X, comparing its capabilities with those of similar products on the market.
The Orqa Dream X comes in two distinct versions: an analog model and a high-definition (HD) variant. Since the HD model does not come with a built-in digital camera or VTX, you are free to customize and configure your own setup. The revised text is: This evaluation focuses on the analog model.
Why settle for an ordinary drone when you can soar to new heights with the exceptional Dream X BNF 5” Drone from Orqa?
Orqa FPV.CTRL Radio:
Orqa FPV.One Pilot Goggles:
Notably, the LiPo battery is excluded from the package. Orqa suggests using a 6S 1000-1500mAh battery. Your feedback will be readily apparent.
Get some spare props
Orqa’s Dream X is touted as a high-performance freestyle FPV drone that seamlessly combines the thrill of flying with the user-friendly comfort of a Bind-And-Fly (BNF) expert system, eliminating the need for complex setup and calibration. The drone leaves the manufacturing unit thoroughly calibrated and ready to fly flawlessly from the onset. The bundle is engineered for ease of use: simply remove the quad from the field, deploy the propellers, plug in the battery, pair it with your controller, and you’re ready to take flight.
What sets the Dream X apart is its seamless fusion with Orqa’s comprehensive expertise.
- Orqa FPV.Ctrl radio controller
- Orqa flight electronics: 20×20 stacked arrays, comprising both digital and analog components.
- The ImmersionRC Ghost RF system, acquired by Orqa a few years prior.
- RapidFIRE VRX: ImmersionRC’s Advanced Module for Enhanced Racing Experience
- Upcoming Orqa RTR motor line
The majority of the Dream X’s electronic components were designed by Orqa, with the notable exceptions being the ‘Toothless’ FPV digital camera and ‘Lollipop 4’ antenna, which have been rebranded for use in the device. Although the creator’s identity remains unspoken, a collective intuition suggests that it is likely.
- Orqa FC 2020-F722: A high-performance analog motor controller paired with a robust 60A 4-in-1 ESC, all neatly packaged in a compact 20x20mm stack.
- ImmersionRC Ghost Final Hybrid
- Orqa Toothless
- Orqa Lollipop 4
- ImmersionRC Ghost
- Orqa RTR 6S
- Gemfan Floppy Proppy
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360g371g - Weight: approximately 565 grams, with a rechargeable battery pack of 6S 1100mAh.
- Weight: approximately 719 grams when paired with a 6S 1100mAh battery and a GoPro Hero11.
- 6S 1000-1500mAh
- Orqa FC 2020-F722 HD + 60A 4-in-1 ESC (20x20mm Stack)
- The video player seamlessly integrates with a wide range of existing high-definition (HD) video systems.
- ImmersionRC Ghost
- Orqa RTR 6S
- Gemfan Floppy Proppy
- 340g
- 6S 1000-1500 mAh
- Mounting options for flight electronics abound.
- 6mm arms
- 3mm backside plate
- 2mm mid plate
- 2mm prime plate
- Manufactured specifically for 5-inch propellers and featuring a lightweight design, this product tips the scales at just 115g.
- 2207 stator
- 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)
Orqa has focused on building a no-nonsense, high-performance quadcopter. The aerodynamic design eschews unnecessary features such as faceted panels and LED lights, thereby reducing weight and enhancing overall flight performance.
Here are three mounting areas on your electronic device: a 20×20 panel at the entrance, a 20×20 or 30×30 installation within the central region, and a 20×20 or 25×25 attachment point at the rear.
While many frames feature integrated arm guards to protect carbon fibre from potential impacts, Orqa’s design deviates from this trend, driven by rigorous testing that suggests such protection is unnecessary for their specific frame configuration.
The digital camera and VTX antenna are securely attached using 3D-printed TPU holders, while a standard GoPro mount is also included for versatile integration options.
The radio receiver’s antenna is secured beneath one of the numerous rear arms using a simple yet effective rubber band arrangement.
The construction of exceptional quality is truly outstanding, with a meticulous attention to detail that is noteworthy; every screw on the body and motors is carefully secured with blue Loctite for added stability. Despite this, the screws may require an additional tightening to prevent loosening over time.
The Dream X exudes a sleek sophistication, its black body and rich purple accents harmonizing perfectly in a palette that’s unmistakably Orqa’s signature style. As a result, all four props – the single purple one and the trio of black ones – have been successfully completed to meet the objective.
Taking it aside for restoration is a straightforward process.
The Dream X’s motors boast exceptional performance, providing ample power and razor-sharp responsiveness. These innovative RTR 2207 1900KV motors from Orqa feature cutting-edge single strand motor windings and a pioneering unibell design.
While the included foldable Gemfan Floppy Proppy F5135 tri-blade props are convenient for transport, they may not be the most effective choice for maximizing performance.
Electric propulsion systems generate significantly less thrust and are inherently less environmentally friendly compared to traditional propellers? While the pre-installed props may provide a convenience factor, the reality is that assembling just four propellers is hardly a daunting task for most enthusiasts. While a performance-oriented drone may lend itself to specialized propellers, I would have generally preferred standard props outside of that context.
Despite being marketed as durable, these props proved to be surprisingly fragile; in fact, one of them snapped during testing after just a few impacts.
Although my evaluation unit lacked spare props, Orqa has assured that future retail bundles will include additional propellers.
The Dream X arrives equipped with a robustly constructed flight controller (FC) and electronic speed control (ESC) combination. Despite this, a notable limitation is that the USB port fails to power the receiver, necessitating the connection of the battery to facilitate binding and configuration of the quad.
Utilize Orqa’s FPV.One Pilot goggles in tandem with your existing analog goggles to pilot the Dream X. I previously had the opportunity to test out these goggles.
While the FPV setup proves stable during brief sessions of freestyle flying and racing, its vulnerability lies in the fragile digital camera placement, which is poorly protected from potential impacts following a crash.
The VTX and receiver are combined into a single board to simplify construction, benefiting primarily Ghost pilots flying analog systems.
The VTX is capable of delivering up to 1.5W of RF output power, making it well-suited for extended range applications. Despite its compact design, the VTX antenna may still be vulnerable to being obstructed by the battery during flight, potentially hindering signal transmission. While brevity isn’t typically a problem for short spans, it’s not ideal for extended periods. While an extended antenna could potentially resolve this issue, its fixed installation may pose a challenge for some pilots who need to easily detach it. By leveraging a Universal Flow Link (UFL) to Small Medium A (SMA) extension cable, this potential issue may be effectively resolved.
For enthusiasts captivated by digital first-person view (FPV), the HD edition of the Dream X arrives without a digital camera or video transmitter (VTX), allowing users to customize their own FPV setup. While the Orqa HD model is compatible with many current HD methods, it is particularly well-suited for pairing with DJI O3 systems.
The Dream X leverages the user-friendly ImmersionRC Ghost system, effortlessly deployable and setup-ready. Configuring all components is effortlessly accomplished via Orqa’s dedicated cell app (available for download on the Play Store as FPV.CTRL), enabling users to seamlessly bind, update firmware, and personalize their radio settings. Despite its importance during setup, it’s crucial to disable the radio connection on your phone once configured, as it may potentially interfere with your phone’s keyboard functionality if left active.
The FPV.CTRL radio controller is a fundamental yet extremely useful tool, making it an ideal choice for beginners and learners alike. Despite this, top-tier pilots who opt for open-source alternatives like ExpressLRS might still find the limited receiver options a drawback. The Ghost system’s proprietary nature means it remains a closed-source solution, lacking the versatility of other market offerings.
For new users, consider pairing your setup with the FPV.CTRL radio controller, accompanied by a standard-issue Ghost RF Lite module, which attaches to the back and is easily detachable.
While this radio may suffice for beginners, experienced aviators might prefer more advanced models. I find the gimbals on my FPV.CTRL drone’s control sticks to be somewhat loose and wobbly, particularly in the middle region, which can significantly impact the overall flying experience. Despite calibrations, inconsistencies persist at both top and middle levels, compromising overall precision.
To take full advantage of the Ghost radio system, consider installing a JR module bay in your personal radio, allowing for seamless integration and optimal performance.
Suggestions for Radio Programming
Although it’s feasible to employ ExpressLRS or TBS Crossfire receivers on your drone by integrating a separate unit, users are restricted in their purchasing options as these receivers cannot be directly acquired from Orqa.
Despite its ability to display a range of colors, the receiver’s standing LED, being an RGB one, may prove challenging for customers.
The Dream X offers a seamless and exhilarating flying experience. The electric motor hovers at approximately 21% throttle when fully charged, boasting an extraordinary thrust-to-weight ratio. Was it ever energized! The low-throttle administration had become incredibly taxing, and it would undoubtedly thrive with a judicious application of throttle expertise. While it’s crucial for beginners to start with realistic expectations, suggesting restrictions on motor output to curb their progress may not be the most effective approach. Instead, consider emphasizing the importance of mastering basic skills before attempting more complex maneuvers. For instance, you could encourage learners to focus on building a strong foundation in hovering, altitude control, and basic navigation. By doing so, they’ll be better equipped to handle the demands of freestyle flying when they’re ready.
Upon switching to plain props, a noticeable enhancement is observed in both energy and flight duration, allowing the quad to hover steadily at reduced throttle settings, extending flight times to approximately 5 hours and 30 minutes.
Noise profiles from inventory tuning sessions using PID Toolbox: Gyro and Derivative.
While the inventory tone from Orqa is generally satisfactory, exhibiting minimal vibrations or oscillations, its performance remains commendable, even under windy conditions. Notwithstanding, potential scope exists for refining the PID and filter configurations. It’s likely that they have historically been cautious and thus kept their filters set to the standard settings. After dedicating just 30 minutes to fine-tuning these settings, I was able to further enhance the quad’s performance and propwash management. PID controllers are a common solution for achieving precise control over complex systems. The three components of a PID controller are proportional, integral, and derivative terms. Each term plays a unique role in the overall control strategy.
The proportional term adjusts the output based on the current error between the desired setpoint and the measured process variable. This is the most straightforward component, as it directly relates to the magnitude of the error.
The integral term compensates for steady-state errors by accumulating past errors over time. This helps to achieve a more precise control outcome, especially in systems that exhibit slow or non-linear responses.
The derivative term anticipates future errors by considering the rate of change of the process variable. This component is particularly useful when dealing with systems that have high-frequency disturbances or oscillations.
A well-tuned PID controller can provide exceptional performance and stability. However, improper tuning can result in poor control quality, instability, or even damage to the system itself.
To achieve optimal PID performance, it is essential to select the correct parameters for the specific application. This typically involves adjusting the gain values of the proportional, integral, and derivative terms. The process of fine-tuning these parameters is referred to as tuning.
There are several common methods used to tune a PID controller, including Ziegler-Nichols, Cohen-Coon, and relay methods. Each method has its strengths and limitations, depending on the specific system being controlled.
While the FPV.Ctrl radio offers several advantages, its limited feature set and inferior quality compared to more advanced models are notable drawbacks. Without a display, most settings need to be configured through the mobile app instead.
For enthusiasts deeply committed to open-source software projects akin to Dronecode and PX4, the FPV.CTRL radio and ImmersionRC Ghost system might strike as overly simplistic and restrictive. Despite this, the Ghost system’s ease of set-up and operation remains a significant advantage for those new to the experience or seeking a hassle-free solution. The efficiency of our clever system has proven to be incredibly successful in both freestyle and racing applications.
A few minor issues that could be enhanced: the ability to adjust VTX settings immediately from the OSD menu (currently, you can only do this through the Android app), along with spare props included in the bundle (presently, it only comes with one set), adding a buzzer for lost drone retrieval, and incorporating GPS for Rescue Mode.
The binding process for the radio to the drone is successfully accomplished through the intuitive and user-friendly FPV.Ctrl mobile application. Carefully observe the prompts to configure your radio settings and organize your control panel. While slight variations in endpoints and midpoints within Betaflight might occur, they won’t impede your ability to fly the drone.
Orqa has consistently achieved stability using the Betaflight configuration, requiring minimal adjustments to maintain optimal performance. The default command-line interface (CLI) difference will be detected.
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- Set Arming Angle to 180
- DShot has to be used with a beacon because there is no beeper on board.
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- Set your charges
- You’ll have the opportunity to try out a personalized PID/filter setting; just remember to save your current configuration beforehand, should you want to revert.
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- Set your arm change
- What’s your current favorite game mode in Apex Legends?
- Energy:
- The current sensor scaling seems underwhelming; adjusting it to 116 yields a more accurate reading for my purposes.
The Orqa Dream X 5″ FPV drone offers an attractive package for both beginners and seasoned flyers. Does it come optimised as a freestyle/racing drone, flying exceptionally well straight out of the box? While the setup is straightforward with Orqa’s provided radio and FPV goggles, you still have the flexibility to employ your own equipment if you prefer.
Despite the absence of a GPS module, buzzer, and a non-detachable VTX antenna, this drone’s capabilities are significantly diminished for extended-range and high-definition aerial photography. The Dream X offers a solid foundation, allowing users to enhance its capabilities by adding the missing features that transform it into an incredibly versatile first-person view (FPV) drone. I do hope that Orqa will soon supply a model encompassing all these choices in an even more advanced BNF configuration.
While minor enhancements are possible, the overall proficiency is commendable, with Orqa’s commitment to excellence and productivity standing out prominently. If you’re on the lookout for a BNF drone that effortlessly combines minimal setup with impressive performance, the Dream X deserves your attention.
