Overview
The CineLog 20 is a small pusher drone from GEPRC, now equipped with the DJI 03 camera and transmission system. This makes it an excellent choice for indoor filming and racing. In this post, we’ll take an in-depth look at the CineLog 20’s components, test it outdoors in freezing temperatures, discuss pros and cons after hands-on flying, and ultimately determine if it lives up to the hype of being an awesome indoor/outdoor drone under 250 grams.
Key Components
Despite the diminutive size, the CineLog 20 packs high-quality components:
- Frame: Carbon fiber, 136 grams without battery
- Flight Controller: F4 35A
- Motors: 1303.5 brushless, 5500KV
- Camera: DJI 03 integrated recording/transmission
- VTX: Built into DJI 03 unit
- Props: Emax AVAN 2” Micro props
- Extras: Vibration damping, prop guards, spare parts
Let’s discuss some of these components in more detail:
Custom Frame and Prop Guards
The CineLog 20 boasts a sturdy carbon fiber frame measuring about 3.5 inches motor-to-motor. Foam bumpers line the prop guards to protect your walls. The front-mounted camera also sits on vibration-dampening foam to further improve footage. This makes the CineLog 20 ideal for smooth cinematic indoor shots.
High-Performance Flying Capabilities
The 1303.5 brushless motors give the CineLog 20 excellent power-to-weight ratio. Paired with 5500KV rating and 35A BLHeli32 ESC, this micro machine can hit high speeds when you need it. The F4 flight controller ensures precise handling for weaving through tight spaces.
DJI FP Equipment for Long Range and HD Footage
The integrated DJI 03 camera, video transmitter, and onboard DJI receiver give the CineLog 20 impressive transmission capabilities, allowing flights up to 10 kilometers away. (But realistically, the short battery life will cut flights far shorter).
Having the DJI 03 camera/VTX onboard also means you get HD footage comparable to DJI’s Mavic drones. For an indoor micro drone, having this level of video is a huge bonus.
Other receiver variants like FrSky RXSR are available if you don’t use DJI equipment. But for the HD footage, the DJI version is the way to go.
Initial Impressions
My first insights upon opening the box and starting initial test flights:
- Despite larger camera, still a very lightweight frame at 136 grams
- Motors and performance punch above the weight
- Foam dampening should help remove jello from footage
- Available space underneath limits battery size options
- Love having full DJI FPV setup for control/footage
- Very quiet motors
Just powered on and hovering, I can tell this will be an agile indoor flyer. But how will it fare outside in winter conditions?
Flying the CineLog 20 Outdoors in Frigid Temperatures
To really test the CineLog 20, I took it out on a below freezing Canadian morning to meet some ice fishers on a frozen lake. Suiting up for the elements while preparing the quad, I was excited to see how it would do.
Weather Conditions:
- Temperature: -20°C (-4°F)
- Windchill: -30°C (-22°F)
- Time: Early morning, sunrise, clear
- Location: Frozen lake with ice fishing huts
Battling the Cold
I warmed up the CineLog20’s battery in my Jeep but the temperature was still bitterly cold. Once at the fishing spot, I sent the micro drone upwards towards the brightening sky. My DJI goggles displayed strong video transmission as I watched the ice huts shrink below.
Almost immediately though, the DJI battery meter sank rapidly, clearly showing the impacts of the weight and cold. Still, the CineLog handled stable even in wind. I flew over the ice holes and open water, giving me a bird’s eye view of the ice fishing action.
Multiple low battery warnings flashed insistently in my goggles after just 3 minutes of flying. I eased the drone through some gentle freestyle flips, not wanting to stress the motors. But each powered maneuver drained more juice.
Landing was smooth as I set the CineLog 20 down to walk over and retrieve it. However, the battery obviously couldn’t even maintain idle discharge sitting in the cold. After wiping off snow, the GoPro footage showed a flight of under 4 minutes…not good for a fully charged battery.
Quick Indoor Test
Once back inside, I used my portable heating fan to clear any moisture from the motors and battery. I knew the battery wouldn’t bounce back fully, but wanted to test indoor performance when warmed up.
This flight time showed off why the CineLog 20 excels as an indoor drone. Even running on a battery with reduced max capacity from the cold test, the CineLog handled fast circuits around my house with precision and stability.
I even cautiously tested flying it outside my patio door and navigating back indoors without issue. The DJI 03 footage remained crisp and clear during quick acceleration changes. No noticeable jello thanks to the foam isolation.
While effects from the cold battery cut the indoor flight shorter than expected, the CineLog 20 flew beautifully during the entire test. The durable design and prop guards let me fly confidently fast through narrow spaces without worrying about crashes.
Overall, the indoor handling proves why the CineLog 20 makes a top-tier indoor racer, now with the added bonus of DJI HD footage.
What’s Included in the Box?
If you purchase the DJI version of the CineLog 20, here’s everything included:
CineLog 20 Drone
- Assembled carbon fiber frame
- Built-in DJI 03 camera/video transmitter
- 1303.5 motors (4)
- F4 Flight controller mounted above receiver
- AVAN 2” props (4) attached
- Foam prop guards
Spare Parts
- Full extra set of foam prop guards
- AVAN 2” props (4)
- Prop guard mounting rubber bands
- Custom motor screws
- Battery strap
Other Accessories
- Battery grip set
- Prop removal tool
- Double-sided foam tape circles
- Foam dots for bottom
Manuals and Extra Items
- DJI 03 Unit manual and infos
- F4 Flight controller manual
- Quick start guide
- Warranty card
- Product registration card
- Gap RC stickers
Note that they include the DJI antennas mounted on the drone itself, which is great for ensuring clear transmission.
Pros and Cons After Flight Testing
After my hands-on testing, here are the main benefits and drawbacks I found with the CineLog 20:
Pros
- Incredibly smooth, stable video footage thanks to vibration dampening
- Full integration of DJI 03 camera and VTX for long range HD footage
- Flies precisely and dynamically indoors
- Sturdy frame with full prop guard protection
- Motors have tons of power despite small props
- Convenient access underneath for swapping batteries
- Foam helps protect walls during crashes
- Still under 250 grams without battery for drone laws
Cons
- Very short flight time – 5 minutes max
- Small props limit top speed while recording
- Tricky to access microSD card under Guards
- Not designed for outdoor endurance flights
- Cold weather really impacts battery life
So while a few shortcomings exist, the CineLog 20 overall achieves its goals very well as an awesome indoor racing/freestyle drone with great HD footage.
Final Thoughts
Despite a couple minor issues, the CineLog 20 left me very impressed, especially for the indoor flying experience. Paired with the stable DJI 03 camera footage, this micro drone becomes an ideal tool for indoor cinematic shots. Thanks to the dampened camera and overall agile handling, FPV pilots can capture buttery smooth video while raced around tight environments.
The short battery life remains the biggest hindrance for longer flights. But Improved batteries or simply packing multiple packs make it easy to swap out. Just be ready for even less winter endurance due to the cold.
For most users though, the out-of-box components offer a complete package for excelling at indoor FPV. So if you want a versatile, sub-250g micro drone ready for impressive HD footage zipping through tight spaces, the CineLog 20 absolutely delivers. Thanks again for watching and happy flying
