GEPRC Cinelog25 V2 Review

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Author Marshall Abrams
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Reviewed by Daniel Henderson
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Reviewed by Daniel Henderson

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FPV drones have exploded in popularity in recent years. And with good reason – flying FPV gives you an immersive experience and allows you to capture unique aerial footage.

One of the leaders in FPV drones is GRC, and they have just released an updated version of one of their most popular models – the CineLog 25.

I recently got my hands on the CineLog 25 Version 2 and put it through its paces to see how it performs.

Keep reading for my full review.

Overview of the GEPRC CineLog 25 V2

The CineLog 25 V2 builds upon the proven design of the original CineLog 25. It retains the ducted fan protected propeller design, carbon fiber construction, and support for various camera, video transmitter, and receiver options.

So what exactly is new and improved in version 2? Here are the key upgrades:

  • New flight controller for improved stability and response
  • Supports the DJI HD FPV System (air unit + camera + goggles) out of the box
  • Redesigned frame fits full size 4S batteries up to 1500mah for longer flight times
  • Motors upgraded to 1404 4500kv for more power and speed

Despite the upgrades, GRC has managed to keep the weight under 250g, so no registration is required in most countries.

The CineLog 25 V2 I tested came equipped with the DJI FPV system, which is currently the gold standard for HD digital FPV. This gives you an HD low latency video feed to your goggles and allows recording at up to 4K/60fps directly to the microSD card in the air unit.

Unboxing and Contents

Let’s take a look at what comes in the box with the CineLog 25 V2:

  • GRC CineLog 25 V2 – fully assembled including DJI air unit and camera
  • DJI FPV Goggles Quick Start Guide
  • 2 sets of HQ 2.5 inch 4 blade props
  • Spare set of prop guards
  • Assortment of hardware – screws, rubber grommets, etc
  • 2 battery straps
  • Battery grip
  • GRC keychain
  • Product manuals and guides
  • GRC stickers

So everything you need to get flying is included, except for a radio transmitter/receiver, battery and charger. The CineLog 25 V2 supports DJI, Crossfire, ELRS, and other receivers. I used my DJI FPV Remote Controller 2.

How it Handles in the Air

Enough about what comes in the box, let’s talk about the most important thing – how the CineLog 25 V2 flies! In a word – fantastic.

As soon as I took off for the first flight, I could immediately feel the increase in power compared to the older CineLog models. The new motors have noticeably more thrust, allowing the quad to punch out and accelerate quickly. This makes the V2 a lot more fun to fly fast and freestyle.

Despite the increase in power, it remains very lightweight and nimble. The ducted fan design protects the props while allowing them to be shortened for responsiveness. The CineLog 25 darts around just like a tiny whoop, but has the power to fly high speed passes and dive through gaps.

The flight controller tweak also improves the flight characteristics. The V2 feels locked in and well dampened, with no oscillations or vibrations. And the low latency HD video from the DJI FPV system looks crisp and clear even at distance.

Overall, GRC nailed it with the upgrades on the CineLog 25 V2. It’s powerful and agile, perfect for freestyle FPV while still being rock solid for cinematic drone footage. The DJI HD video is just the cherry on top.

Flight Times and Battery Options

Despite the increase in motor power, flight times are still quite good thanks to the efficiency of the ducted fans. With the 650mah battery it comes with, I was getting 4-5 minute flights. With a full size 1500mah 4S pack, flight times stretch out to 8-10 minutes.

The CineLog 25 V2 can use any 4S battery from 450mah up to 1500mah. Just be sure the battery has an XT30 connector. The included battery strap is adjustable to fit most battery sizes securely. And the redesigned battery tray is large enough to accommodate even chonky 1500mah packs.

The flight controller has automatic battery voltages for safe operation. It will give you a low battery warning at 3.5V per cell, and the motors will disarm for landing at 3.4V per cell. This prevents over-discharging the batteries and enhances safety.

Video and Image Quality

Since the CineLog 25 V2 I reviewed came with the DJI FPV system, the video and image quality is fantastic. Here are some of the video specs and features:

  • Records video at up to 4K 60fps, 1080p 120fps
  • Uses the same camera sensor as the DJI FPV drone and DJI goggles
  • 150° FOV wide angle lens captures expansive views
  • Supports H.264 and H.265 HEVC codecs
  • 8GB internal storage – roughly 40 minutes of 4K video
  • HD low latency analog video feed for FPV goggles

The quality of the 4K video recorded directly on the CineLog 25 V2 is stunningly good for such a small drone. Plenty of detail and sharpness, with accurate colors and adjustable exposure. The CMOS camera sensor provides good dynamic range and handles varying lighting conditions well.

For FPV, the HD low latency feed to the goggles is perfectly clear, with no breakup even behind objects or at a distance. The wide 150° FOV immerses you into the flight experience.

The fixed focus wide angle lens does show some fisheye distortion around the edges. But for FPV freestyle videos or social media clips, the distortion adds to the immersive effect. Just don’t expect perfectly rectilinear video – for that you’ll want a camera drone like the DJI Air 2S with interchangeable lenses.

What I Liked About It

After spending many flights with the CineLog 25 V2, here are some of the things that really stood out to me:

Powerful motors – The increased thrust really makes the V2 fun to rip around and fly fast. It can keep up with 5″ quads no problem.

HD Digital FPV System – The DJI FPV setup provides an HD video feed and recording without any of the hassle of analog FPV. No more fuzzy video or static breakup. Just crystal clear low latency video.

Carbon fiber durability – This thing is built tough. Carbon fiber construction means it can bash into things at speed without breaking. Very unlikely to damage it in a freestyle crash.

Beginner friendly – Despite being loaded with performance, it remains easy and intuitive to fly thanks to the stability and protected props. Great for beginners moving from a tiny whoop to FPV.

Cinematic potential – Rock solid stability coupled with silky smooth throttle control allows you to get sweeping cinematic tracking shots and reveals. The 4K video gives you tons of editing flexibility.

No GPS hassles – It doesn’t rely on finicky GPS for positioning. You can dive through bands, trees, buildings and it will hold its position perfectly. Unlike GPS camera drones that can struggle in tight spaces.

FPV ‘explorer’ – Having a HD digital feed is amazing for scouting lines or just exploring areas from the air. Cruise low and slow through the woods, peek over fences, search for hidden gems.

Areas for Improvement

As great as the CineLog 25 V2 is, there are still a few things I feel could be improved in future versions:

  • HD Recording Bitrate – While the 4K video looks good, the bitrate could be higher. 100mbps is decent but more would allow higher quality. Memory cards are cheap so I’d like to see 200-300mbps.
  • ND Filters – The fixed aperture lens can sometimes lead to overexposure on bright days. Built-in ND filters would allow adjusting light levels for better exposure control.
  • Quick Release Props – Having to use tools to remove and install the props makes field maintenance a bit tedious. Quick release props would speed that up considerably.
  • Payload Options – The CineLog 25 V2 has plenty of lift, so it would be great if accessories were offered to allow mounting different camera setups for specialty applications.
  • Return to Home – Not a must have, but a GPS module with return to home could provide a safety net when flying far out.

Who is the CineLog 25 V2 For?

The CineLog 25 V2 strikes a great balance – it provides racing drone power and agility combined with cinema camera stability and video quality. This makes it a fantastic option for:

FPV Beginners – The ducted fans make it safer and easier to learn. The HD video provides a clean flight image. It can take crashes and keep flying. Perfect for getting into FPV.

FPV Racers – Experienced FPV pilots will love its speed and ability to hit gaps combined with the crystal clear HD low latency video feed. Chase those gaps with confidence.

Cinematic Fliers – Filmmakers and content creators will appreciate the stable platform and high quality 4K video combined with the flexibility of stabilizing the footage in post.

Explorer FPV – The long flight time, HD video system, and radio range let you scout locations and explore the world in a way that analog FPV struggle to match.

From absolute beginner to pro racer to content creator, the CineLog 25 V2 really does make an excellent choice for almost any FPV pilot.

My Full Flight Review of the CineLog 25 Version 2

When I first heard that GRC was updating their popular CineLog 25 drone, I was excited to see what improvements they would make. Well, my CineLog 25 V2 review unit finally arrived, so it’s time to take this baby out for its maiden flights and really put it through its paces!

For this full flight review, I visited several local spots to test the V2 in different environments and flight styles. From open parks, to twisting forest trails, to wide open waterfront areas. My goal is to push the limits of the CineLog 25 V2 and see how the new version stacks up in real world flying. Let’s do this!

Unboxing and Setup

Opening the box reveals the CineLog 25 V2 in all its carbon fiber glory. Right away I notice the redesigned body has openings to easily access the SD card slot as well as battery lead connections. Smart move GRC!

The provided manual has clear instructions for getting connected and binding to your radio. For video I’m using the DJI FPV Goggles V2. After charging up a battery, doing a quick double check of connections, and installing the props, it’s time for the maiden flight!

Maiden Flight

I head out to a nearby park on a cool fall morning. A local splash pad provides a nice open area to start out safely. Winds are calm and the weather looks ideal.

After doing my standard pre-flight checks, it’s time to fly. The motors spool up with a muted higher pitched sound compared to the older CineLog 25s I’ve flown. I can already tell those new 1404 motors are going to give it some extra punch!

Bringing the throttle up, the CineLog 25 V2 effortlessly lifts off and I transition to forward flight. Right away it feels locked in – a good sign GRC has the PID tuning dialed. I take it through some simple orbits and figure 8s to get a feel for the control response. So far so good!

Now to see how the footage looks with the camera pointed forward. I bring it by and peer through the goggles. Very little prop wash visible in the video frame. The ducted fan guards appear to deflect most of the prop turbulence away from the camera view. Much better than running the camera pointed forward on a typical 5″.

I decide to follow the winding path through the trees to test camera stability and control. The V2 floats through the turns, with the HD video remaining crisp and clear. No signs of wobbles or vibration. The DJI FPV system plus carbon fiber construction is a fantastically stable camera platform.

After pushing the limits around the park a bit more, it’s time to bring it in for a landing. I set it down gently in the grass and the maiden flight is officially in the books! So far I’m very impressed with the precision control and stability. And that DJI HD video is just silky smooth. This is going to be fun!

Test Flight 2 – New Flying Site

For the second test flight location, I visit another nearby park. This one has some soccer goalposts set up, which should make for an interesting obstacle course.

Upon arrival I notice it’s very quiet, with just a lone school bus parked off in the distance. Looks like I’ll have free reign of the area! After my standard pre-flight routine, I lift off and get some altitude to scope out the spot from the air.

The soccer obstacle course looks pretty gnarly up close – definitely don’t want to hit those! I decide to play it safe and fly around them rather than risk a collision. Maybe I’ll grow some courage later on.

There is a wooded area on one side of the field that grabs my interest. I drive the CineLog 25 in low through the trees, weaving between trunks and branches. The HD video stays solid with no breakup or lag, allowing me to comfortably fly fast FPV speeds even surrounded by obstacles. Very impressive!

I continue exploring the area, blasting around power poles, under pavilions, through playgrounds. The CineLog 25 V2 handles it all with ease thanks to the nimble frame and added motor power.

As I come over a hill, I notice that school bus is now gone. My joy ride has gone unnoticed! Satisfied with another successful flight, I bring it down gently onto the grass. Two flights in and I’m thrilled with how the V2 is performing.

Flight 3 – Lakeside Exploration

For my next flight location I head over to the waterfront trail that runs along the shoreline of the Ottawa River. It’s a calm morning so the water is glassy smooth – a perfect chance to see how the CineLog flies over open water.

The main trail and beach area seem quiet so I start my flight. Right away I see a large group of Canada geese lounging by the water’s edge. Given their temperamental nature, I decide it’s safest to keep my distance and fly over the water instead.

Cruising low over the flat calm river is surreal – it feels like a giant mirror! I follow along the shoreline and explore the mostly deserted park area. The long range DJI system keeps the HD video feed solid at distance over the open

Here is the continuation:

Cruising low over the flat calm river is surreal – it feels like a giant mirror! I follow along the shoreline and explore the mostly deserted park area. The long range DJI system keeps the HD video feed solid at distance over the open water.

I’m impressed with how well the CineLog 25 V2 handles the wind coming off the water. Even with some gusts, the stability is rock solid thanks to the ducted fan guards.

As I fly back over land, I decide to gain some altitude for an overhead view. It’s amazing how much ground the HD video system lets you cover. I can easily see a kilometer in every direction from 300 feet up.

Focusing back in towards myself, I bring the CineLog down for a landing. The ground rush view through the FPV goggles is exhilarating as always. I touch down gently on the grass right by the shoreline trail.

After 3 great flights, I’m loving this new FPV drone from GRC. The CineLog 25 V2 has met and exceeded my expectations so far. The 4K video footage it produces looks absolutely stunning too. I still have some more locations I want to try out, but already I can tell the CineLog 25 V2 is an FPV drone I’ll be reaching for again and again this season.

Frequently Asked Questions

What batteries can I use with the CineLog 25 V2?

You can use any 4S LiPo battery from about 450mah to 1500mah as long as it has an XT30 connector. 650mah to 850mah packs are a good balance of flight time and weight.

Does the CineLog 25 V2 come fully built?

Yes, the CineLog 25 V2 comes pre-assembled and ready to fly out of the box. You just need to provide your own radio, FPV goggles, battery and charger.

Can I fly it indoors?

Definitely! Thanks to the ducted fan guards, the CineLog 25 V2 can safely be flown indoors. Just be sure you have enough room to fly safely.

Is the DJI FPV system worth the higher cost?

Absolutely! The HD low latency video, reliable reception, and 4K recording make the DJI FPV system a game changer compared to analog FPV gear. It’s more expensive but also an investment that is well worth it.

How long does it take to charge the batteries?

4S 650mah batteries take around 30-45 minutes on a good 4S LiPo charger. 1500mah packs will take 1.5 – 2 hours. Get multiple batteries for non-stop flying!

What skill level is the CineLog 25 V2 good for?

It’s a great choice for everything from beginners learning FPV to expert pilots. The ducts and stability help beginners, while the power appeals to experienced rippers.

Can I fly it far away or out of sight?

The CineLog 25 V2 has good radio range, but it’s still best practice to keep line of sight on your drone when flying. No GPS return home capability.

Is there a warranty from GRC?

Yes, the CineLog 25 V2 comes with a standard 30 day warranty on parts and manufacturing defects. Contact GRC support for any issues.

Does the CineLog 25 V2 come with spare parts?

The main spare parts included are extra props, prop guards, and some small hardware in case you lose or break something. No major spares like motors or flight controllers.

Can I mount and fly my own action camera?

Unfortunately there is no built-in mount for standard action cams like GoPro. You would need a custom fabricated mount. The DJI camera is integrated into the chassis.

Final Verdict

After many hours flying the CineLog 25 V2, I’m thoroughly impressed. GRC took an already great drone design and made it even better with thoughtful upgrades in all the right places.

It has become my new favorite drone for just having fun flying FPV thanks to the phenomenal HD video system and dialed power system. Yet it still produces professional quality 4K video and has the tools to create cinematic masterpieces.

Pound for pound, dollar for dollar, the CineLog 25 V2 might just be one of the best FPV drones on the market today. GRC hit a home run with this one, and I can’t recommend it highly enough. If you’re looking to get into FPV or take your skills to the next level, the CineLog 25 V2 needs to be at the top of your list!

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Written By Marshall Abrams

My name is Marshall Abrams, and I am a filmmaker and FPV pilot who's been flying professionally for about four years now. Thanks to FPV, I get to travel to so many amazing places, and it's honestly completely changed how I run my business.

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