Drones have come a long way in recent years. What used to be clunky, hard to control machines are now sleek, nimble racers capable of impressive aerial stunts and maneuvers.
iFlight’s newest release, the Nazgul Evoque FPV drone, represents just how far drone tech has advanced. I recently got my hands on this slick new racer and took it out for some test flights.
Read on for my full review of the Nazgul Evoque – its features, build quality, handling and more.
Table Of Contents
Overview: A Refined Evolution of the Nazgul Series
The Nazgul Evoque is the latest iteration in iFlight’s popular Nazgul series of FPV drones. As the “Evoque” name suggests, this new model is more of an evolution rather than a drastic redesign. iFlight has taken the proven Nazgul formula and refined it even further.
Some key upgrades include:
- Sturdier frame construction with thicker, heavier duty carbon fiber
- More rigid arm and body mounting for reduced vibrations
- Re-tuned flight controller for smoother performance
- Higher efficiency motors (1500KV)
- DJI Air Unit with 8K video transmission
- Better battery lead management for spark-free plugging in
So while the Nazgul Evoque retains the same general design and components, almost every aspect has been enhanced. On paper, it looks to be a smoother, more refined evolution of the Nazgul series. But how does it actually fly? Let’s find out.
Unboxing and Setup
Even though it’s a high performance racing drone, iFlight packages the Nazgul Evoque in a way that’s beginner-friendly. The included manual and diagrams make it easy to identify components. Rubber caps cover the various ports and plugs, protecting them during shipping and crashes.
Everything you need comes neatly packed in the box:
- Nazgul Evoque airframe
- Set of 5″ tri-blade propellers (2 full sets)
- Prop mounting hardware
- Foam battery pad
- Battery straps
- Battery grip pads
- Motor screws and nuts
- USB and servo cables
- Manuals/documentation
After charging up a 6S 1300 mAh LiPo battery, I mounted it to the battery pad using the included strap. One nice upgrade is the spark-free battery lead – when plugging in the juiced up 6S battery, it doesn’t make the usual loud “pop” from the voltage spike. This reduces wear and tear over time.
The Nazgul Evoque comes pre-configured with betaflight, so all I had to do was bind my FrSky Taranis transmitter. After calibrating the accelerometer, it was ready for its first flight!
Design and Build Quality
Let’s take a closer look at the Nazgul Evoque’s design and build quality. It retains the same overall layout as the previous Nazguls, but with reinforcements in key areas:
Frame
- 6″ propellers provide a good balance of agility and stability
- 5mm thick carbon fiber arms – 33% thicker than before
- Deadcat style frame with forward swept arms to keep props out of view
- Additional body mounting points to reduce vibration
- Clean interior layout with plenty of space
Motors
- iFlight Dawn 1500KV brushless motors
- Higher efficiency for longer flight times
- Durable precision machined construction
Electronics
- Matek F755 flight controller
- 55A BLHeli_S ESC
- DJI Air Unit digital HD video transmitter
- Foxeer Razer camera
- 1800mAh video tx battery pad
The Nazgul Evoque feels extremely solid and rigid in the hands thanks to the beefed up construction. The reinforced mounting points and thicker arms go a long way in improving stability and vibration dampening. This pays off in the air with smoother video footage and more locked-in handling.
Features and Capabilities
Here are some of the stand-out features that make the Nazgul Evoque a top notch FPV racing drone:
DJI Digital HD Video Transmission
The Nazgul Evoque is among the first drones compatible with DJI’s new Air Unit O3. This provides a low-latency 8K digital video feed directly to your goggles. Picture quality is excellent with minimal breakup or lag. Having the digital system integrated right into the body is much cleaner than running a separate analog camera and vtx.
Onboard DVR and SD Storage
The DJI Air Unit has 32GB of onboard storage for recording your flights in up to 4K resolution. No more need for a GoPro or separate action cam. There’s also a microSD card slot if you want supplemental recording. Being able to review your flight footage right on the drone is super convenient.
Long Range Capability
Thanks to the powerful DJI O3 transmission system, the Nazgul Evoque boasts an impressive max transmission range of up to 10km. Real world range depends greatly on conditions of course, but you can comfortably fly a few kilometers away with clear video.
Smooth Tune
iFlight nailed the tune on the Nazgul Evoque. It handles very precisely but without the nervous twitchiness some racers have. Even with the more rigid frame, vibrations are minimal so the footage is buttery smooth. It’s just as home gliding around lazily as it is tearing through a timed race course.
Bright LED Lighting
One last cool feature is the colorful LED lighting strips. These can be customized to glow any color and provide great visibility when flying at night. The various status lights also help identify the front, back and orientation while in the air.
Flying Experience and Handling
Enough talk – time to take this thing up for a flight! Here are my impressions of how the Nazgul Evoque handles in the air:
Easy to Hover and Control
From liftoff the drone feels light and agile, yet planted. The ample power of the 6S system gives a snappy response without being twitchy. The Evoque hovers smoothly in place without drifting – a good sign of a well tuned quad. Slow flight is no problem thanks to the linear throttle range.
Speed and Agility
When it’s time to open up the throttle, hold on tight! The Evoque can really scoot with its power system and aerodynamic frame. It cuts through the air with minimal drag while retaining lots of control. The rigid mounting and dampened motors keep video footage smooth even at full tilt. This thing can shred a race course!
Wind Handling
On gusty days, the Evoque stays remarkably stable and easy to control. The refined tune and extra frame rigidity pay dividends in windy conditions when other racers get pushed around. It holds lines well and doesn’t get bucked around.
FPV Camera Quality
Having the DJI digital camera integrated into the body means no jello, vibration or angle issues. The footage is sharp with accurate colors and exposure. The large sensor gives a nice cinematic look. No need to run a GoPro.
Penetrates Signal Barriers
The Nazgul Evoque does an impressive job maintaining a solid signal connection even when flying behind trees, bridges or other objects. I could consistently fly much farther away compared to a typical analog vtx.
Battery Life
Due to the power hungry 8K video system, flight times are shorter compared to similar analog drones. I averaged around 4 minutes on a 6S 1300 mAh pack when flying aggressively. More efficient flying stretches it to 6 minutes. So battery life is the main trade-off.
DJI Controller Handling
The default controller is DJI’s gamepad style model. While usable, it’s not ideal for precise acro flying. The gimbals have a loose, imprecise feel. I’d suggest upgrading to a proper transmitter like the Radiomaster TX16S. But DJI’s controller is convenient for basic line of sight recreation.
Durable and Repairable
Crashes happen in FPV racing. The Nazgul Evoque proved very rugged and all components are easily replaceable. After some fairly hard impacts, the only damage was a few scuffed propellers. The GoPro-style mounting also helps protect the camera in a crash.
Who is the Nazgul Evoque Good For?
So should you consider the new Nazgul Evoque for your next FPV racer? Here’s a rundown of pilots who will benefit most from this drone:
Intermediate and Advanced Racers
Experienced FPV pilots will appreciate the refined handling, dampened vibrations and robust construction of the Evoque. It’s a great race machine. The beginner-friendly features also make it accessible for intermediates looking to step up.
Long Range Enthusiasts
The excellent penetration and range of the DJI O3 video system allows you to comfortably explore further than ever before. It’s great for long range cruising. Just bring extra batteries!
Cinematic Fliers
Since the Nazgul Evoque captures ultrasmooth, professional looking footage, it’s fantastic for cinematic flying. The stable platform and gimbal-like stabilization are perfect for sweeping aerial shots.
Night Fliers
With its bright LEDs and lit up DJI unit, the Evoque excels at night operations. You can customize the LED colors and effects for maximum visibility and orientation. It’s like an alien spacecraft!
Drawbacks and Limitations
While an excellent drone overall, the Nazgul Evoque isn’t without some downsides:
- Expensive – around $900 with batteries and charger
- Heavy – 726g takeoff weight with 6S battery
- Short flight times – 4-6 minutes average
- Bulky controller with loose gimbals
- Advanced pilots may want an HDZero/analog split system
So if you’re on a tight budget or need longer flights, there may be better options. But for intermediate to pro FPV racers who prioritize performance and video quality, the Evoque hits the sweet spot despite its price tag.
Final Thoughts
After dozens of test flights, I’m thoroughly impressed with what iFlight has accomplished in the Nazgul Evoque. It exceeds the performance and polish of not just past Nazguls, but most other FPV racers out there. This is a serious racing drone that can hang with the best.
If you’ve been holding off upgrading your quad because nothing has seemed like a big enough leap, the Evoque changes that. The DJI digital HD video and refined handling are game-changing. This feels like the new standard other racers will be measured by. iFlight nailed it!
So if you have the budget for it, I can wholeheartedly recommend the Nazgul Evoque as your next high performance FPV racer. It simply flies wonderfully and captures immersive HD footage. Just be sure to stock up on batteries!
