Dronelost.com – If you are looking for a high-performance FPV drone that can deliver stunning 4K videos, incredible stability, and amazing flight experience, then you might want to check out the Mark 5 drone from GEPRC.
This drone is one of the best pre-built BNF (bind and fly) options on the market, thanks to its refined design, quality components, and compatibility with the DJI O3 camera system.
This model that comes with either an analog or a digital camera system, depending on your preference. The Mark 5 drone is designed to be durable, stable, and agile, making it a great choice for both beginners and pro pilots alike.
We will review the features, specifications, price, pros and cons of the Mark 5 drone, and help you decide if it is the right drone for you.
GEPRC Mark 5 Drone Review
The Mark 5 drone is a 5-inch FPV drone that is designed for freestyle and cinematic flying. It is the successor of the Mark 4 drone, which was also a popular FPV drone from GEPRC. The Mark 5 drone has several improvements over the Mark 4 drone, such as:
- A new DC (deadcat) structure that eliminates the propellers from the camera view, making it ideal for O3 internal recording.
- An upgraded 7075-T6 aluminum alloy camera side plate that protects the camera from crashes and impacts.
- A specially designed TPU part for mounting the O3 VTX module, with an air inlet cooling port that helps with heat dissipation.
- A new SPAN F722-BT-HD V2 stack that includes a F722 flight controller with an ICM 42688P gyroscope and Bluetooth capabilities, and a BLHeli_32 50A ESC that supports 4-6S batteries.
- A new GEPRC 2107.5 motor that has a higher KV rating and more power than the previous 2306 motor.
- A new Gemfan 5136 propeller that has a better balance and efficiency than the previous 5149 propeller.
The Mark 5 drone comes in two versions: the 4S version and the 6S version. The 4S version has a 2450KV motor and is suitable for 4S batteries, while the 6S version has a 1960KV motor and is suitable for 6S batteries.
The Mark 5 drone also comes in three options: the analog version, the HD Vista version, and the DJI Air Unit version. The analog version has a Caddx Ratel 2 camera and a 5.8GHz VTX, while the HD Vista version and the DJI Air Unit version have the DJI O3 camera and VTX.
The difference between the HD Vista version and the DJI Air Unit version is that the HD Vista version has a smaller and lighter VTX module, while the DJI Air Unit version has a larger and heavier VTX module with a built-in DVR.
The Mark 5 drone is shipped with two different camera mounts, which can be used to mount various action cameras, such as the GoPro Hero 10, the Naked GoPro 8/10, the Insta 360 GO2, and the Caddx Peanut. The Mark 5 drone also comes with some accessories, such as battery straps, battery silicone pads, a set of screwdrivers, an antenna fixed tube, and a set of screws.
Specifications of the Mark 5 Drone
The Mark 5 drone has the following specifications:
- Frame: GEP-MK5D O3 (Green)
- Wheelbase: 225mm
- Bottom plate: 2.5mm
- Top plate: 2.5mm
- Arm plate: 5mm
- Motor: SPEEDX2 2107.5-1960KV (6S Version) / SPEEDX2 2107.5-2450KV（4S Version）
- ESC: SPAN G50A BLHeli_32 4IN1 50A 4-6S ESC
- FC: SPAN F722-BT-HD V2
- MCU: STM32F722
- Gyro: 42688-P (SPI)
- OSD: BetaFlight OSD w/AT7456E chip
- VTX: DJI O3 Air Unit / DJI O3 Vista
- Camera: DJI O3
- Antenna: DJI O3 antenna
- Propeller: Gemfan 5136
- Weight: 426g (without battery)
Price of the Mark 5 Drone
The Mark 5 drone is available in various online stores, such as AliExpress, Amazon, GetFPV, and RDQ. The price of the Mark 5 drone varies depending on the camera system and the receiver option. Here are the approximate prices of the Mark 5 drone:
- Analog version: $220 to $240
- DJI O3 version: $470 to $490
- Vista version: $400 to $420
- Walksnail version: $360 to $380
These prices do not include shipping costs, taxes, or customs fees, which may vary depending on your location and the store you choose. You may also need to purchase additional accessories, such as batteries, chargers, goggles, and transmitters, if you do not already have them.
Pros and Cons of the Mark 5 Drone
The Mark 5 drone is a well-rounded first-person view drone that can suit different flying styles and preferences. However, like any product, it has its advantages and disadvantages. Here are some of the pros and cons of the Mark 5 drone:
Pros
- The Mark 5 drone is compatible with the DJI O3 camera, which is the best camera for FPV drones. The DJI O3 camera has a 155-degree field of view, supports up to 4K 60FPS, and has a built-in stabilization system. The DJI O3 camera also has a low latency and a long range, thanks to the O3 VTX module that uses the OcuSync 3.0 technology. The DJI O3 camera can deliver crystal clear and smooth videos, making the Mark 5 drone ideal for cinematic and freestyle flying.
- The Mark 5 drone has a new DC (deadcat) structure that eliminates the propellers from the camera view, making it suitable for O3 internal recording. The DC structure also has a wide and unobstructed viewing angle, which is beneficial for FPV flying. The DC structure also has a shock absorption design that reduces the vibration and noise of the drone.
- The Mark 5 drone has an upgraded 7075-T6 aluminum alloy camera side plate that protects the camera from crashes and impacts. The camera side plate also has a sleek and elegant design, with a green color that matches the propellers and the 3D parts. The camera side plate also has a GEPRC logo and a Mark 5 logo, which adds some style to the drone.
- The Mark 5 drone has a specially designed TPU part for mounting the O3 VTX module, with an air inlet cooling port that helps with heat dissipation. The TPU part also has a slot for the SD card, making it easy to access and remove. The TPU part also has a hole for the antenna, which can be fixed with a tube. The TPU part also has a GEPRC logo, which adds some branding to the drone.
- The Mark 5 drone has a new SPAN F722-BT-HD V2 stack that includes a F722 flight controller with an ICM 42688P gyroscope and Bluetooth capabilities, and a BLHeli_32 50A ESC that supports 4-6S batteries. The F722 flight controller has a powerful processor and a sensitive gyroscope, which can provide a smooth and stable flight performance. The F722 flight controller also has Bluetooth capabilities, which can be used to connect to the Speedy Bee app and adjust the settings of the drone. The BLHeli_32 50A ESC has a high current rating and a fast response, which can provide a strong and reliable power output. The BLHeli_32 50A ESC also supports DShot1200 and telemetry, which can improve the efficiency and safety of the drone.
- The Mark 5 drone has a new GEPRC 2107.5 motor that has a higher KV rating and more power than the previous 2306 motor. The GEPRC 2107.5 motor has a 1960KV rating for the 6S version and a 2450KV rating for the 4S version, which can provide a fast and agile flight performance. The GEPRC 2107.5 motor also has a hollow shaft and a NSK bearing, which can reduce the weight and the friction of the motor. The GEPRC 2107.5 motor also has a green color and a GEPRC logo, which adds some aesthetics to the drone.
- The Mark 5 drone has a new Gemfan 5136 propeller that has a better balance and efficiency than the previous 5149 propeller. The Gemfan 5136 propeller has a 5.1-inch diameter and a 3.6-inch pitch, which can provide a good thrust and a low noise.
Cons
- GEPRC Mark 5 is quite expensive, especially the HD Vista version and the DJI Air Unit version. GEPRC Mark 5 costs around $300 to $600, depending on the version and the option. This is a high price for a FPV drone, and it may not be affordable for everyone. You also need to buy a compatible DJI FPV remote controller and goggles, which can add another $500 to $700 to the total cost. GEPRC Mark 5 is not a cheap hobby, and you need to consider your budget before buying it.
- The GEPRC Mark 5 is quite heavy, especially the DJI Air Unit version. GEPRC Mark 5 weighs around 426g without the battery, which is above the 250g limit for some countries. This means that you may need to register your drone and follow some regulations, depending on where you live. GEPRC Mark 5 also has a higher power consumption and a shorter flight time, due to its weight and power. You may need to buy some extra batteries and chargers, which can add to the cost and the hassle of the drone.
- The GEPRC Mark 5 is not very beginner-friendly, especially the 6S version. GEPRC Mark 5 is a powerful and fast FPV drone, which can be challenging to control and fly for beginners. GEPRC Mark 5 also has a high risk of crashing and damaging, due to its speed and weight. You may need to have some experience and skills in FPV flying, before buying GEPRC Mark 5. You may also need to have some spare parts and tools, in case you need to repair or upgrade your drone.
How does the Mark 5 drone compare with other FPV drones?
The Mark 5 drone is not the only FPV drone in the market, and there are some other FPV drones that you may want to compare with. Here are some of the main competitors of the Mark 5 drone, and how they differ from it:
- DJI Air 3: The DJI Air 3 is the newest FPV drone from DJI, which is designed to be a hybrid between a FPV drone and a camera drone. The DJI Air 3 has a 4K 60FPS camera with a 150-degree field of view, and a 3-axis gimbal that can stabilize the video. The DJI Air 3 also has a OcuSync 3.0 VTX that can transmit up to 10km, and a smart battery that can last up to 20 minutes. The DJI Air 3 also has some intelligent features, such as obstacle avoidance, return to home, and flight modes. The DJI Air 3 costs $999, which includes the drone, the remote controller, and the goggles. The DJI Air 3 is a good choice for those who want a FPV drone that can also capture high-quality videos, and who prefer a ready-to-fly package. However, the DJI Air 3 is not very customizable or repairable, and it may not be suitable for hardcore FPV enthusiasts.
- GEPRC Mark 4: The GEPRC Mark 4 is the predecessor of the Mark 5 drone, and it is also a popular FPV drone from GEPRC. The GEPRC Mark 4 has a 4K 30FPS camera with a 120-degree field of view, and a 5.8GHz VTX that can transmit up to 2km. The GEPRC Mark 4 also has a SPAN F7-BT-HD stack that includes a F7 flight controller with Bluetooth capabilities, and a BLHeli_32 50A ESC that supports 4-6S batteries. The GEPRC Mark 4 also has a 2306 motor that has a 1850KV rating for the 6S version and a 2450KV rating for the 4S version. The GEPRC Mark 4 costs $299.99 for the analog version, $549.99 for the HD Vista version, and $569.99 for the DJI Air Unit version. The GEPRC Mark 4 is a good choice for those who want a FPV drone that can also capture decent videos, and who prefer a plug-and-play package. However, the GEPRC Mark 4 is not very compatible with the DJI O3 camera, and it may not be as durable or powerful as the Mark 5 drone.
The Mark 5 drone is a high-performance FPV drone that can capture stunning 4K videos, thanks to its compatibility with the DJI O3 camera. GEPRC Mark 5 also has a durable and lightweight frame, powerful motors and ESCs, and a reliable flight controller with Bluetooth capabilities.
The Mark 5 drone is ideal for freestyle and cinematic flying, and it can provide a smooth and stable flight performance. However, the GEPRC Mark 5 is also quite expensive, heavy, and not very beginner-friendly. GEPRC Mark 5 is not a cheap hobby, and you need to consider your budget, skills, and preferences before buying it.