The new HGLRC Talon is a 2-inch cinehoop that promises to be a strong and durable option for beginners and seasoned pilots alike. This review covers my personal experiences, insights, and opinions about the Talon and provides all the details you need to know before purchasing.
![sponsor banner](https://oscarliang.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/banggood-banner-19-05-2024-1.jpg)
New to Cinewhoops? Check out our buyer’s guide: https://oscarliang.com/cinewhoop/
Where to buy?
There are two FPV system options: DJI O3 and analog. Here we will review the DJI O3 version.
Buy the HGLRC Talon 2-inch Cinewhoop at:
Specification
- Flight Controller: Specter F411 15A AIO
- Flight Control Firmware: HGLRC F4EVO
- ESC continuous current: 15A
- ESC firmware: Blue Jay 0.19
- FPV system: DJI O3
- motor: Specter 1303.5 5500KV
- propeller: Gemfan 2020-5-D51 (2 inches 5 blades)
- Recommended batteries: 4S 650mAh or 850mAh LiPo (XT30 connector)
- weight: 146g (excluding battery)
- weight: 241g (including 4S 850mAh)
Take a closer look at Talon
First Impressions
The HGLRC Talon impresses right out of the box with its sleek, high-quality construction and reminds me of the GEPRC Cinebot25 I reviewed last week. Both are great cinehoops with fantastic, user-friendly design features.
When taken out of the box, stickers are placed in various locations on the drone to provide important information to new users.
Building quality and design
Talon is a blend of injection molded plastic, metal and carbon fiber. This frame construction not only makes the Talon more durable, but also makes it easy to repair if the frame is crashed or damaged.
The side of the drone's prop guard has a bright LED light that changes from red when the drone is unarmed to bright green when it is armed. This feature adds to the overall aesthetic and makes it easy for beginners to check the drone's status at a glance.
It also comes with a 3D printed mount for an external HD camera for added versatility.
weight and power system
At less than 250g (241g with 4S 850mAh battery), it's ideal for complying with drone regulations in many countries. However, because of the focus on durability and protection, they are not considered lightweight cinehoops in the 2-inch category. For comparison, the BetaFPV Pavo20 weighs 94g (without battery) and the Talon weighs 146g (without battery). There is quite a difference in weight.
![Hglrc Talon 2inch Cinewhoop Size Comparison Pavo20](https://oscarliang.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/HGLRC-Talon-2inch-Cinewhoop-size-compare-pavo20-1024x682.jpg)
Left: HGLRC Talon; Right: BetaFPV Pavo20
Perhaps because of its heavy weight, HGLRC chose a five-blade propeller to increase power. This design choice seems appropriate, but if longer flight times are desired, it would be better to use a three-blade propeller.
disadvantage
Despite its many advantages, the Talon has some notable drawbacks. Access to the flight controller is somewhat limited, requiring the battery strap to be removed, which can be cumbersome for frequent adjustments or repairs. The camera mount offers very limited adjustment for camera angle (about 15 to 25 degrees), which can be a deal breaker for pilots who prefer high camera angles for aggressive flying.
The flight controller uses a reliable MPU6000 gyro, but only has two UARTs (one for the receiver and one for the DJI O3), leaving no spare UART for GPS.
FPV system
Below the O3 camera is a front bumper that provides additional protection, a feature that most other micro cinehoops do not have. In ultra-wide video mode, this bumper may be visible in the video, which may be a disadvantage for some pilots. However, you can solve this problem by switching to Wide. Personally, I never use ultra wide. This is because wide or normal mode is required to record gyro data for gyroflow stabilization.
The HGLRC Talon does not have soft mounting for the DJI O3 camera, it is hard mounted inside the frame. In our testing, we didn't notice any jello or vibration thanks to proper PID tuning and filter settings, so the camera still produces excellent image quality even without soft mounting.
Unlike many other 2-inch cinehoops that focus on lightweight construction (replacing the original O3 antenna with a smaller dipole antenna), the Talon uses the original O3 antenna, which is heavier but provides a better video signal and crash durability.
At the bottom is a heat sink for O3 cooling.
The rubber cover provides easy access to the O3's USB-C port and SD card slot.
flight performance
The Talon uses a “toilet tank” battery mounting style. We tested the drone using the recommended 4S 850mAh battery, which gave us a flight time of close to 5 minutes. However, the Talon is significantly heavier than other 2-inch cinehoops, so it is noticeably louder. In particular, switching from a 5-blade to a 3-blade propeller increases RPM.
The battery I used was BetaFPV Lava 4S 850mAh, tested here: https://oscarliang.com/whoop-toothpick-lipo-battery/#4S-LiPOLiHV
The HGLRC Talon is surprisingly fast and agile for a heavy 2-inch cinehoop. The 1303.5 5500KV motor delivers impressive power output, making it livelier than you might initially expect. This speed is suitable for exploration, but requires careful control, especially in areas with obstacles or people.
I noticed a bit of pro-wash when making sharp turns or recovering from a dive, which is common in heavy movies. However, it is responsive and handles well even in windy conditions. This gives it an advantage over the Pavo20 thanks to its heavier weight and more powerful motor. The drone feels anchored and controlled, which is important for capturing smooth cinematic footage.
conclusion
The HGLRC Talon is an impressive 2-inch cinehoop that is perfect for beginners looking to start FPV flying, as well as experienced pilots who want a more durable cinehoop for exploration. For those who prefer a lighter and more agile micro drone, the Pavo20 or Flylens85 may be better choices. However, for those who prefer more protection and a better video link for their DJI O3 camera, the Talon is an attractive option.
Buy HGLRC Talon 2 inch cinewhoop on AliExpress: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DFaotzd
Although the Talon has a few minor drawbacks, its solid design, flight performance, and build quality make it a strong contender in the FPV drone market.