By Oscar Liang at oscarliang.com/

 

The HGLRC Sector X5 (V4) is a BNF FPV Drone. It’s well designed and functional, packed with speed and power. It’s been pre-configured and tested in factory so you can almost just take it out of the box, bind it to your radio and start flying.

 

 

Where to Buy?

There are two different frames: the X5 with Square X frame and the D5 with “deadcat” frame.

 

 

HGLRC Sector X5 V4:

HGLRC Sector D5 V4:

 

I think the X5 is better for freestyle as the motors are symmetrical in both X and Y axes, while the D5 is better for videos as the the front props are less likely to show up in the footage, because the camera cage is more forward.

You can also get them with either analog FPV system or DJI FPV system (HD version).

They also offer two different motor sizes (2207.5 and 2306.5) in different KV for 4S (2550KV) and 6S (1900KV). See my article about the difference between 2207 and 2306, and 4S and 6S.

I will be reviewing the X5 analog version with 2306.5 6S motors.

When it comes to battery sizes, for the 6S version, 6S 1100mAh – 1300mAh would be a good choice. And for 4S version, 4S 1300mAh – 1600mAh would be good. 

 

 

In the box we have the following accessories:

  • 8x HQ Ethix S5 Propellers
  • 2x LiPo straps
  • 2x spare elastic bands
  • SMA Hammer Antenna (RHCP)
  • Screws
  • Manuals for the FC/ESC stack and VTX

 

 

Specs and Features

Weight:

  • Just the Sector X5: 407g
  • With 6S 1100mAh LiPo: 608g
  • With GoPro 7 and 6S 1300mAh LiPo: 745g

Wheelbase (diagonal motor distance): 210mm

Zeus F722 mini FC

  • Processor: STM32F722RET6
  • Betaflight Firmware Target: HGLRCF722
  • Input Voltage: 3S – 6S Lipo

Zeus 45A V2 4in1 ESC

  • Input Voltage: 3-6S Lipo
  • Continuous Current: 45A
  • Peak Current: 55A (10 Sec)
  • ESC firmware: BLHeli_S (F-H-40)

Zeus 800mW VTX

  • Output Power: PIT/25/100/200/400/800mW
  • Input Voltage: DC6-26V
  • Antenna: MMCX

Caddx Ratel 2 FPV Camera

  • Input Voltage: DC 5-40V
  • Dimensions: 19mm*19mm*20mm (micro size)

AEOLUS 2306.5 Motor

  • 4S – 2550KV / 6S – 1900KV
  • Input voltage: 3-6S
  • Recommended prop size: 5 inch

AEOLUS 2207.5 Motor

  • 4S – 2550KV / 6S – 1750KV
  • Input voltage: 3-6S
  • Recommended prop size: 5 inch

Closer Look at the HGLRC Sector X5 V4

The FPV camera is well protected by the CNC aluminium camera plates. The logo looks like the letter “S” or number “5” which represents the name of the quad.

 

 

Good quality 3D printed mount for the GPS module, VTX and radio antennas, looks good and functional.

 

 

The XT60 connector sits in a fixed plastic mount as well so the battery lead safely stays well away from the spinning props.

 

 

The HGLRC Sector X5 has a GPS module pre-installed, but GPS rescue is not configured in Betaflight. I guess this is because everyone’s flying environment is different and a generic setup isn’t really a good idea.

So if you want to use Rescue mode, you will have to configure it yourself to make sure it works reliably for your flying field.GPS is not necessary if you just want to fly around or race in close proximity, in this case you could just leave it. But if you want to fly long distance, it’s a good idea to setup Rescue mode just to be safe.

The tip of each arm has a 3D printed protector, which provides protection to the motor in crashes. They also act as landing skids.

 

 

The frame is pretty versatile, it has mounting holes for both 20mm and 30mm FC stacks, and it also has 20x20mm mounting holes for VTX’s in the rear (as many popular VTX options these days have 20x20mm mounting including the Vista). The arms can be replaced easily without taking apart the whole frame.

 

 

It uses two elastic bands to cover the sides of the frame, so no debris or glass juice can get to your FC stack and VTX. This keep the stack clean and safe.

 

 

They are easy to remove and install as you need to work on your electronics, which is pretty smart solution to be honest. If they wear out there are a couple of spare bands included in the box. My only complain is probably the amount screws they used in this frame, took me a while to get the top plate off.

 

 

The Sector X5 is a clean build, and the build quality is impeccable. All the boards are secured with fasteners, and motor wires are all taped down. I wish they used some kind of plastic cover to protect the motor wires just in case of “prop strikes” (potential bent props cutting motor wires in a crash).

 

 

Soldering quality also looks solid.

 

However, there’s no buzzer which might make it harder to find your drone after a crash. You can use motors as beeper but they aren’t as loud. I suggest adding your own, it’s fairly cheap anyway (less than a $1). Or even better get one of those beeper with built-in battery for extra security.

Setup

The Sector X5 or D5 comes with Betaflight 4.2.0 pre-loaded. Pretty much everything is configured out of the box.

I don’t recommend updating Betaflight right away because they have tuned this quad (PID, filters etc) for you, when you flash new firmware it’s going to reset everything to default (or mess up the tune even when you apply the same settings). Unless you know what you are doing, it’s better to just leave it as it is. I saved a copy of the original CLI diff here, in case you mess something up: https://intofpv.com/t-original-cli-diff-for-hglrc-sector-x5-d5-v4

The BLHeli_S ESC is flashed with the official 16.7 firmware, which is fine, but it would have been better if they come with the latest custom firmware like Bluejay. These custom firmware enables bi-directional DShot and Betaflight RPM filter which improves flight performance, makes the quad easier to tune. It also gives you options to faster PWM frequency. You could flash this yourself (I have a tutorial on how to flash Bluejay), but again, it might mess up the PID tune so maybe not a good idea unless you know what you are doing. Honestly the stock firmware work just fine.

I have the 2.4Ghz ELRS receiver version, so to bind the drone to my transmitter, I needed to flash the receiver with the latest ExpressLRS firmware with my binding phrase. You can also bind it to your ELRS transmitter by putting the receiver into bind mode (connect and disconnect Lipo 3 times) if you don’t want to flash the receiver or use binding phrase, but they must be in the same major version.

Some changes I did in Betaflight before my first flight:

  • Assign modes for arming, angle mode, beeper and turtle mode
  • Enable DShot Beacon, only RX_SET (in configuration tab)
  • Re-arrange OSD as I won’t be using GPS

Flight Footage

Just a quick flight. DVR from Orqa FPV.ONE Pilot goggles.