GEPRC DarkStar22 Review: This 127g Quad Has More Power Than You’d Expect

I’ve been flying small FPV drones for years, and the GEPRC DarkStar22 might be the most impressive micro cinewhoop I’ve tested. This 2.2-inch quadcopter packs the DJI O4 Air Unit Pro into a frame that weighs just 127 grams, and what surprised me most wasn’t what’s on the spec sheet. It’s how the power-to-weight ratio completely defies expectations for a drone this small.

Here’s what you need to know:

• What: GEPRC DarkStar22 with DJI O4 Air Unit Pro VTX
• Price: $399.99 (ELRS 2.4G version)
• Weight: 126.8g (ELRS version)
• Flight time: Up to 7 minutes with 720mAh 3S LiHV battery
• Why it matters: Sub-250g quad with serious power for tight-space cinematography

The Power Surprised Me on First Flight

Right off the bat on my first flight, I noticed the throttle position was very low and still the drone was moving quite fast. This thing is not lacking power, that’s for sure. Even though it’s a 3S drone, very lightweight, very small, it still moves incredibly well.

I actually found it a little bit too powerful for what it is, which sounds like a complaint but really isn’t. The SPEEDX2 1104 7500KV motors paired with the high-efficiency 2219 props deliver punch that rivals much larger builds. For cruising and smooth cinematic shots, it’s perfect. But it can also do freestyle moves when you need them.

“This thing flies like an absolute beast. You wouldn’t ever guess that such a small drone flies so well.”

Thoughtful Design Details That Matter

GEPRC has clearly put serious thought into the DarkStar22’s construction. The canopy uses a five-point dampening system, which means no hard vibrations going through the camera, no jello, nothing when it comes to getting smooth footage. Everything feels fluid and well-designed.

The body structure is simplified too. Only four screws to remove to completely disassemble the frame. That’s huge for field repairs and maintenance.

What’s in the Box

The kit comes with everything you need to get started. You get an additional frame as a spare, which is nice for when crashes happen. If you’re not a fan of the orange color, you can exchange it for the included gray frame for a more lowkey look.

The package also includes a spare set of props, various small accessories and screws, an additional strap for your battery, and an ND8 filter from GEPRC. That ND filter inclusion is something we usually don’t see with these drones, so I appreciate them thinking about that.

The USB-C Situation Is My One Complaint

Because of the all-in-one board design, there’s no USB-C port directly on the flight controller. To connect the drone to Betaflight, you have to use an adapter cable that goes into a USB-C dongle, then another cable connects to the drone.

I would have loved a USB-C port on the drone itself so I could simply connect any USB-C cable and change my settings or rates. During my testing, one of the cables popped out of the plug, and I had to fix that before I could reconnect. Definitely not ideal for quick configuration changes.

Smart Features for Practical Flying

The LED strip lights up as soon as you power on the battery, and you can assign it to a switch on your remote controller. If you want to fly more discreetly, turn it off with a flip of the switch.

One small but much-appreciated feature: the antennas can pop out of their holders and lay horizontal. If you’re packing a lot of gear and want this drone flat in your backpack, the antennas won’t stick out anymore. As someone who always has a packed backpack, this is a big deal.

Battery and Flight Time

The DarkStar22 runs on 3S batteries, though it supports 2S to 4S. GEPRC recommends 3S, and I’ve been using a 720mAh high-voltage lithium HV battery. Flight time maxes out around 7 minutes depending on your flight style, weather conditions, and throttle usage.

During cold weather testing, the battery limited my flight time a bit. After about 5 minutes, I started getting low battery warnings. But for what this drone is designed for, fast-paced cruising and exploring your surroundings, that’s plenty of time per pack.

O4 Air Unit Pro Performance

You already know what to expect from the O4 Air Unit Pro at this point. The signal stayed rock solid during my flights, though I did push to the edge of good signal range when flying behind obstacles and trees. Even without direct line of sight, telemetry only dropped briefly before recovering.

One thing I immediately removed in Betaflight: the OSD numbers in the middle of the screen. Those are super annoying and the first setting I change on any new build.

Who Should Buy the DarkStar22

This drone is a fantastic choice for anyone looking to have a small, powerful, very smooth quad with the latest tech. The all-in-one board with integrated ELRS receiver keeps the footprint minimal and the weight down. The five-point dampening system delivers jello-free footage without requiring post-processing stabilization workarounds.

For smaller footprint drones that can go into tight gaps and have the O4 Air Unit Pro without needing an additional action camera on top, this is not only capable and smooth but also powerful when you need it. It’s a perfect mix between power, smoothness, and cruising ability.

If you’re looking to upgrade to something like this, maybe as a Christmas gift for yourself or a fellow FPV pilot, check out the link below. I’m happy to have this in my arsenal, and I think you will be too.

This is Mike from Drone Supremacy. I’ll catch you in the next one. Ciao.

Buy the GEPRC DarkStar22 O4 Pro ($399.99)