DolphinRC PRISMFLY X2 2 Inch FPV Frame Review

For the past six years, I’ve been completely immersed in the world of FPV. I’ve built, flown, and crashed more drones than I can count. From sprawling 7-inch mountain surfers to nimble 5-inch freestyle beasts, I thought I had experienced it all. Yet, the 2-inch FPV frame class has always been a category of compromise. It’s a constant battle, a frustrating search for a frame that doesn’t force you to choose between durability, performance, and the latest HD video technology.

The pain points are all too familiar. You find a lightweight frame, but it shatters if you look at it wrong. You find a durable one, but it flies like a brick. And trying to cram a modern, high-quality HD system like the DJI O3 or the new O4 into a tiny frame? That often involves a tangled mess of wires, custom mounts, and a lot of wishful thinking.

That is, until I got my hands on the DolphinRC PRISMFLY X2. It’s a meticulously engineered piece of hardware that directly confronts the compromises we’ve been forced to accept in the 2-inch class. This is my deep-dive review of a frame that I believe genuinely changes the game.

First Impressions

The moment you open the box, you know the PRISMFLY X2 is different. There’s a certain density and precision to the components that you don’t often find in this size class.

My fingers immediately went to the main structural element: the CNC-machined 7075 aluminum alloy cage. This isn’t your standard, flimsy aluminum. 7075 is an aerospace-grade alloy, known for its incredible strength-to-weight ratio. Holding it in my hand, I could feel the rigidity. It’s cool to the touch and flawlessly machined, with clean chamfers and no sharp edges. This is the kind of quality I expect from high-end 5-inch frames, not something this small. My initial thought was, “This is built to last.”

Paired with this CNC-machined 7075 aluminum alloy cage is the 3mm T700 carbon fiber base plate. Again, our DolphinRC didn’t cut corners. T700 is a premium carbon, offering superior stiffness and impact resistance compared to the more common T300. But the real mark of an experienced designer is the claim that it’s “cut along the grain.”

For those who might not know, the orientation of the carbon fiber weave is critical. Cutting it along the grain maximizes the tensile strength of the fibers, making the arms significantly more resilient to snaps and delamination on hard impacts. It’s a small detail, but it speaks volumes about the thought that went into the frame’s design. This isn’t just a collection of parts; it’s a cohesive system designed for resilience.

The T700 carbon fiber plate features a fine spray-painted finish that makes it hard to tell it’s even carbon fiber — it looks more like a piece of art than a component.

Why This FPV 2 inch Frame So Special?

Let’s break down what makes this fpv 2 inch frame so special. It’s not just one thing; it’s the intelligent combination of several forward-thinking features.

The CNC Aluminum Cage

This is the PRISMFLY X2’s defining feature. In a world of carbon-only frames, the aluminum cage provides a level of protection I’ve never seen in a 2 inch frame fpv. It acts as a roll cage, safeguarding the delicate electronics—your flight controller, your VTX, and most importantly, your expensive camera—from direct impacts.

I can’t tell you how many times a simple crash has ended a session because a branch or a gate post cracked a flight controller or smashed a camera lens. With the PRISMFLY X2, the camera is recessed and protected by the 14mm aluminum mounts, and the entire stack is shielded. This design philosophy shifts the paradigm from damage mitigation to damage prevention. It gives you the confidence to push your limits and fly in environments you might otherwise avoid with a more fragile build.

Full-Throttle HD: No-Compromise DJI O4 Integration

This is the holy grail for many small quad builders. For a long time, getting a full-featured DJI Air Unit into a 2-inch frame was a nightmare. You’d have to de-case the unit, 3D print custom mounts, and deal with a rat’s nest of wiring. The PRISMFLY X2 eliminates all of that. It is, from the ground up, designed for the DJI O4 HD VTX system.

The camera mount perfectly accommodates the O4 camera, and the standard 25.5mm mounting pattern in the rear provides a secure, dedicated spot for the Air Unit. There’s no ambiguity, no guesswork. It just fits. This is a massive quality-of-life improvement. It means I can get the absolute best image quality FPV has to offer—4K/100fps recording, a rock-solid video link, and the immersive experience of the new Goggles 3—in a tiny, agile package. This feature alone makes the PRISMFLY X2 a contender for the best 2 inch fpv frame on the market for anyone serious about HD video.

The Build Process

Building a 2-inch quad can often feel like performing surgery in a shoebox. Space is at a premium, and every millimeter counts. The PRISMFLY X2, however, was a surprisingly pleasant build experience. The designers clearly understand the frustrations builders face.

The independent receiver and battery compartment is a stroke of genius. It provides a dedicated space for your receiver, keeping its antenna and wires away from the spinning props and high-power ESC wires. This dramatically cleans up the build and reduces the risk of electronic interference.

The dual motor hole layout (supporting both 3-hole 6.6mm and 4-hole 9mm patterns) is another thoughtful touch. It gives you the flexibility to choose from a wide range of motors, from smaller 1103s for efficiency to beefier 1204s for raw power. You’re not locked into a single motor type, which is fantastic for pilots who love to experiment and fine-tune their setups.

For my build, I opted for a 25.5mm AIO flight controller, 1103 8000KV motors, the full DJI O4 Air Unit, and a TBS Crossfire Nano receiver. Everything slotted into place perfectly. The standoffs are the right height, the screw holes align precisely, and there’s just enough room to route wires without them being crushed. The entire process was smooth, logical, and resulted in an exceptionally clean and professional-looking build.

Your Quad, Your Way

This is a feature that really speaks to the FPV community’s DIY spirit. Instead of providing a single, generic battery mount, DolphinRC gives you the design files to 3D print your own. This is brilliant. The needs of a pilot flying a 450mAh 3S pack for aggressive freestyle are very different from someone using a 650mAh pack for longer, cinematic flights.

With the parametric design, I can easily adjust the size of the mount in my slicer software to create a perfect, snug fit for my preferred batteries. This prevents the battery from shifting during flight or, worse, being ejected in a crash. It’s a small detail that makes a huge difference in both performance and safety. I printed a couple of versions: a minimalist one for my smaller packs and a more robust one with integrated antenna mounts for my long-range setup. This level of customization is something I wish more manufacturers would embrace.

Flight Performance

So, it looks great on the bench, but how does it fly?

In a word: phenomenal.

The True X geometry of this 2 inch fpv drone frame provides a perfectly balanced and neutral handling characteristic. It feels incredibly locked-in right out of the box. There were no weird oscillations or propwash issues that often plague smaller quads. After a basic tune in Betaflight, the PRISMFLY X2 flew like it was on rails.

The combination of the rigid aluminum frame and the stiff T700 carbon base plate translates to an incredibly direct and responsive feel. Stick inputs are translated to motion instantly, with no slop or flex. This makes it an absolute joy for freestyle. It snaps, rolls, and dives with an authority that belies its small size. It has that “point-and-shoot” characteristic that confident pilots crave.

I tested it with a few different batteries, and the flight times were impressive for an HD build. With a Gens ace 450mAh 3S, I was getting over five minutes of spirited flying. With a larger Gaoneng 660mAh pack, I could cruise for well over six minutes, which is fantastic for exploring and getting those cinematic shots.

What truly surprised me was how well it carried the weight of the DJI O4 system. The quad doesn’t feel sluggish or heavy in the air. It remains agile and nimble, making it perfect for navigating tight, complex environments. This is a testament to the frame’s excellent weight distribution and aerodynamic profile. It feels like a much larger quad in terms of stability, but retains the maneuverability of a 2 inch lowrider fpv frame.

Durability

A review wouldn’t be complete without talking about durability. And let’s be honest, I crash. We all do. I put the PRISMFLY X2 through its paces, and it has taken some seriously hard hits. I’ve clipped gates, smacked into tree branches, and had a few less-than-graceful landings on concrete.

The results have been astounding. The aluminum cage has done its job perfectly. It’s picked up a few cosmetic scuffs and scratches, but it has completely protected the internal components every single time. The carbon base plate has held up beautifully, with no signs of delamination or stress fractures. The arms are as stiff and true as the day I built it.

Final Thoughts

Is This the Best 2-Inch Frame of the Year? After spending considerable time building, tuning, and flying the DolphinRC PRISMFLY X2, my answer is a resounding yes. It is, without a doubt, the most capable and well-thought-out 2 inch fpv frame I have ever flown.

DolphinRC hasn’t just built another frame; they’ve listened to the community. They’ve identified the core frustrations of the 2-inch class and systematically eliminated them.

• You want durability? You get a 7075 aluminum cage and premium T700 carbon.
• You want the best HD video? You get seamless, no-compromise integration for the DJI O4 system.
• You want a clean, easy build? You get an intelligent layout with dedicated component spaces.
• You want flexibility and customization? You get dual motor support and a parametric battery mount.

This frame is for the pilot who refuses to compromise. It’s for the builder who wants to fly a small, agile quad without constantly worrying about breaking it. It’s for the content creator who wants to capture stunning, cinematic 4K footage from impossible angles. It’s for the enthusiast who appreciates quality engineering and thoughtful design.

The PRISMFLY X2 is more than just a platform for your electronics; it’s an upgrade to your entire small-quad experience. It elevates the 2-inch class from a category of compromises to a category of possibilities.

If you’ve been on the fence about building a 2-inch HD quad, or if you’re tired of fragile, underperforming frames, your wait is over. The DolphinRC PRISMFLY X2 is the real deal.