CaddxFPV Ascent vs BetaFPV ArtLynk vs HGLRC Draco — Affordable HD Digital FPV in 2026

Last month, we reviewed the BetaFPV Aquila20 HD, a beginner-friendly FPV drone based on the ArtLynk system. It marked our first hands-on experience with an HD digital FPV system outside of DJI and Walksnail. While the platform performed well overall, the latency and lack of onboard recording were somewhat disappointing. Unfortunately, the Walksnail Ascent system installed on the Protos shows the same drawbacks.

Yesterday, HGLRC teased its upcoming DRACO system with a promotional banner aimed at FPV drone builders. Unlike the Ascent and ArtLynk systems, which were initially introduced on ready-to-fly (RTF) drones, DRACO is launching as a standalone digital FPV kit. It will be available with two camera options—a 1/2.9″ sensor and a larger 1/1.8″ sensor—and a dedicated dual-antenna VTX featuring HDMI output, allowing it to be used with existing headsets. According to HGLRC, the system promises a transmission range up to three times longer than its competitors.

The Artosyn R9201/AR8211 chipset is very similar in architecture to the DJI P1, featuring ARM cores and a Ceva LTE ISP, much like the P1. However, despite these similarities, the Artosyn ASIC is believed to have been developed independently. While the DJI P1, S1, and the Artosyn AR series chipsets appear to share some design heritage with Leadcore’s LC1860C, they are distinct products and not the same.

CaddxFPV Ascent vs BetaFPV ArtLynk vs HGLRC Draco: Comparison table

While all three systems appear to be built around the same Artosyn P1 hardware, their performance varies slightly. Factors such as latency, bitrate, and overall video quality are largely determined by the digital video processing chip (CIP). However, the actual latency experienced during flight also depends on the radio module and the VTX transmission power. These differences can affect responsiveness and range, making each system perform uniquely under different conditions despite sharing the same core chipset.

Bottom line

This year already looks very promising for digital FPV systems. Until now, pilots mostly had to choose between DJI and Walksnail, which are still quite expensive. These three new Artosyn-based systems are a real game-changer in terms of affordability, bringing prices much closer to analog systems—while delivering vastly superior image quality.

The upcoming HGLRC Draco promises a transmission range of up to 15 km, making it the leader among these HD digital systems. As the photos show, its VTX features a metal housing for better heat dissipation—a hint at its higher transmission power. While the BetaFPV ArtLynk and CaddxFPV Ascent are typically paired with a digital FPV headset, the HGLRC Draco comes with a dual-antenna VTX and an HDMI output, offering more flexibility for advanced setups.