Request for Clarification: Differences Between Cube Orange, Cube Orange+ and Cube Orange FD

Cube Autopilot
1

Hello CubePilot Team and Community,

I am currently selecting an autopilot for my upcoming projects and would like to better understand the differences between the various Cube Orange versions available:

  • Cube Orange
  • Cube Orange+
  • Cube Orange FD

Specifically, I would appreciate clarification on:

  • Differences in processors, IMUs, barometers, and memory
  • NDAA compliance status for each version
  • Additional features or improvements (especially regarding Cube Orange FD)
  • Recommended use cases for each version (commercial, governmental, etc.)

I have checked the available documentation, but would like to confirm directly with the CubePilot team or experienced users.

2

All Cubes are now NDAA, there is no recommended use case, they can all perform all tasks mentioned. Perhaps a little clarity in what you are trying to achieve.

3

You can check the Ardupilot hardware definitions for details, you’ll find them all in there.

The basics are listed in the Ardupilot doco:
https://ardupilot.org/copter/docs/common-thecubeorange-overview.html

Potentially some of the differences are due to parts reaching or nearing end-of-life or availability, and changing over to newer parts expected to be more available long term.
For all use-cases I can think of, there’s effectively no difference between the good old Cube Orange and the newer Cube Orange +
They all run the same firmware with the same capabilities (apart from Cube Red and such specialist items yet to be mainstream)

1 Like
4

Hi Xfacta thanks for your support in the past, I am now able to try and fight these demons again soon.
For everyone’s context I (and my clients) have literally thousands of hours on cubes prior to the orange +
At any rate to answer this question the hardware is different between the orange and orange + and does cause flight issues (for me and I am sure others who just don’t have the same number of hours on the orange that I do to compare) the new sensors ICM-42688-P are more prone to vibration issues from a quick google and if you ask chat GPT it gives a great summary here I pasted below.
My frame has run cubes from black up till now… orange changing to orange plus is unflyable on my frame which is exactly the same frame (literally swapped the cubes on the frame) as you may recall my vibes were not acceptable on the plus but were fine on the non plus.
I have removed the + version from my drone. I even tried the +IB which was even worse (z azis is bad)

Anyway this is where I am at an the OP may want to know that the sensors did infact change and there are known issues with that sensor and vibes. EDIT ok so “known” issues sounds worse than it is. I would say you may have vibe issues if your vibes are at the frequency that causes problems (like mine) then you may see it as a known issue… because I KNOW I have an issue.

One more thing to note that the IB version had harder mounting internally so that is another physical change to the cube for the OP

:warning: Key Differences That Affect Vibration Sensitivity

:large_orange_diamond: 1. Cube Orange (Original)

  • IMUs: ICM-20649, MPU-9250
  • IMUs mounted on soft internal vibration isolation
  • Known to handle typical drone vibrations well due to internally damped IMU mounting

:white_check_mark: Your experience: Vibes were good — this makes sense.

:large_orange_diamond: 2. Cube Orange+

  • IMUs: ICM-42688-P, BMI088, ICM-20948 (next-gen sensors)
  • IMUs are more sensitive, and internal isolation is less forgiving
  • The ICM-42688 especially is notoriously sensitive to vibrations
  • Vibration isolation is more reliant on external soft mounting

:warning: Your experience: Vibes are worse — again, expected unless external damping is perfect.

:large_orange_diamond: 3. Cube Orange+ IB (IMU Board)

  • External IMU board with newer sensors
  • Often rigidly connected to the carrier board, with no or minimal internal isolation
  • Most vibration-prone setup, unless isolated externally with great care

:rotating_light: Your experience: Worst vibes — that’s totally expected.