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INTRODUCTION After the excellent Rodeo 150, the first lightweight brushless racer from walkera unfortunatly full basic based, here is the 130mm version with the Rodeo 110. This time, almost all elements are in cabon (lower and upper plates). Only non-exposed parts are in plastic. The ingredients are similar to the former model: SPF3 board flashed with betaflight, 1103 motors and a walkera receiver for the BNF/RTF versions. BOX CONTENT + 1 x Walkera Rodeo 110 (with a 2S 850mAh LiPo with JST connector) + 1 x Charger + 4 x Spare props (2 CW, 2 CCW) + 1 x USB cable + 1 x Instruction manual (English) OVERVIEW The general look is inspired by the Walkera F210, rodeo 150 models …. with a large frontal canopy. For example in comparaison with the rodeo 150. The Rodeo 110 is in practice a 130mm machine, similar in size with the Eachine Racer 130 -FRONT VIEW -SIDE VIEW The left side shows the microUSB port and the RX red light. As soon the machine is bound the light is turned off. -REAR VIEW -UPPER VIEW The JST connector is jailed into the rear plastic structure. In the central part, the 5.8G FPV antenna mostly protected by the heatshrink tube. Installed on the same structure, the two 2.4G antenna are attached The central hole welcome a 3 position DIP switch. Only 8 Vfreq can be selected in the unique band F. We can regret the absence of a real 40CH VTX. Walkera need to upgrade their VTX lines A button is also here… this tiny button is very important for binding. It permits to reset the fixedID, i.e. to allow a new radio to bind the rodeo 110. In general for the walkera RX/TX, you need to check first than the radio have fixedID set to none. A uFL/IPX connector can be seen. It means the 5.8G antenna can be replaced for example with a cloverleaf model -BOTTOM VIEW A tiny switch allow to install an external receiver with SBUS connexion. The builtin walera receiver is plugged with PPM connexion. -WEIGHT Close to 148g …. so 4-5g more than the Eachine 130 for example but the ER130 works in 3S configuration…. Motors 1102 motors…. Tri-blade props are offered. In practice much more stronger and silent that classic 3020 models coming with Tarot’s models for example. LiPo The same 850mAh LiPo as for the Rodeo 150 but this time with a JST connector instead of a EC2. The discharge rate is the same: 25C Camera module As for the rodeo 110, the 600TVL CMOS camera is protected by a frontal plastic structure. Despite written to be compatible with both NTSC & PAL format, no visible switch to tune this setting. By default the camera emits in PAL format. The FPV camera has a 150 degrees of FOV Good news, the camera can be oriented with a strong postive angle (~40-45 degrees) compatible with agressive FPV flights. In another hand, in practice the FPV camera don’t have a great light sensitivity ….. the brightness is relatively poor. In the background, the signal seems blurred. I guess the associated 150 deg lens is guilty here. More some horizontal lines can be guessed … For me, this camera is the weakest point of the Rodeo 110. Here is a raw sample in action. ESC No information about ESC. There are flashed with a proprietary firmware and are not seen directly with the BLheli suite :(. Be aware, oneshot125 is turned off by default and no damping light in practice The main question are they 3S compatible ? …. it’s still an open one… I guess there are only 6A probably with a peak at 10A. ESC connexion to the FC is done via plug and play connector. A good thing for maintenance. Disassembling The 6-axis stabilization chip is the MPU 6050 and installed seperatly on a piece of foam to minimize transmitted vibrations The machine welcomes a SPF3 board but flashed with a proprietary betaflight version. Unfortunatly, you can’t connect directly the Rodeo 110 with the last GUI version :(… only CLI commands are available. At least with CleanFlight, you can access to most of parameters. Important things, you need to setup your radio according to the following informations: set mid_rc = 1510 set min_check = 1118 set max_check = 1900 so all channels must be centered on the unusual value of 1510 and minimum channel to 1118. So if you observed some drifts check this point. Binding walkera compatible transmitter With a Devo 7, it’s pretty simple but you need first to be sure than FixedID is set to none. First turn on the Rodeo 110 than the transmitter. The binding should be done in a couple of second. For a DeviationTX compatible radio, select the “DEVO” protocol, delete the ID then turn on the quad and press “re-init”. Notice that if you can’t bind directly with one of these two procedures, press the reset button located on top close to the VTX switches. UNBOXING, CONFIGURATION, BINDING AND DEMO FLIGHTS CONCLUSIONS PROS + Mostly carbon based + Solid machine + 130mm size + Strong props + SPF3 board + Good front light (but not visible beyond 20m) + Builtin Buzzer CONS – Blurred FPV cam – Poor light sensivity of the FPV cam – Not a 3S setup – Not a beasty racer – Proprietary Betaflight firmware not visible with last Betaflight GUI – 8CH VTX – No OSD – No telemetry This quadcopter have been courtesy provided by Gearbest in order to make a fair and not biased review. I would like to thank them for this attitude. You can find it actually for 160USD at http://www.gearbest.com/multi-rotor-parts/pp_595441.html?lkid=10005082 Cet article TEST: Walkera RODEO 110 est apparu en premier sur Drone-Maniac !!!!!!!. View the full article

Based one the Eachine Falcon 120 (soon reviewed in drone-maniac), a new upgraded model is already announced by BG in ARF version: http://www.banggood.com/Eachine-Chaser88-F3-FPV-Racer-ARF-with-4-In-1-6A-ESC-5_8G-40CH-VTX-800TVL-13-Cmos-Camera-2-3S-p-1120343.html. A compact brushless quadcopter with 1103/10000 Kv motors, 6A BLheli_S ESC able to support up to 3S voltage and F3 mini betaflight compatible FC. The FPV ring includes a 25mW VTX, maybe a little bit weak for large range outdoors applications but since the total weight is announced to 90g, the machine can be also used indoors. In this case, we can regret the absence of prop guards … maybe the future Eachine aurora 90 will be more adapted for Indoors. We can guess in the design a rear LEDs bar probably configurable in BF. Props are super tiny, tri-blades 2″ model (2030) !!! This battery connexion seems to be done via a XT30 connectors. Flight time with a 2S 450mAh are announced to be around 3.5min… very disapointing :(. No builtin BetaOSD also …. I hope there is at least a builtin buzzer. Specification Features: Falcon 120 Frame Package : 215×110×265mm Weigh(without battery): 67g Weight (with battery): 90g Package Weigh: 215g Compatible with 2030 inches propeller Compatible with 1103 motor Can be used with 2-3S battery Wheelbase: 88mm Flight time: 3.5mins Batterry: 2S 30C 450mah With direction indicator LED ESC Model: BLHELI-S 6A Continuous Current: 6A Instantaneous Current(10S): 10A BEC: NO Li-Po Battery: 1-2S Programming: Yes Weight: 5G Size(PCB): 27 x 27mm M3 install Pitch: 20 x 20mm Support DSHOT600 Motor 1103 10000KV Voltage: 11.1V Power: 64.4W Prop: 2 inches Efficiency: 1.4 g/w Load current: 5.8A Lipo cell: 1-3s Pull: 90g Weight: 3.7 g Flight Controller F3 Mini Firmware version: bf 1.3.1 800TVL Camera Sensor: 1/3 “CMOS Lens: M8 800TVL Lens Angle: 150 ° FOV horizontal viewing angle of 170 ° DFOV diagonal perspective Format: NTSC / PAL (switchable) Resolution: NTSC: 960X480/ PAL:960X480 Power consumption: 380mA @ 3.7V Power: 3.6-5.5V Lens Mirror Diameter: 2.1mm IR coated FOV150 (horizontal) FPV Transmitter Support video format: NTSC / PAL Output Impedance: 75 Ohm Output signal strength: 23 ~ 24dBm Output Power: 25mW Wireless Channel: 40CH Antenna: RHCP circular polarization clover leaf antenna Operating voltage: 3.6V ~ 5.5V Current: 100mA Audio carrier: 6.5MHz Button function Short press (Apr. 1 sec or less): Change channels 1-8 Long press (More than 1.5 sec): Change bands A-B-E-F-R Long + press (More than 3 sec): Change NTSC/PAL system NTSC or PAL (selectable; Blue LED on= NTSC; Blue LED off=PAL) Frequency Table Frequency Band A 5865 5845 5825 5805 5785 5765 5745 5725 Frequency Band B 5733 5752 5771 5790 5809 5828 5847 5866 Frequency Band E 5705 5685 5665 5645 5885 5905 5925 5945 Frequency Band F 5740 5760 5780 5800 5820 5840 5860 5880 Frequency Band R 5658 5695 5732 5769 5806 5843 5880 5917 Package Included: 1 X Frame Kit 4 X 1103 motor 4 X 2030 Propeller 1 X Camera 1 X VTX 1 X Antenna 1 X 4 IN 1 ESC 1 X Flight controller 1 X LED with Buzzer 1 X PLA Camera protection ring Cet article NEWS: Eachine Chaser88 (90g, 88mm 2S brushless, F3 mini, 25mW 40CH AIO FPV cam) est apparu en premier sur Drone-Maniac !!!!!!!. View the full article

Some of the biggest announcements to come out of the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) last week were from Yuneec. One of Yuneec’s big announcements was the launch of the Typhoon H520, a six-rotor drone designed for commercial applications. This thing looks amazing, and is covered in greater detail below. Yuneec will also be launching a software developer kit (SDK) platform in Q2 of 2017 (competitor Autel also announced the launch of its own SDK platform at CES). The SDK platform allows third-parties to develop value-added applications and services on the H520 platform for a variety of industries and commercial markets. Another equally important announcement was the expansion of Yuneec’s customer service offerings: A new one year warranty A total of 12 authorized service locations for after-warranty repair across the U.S. and Canada A new hotline devoted to support for the Typhoon H. As drone companies grow it can be easy to forget about the importance of providing high quality customer service. We’re glad to hear that Yuneec is going to do more to support its customers, and is making this effort a centerpiece of what their company stands for as we enter 2017. By the way—if you’re having trouble, like we sometimes are, wrapping your head around all of the interwoven efforts and products out there right now in the drone industry, this recent guest post from DroneII may be helpful in explaining some of the who-does-what. The Typhoon H520 Image Source The Typhoon H520 is an advanced six-rotor drone for commercial applications. The H520 builds off the Typhoon H platform and incorporates industry-first commercial-grade cameras and applications for high-end commercial use, making it poised to go head-to-head with companies like DJI and their own high-end, commercially-focused cameras for drones, such as the new ZenMuse Z30. Specs Modular design allows multiple commercial-grade cameras CGO-ET – dual termal RGB CGO-CI – Industry first long-focal lens CGO-3+ Features Flight time: 31 Minutes Payload Max. Weight: 500g Battery: LiPo 6850 mAh ST16 Ground Station Transmission up to 1 Mile New camera options: panoramic shooting, burst, time-lapse and metering mode Equipped with Intel RealSense Technology for intelligent obstacle navigation Target Applications Law enforcement Search & Rescue Broadcast Cinema Vertical inspection markets About the CGO-CI Camera The CGO-CI is optimized for cinematic and industrial inspection use. The all-glass, seven element lens is the equivalent to a 50mm lens, allowing UAV inspection to fly further away from objects while providing razor-sharp images and accurate color. The 50mm field of view provides close-in access to the inspection target and provides edge-to-edge accuracy for monitoring measuring and creating point-clouds. Additional upgrades to the H520 camera options include a panoramic shooting function along with burst, time-lapse and metering modes. Here’s a Little More on the H520… The H520, engineered for optimal use in industrial and commercial environments, features a high visibility “hazard orange” fuselage and a six-rotor design capable of emergency flight with only five rotors. A 360-degree, 3-axis gimbal coupled with retractable landing gear provides an unobstructed view from any angle. The camera and gimbal are capable of a 20 degree up-angle for upward-looking inspections. Yuneec will offer three camera options that include the CGO-ET dual thermal RGB camera, CGO-CI seven-element inspection-ready camera and CGO-3+. The CGO-ET is specifically designed for law enforcement, search & rescue, and solar inspections applications, and is the industry’s first thermal and residual light combination. “With its suite of advanced features, the H520 is dependable, reliable and capable of fulfilling virtually any commercial need. Pilots can fly with confidence knowing they have an array of camera options for a variety of situations and industry-leading safety features including intelligent obstacle navigation with Intel® RealSense™ Technology.” – Yu Tian, Group CIO and CEO of Yuneec Technology Co., Ltd. Intel RealSense Technology allows the H520 to intelligently navigate around objects, helping pilots better navigate challenging angles and flying scenarios. The H520 also comes with the industry’s only user-variable speed control. The H520 will be available Q2 of 2017 and will be offered in a variety of configurations with prices ranging from $2,499 to $4,499. Customer Service Expansion The customer service upgrade from Yuneec includes a new one year warranty, a total of twelve authorized service locations for after-warranty repair across the U.S. and Canada, and a hotline devoted to support of the Typhoon H. “At Yuneec, we’re committed to ensuring our customers receive the maximum benefit and enjoyment from our products and that ultimately comes down to having a customer service team that’s always performing at its optimum level. We feel that by extending our product warranty to one year and providing quick, nimble and reliable support across the U.S. and Canada when customers need help, we will do just that.” – Ryan Borders, vice president of business operations. The upgraded one year warranty extends to all Typhoon and Breeze series products and automatically guarantees against manufacturer defects from the original date of purchase. Yuneec will extend the one year warranty from date of purchase to all existing and future Typhoon series and Breeze class owners. Yuneec now has more authorized service centers in the U.S. and Canada than any other major drone manufacturer. The twelve Yuneec regional authorized service centers are located in: Visalia, CA Las Vegas, NV Redmond, WA Willsall, MT Plano, TX Tempe, AZ Kansas City, MO Colts Neck, NJ Syracuse, NY Miami, FL Ontario, Canada Ontario, CA – Yuneec U.S. headquarters The post Yuneec Announces H520, New Focus on Customer Service appeared first on UAV Coach. View the full article

A new compact and lightweight DVR is proposed by Hawk Eye: http://www.banggood.com/Hawk-Eye-Mini-DVR-720P-D1-VGA-QVGA-HD-Micro-Video-Recorder-Built-in-Battery-p-1119926.html. It seems the native firmware support correctly both D1/PAL (720*576)@25 fpv and D1/NTSC (720*480)@30fps… Definitively after the “PAL” fiasco of the HMDVR and the Eachine ProDVR (even if it’s fixed at 95% with a new firmware) it would be great if a relatively cheap DVR offers perfect recordings for both format without any cropping and low bit rate. As the HMDVR and the ProDVR, this new module need +5V as input.. so probably not working directly from a 1S source at least without Step up. There is a builtin battery for a 2h usage. No precise information about the file format and the bitrate associated. Description : Brand Name : Hawk Eye Resolution : PAL 720*576@25FPS ; NTSC 720*480@30FPS Video Format : D1(720×576),VGA(640×480)QVGA(320×240) Working Time : about 2h Charging/Working Current : 5V 800mA Connector : Micro USB Size : 44×44×16.5mm Weight : 28g Features : Mini DVR, small and light Low power consumption Build in Battery, last for about 2 hours. Record video smoothly Support up to 64G micro SD card. Wiring : Yellow : Video Out/In White : Audio Out/In Black : GND Function : Cyclic Recording:When the SD card is full, it will cover the earliest file. This special system will make the SD card longer life. Motion Detection: It will auto record when it detects the moving object. Date Tag : Can be on/off TV Mode : Suport PAL/NTSC Default Setting Cet article NEWS: Hawkeye Mini DVR est apparu en premier sur Drone-Maniac !!!!!!!. View the full article

A new 1g FrSky D8 receiver is announced now flashed with firmware with working Telemetry: http://www.banggood.com/2_4G-8CH-Micro-Frsky-D8-RSSI-Two-Way-Data-Return-Compatible-Receiver-PPM-SBUS-Output-p-1119830.html The new firmware also improves the general control range to a solid 400m which is not bad for a non-official FrSky product with non-diversity system. Be aware, need to be powered from a 5V source so probably not compatible directly with a 1S LiPo. Probably a Vreg must be added for 1S setup. Notice also the A2 pads to send by telemetry your current battery voltage on your radio. Both PPM and SBUS connexion are possible Description: Item Name: 2.4G micro receiver Channel: 8 Weight: 1g PPM Output: Yes,short-circuit the PPM joint,select the PPM output pad SBUS Output: Yes,short-circuit the SBUS joint,select the SBUS ouput pad Operating Voltage: 5V Antenna Length: 30mm Dimension: 12.4mm*20mm Control Range: 400m Data Return Port: A1,A2(Analog A / D acquisition port),can max connect 12.6V/3S lipo Compatibility: Compatible with Frsky X9D(D8 mode) transmitter,XJT(D8 mode),DJT,DFT,DHT module. Features: Upgraded version,more stable signal reception With SBUS and PPM output, with RSSI two-way data return. With Failsafe function,but only support CH3,please keep your throttle channel on CH3. How To Bind: 1, Select D8 mode on X9D transmitter,use soldering iron to shorted receiver solder joint of BIND,receiver LED stay on. Transmitter enter Bind mode,receiver LED off means the binding has succeed. Transmitter quit the Bind mode,disconnect the receiver short contact,re-supply power to the receiver,then you can use the item. 2,If use this item with DJT,DFT and XJT(DIP switch select D8 mode),Press and hold the button of the module, in the meantime,turn on the transmitter,use soldering iron to shorted receiver solder joint of BIND,receiver LED off means the binding has succeed. Re-turn on the transmitter,disconnect the receiver short contact,re-supply power to the receiver,then you can use this item. Note: This item has close-range signal saturation out of control,the saturated clogging zone is approximately 70 cm. Package Included: 1x 2.4G 8CH Micro Frsky Compatible Receiver Cet article NEWS: Cheap 1g 2.4G FrSky D8 with working Telemetry est apparu en premier sur Drone-Maniac !!!!!!!. View the full article

Everything is in the title but should be published for the first in a couple of hours and for the other in couple of days: Walkera Rodeo 110 (Can I already say a potential SeByAward Q1 2017 winner ? no, not yet ) Makerfire (Tinywhoop clone) Eachine VTX01 & VTX02 (VTX only) Eachine DVR03 (AIO FPV cam including a DVR) Eachine Falcon 120 Eachine Goggles 2 (the fixed goggles 1) Eachine Aurora 90 Eachine X73S (brushless version) Eachine E010S (Tinywhoop clone) So …. a lot to come asap Stay tuned Cet article FYI: Reviews coming soon ….. est apparu en premier sur Drone-Maniac !!!!!!!. View the full article

Until recently, I always posted my reviews both in Drone-Maniac and RCgroups simultaneously but for some reasons, jaleous guys, and other strange things, my last posts have been reported as spam (even a simple video)…. and despite my 14 500 former posts mainly to help persons. From this situation, I feel humiliated and from now…. all my futurs reviews, assistance, etc…. will be only available here. I strongly suspect the administrators of RCgroups be under influence of their main sponsor (Hobbyking). Eventually, some other members, working secretly for some small chinese compagnies are reporting all main reviewers to kill competitors….. I am fed up with this situation… …. In another hands, some members continue to spam all the day long without any problem ….. What can I conclude ? I got a normal life with familly, a great job and I am maintening Drone-Maniac just by passion Cet article FYI: RCgroups and Drone-maniac est apparu en premier sur Drone-Maniac !!!!!!!. View the full article

A small device very interesting transforming any smartphone/tablet into a 5.8G FPV display via OTG connexion: http://www.banggood.com/5_8G-32CH-OTG-FPV-Receiver-for-Smart-Phone-PC-Monitor-p-1119506.html Basic RSSI OSD informations are displayed (after a calibration procedure). Notice the race band is not supported. The open question is the extra latency introduced with this device… probably not compatible with FPV racing applications but more with aerial video ones. Anyway, with such device you can obtain a cheap extra FPV monitor. Operation Steps: 1. Download and install APP well. ( Pls click here.) 2. Calibrate the Max. and Min. FPV signal value . ( Put the fpv transmitter 20m-30m away in space place), then long press function button. -With Power, Long press 3s, entering into frequency actomatically. -Long press 3s, then input power, entering into the Max. and Min. Value -Press 1s, OSD showed Specification: Item Name: 5.8G 32CH OTG FPV Receiver Antenna Impedance: 50O Antenna Gain: 5db Channel: 32CH Weight: about 50g Usage: Support Win7, Win10, Smart Phone (But not including the Iphone and Ipad) Note: If your Smart Phone is Type-C connector, pls do not forget to buy OTG conntor cable. Package Included: 1x 5.8G 32CH FPV Receiver Cet article NEWS: 5.8G 32CH receiver for smartphone/tablet est apparu en premier sur Drone-Maniac !!!!!!!. View the full article

A Pro version of the Eachine E010 with F3 evo board, strong 615 motors (59000 rpm), 800 TVL AIO cam: http://www.banggood.com/Eachine-E010S-65mm-Micro-FPV-Raicng-Quadcopter-with-800TVL-Came-Based-On-F3-Brush-Flight-Controller-p-1119427.html A serious competitor for the Makerfire Decription: Brand: Eachine Item NO: E010S Battery Power: 3.7V 45C 150 MAH Wheelbase: 65mm Frame: ABS high-quality 615 Coreless Motor: Long diameter (without motor axis): 15mm Wide diameter: 6mm Weight: 4.8 g Speed: 59000 rpm ± 12% F3 Brush Flight Controller: (the version can be selected) F3+FRSKY /F3+FLYSKY/ F3+DSM – F3 is an open source flight control to support the current international mainstream Cleanflight and Baseflight platform – Integrated FRSKY compatible 8CH receiver, serial output – Support FRSKY communication protocol, 8 channels – Built-in DC-DC boost circuit, can be powered by IIC and UART interface other devices, support 1S lithium battery – Drive motor frequency: 2K (this frequency can be set by the user, the maximum frequency can be set to 32K) – Gyro support manual mode, horizontal mode – Firmware upgrades and tunables can be done via Micro USB.Adjust the interface with Baseflight Configuration and Cleanflight-Configuration 800TVL 40CH 25MW VTX 1/3 “CMOS FPV Camera Camera: Sensor: 1/3 “CMOS Clarity: M7 800TVL camera View Angle: 150° FOV horizontal view angle 170° DFOV opposite view angle Signal system: NTSC/PAL (one-button switch) Power consumption: 380mA@3.7V Operating voltage: 3.6-5.5V Lens mirror diameter: 2.1mm IR coated FOV150(Level) Transmitter: Supporting video system: NTSC/PAL Output impedance: 75 Ohm Operating signal intensity: 23~24dBm Output power: 25mW Wireless channel: 40CH Operating voltage: 3.6V~5.5V Current: 100mA Sound carrier: 6.5MHz Transmit Frequency Table: Band A : 5865,5845,5825,5805,5785,5765,5745,5725 Band B : 5733,5752,5771,5790,5809,5828,5847,5866 Band E : 5705,5685,5665,5645,5885,5905,5925,5945 Band F : 5740,5760,5780,5800,5820,5840,5860,5880 Band R : 5658,5695,5732,5769,5806,5843,5880,5917 Weight: 3.8g Size: 26x20x18mm (without antenna) Function: – Camerapicture comparable to CCD – True wideangle lens 150° FOV Horizontal viewing angle 170° DFOV diagonal viewing angle – Ultra-low power, ultra-lightweight, extremely suitable for smaller aircraft – Turn to the R channel,ABEF 4 indicator lights bright,can choose1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8 Features: 1. Without assembly and commissioning 2. Open – source flight control can be adjusted according to the player ‘s personal preferences self – stability, semi – self – stability, manual, convenient for different levels of players 3. According to the race standard RaceBand VTX CAM 40 channel transmitter,Cmos 1/3 800Tvl high-definition camera,NTSC / PAL system can be a key switch Package included: 1x Frame kit 4x 615 59000 rpm ± 12% Coreless Motor 8x Blades(2 Sets ) 1x F3_EVO_Brush Flight Controller 1x 800Tvl 40cH 25mW Camera 1x 3.7V 45C 150MAH battery 1x USB Charger 1x Manual 1x Blade removal tool Sounds to be a grear TinyWhoop competitor …. Cet article NEWS: Eachine E010S, the E010C on steroids (26g, 615/5900rpm, F3 Evo, 800 TVL 1/3″ AIO) est apparu en premier sur Drone-Maniac !!!!!!!. View the full article

Probably the cheapest GPS machine available in the market, a 350mm brushless machine with GPS under 170 USD !!!!: http://www.banggood.com/BAYANGTOYS-X16-GPS-Brushless-Altitude-Hold-2_4G-4CH-6Axis-RC-Quadcopter-RTF-p-1119425.html Basic GPS assisted flight modes are proposed: GPS altitulde hold and RTH …. nothing more. Here the GPS dome is no more a fake one :). I really hope they improve their general quality build …. especially the electronic design. Luckely the radio protocol have been deviated. A longer range should be obtained with such radios. The Bayang X16 is able to carry a light gimbal + GoPro camera. Description: Brand name: Bayangtoys Item number: X16 Frequency : 2.4G Channel : 4CH Gyro:6 Axis Motor Type: Brushless Motor Material: Electronic Components,Plastic Control Distance: 260-350m Transmitter Power: 6 x 1.5V AA battery(not included) Battery: 11.1V 2200mAh Lipo battery (included) Charging time: 210-260 mins Flying Time: 12-16mins Product size (L x W x H): 50 x 50 x 19 cm Package size (L x W x H): 53.5x 35 x 11 cm Features: With GPS, have altitude hold mode. With automatic return function, the copter will automatic returning and landing when lost connection or signal received interference. With attractive headless mode, completely solving pilot “loss of orientation” problems. 360 degree flip / rollover function makes your aircraft turning around and around likes a excited bird, let’s enjoy more fun of rolling. Side flight function shows the good balance keeping performance and a big stunt potential. Functions: 3D rollover,Automatic Return,Forward/backward,Headless Mode,Hover,Sideward flight,Turn left/right,Up/down,With light Package Included: 1 x BAYANGTOYS X16 Quadcopter 1 x Transmitter 1 x 11.1V 2200mAh Battery 1 x Charger 4 x Propeller 1 x Screwdriver 1 x English Manual Cet article NEWS: Bayang X16 GPS, the cheapest GPS 350mm quadcopter est apparu en premier sur Drone-Maniac !!!!!!!. View the full article

We were recently sent a TedX talk by Dave Meeker, one of our Drone Pilot Ground School student who’s working on some fascinating projects involving drones, 3D mapping, and virtual reality. The TedX talk was so good we decided to write a blog post about it. We’ve summarized the main points Dave makes in the article below, but we recommend you check out the talk itself. He’s a great speaker, and an inspiring advocate for how we can work together to change public perception about drones, including how drones can be an integral part of STEM education. Watch Dave’s talk here, or scroll down to get our key takeaways. 3D Mapping: Why It’s Important Culturally, Not Just Commercially You don’t have to think too hard to understand why 3D mapping is important and useful commercially. Certainly we can see why companies might want a complete map of their real estate, or their machinery, so they can identify flaws, track maintenance needs, or make improvements on a design. But 3D mapping can also help us preserve the physical actuality of a place, in situ. Because places change over time, and when they change we lose something about what was once there, usually forever. Related to this, Dave asks the questions: Are there better ways to visualize change? How can we preserve today better for the benefit of those living tomorrow? How can we provide place information contextually so people understand it? These aren’t squishy ideas. Just think about it. The difference between a 2D photograph and a full 3D map of a historic place, including its surroundings, is huge. Consider, for example, the two images in this section, which are 3D maps Dave uses as examples in his talk. Photographs can give you a strong emotional connection to a place, but when it comes to understanding the physicality of it, both in case you’d like to restore or preserve it, but also simply for the sake of posterity, 3D mapping provides so much detail that it’s like, well, being there yourself. How Do Drones Help Create 3D Maps? Drones make 3D mapping possible using photogrammetry, which is “the use of photography in surveying and mapping to measure distances between objects.” Originally photogrammetry happened using high quality cameras in airplanes, which flew back and forth over the location being mapped. Now, using drones, most of which come equipped with high quality cameras, photogrammetry can be done pretty inexpensively and quickly. Here is how drones collect the data needed to create a 3D map: First, you take a Point of Interest (POI) flight. The drone flies around the object or site to be mapped in a circle, taking a bunch of pictures as it flies. The GPS in the drone will record the drone’s exact location when a photo was taken, where the camera was faced, and other related information necessary to create a full 3D map. Second, you take a scanning flight. In this flight, the drone passes back and forth across the site or object taking pictures, again with the GPS recording all of the locational details that will be used later in creating the 3D map. Now you have all the data you need to create a 3D map. And when you look at these maps, it’s like being there yourself (like we said above)…the only catch being, it’s a lot more like being there yourself if you view the map using the right tool for the job. So How Do You Make 3D Maps Look Real? And the right tool for the job is—Virtual Reality, of course! This is where VR comes in, because a 3D map viewed on a flat 2D screen just isn’t the same. As Dave puts it, “Photogrammetry via drones is great, but viewing it on a flat screen isn’t.” This is really exciting, when you think about preserving significant sites—temples in Greece, statues in Washington, D.C., or even paintings and other precious artifacts. Using VR to view a 3D map, you can actually see the entire object or place as if it stood right in front of you. But sometimes when we think about VR, there are negative connotations. We imagine a race of humans locked in their own individual worlds, strapped to machines and cut off from other people and the real world. Which brings us to our final section— Changing Public Perception of Drones and VR In the public eye, drones and VR both have something of a PR problem. As Dave points out, many people bristle at the thought of drones flying over their homes and invading their privacy, and VR can still evoke those dystopian images we mentioned just a moment ago. But looking at practical applications for this technology, there are some big positives. Beyond the preservation of historic sites, which is in and of itself a great thing, this new technology has a powerful potential for motivating students to pursue studies in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). Given how accessible this technology is now, students could create their own 3D maps fairly inexpensively, and take on projects that could be of great importance to them and their communities while also forwarding their interest in fields that could lead to rewarding careers. Dave closes by encouraging everyone to be an advocate for change, and we’ll close on the same note. If you think drones are great and can do positive things (or VR too, for that matter) there is plenty you can do to get the word out in your community. Check out the last minute of Dave’s talk to learn more about what you can do to get involved. The post 3D Mapping, Virtual Reality, and STEM Education—All with the Help of Drones! appeared first on UAV Coach. View the full article

INTRODUCTION After the Bayang X16, probably the first simple brushless 350mm machine without tons of flight assistances, targetting intermediate beginner pilots, here is the MJX Bugs 3. With this machine, no GPS, barometer, etc too… just a basic brushless large model ideal to learn how to handle the power of a brushless machine, to shoot basic videos thanks to its gopro camera mount. Versus the Bayang X16, the MJX Bugs 3 introduces two safety features: i) a low voltage alarm and ii) a low RSSI alarm (when the machine is close to be out of control range). Both alarms are transmitted by telemetry ant let the transmitter ring. BOX CONTENT + 1 x MJX Bugs 3 (with a 2S 1800mAh 2S LiPo with XT30 connector) + 1 x Transmitter (using 4xAA batteries not included) + 1 x USB charging cable + 4 x Spare props (2 CW, 2 CCW) + 4 x Prop guards + 1 x GoPro camera mount + 1 x Screwdriver + 1 x Set of stickers + 1 x Instruction manual (English) OVERVIEW The MJX Bugs 3 is slightly smaller than a Syma X8, Banyang X16, to be more precise it’s a 310mm machine. Smaller and lighter. The Bugs 3 is fully plastic based, but a good quality and flexible one. Except the landing gear, the MJX bugs should handle moderate crashes pretty well. -FRONT VIEW If you don’t plan to use a GoPro action cam, no obligation to install the four landing legs, i.e. the motors pods playing the role of landing gear A super strong white LED is located front, ideal to keep your orientation even in the presence of strong day lights -SIDE VIEW No USB or dedicaced port to connect the Bugs to any potential ground station software…. The message is clear: take it and have fun, no need to speed billions of hours to tune all settings. -REAR VIEW Jaled into the tail, the battery connector… here a XT30 connector an uncommon choice for a 2S battery but in another hand, the XT30 can accept much more current Flux. -UPPER VIEW -BOTTOM VIEW You can find the clips system to attach the GoPro mount. I noticed, it’s pretty hard to release the mount. You need to really press down the plastic tab without breaking it. A ground clearance of 80mm when the landing gear is installed Super strong lights are also located benlow. Strong white for front arms and blue for rear, turned on only when the machine is bound. -WEIGHT 445g standalone Close to 540g with a gopro attached. Motors 1806 motors announced to be 1800kV with 5mm of shaft section A non-classic prop size with these 7.4″ autoseltighting model… moostly similar to the Hubsan H501’s ones. Maybe we can regret the uni-color choice for front and rear…. Good news, you can also fit the Hubsan H501S 7.3″ model LiPo A 1800mah 2S LiPo with 25C of discharge rate is provided, itself installed into a plastic housing. Small originality, the battery connector is a XT30, the little brother of the XT60. Be aware, my LiPo came full charged… not a good option for transportation and storage. If the XT30 is not yet a popular connector, you can buy a XT60 male to XT30 female adaptor. You will be able to use your favorite 2S LiPo… Camera craddle No problem to fit an original GoPro cam. Most of clones will fit also. For my Firefly 6S, I need to use an extra band of foam to fill the remaining free gap. Disassembling A large 2.4G RF shielded module, probably a A7105 chip able to handle 2-way protocols. Interesting, the MCU is the HL054, a clone of of the mini54zan ARM core. Eventually, bradwii could be installed if a SWD port is available A free FPV port (3 position 1.25mm mini-JST connector) is available where the central pin is the ground, the left is +3.3V and the right +5V. Ideal to plug any of your favorite VTX/AIO solutions. Independant ESC, but not informations about their max amperage supported… but good news, they can handle 3S LiPo !!!!!! giving even more power to the Bugs 3 Transmitter The chassis is classic without LCD display. Just a large green central light when the radio is turned on. Four shoulder button. The more on the left select one of the two speed modes. The red left one if briefly pressed arm the machine. Long press on it to disarm. The top right button performs 360 flips, a small originality considered it’s a brushless model. The last button is not active for the basic edition. It’s triggering video or photos for the associated model. Inside, probably a A7105 RFchip, the same chip used for example for the FlySky AFHDS-2A and the hubsan protocols. Unfortunatly, the Bugs 3 don’t bind any of these protocols. I will try to capture SPI data for a futur DeviationTX hacking done by gurus. UNBOXING, ANALYSIS AND DEMO FLIGHT Whaoooh this machine flies beautifully !!!!!! Both two speed modes are very well tuned. The yaw rate is just perfect …. From beginner rate, the Bugs 3 already offers great speed despite being only in 2S. Even with the extra 100g with the camera attached, the 6-axis stabilization works like a charm… In this situation, the power lift is limited of course but as soon as you remove the camera rig …. what’ a super fast machine !!!! I like it, very siient by the way. You can perform 360 flips while moving :)… First regret, the camera mount unfortunatly don’t avoid jello in video at high speed… but in hovering conditions, videos are pretty stable. Another negative point is concerning the flight duration with the camera installed … Only 5min … it’s not enough. Luckely, you can install a 3S battery to boost performances. Without camera, in minimum configuration, flight time reach 8-9min. We could dream to have a secret acro mode ….. but it’s just a dream. As soon as you reach the voltage alarm, all the bottom light are blinking as usual but now your transmitter will beep Ideal situation when you are far… Concerning the radio transmission, as for most A7105 radio protocol based, you can expect a good 300m even reach 500m (by optimizing a little better the position of the 2.4G antenna of the quadcopter). Expect soon a demo in 3S configuration with a AIO FPV camera installed drawing current from the FPV port. CONCLUSIONS A very nice surprize I have to admit and for the proposed price, I hightly recommmend this MJX Bugs3 (versus the Bayang X16 for example). It’s not a first quadcopter machine, but for intermediate pilots who want to feel more power. I like the great control range, the buitin alarms, the flight caracteristics, the good payload able to carry without problem a small FPV rig …. and it’s even cheaper than the X16… What else ? PROS + Great intermediate beginner machine, ideal firt brushless machine + Powerful and fast despite being only 2S + Well tuned rates + 360 flip button + Good control range + Good general quality build + Easy electronic maintenance + Strong lights + Telemetry feedback alarms (low voltage & RSSI) + 3S compatible + Potentially bradwiizable (HL054 ARM core, A7105 RFchip) + Cheap RTF brushless machine + Far superior to the Bagyang X16 CONS – 5min of flight time when carrying a GoPro – Camera mount introducing jello – Unusual XT30 connector – No acro flight mode – Battery transported full charged This quadcopter have been courtesy provided by Banggood in order to make a fair and not biased review. I would like to thank them for this attitude. You can find it actually for 110USD at http://www.banggood.com/MJX-Bugs-3-Brushless-Independent-ESC-3D-Roll-for-Gopro-3-Gopro-4-RC-Quadcopter-RTF-p-1096795.html Cet article TEST: MJX Bugs 3, the perfect first brushless entry model ? est apparu en premier sur Drone-Maniac !!!!!!!. View the full article

After some official inductrix product, we can now find a F3 board adapted for your favorite TinyWhoop/Eachine E010 to enjoy full acro flight mode: http://www.banggood.com/F3_EVO_Brushed-ACRO-Flight-Control-Board-For-Blade-Inductrix-Tiny-Whoop-Eachine-E010-E010C-E010S-p-1119214.html. More by default, a FrSky D8 receiver in included. FlySky and DSM2 receiver versions are also announced. A 2.7g board. It shouldn’t impact too much on your original flight time. We can dream soon to have a version including a BetaOSD chip Specifications: Brand name: Inductrix Item name: F3_EVO_Brushed ACRO Flight Control Board Size: 27.5 x 27.5mm Weight: 2.7 grams Work voltage: 3.7v-5v / 1S Lipo battery input Firmware Version: Cleanflight 1.13.0 Receiver option: 8CH Frsky protocol SBUS output D8 Mode 6CH Flysky protocol PPM output 6CH DSM2 protocol PPM output Features: 1. Integrated FRSKY compatible 8CH receiver, serial output. Support FRSKY communication protocol, 8 channels 2. Built-in DCDC boost circuit can be powered by other devices IIC and UART interface 3. Drive motor frequency: 2K (this frequency can be set by the user, the maximum frequency can be set to 32K) 4. Through the Clean Flight tuning software tune Player’s own parameters 5. High discharge battery connector wire for more power and performance. 6. Can fly your Inductrix style quad in full rate mode (or even air mode!), fully execute flips/ rolls, and shoot the smallest of gaps with precision! Tuned to give you that locked in feeling you get with standard race quads. Compatible: 1.Frsky Receiver Support FRSKY X9D/X9D PLUS(D8 mode),and XJT (D8 Mode),DJT DFT DHT Transmitter. 2.Flysky Receiver Support FS-I6, Echine I6, TH9X, DEVO 7E with A7105 Module series Transmitter. 3.DSM2 Receiver Support Spectrum/JR(DSM2 protocol) DEVO10/DEVO 7E(with deviation firmware). Usage: Blade Inductrix Tiny Whoop Eachine E010 E010C E010S Package included: 1 x Inductrix F3 ACRO Flight Control Board 1 x Charging cable 4 x Sponge ring Cet article NEWS: F3 EVO brushed for Tinywhoop/E010 est apparu en premier sur Drone-Maniac !!!!!!!. View the full article

A new AIO 25mw FPV camera enters into the dance, here announced to be a 3.8g 800TVL 1/3″ CMOS camera: http://www.banggood.com/Eachine-EF-02-AIO-5_8G-40CH-25MW-800TVL-VTX-13-Cmos-FPV-Camera-p-1119217.html Works mainly with 1s system but not for 2s be aware. The main novelty versus the Eachine TX01 is the presence of a 800TVL 1/3″ sensor, so with a bigger sensor (1/3″ vs 1/4″)…. but no information about the light sensitivity. The field of view is still very large (170deg) so more adapted for indoors flyers… Probably a perfect compagnon for your Tiniwhoop FPV rig. Probably some fraction of gram can be saved by installing more a linear antenna. No possibiility to flip/Mirror the video. Specification: Brand name Eachine Item name EF-02 AIO FPV Camera FPV Camera Sensor: 1/3 “CMOS Lens: M7 800TVL Lens Angle: 150 ° FOV horizontal viewing angle of 170 ° DFOV diagonal perspective Format: NTSC / PAL (switchable) Power consumption: 380mA @ 3.7V Power: 3.6-5.5V Lens Mirror Diameter: 2.1mm IR coated FOV150 (horizontal) Transmitter Support video format: NTSC / PAL Output Impedance: 75 Ohm Output signal strength: 23 ~ 24dBm Output Power: 25mW Wireless Channel: 40CH Operating voltage: 3.6V ~ 5.5V Current: 100mA Audio carrier: 6.5MHz Button function Short press (Apr. 1 sec or less): Change channels 1-8 Long press (More than 1.5 sec): Change bands A-B-E-F-R Long + press (More than 3 sec): Change NTSC/PAL system NTSC or PAL (selectable; Blue LED on= NTSC; Blue LED off=PAL) Frequency Table Frequency Band A 5865 5845 5825 5805 5785 5765 5745 5725 Frequency Band B 5733 5752 5771 5790 5809 5828 5847 5866 Frequency Band E 5705 5685 5665 5645 5885 5905 5925 5945 Frequency Band F 5740 5760 5780 5800 5820 5840 5860 5880 Frequency Band R 5658 5695 5732 5769 5806 5843 5880 5917 Body Weight: 3.8g Size: 17x13x14.5mm (without antenna) Feature: AIO FPV camera, transmitter , antenna all 3 functions in one limit size and weight 150 ° FOV horizontal viewing angle of 170 ° DFOV diagonal perspective Five bands 40 channels with Raceband Package Included: 1 X EF-02 AIO FPV Camera 1 X Cable Cet article NEWS: Eachine EF-02, 3.8g 800TVL 1/3″ CMOS 25mW AIO FPV camera est apparu en premier sur Drone-Maniac !!!!!!!. View the full article

We’re going to be launching a new course on aerial thermography soon, and we wrote this blog post to explain why we created the course, and what our goals are for this new effort. First and foremost, we want to support drone pilots. It can be a real hustle to find full-time work flying an sUAS, and whether you’re a solopreneur or part of a larger organization, the more skill sets you have under your belt, the more marketable your services are. Image Source Aerial thermography is a growing field for drone pilots, and one that may help you win a contract over your competitors. The primary goal of this course is to get UAV pilots up and running with aerial thermography so they can add it to their list of skill sets when looking for work. In addition to helping you find work, one of the great things about aerial thermography is that one of its applications is to keep people safe by identifying latent heat that might be invisible to the naked eye. So being a part of promoting drone use that helps people, and training pilots to potentially help save lives and keep people from harm, was also a factor in our decision to partner with AeroVista Innovations to create this course. Keep reading to dive deeper into the details of what our Aerial Thermography 101 course will teach you, and how you might be able to leverage more business by adding aerial thermographic skills to your drone pilot resume. Before we go any further it’s worth noting that this post, and the course itself, will be of special interest for: UAV pilots and businesses that use UAVs looking to expand their service offerings by adding aerial thermographical capabilities to their toolbox for inspection applications. Fire, Law Enforcement, Public Safety & Emergency Response teams who want to integrate UAV technology for Search and Rescue, HAZMAT, Fire Command Control & 360-degree Aerial Awareness, Crime Scene Investigation, and other Emergency Response and Law Enforcement applications. Commercial drone pilots with at least 15-20 hours sUAS operating experience; pilots who have flown larger systems with average takeoff weights of between 10 and 15 lbs (4.5kg-7kg); and pilots comfortable flying in close proximity (<30ft, 9m) from obstacles, structures and terrain. But of course, even if none of the above criteria apply to you and you’re just curious about aerial thermography, this post will definitely be of interest. What Is Thermography? Thermography is the translation of thermal energy (heat) into visible light in order to analyze a particular object or scene. Aerial thermography refers to the translation of thermal energy done from a drone or airplane. What’s the Size of the Aerial Thermography Market, and What Are Its Biggest Sectors? The market for aerial thermography is rapidly growing. There is a huge opportunity right now for sUAS pilots to get in on the ground floor, and be among the first to offer this service. A study from Navigant Research predicts a global market of $6 billion dollars for thermal UAS services by 2014, up from $135.7 million. It’s important to note that this projection is strictly for one application (Thermal Inspections of Transmission and Distribution) and does not take into account all of the other applications in which aerial thermography can be used—meaning that there will most likely be much more money to be made in aerial thermography than just the $6 billion found by the study. Power companies are also onboarding UAV operations for conducting inspections, and we can only anticipate this sector growing as well. Those pilots with aerial thermography under their belts will be at the top of the list of candidates considered for these and similar positions. How Can I Make Money Doing Aerial Thermography? With smaller, lighter, and less expensive thermal sensors on the market, the applications for thermal imaging are continuing to take off. Here is how how aerial thermography is most commonly being used by both private and public organizations: Top Industrial Safety Applications/Use Cases: Energy/Utilities – Solar Farms, Wind Turbines, Power Lines Communications – Cell Towers, Radio Transmission Towers, Microwave Towers Infrastructure – HVAC (Heating Ventilation, Air Conditioning), Roofs Top Public Safety Applications/Use Cases: Search and Rescue – SARS Hazardous Material Inspection – HAZMAT Who’s Teaching the Class? Brendan Stewart is a seasoned aerial thermographer and the Co-Founder and lead education program director at AeroVista Innovations (AVI). He oversees the engineering and pilot strategy for AeroVista, and he also holds an FAA Sport Pilot Certificate, Remote Pilot Certificate, and has been flying model aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles since childhood. If you’re wondering about Brendan’s experience level, suffice to say that he’s logged a whopping 2500+ UAV flight hours so far in his career, and shows no signs of slowing down. Here is Brendan getting ready to record one of his units for the course: Image Source Course Design and the Thought Behind It The primary goal of this course is to get UAV pilots up and running with aerial thermography so they can add it to their list of skill sets when looking for work. Here is a description of Aerial Thermography 101, written by the instructor, Brendan Stewart: This course was designed from a pilot’s perspective. The idea was to take your average UAV pilot with zero experience in thermography, and prepare them to fly effective thermography operations. The course breaks into 2 sections. The 1st section explains the theory of how infrared is radiated, how to effectively capture and sense it, and how to provide value for your client before demonstrating various use cases. There’s not a perfect checklist or approved process for thermography. The outputs are highly dependent on what questions your client is trying to answer: Are they looking for just a heat signature from a leaking window? Or do they want to know which part of a roof membrane is leaking, how many square feet are affected, what material needs to be replaced, and how much it’ll cost? Thermography presents a continuum of challenges, usually starting with HVAC on the less challenging end (i.e., “show me where the leak is”); to power infrastructure, which can be a more challenging (i.e., “show me the insulators over 100 degrees”); to roofing, which has an output product that’s a full report, only using thermography as a tiny fraction of the report. Understanding the theory arms you with the tools to determine what missions to take on, how to articulate capabilities to clients, and how to navigate the limitations of the equipment to acquire the data your client needs to provide value. Do I Need to Buy Anything to Take The Course? Nope. While the course primarily uses DJI products (ZenMuse XT Thermal Sensor and DJI Inspire) there are a wealth of other aircraft and sensor configurations. The DJI Inspire and ZenMuse XT that are used during this training allow you to capture accurate thermal data relatively easily and are representative of the capabilities of the majority of aerial thermography systems. Want to learn more, and be the first to know when the course launches? You can join our pre-enrollment list and get a special sneak peek of the curriculum RIGHT NOW by clicking this link. The post Inside Aerial Thermography 101, Our Newest Online Training Course appeared first on UAV Coach. View the full article

A new FrSky radio is announced, a cheaper model than the Taranis X9D+ with a smaller black & white LCD display but compatible with most of FrSky receivers (FrSky X series, D series and V8-II series): http://www.banggood.com/FrSky-ACCST-Taranis-Q-X7-2_4GHz-16CH-Transmitter-White-Black-p-1112717.html Speech outputs are still here and model files are compatible with the X9D+. The X7 can be powered directly from a 2S-3S LiPos. No information about the total weight. I hope, some free ISP links are available to install a multimodule easily….We can dream to install deviationTX on it … who knows. Specifications: Model Name: Taranis Q X7 Operating Voltage Range: 6~15V (2S, 3S Lipos are acceptable) Operating Current: 210mA maximum (both RF module and backlit are on) Operating Temperature: -10~45? Backlight LCD Screen: 128*64 outdoor readable LCD Model Memories: 60 (extendable by SD card) Compatibility: FrSky X series, D series and V8-II series receivers (plus other receivers if an external module is used) Features: Quad Ball Bearing Gimbals Receiver Match Audio Speech Outputs (values, alarms, settings, etc.) Antenna Status Detection and adjustment Real-time Flight Data Logging Receiver Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) Alerts Super Low Latency Smart Port Supported Vibration Alerts Model configuration files compatible with TARANIS X9D Plus Including: 1 x Taranis Q X7 1 x Charger 1 x Manual 1 x Back strap 2 x Keys Cet article NEWS: FrSky Taranis X7, the cheap little sister of the X9D+ est apparu en premier sur Drone-Maniac !!!!!!!. View the full article

With so much happening in the drone industry, just keeping track of who does what can be pretty overwhelming. Last week we wrote about DJI’s marketing strategy for cameras, and why it was smart to name ZenMuse as a separate line just for DJI-produced cameras (though the extra name does add yet another layer of complication when it comes to knowing who does what in the industry). Today’s guest post from Drone Industry Insights (DroneII.com) parses out the different activities of three major players in the drone industry—DJI, Intel, and Parrot—over the last several years, and provides a useful bird’s eye view to help understand their involvements in different aspects of the industry. The Drone Industry Insights post begins here: The drone market today can be described as a melting pot of different technologies, where combinations of hard- and software components and service features are provided for the end user. In order to create sustainable success in this extremely fast moving market, it’s crucial for companies to maintain strategic partnerships or invest in a solid UAV portfolio. This is nothing new. As we showed in our recent publication, this situation is a process that started quite a while ago, long before anyone thought about drones to be the next big thing. However, lately a few players have been extremely busy with engaging in new partnerships, looking for investment opportunities and acquisitions. Currently, the commercial UAV market consists of three dominant players, namely DJI, Parrot SA and the Intel Corporation. Parrot started to create professional solutions at a very early stage. The acquisition of Software manufacturer Pix4D (2012) and MicaSense (2014) were great strategic moves and paved the way to highly advanced end-to-end solutions. Although profit margins in the commercial UAV market were very small at this time, Parrot did invest heavily into their new strategy. Building a new market segment has never been easy (or cheap) and the low-cost competitors from Asia also apply a lot of pressure causing market deficits especially in the hobby/prosumer sector. Despite this, the share of the drone sector within the Parrot Group increased from 38% (Q1 2016) to 54% (Q2 2016) due to their strategic move. Whereas Parrot started three years earlier, Intel Capital started later, beginning to invest in the drone industry in 2014. Now, Intel Corp. chooses a pro-active approach and moves into the market by acquiring the missing pieces of the puzzle around their high-performance chip-sets. The Intel RealSense platform combines hardware and software in a way that enables cameras to process and understand images, and eventually providing “computer vision” to flying drones. Before acquiring the German drone manufacturer Ascending Technologies earlier this year, the two companies had already engaged in a close partnership to improve UAV sense and avoid systems. Intel’s biggest and certainly most game-changing move was the acquisition of the mobile vision processor company Movidius. This acquisition paves Intel’s way towards autonomous systems – not only for unmanned aerial vehicles. Other chip manufacturers such as Qualcomm and Nvidia have recently copied Intel’s strategy, as they see the immense opportunities in becoming technology suppliers for the emerging drone industry. The third key player and dominant market leader DJI also started a number of new partnerships this year. While Intel and Parrot grew their drone business through acquisitions, DJI now uses partners to expand their business portfolio (e.g. the infrared camera maker FLIR, surveying expert Leica Geosystems and micro ADS-B transponder manufacturer uAviniox). For their position this strategy makes a lot of sense since DJI has everything it needs to bring drones up in the air and as such, does not have to acquire the technology. Partnering can be an extremely quick way to grow a company, particularly in times of rapid change. Without implementing difficult and time-consuming internal changes DJI can expand the knowledge of different industry sectors, boost innovation and increase their market share. Initially partnerships were heavy on hardware but the demand to deliver high-quality end-to-end products more quickly and at lower costs has become a fundamental part of the entire UAV industry. The post Drone Market Strategies—DJI, Intel, and Parrot’s Partnerships and Acquisitions appeared first on UAV Coach. View the full article

After the KingKong G90, a small evolution with the GT90: http://www.banggood.com/Kingkong-90GT-90mm-Brushless-Mini-FPV-Racing-Drone-with-Micro-F3-Flight-Controll-16CH-800TVL-VTX-p-1118870.html Here, if I am not wrong only ESC are updated with 3A Bheli_S models versus 6A none-BLheli_S. Strange to go from 6A to 3A… even if for 2S should be enought (no mention about the supported peak). The other elements seems identical, a 800TVL cam with 150 of FOV, 25mW AIO 16CH camera, a microF3 board, 1103 motors. Comes in PNP, ARF and BNF version (FrSky D8 or DSM2). With the 350mAh 2s Lipo, the total weight should be around 50g, so compatible with winter indoors flights Specification: Brand Name: Kingkong Item Name: Kingkong 90GT 90mm Mini FPV Racing Drone Model: 90GT Version: PNP, ARF, BNF ( With Frsky Receiver OR DSM2 Receiver ) 4 Version are optional Wheelbase: 90 mm Dimension: 82x82x28 mm Weight: 42.9g (without battery) PNP Version Flight Control: Micro F3 6Dof Version Motor: 1103 7800KV Motor ESC : 3A Blheli_S 4 in 1 Brushless ESC Camera: 800TVL CMOS Camera FOV150 Degree Propeller: 2 CW & 2 CCW (Black and Green) FPV Transmitter: 16CH 25mW VTX , micro 5V DC Output PDB ARF Version Flight Control: Micro F3 6Dof Version Motor: 1103 7800KV Motor ESC : 3A Blheli_S 4 in 1 Brushless ESC Camera: 800TVL CMOS Camera FOV150 Degree Propeller: 2 CW & 2 CCW (Black and Green) FPV Transmitter: 16CH 25mW VTX , micro 5V DC Output PDB Battery: 2S 7.4V 350mAh 25C BNF Version (With Frsky Receiver OR DSM2 Receiver) Flight Control: Micro F3 6Dof Version Motor: 1103 7800KV Motor ESC : 3A Blheli_S 4 in 1 Brushless ESC Camera: 800TVL CMOS Camera FOV150 Degree Propeller: 2 CW & 2 CCW (Black and Green) FPV Transmitter: 16CH 25mW VTX , micro 5V DC Output PDB Battery: 2S 7.4V 350mAh 25C Receiver: Frsky Receiver OR DSM2 Receiver 1X USB Charging Cable Features: – Micro F3 6DOF flight controller with 32-bit STM32F303CC processor and MPU6050 – Furious flying speed – 1103 7800KV brushless motors, high PRM – Powered by 350mAh 2S 7.4V 25C lithium-ion battery – 800TVL HD FPV camera, 150-degree FOV, 5.8G 16CH 25mW video transmitter – 90mm wheelbase, as big as your palm; only 42.9g, extremely light Package Included: PNP Version: 1x Kingkong 90GT Drone ARF Version: 1x Kingkong 90GT Drone 1x Battery 1x Battery Glue 1x USB Cable Frsky Receiver Version: 1x Kingkong 90GT Drone 1x Battery 1x Battery Glue 1x USB Cable 1x Frsky Receiver DSM2 Receriver Version: 1x Kingkong 90GT Drone 1x Battery 1x Battery Glue 1x USB Cable 1x DSM2 Receiver Cet article NEWS: KingKong GT90 now including BLheli_S ESC est apparu en premier sur Drone-Maniac !!!!!!!. View the full article

After some months, a new branch release candidate is available with a lot of novelties: https://github.com/betaflight/betaflight/releases Now supports F7 processors, faster optimizations, ect…. Betaflight 3.1.0 (Release Candidate 1) Betaflight firmware has undergone some major changes under the hood. Hardware drivers have been optimised to improve future maintainibility, but also easier target and hardware support. The efficiency of the code has also been improved by a lot as the Betaflight team reviewed each line of the code to squeeze every possible performance win out of it for flight performance purposes. The difference between the current release and previous one is over 1600 code commits by various developers. Only release note highlights are represented. For full change history github commit history can be reviewed. Release note highlights: •Added F7 support (ANYFCF7 as the first supported target) •Dynamic IO / pin allocation •DSHOT support for F3 and F4 (read wiki about board supported hardware) •Full Floating Point Logic for flight behaviour •Many new dynamic configurations (filters, setpoint weights etc.) •Support for KISS esc telemetry (only with DSHOT) •Many code optimisations (faster pid speeds possible on F3 and F4) •Added serial esc pass-through for KISS24 and CASTLE esc’s •New target support •Added CMS display support •Added CSRF support for TBS receivers and associated telemetry •Added additional OSD parameters like pids and power •Added unify smartaudio support •Auto Video Format support for OSD •New “anti_gravity_threshold” parameter to improve stability in fast changing G forces during flight. This applies to quick throttle jumps where multirotor can go through weightless transitions. In these cases the iterm can cause unwanted effects like pitching up or yawing due to strong changes in accumulation polarities. •Protection against selecting motor protocols that are too slow (e.g. when ONESHOT125 is selected the maximum allowed pid and motor update frequency will be 2khz) and many more.. NOTE: You will need to use configurator 1.8.5 or higher for the features in this release Cet article NEWS: Betaflight 3.1 RC1 out !!!! est apparu en premier sur Drone-Maniac !!!!!!!. View the full article

Note: This list is updated for winter 2017. Fly safely and responsibly, folks. Never flown before? Learn to fly for free over here. Need to get your FAA commercial drone certificate? Start studying over here. Trying to find the right drone to buy? We’ve spent hours testing and researching the top UAVs and quadcopters out there, and we’re happy to say we’ve narrowed it down to a select few. This article lists of some of the best remote control (RC) drones for sale on the market right now. Whether you’re looking for a cheap indoor flyer or a professional rig for aerial videography, we’re confident you’ll find a quality drone on this list that will meet your needs. Want to skip the details and go straight to the list itself? No problem: DJI Phantom 3 Standard Parrot BeBop 2.0 UDI U818A Wifi FPV Drone with Altitude Hold and HD Camera UDI U45 Blue Jay FPV Drone Parrot AR Drone 2.0 DJI Phantom 4 DJI Inspire 1 V2.0 Yuneec Typhoon H DJI Phantom 3 (Professional) Walkera Runner 250 Pro ARRIS FPV 250 Racing Drone with Flight Controller SYMA X5C Explorers Blade Nano QX RTF Quadcopter Hubsan X4 (H107L) Cheerson CX-10 Mini “RC drones” can mean many things (cars, boats, planes, etc) but this article focuses on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Why? Because they’re awesome! (And they’re our specialty ;).) We’ve categorized this list by type of remote control drone for sale. You can use the following links to navigate to each section (or just scroll down to start from the beginning): Camera Drones Professional Drones FPV Racers Indoor Flyers Read on to find out which sUAS is right for you: Note: All specs/features come from either the manufacturer or retailer. Note #2: When checking out prices, we’ve included models available for sale on Amazon, one of the largest and most respectable online drone retailers. We do our best to keep these listings up-to-date on a regular basis, but if you see something we missed, let us know at support@uavcoach.com. Note #3: Big thanks to USA Toyz, who sent us a few of the models on this list to test and review. USA Toyz is a U.S. based company that sells through Amazon. Unlike many of their non-U.S. counterparts, they offer quality customer service, user manuals you can actually understand, and good business ethics. Beginner Camera Drones The following drones are excellent for taking aerial video and images. They offer stable handling, quality cameras, and some advanced features pilots want in a quality drone with a camera. 1. DJI Phantom 3 Standard SEE LATEST PRICE & OPTIONS AT AMAZON.COM DJI is one of the industry’s top drone manufacturers for a reason: They’ve created a standard for consistent, high quality multicopters that both recreational and commercial pilots love flying. The DJI Phantom 3 Standard is one of four models in DJI’s Phantom 3 line. (The other three are the Advanced, 4K, and Professional.) With a range of over half a mile and crystal clear live video streaming over Wi-Fi to your mobile device on the free DJI Go app, the Phantom 3 Standard delivers sophisticated functionality with a simple learning curve and an accessible price point. At 25 minutes, the P3 Standard actually has a slightly longer flight time than the P3 Advanced, but control distance is capped at 1,000m (compared to the Advanced’s 5km). Pro Tip: Buy an extra battery to add more flight time to your sessions. The Phantom 4K is the next level up. The 4K offers an upgraded 4K video capture and 25 minutes of flight time. Control distance is capped at 1200m. Finally, the Phantom 3 Professional offers 4K video, 23 minutes of flight, and a 5km control distance. This is the second highest level version. DJI also recently released the Phantom 4 Pro, an upgraded version of the Phantom 3 series with an obstacle avoidance system. All of these versions are solid rigs and they’re ranked #1 in this list of drones, but the DJI Phantom 3 Standard is equally balanced on all fronts, making it a great camera drone for recreational and commercial pilots. EXTRAS These extra parts are available for the DJI Phantom 3 Standard: → Extra Battery → Extra Propellers (2 Pairs) → 64 GB MicroSD Memory Card → DJI Phantom 3 Propeller Guard → DJI Phantom 3 Camera Lens Protector + Cover → Remote Controller Strap → DJI Phantom 3 Carrying Backpack Features and Specs 2.7K video and 12MP stills from the 3-axis stabilized integrated camera makes the Phantom 3 Standard a strong value View a live image streamed from the drone up to a half mile away on the free DJI Go app using your mobile phone or tablet GPS assisted flight features let you concentrate on getting great images while the drone helps you fly safely. You can achieve advanced camera perspectives with the Point of Interest, Follow Me and Waypoints modes (pending app feature availability) Fly up to 25 minutes with the included intelligent battery A range of accessories is included: 1 battery and charger, 2 full sets of propellers, radio controller, 8GB micro SD card 2. Parrot Bebop 2.0 SEE LATEST PRICE & OPTIONS AT AMAZON.COM The Parrot Bebop 2.0 is Parrot’s upgraded version of the popular original Bebop drone. The Bebop 2.0 is one of the top all around drones for sale with a camera. The 2.0 offers a whopping 14 megapixel full HD 1080p image and video capture, and the camera gives you a 186-degree field of view. Full-digital image stabilization technology allows you to take stable and clear aerial footage regardless of the Bebop drone’s movements. The lens is also splash and dust proof. Their Freeflight 3 mobile app also lets you control the quadcopter, adjust settings, and take pictures/videos straight from your mobile device. Check out Parrot’s second version of the Bebop drone for a great all-around photography/videography UAV experience. EXTRAS These extra parts are available for the Parrot BeBop 2.0: → Extra Battery Pack → Extra Propellers → Bebop 2.0 Carrying Case Features Can fly at up to 38 mph 14 megapixel full HD 1080p camera Rear flash LED for better visibility Equipped with powerful motors for flight in greater altitudes Compatible with the Freeflight 3 mobile app Specs Frequency: 2.4Ghz Gyro: 3-Axis Size: 15 x 12.9 x 3.5 inches Weight: 1.1 pounds Charging time: Flight time: 25 minutes Control distance 3. U818A Wifi FPV Drone with Altitude Hold and HD Camera SEE LATEST PRICE & OPTIONS AT AMAZON.COM UDI is a highly reputable and affordable sUAS manufacturer that’s been constantly upgrading their training / beginner drone models over the last couple of years. This model, the U818A, boasts altitude-hold and a first-person-view (FPV) screen, so you can see exactly what the HD camera of your drone sees…in real time. Great practice for those of you looking to get into FPV racing. But that’s not all! You also get bonus VR goggles, an extra battery, extra propellers, AND and a bonus power bank for additional charging. Box Contents: 1 U818W 1 Controller 2 Batteries 1 USB Battery Charger 1 SC Card reader 1 4GB SD card 4 Spare Blades 1 Spanner 1 Manual The HD camera can capture 720P video at 30 frames per second (with an SD card). This is one of the most popular training quadcopters on the market, and I like this particular package because it comes with an extra battery. The LCD screen on its transmitter displays a full range of flight stats to keep you in the know. Its light but durable frame makes it a great quad for new pilots to practice with. Extras These extra parts are available for the the U818A: U818A Drone Carrying Case 3 Extra Batteries 1-to-6 Battery Charger Extra Propellers SEE LATEST PRICE & OPTIONS AT AMAZON.COM Features Forward-facing camera takes HD video and HD photos with color and white balance Movie resolution upgraded to 1280 * 720 at 30 frames per second FPV and VR headset compatibility Removable Micro-SD (TF) card stores enough for several flights Data port and USB Data Cable – upload your new AVI and JPEG files to Facebook, Email, Photoshop LCD radio controller LCD screen displays full flight status Extra battery to double your flight time Photo Button snaps pictures, Video Button starts & stops video recording Specs Frequency: 2.4Ghz Size: 13.4 x 13.0 x 2.2 in Weight: 1 pounds Charging time: about 90-120 minutes Flying time: about 8-10 minutes 4. UDI U45 Blue Jay WiFi FPV Drone with HD Camera SEE LATEST PRICE & OPTIONS AT AMAZON.COM UDI is one of the top manufacturers of quality RC drones at affordable prices. The UDI U45 Blue Jay is one of them. One of the big upgrades with the Blue Jay is “Altitude Hold,” which gives you the ability to take your left thumb off the throttle and to have the drone hover at the same altitude. This makes controlling the drone a LOT easier for beginners and those looking to truly master multirotor orientation. You also get a one-touch take off and landing, and a custom route mode that allows you to trace your desired flight path on your phone or tablet screen. In the past, these features were reserved for higher end RC drones, but now we’re starting to see them in the $50 to $150 range. The UDI U45 Blue Jay wouldn’t be a camera drone without an HD camera to capture 720p high definition aerial photos and 2MP video. Camera can be synced to controller. For less than $170, this drone is an excellent choice for aspiring videographers. EXTRAS These extra parts are available for the UDI U45 Blue Jay: → Extra Battery (to extend your flight sessions) → Extra Propellers → 1 to 3 Battery Charger → UDI U842 Landing Gear Features HD Camera allows you to take high-res pics & video during flight. Includes 2MP camera with upgraded 4GB Micro SD. Headless mode eliminates need to adjust aircraft position before flight & improves learning curve. Return Home function—one key to return your aircraft makes it easy to find the way home Ready to fly out of the box Specs Frequency: 2.4Ghz Gyro: 6-Axis Size: 11 x 18 x 3.8 inches Weight: .5 pounds Flight time: 8 minutes Control distance: 80m 5. Parrot AR Drone 2.0 SEE LATEST PRICE & OPTIONS AT AMAZON.COM In 2014 and 2015, the Parrot AR Drone line was one of the most prolific RC drones on the market. Using their FreeFlight app, you can choose to pilot this camera drone entirely using your smartphone or tablet, or you can fly it with a traditional dual-joystick controller or first-person view system. 720p HD video can be streamed directly to your smartphone, and while you’ve got the app open, you’ll be able to read things like your altitude, speed, and battery level. Key Specs Camera Resolution: 2MP Video Resolution: 720p at 30 FPS Max Flight Time: 12 minutes Notable Attributes: Foam Shell, Good For Beginners SEE LATEST PRICE & OPTIONS AT AMAZON.COM Parrot AR Drone 2.0 Accessories Extra Propellers Extra Battery The Parrot AR Drone 2.0 sits somewhere between a traditional training quadcopter and an introductory professional system. We chose it for this list because: 1) it’s reasonably priced for a beginner pilot; 2) Parrot is a reputable, French-based company that has been one of the larger global RC manufacturers; and 3) we love the foam frame! Top Professional Drones These drones are best for professional pilots who are flying commercially. They offer top-of-the-line flight capabilities, camera quality, and advanced features to help you get the perfect shot. 6. DJI Phantom 4 SEE LATEST PRICE & OPTIONS AT AMAZON.COM The DJI Phantom 4 launched in March 2016. What are the big improvements from the Phantom 3 series? Better battery life, obstacle avoidance, and a newly designed camera lens. A lighter magnesium skeleton lets the Phantom 4 stay in the air for up to 28 minutes, an increase in effective flight time of 25% over the Phantom 3 Professional. Also, a newly designed lens offers crisper, cleaner video. Key Specs Camera Resolution: 12MP Adobe DNG RAW Video Resolution: 4K at 30 FPS / 1080p at 120FPS Max Flight Time: 28 minutes Max Speed: 45 mph (20 m/s) in Sport mode Notable Attributes: Battery Life, Obstacle Avoidance, Flight Modes SEE LATEST PRICE & OPTIONS AT AMAZON.COM DJI Phantom 4 Accessories Extra Battery Battery Charging Hub Quick-Release Propellers Lighting Kit Improvements to the Vision Positioning System (VPS) and front-mounted obstacle sensors help provide greater security and confidence when flying indoors, or with obstacles around. 7. DJI Inspire 1 V2.0 SEE LATEST PRICE & OPTIONS AT AMAZON.COM The DJI Inspire 1 is bigger and offers a full 360° camera rotation, providing an unrestricted view of the world below. It’s 3-axis gimbal and camera system can easily be removed from the aircraft for safe transport and future upgrades. Because DJI offers different camera systems (like the Zenmuse X3, Zenmuse X5, Zenmuse X5R, Zenmuse XT, etc.), the DJI Inspire 1 is flexible and the kind of model you can grow with over time. Key Specs Camera Resolution: 12MP Video Resolution: 4K at 30 FPS Max Flight Time: 18 minutes Max Speed: 49 mph (22 m/s) in ATTI mode, no wind Notable Attributes: Dual-Operator Mode, Multiple Zenmuse Camera Systems Buy With One Or Two Controllers Ever heard of dual-operator mode? The DJI Inspire 1 lets one person fly, and another person control the camera. I’ll tell you this: Once you fly with dual-operator mode, it’s hard to go back to flying solo. Operating sUAS with a talented crew member is really fun. One Controller Two Controllers Hard Case (Go Professional Cases) Extra Propellers SEE LATEST PRICE & OPTIONS AT AMAZON.COM DJI Inspire 1 Accessories Lens Filters (PolarPro Extra Battery Deluxe Bundle If you’re looking for a bigger bird with payload flexibility, 360° camera rotation, and dual-operator mode, the DJI Inspire 1 is a great fit. 8. Yuneec Typhoon H SEE LATEST PRICE & OPTIONS AT AMAZON.COM If you haven’t heard of Yuneec, you’re missing out on some high-quality aerial camera platforms that may very well be the perfect fit for your recreational (or business) needs. The Typhoon H comes equipped with six rotors, a 360-degree gimbal camera and retractable landing gear with Yuneec’s standard of being ready out of the box, easy and safe to fly, with stunning Ultra HD 4K video and stills. Key Specs Camera Resolution: 12.4MP Video Resolution: 4K at 30 FPS Max Flight Time: 25 minutes Max Speed: 43.5mph (70km/h) in Follow Me mode Notable Attributes: Hexacopter = better redundancy, Obstacle Avoidance, 360-degree camera The Typhoon H comes with the Android-based ST16 controller, which has a large 7-inch integrated display and HD 720p first-person-view (FPV) downlink for incredibly clear real-time video reception. 9. DJI Phantom 3 (Professional) SEE LATEST PRICE & OPTIONS AT AMAZON.COM DJI is a drone manufacturing giant. Their DJI Phantom 3 series arguably represents the best selling drone models of 2015 and 2016. Within the series, there are four different models: Standard, 4K, Advanced and Professional. The DJI Phantom 3 Professional is the most sophisticated option in the series, and as the name suggests, was designed for professional pilots. It offers 4K video, 23 minutes of flight time, and a whopping 5km control distance. The quadcopter also comes with five advanced flight modes: Follow Me Course Lock Waypoints Home Lock Point of Interest These autonomous modes allow you to focus on camera control and getting the right shot. This makes the DJI Phantom 3 Professional a smart choice for pro pilots. Key Specs Camera Resolution: 12MP Video Resolution: 4K at 30 FPS Max Flight Time: 23 minutes Max Speed: 36 mph (18 m/s) in ATTI mode, no wind Notable Attributes: Older Model = Lower Cost (But Still Quality Aircraft) SEE LATEST PRICE & OPTIONS AT AMAZON.COM DJI Phantom 3 Professional Accessories Extra Battery Extra Propellers (2 Pairs) 64 GB MicroSD Memory Card DJI Phantom 3 Propeller Guard DJI Phantom 3 Camera Lens Protector + Cover Remote Controller Strap DJI Phantom 3 Hardshell Backpack If you are on a budget and/or able to sacrifice some of the bells and whistles of the newer systems, the Phantom 3 series offers more affordable pricing but units that still pack a lot of punch. Top FPV Racers With the Drone Racing League (and many other FPV leagues) beginning to commercialize the sport, drone FPV racing is starting to take off (literally and figuratively). As such, some great ready-to-fly racing drones are hitting the market. Here are two of the best: 10. Walkera Runner 250 Pro SEE LATEST PRICE & OPTIONS AT AMAZON.COM Walkera manufactured one of the most popular RTF FPV racers: The Walkera Runner 250 Pro. This RC quadcopter features a carbon fiber frame that is ultra-durable and crash resistant. It’s simple to disassemble and reassemble. This allows pilots to customize its features and tune the rig. The Walkera Runner 250 Pro reaches speeds of up to 21-25 miles per hour, and the Runner 250 Pro is equipped with an 800TVL HD camera for live FPV streaming. If you’re looking to get into drone FPV racing, this drone is a solid start at a modest price. EXTRAS These extra parts are available for the Walkera Runner 250 Pro: → Extra Propellers (<— smart, because you’ll probably lose/break a bunch of these) Features New GPS/GLONASS dual mode satellite positioning system Carbon fiber structure Simple to disassemble and re-assemble Reaches speeds up to 35-40km/h 800TVL HD camera Specs Frequency: 2.4Ghz Size: 22.5 x 20.5 x 9.2cm Weight: 1.16 lbs Charging time: About 120 minutes Flight time: 12 to 14 minutes Control distance: 1000m 11. ARRIS FPV 250 Racing Drone with Flight Controller SEE LATEST PRICE & OPTIONS AT AMAZON.COM The ARRIS FPV 250 is one of the highest rated racing quadcopters you can find on Amazon. The ARRIS 250 FPV is made of a durable carbon/glass fiber composited material to help it handle crashes and accidents. The drone is also equipped with a 700TVL camera that offers zero delay between what the drone sees and what you see. Another thing to note is that all parts are tested by the manufacturer and ready to fly. Looking for a high-rated racing drone? Check out the ARRIS FPV 250. EXTRAS These extra parts are available for the ARRIS FPV 250: → Extra LiPo Battery → Voltage Checker + Warning Buzzer → Extra ARRIS Propellers (5 Pairs) Features Carbon/glass fiber composited material 700TVL camera with zero delay All parts tested and ready to fly Specs Frequency: 2.4Ghz Size: 9.6 x 9.1 x 5.3 inches Weight: 1.22 pounds Flight time: 10 minutes Control distance Top Indoor Flyers The following drones are smaller than the previous ones and have less features, but they’re great for having fun indoors and practicing your pilot skills. If you’re a beginner learning how to fly a quadcopter or an experienced pilot looking for a fun indoor flyer, consider these models: 12. SYMA X5C Explorers SEE LATEST PRICE & OPTIONS AT AMAZON.COM Even in moderate winds, the Syma X5C held up very well during my test flights. This exclusive package comes with an extra battery, effectively doubling your flight time. You’re also getting extra propellers as well. The Syma X5C also comes with a forward-facing HD camera (720p) and 2GB SD card. That, plus a few autonomous features like headless mode and one-button flips and barrel rolls, make the Symca X5C a great drone for beginners. Note: We have other lists of drones, similar to this one buy covering different, more advanced models like: 13 Remote Control Drones to Buy. Extras These extra parts are available for the Syma X5C: Carrying Case 4-to-1 Battery Charger 6 Extra Batteries SEE LATEST PRICE & OPTIONS AT AMAZON.COM Features With Headless Mode, no need to adjust the position of aircraft before flying One key to return function makes it easily find the way home 4 Channel can do ascend, descend, forward, backward, left sideward fly, right sideward fly and rolling 360° HD VIDEO CAMERA: 2MP HD video camera (Resolution: 1280 x 720; Framerate: 30 FPS) lets you take high-resolution pictures and videos during flight. Comes with 2GB Micro SD Card! Lightweight airframe with nice durability Battery protection Specs Frequency: 2.4Ghz Charging time: 90-120mins Flying time: 7-9mins Control distance: about 30m 13. Blade Nano QX RTF Quadcopter SEE LATEST PRICE & OPTIONS AT AMAZON.COM Gizmodo calls the Blade Nano “The Best Drone for Advanced Beginners.” First, it’s got SAFE technology. SAFE stands for Sensor Assisted Flight Envelope. It helps you prevent crashing your drone and assists you in takeoff (two necessary skills for any newbie pilot). If you lose control or need to take a breather, simply let go of the sticks and the quadcopter will hover in place. When you get more advanced, switch the quad to agility mode to perform skillful maneuvers and hit top speeds. The Blade Nano is a beginner drone (for under $100) that will carry you into the veteran landscape. (Blade was also featured in our list of drone companies to watch, among a few of the other manufacturers listed in this article.) Extras These extra parts are available for the Blade Nano QX: 4 Extra Batteries Extra Propellers (Clockwise and Counter-Clockwise) SEE LATEST PRICE & OPTIONS AT AMAZON.COM Features Features exclusive SAFE™ (Sensor Assisted Flight Envelope) technology with stability and agility modes (if you get in trouble, just let go of the sticks) Small enough to fly in any room or office Tough, lightweight airframe with blade guards Potent brushed motors that provide smooth and powerful lift Once you’ve mastered the basics, you can switch the SAFE system to agility mode for faster flying speeds and more maneuverability Specs Frequency: 2.4G Gyro: 6 axis Size: 35.8 x 21.3 x 11.4cm Weight: 1.6 pounds Flying time: 10 minutes 14. Hubsan X4 (H107L) SEE LATEST PRICE & OPTIONS AT AMAZON.COM The Hubsan X4 H107L is the model we first used to learn how to fly. It’s fairly basic but flies well. It has a built-in 720 pixel camera. Its compact size still makes it an excellent indoor flyer. Please note that this model does NOT come with an extra battery, propeller guards, etc. Consider getting a “crash pack” from the link below. We wish we would have bought one when we first started flying this thing back in 2014. The Hubsan X4 H107L is a great first model for the newbie pilot, but pretty bare bones compared to some of the other models on this list. Extras These extra parts are available for the Hubsan X4 H107L: Crash Pack Extra Battery 1-to-4 Battery Charger SEE LATEST PRICE & OPTIONS AT AMAZON.COM Features Lightweight airframe with nice durability 2.0MP, HD 720p (1280×720) Video recording module included (requires a Micro SDHC card) The transmitter (TX) supports both Mode 1 and Mode 2 stick configurations Specs Frequency: 2.4Ghz Charging time: about 30-40 minutes Flying time: about 8 minutes Control distance: 100m 15. Cheerson CX-10 Mini SEE LATEST PRICE & OPTIONS AT AMAZON.COM Allow us to introduce one of the best-selling RC multirotors on Amazon — the Cheerson CX-10 Mini. It’s a best seller for a reason. This thing is a perfect quadcopter for beginners, and veterans will enjoy flying it as well. It’s great for all skill levels. The Cheerson CX-10 Mini is (super) small and durable, so even if you do end up losing a few propellers, spare parts are inexpensive. Despite its size, Cheerson still managed to pack a 6-axis flight control board in there for advanced maneuvers, which is great. Extras These extra parts are available for the Cheerson CX-10: Propeller Guard + Propellers Carrying Case Extra Propellers SEE LATEST PRICE & OPTIONS AT AMAZON.COM Features Model: CX10. Color: Bright Orange. Body Material: ABS Plastic. Main Rotor Diameter: 1.14″ / 2.9cm. Speed Control: Integrated. Required Radio: 4Channel. Frequency: 2.4G. Flight Time: Approx. 4-8 minutes. Charging Time: About 30-40 minutes. Battery: Rechargeable 3.7V 100mAh Lithium Battery. Transmitter Battery: 2 x 1.5V AAA Batteries (Not Included) Control Distance: About 40 meters. . 6-axis design makes the gyroscope adjustable, promoting flying stability. Suitable for: Ages 14+ Powered by a piece of rechargeable 3.7V 100mAh lithium battery. 3-level adjustable speed flip function. Package Includes: 1 x Mini UFO QuadCopter 1 x USB Cable, 1 x Transmitter, 2 x Main Blades, 1 x User Manual What’s Next? Thanks for checking out our list of killer RC drones for sale. I hope you found a drone model to meet your needs. Once you’ve found the right drone for you, if you need to get your pilot skills up to par check out these guides: How to Fly a Quadcopter – The Ultimate Guide 17 Aerial Videography Training Tips And if you want to fly commercially, we can help you get your drone certification. We even have a Drone Pilot Ground School training course to help you prepare for your written test. Happy flying! Do you have any questions? Email us at support@uavcoach.com. The post 15 Killer Drones for Sale [Updated for Winter 2017] appeared first on UAV Coach. View the full article

A new original toyquadcopter from WLtoys, a quadcopter able to float at the water surface, the “Aeroamphibious”: http://www.gearbest.com/rc-quadcopters/pp_603916.html Remind me a bit the WLtoys Q292. No information about the radio range distance, but If I am not wrong, probably compatible with other introduced WLtoys models (Q323) and deviated recently. Specification General Brand: WLtoys Type: Quadcopter Model: Q353 Features: Radio Control Motor Type: Brushed Motor Functions: Forward/backward,Headless Mode,Hover,One Key Automatic Return,One Key Taking Off,Turn left/right,Up/down,With light Night Flight: Yes Built-in Gyro: 6 Axis Gyro Material: ABS/PS Kit Types: RTF Level: Intermediate Level Connectivity Remote Control: 2.4GHz Wireless Remote Control Channel: 4-Channels Mode: Mode 2 (Left Hand Throttle) Radio Mode: Mode 2 (Left-hand Throttle) Detailed Control Distance: About 150m Compatible with Additional Gimbal: No Transmitter Power: 6 x 1.5V AA battery(not included) Battery Battery: 7.4V 1200mAh Flying Time: 6~7mins Charging Time (h): 120 minutes Camera Camera Pixels: 0 ( no camera ) Dimension and Weight Product weight: 0.323 kg Package weight: 1.709 kg Product size (L x W x H): 36.50 x 36.50 x 12.00 cm / 14.37 x 14.37 x 4.72 inches Package size (L x W x H): 53.00 x 13.70 x 33.00 cm / 20.87 x 5.39 x 12.99 inches Package Contents Package Contents: 1 x Quadcopter, 1 x Transmitter, 4 x Spare Propeller, 1 x Charging Cable, 1 x Charger, 1 x English Manual Cet article NEWS: WLtoys Q353 “Aeroamphibious” est apparu en premier sur Drone-Maniac !!!!!!!. View the full article

There are a number of drone companies out there right now aiming to help farmers become more efficient by using data to optimize efforts and avoid waste. Raptor Maps CEO Nikhil Vadhavkar frames the project of “ag drones,” as they’re often called in the industry, pretty succinctly in this quote: “Worldwide, about a third of all crops are lost. It’s easy to blame bugs, but really, a lack of information is destroying these plants.” As the competition to make the best ag drone stiffens (even DJI got in the game a little while back), the improvements offered by various startups have looked to tackle different aspects of the biggest challenges faced by farmers. Image Source If a lack of information is truly to blame then drones can certainly help. But identifying what information is needed, getting it, then actually using it to make improvements is a lot trickier than you might think. Below are some of the biggest challenges faced by farmers looking to use ag drones, and possible solutions offered by new technology. What Are Some of the Challenges Ag Drones Face? 1. Help, I’m Drowning in Data! One of the primary challenges for farmers, as for frankly all of us these days, is about data—or information, as Nikhil Vadhavkar refers to it above. Data is great, but figuring out exactly what data you need and filtering out all the extraneous data can be really challenging, especially at a time when we are often being told that more data is a good thing. The truth is, data for data’s sake is not at all a good thing. We could be drowning in data and still be no further along toward solving the problems we initially set out to solve if we don’t first establish what data we want, and why we want it. To pick one example among many, a study conducted by North Dakota State evaluating the use of drones in agriculture set out to investigate: stand counts in corn, sunflowers and sugar beets; the effectiveness of nitrogen applied to corn and wheat; iron chlorosis deficiency in soybeans; and yield predictions for corn, soybeans, wheat, sugar beets and sunflowers. These data points seem fairly simple, until you dive a little deeper and realize that the images collected by the study’s ag drones will need to be carefully reviewed in order to draw conclusions about items like ‘nitrogen effectiveness’ and ‘iron chlorosis deficiency’. For starters, you’ll need a specific definition of each item on the list, and and criteria for the data required to establish things like ‘effectiveness’ and ‘deficiency’. This way you know what you’re looking for—which data is important, and which can be ignored. Once you establish all of these criteria and actually collect the data, you’ll need a review process to sift through the raw data, and turn it into useable data. That review could take hundreds of person-hours, or it could be automated. But how do you automate? Is it possible to do so in every instance? We won’t dive any deeper, but you can see how data is a challenging area for agricultural drone efforts, both in terms of identifying what and how much data to collect, and also in terms of analyzing it after you’ve got what you want. 2. Precision and Cost Let’s say you do get the data piece taken care of, and hone in on the crucial data points for your operation as well as how to collect and assess that data in a timely manner. The next challenge is that the data collected is only as good as the tools being used to collect it. So you need to make sure your cameras have excellent resolution, and can pick up changes in color and texture from a distance (since those factors will be two of your biggest indicators of soil and plant health). Also important is that your drone handles well, and can actually help you collect the information you need. And finally, are you doing this in-house, or hiring a pilot? And at what point will the data collected be too expensive to justify—that is, when will using ag drones cost more than the money you anticipate saving by avoiding waste in your crops? 3. Implementation, or Getting ‘Er Done So now let’s assume you’ve taken care of the two challenges above, and you got some great, precise, actionable data. Now it’s time for you, as a farmer, to take action and save those crops. Just think about it—one third. It should be easy to allocate time to save one third of your crops! But this too might be more complicated than it seems on the surface. Farming occurs in seasons, so even though you might have excellent ideas to implement, you may have to wait some time before you can get up and running. And even if you do learn something you can hypothetically implement right now, it’s still only as actionable as the crew you have and the labor hours you can put toward that improvement (and, when you consider the hours required simply for routine maintenance tasks, adding new tasks may prove challenging). Also, how do you really know whether all this effort will save you a third? What if it only saves you 10% of your crop, and all the time and money you put into the effort just helped you to break even? Some New Solutions None of this is to say that agriculture can’t be improved by drones, or that we shouldn’t be trying. Our goal here is simply to call out the inherent difficulties faced both by farmers trying to use ag drones, and by ag drone startups themselves. And in fact there is plenty being done to tackle the challenges inherent in running a successful ag drone operation. Below are some solutions to these challenges, presented by a few select ag drone startups. 1. Data Solutions When it comes to the first challenge regarding data, Raptor Maps has created a platform that helps farmers hone in on the data points that matter, and find actionable data. Here is a quote from a recent post we wrote about them: Raptor Maps goes beyond just drone mapping and yield data overlays. Since farmers are constantly experimenting with new chemicals, fertilizer regimens, seed types, and techniques, Raptor Maps allows them to perform statistical analyses for A/B testing to compare and optimize these various inputs for fruits and vegetables. That’s pretty neat, and sounds pretty useable to us. Other companies are doing similar things, all toward the goal of finding the right data, and presenting it in a user-friendly, actionable manner so that farmers don’t end up drowning in a sea of information. 2. Precision and Cost Solutions Ag drone startup Gamaya is using new hyperspectral imaging technology to help farmers get better and more accurate data. According to Gamaya, hyperspectral imaging is 10x more powerful than the standard multispectral technique used by the vast majority of drones in the ag drone startup world. Image Source Here is a quote from a recent press release from Gamaya about the hyperspectral imaging approach, and why it’s a game changer for ag drones: Many Ag drone startups use off-the-shelf technologies, while Gamaya has developed its own state-of-the-art cameras, as well as the technology necessary to interpret the images. Hyperspectral imaging is much more difficult to implement, and is the only imaging format that enables the use of artificial intelligence for crop yield forecasting, and accurate application of pesticides and fertilizer, and other inputs such as labor and water. This infographic from Gamaya is also useful for understanding the power of hyperspectral imaging, and what it means for farmers: 3. Getting ‘Er Done Unfortunately drones may not be equipped to help with this part for a long time. For this, your best bet is to eat another plate of collard greens, put on your boots, and get to work! On a more serious note, we recognize that the way we’ve presented challenges and possible solutions in this article is somewhat over simplified. All of the challenges faced by ag drones are interconnected, and we most likely won’t find a silver bullet that addresses every single one of them. Watching drone startups tackle the problem of big data, and how to collect data and sort it into actionable advice, presents one more fascinating iteration of the constant dilemma we’re faced with in this new golden age of technology. Which is: How do we create new things that aren’t just neat, but will actually improve the way we live our lives? The post The Agriculture Drone Scene: Challenges, and New Tech to Solve (Some of) Them appeared first on UAV Coach. View the full article

INTRODUCTION After the semi-fiasco of the Eachine Falcon 210, Eachine introduces here the Falcon 210 Pro not a simple bug fix revision, but more a new complete full design where the main leitmotiv was to gain the lost power versus the original EF210. One obvious possibility is the save weight while keeping more or less the same ingredients: 2204 motors, 20A ESC, 700 TVL camera, FlySky radio solution. In the other hand bye bye the OSD MWOSD board …. The RTF version can be still found with three choices of flight controller: CC3D/Naze32 and SPF3 board. I will review the SPF3 model. BOX CONTENT + 1 x Eachine Falcon 210 Pro (with a 3S 1500mAh LiPo with XT60) + 1 x Transmitter (using 4xAA batteries not included) + 1 x Bind plug + 1 x B3 Charger (2S & 3S capable) + 1 x 5.8G CloverLeaf antenna + 4 x Spare props (2 CW, 2 CCW) OVERVIEW Compared to its major competitor, the Eachine Wizzard X220, they share more or less the same dimension. Now motors and individual ESC are installed on the upper structure. With the Pro version, no more a massive heaving feeling, it’s lighter for sure. At least with the pro version, a Cloverleaf antenna is directly given. -FRONT VIEW The general distance between the upper & lower plates have been reduced to around 25mm. Just enough to jail the PDB, the FC and the VTX elements. Both plates are linked with aluminium standoff -SIDE VIEW Each motor is protected by this green plastic element. The main upper plate is 3K based with 3mm of thickness The PDB, FC and the 200mW VTX are completly jailed into the two structures. Notice, main lead connexions are nearby the border… IMHO dangerous if we grab the quad without paying attention. Covering thems with some liquid electrical tape sounds for me an important precaution step On the left side, by default, the antennas of the FLysky receiver are stupidely installed. You need aboluptly to attach them more vertically via zip-ties or heatshrink tubes At least, it’s easy to connect the FC via the USB port, the SPF3 board is flipped of 90 degrees All other UART ports are available -REAR VIEW The unique light are located on this read light bar. They indicates turnings (the two left lights or the two right lights are blinking red), the stopping (4 light solid red) and the foward mouvement (4 lights turns to green) -UPPER VIEW Since the 5″ props limits the central space, it’s a little bit tricky to connect the battery without contacts. The best option IMHO is to have the main lead wires installed front forming a kind of loop when plugged to the XT60 connector. Similar to the Falcon 210, the Vband & Vfreq of the 40CH 200mW VTX can be set by long or short press the unique button of the VTX. 2 leds indicates the current band and freq respectively Linked with the 5″ props choice, the upper HD camera support limits in practice the choice of camera you can install 33mm available ….. so no gopro, no runcam HD, no mobius Only the Mobius Mini is compatible The VTX connector is in SMA format -BOTTOM VIEW Like the Falcon 180, the lower plate structure is covered by a piece of foam…. Probably to protect, mainly to save some weight by decreasing the thickness of the lower plate ESC are installed beneath and even not completly attached to each arm Really bad design The receiver installation is even worse The FlySky iA6 is installed/taped latterally due to the lack of free room inside the machine In fact, they wanted to reuse the stock of remaining iA6 receiver using PWM connexion….. I am in shock … More only 5 channels are connected. It means only 1 switch will be operational …. So assign more the 3-way position switch. -WEIGHT A total of 436g …. so close to 50g lighter than the former edition… it’s a huge improvement Motors The same 2204 motors 2300KV than the Falcon 180 We could expect some 2205 model like the last wizzard even if the extra thrust given by the 2205 is not really important 5mm of shaft section 5045 triblade props are given LiPo The same 1500mAh 3S LiPo than came with the original EF210, a basic 25C model. We could expect maybe a model with higher discharge rate. Camera module The 700 TVL CMOS camera is relatively well jailed into the structure. The lens orientation can be akusted from 0 degrees up to +35-40 degrees, great for agressive FPV flights A tiny switch for the NTSC/PAL selection Transmitter A Flysky i6 rebranded by Eachine using the AFHDS-2A radio protocol The menu is locked by default. To enter into it, with all switched up, press the two horizontal trims inner while powering the radio. Now you can enter into the menu by long pressing OK. It seems all parameters are the default factory ones. No failsafe done, and CH5 & CX6 are associated with the pot…. You need to assign the CH5 with the switch C to select your flight modes. UNBOXING, ANALYSIS, CONFIGURATION AND DEMO FLIGHTS In term of practical feedbacks, if the first misssion of the Pro version was to boost thrust capacity, the objectif is fullfilled. Even in 3S carrying a small Mobius Mini cam, the EF210-Pro is much much more powerful. First disapointement is relative to the FPV cam…. The light sensitivity is poor and in cloudy conditions, the contrast between sky and ground surface is so poor than you are almost blind ….. Anyway, no jello is observed. The machine is really pleasant in acro, fun to fly with. With 6-axis stabilized flight mod, I observed with mine than versus time, the quad was drafiting to a random direction. This phoenomena can be even observed prop off, LiPo removed when connected to Betaflight…. when you can see little by little the quadcopter’s avatar spinning on itself. Probably a faulty gyro for my SPF3 board …. or the proximity of the PDB with high currents is creating EMI interferences. We can also regret the absence of the OSD informations previously included. CONCLUSIONS Well except to be a big fan of the Falcon’s serie, there are not objective reasons to pick up this model versus for example the Wizzard X220 or the RealAcc GX210. If the machine fixed the lack of power, the poor quality build and the general feeling that this machine is compiling all remaining elements of worst-seller Eachine’s machines is dominant. What is minimum missing around in the corner ? Some more efficient BLHeli_S ESC Dshot, a lighter and smaller FlySky SBUS receiver directly integrated into the frame and a buzzer. For being called “Pro”, a SPF3 board directly including Betaflight OSD would be a must. PROS + Much more powerfull than the original EF210 + SPF3 board + Betaflight 3.0.1 + 436g (versus 485g for the EF210) + Oneshoot 125 & Damping light supported CONS – 6-axis stabilized flight mode drifting versus time for the SPF3 version – Poor general building (ESC not attached, ect…) – No possibility to install a GoPro, runcam HD or a mobius cam on the camera support – PWM receiver installed outside – Poor FPV camera light sensitbility – Betaflight and transmitter settings not optimized – No BLheli_S ESC – No Buzzer – No OSD This quadcopter have been courtesy provided by Banggood in order to make a fair and not biased review. I would like to thank them for this attitude. You can find it actually for 200USD at http://www.banggood.com/Eachine-Falcon-210-Pro-CC3D-Naze32-F3-FPV-Racer-RTF-with-OSD-700TVL-CAM-5_8G-40CH-VTX-i6-Transmitter-p-1112637.html Cet article TEST: Eachine Falcon 210 Pro est apparu en premier sur Drone-Maniac !!!!!!!. View the full article

Note: This list is updated for winter 2017. Fly safely and responsibly, folks. Never flown before? Learn to fly for free over here. Need to get your FAA commercial drone certificate? Start studying over here. In this article we’ll show you 13 of the best remote control (RC) drones you can buy right now on either Amazon.com or Banggood (two of the most trusted online UAV retailers). These quadcopters are some of the highest rated rigs on the market from some of the top drone manufacturers, like Syma, DJI, Hubsan, and Yuneec. Whether you’re looking for a remote control drone for sale with a camera, a beginner quadcopter to learn with, a more professional drone for aerial photography, or even an FPV (first person view) racer, you’ll find the full spectrum of RC drones for sale in this article. Not so interested in the specs, and just want to see the list of drones? We’ve got you covered: Blade Pico QX Syma X9S Quadcopter Car 1 Hubsan X4 (H107L) Syma X5SW U818A Wifi FPV Drone with Altitude Hold and HD Camera U45 Blue Jay WiFi FPV Drone with HD Camera Focus FPV Drone with HD Camera U28W Wifi FPV Drone with Altitude Hold and HD Camera Blade Nano QX RTF Quadcopter Yuneec Typhoon H DJI Phantom 4 DJI Inspire 1 V2.0 DJI Phantom 3 (Professional) Our hope is that this guide will help you get a strong feel for the options available without being overwhelmed with choices, so you can decide which RC drone is right for you and your needs. To make things easier, we’ve organized this list based on price range. Feel free to use these links to navigate to each section: Drones for less than $100 (beginner quads) Drones for less than $300 (beginner to intermediate) Drones for greater than $300 (advanced and professional rigs) Enjoy! Note: All specs/features come from either the manufacturer or retailer. Note #2: When checking out prices, we’ve included models available for sale on Amazon, one of the largest and most respectable online drone retailers. We do our best to keep these listings up-to-date on a regular basis, but if you see something we missed, let us know at support@uavcoach.com. Note #3: Big thanks to USA Toyz and Force1 RC, who sent us a lot of models on this list to test and review. Both USA Toyz and Force1 RC are U.S. based companies that sell through Amazon. Unlike many of their non-U.S. counterparts, they offer quality customer service, user manuals you can actually understand, and good business ethics. Many of the models on this list link directly to these companies. Drones For Less Than $100 (Beginner Quads) The first four sUAS in this list are great for newer pilots who are just learning how to fly a drone. They can also be fun indoor flyers for more advanced pilots. 1. Blade Pico QX SEE LATEST PRICE & OPTIONS AT AMAZON.COM BLADE is one of the most popular drone manufacturers. They specialize in smaller quadcopters that are great for practicing, but they also offer more advanced features that many competing drones of their size don’t have. The Pico QX is the smallest drone BLADE has ever released. This makes it perfect for flying indoors and in tight spaces. The Pico QX is also equipped with SAFE (Sensor Assisted Flight Envelope) technology. This technology was pioneered by Horizon Hobby. It helps remote controlled drones (or planes and helicopters) understand their position relative to the horizon — an imaginary stable flight position. This improves flight control by helping prevent excessive or unusual turns. SAFE technology also allows you to bring your quad back to a stable hover when the control sticks are released. This feature alone makes it a great nano drone, and for under $100 it’s a good investment for improving your pilot skills or taking bigger risks with your flying (without risking too much money). EXTRAS These extra parts are available for the BLADE Pico QX: → Replacement Propellers (props) → Blade Pico QX Motors (4) Features Execute single or double flips with the push of a button Features SAFE™ (Sensor Assisted Flight Envelope) technology with stability and agility modes (if you get in trouble, just let go of the sticks) USB charge cables work with any available USB port Comes with propeller guards to minimize the effect of collisions Specs Frequency: 2.4Ghz Gyro: 6 axis Size: 15.2 x 4.6 x 3.1 inches Weight: 6.4 ounces Flight time: about 5-7 minutes 2. Syma X9S Quadcopter Car SEE LATEST PRICE & OPTIONS AT AMAZON.COM This is the first of two Syma models in this list. Syma manufactures a broad range of RC drones, from the smaller nano quadcopters to the high-end professional UAVs for aerial videography and 3D mapping and modeling. (Note: Check out our online course, Mapping and 3D Modeling 101, if you’re curious about learning this skill.) The Syma X9S is a hybrid remote controlled drone and car. This drone offers two modes: Land Mode and Fly Mode. Each mode gives you the choice of two speeds to cater to different skill levels. Often with off-the-wall products like this, overall quality tends to take a hit. However, the X9 quad-car has over 4 stars on Amazon with a ton of raving 5 star reviews. If you’re an RC car driver looking to merge your passion for drones, the Syma X9 will be a match made in heaven. EXTRAS These extra parts are available for the Syma X9S Quadcopter Car: → Carrying Case for the Syma X9S → Extra Battery (1) (product comes with one extra battery) Features Land mode – Functions as a remote control car with 2 speed mode Fly Mode – Functions as a quadcopter with 2 speed mode One button 360 degree flip in the air LED lights for night flight Specs Frequency: 2.4Ghz Gyro: 6 axis Size: 31 x 31 x 6cm Weight: 500g Charging time: 100 minutes Flight time: 5-6 minutes Control distance: about 50m 3. Hubsan X4 (H107L) SEE LATEST PRICE & OPTIONS AT AMAZON.COM The Hubsan X4 (H107L) is also featured in our popular article 17 cheap drones for beginner pilots. Hubsan has emerged as one of the top drone companies. They produce high quality quadcopters at affordable prices. The Hubsan X4 (H107L) is the same. It’s one of the best learner quads out there, with excellent handling and over 9 minutes of flight time. It’s also great size for indoor flying. The H107L is a durable quadcopter that can take a beating, but you can also buy a propeller guard to make it even more crash resistant, which can be helpful for new pilots. It offers one-click flips (both forward and backward) for doing aerial tricks, and the drone only takes 30 minutes to charge, so you can take a coffee break and be flying again in no time. We can’t recommend the X4 (H107L) enough for new pilots who are just getting into the industry and more advanced pilots who are looking for a durable little quad to have some fun with. EXTRAS These extra parts are available for the Hubsan X4 (H107L): → Hubsan X4 (H107L) Crash Pack → Propeller Guard → Extra Propellers → Extra Propellers + Propeller Guard → Extra Batteries Features Durable one piece main frame Permits super stable flight Ready to fly (RTF) Auto-corrects to level after you let go of the sticks Specs Frequency: 2.4G Gyro: 6 axis Size: 14.73 x 5.84 x 2.54cm Weight: 12.3 ounces Charging time: 30 minutes Flight time: 9 minutes Control distance: 100 meters 4. Syma X5SW SEE LATEST PRICE & OPTIONS AT AMAZON.COM The Syma X5SW1 is our first drone with a camera on this list. It’s an upgraded version of the extremely popular X5C. If you’re looking for your first camera drone, the X5SW sports a 2MP camera that can hold about 800 pictures and 30 minutes of video recording time. It’s flight time is around 7 minutes and it takes about 90 minutes to charge, so the flight time to charge ratio isn’t excellent. But all camera drones have an increased payload that widen this ratio, so if you’re looking to take aerial photos and videos, extra batteries are highly recommended. (You can charge your extra batteries while flying to maximize the flight session.) This model comes with prop guards standard, and offers 360 flips in either direction — including while you’re recording. If you’re getting started in aerial videography or you just want to take some cool pictures, try out the Syma X5SW for a great cheap starter quad. EXTRAS These extra parts are available for the Syma X5SW: → Syma X5 Crash Pack → Extra Propellers → Extra Propellers + Propeller Guard → Extra Syma X5 Batteries Features 2MP HD camera (800 pictures, 30 mins of video) Propeller guards standard 360 degree flips in either direction LED lights for nighttime flying Specs Frequency: 2.4Ghz Gyro: 6 axis Size: 31cm x 31cm x 8cm Weight: 916g Charging time: 90 minutes Flight time: 7 minutes Control distance: 50 meters Drones For Less Than $300 (Beginner to Intermediate) These quadcopters are in the $100-$300 price range. They offer higher powered cameras, better handling, and are better equipped for pilots who have some experience under their belts (or pilots who are fast learners). 5. U818A Wifi FPV Drone with Altitude Hold and HD Camera SEE LATEST PRICE & OPTIONS AT AMAZON.COM UDI is a highly reputable (and affordable) drone manufacturer that’s been constantly upgrading their training / beginner sUAS models over the last couple of years. This model, the U818A, boasts altitude-hold and a first-person-view (FPV) screen, so you can see exactly what the HD camera of your drone sees…in real time. Great practice for those of you looking to get into FPV racing. But that’s not all! You also get bonus VR goggles, an extra battery, extra propellers, AND and a bonus power bank for your additional charging needs. Box Contents: 1 U818W 1 Controller 2 Batteries 1 USB Battery Charger 1 SC Card reader 1 4GB SD card 4 Spare Blades 1 Spanner 1 Manual The camera can capture 720P video at 30 frames per second (with an SD card). This is one of the most popular training quadcopters on the market, and I like this particular package because it comes with an extra battery. The LCD screen on the transmitter displays a full range of flight stats to keep you in the know. Its light but durable frame makes it a great quad for new pilots to practice with. Extras These extra parts are available for the the U818A: U818A Drone Carrying Case 3 Extra Batteries 1-to-6 Battery Charger Extra Propellers SEE LATEST PRICE & OPTIONS AT AMAZON.COM Features Forward-facing camera takes HD video and HD photos with color and white balance Movie resolution upgraded to 1280 * 720 at 30 frames per second FPV and VR headset compatibility Removable Micro-SD (TF) card stores enough for several flights Data port and USB Data Cable – upload your new AVI and JPEG files to Facebook, Email, Photoshop LCD radio controller LCD screen displays full flight status Extra battery to double your flight time Photo Button snaps pictures, Video Button starts & stops video recording Specs Frequency: 2.4Ghz Size: 13.4 x 13.0 x 2.2 in Weight: 1 pounds Charging time: about 90-120 minutes Flying time: about 8-10 minutes 6. U45 Blue Jay WiFi FPV Drone with HD Camera SEE LATEST PRICE & OPTIONS AT AMAZON.COM An exclusive training quadcopter from USA Toyz / Force1 RC, the U45 Blue Jay is one of the more durable beginner quadcopters out there. As you can see by those propeller guards, they can take quite a beating and keep on going. This makes it great for beginners, but more experienced pilots will enjoy this quad as well. The Blue Jay has a skillful Custom Route Mode as well, allowing you to drag your fingers across your mobile or tablet app screen to create an automated flight path. Box Contents U45W Drone 2.4Ghz Controller 3.7V 500mAh Battery x 2 USB Battery Charger 4GB SanDisk Micro SD Card SD Card Reader Spare Propellers x 4 Screwdriver User Manual SEE LATEST PRICE & OPTIONS AT AMAZON.COM Features FIRST PERSON VIEW with VR HEADSET COMPATIBILITY: Watch live video feed of your flight from your iPhone or Android Smart mobile device with the FPV WiFi feature. ALTITUDE HOLD FUNCTION: SUPER EASY DRONE FOR BEGINNERS TO FLY: Makes controlling the drone a breeze for beginners and stabilizes aerial photography. This is the ideal beginner drone with a lot of the latest features typically found on higher end models. ONE TOUCH TAKE OFF AND LANDING: Drone automatically hovers at a set altitude after take off and before landing making it easy to control and maneuver, especially for beginners who are not yet skilled. CUSTOM ROUTE MODE -Trace the desired flight path on the mobile app screen and the drone will fly along the path unassisted HD CAMERA: Capture 720p high definition aerial photos and videos with 2MP camera; Sync it to your controller to really bring life to your flights! 7. Focus FPV Drone with HD Camera SEE LATEST PRICE & OPTIONS AT AMAZON.COM The Focus FPV Drone comes with an extra battery, spare propellers, and a 4GB Micro SD Card. Another tried and true model with FPV capabilities if you’d like to practice FPV racing or master multirotor orientation with a more affordable beginner model. Box Contents FOCUS FPV Drone 2.4Ghz Controller w/Display 2 x 3.7V 500mAh LiPo Battery 2 x 3.7V 450mAh LiPo Battery USB Battery Charger 4 x Spare Propellers 4G Micro SD Card Mini Screwdriver Instruction Manual SEE LATEST PRICE & OPTIONS AT AMAZON.COM Features FIRST PERSON VIEW – Watch live video feed straight from the pilot’s seat with FPV and a built-in screen on your controller CATCH IT ALL ON VIDEO – This drone with HD camera lets you to capture aerial photos and video of your flight in 720p With this Drone’s 720p HD camera, you’ll be able to capture amazing aerial photos and video of your flight FISH EYE LENS – Its camera is equipped with a fish eye lens so you can enjoy a wider view of your flight EASY TO FLY – Full, digital stabilization keeps you in control making this a great drone for beginners HEADLESS MODE & RETURN HOME – The drone can automatically detect its location which means no positioning is needed before flying; Plus, Return Home brings it right back to you! 8. U28W Wifi FPV Drone with Altitude Hold and HD Camera SEE LATEST PRICE & OPTIONS AT AMAZON.COM The U28W Wifi FPV Drone is a tiny but mighty drone that can reach fast top speeds. And because of the low-latency FPV video transmission straight to a built-in controller screen, it’s ideal for anyone who wants a fun drone to learn on, but eventually be able to race around obstacles with ease. Given the size of the frame, the motors are pretty powerful, making this drone super fast and agile. As with many of the other models on this list, it has an easy “flip” button which is fun to see through the built-in FPV controller screen. Extras These extra parts are available for the U28W Wifi FPV Drone: Extra Batteries 4-in-1 Battery Charger SEE LATEST PRICE & OPTIONS AT AMAZON.COM Features FIRST PERSON VIEW with VR HEADSET COMPATIBILITY: Watch a live video feed of your flight on an android or iPhone device with the FPV WiFi feature; Syncs instantly and brings life to your flights! CUSTOM ROUTE MODE – Trace the desired flight path on the mobile app screen and the drone will fly along the path unassisted WIDE ANGLE HD CAMERA & EXTRA BATTERY FOR LONG FLIGHT TIME: Capture pristine aerial videos and photos in 720P high definition on 4GB Micro SD, 120º wide angle format; Double your flight time with extra battery 3D STUNTS: Perform 360º flips and rolls with the push of a button; View all of your flips and twists in real time straight from the controller screen EASY TO FLY FOR BEGINNERS: Custom route mode allows pilots to draw out their desired flight path in the Flyingsee app. High/Low Speed Mode makes drone easy for beginners to master; FAA Registration NOT Required 9. Blade Nano QX RTF Quadcopter SEE LATEST PRICE & OPTIONS AT AMAZON.COM Gizmodo calls the Blade Nano “The Best Drone for Advanced Beginners.” First, it’s got SAFE technology. SAFE stands for Sensor Assisted Flight Envelope. This technology helps you prevent crashing your drone and assists you in takeoff (two necessary skills for any newbie pilot). If at any time you lose control or need to take a breather, simply let go of the sticks and the quadcopter will hover in place. When you get more advanced you can switch the quad to agility mode to perform skillful maneuvers and hit top speeds. The Blade Nano is a beginner drone (for under $100) that will carry you into the veteran landscape. (Blade was also featured in our list of drone companies to watch, among a few of the other manufacturers in this article.) Extras These extra parts are available for the Blade Nano QX: 4 Extra Batteries Extra Propellers (Clockwise and Counter-Clockwise) SEE LATEST PRICE & OPTIONS AT AMAZON.COM Features Features exclusive SAFE™ (Sensor Assisted Flight Envelope) technology with stability and agility modes (if you get in trouble, just let go of the sticks) Small enough to fly in any room or office Tough, lightweight airframe with blade guards Potent brushed motors that provide smooth and powerful lift Once you’ve mastered the basics, you can switch the SAFE system to agility mode for faster flying speeds and more maneuverability Specs Frequency: 2.4G Gyro: 6 axis Size: 35.8 x 21.3 x 11.4cm Weight: 1.6 pounds Flying time: 10 minutes Drones For Greater Than $300 (Advanced and Professional Rigs) The following drones are some of the best quadcopters on the market. Each offers expert handling and, besides the FPV racer (#13), all of them are great for aerial videography and photography. Take a look: 10. Yuneec Typhoon H SEE LATEST PRICE & OPTIONS AT AMAZON.COM If you haven’t heard of Yuneec, you’re missing out on some high-quality aerial camera platforms that may very well be the perfect fit for your recreational (or business) sUAS camera needs. The Typhoon H is fully equipped with six rotors, a 360-degree gimbal camera and retractable landing gear with Yuneec’s standard of being ready out of the box, easy and safe to fly, with stunning Ultra HD 4K video and photography stills. Key Specs Camera Resolution: 12.4MP Video Resolution: 4K at 30 FPS Max Flight Time: 25 minutes Max Speed: 43.5mph (70km/h) in Follow Me mode Notable Attributes: Hexacopter = better redundancy, Obstacle Avoidance, 360-degree camera The Typhoon H is controlled by the Android-based ST16 controller, which has a large 7-inch integrated display and HD 720p first-person-view (FPV) downlink for stunning real-time video reception. SEE LATEST PRICE & OPTIONS AT AMAZON.COM Yuneec Typhoon H Accessories Extra Battery Hard Shell Backpack We’ve had a lot of fun testing the Yuneec Typhoon H. Here’s a fun shot of a sunset orbit selfie I recorded with my father-in-law. 11. DJI Phantom 4 SEE LATEST PRICE & OPTIONS AT AMAZON.COM The DJI Phantom 4 launched in March 2016. What are the big improvements from the Phantom 3 series? Better battery life, obstacle avoidance, and a great newly designed camera lens. A lighter magnesium skeleton lets the Phantom 4 stay in the air for up to 28 minutes, an increase in effective flight time of 25% over the Phantom 3 Professional. And a newly designed lens offers crisper, cleaner video. Key Specs Camera Resolution: 12MP Adobe DNG RAW Video Resolution: 4K at 30 FPS / 1080p at 120FPS Max Flight Time: 28 minutes Max Speed: 45 mph (20 m/s) in Sport mode Notable Attributes: Battery Life, Obstacle Avoidance, Flight Modes SEE LATEST PRICE & OPTIONS AT AMAZON.COM DJI Phantom 4 Accessories Extra Battery Battery Charging Hub Quick-Release Propellers Lighting Kit Improvements to the Vision Positioning System (VPS) and front-mounted obstacle sensors help provide greater security and confidence when flying indoors or with lots of obstacles around. 12. DJI Inspire 1 V2.0 SEE LATEST PRICE & OPTIONS AT AMAZON.COM The DJI Inspire 1 V2.0 is bigger and offers full 360° camera rotation, giving you an unrestricted view of the world below. It’s 3-axis gimbal and camera system can be easily removed from the aircraft for safe transport and for future upgrades. And because DJI offers different camera systems (like the Zenmuse X3, Zenmuse X5, Zenmuse X5R, Zenmuse XT, etc.), the DJI Inspire 1 V2.0 is flexible and the kind of model that will allow you to grow over time. Key Specs Camera Resolution: 12MP Video Resolution: 4K at 30 FPS Max Flight Time: 18 minutes Max Speed: 49 mph (22 m/s) in ATTI mode, no wind Notable Attributes: Dual-Operator Mode, Multiple Zenmuse Camera Systems Buy With One Or Two Controllers Ever heard of dual-operator mode? The DJI Inspire 1 V2.0 lets one person fly, and another person control the camera. I’ll tell you this. Once you fly with dual-operator mode, it will be hard to go back to flying solo. Operating sUAS with a talented crew member is really fun. One Controller Two Controllers Hard Case (Go Professional Cases) Extra Propellers SEE LATEST PRICE & OPTIONS AT AMAZON.COM DJI Inspire 1 Accessories Lens Filters (PolarPro Extra Battery Deluxe Bundle If you’re looking for a bigger bird with payload flexibility, 360° camera rotation, and dual-operator mode, the DJI Inspire 1 is a great fit. 13. DJI Phantom 3 (Professional) SEE LATEST PRICE & OPTIONS AT AMAZON.COM DJI is a drone manufacturing juggernaut. Their DJI Phantom 3 series arguably represents the best selling drone models of 2015 and 2016. Within the series there are four different models: the Standard, the 4K, the Advanced, and the Professional. The DJI Phantom 3 Professional is the most sophisticated option in the series, and as the name suggests, it was designed for professional pilots. The 3Pro offers 4K video, 23 minutes of flight time, and a whopping 5km control distance. The quadcopter also comes with five advanced flight modes: Follow Me Course Lock Waypoints Home Lock Point of Interest These autonomous modes let you focus on camera control and getting the right shot. This makes the DJI Phantom 3 Professional a smart choice for pro pilots. Key Specs Camera Resolution: 12MP Video Resolution: 4K at 30 FPS Max Flight Time: 23 minutes Max Speed: 36 mph (18 m/s) in ATTI mode, no wind Notable Attributes: Older Model = Lower Cost (But Still Quality Aircraft) SEE LATEST PRICE & OPTIONS AT AMAZON.COM DJI Phantom 3 Professional Accessories Extra Battery Extra Propellers (2 Pairs) 64 GB MicroSD Memory Card DJI Phantom 3 Propeller Guard DJI Phantom 3 Camera Lens Protector + Cover Remote Controller Strap DJI Phantom 3 Hardshell Backpack If you’re on a budget and/or need to sacrifice some of the bells and whistles of the newer systems, the Phantom 3 series offers more affordable pricing but units that still pack a lot of punch. Thank you for checking out our list of remote control drones! We tried to include a broad range of RC drones in this list, so hopefully you were able to find one or two that meet your needs. But if not, feel free to email support@uavcoach.com and we’ll do our best to help you out. If you’re just getting into drones, you may want to check out our article, “How to Fly a Quadcopter” pilot guide. It breaks down different techniques to get your skills up to speed and shows you how to become a safe pilot. The post 13 Remote Control Drones to Buy [Updated for Winter 2017] appeared first on UAV Coach. View the full article

Just be announced here: http://www.banggood.com/X73S-73mm-Betaflight-Naze32-Brushless-1S-FPV-Racing-Drone-ARF-w-5_8G-32CH-25MW-600TVL-Transmitter-p-1117946.html?rmmds=category A successor of the last Eachine X73 fiasco…. now comes in brushless edition. Total weight is announced to be under 43g… with 1103 motors (10000 KV) and 3.5A BLheli ESC …. 1S support only. The FC is a classic Naze32…. Obviously, I hope they solved first the RX’s brownout problem. 3 choices of receiver: DSMX/FrSky D8 and Futaba SFHSS…. I appreciate this new choice of receiver …. the FlySky AFHDS option is lacking. I hope also their prop guard is more solid. The former X73 was fragile as christal …. As for the X73, the battery is not included. The camera is exactly the same, a relatively good AIO FPV camera btw but the same fragile camera mount too Specification: Quadcopter Size: 105*105mm Rack: X-type 73mm ESC 1S 3.5A (Blheli) Flight controller Naze32 (6dof) betaflight firmware Motor 1103 Brushless Motor KV10000 Receiver Compatible futaba s-fhss receiver/ Frsky D8 receiver/ DSMX receiver AV Wireless Transmitter 5.8g 32ch 5.8Ghz 25mw Propeller 4-leaf efficient Camera SENSOR: 1/4″” HD Sensor Resolution: 1280*960 Pixel: 5MP Definition: 600TVL Min.Illumination: 0.5Lux SNR: >48db GAMMA: 0.45 Refresh rate: 60F/S NTSC,50F/S PAL Shutter Speed: PAL;1/50’1/100,000s NTSC:1/60’1/100,000s Working temperature: -40~+85? White balance: automatic Video output: 1vp-p75 Europe Synchronous system: Internal synchronization Color: color TV Format: PAL Flight time 5-6 minutes Takeoff weight <43g Batterry 1S 450mah 25c Lipo battery (Not included) Package included: 1 x X73S Multirotor frame 4 x 1103 Brushless Motor KV10000 1 x Naze32 FC 1 x Futaba Compatible s-fhss receiver/ Frsky Compatible D8 receiver/ Compatible DSMX receiver 1 x Mini Camera 1 x Protection cover 4 x Blade Cet article NEWS: Eachine X73S, the brushless version (<43g, Naze32, 3.5A BLheli ESC, 1103-10000KV motors) est apparu en premier sur Drone-Maniac !!!!!!!. View the full article