Drone News

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

INTRODUCTION With the Eachine AIOF3, here is an new ultralight Flight controller based on the powerfull F3 ARM core supporting directly Betaflight (3.0.0 by default), including a buitin FrSky D8 receiver (like the FrDR3) with working telemetry but now also integrate the Betaflight OSD. With betaflight OSD, you can configure everything from the Chrome GUI !!! just great. Cherry on the cake, FET are annouced to handle up to 10A so even compatible with “big” 10mmx20mm coreless brushed motors. BOX CONTENT + 1 x AIOF3 + 1 x Powerlead cable with microLOSI connector + 1 x Foam pad with double tape OVERVIEW A 37mmx29mm board …too large to fit a TinyWhoop/Eachine E010… but more adapted from a 80mm machine The CC2500 RFchip associated with the FrSky receiver is installed on top. Nearby a ATmega328p to control it but no dedicaced pads to flash a new firmware. For the FrSky version, we have a binding button. You have to hold this button while powering the board via the USB for example. Good news, the receiver firware have been updated to correctly output RSSI & Vbat by telemetry. For the 6-axis stabilization, we have a MPU 6000 from invensense. The OSD processor is a AT7456E. Notice the big cap here for the +5V voltage regulation. It should help to filter out most interefences coming for the FPV connexion The other side welcomes the main ARM F3 MCU and the strong FET supporting 10A at peak… (probably some ic995 chm2310p chip variant) It’s just great !!!! In one year, FET were able to handle max 4A… then 6.4A. Now we have 10A models…. It means, bigger/stronger motors can be installed 3g so just 0.4g more than the FrFR3 without OSD. Here are for example the connexions with the Eachine MC02 but more lighter AIO FPV cam can be used of course as soon the Video pads are found. We can expect bundle TX01+AIOF3 Under 7g. UNBOXING & CONFIGURATIONS CONCLUSIONS The AIOF3 is clearly a super board with strong elements: strong FET, strong ARM F3 MCU, builtin FrSky D8 with telemetry, strong OSD and betaflight ready. Probably the best 1S board in the market. What’s a pity there is no way to use it in 2S configuration. PROS + 3g + Builtin FrSky D8 receiver with working Telemetry + Builtin BetaflightOSD + F3 processor + Compatible Cleanflight/Betaflight + Strong 10A FET CONS – No 2S support This Flight controller 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 31USD at http://www.banggood.com/Eachine-AIOF3_BRUSHED-Flight-Control-Board-Built-in-OSD-FrskyFlyskyDSM2DSMX-Receiver-Betaflight-p-1107427.html Cet article TEST: Eachine AIOF3: 3g, SPF3, Builtin FrSky D8 w/telemetry, builtin BetaOSD est apparu en premier sur Drone-Maniac !!!!!!!. View the full article

It’s a story as old as time. Where you have drones, you have people who don’t like drones. Well, it looks like the people who are in the Don’t Like camp may be getting a leg up. Until quite recently anti-drone jamming “guns” or “death rays” could only work when the gun user was relatively close to the drone in question. This could be a scary prospect if, for instance, you’re trying to jam a drone that you think may have explosives on board. On the other hand, it was nice for responsible drone owners to know that, for those who might want to mess with their operations, they only had a small physical window in which they could do so. But now things have changed. DroneShield—a company that, as you might imagine from it’s name, “is a worldwide leader in drone detection technology”—recently announced the launch of the DroneGun. Image Source The DroneGun works at up to 1.2 miles away, a huge increase in range from previous iterations of these kinds of devices. Like other, similar devices, the DroneGun doesn’t simply make a drone crash, but forces the sUAS to land or return to its starting point. Check out the video below to see how DroneShield is pitching its gun, or scroll down to get our analysis on this new gizmo, and what we think about whether people should be angry, optimistic, or somewhere in between. Playing Devil’s Advocate As you can probably guess from the title of this section, when it comes to how we feel about the DroneGun, we choose to land in the “somewhere in between” camp. That is, between anger and optimism. Now, hear us out. The first thing to say is that this entire conversation is strictly academic for drone operations in the United States because the FCC has not yet approved any kind of jamming devices. But—and here is where we’ll play devil’s advocate for a moment—hypothetically, creating safe, regulated air spaces is something all of us in the drone community at large should, and generally do, want to have. And creating safe airspaces will require reasonable legislation, and taking reasonable steps for enforcement of that legislation. Can we agree on this concept? Sure we can. Where things start to unravel is when we start talking about enforcement, and what it looks like to actually implement regulations. Certainly we are not OK with the idea of a lone citizen being able to control a highly valuable piece of equipment—a piece of equipment which may well be crucial for someone’s livelihood—just because he spent some money on a DroneGun. But think airports, for starters. Right now, due to the lack of an FCC-approval, there is very little that can be done to keep airports safe from rogue drones, and there is some real concern that a drone could accidentally (or maybe even on purpose!) bring down a plane as it’s taking off or landing. The FBI has already been testing drone detection technology in partnership with the FAA, toward the goal of keeping airports safe from these kinds of accidents. In fact, although it’s still working on a complete strategy, the FAA is required to continue performing evaluations like these as part of the FY 2016 Appropriations law. Other scenarios in which a DroneGun or similar device might be useful are when a drone is thought to contain explosives or otherwise is being used, or going to be used, to harm people. With the proliferation of drones, it is certainly not unthinkable that they could be used for domestic terrorism or in other dangerous ways, and the thought of having a tool to prevent such attacks is a comfort. On the other hand, the power to take down a drone should not be taken lightly. As legislators consider allowing the use of anti-drone tools like the DroneGun, they should consider all of the implications for the vast majority of drone owners who are responsible and law-abiding— both professional and hobbyist users alike—and endeavor to do the right thing to create safe airspaces for everyone. Some Other Great, and Kind of Wacky, Anti-Drone Ideas Have you heard of the net bazooka? This bad boy shoots a net into the sky (you heard that right—a huge net shot out of a bazooka!) so quickly and powerfully that it can take down a drone. The idea of catching anything with a net seems pretty early-20th century to us, but we’ll admit that we were impressed with the demonstration in the video below. Also, eagles have been trained to take down drones. This approach seems even older, like maybe 19th century or earlier, but again, the demonstration in the video below is compelling. The only issue here is with size, since hawks only get so big. That being said, at a typical wingspan of 6-7 feet, and a typical weight of 6-12 pounds, a Bald Eagle gets plenty big enough to take down many of the drones on the market. Interested in becoming FAA certified to fly your drone commercially? Check out our free step-by-step guide to FAA Part 107 for U.S. Commercial Drone Pilots. The post Anti-Drone Guns Expand in Range, and Why This Might Not Be Such a Bad Thing After All appeared first on UAV Coach. View the full article

The first 4-in-1 AIO FPV camera including a DVR recording 720p@30 videos: http://www.banggood.com/Eachine-DVR03-DVR-AIO-5_8G-72CH-025mW50mW200mW-Switchable-VTX-520TVL-14-Cmos-FPV-Camera-p-1117419.html The output power can set selected between 25mW, 50mW and 200mW. A total of 6.8g is announced. So not for tinywhoop but from a 70mm machine it should be possible to integrate it easily. Be aware, the power consommation is greatly increased due to the presence of the DVR and the DVR03 can’t be used directly from a 2S source. We can dream/expect soon to see a 1080p version … but a good 720p@30 is already not bad. Specification: FPV Camera Brand name: Eachine Sensor: 1/4 ” CMOS Resolution: 1MP Viewing angle: 120 ° FOV Format: NTSC / PAL switching Power consumption: 700 mA (typical) Power supply: 3.2-5.5V Video format: AVI Recording Size: 1280 * 720 @ 30fps Video output resolution: 640 * 480 Lens mirror diameter: M7 lens 10mm FPV Transmitter Support memory card: Max 32G (CLASS10) Support video format: NTSC / PAL switch Output impedance: 50ohms Output signal strength: 14 ± 1dbmdBm Output power: 25mW 14dBm Output power: 50mW 17dBm Output power: 200mW 23dBm Wireless channel: 72CH Operating voltage: 3.2-5.5 V Working temperature: -10 – 60 ? 25 mW Current: 640-330 mA 50mW Current: 730-410mA 200 mW Current: 860-553 mA Audio carrier: None Weight 6.8g Size 30.3mm * 18.4mm * 11mm (without antenna, lens) Feature: 4 In 1 AIO design, Super mini size and light weight 0/25mw/50mw/200mw Switchable With DVR function, images can be acquired and recorded in real time. User Manual, please click here. Package Included: 1 X DVR03 AIO FPV VTX Camera 1 X Manual Cet article NEWS: Eachine DVR03, the first 4-in-1 AIO FPV camera including a DVR 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. Flying an FPV (first person view) drone is an otherworldly experience. Before now, only in movies and video games could most people experience a bird’s-eye view or race through obstacles at breakneck speeds. Thanks to FPV quadcopters, hexacopters, and other multirotors, anyone with enough flying skill to maneuver a drone can now have this experience. When most people think ‘FPV drone system,’ they think about FPV racing. This new and rapidly growing sport is getting commercialized by organizations like the Drone Racing League, U.S. Drone Racing Association, and events like the World Drone Racing Championships. And rightly so. It’s awesome! Want to skip the details and go straight to our list of recommended FPV drones, goggles, cameras, and transmitters? You got it: Vortex 285 Racing Quadcopter ARRIS FPV 250 Quadcopter Walkera Runner 250 Pro Quadcopter TBS Vendetta Quadcopter DYS XDR220 RTF FPV Racing Quadcopter DJI Phantom 4 Quadcopter Yuneec Typhoon H Hexacopter Eachine CMOS 700TVL FPV Camera + Transmitter FatShark 900VTL WDR CCD FPV Camera FatShark Dominator HD V3 Eachine VR-D2 FPV Video Goggles Boscam TS351 200mW Transmitter Eachine 700tvl 5.8G 32Ch 200mW Transmitter FPV racing makes for an excellent spectator sport. Live attendees can either watch the drones themselves, or they can set a pair of goggles or an LCD monitor to the right channel see what the drones are seeing. TV stations can also stream live racing events to millions of homes, bars, and restaurants. (ESPN recently announced a partnership with the International Drone Racing Association to begin streaming races in August, 2016.) Then there’s the hobby side of FPV drones. Pilots can have a ton of fun getting views, photos, and videos of objects and landscapes they never could have gotten before. FPV drones can also aid search and rescue, as emergency personnel can eliminate the risk of human harm while scouting dangerous areas. Finally, there’s the ever-expanding (and lucrative) commercial side to FPV. Professional pilots can shoot expert aerial photos and videos to be turned into marketing materials, maps and 3D models, and much more. First person view multirotor capabilities have blown the doors wide open to harness drone technology even further in society. This guide gives drone pilots a crash course on the FPV side of drone flight. We made sure to include what FPV drone flying is, how it works, and some of the best equipment to get started. If you’re new to the FPV world or have just started getting your feet wet, we suggest reading the entire article. If not, go ahead and skip to the section that applies to you best: Helpful Definitions How FPV Racing Works Racing Drones (ready to fly) FPV Quadcopters for Aerial Photo/Video (ready to fly) FPV Cameras FPV Goggles Transmitters Other FPV Options to Check Out Further Reading Happy flying! Helpful Definitions FPV (first person view): Using a screen, monitor, or goggles to view what your multirotor’s camera is seeing in real time. Line of Sight (LoS): Being able to physically see your drone as you’re piloting it. FPV racing: A rapidly growing sport in which pilots race small quadcopters around a predetermined track. RTF (ready to fly) racing drones: Drones made for FPV racing that require no additional assembly. DIY racing drones: A homemade do-it-yourself racing drone. FPV camera: A special camera used for first-person-view racing, piloting, photography, or videography. FPV goggles: A special set of goggles used to view what the multirotor’s camera is seeing in real time. Head tracking: An FPV goggle mod that allows you to adjust your camera’s angle mid-flight by tilting your head. Interpupillary distance: Internal goggle lens distance from the center of your pupils. LCD monitor: A screen, usually attached to the controller, used to view what a multirotor’s camera is seeing. Usually used instead of goggles. Transmitter: Relays the camera’s feed to the receiver. Receiver: Accepts the camera’s feed and relays it to your screen/goggles of choice. Frequency: The radio frequency FPV equipment runs on. Can be brand-dependent. Allows for multiple channels so pilots don’t interfere with each other. FPV system: The entire drone rig, from the multirotor itself, to the connecting parts, to the controller and video display method. On Screen Display (OSD): Gives you flight telemetry data (speed, altitude, battery life, etc) on your FPV display. See a full OSD guide here. TVL (Resolution): The camera’s resolution, which helps determine video feed quality and clarity. CCD camera type: Camera that uses a charge-coupled device (CCD) image sensor. Typically better for FPV. CMOS camera type: Camera that uses a complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor. Typically cheaper than CCD cameras, but not as good for FPV. Video Latency: Lag in what your camera sees and when it transmits it to your screen/goggles. Can lead to inaccurate flight, racing maneuvers, and aerial shots. Jello: Vibration in your video caused by the multirotor itself. How FPV Racing Works FPV racing is an exhilarating sport. These quadcopters can fly up to 50mph miles per hour (or faster) through hoops, around trees, over bars, and just about any object. The tracks are specifically set up to challenge each pilot’s skill set. Recreational tracks tend to be less complex, because the organizers usually don’t have the resources for a more intricate set up. Or the pilots’ skill levels are lower. Professional tracks can get extremely complex, causing pilots to make acrobat maneuvers to get around/through each obstacle. The Types of FPV Drone Races According to FPVRacing.tv, FPV pilots currently have the option of 3 race types: 1. Rotorcross The multirotors race through a course and are ranked in the order they cross the finish line (traditional racing). 2. Drag Race A straight-line race between 2 or more multirotors over a short distance (usually 100m). This tests acceleration and top speed. 3. Time Trial Tests how fast each multirotor can make it through the course. How to Find Races Check out these five resources to find drone racing events to join: FPVRacing.tv’s events map FPVRacingEvents.com The Drone Racing League U.S. Drone Racing Association Calendar Google: “your location + FPV drone race” How to Join a Drone Racing Team Just like NASCAR and other types of racing, pilots are broken up into teams for cohesion and scoring. Each pilot on a team typically uses similar equipment. To find teams to join, check out this page. The Different Leagues and Championships Available The Drone Racing League – The DRL season involves different races in which pilots accumulate points. Pilots with the highest number of points qualify for the World Championship. Here are the standings. MultiGP Drone Racing League – With chapters all over the world and events and classes for all types of FPV racers, MultiGP is leading the way in FPV racing and event management. The World Drone Racing Championship – The 2016 Drone Worlds was held in Kualoa Ranch, Hawaii. The event brought together pilots from 30 countries to compete on four courses and in six different events each day. To find a recreational or professional drone league in your area, do a Google search for “your area + drone racing league” or “your area + recreational drone racing league.” Ready to Fly FPV Racing Drones The following racing quadcopters are ready to fly right out of the box. No assembly required. Many people choose to build their own rigs to get the specifications they want. But if you don’t have the technical knowledge or the desire to build one yourself, these multirotors are more than adequate to start with. Note: Ready to fly does not necessarily mean the quad comes with a remote control, goggles, a monitor, and other equipment. In many cases, those will need to be purchased separately. Check out the full specs of our list of FPV drone systems below: 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. 1. Vortex 285 Racing Quad SEE LATEST PRICE & OPTIONS AT AMAZON.COM The Vortex 285 Racing Quad from ImmersionRC is one of the top ready-to-fly FPV models out there. Its 285 size is slightly bigger than the more common 250, but it’s still extremely fast. This quadcopter is foldable for easy transport, and its frame is made out of durable carbon fiber and custom injected plastic. The camera mount is tiltable, allowing you to get the right flight angle, and it can fit either an FPV camera or an HD one (like a GoPro). The Vortex 285 also includes a full-graphic on-screen display and 5.8GHz video transmitter, making it compatible with any 5.8Ghz receiver. This is an excellent RTF quadcopter for both beginner and intermediate racers. Features Foldable design Tiltable camera mount Can hold an FPV camera or an HD one (like a GoPro) Includes an on-screen display Specifications Size: 285 Weight: 14.4 ounces Transmitter Frequency: 5.8Ghz Tranmitter Power: 350mW 2. ARRIS FPV 250 SEE LATEST PRICE & OPTIONS AT AMAZON.COM The ARRIS FPV 250 is one of the highest rated racing quadcopters on Amazon. It’s made of 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 latency between what the drone sees and what you see. And all parts are tested by the manufacturer and ready to fly. However, you will need to buy your own remote control and battery. If you’re looking for a high-rated racing drone, check out the ARRIS FPV 250. Features Made of carbon/glass fiber composited material Comes with 700TVL camera Specifications Size: 250 Weight: 13.6 ounces 3. Walkera Runner 250 Pro SEE LATEST PRICE & OPTIONS AT AMAZON.COM The Walkera Runner 250 is one of the most popular ready-to-fly FPV drones on the market. This quadcopter features a carbon fiber frame that’s ultra-durable and crash resistant. The Walkera 250 Pro is also simple to disassemble and reassemble. This allows pilots to customize its features and tune the rig. This drone reaches speeds of up to 21-25 miles per hour, and the Runner 250 is equipped with an 800TVL HD camera for live FPV streaming. If you’re looking to get into drone FPV racing, the Walkera Runner 250 is a solid start at a modest price. Features Carbon fiber frame Simple to assemble and disassemble Reaches speeds up to 21-25 mph Comes with 800TVL camera Specifications Size: 250 Weight: 18.7 ounces (w/ battery) 4. TBS Vendetta SEE LATEST PRICE & OPTIONS AT AMAZON.COM Team Black Sheep (TBS) has created an excellent RTF FPV racer, the Vendetta. This 240-sized quadcopter is made with a full carbon fiber frame and quick swap arms. It’s also one of the only FPV drones that does not require soldering to make repairs. This is especially helpful for racers, because crashes are inevitable. Making repairs at the event is much easier with this quadcopter. All parts are made by TBS and tested by professional tuning experts before going on sale. Because this drone is in such high demand, availability is low right now. But you can backorder it from GetFPV here. Features Carbon fiber frame Quick swap arms No soldering required Specifications Size: 240 Weight: 14.4 ounces 5. XDR220 RTF FPV Racing Drone SEE LATEST PRICE & OPTIONS AT AMAZON.COM Force 1’s XDR220 comes with a light, extra durable, and bend-resistant carbon fiber frame, and was clearly designed with racing in mind. The XDR220 fits every level of racing, as it can be tuned and modified overtime as you become a better pilot. It is available as an RTF package, or you can get the kit separately and customize your own XDR220. Features Ready-to-fly with modular design for quick crash recovery builds Carbon fiber frame Powerful brushless motors Balance charger increases battery life Fits every level of FPV racing Specifications 9-CH 2.4GHz CONTROLLER PREMIUM 5.8GHz FIRST PERSON VIEW (FPV)Remote Controller: FrSky Taranis X9D Plus (RTF Only) Ready to Fly FPV Quadcopters for Aerial Photo/Video First person view is not only for racing. It’s also one of the best ways to get accurate aerial photos and videos. (Check out these aerial videography training tips.) The following quadcopters are two of the top aerial videography and photography rigs with native FPV capability. 1. DJI Phantom 4 SEE LATEST PRICE & OPTIONS AT AMAZON.COM DJI has made more than a few excellent drones, but the Phantom 4 stands out among the rest. First off, the quadcopter has an obstacle avoidance system. If you’re about to run into something, the drone senses its distance and automatically bumps itself away. This drone also comes with multiple autonomous flight modes, like ActiveTrack, which allows you to click a subject on the screen and tell the Phantom 4 to follow it. To fly in first person view with the Phantom 4, you can use your tablet or smartphone through the DJI GO app. You can then attach your device to your controller, which allows you to have it in front of you at all times. You can also use FPV goggles (discussed later). To do this, you need to attach an adapter to your controller. Then, attach the HDMI cord from your goggles to the adapter. Features Auto takeoff and auto return home Obstable avoidance system FPV capability Capture 4K ultra HD video at 30 fps and 12MP stills Specifications Frequency: 2.4G Gyro: 6 axis Size: 12.8 x 8.66 x 14.96 in Weight: 3Â pounds Flying time: about 28 minutes Speed: Up to 45 mph 2. Yuneec Typhoon H SEE LATEST PRICE & OPTIONS AT AMAZON.COM The Yuneec Typhoon H is one of the most advanced aerial videography drones on the market. Most rigs of this quality cost $4,000-$10,000 or more. The Typhoon H sits at a reachable $1,499 (similar to the Phantom 4). This hexacopter features obstacle avoidance and a CGO3+ 4K UHD camera that gives you a full 360-degree view of the world around your drone. It also offers Team Mode, which allows you to bind one controller to the hexacopter and one to the camera for dual-operator control. Also, flying in FPV with the Typhoon H is super easy. Either use the 7-inch screen built into the controller, or simply connect your goggle’s HDMI cord to the controller’s HDMI port. Features CGO3+ 4K UHD camera (360-degree view) Team mode Easy FPV capability Capture 4K ultra HD video at 30 fps and 12MP stills Specifications Frequency: 2.4G Gyro: 6 axis Size: 520 x 457 x 294 mm Weight: 4.1 pounds Flying time: about 25 minutes Drone FPV Cameras Many cameras that can be mounted on drones can also be used for FPV. But there’s a certain type that are best for FPV racing, reducing latency, and maximizing the FPV experience. If your racing drone doesn’t come with a camera or you’re building your own (DIY), check out these cameras: 1. Eachine CMOS 700TVL FPV Camera + Transmitter SEE LATEST PRICE & OPTIONS AT AMAZON.COM This is one of the highest rated FPV cameras on Amazon. And for what you get, the price is nearly unbeatable. It comes with a 5.8Ghz transmitter (make sure your receiver is also 5.8Ghz), and the FPV camera features low power consumption and lightweight design, making it great for 250-sized quadcopters. It is a CMOS camera, so it’s not as good for FPV as CCD ones. And you may need to solder the connections. But for less than $50, this camera is a great starter. Specifications Frequency: 5.8Ghz Weight: .42 ounces Type: CMOS Resolution: 700TVL 2. FatShark 900VTL WDR CCD FPV Camera SEE LATEST PRICE & OPTIONS AT AMAZON.COM If you’ve read anything about FPV systems before, you’ve probably heard of Fat Shark. Their 900VTL camera is on the pricier side, but it delivers high quality video. At .3 ounces, it’s extremely lightweight and great for FPV racing. But you will need to couple it with a transmitter, receiver, and goggles or a monitor if you don’t have those items already. (This is the case with most FPV cameras available.) Specifications Frequency: 5.8Ghz Weight: .2 ounces Type: CMOS Resolution: 900TVL Mechanical: 25 X 27 X 12(lens) mm, 13.5g (plastic cased) + 5g/9g cable. Resolution: 900 TVL* Low light (0.08Lux/F1.2) Drone FPV Goggles Many people prefer flying with goggles rather than a monitor. Goggles can provide a more immersive experience and minimize distractions. They can be pricey, but totally worth it if you’re serious about improving your skills. Here’s what you’re looking for in a pair of goggles: Is the resolution high enough? You want your image to be as clear as possible (within your budget). Can you adjust the IPD (interpupillary distance)? This allows you to make sure your pupils are centered in each goggle — similar to adjusting binoculars. Does it come with a receiver? And is it in the right frequency? (Remember that your receiver and transmitter need to be in the same frequency.) Head tracking: Can you control the camera’s tilt by tilting your head? (Awesome feature) Does the price fit your budget? To cater to most people’s needs, I’ve reviewed goggles that have adequate resolution and can fit most people’s budgets: 1. FatShark Dominator HD3 V3 SEE LATEST PRICE & OPTIONS AT AMAZON.COM Fat Shark’s Dominator HD3 V3 goggles come fully-featured with adjustable IPD, a modular design (allowing you to customize parts and add-ons), and high quality 800×600 resolution. You can also attach the Trinity Head Tracker to allow you to adjust your camera’s angle mid-flight by tilting your head. Simply insert the module into a slot on the side of the goggles. Features Compared to the Dominator HD2, it has reduced field of view to help with image sharpness. HD3 ships with new lower profile Velcro backed (removable) faceplate foam for a more accommodating fit. 4:3 in Analog signal; 16:9 in HD signal. Specifications Resolution: 800×600 WVGA High definition media interface 720p Support 2. Eachine VR-D2 FPV Video Goggles SEE LATEST PRICE & OPTIONS AT AMAZON.COM Eachine’s VR-D2 is an excellent pair of goggles, and a good fit for new pilots or pilots who are on a budget. It’s resolution is solid at 800 x 480, and it features a full 5-inch screen to view your quadcopter’s flight, and a built-in DVR function for recording your flight. It has got a built-in 5.8Ghz receiver (the antenna is 5.8Ghz as well), and it comes with padding for added comfort. These goggles are worth a look if you’re on a budget or want a starter pair to try out. Features 5-inch screen Built-in 5.8Ghz receiver Specifications Resolution: 800×480 WVGA Transmitters Transmitters run pretty cheap compared to other drone FPV gear. But they’re also one of the most important pieces. The transmitter determines your goggle’s and camera’s connection quality, how well it can handle distance, and how well it can handle objects coming in its way. Transmitters and receivers come in different radio frequencies. The most common right now is 5.8Ghz. That’s probably the route you’ll want to take, because it’s legal to use in most countries (but make sure to look up the laws in your country). Look up the power limitations in your country as well. Here are a couple transmitters to check out: 1. Boscam TS351 32Ch 5.8 Ghz 200mW Transmitter SEE LATEST PRICE & OPTIONS AT AMAZON.COM It runs on 5.8Ghz frequency, offers 32 channels, and is rated 600mW in power. The 5.8Ghz frequency will make your connection a little jumpy if there are obstacles (like trees or buildings) in the way, but 600mW should be enough to make up for some of that. For less than $30, this transmitter will at least get you up and running. Specifications Frequency: 5.8Ghz Power: 600mW Weight: .7 ounces 2. Eachine 700tvl 5.8G 32Ch 200mW Transmitter SEE LATEST PRICE & OPTIONS AT AMAZON.COM This Eachine transmitter is similar to the one above (5.8Ghz, 32 channel, etc) except the power voltage is lower. What this transmitter lacks in power it makes up for in weight. If you’re concerned about minimizing weight to maximize speed, Eachine’s transmitter is a solid buy. Specifications Frequency: 5.8Ghz Power: 200mW Weight: .2 ounces (w/o antenna) and .53 ounces (w/ antenna) Other FPV Options to Check Out Here are a few other FPV options to check out: The Hubsan H107L – If your pilot skills aren’t ready for a full-fledged FPV quadcopter yet, the Hubsan H107D is an excellent training drone. It’s small, can be flown indoors or outdoors, it’s cheap, and it has first-person-view capability. The Blade FPV Nano QX—This is one of the few quadcopters than comes with an FPV camera, transmitter, receiver, and goggles. It’s an EXCELLENT buy for practicing your skills and learning FPV. Racing Quadcopter Kits – If you’d like to assemble your own quadcopter, check out this kit and this kit. Some kits can be half the price of an RTF drone. Build your own racing drone from scratch – Check out this awesome video: FPV Racing Simulators – I’ve been using this simulator for a few months now. It’s really fun and it’s a good excuse to bust out my Xbox controller. You can also check out DroneSimPro and the FPV Freerider app. Further Reading If you’d like to deepen your FPV knowledge, check out these articles: The Beginners Guide to FPV Racing The Ultimate Guide to FPV Systems How To Get Into Hobby RC: Starter FPV Quadcopters FPV Guide for Multicopters | First Person View Bible Over to You Flying first-person-view multirotors can be fun, exciting, and it can improve your pilot skills dramatically. If you have any questions about this aspect of drone flight, leave a comment below and I’ll do my best to help you out. Fly safe! Do you have any questions? Email us at support@uavcoach.com. The post Guide to FPV Drone Systems: Quadcopters, Goggles, Cameras, and Transmitters [Updated for Winter 2016 / 2017] appeared first on UAV Coach. View the full article

Raptor Maps gets more funding from Airware’s Commercial Drone Fund to grow its work in supporting drone use for agriculture. CAMBRIDGE, MA. – December 26, 2016—Recently the Commercial Drone Fund, a venture capital fund launched by Airware focused on investing in promising commercial drone businesses around the world, announced an investment in Raptor Maps, a Cambridge-based company developing a drone-enabled technology platform for the agriculture sector. With the use of drones, tractor-mounted sensors and software, Raptor Maps has created an affordable system for farmers to allow them to precisely map, analyze, and measure the quality of crops at critical times during the growing season. The system helps farmers to know the conditions that will maximize crop yield, allowing them to make more informed decisions and reduce unnecessary cost and labor. A number of specialty crop growers across the United States and Canada have successfully implemented Raptor Maps technology this growing season. “The agriculture sector has been an early adopter of commercial drone technology, with several companies now offering products for monitoring crops. What impressed us with Raptor Maps’ product is that it collects a vast amount of data, distills it down, and correlates actions that a grower can take on a season-to-season basis—something we haven’t seen in other drone products.” —John Kolaczynski, Head of Corporate Development, the Commercial Drone Fund 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. (They’re also currently developing a software tool that works for all crops.) “Until now, drone technology has been more of a curiosity in agriculture,” said Nikhil Vadhavkar, CEO of Raptor Maps. “Farmers would receive maps with generic metrics like ‘crop stress’, but the actionability and ability to calculate a return-on-investment was limited.” Raptor Maps’ effort this growing season has already created a lasting impression on their early customers. Washington state-based grower Steve Phipps of Piper Ranch will utilize data from this year’s yield to influence his practices for next season. “Raptor Maps gave me a breakdown of potato sizes on my 130-acre field. The size analysis showed I could reduce an input and save money while maintaining yield,” said Steve Phipps of Piper Ranch in Moses Lake, Washington. Raptor Maps recently graduated from the Y Combinator Summer 2016 batch, and in 2015 was awarded the grand prize in the MIT $100K Entrepreneurship Competition. Want to learn more about drones in agriculture, or other ways you can make money flying drones commercially? Check out this profile we did a little while back of Idaho-based Empire Unmanned, and make sure to read up on the FAA’s Part 107 requirements for flying drones commercially in the United States. The post Commercial Drone Fund Invests in Raptor Maps, Drone-Enabled Platform for Agriculture Yield Management appeared first on UAV Coach. View the full article

INTRODUCTION The Skytech TK110 is basic toyquadcopter offering altitulde and WiFi video transmission. The main originaly is probably the presence of foldable arms “à la” Zerotech Dobby. This flying machine targets beginners who want to have a live feedback via the WiFI connexion while being confortable thanks to the altitulde hold. Let’s discover the bundle BOX CONTENT + 1 x Skytech TK110 (with a 1S 850mAh LiPo with JST connector) + 1 x Transmitter (using 4xAA batteries not included) + 1 x USB charging cable + 4 x Spare props (2 CW, 2 CCW) + 1 x Screwdriver + 1 x Smartphone holder + 1 x Instruction manual (English) OVERVIEW Much larger than the Dobby, the TK110 is a 210m and can’t be really transported into a pocket even folded. -FRONT VIEW Folded position A ground clearance of 33mm with the landing skid is deployed -SIDE VIEW -REAR VIEW -UPPER VIEW Like the Dobby, a unique button to power/disconnect the machine. Hold more than 1s to turn on. The same to shut down. -BOTTOM VIEW With the battery inserted No real free room to install a larger model The FC can be guessed below the battery bay -WEIGHT Close to 158g… a little bit heavy IMHO but the machine includes a gear system Motors Motors are 8.5mmx20mm well jailed so no risk of dust intrusion. All rotative elements are nylon based a good news for the durability of the meshing. Motors can be in theory quick replaced thanks to the conector. Now the open question is about the availability of corresponding spare parts. Especially for coreless motors, it’s strongly advise to stock in advance 1 CW and 1 CCW. LiPo A 850mAh 1 cell LiPo module. No discharge rate mentioned Camera module The 2.4G WiFi camera module screwed on the machine. So no easy and quick way to unmount it. The linear antenna is installed horizontally favorizing more the vertical propagation so more high altitulde flights versus long range. The camera orientation can be ajusted from 0 to -25 degrees targetting more the ground. As for almost camera module especially those dedicaced for FPV/live transmission, we can regret the narrow Field Of View, limited to 70 degrees. Here no real possibility to use a lens with a wider FOV. Transmitter A basic chassis with a small monochrome LCD display. basic buttons: headless, auto-take off/auto landing, 360 flips and speed button. Only two speed modes are available. A XN297 RF chip is ised for the 2.4G part. UNBOXING, ANALYSIS AND DEMO FLIGHT In practice the machine is super stable and rates are clearly dedicaced to offer smooth flight and stabilize videos. Even in sport mode, the forward/backward mouvement is not super fast. In the other hand, the TK110 offers strong ascent rate. The gear system is efficient. Motors are not warming a lot too. A good sign for longibity. The control range is limited to 25m-30m when the machine is piloted by the radio-transmitter. As expected the frame rate drops versus distance for the WiFI transmission and it’s not rare the have the scene freezed. Flight duration is in avaerage of 6min CONCLUSIONS A basic machine without major drawback dedicaced to beginners who want to lear how to fly while controlling the current scene via their smartphone. It’s absoluplty not an FPV machine since the frame rate is most of the time irrigular and far to reach 24fps. But thanks to the efficient altitude hold, the new pilot have to play mainly only the right stick and can be concentrated more on the smartphone feedback screen. PROS + Stable machine + Foldable arms + Altitulde hold ideal for beginners + Good ascent/descent rate + Can be controled either by the radio or the app CONS – 25m of control range with the radio – Narrow FOV (70 degrees) – Not super fast machine – No possibility to quick unclip the WiFi module This quadcopter have been courtesy provided by Tomtop 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 56USD at http://www.tomtop.com/rc-quadcopter-1192/p-rm5505r.html?aid=frc6 Cet article TEST: Skytech TK110 est apparu en premier sur Drone-Maniac !!!!!!!. View the full article

During the last Christmas’s days, Drone-maniac visitors increased a lot !!!! Just two words: THANK YOU A lot of new tests are coming soon after this mini Christmas break Cet article NEWS: Drone-Maniac more and more popular !!!! est apparu en premier sur Drone-Maniac !!!!!!!. View the full article

When it comes to cornering a market, you have to be forward thinking. DJI has done a great job anticipating industry needs, and the way that niche demands will grow into larger markets. One example is the way they’ve created and marketed their cameras. Without a camera, a drone is almost worthless for commercial use. Think about it—no one wants to pay for something that can fly to hard-to-reach places if you can’t also see and capture what’s there. Without the capture—that is, without high quality images and videos—the fact that you can get access to those places is really just a neat trick, but not worth anyone’s money or time. So of course all of the big drone companies that create drones for commercial use (or even crossover commercial-serious hobbyist use, for that matter) don’t just include cameras, but include cameras of high quality made by the company themselves. This makes sense. Because, following the logic laid out above, if you’re going to invest in making great drones, you really need to invest in making great cameras too. And why go to a third party when you could create and sell the product yourself, and reap the reward? From this perspective, it also makes complete sense that a camera company like GoPro would decide to get into the drone market (whether or not they’ll succeed is, of course, another matter entirely). DJI & ZenMuse: Marketing Strategy 101 What DJI has done so well when it comes to making and marketing cameras for drones has to do not just with the quality of the cameras they create, but in how they address certain emerging needs—such as the need for a camera that can enable a drone to inspect cell phone towers, which we’ll get to in just a moment—and, just as importantly, in how they approaching branding. That is, how they market what they do so that people associate their two brands (DJI and ZenMuse) with specific products, and with quality. Think about it. If you’re interested in commercial drones, you’ve probably heard of ZenMuse cameras. And you probably know that ZenMuse cameras are created by DJI, or that there is some connection between the two. But do you know what Parrot’s cameras are called? Or Yuneec’s? You don’t know for a simple reason: unlike ZenMuse, the cameras created by Parrot and Yuneec don’t have their own name. What DJI has done well when it comes to cameras (as one could argue they’ve done well in other areas, too, such as segmenting out types of drones for various commercial uses…but we’ll just stick to one rabbit hole today, thank you very much) is to segment out the brand of their cameras through the creation of ZenMuse, and associate it with quality. This is a simple but brilliant marketing approach to highlighting value for different types of product lines, and allowing each line to help the other grow, instead of muddying the waters with all the different things you do well under one brand. Image Source New Drone Made for Cell Tower Inspections Before we started thinking about all these things DJI is doing to win, we set out to write a short post about a new ZenMuse camera created to help drones inspect cell phone towers. (And we want to be clear that we are neutral when it comes to all of the companies mentioned above—it’s really just been fascinating for us to see their different approaches to marketing and production, and to watch DJI manage to come out on top time and again, and to try and figure out why that is.) The new camera for cell tower inspections is called the ZenMuse Z30. Here is a concise description of the camera from DJI’s website: Designed from the ground up with demanding industrial applications in mind, this powerful telephoto aerial camera comes with intelligent features like TapZoom that makes it easy to use, so that anyone can adapt it to their operations. This is yet one more example of DJI perceiving a developing need, and hustling to be there first with a drone to address the specific commercial application in question. Why Make a Camera Just for Cell Tower Inspections? Traditionally, cell towers are inspected by a person, heavily weighted down with gear, climbing the entire tower. This approach has the potential for injury, and associated high insurance rates. Drones present a preferred approach, but there have been hurdles to using drones for these inspections. The biggest challenge in using drones for cell tower inspections has been that, in order for the inspection be thorough enough to actually identify issues on the tower, the shots taken need to be incredibly clear. This has meant needing to fly drones quite close to the towers, which has led to electromagnetic interferences with the drones, sometimes causing them to crash. And here you have the very specific need that ZenMuse’s new Z30 addresses—a camera that is drone-compatible, that can zoom for incredibly precise shots, and that can actually be used in place of live personnel for these inspections. Of course, whether this new camera will actually corner this particular market is yet to be seen. As we wrote recently regarding the fall of 3D Robotics, putting too much money into production can certainly be a fatal error for any company, regardless of size, but so far this is not a mistake DJI seems to be making. And though it’s clear that drones are the way of the future for cell tower inspections, as both AT&T and Verizon have recently made clear, it’s still fairly open as to who will be the ones selling the drones that make the actual inspections. But one thing is clear: DJI is there again on the ground floor, making it uphill work for any other competitor to try and elbow there way in. The post DJI Corners the Market Again: New ZenMuse Camera Designed Specifically for Cell Tower Inspections appeared first on UAV Coach. View the full article

Another brushed racer one more time from Eachine: http://www.banggood.com/Eachine-BAT-QX105-wAIOF3_BRUSHED-OSD-600TVL-CAM-1020-Motor-Buzzer-Micro-FPV-Racing-Quadcopter-BNF-p-1116393.html This time a lot of novelties: first of all the FC is a variant of the classic SPF3 including directly an OSD configurable directly through Betaflight!!! that’s great. It will be even possible to tune PIDs and a lot of parameters through the OSD and the radio. A small buzzer is added too. For the FrSky version, the receiver firmware have been updated to send by telemetry the RSSI and Vbat to the radio (also displayed on the OSD). Second major introduction are the 1020 black edition coreless motors so even larger and stronger than “classic” 8520 model for the 100mm category. In the other hand, the weight standalone is 72.5g so add 16 extra grams for the 600mAh 1s LiPo. Finally the FPV camera can be slightly oriented positively for more agressive FPV flights. The flight time is announced to be 5min with the Voltage down dangerously to 2.8v !!! so it means in practice more 4mins to secure the battery. Notice there are 3 versions with either a FrSky (D8)/ Flysky (AFHDS-2A) and DSM2/DSMX receiver. I have no practical feedback about the superiority in term of power of these 1020 motors versus 8520 ones. The real question is, how will be the total thrust for this QX105 (72.5g) versus classic QX95 for example (39.5g)… so close to be twice more heavier. It’s clear the QX105 is more an outdoors flyer. Description: The Eachine BAT QX105 is a New Design Micro FPV Racing Drones built-in OSD both for Indoor or Outdoor, the new QX105 comes with Betaflight firmware which can bring you an amazing FPV flight experience. The Black Edition 1020 Coreless motor support more powerful output , makes the QX105 more stable and faster, just like a beast. The adjustable angle of camera, The OSD, The LED_Strip, The carbon fiberglass frame, The buzzer, All that you can thought of the equipment for the FPV flight , it has ready. So take The Eachine BAT QX105 to your home now! Specification: Brand Name: Eachine Item NO.: QX105 Wheelbase: 105mm Weight: 75g (Without propeller guard) Flight controller: Eachine AIOF3_BRUSHED (STM32 F303 MCU/ MPU6000 VIA SPI) Motor: Coreless 1020 Black Edition CW/CCW Propeller: New Design 66mm CW/CCW 2-blades propeller Camera: 600TVL HD CMOS 1/4inch VTX: 5.8g 25MW 48CH NTSC/PAL Video transmitter Battery: 3.7V 600mah Lipo battery OSD: Betaflight OSD Firmware of Flight controller: Betaflight 3.0.1 (Target:OmnibusF3) Flight time: 5 minutes (Battery voltage at 2.8v) Features: More powerful 1020 Black Edition Coreless motor Jaw-dropping flight performance Airmode/Angle/Acro mode support Adjustable Angle of Camera (0°~15°) Built-in Betaflight OSD Radio Stick to control PID Tunes LED_STRIP Ready Buzzer Ready Telemetry RSSI Output ready V-bat Detector Receiver Option: -Frsky D8 mode SBUS Output 8ch With RSSI output (OSD display or X9D telemetry) -Flysky compatible 8ch PPM receiver(AFHDS 2A Mode) -DSM2/DSMX compatible Receiver Compatible: 1. Frsky Receiver compatible with FRSKY X9D/X9D PLUS(D8 mode),and XJT (D8 Mode),DJT DFT DHT. 2. Flysky Receiver compatible with FS-i4, FS-i6, FS-i6S, FS-i6X, FS-i10, FS-GT2E, FS-GT2G, FS-GT2F. 3. DSM2/DSMX compatible Satellite receiver Package included: 1 x QX105 Frame kit 6 x 1020 Coreless Motor 1 x AIOF3_BRUSHED Flight Controller Built-in RX 1 x 5.8G VTX w/Camera antenna 8 x 66mm Propeller 2 x 3.7V 600mah Battery 1 x LED_STRIP 1 x Buzzer 1 x USB Charging cable 1 x Paddle propeller You have also a full RTF version with a FlySky AFHDS-2A solution: http://www.banggood.com/Eachine-BAT-QX105-105mm-Micro-FPV-LED-Racing-Quadcopter-wAIOF3-OSD-Eachine-i6-Transmitter-RTF-p-1116394.html Cet article NEWS: Eachine “Bat” QX105, the first full equiped 1020 brushed FPV racer est apparu en premier sur Drone-Maniac !!!!!!!. View the full article

Probably one of the best racer simulator, a serious competitor to Freerider FPV, the Velocidrone is now available in V1.5 for MAC/LiNux/Windows. Please enjoy AndyRC’s talents with this last build Cet article NEWS: Velocidrone V1.5 est apparu en premier sur Drone-Maniac !!!!!!!. View the full article