Drone News

A brushed version of the excellent XK X251 is announced from Wltoys with the Q323: http://www.gearbest.com/rc-quadcopters/pp_576005.html The design is almost identical to the XK X251 but I am not sure the arms are in carbon. Don’t be wrong, motors are brushed …. The lens orientation of the 720p cam can be ajusted … but the FOV one more time seems limited … The expected flight time is just great, around 15min thanks to the 2S 2300mAH LiPo. The control range is far to be as efficient of the original XK X251.. with only 100m. With a piece of luck, the radio protocol is the same than the Q303 just recently deviated. The altitulde hold is here and I hope as for the Q303, the feature can be turned on/off by remote button. Description: This innovative drone is intended for the FPV enthusiasts and beginners. Its camera lens can be moved up and down with the transmitter or your phone to get the perfect shots that you desire. The sturdy carbon fiber arms effectively protect itself from strong impact and guarantee its long service time. Main Features: – 720P Aerial Shots The 2MP camera provides you with brilliant 720P HD images which can be saved on the 4GB SD card. – Air Press Altitude Hold In this mode, the throttle automatically adapts itself and enables the UAV to stay at a certain height. – Headless Mode With the user-centered mode, you can ignore the front of the drone in order to pilot it in the desired direction. – One Key Return Your multicopter can return to the home point safely and quickly. You can relax after flying it for a long time. – Resistant to Impact The propeller arms are made of carbon fiber which excels in strength and stiffness. They also make the drone lighter. Notice, there is also a WiFI version, the Q323B: http://www.gearbest.com/rc-quadcopters/pp_576006.html Cet article NEWS: WLtoys Q323C, a brushed XK X251 est apparu en premier sur Drone-Maniac !!!!!!!. View the full article

A kind of cheap Hubsan H501S in term of design at least with the HeLICMAX G2S: http://www.gearbest.com/rc-quadcopters/pp_571901.html Here no 1080p camera but a more basic 720p camera including also a 5.8G VTX, no follow-me but a basic RTH. Control range is announced to be poor … 100m only Description: With brushless motors and the 2-in-1 transmitter / FPV monitor, this quadcopter can bring you unprecedented experience in racing. It also allows you to take marvelous pictures and videos. Main Features: – 720P HD FPV You can enjoy the fascinating FPV directly on the screen of the transmitter which also indicates the real-time status. – Altitude Hold Mode The drone always maintain a certain height above the ground, which facilitates practicing pilot skills. – Headless Mode In this mode, the quadcopter always follows the directional controls from your perspective. – Impressive 3D Stunt The aerobatics can be easily realized because the UAV can carry out 360-degree rotations towards various directions. – One Key Return Your flying robot can return to the home point in a minute as soon as this function is activated. Specifications: Motor: brushless Battery: 7.4V 1500mAh Flight time: about 15mins Charge time: about 80mins Camera: 720P Image transmission: 5.8G Remote control frequency: 2.4GHz Channels: 4 Control distance: about 100m FPV monitor battery: built-in rechargeable battery Transmitter battery: 4 x 1.5V AA ( not included ) Additional gimbal installation: not feasible Cet article NEWS: HeLICMAX G2S, a basic H501S est apparu en premier sur Drone-Maniac !!!!!!!. View the full article

After the FrFR3 EVO I recently reviewed, here are 3 new versions of the brushed SPF3 FC including for all JST SH 1.0mm connectors for motors and FrSky, FlySly or DMS2/DSMX receivers. These boards only supports 1S cell LiPo. A buzzer and OSD can be directly added. All of them are announced to weight 3g. For the FrSky D8 receiver version: http://www.banggood.com/FRF3_EVO_BRUSHED-Flight-Controller-Built-in-Frsky-8CH-Sbus-Receiver-For-Eachine-QX95-QX90-QX90C-p-1105907.html Description: Brand Name: Eachine Item Name: FRF3_EVO_BRUSHED Flight Controller Built-in Frsky Receiver Item NO.: QX958FR Dimension: 22mm*32.5mm Thickness: 1.2mm Weight: 3g Receiver: Frsky 8CH sbus receiver(D8 mode) Coreless motor plug: SH1.0 Firmware: SP RACING F3 EVO 1.13.0 Support work voltage: 3.6v~4.2v(1S Lipo battery Features: 1.F3_EVO_Brush revision is out of the F3 EVO SP RACING is based on a SP RACING F3 EVO firmware 32 brush flight control. 2.Independent design of the circuit structure 3.Using STM32F303CCT6 + MPU6500, advanced hardware platform F3 guarantee more stable flight. 4.With a large and high quality current NMOS transistors, operating current of up to 10A or more. Each Brushed motor is equipped with freewheeling diodes. 5.Integrated 2.4G Frsky 8CH sbus receiver(D8 mode). 6.With battery voltage detection and buzzer interface(solder pad) 7.LED_STRIP Function(solder pad) For the FlySky AFHDS receiver version: http://www.banggood.com/FLF3_EVO_BRUSHED-Flight-Controller-Built-in-Flysky-6CH-PPM-Receiver-For-Eachine-QX95-QX90-QX90C-p-1106427.html Description: Brand Name: Eachine Item Name: FLF3_EVO_BRUSHED Flight Controller Built-in Flysky Receiver Item NO.: QX958FL Dimension: 22mm*32.5mm Thickness: 1.2mm Weight: 3g Receiver: Flysky 6CH PPM Receiver (AFHDS) Coreless motor plug: SH1.0 Firmware: SP RACING F3 EVO 1.13.0 Support work voltage: 3.6v~4.2v(1S Lipo battery) Features: 1.F3_EVO_Brush revision is out of the F3 EVO SP RACING is based on a SP RACING F3 EVO firmware 32 brush flight control. 2.Independent design of the circuit structure 3.Using STM32F303CCT6 + MPU6500, advanced hardware platform F3 guarantee more stable flight. 4.With a large and high quality current NMOS transistors, operating current of up to 10A or more. Each Brushed motor is equipped with freewheeling diodes. 5.Integrated 2.4G Flysky 6CH PPM receiver (AFHDS). 6.With battery voltage detection and buzzer interface(solder pad) 7.LED_STRIP Function(solder pad) and for the DSM2 spektrum version: http://www.banggood.com/DSF3_EVO_BRUSHED-Flight-Controller-Built-in-DSM2-6CH-PPM-Receiver-For-Eachine-QX95-QX90-QX90C-p-1106426.html Description: Brand Name: Eachine Item Name: DSF3_EVO_BRUSHED Flight Controller Built-in DSM2 Receiver Item NO.: QX958DS Dimension: 22mm*32.5mm Thickness: 1.2mm Weight: 3g Receiver: DSM2 6CH PPM Receiver Coreless motor plug: SH1.0 Firmware: SP RACING F3 EVO 1.13.0 Support work voltage: 3.6v~4.2v(1S Lipo battery) Features: 1.F3_EVO_Brush revision is out of the F3 EVO SP RACING is based on a SP RACING F3 EVO firmware 32 brush flight control. 2.Independent design of the circuit structure 3.Using STM32F303CCT6 + MPU6500, advanced hardware platform F3 guarantee more stable flight. 4.With a large and high quality current NMOS transistors, operating current of up to 10A or more. Each Brushed motor is equipped with freewheeling diodes. 5.Integrated 2.4G DSM2 6CH PPM Receiver. 6.With battery voltage detection and buzzer interface(solder pad) 7.LED_STRIP Function(solder pad) They share for all the same wiring diagram. Ideal for mini FPV racer … Cet article NEWS: FRFr3, FLFR3 and DSFR3 EVO 3g FC for brushed FPV machines est apparu en premier sur Drone-Maniac !!!!!!!. View the full article

Note: This list is updated for winter 2016. 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. Drone aerial photography is, wait for it, taking off. Whether you’re using them for recreation, to build an aerial service business, or to integrate UAS into your existing business or organization, the goal of this article is to explore ten of the best RC drones with a camera on the market today. The Best Professional Camera Drones for Sale There are a lot of good remote control drones to buy out there, so its important to think about what kind of sUAS best fits your intended operation, and then to perform proper research on the best options. This article is an attempt to help you learn the bullet points of each of the most popular camera drones on the market today. From pricing and different camera specs and handling/responsiveness to flight software and battery life, it’s important to do your research and to make sure you’re buying a drone that’s suited to your needs. All of the models in this list are ready-to-fly. After charging your LiPo battery and reading through your user manual a few times, you’re ready to power up, calibrate, configure, and then to start racking up those flight hours. For a quick look at all the models we’ll be discussing in more detail below, here’s the full list: DJI Mavic DJI Inspire 1 DJI Inspire 2 DJI Phantom 4 DJI Phantom 3 Pro Yuneec Typhoon H Yuneec Q500 4K Yuneec Breeze Parrot AR Drone 2.0 UDI 818A (under $200 – great gift!) Yes, a top-10 list of the best camera drones is quite arbitrary. There are many, many companies and models that are not being represented in this article. We know that. But we also have a good feel for the big prosumer / commercial drone manufacturers, and we’re doing our best to curate and to highlight the most popular models in this list. Click here for a much bigger list of drone companies to check out in the industry. Enjoy! 1. DJI Mavic → SEE LATEST PRICE & OPTIONS AT AMAZON.COM The DJI Mavic is a game-changer for aerial photographers and filmmakers. Launched in the fall of 2016 and marketed as a professional (and portable) aerial media system, it’s small size actually hides a pretty high degree of complexity and sophistication. People weren’t sure how the DJI Mavic would stack up to the DJI Phantom 4 or the Inspire 1, but if you’re looking for your first “professional” model, the Mavic is super portable and powerful. Key Specs Camera Resolution: 12MP Video Resolution: 4K at 30 FPS Max Flight Time: 27 minutes Max Speed: 40 mph (65 kph) in Sport mode without wind Notable Attributes: Portability, Battery Life Based on discussions with our community members and initial market reactions in Facebook groups, forums, and YouTube videos, I think this will be one of DJI’s (and the greater drone industry’s) most popular models within the next 3-6 months. 3 Different Buying Options Base Model Starter Bundle Deluxe Bundle The DJI Mavic also boasts obstacle avoidance, sensor redundancy, and runs vision positioning paired with GPS and GLONASS to ensure precise positioning during both indoor AND outdoor flights. → SEE LATEST PRICE & OPTIONS AT AMAZON.COM DJI Mavic Accessories Lens Filters (PolarPro) Extra Battery Extra Propellers Travel Bag Car Charger Hard Case (PolarPro) The DJI Mavic is great for traveling, for a serious hobbyists, or for someone just getting into the commercial side of the industry. With DJI, you’re getting access to a huge ecosystem of commercial activity, apps, accessories, and more. 2. DJI Inspire 1 → SEE LATEST PRICE & OPTIONS AT AMAZON.COM The DJI Inspire 1 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 easily be removed from the aircraft for safe transport and future upgrades. And 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 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. 4. DJI Phantom 4 → SEE LATEST PRICE & OPTIONS AT AMAZON.COM The DJI Phantom 4 launched in March 2016. 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. 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. 3. DJI Inspire 2 → PRE-ORDER AT DJI.COM The DJI Inspire 2 launched November 2016 and will start shipping January 2017. This newest model is tougher and more powerful than the DJI Inspire 1. One of the first upgrades you’ll notices it that the Inspire 2 has TWO DIFFERENT CAMERAS. One slung underneath the aircraft offering full 360° camera rotation, and the other mounted on the front of the aircraft for better first-person-view (FPV) opportunities. So using the Inspire 2’s dual operator mode, one Remote Pilot-in-Command could be looking through one camera, likely the front-mounted one, while a photographer or videographer controls the bottom-mounted camera system. Pretty cool. Key Specs Camera Resolution: 30MP in DNG RAW mode Video Resolution: 5.2K at 30 FPS / 4K at 60 FPS Max Flight Time: 27 minutes Max Speed: 67 mph Notable Attributes: Dual-Operator Mode, Two Cameras, Obstacle Avoidance The model’s new image processing system, CineCore 2.0, can capture 5.2K video at a whopping 4.2Gbps bitrate. To handle all that data, the Inspire 2 has added an onboard SSD. → PRE-ORDER AT DJI.COM You can buy the DJI Inspire 2 with the new Zenmuse X4S or X5S camera. The X5S boasts a micro 4/3 sensor and supports 10 different lenses, including zooms. For aerial photographers, there is a DNG RAW mode that captures 30-megapixel still images. 5. 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: 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 free you up 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’re 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. 6. 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 is 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 is controlled with 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 I’ve had a lot of fun testing the Yuneec Typhoon H in the fall and winter of 2016. My full review is still being written up, but here’s a fun shot of a sunset orbit selfie I recorded with my father-in-law. 7. Yuneec Q500 4K → SEE LATEST PRICE & OPTIONS AT AMAZON.COM A pioneer in electric aviation, Yuneec has been around since 1999 and holds hundreds of patents. These days, they’re manufacturing more than one million units per year. Their Typhoon Q500 4K model comes packaged in it’s own rugged transport case, made of strong and lightweight aluminum, with a high density foam core for travel. Key Specs Camera Resolution: 12MP Video Resolution: 4K at 30 FPS / 1080p at 120FPS Max Flight Time: 25 minutes Max Speed: 18 mph (8 m/s) Notable Attributes: Built-In FPV Screen, Older Model = Lower Cost (But Still Quality Aircraft) → SEE LATEST PRICE & OPTIONS AT AMAZON.COM Yuneec Q500 4K Accessories Extra Battery Extra Propellers Yuneec Landing Gear Skid Set Yuneec Typhoon Propeller Guards When I think about the Yuneec Typhoon Q500 4K, I liken it to thePhantom 3 Professional in the sense that because it’s an older model, you’re getting a more affordable price, but still a very powerful system that certified drone pilots are using to take professional photos and videos. 8. Yuneec Breeze → SEE LATEST PRICE & OPTIONS AT AMAZON.COM The Yuneec Breeze, the ultimate flying camera, is controlled via mobile device, has five easy-to-use flights modes and is able to seamlessly share to social media channels. This is Yuneec’s smallest (and quite sophisticated) model, and I had a lot of fun flying it with my father-in-law down in Atlanta. We spent a lot of time playing around with the Orbit mode, and overall just being pretty impressed with the flight software and handling, particularly for a model that’s being positioned as a beginner camera drone. THE LANDING IS SO SMOOTH. Key Specs Camera Resolution: 13MP Video Resolution: 4K at 30 FPS Max Flight Time: 12 minutes Max Speed: 11 mph (5 m/s) Notable Attributes: Portability, 5 Flight Modes, Good for Beginners “We set out to create the ultimate, user-friendly flying camera which allows people to take their photos to new heights. The Breeze includes the Ultra HD and flight mode capabilities of our top end drones, and because of its size and ease of use, the Breeze seamlessly integrates into just about any activity, whether it’s a first time outdoor adventure or yearly gathering with friends and family.” – Tian Yu, CEO of Yuneec International → SEE LATEST PRICE & OPTIONS AT AMAZON.COM Yuneec Breeze Accessories Extra Battery Extra Propellers Extra Propeller Guards Extra Landing Gear If you’re looking for a good beginner drone with GREAT specs, the Yuneec Breeze won’t break the bank and is a great way to capture high-quality aerial photos. 9. 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 more 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’s been one of the larger global RC manufacturers; and 3) we like the foam frame! 10. UDI 818A (Under $200) → SEE LATEST PRICE & OPTIONS AT AMAZON.COM Flying a drone may be ridiculously fun, but it’s not as easy as it looks. I often suggest to newer pilots looking to gain confidence in foundational multirotor proficiency to log practice hours on a less expensive sUAS before buying a professional / more advanced model. Enter the UDI 818A, one of my favorite aerial photography and videography training quadcopters. The UDI 818A 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, or interested in exploring different aerial photography techniques. Key Specs Camera Resolution: 2MP Video Resolution: 720p HD Max Flight Time: 10 minutes Includes: Bonus Battery, VR Headset, Micro SD Card Notable Attributes: Altitude-Hold, Built-In FPV Screen → SEE LATEST PRICE & OPTIONS AT AMAZON.COM UDI 818A Accessories U818A Drone Carrying Case 3 Extra Batteries 1-to-6 Battery Charger Extra Propellers → SEE LATEST PRICE & OPTIONS AT AMAZON.COM If you’re looking for an affordable (yet surprisingly durable) model, the UDI 818A is one of my favorite training drones with a camera. It’s a great gift for the hobbyist drone pilot looking to take some 2MP pictures from the sky, or the budding commercial drone operator who’s looking to master multirotor proficiency on a more forgiving system. When it comes to camera drones, there are a LOT of choices. While the above list represents the most popular camera drones at this given time, when it comes to drones with a camera, there are a LOT of choices you have. Hopefully after reading this article you have found one that fits your goals, skill set, and budget. If you’d like to take your skills further, check out our premium aerial post-production training course. Blue skies and safe flying out there! The post 10 Best RC Drones With a Camera: [Updated for Winter 2016] appeared first on UAV Coach. View the full article

A new 4g 25mW AIO FPV CMOS camera is announced by RealAcc (a deluxe division of Eachine/Banggood): http://www.banggood.com/Realacc-TX48-AIO-14-CMOS-1000TVL-Micro-FPV-Camera-Integraded-48CH-5_8G-25MW-Transmitter-3_7-10V-p-1106123.html This time 1000TVL is offered but no information about the light sensitivity. The FOV is only 90 degees … so probably more adapted for outdoors flights. Description : Brand Name : Realacc Item Name : TX48 FPV Camera Sensor : 1/4” CMOS Resolution : 1000TVL FOV : 90° Format : PAL Working Voltage : 3.7-10V Output Resistance : 50Ohm Output Signal : 13±1dbmdBm or 23±1dbmdBm Output Power : 25mW Current : 100mA Channel : 48CH Audio Carrier : 6.5MHz Transmitter Frequency : 5 BAND 48CH 5645~5945MHz MHz Weight : 4g Size : 15*20.5mm(without the antenna) Features : 4 Clover Antenna, stonger signal Nickel plating process, antioxidative and beautiful. 48CH 5 Bands, cover most frequencies Wide Voltage Input: 3.7-10V 100mA Low Working Current,low power consumption Light and Small Cet article NEWS: RealAcc TX48, a new 4g AIO 25mW FPV CMOS camera est apparu en premier sur Drone-Maniac !!!!!!!. View the full article

DroneBase is no stranger to the sUAS community. When DJI and Accel launched their $10 million SkyFund last year, DroneBase was their first investment. To date, they’ve raised almost $7 million dollars from investors like Union Square Ventures and Y Combinator. To its thousands of customers, DroneBase offers aerial images and videos at a fraction of the time and cost. How do they do this? With pilots like you, stationed in all 50 U.S. states and in 30+ countries around the globe. Signing up is free and can be done here. And with over 1,000,000 commercial drone missions available, you can start flying and tracking your earnings immediately. DroneBase has two different ways to earn money: 1) Mapping the Skies / Pano Missions This is kind of like a stock footage model. DroneBase is amassing a library of panoramic shots they can offer to their thousands of clients. You fly Pano Missions, and if clients purchase the footage, you ultimately get paid out 50% of what your footage is sold for. No post-processing necessary…just follow the flight instructions, upload your raw footage, and DroneBase’s auto-stitcher does the rest. 2) Client Missions Client Missions pay (on average) $200-$275 per hour on site. Depending on your location and skill level, DroneBase will send you client-specific missions. Not only will you get support from DroneBase during the course of your mission, but they handle all the post-processing. Simply upload your raw pictures and videos into their platform, and get paid with 1-2 days. We’re fans of DroneBase because they’ve made it so easy for drone pilots of all types, from aficionados to beginners, to start earning a wage from their flying based on their skillsets and abilities. And it’s pretty incredible how easy they’ve made things for pilots—check out these examples below to see how you could be using their app to earn right now: Questions about DroneBase? Here’s a good place to start. I encourage you to sign up! Again, it’s free, and when I went through the sign-up process this past week, it only took me about 5 minutes to get set up in their new system. This article was sponsored by DroneBase. Click here to learn about the different ways you can reach our community. The post Get Paid to Fly as a Commercial sUAS Operator with DroneBase Pilots appeared first on UAV Coach. View the full article

–Eachine Racer 180 servo motor: http://www.banggood.com/Eachine-Racer-180-Tilt-Rotor-FPV-Drone-Spare-Part-KF180-Servo-p-1101487.html Cet article NEWS:SeByDocKy’s weekly news #57 est apparu en premier sur Drone-Maniac !!!!!!!. View the full article

We wrote a month ago on here about a shipping delay DJI had in getting the Mavic out to eager customers. Well, we’re glad there weren’t any delays in the launch of DJI’s Inspire 2 and Phantom 4 Pro, because we just don’t think we could take the suspense! We have plenty to say about the Inspire 2 and the Phantom 4 Pro, but let’s kick off this article by sharing some images of these beautiful bad boys. The Inspire 2 Image Source The Phantom 4 Pro Image source Cameras, cameras, cameras It’s no surprise that one of the distinguishing features for both of these new models is the incredibly high quality of the cameras. Camera Features on the Inspire 2 While the Inspire 1 included an HD video transmission system 360 degree rotating gimbal, and a 4k camera, the Inspire 2 has an even faster video transmission system, and has two—TWO!—cameras. The Inspire 2 has an all new image processing system that records at 5.2K in CinemaDNG RAW, Apple ProRes and more. In addition, it allows for streaming video from an onboard FPV camera and the main camera simultaneously. If that’s not enough for you drone videography fans out there, the Inspire 2 can sense and avoid, with forward and downward vision systems to enable it to detect obstacles up to 30 meters ahead, allowing for protected flight at up to 34mph. Upward facing infrared sensors scan obstacles 16ft (5m) above, adding protection when flying in enclosed spaces. Camera Features on the Phantom Pro 4 The Phantom 4 Pro is equipped with a 1-inch 20-megapixel sensor capable of shooting 4K/60fps video and Burst Mode stills at 14 fps. Due to some new innovations with the design of the airframe involving the adoption of titanium and magnesium alloy to make the frames stronger and lighter (get that!), the Phantom 4 Pro weighs about the same as the Phantom 4. Price Points At $2,999.00, the Inspire 2 is not for the novice. With the launch of this new drone, DJI clearly maintains their grip on the professional videography drone market. Though the price may sound steep, the incredible quality of the images it can capture will more than make up the pricetag for those serious filmers out there who make a living in the drone videography space. In addition, filmmakers will be attracted to the Inspire 2 as a great option for aerial shots. The Phantom 4 Pro comes in at a less expensive $1,499.00, making it a good drone for serious hobbyists or for those trying to start their professional drone videography careers. As The Verge recently put it: “DJI has a chokehold on the consumer drone market, and it’s leveraging that dominance to try and establish itself as the clear leader for commercial drones used by professionals as well. When it introduced the Inspire 1 back in November of 2014, the company said it was trying to bridge the gap between hobbyists and Hollywood. The Inspire 1 was expensive, but not totally out of reach for the average consumer.” These prices sound a little rich for your blood? Check out our post, 17 Cheap Drones for Beginners (Under $175) to find some other options that might be a better fit for your needs. Do you want to pursue FAA certification? Learn more about our Drone Pilot Ground School. The post DJI Launches Inspire 2 and Phantom 4 Pro appeared first on UAV Coach. View the full article

Just a little bit larger than a tinywhoop and smaller that the incoming Eachine QX70, a new duct brushed FPV machine is announced: http://www.banggood.com/Warlark-80-80mm-600TVL-FPV-Racing-Quadcopter-Based-On-F3-Brushed-Flight-Controller-With-OSD-p-1105948.html A large choice of receiver protocol: DSM2/DSMX, flysky, FrSky and even Futaba SFHSS is announced. Cherry on cake a small OSD is integrated…. No information about what type of informations displayed on this OSD. Motors are 7mmx16mm…. and 5min of flight time is expected for a total weight of 38g… Specification: Brand Name: WarLark Wheelbase: 80mm Weight: 36.6g (with battery but without canopy), 38g (with battery and canopy) Flight controller: Scisky Micro F3 Brushed FC+ receiver +VTX 25MW +Camera Firmware version: Cleanflight 1.3.0 Motor: 716 Brush Motor Prop Size: 35mm 4-blade prop Battery:250mAh~300mAh 3.7V Receiver: Built-in Frsky compatible 8ch SBUS receiver/ Flysky receiver/ DSMX/DSM2 receiver/Futaba SFHSS OSD: VTX comes with an OSD Camera: 600TVL HD CMOS 1/4 inch Camera AV Wireless Transmitter: 5.8g 25mw 40CH Flight time: 5 minutes Features: It comes fully assembled and tested, all the electric components (FC, motors, VTX, camera) is for plug and play, with optional receiver (DSMX/DSM2, FRSKY, FlySky, SFHSS compatible), very tiny but strong and neat construction. It flies stable and much of fun! Package included: 1 x Warlark FPV quadcopter fully assembled 1 x 3.7V 300mah Lipo battery 2 x 35mm set(4 props/set) 1 x Charging Cable(3S to 3-1S charging harness) The fame looks cool and the FPV camera better located than the original Tinywhoops….. The price is expensive a bit … Wait & See. I hope to review this one too. Cet article NEWS: Warlark 80mm duct brushed FPV racer with OSD est apparu en premier sur Drone-Maniac !!!!!!!. View the full article

We’ve been getting a lot of questions about how public organizations like fire and police departments should think about integrating sUAS into their operations. And while public organizations have the opportunity to send their individual remote pilots through the Part 107 certification, they also have the opportunity to apply for what’s called a Public COA. In this article, we’ve asked Ben Roper, IT Director for the City of College Station, Texas to provide some information for governmental entities considering UAS operations as Public Aircraft Operators. College Station recently established a small unmanned aircraft system (sUAS) program and Ben helped navigate the Public COA process, so he has a lot useful information to share. Image source Here is Ben’s full article: Interest in using drones for a wide variety of tasks has skyrocketed (no pun intended) in the last couple of years. New uses are being developed on an almost daily basis. There is little argument that drones are truly a disruptive technology. While the focus and attention has been primarily on commercial uses, government entities are also moving quickly to embrace drone use for everything from increased situational awareness in public safety operations to inspections of utilities and infrastructure. Government entities face many of the same challenges as the private sector including developing operations procedures, pilot in command training and learning to operate safely in the National Airspace System (NAS). However, government entities also face some additional challenges such public education, justification for using taxpayer resources, operational requirements that often dictate use at any hour of the day or night in response to public safety needs. Recent Changes—the Small UAS Rule Since the new Small UAS Rule, “Operation and Certification of Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems”, (Part 107) was released June 21, 2016 and became effective August 29, 2016, public entities have an additional option available to them with respect to drone use. Government entities may elect to operate as Civil Operators, following the Part 107 regulations, or as Public Aircraft Operations. Additionally, Part 107 allows government entities to operate as either Civil Operators or Public Aircraft Operations, In short, a government entity may choose to conduct a public aircraft operation within the restrictions of the public aircraft statute (and certain civil regulations applicable to all aircraft operating in the NAS), or it may choose to conduct a civil operation and comply with the requirements of the applicable regulations in 14 CFR. (Part 107,III,C,3.) This allowance to operate under either or both set of rules and regulations grants government entities with a great deal of flexibility. Advantages of Going the COA Route Potential advantages to choosing to operate as a Public Aircraft Operator include additional options to meet certification and training requirements. As stated in the explanation for Part 107 (see the explanation here, Part 107,III,C,3.) “In the NPRM, the FAA explained that this rulemaking would not apply to ‘public aircraft operations with small UAS that are not operated as civil aircraft.’ This is because public aircraft operations, such as those conducted by the Department of Defense, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and NOAA, are not required to comply with civil airworthiness or airman certification requirements to conduct operations.” Although Federal Agencies such as DoD and NASA are specifically mentioned, Public Aircraft Operations by State and Local government entities are allowed by Law. As a result, Public Aircraft Operators can “self-certify” airworthiness and pilot certification. In the COA granting authority to operate, the FAA does require the agency to explain their training and certification process. Advisory Circular AC 00-1.1A “Public Aircraft Operations” provides information to assist in determining whether government or government-contracted aircraft operations conducted within the territory of the United States are public or civil aircraft operations under the statutory definition of “public aircraft.” How the Rules Relate Specifically to Drones Government entities electing to establish an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) (aka Drone) program need to acknowledge that they are establishing an aviation unit for their entity and be willing to devote the time and resources to operate safely and effectively. You cannot just buy a drone and start operating. There has been a great deal written about the Part 107 requirements, but the requirements to operate using the Public Aircraft Operations may not be as well understood by government entities. Procedures are outlined in the next section. So Where Do We Start? Government entities should spend some time developing a concept of operations, even as a preliminary step. There is a good deal of information available to help with this initial step. Talking to other entities that have already taken this step will likely provide invaluable information and is highly recommended. Once the initial concept of operations is developed, you can research which drone(s) can best perform the functions identified in the concept of operations and are within the available budget. At this point, most entities are ready to purchase their drone. Once purchased, the first step is to register the drone with the FAA. All drones weighing greater than 0.55 pounds must be registered, including drones that will be used in Public Aircraft Operations. Developing a Drone Policy If not already started, entities should start developing a policy for using the UAS/drone. Although there is no specific guidance for what information should be covered in the policy, many entities include the following information: Concept of operations Description of the aircraft system Duties and Responsibilities Maintenance and inspection Operations requirements and restrictions How images will be used Emergency Operations Loss of communications Loss of control Loss of GPS by aircraft Aircraft crash Launch and Recovery Training and Qualifications Approved Area of Operations Authorization to Operate Registration alone does not provide authorization to operate. Although as stated in Part 107 the rule does not apply to Public Aircraft Operations, the FAA does regulate the general operating rules that apply to all aircraft operations. As such, the public aircraft operators must apply for a Certificate of Wavier/Authorization (COA). The website to apply for the public aircraft operations COA is a FAA controlled access site. In order to gain access to the site, a public entity must submit a “declaration letter” from the Agencies City, County, or State Attorney’s office (Depending on the agency requesting the approval). The declaration letter should be submitted via physical mail to the Federal Aviation Administration, Air Traffic Manager, Unmanned Aircraft Tactical Operations (AJV-115), 490 L’Enfant Plaza SW, Suite 7105, Washington DC 220024. Approval of, or requests for additional information, with regard to the declaration letter is normally received within 2-3 weeks. Once the FAA provides acceptance of the Declaration Letter, applicants need to email the FAA/UAS office at 9-AJR-36-UAS@faa.gov stating the intent to operate as a Public Aircraft Operator. The email should contain: public agency requesting the COA short description of the UAS, and concept of operations Once granted access to the website (https://ioeaaa.faa.gov/oeaaa/), the entity will be assigned an FAA point of contact and instructions for completing the COA application. Typically they will be asked to provide 1) the type of mission, 2) launch/recovery/operations location(s), 3) operational altitudes, 4) flight procedures, 5) communications, 6) emergency procedures such as lost communication and loss-of-control link, and 7) pilot in command (PIC), flight crew, and observer qualifications and training requirements. The FAA generally follows a two phase process to grant full operational approval. The initial COA (Phase I) is generally restricted to training and evaluation activities at a specific training site that is confined to Class G airspace (exceptions may be made to the airspace requirement if safety of flight requirements are met), remaining well clear of housing areas, roads, any persons, and watercraft. This permits agencies to conduct necessary ground and flight training to bring pilots, observers and ground crew members to a high level of UAS flight proficiency. Although there are no specific guidelines regarding the kind or type of flight proficiency/training proof the public entity needs to provide to the FAA in order to move to Phase II, the FAA does require that flight training be documented and copies supplied to the FAA. Additionally, they require that the agency document that the pilot in command is knowledgeable of how to operate safely in the NAS. There is no template provided by the FAA, the Agency has latitude in how this is achieved. For my agency, we are developing an in-house written examination that covers the information in FAA-G-8082-22 “Remote Pilot – Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Study Guide The COA process for both phases is very similar. The difference is in the information provided in the COA. Phase I is only granted in a limited area and under the conditions specified in the COA for training and familiarization operations. The time to complete Phase I and apply for Phase II is dependent on the Agency and the time and resources available to devote to the program. Once the Proponent has completed sufficient flight and scenario training and feels confident that its flight crew members can safely operate the UAS at a level of competency to safely support actual missions, the Proponent will apply for their second “Operational” (Jurisdictional) COA (Phase II). The post How to Use Drones in Your Public Organization appeared first on UAV Coach. View the full article

Well, since few days, less activity in testing section. The main reason us there was an break betweeen two consecutives waves of products received for testing …. sorry (blame my sponsors for that ) But I should receive relatively soon the Eachine V-tail 210: http://www.banggood.com/Eachine-V-tail-210-FPV-Drone-1080P-HD-DVR-SP-Racing-F3-5_8G-40CH-200mW-VTX-OSD-w-Eachine-I6-RTF-p-1100100.html and probably more bankable, the youbi XV-130: http://www.banggood.com/Youbi-XV-130-130MM-FPV-Racer-ARF-with-F3-Integraded-40CH-VTX-600TVL-CAM-4-IN-1-BLHeli-S-20A-ESC-p-1100974.html By the way, if you want to see in drone-maniac some specific mods/advance testings about former models, let’s me know it Cet article FYI: Reviews coming soon …. est apparu en premier sur Drone-Maniac !!!!!!!. View the full article

2 220mah 1 cell LiPo 50C are announced at BG with JST-SH (1.25mm) connector, ideal to upgrade/boost your Tinywhoop machine – The first one ist the giant 220: http://www.banggood.com/Giant-Power-220mAh-3_7V-1S-50C-Upgrade-Lipo-Battery-For-Blade-Inductrix-Tiny-Whoop-RC-Quadcopter-p-1105310.html announced to weight 5.5g Description: Item name: 220mAh 3.7V 1S 50C Lipo Battery For Blade Inductrix Tiny Whoop RC Quadcopter Weight: about 5.5g Dimension: 5.5*12*45mm Package Included: 1x Battery – The second is the “peakpower” 220mah also rated 50C for the discharge rate: http://www.banggood.com/220mAh-1S-3_7V-50C-Upgrade-Lipo-Battery-for-NCPX-Blade-Inductrix-Tiny-Whoop-NanoQX-RC-Quadcopter-p-1105307.html Also announced to weigh around 5.5g Description: Item name: 220mAh 1S 3.7V 50C Upgrade Lipo Battery for NCPX Blade Inductrix Tiny Whoop NanoQX RC Quadcopter Weight: about 5.5g Dimension: 5.5*12*45mm Package Included: 1x Battery If both sound interesting, we know that with cheap LiPo, the main problem is internal resistance augmentation versus cycle of recharge. It means that, after only a couple of cycle, with bad quality LiPo unfortunatly the excellent flight time obtained for the first flight can divided by two even more. It’s crucial with 1S LiPo to never go below 3.3V and to recharge slowly. Cet article NEWS: TinyWhoop 220mah 50C batteries est apparu en premier sur Drone-Maniac !!!!!!!. View the full article

A third edition of the Walkera runner 250 is announced with the pro version: http://www.banggood.com/Walkera-Runner-250-Pro-OSD-GPS-800TVL-Camera-FPV-Racer-RTF-p-1105098.html Well … what to say …. at least for positive point, they free the FOV of the FPV camera versus former models … at least it’s a good point. Everything is here GPS and FPV rig with OSD. The board is main probably Cleanflight compatible…. but excepts that… first of all 464g without battery outch …. so it means more than 570g with the battery installed…. probably close to 600g. It will be super heavy IMHO. Second point, the lower plate supporting the LiPo seems one more time super thin and potentially breakable. No words about ESC & motors except they are probably the same than the F210 (so potentially a good news). Announced more than 340 USD … so also expensive…Walkera, I am not sure you are on the right tracks with this product one more time. Brand name: Walkera Item model: Runner 250 Pro Overall(LxWxH) Size: 221x205x117mm Flight controller: FCS-250 Transmitter: DEVO 7 Receiver: DEVO-RX717 5.8G transmitter: TX5834(FCC) Motor: WK-WS-28-014A(CW/CCW) ESC: F210 ESC Battery: 11.1V 2200mAh 25C 3S Li-Po Flight time: 10~12 mins Work temperture: -10? to +40? Weight: 464g (without battery) Package weight: 2.52kg Package size: 48.5*14.5*31.5 cm Feature: Using the new self-developed MR Drone flight control system, precise flight attitude, flight stability improved. Using new GPS-GLONASS dual mode satellite positioning system. GPS hovering precision ascension, star search speed. Buzzer design. When the flight signal is lost or dropped suddenly, the buzzer will sound automatically. Intelligent direction warning lamp design Package Included: 1 X Runner 250 Pro FPV Racer 1 X DEVO 7 Transmitter 1 X 800TVL Camera 1 X OSD 1 X GPS 1 X Battery 1 X Charger 1 X User Manual Cet article NEWS: Walkera Runner 250 Pro est apparu en premier sur Drone-Maniac !!!!!!!. View the full article

After the micro DSM2/DSMX and the micro Flysky, here is the 1g FrSKy D8 version: http://www.banggood.com/2_4G-8CH-Micro-Frsky-D8-Compatible-Receiver-With-PPM-SBUS-Output-p-1104843.html 1g version for an avergage of 300-400m far to reach the excellent performance of a genuine FrSky D4R-II but largely enough for a microFPV racers. The photo is not contractual since we can recognize the A7105 RFchip instead of the CC2500. Description: Item Name: 2.4G micro receiver Channel: 8 Weight: 1g PPM Output: Yes Operating Voltage: 5V Antenna Length: 30mm Dimension: 11mm*23mm Compatibility: Compatible with Frsky D8 series transmitter How To Bind: 1, Use soldering iron to shorted solder joint of BIND,the supply power to the receiver,blue LED blinks fast means entering the binding mode. 2,Press and hold the binding button on the transmitter, in the meantime,turn on the transmitter,wait about 1 second,the blue LED stay on,means binding has succeed. Disconnected the solder joint of BIND. 3, Disconnect the receiver power supply,turn off the transmitter,re-supply power to the receiver,finally turn on the transmitter. 4, Blue LED blinks fast means receiving signal,blue LED light turn off means no signal. Package Included: 1x 2.4G 8CH Micro Frsky Compatible Receiver Cet article NEWS: 1g micro FrSky D8 receiver est apparu en premier sur Drone-Maniac !!!!!!!. View the full article

Note: This list is updated for winter 2016. 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 post, I’m going to walk you through 17 inexpensive drones for beginner pilots. At UAV Coach, we often suggest starting off with a less expensive system. This is so you can hone your skills before moving on to the bigger guns (like the DJI Phantom 4) or the Yuneec Typhoon H). These models don’t have all the bells and whistles of high-end drones for sale, but you’ll be surprised at how advanced their features can get. Also, you may want to consider learning to fly using a drone simulator. We’re pro-simulator over here and recommend buying the Great Planes RealFlight Drone Simulator. Great physics and many models to choose from. There’s also this free FPV simulator if you’re interested in learning how to race Note: If you live in the U.S. and want to earn money as a professional drone pilot, check out our step-by-step guide to getting certified. Drone technology has come a long way, which means we’ve been able to pack more capabilities into smaller, less expensive packages. These are some of the most affordable (and popular) UAVs on the market today, and they’re great for anyone looking to get some flight practice under their belt. They’re also great gifts for both adults and kids. Don’t want to scroll down and read all the specs and just want to see the full list? Here ya go: UDI U818A FPV Drone UDI U45 Blue Jay FPV Drone Focus FPV Drone UDI U28W FPV Drone Syma X5C Blade Nano MJX X400W FPV Drone Parrot Rolling Spider X705C FPV Drone NightHawk DM007 Hubsan X4 H107L Hubsan H111 Yi Zhan X4 UDI U842 FPV Drone UDI U845 FPV Drone UDI U32 Freedom Drone Cheerson CX-10 Mini Drone Check out the full specs of our list of 17 cheap drones for beginner pilots below: Note: All specs/features come from either the manufacturer or retailer. Results may differ whether you equip your system with prop guards, a camera, etc. 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 Chinese 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, particularly the first 5 listings. 1. 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 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 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 2. 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. 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, where you can 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! 3. 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! 4. 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 makes this 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 fairly 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 5. Syma X5C → SEE LATEST PRICE & OPTIONS AT AMAZON.COM Even in moderate winds, the Syma X5C held up really 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, makes this 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 in 2016. 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 6. 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 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, 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 7. MJX X400W FPV → SEE LATEST PRICE & OPTIONS AT AMAZON.COM The MJX X400W FPV is a drone with a camera that offers an affordable option for pilots looking to experiment with low-level aerial videography and an FPV experience. You can control the X400W drone from 100 meters away, and your flight time is about 8-9 minutes. The MJX X400W FPV drone is stable enough for newbies, but packed with enough features for more advanced pilots. Extras These extra parts are available for the MJX X400W FPV drone: Extra Batteries & Charger Landing Gear, Propellers, and Prop Guards → SEE LATEST PRICE & OPTIONS AT AMAZON.COM Features HEADLESS MODE: Usually, the forward direction of a flying multi-rotor is the same as the nose direction, by using Headless, the forward direction has nothing to do with nose direction, the direction will be the same as your remote controller 3D SPLIT SCREEN DISPLAY: Compatible with 3D VR HEADSET on MJX FPV APP, use your own VR HEADSET (NOT INCLUDED) to see the world in a different way FPV REAL TIME TRANSMISSION: Connect your phone with the drone and the view will be shown directly on your phone, thus enjoy the world above the horizon ONE KEY 3D ROLL: With the latest technology of 6-Axis Gyro flying control system, it can fly very stable and take better pictures and it can finish the 3D roll with one key, it is very easy to use even for the beginner 8. Parrot MiniDrone Rolling Spider → SEE LATEST PRICE & OPTIONS AT AMAZON.COM Ever wished you could walk on walls? Well, now you can live vicariously through your drone. The Parrot Rolling Spider comes with detachable wheels on both ends. You can fly the drone like normal, or attach the wheels and roll across the floor, up walls, or across the ceiling. You can also control this drone with your smartphone or tablet, using the FreeFlight 3 app. Extras These extra parts are available for the Parrot Rolling Spider: Extra Propellers Extra Battery Extra Axis and Wheels → SEE LATEST PRICE & OPTIONS AT AMAZON.COM Features Fitted with a propeller circuit-breaker in the event of a crash Removable wheels to roll anywhere: across the floor, up the walls or across the ceiling Take aerial shots like selfies from the sky with the embedded vertical mini-camera FreeFlight 3 app offers an intuitive control from your smartphone or tablet through Bluetooth® Smart and is free The first quadcopter to fly and roll on the ceiling Specs Frequency: 2.4Ghz Charging time: 1 hour Flying time: 8 minutes (6 minutes with wheels) Control distance: 20 meters 9. X705C FPV Drone → SEE LATEST PRICE & OPTIONS AT AMAZON.COM The X705C FPV Drone is one of the most affordable FPV options a beginner UAV pilot has. Not only is it compatible with a VR headset, but the transmitter has a built-in FPV screen so you can see exactly what the drone sees. popular drones on the market. For its price, you get a stable quadcopter that can perform all of the maneuvers you want it to. → SEE LATEST PRICE & OPTIONS AT AMAZON.COM Features First-person view Easy to fly No assembly required 14 years and up Specs Frequency: 2.4Ghz Charging time: about 100 min Flying time: 8 min Control distance: about 100 meters 10. NightHawk DM007 → SEE LATEST PRICE & OPTIONS AT AMAZON.COM For a new pilot who’s looking to experiment with aerial photography, you might want to consider the NightHawk DM007. It comes with prop guards and landing gear standard, which is nice for a drone this size. However, I have read that the blades tend to pop off (but a little super glue can solve that). Extras These extra parts are available for the NightHawk DM007: DM007 Crash Pack + Spare Parts Extra Propellers (Full Set) Extra Batteries + Charger → SEE LATEST PRICE & OPTIONS AT AMAZON.COM Features 2MP Camera (comes with 2GB memory card and card reader) Dual mode (Beginner mode and Professional mode) LCD monitor can show the throttle, LED light, battery and signal conditions Ready to fly Strong anti-drop capabilities, uses high strength metallic materials, and equipped with a full range of multi-angle crash protection cover Replaceable aircraft batteries Two different speed modes Specs Frequency: 2.4Ghz Charging time: About 80-90 mins Flying time: 6-8 mins Control distance: About 150 meters 11. Hubsan X4 (H107L) → SEE LATEST PRICE & OPTIONS AT AMAZON.COM The Hubsan X4 H107L is the model I learned how to fly on. It’s pretty 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. I wish I would have bought one when I 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 12. Hubsan H111 Nano Drone → SEE LATEST PRICE & OPTIONS AT AMAZON.COM As you can see from the image, the Hubsan H111 is one of the smallest quads on the market, comparable to the size of a quarter. But they still managed to fit 3 gyros and 3 accelerometers in there. This isn’t the drone to show off your best moves with, but for a beginner, it will get you airborne, learning the controls, and comfortable enough to move on to more expensive drones. Read More: How to Fly a Quadcopter — The Ultimate Guide Extras These extra parts are available for the Hubsan H111: Extra Batteries Hubsan 4-in-1 Battery Charger → SEE LATEST PRICE & OPTIONS AT AMAZON.COM Features WORLD’S SMALLEST QUADCOPTER! 4-channel mini copter with a lightweight design; Fits in your palm; FAA Registration NOT Required FEATURES: 360° flips/rolls, 2.4GHz transmitter, LED lights for night and USB charger Included INCLUDES: Nano drone, blade guard, 2.4 GHz controller, LiPo battery, USB charger and 4 spare blades GREAT DESIGN: Tough 1 piece frame, position recovery technology and built-in gyroscope for stability MEASURES approximately 2″ x 2,” CHARGE TIME 30 minutes, FLIGHT TIME 5 minutes. Ages 14+ 13. Yi Zhan X4 → SEE LATEST PRICE & OPTIONS AT AMAZON.COM (First off, how cool does this quad look?) The Yi Zhan X4 comes with prop guards standard, and is often compared to the famous Hubsan X4. Despite how big it may look in the image, it is on the smaller side of the market. This makes it great for indoor flying. However, it’s also powerful enough to hit high speeds outdoors, making the Yi Zhan X4 a fun quadcopter for beginner to intermediate flyers. Extras These extra parts are available for the Yi Zhan X4: Carrying Case → SEE LATEST PRICE & OPTIONS AT AMAZON.COM Features LCD display transmitter Low voltage protection function, overcharging protection, memory function and calibration function The 6-axis system allows the quad to be hand launched Strong stability, can easily implement various flight movements Stronger wind resistance, easier to control Can fly both indoor and outdoor 14. U842 WiFi FPV Quadcopter Drone with HD Camera → SEE LATEST PRICE & OPTIONS AT AMAZON.COM One of the best parts about the U842 WiFi FPV Drone — is that it’s big. Not that bigger is better, of course, but you know…sometimes it is. In this case, bigger means a bit more stability. It’ll hold better in light wind, and the propeller protectors and overall design of the frame help you recover from inevitable beginner crashes and hard landings. Extras These extra parts are available for the U842 WiFi FPV Drone: Extra Batteries Crash Pack VR Headset for FPV Flying → SEE LATEST PRICE & OPTIONS AT AMAZON.COM Features HD CAMERA: Capture pristine aerial videos and photos in 720P high definition, 120º wide angle format 3D STUNTS: Perform 360º flips and rolls with the push of a button; Real Time Streaming on controller VR HEADSET COMPATIBLE: Turn your flight into a virtual reality experience with WiFi connectivity LONG FLIGHT TIME: Each battery lasts 5-7 minutes; Includes BONUS LiPo battery for extra long flight EASY TO FLY: High/Low Speed mode and 6 Axis Gyro Stability make this a great choice for beginners 15. UDI U845 → SEE LATEST PRICE & OPTIONS AT AMAZON.COM With the UFO-like UDI U845, you can achieve real-time video-transmission, or FPV, by connecting your iOS or Android device via WiFi. Most of the models in this list are pretty similar, but where the UDI U845 stands out is that it’s a hexacopter, meaning that it’s got 6 sets of motors and propellers instead of the normal 4 that you’d find in a quadcopter. The reason this is important is that you’ll get extra redundancy if one of your motors or propellers fails during flight. Also, with this model you’ll get an extra, replaceable battery. When your first battery dies, simply swap it out for another one and you’re good to go for another 6-9 minutes! Extras These extra parts are available for the UDI U845: Extra Batteries → SEE LATEST PRICE & OPTIONS AT AMAZON.COM Features HD WiFi Camera: Achieve real-time FPV by connecting with IOS or Android via quadcopter wifi real-time video transmission (FAA Registration NOT Required!) Gravity Induction: Allows you to fly your rc drone forward, backward, left or right in correspondence to the angle at which you hold your mobile device! You can now be in total control Bonus Battery: Your U845 FPV Drone includes an extra battery to double your flying time! It can be swapped or charged in place easily via USB! Each battery lasts 6-9 minutes per flight Headless Mode: Makes easier flight and better control, no worry about drone direction when flying Easy Safe and Fun to Fly: The headless mode, low voltage alarm, 360° flips function ensure you fly your copter at ease, fun and safe, no worry about the quadcopter fly away 16. U32 Freedom → SEE LATEST PRICE & OPTIONS AT AMAZON.COM The U32 Freedom Drone has some powerful brushed motors and the unique ability to fly inverted, which is a unique feature, as well as an easy flip function that makes it well worth the cost. The drone itself stays light weight by integrating the circuit board into the frame of the drone. It also comes with propeller guards and landing skids, something you don’t get standard with most drones in this price range. LED lights also make it suitable for flight in low-light conditions. Extras These extra parts are available for the U32 Freedom Drone: Extra Batteries Crash Pack → SEE LATEST PRICE & OPTIONS AT AMAZON.COM Features AWESOME STUNTS: 4 channel design makes flight simple and stable; Do impressive 360° flips and stunts FLY YOUR DRONE LONGER: Super powerful motors allow quadcopter to fly way longer and more efficiently ELIMINATE DAMAGE: Its elastic plastic frame boosts performance and protects propellers upon crashing DOUBLE YOUR FLIGHT TIME: 2 bonus batteries are included to charge in place; 8-10 minutes per battery NIGHTTIME FLIGHT: Body LEDs light up the night sky allowing you to clearly see your drone at night 17. Cheerson CX-10 Mini → SEE LATEST PRICE & OPTIONS AT AMAZON.COM Allow me 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. 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 Related: Learn about flight safety, rules and regulations, which drones to buy, money-making opportunities, pilot skills, and more, with our premium training course for new drone pilots. Thanks for checking out our list of cheap drones. It’s not exhaustive, but I hope it gives you some more options to choose from. If you’re still struggling to choose the right drone, check out our article that reviews 13 more remote control drones. Or go ahead and fire off an email to support@uavcoach.com. We’ll do our best to help you out. Happy flying! The post 17 Cheap Drones for Beginners (Under $175) appeared first on UAV Coach. View the full article

After the ultra popular 200mW TX5823 5.8G, probably the more used VTX module for DIY projects, there is the 48CH evolution (still a 8CH model): http://www.banggood.com/5_8G-200mW-48CH-Micro-Transmitter-Module-Mini-TS5823-Module-FPV-VTX-p-1104157.html The chassis and connexion seems identical to the former model. I hope they improved the filtering stage to reach the same quality as for the FXT FX758 Description: Item Name: Transmitter Module Frequency: 5.8G Channel: 48CH Power: 200mW Package Included: 1 x 200mW 48CH Transmitter Module Cet article NEWS: BOSCAM TX5826, the 200mW 8CH DIY VTX module est apparu en premier sur Drone-Maniac !!!!!!!. View the full article

FPV racing is taking off in the United States and across the world. Thanks to social media and videos like these, more and more people are getting exposed to the sport and learning how to get started. I get a lot of questions about FPV racing, including which FPV systems to buy and how to build your own DIY racing drone. But one of the most popular questions I get is about how to enter a first person view drone race. This article is going to show you how to join professional and recreational FPV races across the world and in your local area. Let’s get started! FPVRacing.tv’s Events Map FPVRacing.tv is a community centered around FPV drone racing. It was started in 2015 by a team of racing enthusiasts in Australia, and they offer a ton of resources for aspiring racing pilots. Their events map gives you an interactive look at races happening around the world: Clicking those symbols will take you to each race’s event page. Above the map, you will see upcoming events (the ones shown on the map), with links to each race’s event page as well. Below the map, you can check out past events to see where most of the recent races are being held. At the time of this writing, most races are being held in the United States. But there are also races happening in Germany, France, Denmark, Japan, the United Kingdom, and many more countries. See if there is an event in your area (or one you can get to) then check out the event’s page and look for an area to register. FPVRacingEvents.com FPVRacingEvents.com is exactly as it says — they showcase drone racing events from around the world. Their listing can differ from FPVRacing.tv’s, so it’s good to check both. And FPVRacingEvents.com also provides an excellent list of rules and guidelines that all racers should get familiar with and cool racing event videos to watch, Check out their events page here. The Drone Racing League To find more professional races, check out the Drone Racing League (DRL). They are one of the biggest evangelists of the sport and one of the top organizations commercializing it and attempting to make drone racing legitimate. To get started, you need to sign up with them in order to apply to become a pilot. Once signed up, head over to their events page and find the next upcoming event. Then click Subscribe and enter your email. They will notify you when signups for that race begin. In the meantime, I suggest checking out these pages: Their current standings The Basics of the Drone Racing League Their videos The U.S. Drone Racing Association Calendar The U.S. Drone Racing Association (USDRA) is working on bringing drone racing to the mainstream. Their goals are to: Promote the sport of FPV Drone racing. Provide guidelines for safety and best behaviour. Act as a resource for the public on the terminology and ideas behind drone racing. Be a service to the drone racing community by promoting races, meetups, and other activities. Work with the drone community to develop guidelines for races, meets, and fair competition. Although their calendar isn’t strictly for drone races (you will find events like Interdrone there) they do list racing events as well. Between this, FPVRacing.tv’s list, FPVRacingEvents.com, and the Drone Racing League, you should be set on finding professional races to join. However, if you want to join a recreational or lower-level professional one, try the next few tactics: Google One of the fastest and easiest ways to see if there are recreational or professional racing events in your area is to Google it. Try these search strings: “Your area + drone racing event” “Your area + drone racing league” “Your area + recreational drone race” “Your area + professional drone race” If you can’t find any races in Google, try the next one. Meetup Groups Many local sUAS groups have formed through Meetup groups. But you can also narrow down your search to either find drone racing groups or groups that put on races every once in a while. For example, here’s a dedicated drone FPV racing group in Long Beach, CA with 360 members. If you find a group, simply create an account, click “Join us!”, and find out when the next meetup is scheduled. Subreddits and Forums You can also try finding races in subreddits and forums. Here are a few subreddits to check out: Drone Racing FPV Drone Racing Ultimate Drone Racing Drones And a few forums: DroneFlyers Phantom Pilots Quadcopter Forum Scan each thread and look for people talking about meeting up to hold a race. Start Your Own Races If all else fails, be a pioneer in your area! Start and organize your own drone races. Not only will you get to race and network with other pilots, but leading a group can be a very fulfilling experience. To start your own races, you can do one of these things or all three: Start a drone racing Meetup group. Post in subreddits and forums asking if people in your area would like to organize one. Launch a website for your group or recreational league and promote it to reach more pilots. Drone racing is still in its infancy. If you get started now, you can become one of the sport’s trail blazers. Ready. Set. Race on! The post How to Enter a Drone FPV Race appeared first on UAV Coach. View the full article

ALERT: THE SWITCH C CAN APPLY THREE DIFFERENT PITCH OFFSETS FOR THE ER180 (+45DEG/0DEG/-45DEG). AFTER SET IT IN UP POSITION FOR THE RADIO POWERING , BE SURE TO SET THE SWITCH C IN MIDDLE POSITION BEFORE TO ARM/TAKE OFF THE ER180 IF YOU WANT TO HAVE AN HORIZONTAL STABILIZATION. MORE THE OFFSET IS FLIGHT MODE DEPENDENT. SOME DRIFTS CAN BE INTRODUCED WHEN CHANGING THE FLIGHT MODE WITH THE SWITCH B PROCEED LIKE THIS UNTIL A MORE CLEVER SOLUTION WILL BE FIND AND INDEPENDANT OF THE FLIGHT MODES INTRODUCTION The Eachine Racer 180 is the first “cheap” RTH FPV racer with tilting arms. Instead of titlting the FPV camera, here only arms are titled around their main axis keeping the central body flat and horizontal. Unfortunatly, it’s just a preview since I broke some elements during my first demo flight (linked with the above alert) BOX CONTENT + 1 x Eachine Racer 180 (with a 4S 1100mAh LiPo with XT60 connector) + 1 x Transmitter (using 4xAAA batteries not included) + 1 x Charger + 4 x Spare props (2 CW, 2 CCW) + 1 x 5.8G RHCP cloverleaf antenna (4 leaves) + 1 x Wrench prop tool + 1 x Set of stickers + 4 x AA rechargeable Ni-Mh batteries + 1 x Spare canopy + 1 x Instruction manual (English) OVERVIEW The design is a classic H model. Here we have a 180mm machine. -FRONT VIEW -SIDE VIEW the left side welcomes the microUSB port and the PWM receiver plug coming from the FlySky i6 Two latteral LEDs bars are connected via a mini JST-SH connector -REAR VIEW The RP-SMA connector is not protected from a potential rear crash… so super easy to break (and it happened to me unfortunatly ) -UPPER VIEW A lot of room available to welcome a longer 4S battery -BOTTOM VIEW the main servo motor controling the arm tilting. No information about its caracteristics just behing, the FlySky i6 receiver with PWM wiring. Notice the channel 2 is directly connected/controlling the servo motor…. We will see the consequences, but it’s not a super good idea -WEIGHT 561g !!! in total… super heavy for a 180mm machine :(… even with strong 2205 motors Motors Strong 2205 motors announced to be 2350KV 5mm of shaft section Default props are some 4045BN triblades models Unfortunatly, 5″ models can be installed LiPo A 1100mAh 4S model with plastic easy grab for the balancer plug Camera module A 1000TVL camera. No information about the light sensitivity. The FOV is around 110 deg in diagonal… so not a super wide FOV The mini switch on top is to select between NTSC/PAL modes Unfortunatly, before my first flight test, the camera became out of service… I don’t know really why ? I measured the voltage given by the VTX to 3.83V. When swapped with another camera, the FPV link came again Video transmitter The transmitter is a Boscam TS5823S model The FPV camera is directly powered via the VTX. 3.83V is measured. The role of the 6 dip switches is not given in the instruction manual. Here is the full list of frequencies and bands Transmitter A rebranded FlySky i6 transmitter. To enter into the setup, you will have to press inner both horizontal trim buttons while powering the radio Be default, the throttle fail safe is not set. Default switch assignations to channel are switch B with channel 5 (controller the flight mode) and the switch C with the channel 6 Good news, a set of four rechargeable Ni-Mh accu are given FIRST USAGE My first idea was to overide the tilt offet by assigning on the radio channels as follow With this idea, the pot is controlling the default offet. Funny when the offset is not perfectly tuned on the 1500 value, the machine is bent forward or backward in the air. As soon as you center the pot, the machine is aligned horizontally Unfortunatly, I broke after 3-4min the machine coz with my new assignation, the switch C controls the flight mode and set in Cleanflight 3 flight modes: angle, horizon (rattitude) and acro. The first few minutes was ok but for sure, the ER180 is not super powerfull. The 561g is a lot even with 30A ESC, 2205 motors and 4045BN props. In fact, I think some 5″ or aven 6″ should give much more power but in practice the frame don’t allow such size of props. So as soon as i switched to rattitude, a negative pitch offset was here and the quad in 1s crashed strongly in the ground. I broket the VTX connector … and the main servo motors More it means than the central pitch offset is flight mode dépendent…. or more some flight modes can be used with this actual design … It’s Under investigation Good news I received another model and I was able to perform more flight testing For the positive points, this machine can be super fast while staying perfectly horizontal, a kind of super lunched rocket The FPV CCD 1000 TVL camera works beautifully. For sure this machine can be seen as a ballistic missile where it should be more easy to pass through airgates at full speed. Some “strange” behaviour can be observed at full speed when you try to do an hard turn. The machine can be completly unstable. This is probably the reason why default rates for pitch & roll are set to 0 and for yaw to 0.2 respectively… The last value won’t allow a fast turn. Since I increased all at 0.6… it’s probably a direct consequence of my choice. Except this phenomena, the machine flies beautifully…. Flying duration are about 6min with the 4S 1300mAh battery. As expect if your turn the switch C in 0 or 2 position at take off, you will the front and rear not lifting at the same time. It’s fun to see. CONCLUSIONS The Eachine Racer 180 introduces here the interesting concept of tilting arms. With this principle, the racer is a kind of air’s dragster to reach horizontal top speed. In another hand, if you are looking for an acrobatic machine, the ER180 is not the right choice. No really effective acro flight mode availble. 99% of elements are strong and efficient (nice FPV & VTX part for example) but the Achilles’ heel is certainly the servo motor controling the arm tilting. It’s strongly advise to stock some spare ones in advance coz even with a moderate crash, you will probably strip the builtin gear mechanism. UNBOXING PROS + CCD Camera + SPF3 board + Oneshot 125 compatible 30A BLHeli ESC + ESC upgradable via BLheli suite + Strong Carbon structure + Comes directly in 4S + Ni-Mh battery for transmitter CONS –POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS PITCH OFFSET VIA THE SWITCH C –PITCH OFFSET DEPENDENT OF THE FLIGHT MODES– Fragile Servo … can be striped easily just after a moderate crash (need to stock spare) – No spare servo in the bundle – No buzzer – 561g – Limited vertical thrust – VTX connector easily breakable – Not 5″ props compatible RCgroups thread: https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2717764 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 250USD at http://www.banggood.com/Eachine-Racer-180-FPV-Drone-F3-6DOF-350mW-5_8G-40CH-VTX-1000TVL-CCD-Camera-w-I6-Remote-Control-RTF-p-1075386.html Cet article TEST: Eachine Racer 180 with tilting arms est apparu en premier sur Drone-Maniac !!!!!!!. View the full article

INTRODUCTION Just 2 months after the introduction of the Wizzard X220, here is a new update where now the FC upgraded for a SPF3 and motors for 2205 type. Both the Eachine Wizzard ARF and RTF mode 2 now integrate all these updates. This short mini-review is more focusing on the new elements and associated configuration. Other informations can be found in the former X220 review BOX CONTENT + 1 x Eachine Wizzard X220 + 4 x Spare props (2 CW, 2 CCW) + 1 x 5.8G linear antenna + 4 x Nuts (2CW, 2CCW) + 10 x 5045 tri-blades props OVERVIEW From a visual point of view, no real visible difference. Still a strong 3K carbon H-frame. The devil is in the details. The SPF3 board is flipped of -90 degrees and flashed with betaflight 2.9.1 -FRONT VIEW -SIDE VIEW Some strong 20A BLHeli_S ESC multishoot compatible. They are flashed with the BLheli 16.2. Good news they can be upgraded via BLHeli suite or even simpler via BLheli configurator -REAR VIEW Still no Cloverleaf antenna but a simple linear antenna. A rubber o-ring jails the SMA connector. To fasten correctly the 5.8G antenna, you need to push the o-ring -UPPER VIEW A PPM receiver can be easily installed inside. You have servo plug to attach the RX module. If you plan to install a SBUS receiver, more work is required If you plan to carry a HDcam, the battery strap must be placed more rear. -BOTTOM VIEW Now location of the lights are fixed correctly, green on front and red on rear. -WEIGHT 484g total weight Motors 2205 motors (right) versus former 2204. They give more punch for sure something around 10-20% more. Always appreciated UNBOXING, CONFIGURATION AND DEMO FLIGHT CONCLUSIONS The Wizzard X220 was already one of the best Eachine racer. With this evolution, you have in hand a stronger machine and a super acro flyer. The BLHeli_S ESC are doing a fantastic job and thanks to the SPF3 FC, the machine really reactive. With last BF installed, even with default settings, beginners can learn to fly acro so easily. I just regret the absence of a builtin buzzer and eventually a OSD would have been perfect. PROS + Super acro flyer + BLheli_S 20A ESC + 2205 motors + Strong machine + Cheap CONS – Still no builtin buzzer – No OSD – Narrow FOV 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 130USD at http://www.banggood.com/Eachine-Wizard-X220-FPV-Racing-Drone-Blheli_S-F3-6DOF-2205-2300KV-Motors-5_8G-48CH-200MW-VTX-ARF-p-1085802.html Cet article TEST: Eachine Wizzard X220 ARF/RTF revised est apparu en premier sur Drone-Maniac !!!!!!!. View the full article

RC videos are huge right now, and they’re only going to grow in popularity. Tactic RC has released a tiny 30x30mm camera that’s perfect for taking video on smaller vehicles – cars, drones, planes – you name it! The FPV-C2 has 600TVL video resolution and only requires a 5V input device, working with any 2S, … View the full article

Up your FPV game with the RISE RXS255, a fully-equipped drone ready for full-throttle racing! The RISE RXS255’s 4S-capable ESCs come with BLHeli, OneShot and active braking and a 200mW video transmitter and cloverleaf antenna. The 1000TVL CMOS camera can swivel between 0 and 45°, allowing FPV in a wide-range of speed angles. A rear-mounted … View the full article

A 0.5g nanoreceiver with 1000m of control range for sprektrum radios ?? yes it’s here: http://www.banggood.com/2_4G-8CH-0_5g-DSM2-DSMX-Compatible-Mini-Receiver-With-PPM-Output-p-1102906.html Both DSM2 & DSMX with 11ms & 22ms (2048/1024) protocols are supported. No information if telemetry is also here. Description: Item Name: DSM2 DSMX Mini Compatible Receiver Channel: 8 channels (4-8 can be used) Frequency Hopping Format: DSSS Frequency range: 2.403-2.479ghz Bandwidth: 500khz-876khz Number of bands: 256 Receiving sensitivity: -97dbm Input power: 3.0-3.6V Response time: 22ms / 11MS Resolution: 2048 Display method: LED Operating voltage: 3-3.6V Working current: 30MA Size: 9.5mm * 10mm Weight: 0.5g Each channel data: Depends on the transmitter Delay: <15ms Antenna length: 26mm Data format (DSC port :): PPM (S801A-P data format is PPM, S801A-D data format is DSM) Distance: no ground interference (1 m from the ground) 1000m Uses: indoor small aircraft. Compatible Transmitters: DSM2 / DSMX series of remote control ANT-Gain antenna, GND-Ground, VDD-Input power, Data-DSM or PPM Drawing only 30mA too …. really interesting model. Must be wired in PPM or DSM. If 1000m is not enough, you can have 1500m with a 0.7g and diversity model: http://www.banggood.com/2_4G-8CH-0_7g-Dual-Antenna-DSM2-DSMX-Compatible-Mini-Receiver-With-PPM-Output-p-1102905.html Description: Item Name: DSM2 DSMX Mini Compatible Receiver Frequency range: 2.403-2.479Ghz Band width: 500khz-876Khz Number of bands: 256 Receiving sensitivity: -108dbm Input power: 4-9V Response time: 22ms / 11MS Resolution: 2048 Display method: LED Operating voltage: 3.3V Working current: 60MA Size: 13.5mm * 10mm Weight: 0.7g Receive sensitivity: -108DBM Each channel data: Depends on the transmitter Delay: <15ms Antenna length: 26MM Dual Antenna Data format: PPM (S801B-P data format is ppm, S801B-D data format is dsm) Distance: no ground interference (1 m from the ground ) > 1500m Uses: indoor small aircraft. Compatible Transmitters: DSM2 / DSMX series of remote control ANT-Gain antenna, GND-Ground, VDD-Input power, Data-DSM or PPM Be aware, 60mA versus 30mA … for the the diversity model. It’s just incredible to have such receivers now so efficient. All majors protocols are supported: FrSky, FlySky Futaba and DSMX….. We can dream of FPV machine under 40g with 1km of range Buzzer is a must to have of course Cet article NEWS: 0.5g & 0.7g long range DSM2/DSMX nano-receivers est apparu en premier sur Drone-Maniac !!!!!!!. View the full article

Just announced here: http://www.banggood.com/Boecon-120-Scisky-Micro-FPV-Racing-Quadcopter-BNF-With-OSD-Based-On-F3-Brushed-Flight-Control-Board-p-1102683.html A 120mm brushed model with SPF3 FC, 8.5x20mm motors, 25mW AIO FPV combo and a builtin OSD :). In fact, all these elements are included in a 4-in-1 board to save some weight. The design is cool Specification: Brand Name: Boecon Wheelbase: 120mm Prop Size: 60mm Motor: 8520 Brush Motor Size: 100*100*40mm Weight: 43.8g (without battery) Battery house size: 20*50*8.5mm Firmware version: Cleanflight 1.3.0 Flight controller: Scisky Micro 32b F3 Brushed FC+ receiver +VTX 25MW +Camera Receiver: Built-in Frsky compatible 8ch SBUS receiver/ Flysky receiver/ DSMX/DSM2 receiver/Futaba SFHSS (Optional) OSD: a VTX comes with an OSD Camera: 600TVL HD CMOS 1/4 inch Camera AV Wireless Transmitter: 5.8g 25mw 40CH Batterry: 3.7V 500mah Lipo battery Flight time: 4 minutes Features: * All the electric components (FC, motors, VTX, camera) is for plug and play, * With optional receiver (DSMX/DSM2, FRSKY, FlySky compatible), * Very tiny but strong and neat construction, it comes with a battery house, no need elastic or double adhesive tape for binding the battery. * It flies stable and much of fun! Package included: 1 x Boecon Frame kits 1 x Scisky micro 32b F3 brushed FC with built-in optional receiver 1 x VTX 25MW 40CH 1 x 600TVL Camera 4 x 8520 Coreless Motor 8 x 60mm propeller 1 x 3.7V 500mah Lipo battery 1 x Charging Cable(3S to 3-1S charging harness) Cet article NEWS: Boecon120, a 120mm brushed FPV racer with builtin OSD (SPF3, FrSky RX, 25mW AIO, OSD) est apparu en premier sur Drone-Maniac !!!!!!!. View the full article

As with any type of multirotor, there are a ton of different racing quadcopters to choose from. And many more come out each month. It can be tough to know what options are available, which are best for different needs, and how to make your final decision. So I put together 7 tips to help you choose a racing quadcopter. You will learn whether or not to choose a DIY or RTF rig, how to choose a camera, and much more. Let’s get started. DIY or RTF? This is the first question you should ask yourself: “Do I want to build my own quadcopter or buy one that’s ready to fly?” There are benefits to both routes, and each suits different people better. First off, building your own racing drone (DIY) can be much cheaper than buying a ready-to-fly (RTF) rig. Sometimes you can pay up to half as much. You also get to customize your specs and features based on your racing style. For this reason, many professional pilots build their own quadcopters. The catch is that you either need to know or learn the technical side of quad building, which includes choosing the right parts so they match up correctly and using a soldering iron. If you’re interested in seeing what it’s like to build a racing quadcopter, this video from Tested is excellent. If you don’t want to build your own, there are plenty of high quality ready-to-fly options out there. Here are a few to check out: ARRIS 250 TBS Vendetta Vortex 285 You’ll typically pay more for a RTF quad, but you’ll be able to get in the air much faster and you won’t have to learn all of the technical knowledge required to build one. You will also minimize any mistakes you might make building one. I usually suggest that new racers go this route. However, every pilot will need to make repairs to their quad at some point, so a little technical knowledge can go a long way. (And buy a lot of extra propellers!) Pay Attention to Weight There are a few types of drone races (Rotorcross, Drag Race, Time Trial). No matter which one you’re in, you will need to either have a high top speed or powerful acceleration to keep up with your competition. Your quadcopter’s weight is a major factor in how fast you can fly. Using the quadcopters mentioned above as examples, here are their respective weights: ARRIS 250 — 13.6 ounces TBS Vendetta — 14.4 ounces Vortex 285 — 14.4 ounces From a pure weight standpoint, the ARRIS 250 wins because it’s lighter. Lighter quadcopters will get more out of their motor’s power. So when choosing your drone, pay attention to its weight. Choose an Adequate Camera Your camera is a crucial component. You need to be able to clearly see what’s in front of your drone and where you’re going. If you don’t have the budget, you don’t need to go for the most expensive cameras with the best picture. You just need one that will relay a good enough quality image back to you. Try to buy a camera that’s around 700TVL to 800TVL in resolution. Make Sure Your Transmitter and Receiver Are in the Same Frequency The transmitter relays your camera’s feed back to the receiver, which then accepts the camera’s feed and relays it to your screen/goggles of choice. In order for these two components to talk to each other, they need to be in the same frequency. Which frequency you choose depends on the country you live in (some have laws against certain frequencies) and how powerful you want/need the connection to be. The more powerful your connection, the better it will be able to handle objects (like trees and building) coming in its way. 5.8Ghz is by far the most popular option right now. No matter which you choose, make sure your transmitter and receiver are in the same frequency. Goggles or a Monitor? You have two main options to view your camera’s feed: An LCD monitor FPV goggles An LCD monitor usually gets attached to the top of your controller. It’s a cheaper alternative to goggles, but your picture is usually as good and it doesn’t provide as much of an immersive experience. But FPV goggles provide a fully immersive experience by cutting off other distractions. They are the top choice for professional drone racers. However, they run more expensive than monitors. Here’s my suggestion: If you’re just starting out or you have a low budget, go with an LCD monitor first then upgrade later. If you’re a bit more advanced or your budget is high enough, go with a pair of FPV goggles. Pick a Racing Drone With a Durable Frame One aspect of drone racing is true for every pilot: You will crash. This means you’ll be doing repairs on-site at the race track. But it also means you should maximize your quadcopter’s durability, because some crashes are so bad that repairs simply can’t be made. To minimize your risk, buy a RTF racing drone with a durable frame (carbon fiber is best) or buy a durable frame separately if you’re building your own rig. It’s smart to spend a little more in this area, because it could save you money down the line on replacements. Don’t Spend Too Much Time Contemplating Finally, the main goal is to get out there and start racing. Don’t spend too much time researching and contemplating which routes to take. Do some searches in Google, read some reviews, and make a decision.’ You can always change your mind later as you learn more about the sport. The post 7 Killer Tips for Choosing a Racing Quadcopter appeared first on UAV Coach. View the full article

A news DJI wanabee is announced with the Autel Robotic XStar 3: http://www.banggood.com/Autel-Robotics-X-Star-XStar-3-WIFI-FPV-With-1080P-HD-Camera-3-Axis-Gimbal-GPS-RC-Quadcopter-RTF-p-1102466.html This new competitor claims to offer 25min of flight time, full 4K 3-axis stabilized, follow-me and waypoints. The FPV feedback is done via WiFi. No indication if it’s a proprietary ground station software. Seems there is a USB port so … can be a good news. I hope it’s not old 8 bit APM based like for the UPair one for example. The battery is a 4S LiPo. 400 USD is announced so pretty cheap … A new competitor of the Xiaomi Mi and the wingland minivet. Description: Autel X-Star Aircraft Max.Take-off Weight 3.52 lbs (1.6 kg) The Starpoint Positioning System measures the aircraftÿs altitude and optically tracks position. This lets X-Star fly accurately, at low altitude, even when a GPS signal is unavailable. Dual GPS and GLONASS navigation insure solid positioning even in low signal environments. Smart-Flight featureslike Follow, Orbit, or Waypoints allow you to focus on controlling the camera and capturing the most extraordinary scenes. Enable Beginner Mode to create a geo-fence that limits your aircraftÿs range and aircraft speed. Hover Precision Horizontal: ±6.5 ft;(±2 m); Vertical: ±3.2 ft (±1 m) Max. Yaw Rate 150°/s Max. Inclination Angle GPS Mode: 20°; ATTI Mode: 30° Max. Ascent/Descent Speed Ascent: 13.4 mph (6 m/s) Descent: 6.7 mph (3 m/s) Max. Horizontal Speed 35mph (16 m/s) Diagonal Wheelbase 13.8″ (352 mm) Propeller Size 9.4″ x 5.5″ Video Link Frequency 2.402 GHz ~ 2.476 GHz Receiver Frequency 5.727 GHz~5.8 GHz Flight Modes GPS · ATTI · IOC Operating Environment Temperature 32° F ~ 104° F (0° C ~ 40° C) Weight (Battery & Propellers ) 3.13 lbs (1.42 kg) Camera Still Photography Modes 12 mp Single shot, Bursts, AEB, Bracketed frames, Time-lapse Breathtaking scenes deserve to be captured at world-class quality. Thatÿs why X-Star is equipped with a 4K Ultra HD camera that has 108 degree FOV. Take video at 4K30, 2.7K60, 1080p120, or 720p240 and take 12mp photographs. View the world from above in wide-angle perspective, vivid color, and stunning clarity. Prevent unwanted camera movements while in the air and easily capture stable, smooth video footage with the help of the 3-axis gimbal. The camera and gimbal are conveniently removable for replacements or future upgrades. Video Recording Modes 4K Ultra HD plus QHD, FHD, HD, and Superview settings Max Frame Rates 4K30, 2.7K60, 1080p120, 720p240 Max Field of View 108° Supported SD Card Types Micro-SD, 4GB – 16GB, Class 10 or UHS-1 ile Formats FAT32/exFAT Photo: JPG/DNG/JPG+DNG, Video: MOV/MP4 Battery Battery Type Rechargeable Li-Po Capacity 4900 mAh Battery Voltage Charging 14.8 V Storage Temperature & Humidity Temp: 14° F ~ 113° F (-10° C ~ 45° C); Humidity: 5 ~ 70% Flight Time Up to 25 minutes Remote Controller Operating Frequency (RF Receiver) 5.727 GHz ~ 5.8 GHz Command sticks provide maximum grip and confidence for agile maneuvers. Function keys instantly capture the perfect moment or quickly activate aircraft flight-assist modes. Make informed decisions with the help of important flight information via the LCD display. Clamp your smartphone or tablet securely in place to enjoy the cameraÿs HD live view. Video Link Frequency 2.402 GHz ~ 2.476 GHz Operating Temperature 32° F ~ 122° F (0° C ~ 50° C) Storage Temperature -3mos: -4°F ~ 113°F (-20°C to 45° C) +3mos:71° F ~ 82° F (22° C to 28° C) Max Control and Video Transmission Distance .62 miles (1000 m) GHz Transmission Power (EIRP) RF- FCC:125 mW, WiFi- FCC:400mW Operating Current/Voltage 750 mA / 3.7 V Battery 6000mAh rechargeable Li-Ion Battery Power Consumption 2.8 W Weight (battery included) 1.83 lbs (830 g) Package included: 1 x Autel X-Star Quadcopter 1 x Transmitter 4 x Propeller 1 x Charger 2 x Cable 1 x Screwdriver Cet article NEWS: Autel Robotic Xstar3, a new DJI wanabee (4K, 3-axis stabilized, 25min, 1km, follow me) est apparu en premier sur Drone-Maniac !!!!!!!. View the full article