The Drone Files

The WLToys Q202 has got to be one of the most bizarre toy quadcopters of 2015. At first glance, the Q202 looks like it was inspired by Marvel’s SHIELD Helicarrier with two runways on its deck and four large rotors at each corner. I’ve seen quadcopters that come in the form of eggs, some take the shape of fighter jets but this is the first time I’ve come across one that appears like an aircraft carrier. Clearly, the Q202 is one quadcopter that was designed to defy aesthetic conventions.

The Q202 not only flies like a conventional quadcopter, it is also triphibious and can cruise on water and land thanks to its waterproof body which is made mostly of compressed foam. The motor arms have some degree of waterproofing with the two rear arms (which can swivel forward) being covered with rubber boots for extra protection against moisture.

Sensitive electronic components are all sealed inside the Q202’s foam body and a small battery compartment can be found at the top which houses a 7.4V 1200mAh battery with a JST connector. The compartment itself has limited space and was designed rather crudely with a removable cover that fits snugly to help keep moisture out. Although the Q202 appears to be moisture proof, I doubt it was designed to be fully submerged in water. This is, after all, a $130 RC toy so limiting its exposure to moisture is probably a good idea.

The first thing that struck me about the Q202 soon after unboxing it was its sheer size and imposing presence. As it stood on the floor, I realized this is no Syma X5C-style toy quadcopter. The Q202’s diagonal motor distance itself is a whopping 345mm which puts it in Phantom 3 territory where diagonal size is concerned.

When it comes to overall size, the Q202 is pretty massive for a toy quadcopter — measuring 630mm X 450mm X 135mm which means it is nearly as large as a Yuneec Q500 where overall size is concerned. For this reason the Q202 is shipped in a very large box that is about the size of a two year old child so don’t be surprised to see the delivery guy standing at your doorstep with a really large package should you decide to purchase one online.

However, despite having a diagonal size of 345mm, the Q202 is equipped with 5.5 inch 3-blade propellers which are significantly shorter than the 9 inch props that come with quads such as the Phantom 3. Shorter props were probably chosen to allow the Q202 to have its distinctive aircraft carrier shape.

Due to the shorter props, the Q202 generates less propulsion. In order to compensate for this lack of propulsion, the entire body is made out of compressed foam to keep the quad as light as possible. The result is a body that, although light, is rather fragile and flimsy, particularly the built-in prop guards. Care should be taken when handling the prop guards since they’re terribly fragile and can break very easily. The fuselage, on the other hand, feels a lot more solid and durable. Should you break any of the foam parts, they can be repaired or reattached using the right thermoplastic glue.

Specifications

• Dimensions: 630 x 450 x 135mm
• Diagonal motor distance: 345mm
• Motor size: N/A
• Weight: Approx 334g (with battery)
• Flight time: 8 to 10 minutes
• Battery: 7.4V 1200mAh Li Po
• Charging time: 90 minutes
• Control distance: approximately 150m
• Transmitter power: 6 x 1.5V AA batteries (not included)

Flight Performance

Being a triphibious quadcopter, the Q202 can both fly in the air like a conventional quadcopter and cruise on water and land. The left shoulder button on the transmitter allows you to toggle between air and water/land modes.

In “air” mode, the Q202’s motors point upwards as in a conventional quadcopter while in “water mode” the two rear motors swivel forward to allow the Q202 to cruise on water without tilting forward.

The Q202 can also slide on land or over hard surfaces although I wouldn’t recommend to do this very often as this would probably create a lot of wear and tear at the bottom of the fuselage. After all, the Q202 is made out of compressed foam — a material that is not known to be very durable, especially against knocks and scrapes against hard or rough surfaces.

As a quadcopter, the Q202 does not fly very well. It feels highly erratic and unstable in the air. This is mainly due to under-powered propulsion and a body design that tends to catch a lot of wind. This means the Q202 is very vulnerable to wind and struggles to fly when things get windy. At first glance, the Q202 may look aerodynamic with a sleek profile but once you get it flying in the air, you’ll realize its flight performance isn’t something to shout about.

Even in calm weather conditions, the Q202 does not fare very well. It feels touchy and nervous, even at 40% speed mode. At 100% speed mode, it gets terribly unwieldy and flies about in very aggressive flying angles which can sometimes be quite disconcerting.

WLToys have chosen to leave automated flips out of the Q202’s spec sheet and this, I believe, was a wise decision. Who would want to flip such a large toy quadcopter with underpowered motors anyway? Even if it could do flips, the Q202 would struggle to recover.

However, all’s not lost with the Q202 as it performs fairly well on water where things can get quite interesting. To cruise on water, the Q202’s rear motors swivel forward to allow the quad to maintain a more level position when moving forward. This can be done by pressing the left shoulder button on the transmitter. The swiveling rear motors gives the Q202 a very “James Bond” feel.

Q would have been proud of this one.

In “water” mode the throttle stick is used to control forward movement, allowing the Q202 to easily slide across water. Bear in mind that in this mode, pushing the throttle to its maximum will not lift the quad off from the water. To fly off the water surface, you need to switch back to “air” mode.

To direct the Q202 on water, the right control stick is used to turn the quad left or right very much like how the throttle stick is used to control yaw movements while in the air. Yaw control on the throttle stick is disabled so pushing the throttle stick left or right doesn’t do anything. The Q202 can only move forwards in water and not backwards. The same “water” mode can also be used when you need to drift over land.

After “flying” the Q202 several times in “water” mode, I’m glad to say that water-proofing on this quad works quite well with one exception — the battery compartment isn’t sealed well enough and water tends to seep into it after several hard splashes when cruising on water.

This can be dangerous because moisture can cause a short circuit in the battery and may cause it to explode or catch fire. With a capacity of 1200mAh, the Q202 battery is large enough to create a spectacular blast similar to a large firecracker should it explode so proper care must be taken when cruising over water.

What I do every few minutes of cruising is to check the battery compartment for water seepage and wipe it dry with a cloth. This can be quite a hassle. After several flights, I decided to seal off the edges with electrician’s tape which does a great job in keeping the compartment dry even after several hard splashes. This eliminates the need to regularly check the battery compartment for water seepage.
Transmitter

The Q202 comes with the same 4-channel transmitter that is shipped with other WLToys models such as the V272 and V636. It is not exactly the most good looking transmitter nor is it the most well built but it gets the job done well enough.

A blue LCD screen at the bottom of the transmitter displays important information such as transmitter battery level, speed mode, throttle level, trims and so on. A number of buttons are available for various features. There is a total of 4 dedicated buttons that allow you to toggle between the 4 different speed modes. There is also a button that allows you to turn the quad’s LED lights on or off and another button that turns on the headless mode.
Conclusion

The WLToys Q202 is essentially three RC toys bundled into one. In “air” mode, the Q202 flies like any other conventional quadcopter. However, flight performance isn’t impressive and the Q202 feels like an unwieldy sledgehammer in the air. Those who have grown familiar with the precise and stable flying performance of other toy quads such as the Syma X5C-1 or the XK X260 may find its sloppy flying characteristics a bit of a letdown.

The main problem lies in the Q202’s under-powered propulsion and large body that has poor aerodynamics — a combination that results in highly unstable flight and poor stability in windy conditions. The body itself, made of compressed foam, is rather fragile with prop guards that may break easily.

The Q202’s under-powered propulsion in the air makes it highly unsuited to beginners as flying it requires some decent skills and experience. For this reason, beginners may find the Q202 quite frustrating to handle in the air.

On water (and on land), the Q202 fares much better. It is a lot of fun to fly in the air and then start cruising on water within seconds. On water, the Q202 operates like a RC boat and one can easily mistaken it for one. Care should be taken when cruising on water since the battery compartment is prone to water seepage. Sealing off the battery compartment with electrician’s tape is a cheap way of solving the problem. Other parts of the Q202 have decent water-proofing and I have yet to encounter any problems with water in these parts after several occasions cruising on water.

The Q202 is one unconventional quadcopter for those seeking an unconventional experience in RC toys. Priced at approximately $130, it stands in a class with few rivals. The only other RC toy currently available with similar features is the KiiToys Giant Aircraft Carrier Drone.

Indian startup Navstik Labs recently launched a new Linux-based Autopilot aimed at commercial drones. Dubbed the “Flyt”, the new platform saw its first public demonstration at Nasscom Product Conclave in Bangalore, India on October 13.

Flyt consists of an ARM-based FlytPod autopilot device, a Linux-based operating system and an application development platform called FlytOS.

The platform also boasts of advanced features such as long-range telemetry, the ability to control swarms of drones by controlling multiple drones simultaneously and support for both fixed-wing and multi-rotor configurations. Flyt’s “swarm” feature also allows users to control swarms via cloud computing making it possible to control swarms of drones over the internet through a smartphone or tablet.

Navstik FlytPod autopilot

Flyt is expected to sell for under $1,000 and is aimed mainly at commercial and industrial applications. In fact, Navstik Labs has past experience developing technology for defense and research labs such as DRDO, HAL and NAL.

Along with Flyt, Navstik Labs also introduced its new NanoPilot autopilot — a tiny navigation and control module designed for micro aerial vehicles. NanoPilot offers a wide range of features which include navigation sensors, accelerometers, gyroscopes, magnetometer, air pressure sensors and GPS all in a package no larger than a typical desktop RAM module.

Halloween may be over but its spirit still lives on in Gearbest’s Halloween Sale, at least while stocks last.

It’s the end of the year, so the popular Chinese online retailer is having a massive stock clearance at its US warehouse to free up some space for the following year. The Gearbest Halloween Sale offers a few dozen popular products at amazing discounts, with some products seeing up to a 62% slash in price!

Among the items up for sale are RC toys, smart devices, watches, action cameras and outdoor gear, just to name a few. Best of all, Gearbest is promising delivery to any US address within 2 to 5 days.

Some of the attractive deals in the RC toys category include the WLToys V686G — the 5.8GHz FPV kit of the V686 which is now on sale at $76.34. Priced well below $100, this is an amazing deal considering that a 5.8GHz FPV monitor and 2MP camera are also included in the kit.

This is a complete FPV kit with everything you need for your first beginner’s experience in FPV flying right out of the box.

Another good deal worth mentioning here is the highly popular DM007 which is now on sale for $33.88 and comes equipped with 2MP camera.

When WLToys released the V303 Seeker quadcopter just over a year ago, it immediately became an instant hit. Its popularity was driven mainly by an affordable price tag (less than $400), basic but reliable GPS features, decent quality and highly stable flight characteristics which made it an excellent beginner drone for those looking to take up aerial photography at low budgets.

At a time when the cheapest Phantom 2 cost well over $900, the V303 was like a dream come true for many who wanted a semi-pro aerial photography platform minus the hefty price tag of a Phantom.

Fast forward one year into the future and WLToys, via its sister company XK, releases the Detect X380 — a beefed up and improved version of the V303. Appearance-wise, the X380 shares a striking resemblance to its predecessor. Not much has changed on the exterior except for the new faux carbon fiber finishing and a larger battery bay. The X380 still retains the x-shaped body, the twin headlights and landing legs that look like retractable antennas from a 1960’s science fiction movie.

What has changed, among other things, is the battery capacity and control range — the new battery has a capacity of 5400mAh, about twice the capacity of the V303’s while the control range has been doubled from 500m to 1000m. This is good news for V303 owners who wished their drones could fly longer and farther. Best of all, a X380-C with 2-axis camera gimbal system only costs roughly $50 more than its V303 equivalent — not exactly a very large increase considering the generous improvement in battery capacity and control range.

The X380 comes in 4 different kits:

• X380 – standard kit with no camera (30 minutes flight time)
• X380-A – includes fixed gimbal and 1080MP camera (27 minutes flight time)
• X380-B – includes fixed gimbal with 3-point dampening and 1080P HD camera (27 minutes flight time)
• X380-C – includes 2-axis brushless gimbal and 1080P HD camera (22 minutes flight time)

This review is based on a X380-C with an added FPV transmitter and monitor (not included in the original kit).

Specifications

• Dimensions: 305 x 305 x 210mm
• Diagonal motor distance: 380mm
• Motor size: 2212 950kV brushless
• Weight: Approx 1190g (with battery and camera)
• Flight time: X380 (3o mins) / X380-A (27 mins) / X380-B (27 mins) / X380-C (22 mins)
• Battery: 11.1V 5400mAh 20C 3S Li Po
• Charging time: 90 – 120 minutes
• Control distance: approximately 1000m
• Transmitter power: 6 x 1.5V AA batteries (not included)

Less Is More

The XK X380-C may not have all the bells and whistles of its closest DJI rival — the Phantom 3 Standard but sometimes less is more. Unlike the Phantom 3 which boasts GPS waypoint navigation and a host of other neat features, the X380-C does the bare basics with regards to GPS navigation.
The X380 features one key automatic take off and landing.

It can take off or land automatically with the press of a button, automatically return to its launching point when needed and also boasts the popular “Hover Around Point” GPS feature which aerial photographers will find very useful (at press time, this feature is only available via a firmware upgrade).

All these GPS features may not seem much but when you’re into aerial photography, you’d rarely need more than what the X380-C has to offer anyway. Features such as waypoint navigation and other more advanced autonomous features may be useful to industries such as agriculture and law enforcement but they are rarely in the average aerial photographer’s wishlist.

Flight Performance

The first thing you’ll notice when you get the X380-C up in the air is that this is one drone that was tuned and designed purely for aerial photography. The X380-C is not a drone you’d buy for the thrill of flying, racing or performing aerial stunts. It is a drone that was made to take great photos and videos from the air.
The X380 is amazingly stable in the air.

The X380 is amazingly stable in the air.

You’ll notice this in its highly stable flying characteristics. The X380-C flies with such stability and grace that you’d think it’s a $1,000 drone. One key feature that makes the X380-C so stable in the air is its barometric pressure sensor and GPS module which give the drone an accurate reading of its altitude (within 0.5M) and position, allowing it to precisely maintain its position in the air even in light to moderate winds.

The X380-C’s spring-loaded self-centering throttle stick rests at 50% so keeping the drone hovering accurately at a specific altitude is very easy. If you need to go higher, just move the throttle stick up till the X380-C rises to where you need it to be, let go of the throttle stick and voila, the X380-C obediently stays put where you left it and will maintain its position until you move it elsewhere (assuming you have a strong GPS reception).

This stability allows you to focus on taking good videos and photos instead of spending your energy and focus in struggling to fly the drone.

Yaw movement in the X380-C is also fluid and smooth, allowing you to take sweeping panoramas of the landscape below with ease. Everything in the X380-C seems dialed in to give you an excellent aerial photography platform.

Another key reason that makes the X380-C such a stable flier is its excellent propulsion system which consists of 2212 950KV brushless motors paired to 9-inch propellers. The quality of these motors are superb and they’re almost as good as what you’d find on the more expensive Phantom 3.

The only thing that needs to be done to get the most out of the X380’s propulsion is to balance the plastic propellers which I find to be mostly out of balance. The motors themselves are already very well balanced out of the box so they don’t really need any tweaking.

The X380 also features “headless” mode — a feature which allows you to fly your drone without worrying where its front is facing. When headless mode is turned on, the drone will fly in any direction you order it relative to your transmitter’s position, irrespective of where its front or “head” is facing. So if your drone has its front facing right at you, it will move to the left if you push your right control stick to the left.

It is important to remember that the “front” direction is determined when you arm the motors and is fixed throughout the flight until you land the X380 and disarm it.

“Headless” mode is really useful when you lose visual orientation of your drone due to distance. However, I advise beginners not to develop the habit of flying in this mode too often since this is simply a great way to develop bad flying habits.

Camera Gimbal System

The XK X380-C kit comes with a 2-axis brushless gimbal and camera system which isn’t the best there is where gimbals are concerned but gets the job done reasonably well nevertheless. The gimbal is attached to the bottom of the body via a set of four rubber dampers and plastic rails that help minimize vibration to the camera. A dial at the lower right of the transmitter allows the pilot to control the pitch angle of the gimbal. This setup is a bit complicated with plastic parts and wires sticking out from underneath the body.

Having only 2 axis, the gimbal is not able to dampen vibration in the yaw axis which is another weakness of the system. Due to this, the X380-C’s camera gimbal system does not offer the same level of stability that a 3-axis gimbal can provide. However, when flying conditions are ideal, the X380-C is still capable of taking great videos. It only starts to struggle in really windy conditions.
The camera gimbal system can get a bis messy with wires sticking out at the bottom.

The camera gimbal system can get a bis messy with wires sticking out at the bottom.

The X380-C comes supplied with a 1080P HD camera which appears to be a clone of the popular SJ4000 action camera. Although costing significantly less than a GoPro, the camera is still capable of producing some really impressive images, although not exactly in the same ballpark as the latest GoPros where quality is concerned.

Transmitter

The X380 comes with a redesigned 6-channel transmitter body that also features an improved control range — 1000m to be exact, double the range of its predecessor. While the V303’s transmitter had the appearance of a toy-grade product, the X380’s looks like it means serious business.
The X380 transmitter with optional FPV monitor and receiver.

The X380 transmitter with optional FPV monitor and receiver.

Gone are the childish graphics and color scheme, replaced by a more professional all-black look with labels and buttons placed ergonomically. The X380 transmitter not only looks good, it feels good in your hands too.

Power is supplied by 6 AA batteries and there are dedicated switches for “headless” mode and return-to-launch (“Go Home”). An LCD display dominates the lower part of the transmitter and displays important information such as throttle position, battery level and other status details. A dial at the lower right controls the gimbal’s pitch angle and can be pressed to activate the “hover around point” GPS feature (if you already have the latest firmware installed).

There is also a button for automatic take off and landing and another button for toggling between stick modes.

A World of Options

The X380 offers a host of options when it comes to modifications — one thing that makes it more attractive than other drones such as the Phantom 3 that have a more integrated/proprietary approach to their designs.

Don’t like the supplied camera? Just swap it with a GoPro. You can even replace the 2-axis gimbal with a gimbal of your choice and add your own choice of FPV transmitter and antenna.

The X380 is also compatible with generic 5400mAh Li Po batteries that cost about $30 each. That is certainly a far better bargain than the smart batteries that come with the Phantom 3 which can cost well over $100.

For the more technically-inclined, the X380’s flight controller can be accessed via a software connection and its GPS capabilities upgraded with your own DIY copper shield to dramatically improve satellite reception.

These are just some of the upgrades and modifications that can be done on the X380 to make it perform better.

Conclusion

The XK Detect X380-C represents a big improvement over its highly popular predecessor the WLToys Seeker V303. It is an excellent entry-level aerial photography platform that offers nearly the same stability, quality and reliability that you’d normally get in more expensive drones. It also offers plenty of freedom for upgrades and modifications. It may offer only basic GPS features such as Return To Land (RTL) and Hover Around Point — a list which may not appear impressive to some but for the average aerial photographer, such features are just what most assignments need.

With that said, the X380-C was designed primarily as an aerial photography drone. It’s not something that you’d buy for the thrill of flying, racing or performing aerial acrobats. Almost everything about this drone was designed for taking smooth and impressive aerial shots.

Priced between $310 for the X380 model and $480 for the X380-C model, the X380 range stands in a class with few rivals, with only the Cheerson CX-20 and a few other similar models coming close to matching its specs. On the upper price range, it faces stiff competition from the Phantom 3 Standard which is a very well-rounded package itself and represents a formidable rival to the X380-C. But while the P3 Standard offers a highly integrated package, it does have its drawbacks.

Chief among these are its lack of mod options, highly proprietary design, expensive smart batteries, no fly zones and a flight controller that requires mandatory updates. This makes the X380-C a highly attractive option for those seeking an affordable (and less fickle) alternative to the P3 Standard.

Priced at $480, all it takes to make the X380-C fully FPV capable is to purchase at least a 200mW 5.8GHz FPV transmitter and FPV monitor with built-in receiver and battery at a cost of roughly $100. This brings the total cost to about $580 which is still about $120 cheaper than a P3 Standard. Bear in mind that the Phantom 3 does not come with its own FPV monitor as it uses your smartphone for that purpose.

Like the P3, the X380-C has its own drawbacks too but there aren’t many to mention here. One of it is the messy camera gimbal system that leaves plenty of wires sticking out from the underbelly and a 2-axis brushless gimbal that is certainly no match for the P3’s 3-axis gimbal.

Still, the X380-C is overall an excellent package that offers great value. It’s not surprising that the X380-C is already on its way to becoming one of the most popular, if not the most popular, entry-level aerial photography platform below $600 — a worthy successor to the venerable WLToys V303.

Yuneec — maker of the popular Typhoon Q500 quadcopter, has just unveiled a new handheld camera gimbal system — the Yuneec Typhoon ActionCam. The Typhoon ActionCam shares a striking resemblance to the Steady Grip handheld unit which comes bundled with Yuneec’s Q500 Typhoon quadcopters and shares the same technology. It even uses the same camera from the Q500 – the CGO3 4K.

The ActionCam allows users to capture stabilized 4K video on the ground similar to what a Typhoon Q500 would capture in the air. For those who are not familiar with how camera gimbal systems work — they allow a camera to stay level with the use of a mechanized gimbal. With a device such as the Typhoon ActionCam, a camera operator can capture relatively smooth videos even when walking or running thanks to a 3-axis motorized gimbal that helps smooth out vibrations and wobbles.

Besides taking 4K video, the camera is also capable of recording slow motion 120fps video at 1080p HD and taking 12MP still images. The ActionCam’s 1400mAh Li Po battery lasts 90 minutes and the whole unit is compatible with camera gimbals from previous Typhoons.

Yuneec expects to sell the Typhoon ActionCam soon at a price of $550.

2015 has been the most exciting year so far for those in the market for entry-level aerial photography drones as prices continue to tumble and trickle-down technology become more common in newly-released models. Ever since DJI released the Phantom 3 Standard, the sub-$700 segment has been the most hotly contested price range in the consumer AP drone market.

This year not only saw the release of the P3 Standard but also a few exciting models from newcomers such as XIRO and XK. These underdogs may be new names in the world of consumer drones and they may not have the same brand power and bling factor associated with more established companies such as DJI but their offerings are definitely giving the big boys a run for their money.

This is why we believe the XIRO Xplorer V wins the crown in our best sub-$700 aerial photography drone award. If there is one brand that can beat DJI in its own game, XIRO would be it. The XIRO Xplorer V may not enjoy the same big budget marketing blitz that some of its closest rivals do but that doesn’t mean it is a slacker in any way.

When we refer to “aerial photography drones”, we are referring to drones that can take photos and videos from the air with some kind of stabilizing technology. This could be a mechanized gimbal with brushless motors or in the case of the Parrot Bebop — built-in software for image stabilization. These drones are capable of taking aerial videos that meet or exceed the minimum standards for professional film making and are certainly not the type of toy-grade quadcopters with “cameras” that you can purchase for less than $100.

So without further ado, we present you our list of the best 5 entry-level AP drones that cost less than $700.

XIRO Xplorer V

Beauty with brains — these are words that best describe the XIRO Xplorer V. It is the most visually pleasing drone of the bunch with some impressive technology under the hood making it one of the easiest to set up and fly. The Xplorer V is also unique in the sense that it uses a modular approach in its design. This means all major components such as the camera gimbal system, flight controller and motor arms come in their own “modules” which can be easily removed or installed. Crash your Xplorer V and the only “repairs” you need to do are to replace the damaged modules.

The transmitter is very well-built and ergonomically designed, with its own built-in retractable phone holder that tucks neatly away when not in use. It is also a bit more intuitive to use and less complicated compared to the Phantom 3 transmitter. It can support up to a 6″ smartphone which can be used as an FPV and OSD (On Screen Display) screen via the XIRO app. The XIRO app itself is very beginner-friendly and less complicated to use than the DJI Go app.

The XIRO Xplorer V also comes in two other variants — the Xplorer (base model with no camera) and the Xplorer G (with GoPro compatibility).

PROS:

• Very stable and easy to fly
• Modular design and great looks
• Excellent transmitter design and ergonomics
• Up to 16 navigation waypoints, “follow me” mode, “hover around point”, auto take off/landing, “return to home”
• Beginner-friendly XIRO app
• GoPro version available
• Transmitter and drone can be charged via USB ports
• Optional range extender (sold separately) available for transmitter

CONS:

• Landing legs may not be reliable at times.
• The battery module has a weak design and may sometimes detach on its own when not installed properly
• Phone holder can only take up to 6″ phones
• Expensive “smart” batteries

DJI Phantom 3 Standard

The DJI Phantom 3 does not need any introduction here, having been synonymous with quadcopters since its first incarnation. The Phantom 3 Standard is the most affordable in the latest Phantom 3 line yet still retains some impressive features from its more expensive siblings.

Although the P3S was designed to be a beginner-friendly drone, it is a little bit more complicated to use compared to the other models in this list. This is mainly due to the higher level of control it gives the operator via the DJI app which makes the P3S more suited to experienced pilots and photographers.

The higher level of control requires a steeper learning curve and may appear like a hassle but is necessary to make the most out of the advanced features of the P3S.

PROS:

• Excellent quality and reliability
• Reasonably easy to set up and fly
• Advanced GPS features including waypoint navigation, “hover around point”, “follow me” mode, auto take off/landing, “return to home”
• Advanced camera and drone control via DJI Go app
• Class-leading 3-axis camera gimbal system capable of 2.7K video and 12MP stills

CONS:

• Proprietary design gives no room for third party upgrades/mods
• Mandatory software updates (will not fly without the latest updates)
• “No fly” zones
• Pricey
• No GoPro version
• Expensive “smart” batteries and replacement parts

XK Detect X380-C

The XK X380-C is one of the most affordable drones in this list and is also the most basic in terms of features. But don’t let that low price fool you because sometimes less is more. Despite its highly affordable price tag, the X380-C is nearly on par with its more established rivals such as the Phantom 3 in terms of flying stability and overall quality. Not only that, it is capable of producing aerial videos that are good enough for professional use.

Thanks to its simple features, it is also easy to learn and very beginner-friendly. For the technically-inclined, the X380-C is one model that can be easily upgraded and modified. It is compatible with generic batteries which are more affordable than “smart” proprietary batteries and you can also use your own camera gimbal system, as long as it fits the mounting holes and is small and light enough to fit the body.

For more details on the X380-C, click here to read our in-depth review of it.

Note: The FPV monitor seen in these photos is sold separately and does not come with the X380-C kit.

PROS:

• Very affordable
• Excellent build quality and reliability
• Very stable and easy to fly
• Great GPS features at such a low price point
• Plenty of room for upgrades/mods/tinkering
• Very affordable batteries and replacement parts
• Camera gimbal system takes decent videos and photos
• Gimbal is GoPro compatible

CONS:

• Camera gimbal system has messy and exposed wiring
• 2-axis gimbal instead of 3-axis
• No power button

XK X500-A

The XK X500 is the largest drone of the bunch and also the latest. With a diagonal motor distance of 500mm, the X500 is much larger and more wind resistant in the air compared to its smaller sibling the X380.

In some ways, the X500 can be seen as an oversized workhorse version of the X380 intended more for professional use. In fact, it has the same GPS and flight features as the X380. It also comes with the same 2-axis brushless gimbal and transmitter as its smaller sibling.

While the X380 is more of a semi-pro/hobbyist drone, the X500 and its workhorse appeal makes it a more attractive choice for professional film makers and photographers.

PROS:

• Very wind-resistant
• 500mm diagonal size makes it a very stable flier
• Decent GPS features for the price (and size)
• Well-designed transmitter
• Camera gimbal system takes decent videos and photos
• Affordable batteries and parts

CONS:

• Camera gimbal system has messy and exposed wiring
• 2-axis gimbal instead of 3-axis
• Ugly canopy

Parrot Bebop

The Parrot Bebop is the smallest and also lightest model in this list. Due to its compressed foam construction which makes it very light for a drone, it can take a lot of beating and abuse before actually breaking apart. It is also packed with some impressive technology inside and is the only drone in this list that uses software to stabilize videos and photos taken with its camera.

Due to its smaller size and light weight, the Bebop is able to perform a number of preset aerial stunts, making it a drone that can be flown for both serious aerial photography as well as for the thrill of flying. Out of the box, the Bebop has a WiFi control range of only 250m which is not exactly impressive. However, that range can be extended when it is paired with the Parrot SkyController (pictured below) which can increase the Bebop’s control range to an impressive 2km.

PROS:

Lightweight, simple and portable design

• Compressed foam construction can take a lot of abuse and withstand crashes
• No complicated and heavy gimbal (uses software for stabilizing videos)
• Range can be extended up to 2km with Parrot SkyController

CONS:

• Flimsy and cheap construction
• Low capacity batteries
• Limited control range (250m)
• Optional SkyController is pricey
• Spotty WiFi connection can sometimes lead to loss of control
• Vulnerable and exposed camera lens

Ehang has just updated its Ghost Drone with a new version — the Ghost Drone 2.0. The new model now features virtual reality goggles, allowing pilots to virtually experience a bird’s eye view of the landscape below via the drone’s 4K camera. What really makes the drone’s VR so exciting is the camera’s head-tracking feature which allows the pilot to control the camera’s angle by just looking up or down. This eliminates the need to control the camera’s gimbal via dials on a transmitter. The Ghost 2.0 also boasts zero latency in its video feed making it possible to fly through tight and constricted spaces with precision.

Although Ehang is not the only company to currently offer VR on a consumer drone, it is now one of the few that has a drone which features this exciting technology. For those who don’t need VR, the Ghost Drone 2.0 is also available as a basic model at $499 for the first 100 orders. This first batch is due to be shipped in six weeks.

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Since the release of the first Ghost Drone, Ehang has been committed to producing consumer drones that are intuitive to use. With the Ghost 2.0, Ehang continues this tradition in making drones that are highly user-friendly. Like its VR goggles, the Ghost 2.0 can be piloted intuitively using a smartphone. Via the Ehang Play app which is available on both Android and iOS, the pilot can fly the Ghost 2.0 simply by tilting a smartphone in various directions. This approach is very much like how most racing games are being played on a smartphone and eliminates the use of a conventional transmitter which requires a higher level of experience and skill.

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The Ghost Drone 2.0 will be available in 4 different variants — Ghost Drone 2.0 which is the basic version that comes without a camera gimbal system ($599), Ghost Drone 2.0 Aerial ($799), Ghost Drone 2.0 Aerial+ and Ghost Drone 2.0 VR. Ehang has yet to determine the pricing for both the Aerial+ and VR variants. Based on the pricing of its current rivals such as the Yuneec Typhoon Q500 4K and the DJI Phantom 3 Professional, the Ghost 2.0 VR may be priced between $1300 and $1500.

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Ehang is also offering a trade-up program for all owners of its first Ghost drone. For more details, visit Ehang.

DJI is offering massive discounts this Black Friday for its popular Phantom 3 consumer drone. The promotion begins on 26th November and covers the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Denmark, Norway, Finland and Sweden. If you’re living in any of these countries, now is a great time to splash your money on a Phantom 3 if you’ve been saving up for one.

The DJI Black Friday Specials will be held for 4 days so don’t miss the chance to enjoy up to 25% discount for the Phantom 3 Professional, Phantom 3 Standard and other selected DJI products. For instance, the Phantom 3 Standard which normally retails for $699 will be available at $599 for US customers. There will also be lucky draws and a daily giveaway.

To qualify for the lucky draw, you need to first purchase a promoted product such as a Phantom 3 Standard. Prizes that will be up for grabs include Phantom 3 propellers, propeller guards, DJI canvas bags and DJI knapsacks.

As for the daily giveaway, customers who purchase a DJI Inspire 1 or Inspire 1 Pro during the promotion period will stand a chance to win a DJI Osmo.

The DJI Black Friday Specials starts in 2 days time. For more details, head over to the DJI Black Friday Specials page.

Renowned Italian camera and lighting supports manufacturer Manfrotto recently unveiled its D1 Drone Backpack, joining an increasing list of established brands that includes companies such as Lowepro which released its DroneGuard Kit drone storage system earlier this year.

The D1 Drone Backpack was designed to carry 350-size quadcopters such as the popular DJI Phantom 3 and is part of Manfrotto’s Aviator collection — a new line of bags designed specifically for aerial photographers. Realizing that many aerial photographers also carry conventional cameras and other photography gear along with their drones, Manfrotto has also made space in the D1 large enough for a DSLR camera and included a tripod strap.

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The D1 also has space for a 17″ laptop and tablet so you can check and download your work on the go.

Features:

• Carry semi-professional drones, remote controls and accessories
• Quick external attachment for a drone with propellers attached
• Comfortable top compartment for a DSLR camera with zoom lens
• Secure external tripod connection
• Dedicated compartment for a laptop and a tablet

A quick look at official product photos suggests that Manfrotto is putting its expertise in making camera bags to good use in the D1. Like most camera backpacks in the market today, the D1 is held up by thick structural padding that keeps stored items safe and secure.

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This thick padding forms the main structure of the D1’s dedicated drone compartment which helps protect its precious cargo from impact and moisture. When it pours, the included rain cover can be used to fully waterproof the entire backpack. If you’re not going to travel far and may need to get your drone up and flying on short notice, you can even secure it with the D1’s quick external attachment. This external attachment allows you to carry your drone with its propellers attached, ready to be deployed in seconds when needed.

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The Manfrotto D1 Drone Backpack is available in black with red accents and retails for $199.99. That’s a lot to pay for a backpack but if you’re expecting Italian style and quality, it’s a price that can be considered reasonable.

Gearbest have come up with an impressive lineup of products for their Black Friday Sales which starts today. Along with the promo, Gearbest is also organizing a lucky draw contest for customers who have purchased selected products during the promo.

To be eligible for the lucky draw contest, simply purchase any item between 23 and 30 November that costs at least $50 to get three lucky draw attempts which you can then use in the lucky draw game. Prizes offered for the lucky draw include action cameras, tablets, smartphones and RC toys, just to name a few.

Besides the lucky draw, Gearbest is also giving away coupon codes that can be used to redeem discounts on selected products. To get a coupon code, simply share a product detail on your Facebook page. Once you’ve shared the product, you will be given a coupon code. Coupons are divided into two types — Black Friday coupons which will be activated on November 27 at 17:00 UTC and Cyber Monday coupons which will be activated on November 30 at 17:00 UTC.

Take note that only the first 20 customers who use their coupons and complete their order on any particular product will be eligible for discounts.

Since this website is about drones, let’s take a closer look at what Gearbest will be offering in the RC toys department for Black Friday. The best deals can be found in the Flash Sales section where a dozen products will be offered at big discounts and in limited quantity.

My favorite of the lot is the Yizhan Tarantula X6 (without camera) which will be available for $39.99 and limited to 300 units only. Factor in the US shipping cost of $9.61 and the total price ends up being just $49.60. This is a good deal considering that most online retailers are selling this version of the X6 at a price of approximately $72 inclusive of shipping.
The Yizhan Tarantula X6 (without camera) will be available to US customers for $49.60 inclusive of shipping. Limited to 300 units only.