Top 10 Quadcopter Tips for a Beginner

Popular vote: which brand produces the best quadcopters?
Vote!

Syma

FIMI

DJI

Xiaomi

YUNEEC

Xiro

Hubsan

walkera

gopro

Blade

Total voted: 3

Vote results

The wider the functionality, the longer the operating time and the more reliable the assembly, the more expensive the drone. But for a beginner, an inexpensive model with a minimum set of functions is quite suitable.The fact is that the operation of more expensive devices requires experience and acquired skills. And budget drones have a simplified design (RTF kits), they are less difficult to control. And it’s not so offensive to break or lose an inexpensive device when trying to land.

Devices with good lenses require more dexterity to operate. At first, a copter with 2-5 MP cameras will be enough for the user. But for reliability and protection against mechanical damage, you can pay extra.

Handhelds, mini- and micro-drones seem to be easier to control. But this is not the case: it will be difficult for a beginner to maintain a stable flight of the device on the street due to its tiny size. Even at a small distance from the operator, a small quadrocopter becomes almost invisible, and with a minimum gust of wind, it changes the trajectory of movement. The best option for a novice user is a medium-sized quadcopter.

Devices of medium size are resistant to gusts of wind, have good protection against falls.Yes, and the speed and duration of the flight of such models is much higher. Large quadcopters, although they look more attractive against the background of their medium and small counterparts, are intended for professionals or experienced amateurs.

Crash resistance is one of the most important characteristics. A quadcopter for a beginner should have a solid construction and propellers with extra protection. Otherwise, there is a risk of breaking the copter already at the start of the flight. Additional protection, although it can increase the cost of the goods, will allow the drone to work longer and suffer more drops and bumps. And there will be a lot of them, especially at first.

According to the configuration, drones are divided into 4 types: RTF, BNF, PNP and ARF. Each of them is designed for a specific group of users.

ARF (KITs) — quadcopters for advanced users. Models marked ARF are shipped completely disassembled. You will have to not only assemble the drone, but also solder the wiring, download and install the firmware. Standard ARF/KIT kit includes: frame, controller, antenna and receiver, remote control, speed controllers, board and video transmitter.Batteries and other options for some models have to be purchased separately.

Drones with BNF marking Supplied without remote controls. The abbreviation BNF stands for "bindi and fly": you can connect this aircraft to an existing remote control. True, for novice pilots, such devices may seem complicated, because to control them you need at least a little experience behind the user.

PNP quadcopters - devices partially similar to BNF drones. Only BNF models are supplied already assembled, and in the case of PNP, the owner will have to purchase a remote control, battery and charger, propellers (for some models) and a receiver. Such a drone is already equipped with a camera, controller and other options (except for the above). Even beginners can buy PNP drones. But for assembly and configuration, the help of an experienced person is still required.

RTF quadcopters completely ready to fly. Nothing to configure, no connection required. This is the best option for a novice user. The kit already has everything you need for the first start and management. There is no need to buy additional options and batteries here. Is that for a reserve.

Smooth flight, hovering in the air, transmission of images from cameras - all this depends on good stabilization.

3-axis gyroscopes equipped with inexpensive quadrocopters. Such models easily cope with the stabilization of pitch and roll - the angular movements of the drone relative to the main transverse axis of inertia, allow you to learn simple tricks. Although the devices are suitable for beginners, they still require preliminary calibration.

On 6-axis stabilization With the built-in accelerometer, drones are much easier to control, as the 6-axis system compensates for the lack of experience in piloting, helping to prevent serious damage from falls. In addition, the built-in gyroscopes, coupled with an accelerometer, make the device more maneuverable and obedient.

With battery capacity below 800mAh especially to fly will not work, as well as to develop reflexes in control. Such inexpensive models are more like toys: you should not expect a flight with a good duration from them. But devices that are equipped with batteries at 900 mAh, give out more interesting indicators of autonomy. Drones with batteries 900-2000mAh and more, of course, is heavier, but the weight is fully justified by the survivability of the battery: from 10 to 45-60 minutes of continuous flights.

At first glance, the more functions a drone has, the more interesting the process of its operation. But not in the case of novice pilots. A beginner needs the most understandable control without unnecessary bells and whistles. According to the opinion of advanced users, the remote control should have an ergonomic form factor similar to the joysticks of game consoles. And on the controller itself there should be a minimum set of buttons: this way the “green” pilot will quickly master the maneuvers and it will be easier for him to navigate the controls.

Definitely yes. Even if you are not going to take photos and videos on an ongoing basis. Even if the drone is needed for racing. True, what lenses will be in your quadcopter depends only on your budget.

Inexpensive copters are equipped with 1.2-5 MP cameras. And this is quite enough for a beginner. Mid-budget models are already more interesting: here you can find drones with lenses of 8 or more MP. Some of them even have good image stabilization. The picture from such devices under skillful control turns out to be bright and detailed. Professional drones shoot video in 4K format, have a large amount of internal memory (128 GB).

If everything is clear with photo and video capabilities, then FPV for a beginner will still have to be dealt with. This function must be in the quadrocopter. What for? FPV stands for "First Person View". With its help, the pilot can observe what is happening below from a bird's eye view, track the exact location of the device. The drone broadcasts real-time images from its video camera to the user's monitor, glasses or smartphone. The signal is transmitted via an analog signal 2.4 and 5.8 GHz or digital Wi-Fi 2.4-5 GHz (5G).

The maximum allowable flight height of drones in Russia is 150 m. But some very advanced models are capable of climbing up to 5-6 km. True, a novice user does not need such a height, because at first it is important not to let the quadcopter out of sight.

The drone must not only be able to fly high, but also maintain a good altitude. Mid-budget and expensive models can do this automatically. This feature allows you to hover in the air and shoot video from a fixed point. Some inexpensive quadcopters also have a similar function, but it is not well implemented.

The most popular drone brand is DJI. The Chinese manufacturer specializes in the production of multicopters and video equipment. It gained its popularity thanks to reliably assembled copters and multifunctional modern filling. True, prices even for DJI's entry-level models are often overpriced.

YUNEEC is the second most popular Chinese drone company. Models from this manufacturer are distinguished by high quality photo and video shooting, stability and ease of operation. True, as in the case of DJI, the prices here are quite high - a beginner may not be able to afford it.

Brand Syma from the Middle Kingdom produces both entry-level toy mini-drones and serious models for professionals. The main advantage is the affordable price. But the low cost here, unfortunately, is combined with very mediocre software, as well as occurring defects: before buying, you need to carefully check the chosen model.

Xiaomi although it does not specialize only in the production of drones, this brand also has a very good option for a novice pilot. The manufacturer offers users both tiny devices with a small margin of autonomy, and semi-professional drones with an energy-intensive battery and the ability to record video / take photos in good quality.