The new EVOLVE video drone from XDynamics is a interesting new product, XDynamics is have stepped away from the race to the bottom that currently drives the drone market, and instead they have aimed to product a higher end product, think leica vs panasonic profiling, they have produced a immaculately manufactured carbon fiber drone with interchangeable cameras, which come supported by US tech-support. click through to see how this stacks up.
AUTEL is BACK - The much anticipated EVO, announced at CES 2018 are finally shipping. The EVO is promoted with claims to have best in class camera (more on that later), but also with great new features for this category of drones, such as a build-in display on the controller, so you can fly without plugging in your phone, rear facing obstacle avoidance and 30 minutes of flight time. Along with the now standard for the category 4.3mile 7km range.
With the Voyager5 Walkera have created a modern platform, with IP43 weather rating, dual IMU, GPS and Compass for reliable operation, optical-flow to steady the aircraft during take-off and landings, and when flying in environments with poor or no GPS signal, and a number of attractive payload options. Including Thermal camera package, 30x zoom package and more. Click through for the full post.
A bit belated from the original ship date, the Vernon Kerswell's IndieGoGo superstar success the MicroDrone 3.0 is finally shipping. We have unboxed and reviewed it, and find that its mostly doing exactly what we hoped it would do (with some notable exceptions) And that it probably is a fairly successful deliverable in terms of what we have come to expect from crowd-funded multirotor. Click through for the gory details and unbox video.
DYS just released a new cool little "drone" with a form factor that I feel is very relevant to the future of consumer video drones. The DYS x230 can be purchased from CarolinaDronz.com use the code fpvguy230 on check out to save $100 Click through to see how the new quad deliver on that promise.
Walkera is back with a sexy little new speedster, with a claimed top speed of 120kmph. (about 80mph) The new 320 size racer is build around a cool new trick, articulated motors, which rotate forward as you give the quad more stick, the result is that the quad body stay level and aerodynamic instead of leaning 45 deg like they normally do. this trick reduce drag and make for faster acceleration. Click through for a closer look at the new quad, and thoughts about what works and what don't.
Its only 2 weeks since I unboxed the P3 and quickly declared "its going to be very hard to find better value in the consumer quad market."
Well dang, next thing I know, a blistering fresh package from Walkera dumps into my door, welcome the limited edition WORKS 350 premium quad. (seriously can we start using shorter names?)
Holly snot, Without a doubt the most compelling value EVER from Walkera.
Click through to see how Walkera just wrapped $1500 worth of parts into a $999 deal.
Yuneec sure are supplying lots of good entertainment lately. we have all been waiting for their $800 RTF mini-Q quad... it was to be announced with the 1080p camera they were already shipping on the Q500. And at the same time original Yuneec Q500 customers are impatiently waiting for the 4K camera to be released.. Yuneec keep pushing it back.
Now it looks like the explanation is a bit more complicated than just delays in production.. and more like Yuneec have re-designated the current production of 4K cameras to fill a contract with HorizonHobby for their new Yuneec made Chroma quad, available with 1080 or 4K cameras. and even with the long awaited Yuneec GoPro gimbal.
While Yuneec is working hard to establish themselves as a big brand (WHICH they really are) they clearly like the big checks / orders when dealing with big-box retailers like HorizonHobby, and rumors suggest a maybe Target and a couple others might be coming online as Yuneec outlets later this year.
I would say the big spending on NAB probably have helped solidify their big-leaque image, and Im glad its working, because the Yuneec IS a good product. but Im also sure that a lot of original Q500 launch customers, probably right now are feeling left high and dry. I really like the products and the staff. one way or another, the new Yuneec products is a great entry into multi rotors, lets hope Yuneec have plans to keep their direct customers as happy as HorizonHobby's customers.
The q500 4K was finally re-announced today at $1299 exactly what the original q500 cost a few months back and the same price as the 4K chroma.
NOTE at the 2015 NAB show. 3DR released their new SOLO quad rendering the iris+ a think of history. I had already finished the unbox. and here it is with couple added comments on account of the SOLO.
American company 3D Robotics have been making a number of APM based quads for a while, and the IRIS+ is (was) the latest of them.
There is a lot of interesting aspects about the IRIS+ its inexpensive for a RTF quad with optional video capabilities, but its also a bit like most "american made" things competing with a more polished high end chinese product. the IRIS+ look rougher in terms of the fit & finish, but that should not affect its flying. Click through to read the full story.