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Best Quadcopter Reviews

Do you feel the need for speed, or want to take some incredible aerial video? Then welcome to the world of radio controlled drones. Quadcopters are an incredible piece of technology that are mechanically simple and really fun to fly. However, picking the best quadcopter for you can be difficult because there are so many options to consider. To make your decision easier, we research and analyze the latest and best quadcopters available today. From our research, we provide you with advice and reviews on each of these drones so that you can pick the best quadcopter for you.

 

Things to Consider Before Buying a Quadcopter

Skill Level

This is the most important factor to consider. If you have never flown a quadcopter before, then you need to get a quadcopter for a beginner, and learn how to fly. When you are learning to fly, you are going to crash your quadcopter many, many times. Some of these are going to be very hard crashes. So you need a quadcopter that can take this punishment. You do not want to be crashing a drone worth a few hundred dollars, so you do not the best quadcopter. Be honest with yourself regarding the skill level of your quadcopter flying ability.

Price

You do not need to spend hundreds of dollars to enter the world of radio controlled quadcopters. It is possible to get a starter quadcopter for approximately 50 dollars. As you look to quadcopters with more features, then the price scales with every additional option such as GPS, longer range, smarter onboard flight computer, HD camera capability, FPV, and additional sensors. The mid-range price of quadcopters is a few hundred dollars, with advanced quadcopters obviously costing more.
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Objective

It is important that you understand what you what to do with your drone. If you are looking for a drone that is easy to fly, then you do not need an expensive quadcopter with GPS and a HD camera. You will be better off with a drone for a beginner. However, if you eventually want to shoot aerial video, then you will want an advanced quadcopter with a camera. So visualize what you plan on doing with your drone, and keep this in mind as you plan your quadcopter purchase.

Rules and Regulations

You may think of a quadcopter as a toy, but your government aviation authority does not. There are rules to flying that extend to the operation of a quadcopter. Most of these are common sense, but you need to be aware of them. Also, if you live in the USA, you need to be aware of the registration requirements for flying a drone. Other countries are adopting regulations for aerial drones, so be sure to check before you fly.

Battery and Flight Time

The flight times for a starter quadcopter is about 8 to 12 minutes, while higher end drones can fly for 15 to 25 minutes. If you anticipate flying longer than these times, you should consider buying extra batteries and chargers for your quadcopters, especially since most batteries take at least an hour to charge. These are not that expensive, and you should buy the extra batteries when you get your quadcopter to avoid flight time disappointment. However, do not endlessly fly your drone. It is best to let it rest for 5 minutes between batteries, so you do not overhead the motors.

Extra Parts

No matter how experienced of a pilot you are, you are eventually going to crash your quadcopter. As your flying experience increases, the crashes will happen less, but you can still expect a few. Knowing this, you should check how easy it is to get extra parts for your drone. Almost all quadcopters, from the cheapest to the most expensive, come with extra propellers. With extended use, you may need to replace a motor, or another part due to a break caused by a crash. Check the drone manufacturer website for how to order extra parts.

Top 5 Best Quadcopter Reviews

1. Holy Stone HS170 Quadcopter

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No products found.

The Holy Stone HS170 quadcopter has amazing features that make it fun to fly, and easy to control. This drone not only performs flips, and tricks, it also takes videos and pictures. Don’t worry about crashing this quad, as it is tough as nails. Whether you are a beginner, or an experienced flier, you will experience smooth and enjoyable flights. The headless flight mode will make sure you never lose your quadcopter. Read the full Holy Stone HS170 review for more information.

2. Syma X5C Quadcopter

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No products found.

The Syma X5C-1 quadcopter has fixed the problems associated with its predecessor model in term so of stability. The previous stability issues are gone and instead replaced with controls that make this quadcopter easy to pilot, and perfect for beginner flyers. To open up the performance of this quadcopter, simply shift into the advanced mode to perform more advanced turns. The camera is not impressive but does give you the ability to capture aerial videos and photographs.

3. Dromida Ominus Quadcopter

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No products found.

The Dromida Ominus is an impressive aerial system that is lightweight, and durable. This quadcopter is so robust, that is borderline indestructible. You can fly this drone indoors, but outside it really opens up as it cuts through the wind and hits its maximum speed. Anyone can learn to fly this amazing quad with its stability provided for by its 3-axis gyro, and accelerometers. You can crash this quadcopter, pick it up, and put it back in the air. If you don’t care about a camera and are looking for an acrobatic flyer, then this quadcopter is for you.

4. DJI Spark Quadcopter

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No products found.

Due to its small size, the Spark might be confused for a toy, which it is not based on the kind of advanced sensors it comes equipped with. The first thing you notice about the drone on a closer look is the build quality. The overall design is quite beautiful with the thick motor mounts giving it a robust appearance. This drone comes equipped with a 12 Megapixel camera, which is gimbal mounted for great pictures. It can be gesture controlled, or you can use your smartphone.

5. DJI Phantom 3 Quadcopter

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No products found.

Due to its small size, the Spark might be confused for a toy, which it is not based on the kind of advanced sensors it comes equipped with. The first thing you notice about the drone on a closer look is the build quality. The overall design is quite beautiful with the thick motor mounts giving it a robust appearance. This drone comes equipped with a 12 Megapixel camera, which is gimbal mounted for great pictures. It can be gesture controlled, or you can use your smartphone.

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DJI is one of the leaders in the development of consumer drones for aerial photos and videos. The DJI Phantom 3 is an amazing combination of price, power, and ease of use for anyone who is interested in a very good quadcopter. It is simple enough for a …

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The Quadcopter Dromida Ominus Review

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The Quadcopter 3DR Solo Review

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Quadcopter Terminology

There are a few terms that are specific to quadcopters that you should know when deciding which is the best quadcopter for you to purchase. This is not a comprehensive list since there are many more terms.

ACC: Accelerometer – used to measure angular velocity or acceleration on a given axis.
AIL: Ailerons also known as roll.
AH: Altitude hold – a function provided by a good flight controller, which helps to maintain height using the Barometric Altimeter (BARO) or a Sonar module.
AL: Auto leveling – a feature that the flight controller employs to stay level once tuned, uses the Accelerometer (ACC).
ALT: Altitude – How high the drone is flying
ARF: Almost Ready to Fly – sometimes ARTF: A drone that requires some minor assembly (such as attaching the propellers)
ATT: Attitude – Orientation of the drone in roll, pitch, and yaw.
BNF: Blind and Fly: A drone that does not come with a controller
CG or CoG: Center of gravity – The point through which gravity effectively acts.
CP: Circular Polarized, a type of antenna used in some FPV wireless video systems.
CW/CCW: ClockWise or Counter ClockWise, refers to the rotation of the propellers as viewed from the top looking down at the multirotor.
ELEV: elevator also known as pitch.
FC: Flight controller – the brain of the drone.
FOV: Field of view – usually measured in degrees.
FPV: First person view.
FW: Firmware, software used onboard the drone.
GPS: Global positioning system.
GYRO: Gyroscope measures – employed by the FC to help maintain craft orientation.
IMU: Internal Measurement Unit, usually refers to the collection of sensors either on the flight control board or a separate circuit board.
LIPO: Lithium-ion polymer battery.
LOS: Line of Sight.
MAG: Magnetometer/compass.
OSD: On Screen Display.
PCM: pulse code modulation used to digitally represent sampled analog signals.
PH: Position hold.
PID: Proportional Integral Derivative – a control loop.
RPM: Revolutions per minute.
RTF: A drone that is ready to fly out of the box, and requires no assembly. However, the battery may need to be charged.
RTH: Return to home.
RX: Receiver which takes our “TX” commands and sends them to the “FC”.
TX: transmitter sends our commands to the “RX”.
VTOL: Vertical take off and landing.

Quadcopter FAQs

How high can a quadcopter fly?
Theoretically, you can fly a quadcopter high enough that you can no longer see it. However, do not do this. Always fly your quadcopter under 400 feet, and with visual range at all times.
How far can a quadcopter fly?
The range on a quadcopter varies from model to model, however you always want to fly your quadcopter within visual range.
What happens when the battery dies?
Even on the most inexpensive drones, there is an indicator that tells you that your battery is almost done. Either the LED lights on the quadcopter will start flashing, or there is a battery level warning on the controller. So you will have time to land your quadcopter before the battery dies.
Do I have to register my quadcopter?
If you live in the USA, and your drone weights more than 0.55 lbs, then yes. The registration link is UAS Registration. If you live outside of the USA, please check with your appropriate governmental body.
Is a quadcopter hard to fly?
It does take a bit of practice to get used to flying a quadcopter. For some, the controls will not be intuitive, and it will take some time before getting the hang of flying. Check out our article How to fly a Drone Quadcopter
What is a brushless motor?
The quick and dirty answer is that brushless motors experience less wear, last longer, and are generally more reliable than non-brushless motors.
Are there rules to how high and far I can fly my drone?
Yes, you need to keep your drone below 400 feet, and make sure your drone is flying within your line of sight.
Can I use my drone for commercial purposes?
You may not fly your drone for commercial purposes with the express permission of the FAA.
What if my quadcopter lands on water?
Bad news. Quadcopters, with few exceptions, are not waterproof, and will sink in water. Best advice is not to fly over water.
How do I trim my quadcopter?
On the controller, the sticks control the throttle, yaw, pitch and roll. There is a trim button for each of these commands on the controller. When you take off, if you see your drone drifting in a particular motion, apply trim in the opposite direction until the drift stops.
What is low and high rate or mode?
Most quadcopters come with at least a low and high rate mode. Low rate reduces the responsiveness, and the maximum speed of the quadcopter. This good for indoor flying, or for beginners. High rate removes this restriction, and gives you the maximum quadcopter maneuverability, and performance.
Can you fly a quadcopter at night?
Yes. Almost all quadcopters come with LEDs, so you can see them in the dark.
Can I fly a quadcopter on a windy day?
That depends on what quadcopter you are planning on getting. Obviously the smaller ones do not have enough mass or motor power to handle winds. Most mid-sized and larger quadcopters can handle a light breeze.
What is 3 axis gyro vs a 6 axis gyro?
A 3 axis gyro automatically stabilizes the pitch, roll, and yaw of the quadcopter. A 6 axis gyro stabilized quadcopter has 3 additional accelerometers that provide faster correction of attitude displacement compared to a 3 axis gyro.
Can I fly my drone over crowds?
You cannot fly over crowds for safety reasons. Also, stay at least 25 feet away from individuals and vulnerable property.
Are there areas I can't fly my drone?
Do not fly near or over sensitive infrastructure or property such as power stations, water treatment facilities, correctional facilities, heavily traveled roadways, government facilities, etc.

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