Xiaomi mi drone test-video

(Video from Quadcopter 101 )

China’s consumer electronics brand have launched its own take on one of the hottest categories in consumer tech: drones. Xiaomi Mi Drone is a quadcopter with a three-axis gimbal, 4K camera, and a remote control that uses your Mi smartphone as its viewfinder. The 4K version retails at 2,999 yuan (just under $460), while the 1080p model is priced at 2,499 yuan ($380). Typically, 4K-camera drones from Yuneec retails for more than $1,000.

Announced by Lei Jun himself, the Xiaomi Mi drone comes with following key features / specs :

• 4 ARA-D propellers air foil with detachable shield. This can deliver efficient aerodynamic performance.
• 1.2mm ultra-thin and lightweight body. The structure is rock solid.
• 5100mAh 17.4V smart battery.
• Approximately 27 minutes non-stop flying time.
• 104 degree wide-angle lens powered with 12.4MP Sony back-illuminated image sensor.
• Ambarella image processor.
• 6-piece multi-coated lens with higher light transmission.
• 2 aspherical glass lens with blue glass filter lens.
• Ability to record full 1080p HD or 4K Ultra HD aerial videos.
• 4K recording at 3840×2160 pixels.
• 720p live video low latency streaming from up to 2km distance.
• Ultra-light 3-axis gimbal stabilization system consists of 3 brushless motors, 14 circuit boards, 149g carbon fiber, and polycarbonate structure. The gymbal unit is capable to stabilize up to 2000 vibrations per second at 0.02 accuracy.
• Bird’s eye view feature from up to 2km away.
• GPS and GLONASS combined with vision-based positioning mechanism can ensure maximum precision.
• Autopilot features including automatic take-off, automatic landing, waypoint flight, path planning, tap to fly on map, and also the popular circle an object on the ground.
• Low battery detection system. The drone will automatically return to home when battery becomes low.
• Real-time location tracking for easy retrieval even after crashing.
• Ability to automatically hover at the edge of no-fly zones.
• Built-in PCB antenna array in remote control for maximum reach.
• Modular and modern design resembles – and inspired by – dragonflies.

Just watch the Xiaomi Mi drone flight test above to see whether it’s hyped.

 

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Mavic Pro could ship within two weeks

I flew the Mavic Pro for the first time indoors and was amazed at how well VPS (Vision Position System) worked on this little platform. Truly rock solid without GPS.

VPS are the sensors on the bottom of the platform, “looking” at the ground and using patterns on the ground to stabilize the drone. This is very helpful in environments when there is no GPS.

VPS also helps when flying outdoors and close to the ground.

There are two different sensors; 2 monocular cameras and 2 sonar sensors.

After the indoor flying portion, I took Mavic Pro out and flew it on a football field. At first I flew it about 2 feet off the ground, full speed, banking hard, stopping hard – just rock solid. At no point did I feel the Mavic Pro would loose altitude and hit the ground. Ascent acceleration is strong and you can gain altitude quickly. Descent rate, again, is capped at 3m/s for smooth and safe performance.

The wind started to pick up and I was curious to see how the Mavic Pro coped with it. 15mph winds were no issue in both flight and hover mode. Both close to the ground, as well as 100 feet above ground. Later in the day the winds and gusts peaked well above 22mph and still, that Mavic Pro kept position.

In Normal mode the front sensors are able to detect objects at speed up to 22mph (36kmh). In Sport Mode the front sensors will not detect objects due to its “angle of attack”.

Many people have waited for several months after pre-order. Now you could get them soon if you order before Jan.15 as it could ship within two weeks.

Mavic Pro’s U.S. retail price will be $999, and additional Mavic Pro Intelligent Flight Batteries will cost $89. A Mavic Pro Fly More Combo, which includes a Mavic Pro, two extra Intelligent Flight Batteries, extra propellers, a charging hub, an adapter, a car charger and a shoulder bag, will be available for $1,299.

It may be another long wait if you miss the Mavic Pro this time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Does Yuneec drone confuse you?

Maybe the Yuneec Typhoon series confuse you as the Typhoon quadcopter from Yuneec may sound familiar.Don’t worry, we’ve got an opportunity to review Yuneec Typhoon G.

Yuneec just has made the announcement of their Typhoon G for some time. In the previous Q500, the 4K meant that the drone featured a 4K video camera. But in the G version, the Typhoon will now seamlessly integrate with a GoPro camera!

For other drones, a very common platform is to take the drone and mount a GoPro to it.  Most would agree that when it comes to compact video recording, the GoPro is the leader for the smoothest and clearest video and putting one on a drone is the best way to get aerial video without a full DSLR.  However using a GoPro on a drone comes with the tradeoff that a live video link often takes extra 3rd party video transmitters and even more 3rd party parts if you would like to see live telemetry data of your flight.  Traditionally making a flying GoPro not an “out of the box” option.

Yuneec Typhoon G is able to integrate directly with the GoPro and provide the same integrated flight experience that the Typhoon 4K is able to provide.  This means an easy to control drone paired with a top-quality camera that can be viewed live directly on the 5.5″ ST10+ Android touchscreen flight controller straight out of the box from just over 1/4 mile away.

Just like its predecessor, the new Typhoon G and GB203 gimbal will also include the same SteadyGrip device that now will give you a mobile, handheld gimbal for your GoPro that can be viewed live using your mobile phone and the CGO app.  Gone are the days of shaky footage.  That buttery smooth image that makes a drone so special can now be achieved safely in close range on the ground.

The most benefit of the Typhoon G is that if you are already a GoPro enthusiast and already own a GoPro Hero 3, 3+, 4 Black or 4 Silver, you can bring your own camera to the GB203 gimbal.

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Yuneec drone lost control-Episode 2

This Yuneec drone lost control discussions come from Yuneec groups.

“I just got my Yuneec Q500 and I was so happy for it. I take out like four times before the nightmare begins.

The first time I take out in a University Campus to flight, everything was ok, but suddenly like 5 minutes after take off the Quad start to descend really fast and kind of drift. I lose control and I couldn’t take it back until the drone bounce on earth. Two minutes after that I land and move away.

Three days later I go out to a parking lot to take a flight and everything looks fine , but around minute 7 it happens again, this time I retake control on the second bounce and speed up, I was in control for about 45 seconds and “this thing” happens again. I landed change the battery and take a new flight and everything works perfectly.

Last week I was in a public park and this happens again with my second battery flight, but this time I only lose control for about 3 seconds and before it hit the ground I regain control.

I flight all the time in SMART Mode and with at least 15 satellites for the drone and 9 satellites for the base.”

“Second flight of my Yuneec Q500 wound up with a crash…why? Yuneec Q500 was about 100 yards from me and maybe 30 feet high when everything came tumbling to the earth. Fortunately, not much damage but all I could find was three of the 4 props (all broken). Apparently the fourth prop came off causing the crash. I never found it. I thought these props were self tightening. I assume I did not have the runaway prop tight enough when taking off.”

“Yesterday I lost my Yuneec Q500 4k drone, it took off normally but after a couple of minutes at 150 ft the drone lost GPS signal and stopped responding to the ST10, I hit the HOME switch but nothing happened I just lost visual contact and after a few minutes all camera signal.”

“I lost mine a month or so ago. I saw it go down so I had a general idea of where I needed to start looking. But even then it took a good bit of two days and part of a night to find. I did not have an SD card in the ST10, a big no-no I have learned. I have one now plus I most all the time I attach a Trackimo to my Q500. The remote, and “home” arrow didn’t help me. Not much anyway, but I had only been flying 3 or 4 days so it’s pretty certain I didn’t know what I was doing trying to follow the arrow to where it went down.”

 

 

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Why I returned my Typhoon H!

First off, I am not here to talk bad about Yuneec drone or say that people shouldn’t buy the Typhoon H, I am just explaining the reasons I returned it. The first one I got a big time camera issues and it took a month to get a new camera. I was using a Phantom 3 Standard and was wanting to get into making serious video projects, so I decided it was time for an upgrade.

Reasons I wanted the Typhoon H:
*Retractable landing gear- I saw this as an awesome feature for un-interrupted filming.
*360 gimbal- I really liked the Pan dial for precise panning.
*Ground Station- one big reason I wanted it was because I loved the controlled and built in display.

Reasons I returned it:
*Software- A big reason I returned it was because of the software. Compared to DJI Go or Litchi, it’s like going from an iPhone to a flip phone. It just seems very cheaply made and is not nearly as functional as DJI software, and lacks a lot of critical information for flying that the DJI offers, especially in the gps and tracking abilities. Also, it doesn’t seem to hover very stable. I feel that at the moment this is Yuneec’s biggest problem.

*Camera- For me the camera quality is a bit off the Phantom 4, both in the fact that it has a very wide field of view, it focuses on object that I very close rather than far away, which when you’re flying it should be focused further away, and the 1080P 120fps is just completely useless quality.

*Build quality- For me the build quality made me a bit nervous, especially the camera and gimbal. While I love the few carbon fiber pieces, the rest feels like a problem waiting to happen. The arm hinges felt pretty weak, when I would takeoff I could see them flex, and the body plastic is very thin and you can easily flex it. Bottom line, it just feels much more vulnerable then let’s say the Phantom 4.

CONCLUSION:
On paper I love the Yuneec Typhoon H, that’s why I bought it, but to me it seemed they rushed it. If it had the quality of the Phantom 4 software and build quality I no doubt would buy it again. For those of you who fly or buy the H, it is still a good drone, and hopefully they will develop new software, make some camera adjustments and generally just improve it for the future. But that was why I returned it and bought the Phantom 4, which I love so far but they have been around a lot longer so I have high hopes for Yuneec!

 

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Mavic Pro isn’t for everyone

In general we have seen a decline in size of these platforms. They have gotten small enough that a backpack can hold a Phantom 4 on a hike, or an Inspire 1 on a walk. Despite the smaller form factor, these platforms are very capable of performing in challenging conditions and environments, and also produce very strong output. So what is missing?

Missing is the real entry drone. Missing is the drone that is small, powerful and capable. Missing is the drone that really is easy to transport, quick to set-up, simple to fly, and capable of producing stunning imagery; both still and video. Missing is that drone that a new consumer can pick up and just feel comfortable with. Mavic Pro is trying to be that platform. Exciting times for consumers.

Looking at Mavic Pro it’s clear that DJI has pushed the innovation machine into another gear; again! It’s a foldable quadcopter that is built sturdy, is compact and powerful. When folded up it is a “small box” of 750 grams that can fit into your jacket pocket, into your camera bag, into your back pack, your purse or even clip on your belt. And you don’t have to be worried about breaking something. The radio is small and compact and because of the way the entire platform has been designed, you could even leave your radio at home and still fly Mavic Pro. More about that later.

Mavic Pro is DJI’s first personal drone designed to be taken just about anywhere, small enough to toss in a bag and easy enough to launch quickly whenever the time and place are right. Its unique folding design compresses the entire drone to the size of a water bottle, and its intuitive interface can be controlled by a smartphone – making it easy to take aerial selfies or stream live video from the sky.

Who would want the Mavic Pro?  

To be honest, yes, I will want it. And yes, I am a more advanced drone operator. I want it because of the small form factor. From my experiences with this platform and the market today, the person who would like to get into flying drones will want the Mavic Pro too. However, I also think the Mavic Pro will be of interest to many DJI and other platform operators.

Adventurer / Sports Oriented Person  

The person who enjoys outdoor activities, likes going on a hike and wants to capture some video and images. The couple going on a bike ride or the skier who wants some action shots. Mavic Pro is the way to go. So compact and light weight.

Aerial Photography / Videographer

Yes, even the more experienced artist may consider this platform. It offers a very similar camera as on the Phantom 4. The sensor is basically the same, the big difference is the FOV (78.8 degrees vs. 94 on the P4). The gimbal is 3-axis stabilized and it can capture video up to 4k. Images are taken at 12MP in both DNG and JPG. Yes, it’s not an X5 camera on an Inspire but it produces very good output for its size.

Inspection 

Quick inspection jobs wouldn’t be an issue with Mavic Pro. It has the power, flight capabilities, maneuverability and imagery output to be of help. It may not replace a Phantom 4, Inspire 1 or M600, but it could become an additional tool for advanced deployment.

First Responders

After having put this machine to some tests, I believe this will be an advanced scouting platform for first responders. Again, the form factor makes it easy to have it part of the standard equipment and it could be deployed before the “real” drone team arrives on scene. Mountain Search and Rescue could utilize this quadcopter, so could any fire department.

The Fun Customer

Yes, the woman and man who would like to have just a fun platform to fly in the park, or a platform to learn on, should consider the Mavic. It has a Sport Mode, where the machine becomes a little rocket, flying 18m/s (almost 40mph)?

Will it be for everyone? No, of course not and I am sure some operators will not like the concept of the Mavic Pro and may not like DJI going this route. But reality is, this is a great move to reduce the barrier of getting into this hobby. And a big kudos, once again, to DJI’s fantastic R&D team. This machine was very well designed.

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