3DR Solo vs Yuneec Q500

3DR Solo vs Yuneec Q500,which one would you buy?

If you’re going to get the 3DR Solo, you probably already have or like a GoPro, you’re new to quadcopters, you like open source.

For starters, the Solo is the drone that boasts not one, but two dedicated 1GHz Cortex-A9 Linux computers. There’s one in the controller, and one onboard the drone itself that handles all high-level flight scripting, freeing Solo’s Pixhawk 2 autopilot to focus solely on keeping the copter in the air. This configuration makes the drone incredibly reliable, as there’s a much lower chance of a firmware freeze.

Second of all, you won’t find a camera on this drone. You’ll need to bring your own GoPro to the party, and it’s only compatible with Hero models 3, 3+ and 4. Obviously, the downside of this is that if you don’t already own a GoPro, you’ll need to drop an extra $400 or $500 before you can film anything from the air. The upside? You’re not married to the same camera forever, and can upgrade to a nicer model when better tech becomes available. And if you’ve already got a GoPro handy, you’re golden.

Third, this drone can fly like a bat out of hell. 3DR doesn’t boast about it very much, but Solo can hit over 55 MPH if you take the training wheels off. That’s 10 MPH faster that DJI’s new Phantom 4, and it’ll go even faster with a good tailwind behind it. If you need a drone that can keep up with a car, motorcycle, snowboard, mountain bike, or anything else that moves fast, Solo would be a fantastic choice.

Solo’s autonomous flight modes, which include Selfie, Cable Cam, Orbit, and Follow, are designed to make it easier to get professional-looking aerial video. The drone handles all the flight, which allows you to focus solely on capturing a great shot.

If you’re not keen on keeping up with every new iPhone release, Yuneec’s Q500 Typhoon 4K is a solid option.

Rather than relying on a smartphone as half of the controls, the Yuneec’s Android-based remote controller has a built-in touchscreen for flight monitoring. This design not only expedites the setup process but also removes the pressure on you to sport the latest and greatest mobile device.

As the name implies, the Yuneec Q500 4K shoots 4K video, which is gradually replacing 1080p, and captures raw-format still images. It does offer useful navigation features such as Waypoints and Follow Me, and its camera is removable and replaceable (a bonus if it ever sustains damage or if Yuneec releases a better model). And though this model is monstrous in comparison with the others we tested, its stealthy gunmetal-gray design is aesthetically pleasing.

Both of drones come with smart controls designed to ease the learning curve for beginners, an intuitive control scheme. Your choice between the two may come down to the camera and price.

 

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What a bad Yuneec customer service

I am an experienced pilot, both full-size fixed- and rotary-wing and RC. This Yuneec Typhoon Q500 flies wonderfully, both with and without GPS lock, and functions as advertised EXCEPT: BE ADVISED YOU CANNOT CONTROL A GOPRO WITH THIS UNIT.

Took a 30-minute phone call with Yuneec to even determine this, because it’s not documented at all.

In addition, there were missing parts (no SD card in the package) and even after the phone call to Yuneec, and after they told me they would send me the card, nothing happened. I also ‘ordered’ the 4K camera to mount on the hard point, so as to ‘convert’ my unit to the Typhoon quadcopter, but apparently my order got lost by the tech I spoke with and ten days later I still have that crappy GoPro gimbal, which itself doesn’t hold camera steady under ANY conditions.

Disappointed…

Later,I heard so many complaints about Yuneec customer service, just one example here.

“I elected to go with Yuneec because of the customer service reputation.I was very pleased with the Yuneec Typhoon quadcopter, so much so that I purchased another Yuneec drone as backup should anything go wrong.

It did, big style. First I installed the camera off the new one to test it out and the copter behaved independently crashing and breaking one side of the slide mount off the gimbal.

I ran the GUI and everything checked out. So, the next flight it again goes off at a tangent and took a notion to take a swim and drowned. It behaved as if a rotor was missing but I could see that all were still in place so I am guessing a motor packed up.I’m wary of using the new one until I can determine what actually happened.

Yuneec promised to send a new one or replace at a “deep discount” dependent on the cause.Now they say the telemetry files are unreadable (I can read them????)They also promised to email me a return form to have the second camera (the first is still with the fish) repaired.

The Yuneec return form email promise was over a week ago.The post office would have been quicker i am sure. Beginning to think my desire to obtain an Yuneec drone Typhoon H is not a good idea after all.”

Yuneec customer service and warranty are a joke.

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Bulky, problem-prone Yuneec Typhoon quadcopter ready for a phase out?

DJI’s Phantom 3 and Phantom 4 have clearly won the RC quadcopter war with the Yuneec Typhoon quadcopter to the point that it may be time to wonder if newer model launches are an attempt by the company to move on.

The basic Yuneec Q500 model has been adapted a few times from a pre-4K camera variant to one that can hold a GoPro, but Yuneec has faced a lot of blowback over flaws in the overall model.

The top complaints on the Yuneec Typhoon quadcopter center on communications between the controller and the drone on two fronts – poor GPS fix and lock in many cases and access to fewer satellites overall in a DJI vs Yuneec comparison. The other communication aspect is the weak internal WiFi card of the Yuneec drone and the badly soldered antenna that needs a trip back to the factory to fix.

Reviewers of the Yuneec Typhoon quadcopter had initially expressed hopes that these issues were production line bugs that could be fixed in subsequent sales, but the talk is that there is such a repair backlog for the RC quadcopter from Yuneec that a logjam has been created in a rush to get new models of the Yuneec Typhoon quadcopter into the market and deal with units sent back at the same time.

This flawed R&D approach to testing products rigorously in the design phase and in beta is evident in the Yuneec Typhoon quadcopter and has flowed through to newer models such as the Yuneec Breeze “selfie” drone aimed at a potential large market that wants some fun for under $500 – a penny under, in this case.

But these new buyers then have to deal with a drone that has less than a dozen minutes of battery life, less than 80 meters of range, poor connections to a smartphone or tablet and that can be easily blown around by even mild gusts of wind.

On top of that, Yuneec has tried to go high-end with a massive hexacopter – the Yuneec Typhoon H – and compete with a far superior Phantom 4 model from DJI that regularly receives rave reviews. The Yuneec Typhoon has been faulted for cheap plastic in key parts such as the joints holding together the folding arms – and for the landing gear that is nominally retractable, but regularly seizes up in flight.

But maybe if Yuneec looks to streamline offerings it can at least cut the backlog of repairs enough to concentrate on the newer entries into the market. As it is, the Yuneec Typhoon quadcopter just keeps logging complaints over flight hours with issues such as a burning smell during batter recharges and flight times less than 20 minutes, far below the 25 minutes advertised.

Of course DJI is coming out with some new models too, the Mavic Pro, which runs off an APP on a smartphone or controller and flies for up to 27 minutes at just a few hundred dollars above the Yuneec Breeze, and which has the ability to live-stream full HD video to Facebook Live, Periscope and YouTube.

 

 

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Some tips for your Yuneec Typhoon quadcopter flight

Maybe you have some issues with your Yuneec Typhoon quadcopter when flight.We have consolidated the answers to some of our customer’s most common questions and listed them here.You could also learn more about the Yuneec Typhoon quadcopter.

Yuneec shipped an upgraded version of the Q500 Yuneec drone dubbed the Q500+. This version includes a custom case, an improved camera with new lens and a microphone, and a larger 5.5″ tablet display built into the ST10.

The 3-axis anti-vibration CGO3 gimbal camera and the optimized fixed focus lens capture silky smooth videos and crisp images, which are stored to the internal memory card and streamed in real time to the ST10+ screen. The camera features a 115 degree wide-angle no-distortion lens and the ability to shoot slow motion video at 1080p 120 FPS.  All the controls expected by professionals are standard. For instance, video resolution and white balance can be adjusted, while light exposure can be controlled automatically or manually, including ISO and Shutter Speed. The camera also allows users to take pictures while recording video, and the still images are available in RAW (DNG) and JPEG format.

Smart Mode

• This is the recommended mode for beginners as it enables a geofence (enforces a maximum distance of 300 feet from the operator) and the controls will operate relative to the pilot, regardless which way the nose of the Yuneec drone is pointed.
• In smart mode, the follow-me feature is automatically enabled if the Yuneec Typhoon quadcopter has acquired GPS data from 6 or more satellites. This will be indicated by the LEDs blinking white every 3 seconds. When follow-me is active the drone will maintain a constant position relative to the ST10 controller as you move it around.
• If you take off in smart mode, make sure you are at least 26 feet away from the Q500. In smart mode the Q500 maintains a safe distance from the operator to prevent injury. If you need to take off or land within 26 feet of your position, you must switch to angle mode.

Angle Mode

• Recommended for intermediate and experienced pilots, this mode will orient controls relative to the position of the Yuneec drone.This will require the operator to keep track of which way the drone is pointing as pushing up on the right stick will result in the Yuneec drone moving forward in the direction of its nose.
• If you ever lose orientation in angle mode, you can switch to smart mode and pull down on the right stick to bring the Yuneec drone back to you. You can also activate Return to Home mode and let the Yuneec Typhoon quadcopter do the work.
• The follow-me feature is not available in angle mode but the Q500 LEDs will still blink white once it has acquired 6 or more satellites to let you know that it is available. To activate follow-me you will need to switch to Smart mode.

Return to Home (RTH)

• Activate this mode to have the Q500 return to its home point and land automatically.
• If follow-me is active (6 or more satellites), the home point will be within 26 feet of the ST10.
• If follow-me is not active the home point will be the take off point.

Disabling GPS (Advanced)

Warning: Smart Mode and Return to Home only work when GPS is enabled.
Note: It is not typically recommended to disable GPS, especially for beginners. GPS will be enabled by default each time you power on the Yuneec Typhoon quadcopter.

In later firmware versions, GPS can be disabled by selecting the Gear icon in the lower right hand corner, accepting the warning, and scrolling to the bottom of the list. Then select GPS Off.

For earlier firmware versions the following procedure will disable GPS:

• While the ST10 and Q500 Yuneec drone are powered on and linked (and the motors are NOT running), move the Proportional Control Rate Slider on the right side of the ST10 to the uppermost (rabbit) position.
• Move the right-hand stick all the way to the right and hold it there until the next step is completed.
• Move the Flight Mode Selection Switch from Smart to Home and Home to Smart mode 4 times in 3 seconds.

When GPS has been disabled successfully the Q500 Yuneec drone will emit an audible indication and the GPS status on the ST10 screen will show ‘Disabled’. Also, the Main LED Status Indicator will flash purple and the Below Motor LED Status Indicators will flash three (3) times per second then will stay off for one (1) second.

No-Fly Zones

With a suitable GPS signal/lock it will not be possible to start the motors, takeoff or fly the TYPHOON in the ‘No-Fly Zones’ within a 4 mile (6.4 kilometer) radius of most major airports.

Stay tuned to us,we will keep updating for more info of Yuneec Typhoon quadcopter.

 

 

 

 

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3DR Solo vs Yuneec Q500 4K: Who is for you?

3DR Solo vs Yuneec Q500,which one would you buy?

Your choice between the two may come down to other factors such as:

FEATURES & SPECS

Easy to use yet sophisticated, the Yuneec Q500 grants even amateur photogs the ability to produce professional-grade images and video. The fully controllable 3-axis gimbal camera can shoot straight ahead to capture the horizon, or pivot up to 90 degrees down to capture overhead footage.

Aside from its optical fortitude, the drone packs two unique autonomous modes “Watch we” and “Follow me” to give beginner pilots a hand. And the ST10+ gives you a front row seat to exactly what the drone sees as it flies.

While,the 3DR Solo is the drone that boasts not one, but two dedicated 1GHz Cortex-A9 Linux computers. There’s one in the controller, and one onboard the drone itself that handles all high-level flight scripting, freeing Solo’s Pixhawk 2 autopilot to focus solely on keeping the copter in the air. This configuration makes the drone incredibly reliable, as there’s a much lower chance of a firmware freeze.

Solo’s autonomous flight modes, which include Selfie, Cable Cam, Orbit, and Follow, are designed to make it easier to get professional-looking aerial video. The drone handles all the flight, which allows you to focus solely on capturing a great shot.

In addition, Solo also has a number of flight modes that provide advanced pilots with full (or only slightly assisted) manual control over the drone’s flight.

CAMERA

With the term 4K part of this quadcopter’s name, it should come as no surprise that the Q500 boasts a hell of a camera. Mounted directly underneath the craft, the CGO3 packs a 115-degree field of view, 1080p full HD, and 4K ultra-high definition at 30 frames per second. The ST10+ controller allows for advanced tinkering with the camera’s video settings, or novice flyers can rely on automatic settings.

If shooting 4K video isn’t quite your speed, the Yuneec Q500 also allows users to capture 1080p/120fps slow motion video, granting videographers added flexibility. Switching to slow motion on the ST10+ controller requires minimal navigation, and makes it a snap to switch modes when the need arises.

On the other hand, you won’t find a camera on the 3DR Solo. You’ll need to bring your own GoPro to the party, and it’s only compatible with Hero models 3, 3+ and 4. Obviously, the downside of this is that if you don’t already own a GoPro, you’ll need to drop an extra $400 or $500 before you can film anything from the air. The upside? You’re not married to the same camera forever, and can upgrade to a nicer model when better tech becomes available. And if you’ve already got a GoPro handy, you’re golden.

For the time being, that’s all you can get — but 3DR allegedly has a lot more in the pipeline. An open SDK allows third-party developers to design custom apps and integrations for the drone. And it’s not just open to new software either — Solo is also equipped with an open accessory bay, which allows users to attach aftermarket hardware onto the drone as well. The Solo does scores high marks for upgradability.

FLIGHT PERFORMANCE

The flight performance is arguably where Yuneec Q500 shines brightest. Not only do its smart modes allow for some of the simplest flying we’ve ever experienced, but we also found the controller’s easy-to-use dual joysticks make even the free-flying Angle mode incredibly natural — especially for novices. Because of this, very little prior experience is needed to get the Typhoon quadcopter into the air after unboxing.

When it comes to 3DR Solo, it boasts one of the easiest, most straightforward piloting experiences we’ve ever encountered. There are two reasons for this. First, the controller was built from the ground up to look, feel, and operate more like a video game controller, which makes piloting feel very familiar and intuitive for users that are new to hobby aircraft. Second, the drone’s numerous autonomous flight modes allow you to perform maneuvers that would otherwise take lots of practice and skill.

Unlike traditional controllers that feature a dizzying array of buttons, knobs, and switches; Solo is stripped down to the bare essentials. All the other settings and controls (including GoPro settings) are handled inside the accompanying mobile app, which keeps the main controller interface very uncluttered and easy to navigate. The only downside? You can only fly if you’re connected to a smartphone or tablet, which is yet another thing that you have to worry about keeping charged up. The fact that you typically need to keep the screen on full brightness only exacerbates the problem. A couple of our flying expeditions were cut short due to a rapidly-drained smartphone battery, but so long as you’ve got everything charged up and running smoothly, the Solo is a breeze to fly.

BATTERY LIFE,PRICE

As much of a downer as it is to have to stop enjoying the Yuneec Q500 after just 20 minutes, an extra battery allows you to get the drone right back up into the air. It is now priced at $799.

As for the battery, 3DR equipped this badboy with a rechargeable 5,200 mAh 14.8Vdc lithium ion battery, which allegedly gives it 25 minutes of flight time without the camera, and about 20 minutes with it. As the 3DR are no longer making Solo drone,now it comes in at a price of about $349,that price doesn’t include the camera gimbal or the camera itself.

 

 

 

 

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