Tag Archives: drone
Drone Camera Zoom for Constructions
When you need a detailed aerial view of a proposed construction site to use for logistics and production planning that may include land surveys and insurance, a drone with a camera zoom lens is the best option. Drone photos can also be used to create 3D models within a BIM application. Building Information Modeling is a collaborative process for the planning, design, construction and management of a building.
Optical zoom gets up close and personal by using an actual lens adjustment while digital zoom adjusts the image in the camera itself. When you use a digital zoom, the camera enlarges the image area at the center of the frame and crops away the outside edges of the picture, the same way as when you open an image in your photo-editing program and trim. If you are taking a lot of photos from far away subjects, be sure that the camera you buy has an optical zoom. An optical zoom is a true zoom lens, and they produce much better-quality images. Some cameras use a combination of both optical and digital scaling, to make editing easy and at the same time manage the lens limitation. You will notuce when it starts enlarging digitally, you begin to lose the resolution.
Contact us by mail if you need a zoom job done.
Frsky Horus X12S
Frsky Horus X12S radio transmitter, 16-32 channel system, is built to make you the God of the Sky, just like the Egyptian God Horus. Just tilt the transmitter to facilitate auxiliary control as there is a built-in 6-axis sensor. Includes Voice Alerts for things like; audible count down timers, low voltage warnings, landing gear down warnings etc., just about anything can be programmed and with full telemetry capability and GPS. ■ by dronemission.com
User Segment
Keen Hobbyist, Pro Radio Transmitter, Collectors, Budget [$$] (PRICE CHECK ■ Nov 2016 Arthur’s Pick at Banggood)
First Impression, the material used is heavy-weight milled CNC aluminum, like a military-grade version of the popular Frsky Taranis. It is impact resistance, weight just under 3 pounds. The sticks equipped with six ball bearings for precision and durability. A lot of programming features to keep you up learning and discovering.
What To Expect
It may be overwhelming at the first, but take your time to explore features of a Horus. One of the best features of the Horus is its full telemetry capability, as well as RSSI signal strength feedback, there are 3 different programmable failsafe modes and receiver lock, so no more crashes due to selecting the wrong model. If you have stock in other brand receivers or B&F’s, no worries the Horus has a JR style RF module slot, so you have the option of other brand modules such as the Orange DSM2/DSMX or Open LRS 433mhz module. An inbuilt GPS module helps your model know where you are at all times, making it easier to return to you.
Similar Models
Users have considered these 2016 alternatives: Frsky Taranis
Factory Specifications
Brand: Frsky
Item Name: Horus
Number of Channels: 16CH / up to 32CH
Operating Voltage Range: 7~15V (2s,3s lipos acceptable)
Backlight LCD Screen: 480*272, high resolution TFT color screen
Model Memories: 60 (expandable with SD card)
Advance Functions: Full telemetry capability inbuilt GPS module
Gyro: 6-axis sensor (3-axis gyro and 3-axis accelerator)
Trainer: Inbuilt wireless trainer system
Compatibility: FrSky X series, D series, L series and V8-II series receivers
What we love about it
- Audible count down timers
- Audible programming
- Low voltage warnings
What is essential we hope to see in the next version
- FPV video screen and DVR
In terms of ranking, I would say it is in the top 7 favorites during this release recorded November 2016. An update to follow
Walkera Voyager 4 Police Drone
The Walkera Voyager 4 quadcopter drone is scheduled to arrive in the USA for it’s final circuit tests and media evaluation July 2016. Capable of broadcasting over 4G LTE or WIFI, this is a new and exciting solution to kickoff the newly approved FAA Part 107 certification for commercial drone broadcasting starting this summer. Here are some of the recent photos, a peek at the Voyager 4 along with the latest Devo F18 radio transmitter that will be paired with the next two quadcopter drones. The Voyager 4 that uses the PX4 flight controller, was recently demonstrated at a Police event.
What separates the Voyager 4 apart from other quadcopter drones is the design surrounding broadcasting and social media. Live video is streamed via WIFI or the first 4G LTE drone application, an IOS application. Production stations can have as many as six camera views from six Voyager 4 in the air at one time. With 4G LTE, distribution of real-time video has never been easier; the media files can be shared over the two supported networks and multiple social media platforms.
Walkera MR Drone Runner 250 Pro
We have been wondering what it would be like to bring couch Gamers and First Person View (FPV) Pilots into one room or rather in one field for an intense world of Mixed Reality (MR) competition? Walkera MR Drone Games are not only Virtual games, but a Reality concept that is applied to Drone Racing. Pilots actually fly their GPS racing drones into virtual Funnel Gates or shooting on virtual targets.
Mixed reality (MR), sometimes referred to as hybrid reality, is the merging of real and virtual worlds to produce new environments and visualizations where physical and digital objects co-exist and interact in real time.
Now what do you think of that?. The first MR Drone Game, more ideas and development to come.
FreeX MCFX-01 Drone
FreeX MCFX ! It seems like the FreeX is being revived, now the 4.0 edition, in a nut shell reading the specs, what caught my eyes are:
- Lost signal: Automatic return or hover at last known position
- Reduces speed as it approaches launch point during return home, when near 80m
- Stock Range: 1 km
- Onetouch4 configuration tool software
- Channels: 7
- 6 Axis Gyro
- FREE quality 2-axis gimbal with pitch control
- Estimated price: $200!
History
FreeX is not new in the market, the SkyView has been in the market since 2014, marketed and backed by several prominent labels such as OFM, Xaircraft, manufactured by Skyartec ; along the way, Firmware V4 was released. I am not sure what else is different, but read on for everyone’s updates in the coming weeks.
JJRC H28C Camera Drone
JJRC unique quadcopter design with a detachable arms is welcome by many park flyers. The JJRC H28C comes ready to fly (RTF), propellers all assembled, with a 2.0MP camera, made to reduce transportation size. All you need is to reattach the arms and add the optional camera and landing skid to begin flying.
First impression, the concept of detachable arms is great, but some hasty changes to accomplished the design, may require a second look and refinement. The arms are attached with classic t-plugs aka Deans connectors and hook on with side clips. The material used is light-weight Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), a common thermoplastic polymer (also used by Lego). It is impact resistance, tough and heat resistance, but the interlocking joints weaken the structure and makes it vulnerable to break along the arms. The JJRC H28C quadcopter flies at moderate speed with a 2 cell 30c battery. Not really recommended for beginners, but if you are keen to learn this is a nice size quadcopter with protective guards. It is stable, you can do some nice turns with both sticks on a turn at the same time. It can handle moderate amount of wind outdoors…
Hubsan X4 PRO H109S Parachute
Finally the Hubsan H109S X4 PRO quadcopter to be officially released, maybe? We originally filmed the micro Hubsan x4 H107D that reached 350,000 views youtube very quickly back in 2013, so today I am back to take the X4 Pro for a DroneMission flight, at the same time provide some feedback on the new and improved X4 Pro. Since 2014 Hubsan has been talking about the x4 Pro H109S; along the way there were pre-releases, testing, and more testing. Two drone years in the making, will it live up to the reputation? The challenge is in 2 years, a lot can and have changed and Hubsan found themselves in the midst of an evolving technology, outdating applications and a price war in this industry.
To differentiate this pro quadcopter from it’s competitors, Hubsan included a Parachute System; when bumped in a collision, the parachute will automatically deploy to prevent the X4 Pro from crashing. Unlike other systems, the Hubsan parachute can be removed or assembled freely and be reused many times. When the canister tilt past 80 degrees, the sensor unlock the lid, and the spring pops the parachute out…
Navgator X6 Xinlin X181
The Navgator X6 Xinlin X181 quadcopter was released recently and is hard not to get excited about this model aircraft. The Navgator X6 can fly, in fact very swift and aerobatic! Xinlin Shiye is not new in the radio control scene, Best Buy and Sears were among their major buyers, during the explosive 2015 drone sales.
To differentiate from other quadcopters, Xinlin Shiye included a radio transmitter with LCD. The highlights to this model, are the 5.8G FPV 2MP 720P camera and a 5 inch LCD video/DVR receiver screen that provides real-time video viewing and photo capturing.
I absolutely love how this Navgator x6 flies, compared to my other 20-25cm quadcopters. The motors and battery gets hot during a 7 minutes flights, but not a concern, powerful enough to flip and take some nice turns…
Syma X5HW WIFI Quadcopter
X5HW made by Syma introduces the next generation of budget mini quadcopters with barometer sensors for Altitude Hold. Pressure sensors are not new to the quadcopter drones scene but not many mini copters carry them.
First impression, this quadcopter is a great beginner’s budget quadcopter. Number 1, dual arming protocol prevents a newbie from accidentally bumping the throttle and spinning up the blades. Number 2, two gear speed, Low (L) rates from indoors flights and High (H) rates for outdoors and windy conditions. Number 3, when the quadcopter encounters a direct impact or is struck on the propellers, the motors will shut off. Number 4, and best of all, it holds the altitude while the pilot focuses on forward flying.
The Syma X5HW is easy to fly, stable, it does some nice bank turns. It can handle moderate amount of wind outdoors. It is small enough to fly indoors and comes with protective guards. The Android FPV WiFi app for Syma FPV connects instantly, photos and videos are viewable within the app.
The range is limited to 50 meters and do suffers from some intermittent lost of control
Target Audience
Beginners, Off the shelves, Ready To Fly, Safety First, Park Flyer, Budget $60 (2016)
What To Expect If This Your First
You can easily spend 11 minutes on each flight, setting up and flying. The actual flight may last 5-7 minutes. On a Mode 2 radio transmitter, throttle stick is on the left.
Connect your battery to your quadcopter, close battery door and power on, lay the quadcopter flat on a hard surface immediately. This will allow the quadcopter to self-level the gyroscope. Power on your radio and move your left thottle stick up and down once to bind the receiver. When you are ready to fly, hold both sticks inwards to arm the motors, the propellers will begin to rotate slowly. The quadcopter is now live and has entered into flight preparation mode. To stop the motors, hold the left stick to the lowest point for 3 seconds.
The quadcopter LiPo battery may get a little warm after each flight. When the voltage is low, the quadcopter four lights will begin to blink and will begin to descent to prevent the battery from over-discharging. Over-discharging a LiPo battery below 3 volts per cell, can permanently damage the battery. It is best to let the LiPo cool down before the next charge.
You must set the speed to High (H) rates for outdoors.
With a 6-axis gyro flight controller, you can toss your quadcopter in the air and throttle up in full to self-level. Lower your throttle stick to about half once you regain control to hold the altitude. You will than need to yaw around to identify the front or back, to regain your orientation. If it helps, mark the back with red tape to make it more visible.
To complete an auto flip, fly to about 10 feet and press the top right button, and move the stick in the direction you want it to flip. It will auto flip!
If you lose radio signal, the quadcopter will drop, it would have been better if it descend slowly. Not by design, but as a last option, just power off, in an emergency if nothing else stops.
Don’t expect to be able to fly with the camera in first person view, as the camera lens view is rather narrow. The video also freezes when there is poor WIFI reception.
You may not be able to view the video recorded within your tablet if your equipment does not support 3GP playbacks. Video files are saved in 3GP format. 3GP is a video format specially developed for third generation mobile devices. You can view the video within the Syma App if your Gallery does not support 3GP or upload to goggle drive and view it there or use some other software.
Factory Specifications:
Color: White, Blue
Frequency : 2.4G
Channel : 4CH
Gyro:6 Axis
HD Camera:Photos(2MEGA), Video(1MEGA)
Battery for Quadcopter: 3.7V 600mAh Li-poly
Transmitter Battery: 4 x AA battery
Charging Time : About 90 mins (USB charging)
Flying time : About 5~7 minutes
Charging time:About 130 minutes
Controlling distance:About 30-50 meters
Product size:33*33*11cm
Box Size:41.5*34*9.5cm
The propellers tend to break around the screw into half, as on impact the stress is placed on the screw on the shaft. Replacing the propellers are easy, but a handy screw driver is needed.
Features:
WIFI FPV with 2.0MP HD camera.
With Altitude Hold mode, setting height.
Headless mode, 360 roll.
6-Axis gyro flight, for stability, stronger wind resistance and easier control.
The quadcopter can fly both indoor and outdoor using 4 channels digital proportional RC system, 2.4 gHz
Functions: up/down,left/right sideward fight,forward/backward,turn left/right,with gyro/flash lights,A 360-degree 3D and special functions (continuous rolling)
Conclusion, this quad flies without doubt. If you are a beginner who wants to learn to fly, we will recommend the Syma X5HW over any other quadcopters for the four reasons stated above. It is a nice looking quadcopter, however if you looking to video or to fly FPV (first person view), this quadcopter will not give you the full experience or capability to do so well. Unfortunately glitches on the signal and range limitation puts this quadcopter prone to fly away, but for $60 you can weigh in if those limitation matters to you.
In terms of ranking, I would say it is in the mid half of what’s new in the market April 2016 ($61), but not on the top 3 because of the tablet app and the signal glitches. (Current Picks dronemission.com/top5).
Syma X51 Spaceship Quadcopter
Syma X51 Spaceship Quadcopter is a unique quadcopter design, looking like a USS Enterprise. At first glance you may think it is a tricopter, but taking a closer look, it is a quadcopter with a pair of counter-rotating propellers at one end, stack above each other in a spheroid cage. We will take it for a test and report on it next week.
There is nothing to assemble, it is truly ready-to-fly. Very stable in flight for a unique design. The pair of counter-rotating props allows the quadcopter to yaw around quickly but banking on a turn is not at all pretty. The 6-axis flight control system allows you to toss the X51 in the air and stabilize in flight. We flew it indoors and outdoors. We manage to fly the X51 against 10 mph wind gust, even though you may find the X51 occasionally gets pivot around, as it is counting on the pair of hind rotors to keep it on track and will pivot around the spheroid rotors with a gust of wind. Every aircraft we have flown has it’s unique characteristic, after two flights we begin to maneuver around with yaw stick. So if you are not big on your rudder stick, you will soon adapt to it…
