What is the best alternative to Yuneec Typhoon H?

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score 6 · Answer 1

DJI Phantom 4 Pro

Top Pro

Great autonomous flying functionality

The drone is equipped with plenty of autonomous flying modes, including various object tracking modes, pre-defined path flying mode, and even "follow the terrain" mode. Coupled with the excellent obstacle avoidance systems, you can use these auto modes without any worries. See More

Top Con

Front propellers can get in the way of the frame

When flying and filming, the front propellers can get in the way of the frame quite often. See More

Top Pro

Has built-in obstacle avoidance

The Phantom 4 Pro has an advanced 5-direction obstacle avoidance system, unlike other drones with only forward/downward facing sensors. This greatly minimizes the risk of crashing when flying backwards or to a side with limited visibility. The sensors also allow greater control and stability when flying indoors. However, obstacle avoidance in all directions only works in two flight modes: beginner and tripod. In standard flying mode, only the front and rear sensors work. The obstacle sensing range is 30 meters in all directions, the obstacle avoidance system range goes from 0.2m to 7m, and the max speed for obstacle avoidance is 50 km/h (31 mph). The drone avoids obstacles either by moving past them or stopping right at the obstacle. See More

Top Con

Doesn't support third party apps

The DJI Phantom 4 Pro is to use the native DJI operating system and it seems that third party apps are unable to control this drone. See More

Top Pro

Camera can take bright images in the dark

The DJI Phantom 4 Pro's camera is equipped with a 1 inch 20 megapixel sensor. This big sensor collects enought light to allow shooting bright pictures in dark settings. See More

Top Con

The sensors don't detect all obstacles

The Phantom 4 Pro's sensors have some problems picking up obstacles with a black surface, even in the daytime. This means you must be careful when flying around dark obstacles or during the night. Only the infrared side sensing systems work well at nighttime. See More

Top Pro

Version that comes with a remote with a built-in Android tablet is available

It is possible to buy this drone in a “plus” version that includes a remote with a built-in Android tablet with an extremely bright screen. See More

Top Con

Not very portable

You can’t fold or flatten the drone when it is switched off, so it isn’t so easy to travel with. Because of the large dimensions, it will not fit in a carry-on luggage in a plane. Also, every time you get the drone ready to fly, you will need to attach the propellers to the drone as they aren’t foldable, only removable. See More

Top Pro

Great image quality

The drone boasts a large sensor almost four times as large as those in high-end smartphones. This allows it to capture a more detailed picture and greatly improves performance in low light. Another standout feature is the aperture control, which allows you to change the depth of field for creative uses. See More

Top Con

May occasionally loose tracked objects

The mode that tracks an object may lose the target occasionally, if it takes sharp turns. See More

Specs

Weight:1388 g

Max Speed:45 mph (72 kph)

Max Flight Time:Approx. 30 minutes

Camera Sensor:1’’ CMOS Effective pixels: 20M

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6 0

score 56 · Answer 2

DJI Mavic Pro

Top Pro

High quality shots

Despite its small size, the Mavic Pro’s camera has practically the same specifications as more expensive and larger drone cameras. With it, you can take breathtaking shots without being worried about quality. It even has a 3-axis gimbal to keep the camera stable while the drone is flying, a feature not usually found on compact drones. See More

Top Con

Video may be jerky due to fragile gimbal assembly

The gimbal is held together with three rubber bands that tend to snap, making the video jerky. See More

Top Pro

Fast

The drone can reach speeds up to 65 km/h and it can also change altitude rather quickly. See More

Top Con

Performs poorly in low light scenarios

Because of the small sensor size and the relatively limited ISO range, this drone's camera struggles heavily in low light conditions. See More

Top Pro

Easy to carry around

Travelers will be especially happy about the drone’s slim body and easily foldable arms. When folded, the drone is about the size of a brick and can be transported with ease, making it an extremely compact 4K-capable drone. Unlike some other larger drones, the Mavic Pro’s camera is situated up the front of the drone, further reducing its size. Its remote is also travel-friendly, given that it’s also very compact. See More

Top Con

Tends to lose tracked objects in certain circumstances

While in most circumstances the drone can track and follow objects quite well, it does struggle if the target's color blends with the background or if it makes sudden turns. See More

Top Pro

Easily adjustable focus

You can adjust the focus of the camera by tapping on the object on the live view screen. See More

Top Con

Signal may be lost in areas with many Wi-Fi devices

This drone may lose the remote's signal if flying over a dense neighborhood with lots of Wi-Fi devices. See More

Top Pro

Frequent software updates

DJI constantly updates its drone's firmware and companion apps, adding new functionalities and improving existing ones. See More

Top Pro

Stays stable even under strong winds

Thanks to all its sensors, design and powerful motors, this is one of the most stable small drones in the market. It stays almost perfectly still even under strong breezes. See More

Top Pro

Has advanced algorithms for autonomous flying

This drone’s software includes some clever autonomous flying algorithms that can be easily configured and activated via the smartphone companion app. You can predefine flying paths, set the drone to follow an object, or fly at a certain constant distance from the ground, following topographic changes. This means that you don’t have to worry about controlling the drone while you’re hands are occupied on something else, such as climbing a hill. See More

Top Pro

Flying consumes less battery than hovering

The Mavic Pro drone has been designed in a way that it will operate longer when it is moving around and not hovering in the same place. The difference is small, though: a full battery should last for around 24 minutes on hovering and for around 27 minutes on flying. These times are excellent for a small drone. See More

Top Pro

Gestures can be used to take shots

This drone's camera can be activated via physical gestures, which can be especially useful for taking selfies: this way, you don't have to use the remote and worry about it showing up on the shots. See More

Top Pro

Can be used indoors and in tight spaces

The Mavic Pro can be set to tripod mode and used to film indoors or in other tight settings, where precision is needed. Once the drone is set to tripod mode, its speed is limited to approximately 2 mph and control input sensitivity is reduced, increasing the accuracy of commands sent to the drone. See More

Top Pro

Wide range of accessories of DJI accessories available

You can buy external batteries, bags, propeller guards, filters, even a battery-to-power-bank adapter. Many of its accessories are much cheaper than other drone's accessories. See More

Top Pro

Convenient special bundle for travelers

You can buy this drone as a “Fly More Combo” that includes additional batteries, extra props, a backpack and other accessories that make traveling with the drone easier. This is much more economical than buying the items separately. See More

Top Pro

Easy to fly

Just unfold the drone, set its mode (“fly only” or “camera”), and use the remote to operate it. No need to set up the drone blades, as they reposition themselves once the motors are activated and takeoff can be done automatically. It even senses objects that are close, in order to crashing into them. If its battery level gets critically low or its loses signal to the remote, it automatically sets course back to where it took off and land there. See More

Top Pro

No need to remove parts

You don’t need to assemble or dissemble parts each time you are setting the drone up or have finished flying. Everything folds and unfolds neatly. See More

Top Pro

Control drones from long distances

This drone has an impressive maximum range of 7 km, which is very impressive. This drops significantly in urban areas, where interferences are higher, but even in these conditions it still reaches a 1 km range. However, users should be aware that some countries may have laws prohibiting people from operating the drone at such distances. See More

Top Pro

Responds to remote's commands quickly

The control’s input lag is almost non-existent and offers very precise control with no random movements. See More

Top Pro

Beginner mode available, for easy learning

If you are new to drones, the Mavic Pro’s beginner mode will help you learn how to fly it, while minimizing risks. It limits the distance and speed the drone can fly, and also reduces the sensitivity of the controller. See More

Specs

Weight:743 g

Max Speed:65 km/h

Video:MP4, MOV (MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 )

Mobile App:DJI GO 4

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56 4

score 26 · Answer 3

Yuneec Breeze

Top Pro

Decent camera quality, better than most budget drones

Overall, the Breeze's camera offers better image quality and color reproduction than most budget drones. It can shoot in 4K at 30 fps, but it can also shoot in lower resolutions, up to 120 fps. Photos are shot in 13 megapixels, and have roughly the image quality of a picture taken with a medium-range smartphone. The field of view is wide, covering 117 degrees and it is possible to swivel the camera up or down for great landscape shots. You can also view a live feed of what the drone is capturing. See More

Top Con

Rather disappointing battery life

This drone’s flight time, due to the small battery size, is not great: it can only stay in the air for about 12 minutes (if there are no strong winds), before it force-lands. On the plus side, it ships with two batteries, so you can quickly swap them. It takes about 40 minutes to charge a battery. See More

Top Pro

Easy to carry around

Thanks to its foldable propellers, low weight, compact design and clever camera integration, the Yuneec Breeze is very portable and you can take it anywhere with little effort. See More

Top Con

Can’t automatically avoid obstacles

There are no additional sensors that monitor the surroundings around the drone, so you need to be careful while operating it not to crash it against anything. This is true even when the drone is set to any of the automated modes: it can crash while following or orbiting you. See More

Top Pro

Batteries are cheap and easy to charge

Extra batteries for this drone are rather cheap and only take 40 minutes to charge. This is an important point, given that a Con of this is drone is it's short battery life (only 12 minutes). See More

Top Con

Videos may look shaky

Unfortunately, there’s no gimbal stabilization, so the videos may look shaky, due to strong winds or sudden maneuvers. It does make up for it with electronic image stabilization, but this doesn’t work when shooting in native 4K. See More

Top Pro

Easy to share your captures

The app you use to control the drone can also be used to share your moments on social media. Once you have captured a video or photo, you can simply select the social network profile that you want to upload to and you’re done. No PC or video editing software necessary. See More

Top Con

Almost no hardware upgrades available

The Breeze is basic and, excluding the prop guards, there are no options for any sort of upgrades on the drone. See More

Top Pro

Automated takeoff and landing

The drone can take off and land automatically with just a press of a button on the controlling app. It uses GPS to remember the place where it took off from, so you can tell it to land in the same place. Even if connection to the mobile device is lost, the drone can still use those coordinates to safely land. See More

Top Con

Memory can't be expanded

You can’t expand this drone's memory, as there is no memory card slot. It has a built-in 14 GB memory that can store about 40 minutes of 4K video. See More

Top Pro

4 easy to use and convenient automatic flying modes

Yuneec has equipped the drone with 4 different auto modes: "selfie" mode makes it hover from a specified distance and await a command to take a photo or video; "orbit" makes the drone orbit around the controller; "journey" mode makes the drone to follow a previously set path; and "follow me" mode tells the drone to follow you using the GPS or the camera. See More

Top Con

If users want a physical controller, they need to buy it separately

While the mobile app is easy to use, some may find it a bit frustrating and would prefer a physical controller, which is only available if bought separately. See More

Top Pro

For easier control, first-person view goggles and controller mount are available

For a small price, you can get first-person view goggles and a controller to put your phone in. The controller is easier to use than the in-built controls on the mobile app. See More

Top Con

Can't control the camera's focus settings

You cannot control the camera’s focus settings, even though you can adjust other settings, like white balance and shutter speed. See More

Top Pro

Easy to control on a smartphone or tablet

This drone is easily and conveniently operated via an app on an iOS or Android device (no need for a physical controller). It is very easy to use it, as the controls are very basic. You need to keep in mind that on small devices, the controls will obstruct the video on the screen. See More

Top Con

Unable to keep up with fast moving objects

This drone's top speeds are enough for following a walking/running person, but insufficient to keep up with anything that moves faster. In fact, this drone tops at around 11 mph, with an ascent rate of 1 m/s. See More

Top Pro

Guards minimize the risk of injuries of damage to the propellers

Beginners can fly the drone indoors with great confidence, since the risk of injury or broken propellers is low, due to propeller guards. See More

Top Con

Flight range is insufficient for advanced users

By default, the drone can fly up to a maximum height of 30 feet and a maximum distance of 300 feet from you. While this is enough for most casual uses, professionals and film-makers will definitely be left wanting more. See More

Top Pro

Solid and well built

Despite having a plasticky cheap look and feel, it is actually very well built and can withstand minor crashes without any problems. See More

Specs

Weight:386 g

Max Speed:18 km/h

Mobile App:Breeze Cam app

Shutter speed:1/30 - 1/8000 s

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26 3

score 84 · Answer 4

Halo Drone

Top Pro

Great video and photo capturing capabilities

The Halo Drone comes equipped with a great 4K camera capable of capturing high-quality photos and videos. It comes with a lens that has a 115 degrees FOV and that can take smooth videos and pictures with little to no shakiness. It can record videos at different resolutions and framerates. However, the max. framerate depends on the resolution the video is being captured in: 4K up to 30FPS UHD up to 60FPS FHD up to 60FPS HD up to 120FPS See More

Top Con

Camera settings can't be changed from the app or remote

The camera capture settings can only be set before flying since the app and remote do not have support for changing them. See More

Top Pro

Extremely portable

The Halo Drone is very portable and can easily be taken anywhere with you. It weighs around 1.3kg and has a diagonal length of 430mm. What's more, is that all four arms are foldable which greatly decreases the size and lets you put it in a normal backpack easily. The foldable design also protects the delicate parts of the drone and keeps them from getting damaged when carrying the drone around. See More

Top Con

Camera is weak compared to competitors

Top Pro

Camera can be used without the drone

This drone's camera can be removed and used as a standalone camera. See More

Top Pro

7 advanced follow modes

This drone comes with 7 different smart follow modes that you can use to shot video automatically, while the drone follows you, or another target, around. See More

Top Pro

Good build quality

The Halo drone is made from high quality materials which do not break easily. It's very sturdy and feels great to the touch. See More

Top Pro

Very stable

Overall, the Halo is a very strong and stable drone that does not lose control under strong winds. See More

Top Pro

Relatively fast

The Halo Drone can reach speeds of up to 45mph. See More

Top Pro

Excellent sensor

Built with a Sony IMX377 sensor. See More

Top Pro

Decent flight times

The battery lasts an average of 22 minutes of flight time. This is a pretty decent battery life, when compared to other drones at this price range. See More

Top Pro

Great design

The Halo Drone has a sleek, modern design with a grey body and orange highlights. See More

Specs

Weight:1370 g (3 lbs)

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84 8

score 10 · Answer 5

DJI Inspire 2

Top Pro

Professional level formats, for professional video and photo editing

With the Zenmuse X5S lens, it is possible to film in CinemaDNG and ProRes format. These are professional video formats that require a lot of data storage and powerful hardware to edit, but provide the best quality, wide editing and correction options. See More

Top Con

Two batteries needed

The drone needs two batteries to operate. See More

Top Pro

Can shoot high FPS videos for smooth videos

This drone is great for action shots and smooth movements: its processing power allows capturing videos in 4K quality at 60 FPS. You can also shoot FullHD quality videos at 120 FPS, so you can produce slow-motion videos in post-production. See More

Top Con

To fully use this drone's potential, you'll need to invest extra on accessories

Although it is possible to buy only the drone, as a standalone, choosing this option means you won’t be able to capture anything: to fully utilize the drone’s capabilities, you’ll need to spend a lot of money on additional accessories. See More

Top Pro

Wide ISO range for low-light conditions

The Inspire 2 is well capable of shooting in low light conditions, since the ISO can be set between 100 and 25600 (12800 on X4S). See More

Top Con

CinemaDNG footage is buggy, when using Adobe Premiere

When using Adobe Premiere Pro, the footage captured in the CinemaDNG format will look dark and will have bright magenta highlights. This doesn’t affect the footage itself and doesn’t always happen, only occasionally. See More

Top Pro

Wide range of manufacturer accessories

DJI offers a wide range of additional accessories, including high speed storage (up to 480GB), remote focus control, battery charging stations, and much more. Unfortunately, they are quite pricey, so purchasing them represents a heavy investment. See More

Top Con

Cumbersome to carry around

Because of the drone’s large size, it takes up a lot of space when being transported. DJI tries to compensate by having the drone legs flatten when switched off, but is still a bit large. See More

Top Pro

Firmware is future-proof

DJI constantly puts out firmware updates for their drones, adding improved algorithms and added functionality, so your drone will be up-to-date for years to come. See More

Top Con

Transmission losses at 800 meters in urban settings, due to interference

This drone's live feed videos start to have transmission loss at about 800 meters in urban areas. See More

Top Pro

The Zenmuse 5XS camera allows you to use third party lenses

When using this camera you can mount various third party lenses, as long as they are of the appropriate mount, and they won’t get obstructed by the drones body when moving the camera. See More

Top Pro

Drone is sold in different bundles

The drone can be bought as a standalone or in various bundles that may include one of the cameras, CinemaDNG/Apple ProRes licenses, several filters, extra memory cards, and more. See More

Top Pro

Smooth pictures even under harsh conditions

This drone's cameras offer very smooth picture, even in strong winds or when doing sharp maneuvers. There's gimbal stabilization for both of the cameras: the live view camera has a 2-way gimbal while the main camera has a 3-way stabilization system. See More

Top Pro

Has two cameras to choose from

The drone offers two camera options: the cheapest one features the same specs as the one found on Phantom 4 Pro, the second one is more expensive but has interchangeable lenses and can capture videos in 5.2K quality. See More

Top Pro

Plenty of autonomous flying options

Its sensors and visual object tracking allow for tracking, predefined path flying and orbiting modes. DJI also frequently adds new flying modes to its updates. The camera's wide operating angle further eases camera tracking. See More

Top Pro

Able to "return home" on its own

Thanks to all its integrated vision systems, the drone creates a real-time map around the drone. If the signal is lost, the drone will calculate and take the the safest route back home using the collected data and its camera to navigate. See More

Top Pro

Live video feed from the controllers HDMI port

You can stream a FullHD feed from the main camera’s remote controller. While the pilot sees everything in real-time, the HDMI footage is broadcasted with some delay for smoother frame rates. See More

Top Pro

Several integrated safety features

This drone has twice the safety features most drones have. For example, it has more sensors for detecting possible collisions and a backup communication path in case the primary fails. See More

Top Pro

Excellent battery life

The Inspire 2 can fly for approximately 25 minutes, impressive for a drone this large. It takes about 90 minutes to charge the batteries again. See More

Top Pro

Quick-spin function for easy 360-degree shooting

If the camera is about to hit its physical limit when turning, the drone recognizes this and quickly rotates in the same direction, making the camera untwist. The drone will do this even when you are performing a maneuver. See More

Top Pro

Flying and filming can be operated independently

This drone has a dedicated live feed camera stabilized with a two-axis gimbal and two remotes, allowing one user to fly the drone while the other user controls the filming camera. This allows you to safely fly and monitor the drone’s flight (using the front-facing camera), while another operator takes shots with the filming camera. The only flaw is that the controllers need to be within 100 meters of each other to work. See More

Top Pro

Very broad flight range

This drone can fly as high as 2,500 m or even 5,000 m, if using special high-altitude props, and the flight range can reach 7 km. The live feed videos does start to have transmission loss at about 800 meters in urban areas, but it should still be more than enough to cover a large filming area. See More

Top Pro

Capable of following high-speed targets

When set to Sports mode, this drone can reach a top speed of approximately 67 mph: way faster than almost any other drone. Even in P-mode, the drone can fly up to 40 mph, which is still enough to follow bikes or cars. These speeds are helpful when shooting sports scenes or when following fast vehicles. See More

Top Pro

Can be used in cold environments

Thanks to the drone’s ability to heat the batteries, it can safely be used even in extremely cold settings, where temperatures drop to -20ºC. See More

Top Pro

Two batteries to ensure a safe landing in all circumstances

The drone uses two batteries: if one fails, having the second one guarantees that you'll be able to safely land the drone. See More

Top Pro

Propellers are easy to release

The propellers are assembled and disassembled with simple click-release system, making the process quick and simple. See More

Top Pro

Despite being light, it's very resistant

The Inspire 2’s body is made from magnesium alloy, so it’s quite light for its size, while being very capable of withstanding a lot more abuse than plastic drones. See More

Specs

10 0

score 4 · Answer 6

AirDog

Top Pro

Works on its own, with behavior adjusted to each sport

This drone is made to work in its own, automatically, while you're practicing your sport. When you turn on the drone, it will offer various sports modes to optimize the drone’s behavior for the best results. For example, it will follow your exact trajectory downhill and will land next to you when a sport like snowboarding or mountain biking is selected. For windsurfing, it will take a wider filming approach and will return to the starting point instead of landing with you. The list of sports is constantly being updated. See More

Top Con

No collision avoidance system

The drone doesn’t have any collision avoidance systems, so it is important to select the right sport mode and evaluate the surroundings to minimize potential damage to the drone. See More

Top Pro

Compact, wearable controller, made for sports

The included controller is wearable on your wrist and it acts as a beacon to tell the drone where you are. Additionally, it has a couple of sensors to send data to the drone about your speed, position and altitude among others. It is waterproof and even allows you to change a few settings while in the middle of the action. See More

Top Con

Lengthy, regular calibrations needed

The drone needs to be calibrated every once in a while, which can be a lengthy process and might keep you from filming straight away. See More

Top Pro

GoPro compatible

The drone doesn’t have a built in camera, but it is GoPro compatible. Since a lot of sports enthusiasts already have a GoPro, they can use their existing ones, ensuring high quality content. See More

Top Con

Adapter needed for the GoPro 5 models

To use a GoPro 5, you will need to get an adapter. See More

Top Pro

Travel friendly

The drone itself is lightweight and has a fully foldable body small enough to fit in a backpack. Just remove the propellers, fold the landing gear and arms and you’re all set. Folding the arms also turns the drone off. See More

Top Con

GoPro controls are separate from drone controls

The controls for the GoPro are separate from the controls of the drone, so you’ll have to turn the camera on and off manually. See More

Top Con

Camera needs to be purchased separately

This drone doesn't come with a camera, it needs to be purchased separately. See More

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4 0

score 34 · Answer 7

GoPro Karma

Top Pro

Great value package

When you buy the drone, you also get a handheld gimbal system with control buttons. The stabilizing gimbal is useful as it can be mounted on other GoPro compatible accessories. The package also includes additional propellers and a backpack with a built-in shoulder mount where you can attach your camera. See More

Top Con

No automatic tracking mode

As of July 2017, there is no tracking mode where the drone can follow an object around. This feature would have been useful when you want the drone to follow a subject doing outdoor sports or driving a vehicle. GoPro has promised to add this in a future update. See More

Top Pro

Simple to use controller

This drone's controller only has a few intuitively placed buttons, which are easy to learn. There’s no need to attach a smartphone, since the controller comes with a built-in touchscreen. The information layout on the screen is simple and won’t overwhelm you. See More

Top Con

Over-reliance on GPS may lead to random drifting

The Karma doesn’t have any obstacle avoidance or downward sensors, relying solely on its GPS signal. This means it may drift randomly in the air if the GPS signal isn’t strong enough. At worst, it may cause collisions with objects in its path. Fortunately, the controller can somehow compensate this effect. See More

Top Pro

Helps beginners to learn how to fly it with a virtual learning mode

The Karma has a virtual learning mode for beginners, allowing them to fly this drone virtually, with the remote, while learning the basics. See More

Top Con

Limitations when filming in 4K

Filming in 4K gives a “fish eye” effect which can be removed later, but it also reduces the maximum resolution down to 2.7K. See More

Top Con

Lack of an obstacle avoidance system may cause crashes

If the drone loses connection with the remote and takes a straight course home, it can crash somewhere, since it lacks an obstacle avoidance system. See More

Top Con

Controller's screen is hard to see under direct sunlight

The controller's screen is glossy, making it hard to use under direct sunlight. See More

Specs

Weight:2.2 lbs

Max Flight Time:20 minutes

Flight Radius:Up to 9,840 ft (3,000 m)

Dimensions (Opened/No Propellers):Length: 12 in (303 mm); width: 16.2 in (411 mm); height: 4.6 in (117 mm)

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34 3

score 16 · Answer 8

3DR IRIS

Top Pro

Easy to setup and use

The IRIS comes prebuilt and is easy to use right out of the box. By using the included 3DR Telemetry radio and Android OTG cable, all you have to do is plug the cable in and use the free mission planner to easily plan out your flight and use the emergency return home and flight monitoring features. You can also use your phone or laptom to control the IRIS's flight plan. See More

Top Con

Very high price

With the base model costing about 750 USD, the IRIS is a very expensive option compared to something like the Parrot AR Drone. That's not including the $220 camera gimbal, $300 GoPro 3, and varying replacement parts you need. The costs on this drone add up quick which could seriously affect the IRIS as a buying option for most people. See More

Top Pro

Higher payload capacity

The IRIS is slightly more powerful than other drones which means it can carry a weight of 400 grams or a GoPro. This allows you to add more components or even a larger battery for additional flight time or to power additional devices. See More

Top Con

Adding something other than a camera will be more difficult

Despite the easy camera mounting options, due to the shape of the IRIS adding your own payload, such as a small computer or antenna will probably involve rubber bands and duct tape. See More

Top Pro

Excellent camera mounting options

The IRIS comes with an integrated mount for a GoPro, meaning you do not need a gimbal for filming. It includes a vibration dampener for smooth video. For better filming you can purchase the Tarot brushless gimbal with better vibration resistance and a "lock-on" feature which keeps the camera pointed at the target of interest no matter where you fly. See More

Top Pro

Uses the Pixhawk flight controller

The Pixhawk is an advanced contoller from 3D Robotics with a processing power that is 20 times faster than their previous controller. It comes with features like *nix-like programming environment, new autopilot functions, airspeed sensor, among others. See More

16 0

score 9 · Answer 9

Yuneec Typhoon 4K

Top Pro

Removable gimbal

The gimbal of the Typhoon 4K can be removed and attached to a handle, for use on the ground. See More

Top Con

Android only

The operating system for this drone is Android, so streaming won't work to iOS devices. See More

Top Pro

Smart features

Has a "return home" feature, as well as the ability to watch and follow objects. See More

Top Con

A tool is required to fasten and unfasten the propellers

The propellers come on and off, and a tool is required to make that happen. See More

Top Pro

Streams to other devices

Can stream to other devices, if you want to share or use something larger than the provided screen. See More

Top Con

Requires calibration

Before flying it, you need to calibrate the onboard compass, which requires a real compass. See More

Top Pro

Controller has onboard screen

No smartphone or tablet is required to use this drone. See More

Specs

Weight:1700 g

Dimensions:420 x 420 x 210 mm

Microphone:Yes

Video resolution:4K, 1080p

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9 0

score 22 · Answer 10

DJI Phantom 2

Top Pro

Already has documentation of being used as a hacking platform

The team at Hak5 has been doing weekly updates on their show detailing their progress with turning the DJI Phantom 2 as a hacking platform. They have it carrying a portable battery, a WiFi Pinapple and a prepaid Android phone. Updates can be found on their show here. See More

Top Con

Most expensive option

Without any accessories, the Phantom 2 costs about $680 USD which makes it the most expensive option here (excluding a tricked out DIY drone.) Like the 3D Robotics IRIS, a gimbal and camera can be added which brings the full cost to about $1200 USD, meaning this is more than a device for hobbyists. See More

Top Pro

Top of the line Flight Controller

The DJI Phantom 2 uses DJI's most advanced flight controller, the Naza-M V2, which has features such as advanced flight stabilization and hover, and a GPS waypoint flight planner. See More

Top Con

No API available

This drone has no supported API to control it from your own application. See More

Top Pro

Already has an area to add a payload

The DJI Phantom 2 is made to carry a camera but your own payload, such as a small computer and antennas can be carried instead. The Phantom 2 can carry up to 300 grams of additional equipment making it capable of carrying a small computer such as a Raspberry Pi along with small antennas and a battery. Even if you don't have a compatible mount, the arms underneath make it easier to create your own "mount" for placing whatever it is you need to carry. See More

Top Con

Flight limited by GPS

After a Phantom 2 landed on the White House lawn, DJI released a firmware update that limits takeoff and introduces a max ceiling in certain areas. All airports have a 1.5 mile radius no-fly zone. Between 1.5 and 5 miles, the maximum ceiling gradually increases from 35' to 400' There is a 15 mile radius no-fly zone around the White House. DJI UAV's will not be able to take-off when in the White House zone. See More

22 1

score 5 · Answer 11

DJI Spark

Top Pro

Beginner-friendly

It's easy to learn how to control the Spark, since it has simple controls. It also has an automatic stabilization system and anti-collision sensors that help prevent impact that can cause permanent damage. See More

Top Con

Camera is not of professional quality

The Spark's camera can't be compared to the cameras of more advanced drones. For example, it's not 4K and it only has 12MP. See More

Top Pro

Includes high-end smart features

Top Con

2 axis gimbal

The Spark's gimbal only has 2 axis, unlike those with 3 axis of high-end drones. See More

Top Pro

Great image quality for the price

Top Con

Doesn’t come with a remote by default

The Spark doesn't come with a remote by default. If you get the more basic version, you have to control the drone via an app installed on your smartphone or tablet. If bought separately, the remote costs $149. Getting the Spark's "Fly More" Combo, which includes the remote, among other accessories, costs $699. See More

Top Pro

Controllable with gestures

This drone can be controlled via physical gestures, which can be especially useful for beginners, since it provides an intuitive way of controlling flight. See More

Top Con

Short flight time

This drone's maximum flight time is 16 minutes, which can feel quite short. See More

Specs

5 0

score 39 · Answer 12

Parrot AR Drone 2.0

Top Pro

Has a large community

The Parrot AR Drone 2.0 is very popular with modders and hackers and has large communities with events such as NodeCopter.js, a full days event where developers team up in groups of 3 to hack. See More

Top Con

Underpowered out of the box

For the cheaper price, the Parrot AR Drone 2.0 is less powerful out of the box. It lacks power, has a limited range and doesn't have a built in GPS. Out of the box the drone can only carry about 8 grams, which is extremely small compared to the other drones.The range can be increased with a simple range extender and the GPS extender can be bought from the website, but in order to improve the power, a motor and frame mod will have to be done, which is detailed in this video. See More

Top Pro

Many tools for hacking and modding already exist

The team at NodeCopter team have assembled a list of modules that can be installed on the AR Drone 2.0 such as face recognition or controlling it via your web browser. There is also SkyJack, a program for using your AR Drone 2.0 to hunt down and take control of other Parrot Drones. It uses a Raspberry Pi with an Alfa AWUS036H wireless adapter in order to interact with the WiFi networks of other drones around yours. See More

Top Pro

The option Flight Recorder GPS adds useful functionality

As an optional purchase of about 127 USD, the Flight Recorder GPS can be added to the AR Drone via the USB port which adds a multitude of capabilities such as geolocation, selecting destination via a map, recording with a 4GB flash memory, returning to take-off point as well as stability improvements. See More

Top Pro

Great value for money (~$300 USD)

For the amount of features you get with the AR Drone 2.0, the price is excellent compared to the other drones. For about 300 USD(or 420 USD with the GPS addon) you receive all the basic and some advanced features of most drones for about half the price. See More

Top Pro

Easy to use

The Parrot AR Drone 2.0 is incredibly easy to use as it is flown just by using your iPhone or Android device. There are no complicated controls and it is easy to connect, just join the Drones network, launch the app and fly. See More

39 2

score 1 · Answer 13

3DR Solo

Top Pro

Portable

Portable, weighting 3.3 lbs. (1.5 kg) as a standalone or 3.9 lbs. (1.8 kg) with a GoPro and Solo Gimbal. See More

Top Con

Doesn't come with a gimbal or camera

The basic pack of the drone doesn't come with a camera or gimbal. See More

Top Pro

Really fast

It is really fast, the maximum that the Solo can do is 55 mph (89 km/h). Made possible by its design and four 880 kV motors. See More

Top Con

Stability problems

Other users have reported that the drone may drift away even if you hit the stop button. This appears to be linked with the GPS problem. See More

Top Pro

Good range

It covers a good range, 6 miles (9.5km). Makes it suitable for almost anything you might want to do with it. See More

Top Con

GPS problems

Users have reported having GPS problems. This issue is likely due to the positioning of the module. Instead of having a small mast on top of the drone for GPS and dual GPS modules (one for US satellites and the other for Russian satellites), the single GPS is located under the battery, blocking signals from some angles. See More

Top Pro

Good flight time

The 3DR Solo can fly up to 20 minutes or 15 minutes with payload (camera). See More

Top Con

Vulnerable to interference

Operates on 2.4GHz frequency, which is not ideal for drones if you fly it in a city where there is a lot of interference. Normal wifi networks use the 2.4GHz so interference occurs where there are many wifi networks. See More

Specs

Weight:3.3 lbs. (1.5 kg) / 3.9 lbs. (1.8 kg) with GoPro and Solo Gimbal

Dimensions:10 in. tall (25 cm), 18 in. (46 cm) motor-to-motor

Max Speed:55 mph (89 km/h)

Battery:5200 mAh 14.8V DC Lithium Polymer

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1 0

score 0 · Answer 14

3DR IRIS+

Top Pro

Operating frequency

Unlike most drones, which use 2.4GHz WiFi, the IRIS+ uses either a 915 MHz or a 433 MHz frequency, which means much less interference than with 2.4GHz. See More

Top Con

High price

This drone's price is quite high, considering what you get when you purchase it. See More

Top Pro

GPS

It has on board GPS, so you can plan your next flight before the drone takes off. See More

Top Con

Looks like a toy

The drone doesn't look very good: its designed more like a toy than a drone. See More

Top Pro

Good flight time

The flight time changes depending on load, but it is between 16-22 minutes, which is a pretty standard fly time for drones. See More

Top Con

Does not come with a gimbal or camera

If you want to take aerial shots, you will need to purchase a gimbal and a camera separately. See More

Top Pro

Fast

The drone is pretty fast, reaching a top speed of 40mph. See More

Specs

Max Speed:40 mph

Flight time:16-22 minutes

Radio frequency:915 MHz or 433 MHz options

Payload :400 g or 0.8 lbs

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0 0

score 0 · Answer 15

Hexo+

Top Pro

Portable

It can be folded up and transported inside a backpack. See More

Top Con

GoPro isn't powered or wired

When you install a camera in the Hexo+, it doesn't receive any commands or power from the drone. You need to start recording on the ground and check you camera battery level before flying. See More

Top Pro

Fast

Can go up to 45 mph while tracking a subject. It won't lag behind you if you don't go over this speed. See More

Top Con

Lacks manual controls

You can't control this drone manually, you can only "direct" it. See More

Top Pro

Easy to use

The Hexo+ has virtually no learning curve: you don't pilot it, it flies automatically. See More

Top Con

High price

999$ Is a bit too much for most users, especially when compared to the prices of other drones. See More

Top Con

Camera not included

Although it comes with a gimbal, the camera is not included. See More

Specs

Weight:1,7 kg including battery and gimbal

Max Speed:45 mph (70 km/h)

Battery:Replaceable 5000 mAh 3S lithium-polymer

Max range:300 ft (100 m)

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0 0