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It's pretty clear from the description (post 1):
"Control distance: 800m (Free interference and no occlusion) 5G Wifi image transmission distance: 350m (Free interference and no occlusion)" No way these cheaper quads will do 2 km. |
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Lets talk $100 to $250 camera drones
Here's some long-winded food-for-thought...as I rethink my previous post in this thread in light of folks genuinely looking at this drone as their first camera drone.
I think we can safely assume that all camera drone enthusiasts are seeking at least quasi-cinematic video results and decent photos, particularly in low wind conditions. This means no noticeable vibration, jitter, dropped-frames, fish-eye or jello in the original video recording. The solutions here are many, but they start with a decent 720p camera at 24fps utilizing EIS (electronic image stabilization). And while we don’t necessarily expect ‘horizon-stabilized’ video below $180 without a 2-axis gimbal or better, the camera itself should employ sufficient EIS to achieve the effect with smooth flying in low wind conditions. Fish-eye can be avoided by avoiding wide-angle lenses (such as the 120 degree lens on the SJRC F11 and ZLRC Beast). The optimal field-of-view for cinematography seems to be somewhere around 80 degrees. If these assumptions are true then nothing under $250 is worthy of discussion, much less purchase. I would end there, but we should acknowledge the rather surprising video results from the Ryze Tello ($100, 720p+EIS) under optimal conditions. And I only mention the Tello because I believe that camera drone manufacturers are now boxed-in by the price-performance metrics of the Tello and the Fimi A3 ($250, 1080p, 2-axis gimbal+EIS). We could also include the Husban Zino in this discussion ($270, 4k, 30fps, full 3-axis gimbal) due to it’s freefall pricing of late. These drones currently set the bar at their respective price-points, such that everything in-between is valued relative to them and their features. These are the ‘trend-setters’ for the purposes of this sub-$250 camera drone analysis. If not for these drones, you might agree that the C-Fly Dream or the JJRC X9 are actually worth $200 or more, relative to the DJI Spark. But in light of their rather choppy video results (1080p supposedly at 23 fps), among other issues, these two drones belong in the $175 range relative to the trend-setters above. Likewise, the popular Bugs series (and rebrands) of brushless camera drones have a decent camera for general FPV, but their lack of stabilization renders the recorded video almost useless. I guess we could fix the stabilization issues to a degree in post-processing, but that chore means these particular “camera drones” (serious air quotes here) are realistically worth no more than $135 relative to the trend-setters’ price-performance. The SJRC F11 and variants (ZLRC SG906 and perhaps the MJX 4W) feature a wide-angle 120 degree lens so they produce significant fish-eye distortion. Their EIS claims are doubtful. And 20fps is quite choppy. So the video results are just abysmal at any resolution. But priced at $135 with modern app-based flight modes, brushless motors and GPS, these FPV drones are a good candidate for pairing with a $65 Onepaa X2000 (40g) or Mobius Mini (27g) action cam, particularly if you already own one or the other (drone or comparable action cam). As we reach $150 we should expect to encounter our first, serious, outdoor camera drone. One that takes the Tello’s camera performance and visual-positioning stability, and addresses the Tello’s shortcomings as an outdoor camera platform. One that adds an onboard microSD-slot (DVR), a proper RF remote, a 5.8GHz FPV feed, 300 meter FPV range, brushless motors, GPS, and additional flight time. But alas, this remains a pipe-dream because all other (non-Tello) camera drones short of the Fimi A3 treat the camera like an after-thought. Between $150 and $180 we should expect to add foldable-portability, 720p @30fps, 800 meter FPV range, and a gyro-stabilized 1-axis gimbal with EIS. By $180 to $200 we should see a 2-axis gimbal with EIS augmentation, 720p @ 50fps, perhaps in a foldable design, and with custom camera settings. We’re maintaining our expectations at just 720p through this price-point, because otherwise we’re seeing a low-framerate, 1080p camera that’s too choppy to qualify as quasi-cinematic. By $200 to $225 we should begin to see 1080p, 30fps, 100Mbps, on a 2-axis gimbal with EIS, and 1km FPV range. Because if we don’t then it’s a small jump to $250 for the Fimi A3 and even the Hubsan Zino. In other words, it’s almost impossible to squeeze-in a product above $200 without matching or exceeding the price-performance of the Fimi A3. If you can afford $200, then you can simply skip a few retail coffees and get a much nicer drone in the Fimi A3 or Husban Zino. Beyond $250, we’re basically paying for additional wind-resistance, obstacle avoidance, custom camera settings, and a more refined experience to include the flight modes. Camera quality remains remarkably similar in a range from $270 to $1250 (all with high-bitrate 1/2” sensors), while $1500+ is largely reserved for videophiles and professionals -- but I digress. So all things considered, if you’re serious at all about your video and photographic results, you should probably save up for the Fimi A3 or Husban Zino as your first camera drone. If you already own a GPS camera drone with brushless motors, then just strap-on a $65 action cam with decent EIS (Onepaa X2000 or Mobius Mini). Or the $90 SJRC Z5 could suffice as a Mobious Mini platform but note that it only has brushed motors (less wind-resistance and long-term motor durability). If you want to take it slowly, then the ZLRC Beast with 3 batteries and case is currently $185 <see above coupon codes>. So that's $250 total with $65 action cam. There's nothing under $250 with a total 1:15 flight time that compares to a hybrid such as this today. But then you have to ask yourself if this hybrid, incremental approach is better than a single 20 minute flight (battery) with a Fimi A3 or Husban Zino... There's really no contest here because you can always buy more flight time (batteries) down the road. Thank you for reading/skimming, and I welcome any thoughts, comments or corrections. |
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@ wingsfromheaven: I agree that looking at price and possibilities, both the Fimi A3 and Hubsan Zino are unbeatable at the moment.
There are plenty of cheaper options out there but they simply cannot perform the way the A3 and Zino do when it comes to IQ. I for one love my A3 |
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@Pixelpeter i decided awhile back not to purchase the Fimi A3 due to a couple issues which are the twerp sound from the Props, and the short Battery life.
Is there any Solutions for those issues, as i have stopped following the Fimi A3 for some time now? I Really like that the Fimi A3 has a Dedicated 5.8gh Controller with FPV Screen ..... no phone needed. Any help with Solutions would be Greatly Appreciated. |
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Last edited by Bobby Sutton; May 07, 2019 at 08:21 AM.
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Quote:
The initial short battery-life was all down to the included charger which doesn't charge to the battery's full (LiHV) potential. With some DIY you can make a charge-cable and charge the A3 batteries on hobby-grade chargers and get more flighttime out of the A3 batteries ... that way you can charge much quicker too |
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LiHV balance charger for Fimi A3
@Bobby Sutton
Here's another Fimi A3 LiHV charging solution. But it looks like it's a balance-port charger so it likely charges slower than Pixelpeter's DIY suggestion. It reportedly gives the A3 a 21:00 minute flight time with a maximum of 25:35, based on the reviews. https://bit.ly/2ZLXLEM |
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And I don't think I said anything (above) that you haven't said many times and in many ways...with your special economy of words. I just wanted to make sure that potential buyers sifting through these forums and options understood WHY folks like you come to the rational conclusions that you do. |
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Last edited by wingsfromheaven; May 02, 2019 at 11:14 AM.
Reason: wording
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Has anyone found a link to Batteries for the ZLRC BEAST SG906/CSJ-X7 Drone ....... i am looking to Buy more Batteries...... I know you can Order up to 3 when you Buy the Quad ........ I Need more than 3 .......Thanks for any info.
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On for instance Banggood this quad isn't even shipping yet, so spare batteries will take a while before they become available; goes like that with every new quad that's introduced.
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Quote:
I'm sure those designers know they're doing a great job based on sales and excitement in these forums and on Youtube. In particular, we're very impressed with the price-performance of the $240 (USD) Fimi A3 and $270 Husban Zino. And I might add that we're thrilled with the price-performance of the $425 Fimi X8 SE !!! The overall design of the SJRC F11 and related spin-offs (ZLRC SG906 Beast and MJX Bugs 4W) are super impressive. The build quality, foldability, brushless motors, GPS+Visual+Sonic positioning, 1-axis motorized gimbal, 300m+ FPV, on-board DVR, and modern App-based flight-modes now set the price-performance standard for entry-level camera drones starting at $135 (USD). But the cameras on these 3 drones (F11, SG906 and 4W) leave much to be desired in light of the $100 Tello. We're growing increasingly tired of the same old, un-stabilized, low-framerate, fish-eye-distorted video in the $100 to $180 "camera drone" market. In 2019, every $100+ camera drone should begin with an EIS stabilized video camera, 720p@24fps, ~80 degree FOV, with onboard DVR / microSD slot !!! If these designers only understood that, they would be amazed at the sales figures on these entry-level camera drones. |
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Last edited by wingsfromheaven; May 12, 2019 at 06:16 PM.
Reason: changed minimum expectation from 30 fps to 24 fps
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@Pixelpeter ..... that was what i was thinking, as i cannot find Batteries for this one aside from what comes with the Quad .... Thanks for your response.
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