Quadcopters, which are often referred to as "drones", "copters", and also "quadrolls" are flying devices with rotors, the total number of which does not exceed four. Rotors turn in opposite diagonal directions.
The word "quadrocopter" is of English origin and is translated as "four-rotor helicopter". However, the adaptations of this particular and analogous variety (with the presence of an arbitrary number of rotors) are called multicopters.
Distinctive characteristics of modern quadcopters
Most unmanned aerial vehicles differ from one another in their types, cost, technical characteristics, configurations and other parametric data.
The number of rotating blades
Quadcopters (drones with multicopter) are devices that have a common name, which refers to all unmanned aerial vehicles. The most common number of blades in multicopter is considered to be two pairs, that is, four blades. However, there are also devices in which there are from two to eight units of circulating blades. Such features have their advantages and directly affect the characteristics of the unmanned vehicle. However, this number of blades has its own minuses, because the larger the number of motors, the faster the charger will discharge.
Sizes of modern quadcopters
Basically quadcopters are conditionally divided into three types, based on their size. They can be:
- Big;
- Average;
- Little ones
The largest quadcopters have sophisticated equipment, mainly they are used in the professional field of activity. So, when managing such devices, you need to have special knowledge and skills. With the help of such drones can be transported a variety of goods, of various sizes and different weights. They are equipped with powerful batteries, with which you can climb to a height of several kilometers. Professional SLR cameras in these quadcopters can produce very good quality photos and videos.
The most popular are drones with medium size, which, for example, can be easily placed in backpacks. Such aircraft have built-in cameras that have a good resolution. However, often there is a technique in which sometimes you have to build DVRs yourself.
Quadcopters with small dimensions can be ideal for amateur beginners who have just begun to master these devices as entertainment. Such drones are pretty compact and can fit in bags and even pockets. Mostly, they may differ in budget prices. However, their stability is not so high and leaves much to be desired. For example, even with an elementary gust of wind, they can easily lose their course.
Presence of cameras in quadrocopters
Most aerial surveys are equipped with cameras. Nevertheless, there is a certain regularity; the more quadcopters, the less likely there will be chambers in their standard configurations. However, even if the cameras are present, they will have a resolution of at least ten megapixels. Whereas in small drones there will be built-in cameras that will not exceed two megapixels.
The presence of batteries in quadrocopters
It should be noted the presence of elementary regularity, the greater the volume of the batteries, the longer quadcopters will be able to stay in the air. Today, the most common batteries in drones are those that can hold charges for no more than fifteen minutes. At the same time, large devices can be equipped with additional batteries, which will significantly prolong their operation.
Classification of quadcopters and their application
To date, the quadcopter classification has increased significantly compared to what it was several years ago. And all because manufacturers are trying to satisfy all customer requests. Currently, quadcopters of all sizes, from those that can fit in the palm of your hand, to huge drones can be purchased.
Micro Quadcopter Class
The smallest quadcopters currently fit in the palm of your hand. Although in reality in the palm of such devices can be placed up to four units. They have control panels about three times more than themselves. They were created mainly for entertainment, as well as for learning the basics of management. Such copters are so small that they are not afraid of strikes against walls, furniture, televisions or chandeliers.
A typical representative of this class of drones is the quadcopter Khabsan.
Take, for example, an ultra-compact, inexpensive quadcopter HUBSAN X4. He can give it to the owners of the moment of fascinating video shooting in new innovative formats that have already become publicly available to ordinary users. With dimensions of 165 x 165 x 60 mm and a weight of only 155 grams, this drone is ideal for outdoor or indoor entertainment. The availability of wide functionality along with new flight safety technologies make the Hubsan quadrocopter extremely convenient. How to operate the quadcopter even children will understand.
Flight characteristics of the quadcopter HUBSAN X4
With a six-axis gyroscope and collector motors, the quadcopter for beginners ensures flight stability for twelve minutes while fully charging the battery. At loss of control or low battery charging, the radio-controlled quadrocopter will automatically be able to return to the original area. Specialized flight modes will allow you to control it, regardless of which side it faces the user. It will move in the specified direction from incoming commands from the controller. Incredibly easy to manage, the best mini quadrocopter with a bright backlight is a favorite entertainment on the toy market.
HUBSAN X4 quadrocopter shooting options
Creating colorful photos and videos with a video camera from hd, users usually share them with friends in social networks. When they look at the world from a new angle, they enjoy the exciting process of high-quality shooting. In the process of fixing each frame from a bird's eye view, a new world opens.
Intuitive control quadcopter HUBSAN X4
You can get full control over all the maneuvers of your radio-controlled quadcopter using an ergonomic remote control that ensures the reliability of the grip in the process of control. The convenient location and functionality of the buttons guarantees high accuracy with every press. The small display shows the indicators of the battery charge of the transmitter and radio-controlled quadcopter, photo and video modes, GPS and many other flight parameters. Four-channel controller provides a signal range of up to 300 meters.
Exact GPS positioning of the drone quadcopter
Radio-controlled quadcopters are equipped with ultra-precise GPS positioning systems. As a result, they are able to hang on the spot. When releasing control sticks, the quadrocopter with a camera always returns to its starting point, taking into account GPS navigation data.
Full control and flight safety
Then, when a radio-controlled quadcopter can suddenly lose contact with the transmitter for a time longer than three seconds, it automatically returns to the take-off location and makes a landing. The system of precise control of the residual battery level will automatically be able to determine whether it is necessary to land or return to the launch site. As a result, this quadcopter model will not be disabled in flight under any circumstances, which will prevent its crash.
Small quadcopter class
In the palm of your hand, such "quadrics" also fit, but only in a single copy. These toys are already installed protective limiters on the blades, which means that there will be almost no damage from its blades. The range of such quadcopters is only thirty meters, but for home use this will be quite enough.
250 class quadcopters
Some specialists call most home frames up to size 200 “homemade quadrics”, because on the street with such toys it is not possible to walk normally. With a light breeze they will leave behind him. What should be a quadric for the street? And here it becomes more interesting to choose.
The sizes of such budget quadcopters are already up to 250 mm diagonally. It should be noted that the diagonal in copters is considered exactly from the engine to the engine and the protection of the propellers is not taken into account. Such models are able to fly mostly in good weather. Their radius of action is mainly limited to 50 meters, but this is not bad for a start. Also in category 250 may include popular racing quadrocopters.
350 class quadcopters
These copters are already equipped with cameras, are controlled via radio and broadcast video directly to the smartphone. However, the quadcopter's range is also limited to 50 meters. Quality from standard cameras should not be expected. In addition, the camera on this quadric is mounted on a hard bracket, so stabilization does not have to wait. The most expensive option in this segment is the quadrocopter DJI Phantom 3 Pro.
450 class quadcopters
Owners of such kopterov claim that this class has the most repairable frame. Such copters have better wind resistance than all previous ones. Their only drawback is that they do not fit in backpacks. Complete equipment for video recording accounted for themselves. These drones are not implemented ready.
550-700 and higher quadcopter classes
These are already large quadcopters for the price of a car. Classes 550-700 are more powerful quadrocopters that can be equipped with small SLR cameras, but even here everything will have to be done independently. The lifting capacity of quadrocopters of more than 800 sizes makes it possible to equip them with heavy SLR cameras.
Types of Quadrocopters on the used power sources
Gasoline-based quadcopters
Quadcopters with internal combustion engines solve simultaneously two main issues in lithium-ion batteries. The duration of the flight in such a variety in some circumstances can reach a solid three hours. Moreover, fuel reserves for such engines can be replenished at any time, with just a few minutes.
However, the compactness in such cases can be forgotten, since gasoline engines have an impressive weight and dimensions. But the most basic flaw in such aircraft is the deafening noise that engines make in the process of fuel reprocessing. In addition, in the event of an air crash, and even in an unfavorable situation, a potential hazard may be formed for others, since gasoline is highly inflammable.
Hybrid-based quadcopters
This kind of quadcopter has on its sides at the same time two engines - gasoline and electric. Each of them is engaged in the performance of their roles in flight. So, the internal combustion engine is engaged in the climb and speed. While the electric motor remains engaged in maneuverability and turns.
Thus, these two engines in a pair can be extremely impressive performance. Flight duration can reach one hour. In addition, they have excellent speed, speed and reliability. When one of the engines fails, the other takes over. As a result, the opportunity is provided for the safe landing of a quadrocopter in emergency situations.
Hydrogen based quadcopters
This kind of drones was developed not so long ago. And in general, an extremely small number of companies engaged in the development of quadcopters on hydrogen fuel cells.
Quadcopters of this type have collected all the advantages of other models. Among them, the long duration of the flight (approximately four hours), as well as fast refueling. In addition, they do not emit excessive noise and do not harm the environment as in the case of gasoline quadcopters. The only drawback of these devices is their enormous cost, which can scare away most potential buyers.
Solar powered quadcopters
This kind of quadcopter is practically no different from normal. They also have lithium-ion batteries, but with the addition of a solar panel. Theoretically, such aircraft should be favorites among other drones, since they have an almost unlimited flight duration, and there is no need to charge them all the time.
However, not everything is as cloudless as it may seem. Even solar panels with an efficiency of more than 20% can extend the flight duration by as little as five to eight minutes. Increasing the size of the panels does not affect the current situation, and can only lead to the fact that the aircraft will be blown away by air flow. To date, this kind of drones is not in high demand. However, many developers do not lose the opportunity to make them more advanced.
2018 quadcopter rating
Of the TOP 10 2018 best quadcopters, the TOP 5 deserves the following samples:
- DJI Phantom 4 PRO;
- DJI Phantom 4;
- DJI Phantom 3 Professional;
- DJI Phantom 3 Standard;
- Syma X5SW.
From the rating it is clear that the Chinese are here ahead of the rest.
The leader of the ranking DJI Phantom 4 PRO
The Chinese quadcopter has an average price in Russia within 99,000 rubles. Advanced versions of Phantom 4 have been on sale since November 2018. The best quadcopter has such technical characteristics as:
- The maximum altitude of six km;
- Maximum flight speed of 20 m / s;
- Built-in GPS and GLONASS sensors;
- Management through the radio channel;
- Autopilot functions, following the operator, returning to the starting point;
- Control range up to 3.5 km;
- Wi-Fi;
- Battery, allowing you to fly for up to 30 minutes;
- Mass 1400 g;
- The set includes: a mount for a mobile device, four pairs of propellers, a battery, a charger.
The external camera is complete with a matrix resolution of 20 megapixels, a viewing angle of 84 °, a video resolution of 4K (2160p), a photo resolution of 5472 × 3648.
Which quadcopter to choose?
The answer to this question may depend on the individual needs of users. For ordinary people who want to experience the technology of UAVs on their own experience, to acquire hydrogen or gasoline quadrocopters does not make sense. Their acquisition and maintenance will be quite expensive. It is best to buy one of the most popular types of quadcopters with lithium-ion batteries today.
