Quadcopters are radio-controlled aircraft that are used for entertainment purposes, professional video filming from the air, and military missions. Depending on the size and functionality, they can be launched right in the apartment, rise to a height of more than a kilometer, and deliver large parcels. However, models for beginners and amateurs are in high demand.
What is a quadcopter
This term (from the English quadro - four, copter - helicopter) refers to an aircraft with 4 propellers, also called a multicopter, drone or drone. It rises into the air thanks to four propellers, the rotation speed of which can be adjusted. Equipped with stabilizing systems to provide aerodynamic stability, making it convenient for shooting from a height.
Design and principle of operation
An answer to the question of what a quadrocopter is would be incomplete without a detailed description of its design,equipment and features of the flight. It consists of a frame, motors, propellers, an electronic system and a battery, as well as additional elements: propeller guards, landing legs, control panel and other elements.
Stable flight and handling are only possible thanks to the coordinated work of functional components. Commands from the remote control are received by the radio receiver and processed by a processor that controls the rotation of the motors. The chip also receives information from automatic sensors. In the presence of a gyroscope, the drone compensates for gusts of wind, and due to the GPS module, it can return to the remote control when the battery charge drops or goes out of the signal coverage area.
It should be borne in mind that the detailed answer to the question of what a quadrocopter is also depends on the configuration. On the packages you can find incomprehensible abbreviations: RTF, BNF, ARF, FPV and others. What do these terms mean?
ARF
The abbreviation stands for Almost Ready to Fly or almost ready to fly. This means that the quadcopter is shipped unassembled. The kit includes all components (there is not always a remote control) and is suitable for people who want to build a drone with their own hands. Please note that this is not a ready-made constructor. For assembly and soldering, you need the appropriate tool. The lack of funds and experience, paradoxically, gives rise to a lot of negative reviews for quadcopters in this configuration.
BNF
The abbreviation stands for Bind and Fly or bind and fly. In this casethere is no remote control in the package, and the quadcopter needs to be connected to your own. The set is relevant for professionals. After all, if you have a powerful multi-channel remote control, there is no need to overpay for a basic complete device.
RTF
The abbreviation stands for Ready to Fly or ready to fly. This means that the quadcopter comes complete with a remote control. Most budget drones are sold in these kits.
FPV
The abbreviation stands for First Person View or first person view. We are talking about broadcast quadcopters that transmit video to the remote control monitor, smartphone or laptop screen in real time.
Popular brands
- DJI. Industry leader company. It does not just assemble drones from components from other factories, but manufactures its own microcontrollers, video equipment and other components, so the reviews for quadrocopters of this brand are almost always positive.
- Walkera. A company with a 20-year history of creating unmanned devices. The market offers powerful multicopters for amateurs and professionals.
- SYMA TOYS. Popular Chinese brand. Syma quadcopters are in great demand due to the democratic cost of devices with decent performance.
- Hubsan. The young Chinese company was founded in 2010, but has already gained popularity in the market and the trust of customers. Releases widerange of quadcopters for beginners and amateurs.
What to look for when choosing
- Engines. Motors can be collector and bes-. The former are characterized by low thrust and unpredictable service life, but due to their lightweight design, they are installed on compact and medium-sized quadcopters. Brushless motors are highly efficient and have a long service life.
- Battery. The duration of the flight depends on its capacity. The norm is 8-12 minutes for budget models and at least 20 minutes. – for professional.
- The camera is usually installed directly into the case. There are models without it or with mounts for GoPro. The quadcopter with a camera on the remote control has the FPV function and transmits the image to the built-in display via a Wi-Fi signal. The quality of the picture depends on the resolution of the matrix (the best option is Full HD), but the frame rate also matters (should be at least 30 fps).
- Control panel. It may have a built-in display and a Wi-Fi module. The remotes also differ in range depending on the power of the receiver: from 30 meters to 1 kilometer or more.
- Additional features. GPS quadcopters support Follow Me, waypoint flight, return to controller and other options. The gyroscope levels out gusts of wind, and the barometer allows the drone to maintain a predetermined altitude.
- The cost of a quadrocopter depends on the brand and functionality. You can conditionally divide devices into budget, mid-range drones and expensive professional models. What alreadynoted above, Syma quadcopters are low cost with decent functionality and build quality.
In closing
What is a quadcopter, the video above will help you understand. Devices are very popular, both for entertainment and for professional tasks. They are extremely easy to operate, so they are suitable for both children and adults.
