A quadcopter is an aircraft with three or more rotors based on a helicopter system. One of the leading companies in the production of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) has become the Chinese company DJI. Its series "Phantom" (Phantom) has gained the greatest popularity among similar devices at the amateur level. The popularity was ensured by high-quality development and ease of operation. According to the instructions, "Phantom 3" broadcasts the image from the carrier camera to any mobile gadget with Wi-Fi. The entire line of "Phantoms" is intended for making photo and video shooting in the field of amateur use, for entertainment and leisure.
Aircraft "Phantom 3"
The developers of the Chinese company were not particularly "confused" over the appearance of the aircraft. The line of the third series is practically no different from the second.
The case is presented in the form of white plastic, of fairly good quality. There are golden stripes on the helical structural beams. The screws themselvesself-tightening. The technical characteristics of "Phantom 3" assumes the presence of a camera on a three-axis suspension in the lower part of the case. Visual positioning tools are also installed here, which allow this model of an aircraft to move in closed airspace without GPS navigation.
Visual and ultrasonic sensors located on board the aircraft operate on the principle of marine sonar. They "probe" the environment under the device, maintaining the necessary safe height.
The drone has a pair of landing mounts that also act as a protective camera during a hard landing.
"Phantom 3". Model range overview
Chinese unmanned aerial vehicle "Phantom 3" has several modifications. The installed camera is capable of taking photos with high resolution (12 MP) and shooting video in quality up to 4K.
The "Phantom 3" line includes models such as:
- Standart - this "Phantom" was presented to a wide audience in August 2015. The cheapest modification of the entire Phantom 3 line. The model has the ability to shoot video quality in 2, 7K. The unit is not equipped with the exclusive Lightbridge signal transmission technology, streaming video is transmitted via Wi-Fi.
- Advanced - according to the technical instructions, "Phantom 3" of this modification supports recording a video stream in 2.7K. Noteworthy is the presence of a charger with a power of 57 W.
- Professional is the most expensive device in the line of third Phantoms. It features high-definition video recording, quality up to 4K. It has its own original Lightbridge signal transmission technology, Wi-Fi is also available. Comes with 100W fast charger.
Specifications
Phantom 3's stats include:
- Dimensional dimensions excluding blade span (diagonally) – 350 mm.
- Total curb weight - 1kg 280g
- The battery is a Li-lon rechargeable battery, 6000 mAh.
- The speed of lifting the apparatus into the air is 5 m/s.
- Maximum speed in airspace is 16 m/s.
- The maximum communication range with the "Phantom 3" quadcopter is 2 km.
- Drone navigation systems – GPS and GLONASS.
- The operating temperature of the device is 0-40 ℃.
- Flying time limit is approximately 25 minutes.
The installed camera on the aircraft produces photos in JPEG and DNG format. Pictures can be further edited in profile programs and do not need additional conversion.
Recorded video files have MP4, MOV (AVC/H.264 codec) extensions.
The cheapest modification of "Phantom 3" is sold at a starting price of $799.
Included in deliveryincludes: assembled aircraft, remote control, rechargeable battery, charger depending on modification, spare propeller blades with storage case, cable for connecting to a personal computer, various documentation. Equipment, except for the memory, does not depend on the model.
Usage modes
One of the technological innovations in the characteristics of "Phantom 3" is the optional user-following mode. Previously, this option has already been used by the developers of the Chinese company DJI in their products.
This mode has gained wide popularity among owners who go in for extreme sports - snowboarders, skiers, motorcycle racers, cyclists and others. Such athletes cover long distances and are often not always accessible to spectators. A quadrocopter will help you demonstrate your achievements, successes or especially dangerous stunts, following its owner everywhere and capturing everything on camera. In this mode, the device will move at a distance of 20 meters from the user and a height of 30 meters.
The point-to-point flight mode means that the quadrocopter will fly over the places marked in advance on the map. The Phantom 3 drone will move from marker to marker in turn, while the user has the opportunity to focus on controlling the camera. This is very convenient if you want to capture favorable panoramic angles during the flight of the device.
In the quadrocopter "Phantom 3"there is a mode of fixing the course. This function assumes movement in one specific direction, regardless of the direction of its front. This functionality allows the device to fly along the object of interest.
POI mode. The drone will circle over a given location, maintaining a height of 10 meters. The radius of the flight will be 15 meters. Both a person and any building can serve as such a point.
Quadcopter camera
The "Phantom 3" camera is not inferior to the leading analogues from other manufacturers. Its maximum resolution is 4096 by 2160p, the so-called 4K resolution. The frame rate will then be 25 per second. Also available HD resolution (1920 by 1080p) at 60 fps.
The camera itself is equipped with a 20mm wide-angle lens with a 94° field of view. Three-axis gimbal gives the image a stable picture.
Conclusion
The line of quadrocopters of the Chinese company DJI of the above models turned out to be successful. Particularly worth noting is the modification Professional "Phantom 3". Owner reviews are full of laudatory comments about its technical parameters, camera configuration and charger power. Many liked the optional flight modes, and for some thrill-seekers "Phantom 3" has become an indispensable gadget in their studies.
Only a little discouraging, according to potential owners, the cost of the device.
