insideKENT Magazine Issue 50 - May 2016 | Page 134

GADGETS+TECH

DRONE FEVER
QUADCOPTERS, UAVs (UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES) OR ‘THOSE FOUR-PROPELLER FLYING
THINGS’, DRONES ARE QUICKLY BECOMING THE MUST-HAVE GADGET FOR TECCHIES ALL
OVER THE UK. WITH SO MANY DIFFERENT SIZES AND MODELS TO CHOOSE FROM, WHICH
DRONE IS BEST? THAT ALL DEPENDS ON WHAT YOU WANT TO DO WITH IT.
Drone prices range from less than
£30 for a micro drone, up to well over
£2,000 for a larger model with all the
bells and whistles. Do you simply want
a fun toy to fly room to room in your
house? A micro might be your best
bet. Or, are you itching to take your
shiny new drone to Ben Nevis to
capture your ascent to the summit?
You’ll want to look into a professional
model – either camera-inclusive or
GoPro compatible.
Here are some of our favourite drones
of all shapes and sizes to quench your
thirst for adventure, whether at home
or away.

Parrot AR.Drone 2.0 with Outdoor Hull

DJI Inspire 1
The new DJI Inspire 1 version 2 with new
propeller and installation kits feature a
smoother, even more reliable locking
mechanism. To go with the 3510H motors,
new propellers and a new propeller mounting
system have been introduced. They employ
an updated mounting system, designed to
make attaching and removing the propellers
easier than ever before. This optimisation has
drastically reduced the abrasion that is
common with propeller installation, therefore
prolonging the propeller’s overall service life.
In addition to the included Zenmuse X3
camera, this version of the Inspire 1 also
works with the Zenmuse X5 and X5R gimbal
cameras (available separately). This Inspire 1
bundle comes ready-to-fly (RTF). This means
a pre-bound transmitter (radio controller) is
included and that no major assembly is
required.

Undoubtedly the ultimate flying toy, the AR.Drone 2.0 represents the latest development of Parrot's
world-renowned high-tech quadricopter that is easily controlled by WiFi using a smartphone or
tablet. It features a high-definition camera with a video recording facility, plus flight data sharing, a
patented piloting mode, and an innovative pressure sensor for increased stability at any altitude.
Equipped with a high-definition front camera that will let the pilot see exactly what the AR.Drone
2.0 sees, you can download the free AR.FreeFlight 2.0 application (available on the App Store and
the Android market) and take control of the AR.Drone 2.0 in a split second. The user-friendly control
interface will appear over the video feedback streamed straight from the AR.Drone 2.0 with no
latency thanks to its self-generated WiFi network.
£149.99, www.amazon.co.uk

£2,426, www.pro-vision.co.uk

DJI Phantom 3
The Phantom 3 Standard’s dedicated camera is mounted via a 3-axis motorised gimbal that
stabilises the footage and enables manual tilting from a dial on the controller, and allows app-based
control using DJI's free GO app. Thanks to a WiFi range extender, the WiFi boasts a range of 3280'
line-of-sight. GPS equipped, the Phantom 3 Standard sports the assisted flying features, such as
automatic return home. Thanks to redesigned, more efficient motors, flight times of up to 25 minutes
are possible. The Phantom 3 Standard comes pre-packaged with the basics to get you started: a
radio controller (transmitter), flight battery and charger, two sets of props, a mobile device clamp,
8GB memory card, and more.
£355, www.dronesforless.co.uk

134