Even the top-end audio equipment can be sometimes annoying, and the soul to demand something new and unexpected. That’s why I decided to try flying the quadcopter. My first experience with VISUO XS809W I have already described, it’s time to talk about the second copter HC629 WISDOM.
By the way, VISUO, despite a series of horrific crashes, continues to be on the go, whether it’s my luck, whether he was really tough, but flying with him allowed me to understand most importantly, beginners need to choose only toys, are equipped with a barometric sensor, without too much attention is spent on the maintenance of stable height, and to master control immediately in all planes — at first difficult. Maybe there are people with innate talent in this area, but I am one of them definitely do not belong.
Prosherstiv the same store, I found another fresh model that meets my requirements (less than $ 50 and a height sensor), as you know, and it became HC629 WISDOM. At the time of writing it was not in stock, but he is soon to reappear in the sale. Price is exactly $ 40, but it has a discount coupon of $ 5 “HC629” and $ 35 — is quite normal price for toys.
Last time, I realized that quality pictures and video from low-cost models should not expect fundamentally, therefore, the photographic component is not particularly watched. Have HC629 camera is, but it is intended solely for the transmission of images to a smartphone in the camera slot for memory card no. Of course, the ubiquitous app JAD-UFO can record the video stream directly to your smartphone, but the result comes out really depressing, so this function can be immediately considered missing.
Due to the peculiarities of the design, about which I will write below, “WISDOM” managed to pack in a box much smaller than the standard. In addition to the drone, the delivery set includes a remote control, a mount for a smartphone (this time it is made removable), USB cable for charging, screwdriver and spare blades. The landing “legs” and the protection of the propeller is not provided here.
If we talk about the design of the HC629, it becomes clear that capturescreen China can be divided into two eras: “before DJI Mavic” and after. Since the advent of successful models DJI half of Chinese products in one way or another strives to be like her, not escaped this fate and the hero of today’s review, although the similarity here is much smaller than the previous model, have been in my hands. General features of the appearance there, but not enough to consider WISDOM a clone. Separately, I note the plastic from which made the model, he’s a nice (well for me) gray-blue color and slightly rough to the touch. Quadrics are also made in a folding form factor, but this time the engineers made foldable and screws. Both blades of each propeller are free to rotate in the mount and turn in the “working position” makes them the centrifugal force. I think it’s a very good solution, first simplify the folding of the rays of the copter and, second, folded it occupies less space, thirdly, improving the endurance of the screw, the collision of the blade with an obstacle, the likelihood that she’ll just turn, higher probability of failure. Although, of course, with a very strong impact failure is likely, but the various bushes and branches to HC629 less traumatic (Yes, I checked).
One gets the copter in a very compact box (140 x 135 mm), while in the unfolded form of its 290 290 mm large not name, height in both cases is 67 millimeters, so you can even wear it in the backpack. Still, if you want, it is possible to carefully fly in the room, although I would for this better bought nonaquatic.
In the design of the drone is not only provided for the landing struts, but even there are no protrusions on the engine nacelles as VISUO (I will often carry with it Parallels). So sits the quadrics literally “in the belly”, which has tiny rubber protrusions. Because of this, to take off from thick grass will not work, you will have to trample small clearing or look for a suitable surface. However, I unsuccessfully started even with the hands, with the height sensor is easier.
Of course, available and light, the two “eyes” on the face equipped with white LEDs (dim), and the rays marked with red (front) and green (back) light. The backlight is dim, the day it is not visible, but in the darkness their task it copes.
Different from VISUO and battery, then it made more “traditionally” — a small battery connected to the Jack, wiring, soldered, and cleaned in a special compartment with a latch. This design is more reliable than VISUO at least for the time of flight with the WISDOM I battery never lost. The battery is charging somewhere an hour and a half, and to fly on a full charge, it will be from 6 to 8 minutes. Indicators, of course, not a record, so I should spare diet, although I normally need 10 minutes to nebulawas.
Remote WISDOM I like a little more option VISUO, the control sticks are placed below, so it more comfortable fits in your hand. The rest of the feature set at the traditional. Left stick controls altitude, and turns, as the copter is equipped with a height sensor, the stick is spring-loaded in both axes. The right stick is used for movement in a horizontal plane. The rest of the feature set traditional. “D-pad” on the left is for trimming, if your quadrics blows in some direction — just press the arrow pointing in the opposite direction until the problem is resolved. To the right are additional buttons: take-off/landing (Yes, this time it works), “headless” mode (or whatever it is), and return to the takeoff point (working very easy) and emergency stop screws (with a long press performs the automatic calibration). At the top of the panel there are buttons of switching of speeds (don’t touch her until you become confident management) and flips. The latter is traditionally push it, then with the joystick select the desired direction of revolution, the copter does a somersault. Thanks to the height sensor then it is not necessary, as with VISUO frantically attempt to align “fly” in height, so that the focus without a follow up shot on the ground it looks more impressive for people watching and seals.
Working remote control 4 AAA batteries, included big button in the middle, and status reports using a red led and a nasty squeak. Area safe operation of remote control is about 70 meters, so don’t get carried away especially long flights if you don’t want to lose his toy.
Alternatively, you can control the flight with your smartphone, comes to the aid of the ubiquitous JAD-UFO. The principle here is very simple: after switching on, the copter turns into a password-less access point to which it is necessary to connect with the phone and launch the app. It’s actually very functional, there is also stream video from onboard camera (as normal, if not recording, the lag is acceptable), and control with virtual sticks. For lovers of exotic Yes voice control (understands several basic commands in English) and control by tilting smartphone. To manage with the iPhone 6 Plus is quite convenient, not as good as with the remote, but much better than the VISUO (I will not again praise the height sensor, but the credit here). Confident video transmission works up to 40 meters, a little further, but the risk I would not.
If to speak directly about flights, I was finally convinced that the automatic height control is a real “must-have” for the beginner. It works not 100% perfect, slight yaw up/down, but overall it’s much better than without it. Management WISDOM much easier than VISUO, and the number of accidents is lower. Due to the fact that collisions rarely occur, the overall development of management becomes easier, faster comes confidence, without which nothing. I think the analogy is with automatic and manual transmission, there will be more than appropriate. By the way, after practicing skills with HC629 I have become better at flying on XS809W.
This, perhaps, “pre-apprenticeship” stage of their flights, I feel complete and next time I will have to choose something more expensive and with better function photography, the benefit of the environment allows it.
Browse quadcopter HC629 WISDOM — the detail that changes everything
Pavel Dmitriev