Description
Flight Time: 3-5 minutes | Camera: 720p | Smartphone Controlled: Optional | FAA Registration: Not Required | Indoor Use: Yes | Rotors: 4 (2 blades per rotor, replaceable) | Size: 6 x 6 x 1.3 inches | Weight: 3 ounces
Modelled by DJI, and for under $100, the Ryze Tech Tello is a good, inexpensive drone for first-time fliers.
One of the things that place this quadcopter above other inexpensive drones for kids is that it can be programmed using Scratch, thus being able to turn this toy into an educational gadget.
The Ryze Tello also has a 720p camera that records very good video and is easy to fly around.
The major issue highlighted during the testing of the drone was its short flight time – 5-minute flight time. Hence, you should be prepared to stock up on a few batteries if you decide to pick it up.
Pros of the Ryze Tech Tello
- It is a small and fast drone
- It is easy to control
- The Tello has a comfortable remote control
Cons of the Ryze Tech Tello
- Scratch programming language is tricky to set up
- The short battery life of the Tello is an issue
Check it out on Amazon
Choosing a Quadcopter for You
Drones are fun to fly and can let you take eye-catching footage, some in high-resolution 4K video. Fortunately, today, they are more affordable than ever, as good quality beginner models can be purchased for less than $60.
For a few hundred dollars, you can get a good camera drone. For more complex UAVs, you can start at less than $1,000, and they offer customizable and programmable features, turning them into truly autonomous devices that can make decisions on their own.
Features to Consider Before Purchasing a Drone
Drones are not that complicated. However, a few key questions you should consider when you are choosing one include:
- Design: Is it well built, and do you like how it looks? What are the ergonomics of the controllers (if it comes with one)?
- Durability/Reparability: You cannot avoid a crash sometimes while flying, even if it is just once. However, a good model should be able to survive a few accidents without a problem. So, if there is a breakage somewhere (most likely a rotor), would it be easy to repair?
- Flight Performance: Is it easy to fly the device? When hovering, is it stable or is a lot of stickwork required? How does it respond to your commands?
- App: Is the app intuitive enough? What sort of features are available?
- Camera Quality: How good are the photos and videos it takes (if it possesses a camera)?
- Flight Time: Taking into consideration the varying sizes of the drone, how long can it stay in the air before its battery runs out?
- Price: You cannot expect a $50 drone to perform as well as a $1,000 drone. So, how cost-effective is the device?
When all these are answered to your satisfaction, you can go ahead and acquire your preferred quadcopter.