Introduction
We think the presented rating will be especially popular not only among young pilots. To a greater extent, it will be of interest to modern parents who are always aware of new trends and want their children to keep up with the times. As you have already seen, the modern world of drones is extremely large and in order to understand this variety of unmanned products, you need to spend a lot of time, which adults, as always, do not have enough.
We have collected here the most popular quadcopters that can be recommended as a first drone for children aged 8–14 years. The TOP 10 includes two types of drones: Nano and Mini, the main task of which is to teach how to operate a drone correctly and safely. The offered products can also be used by children under eight years of age, but only under the strict supervision of adults. In order for a quadcopter to be included in this top, it had to meet such parameters as: safety, workmanship, flight performance, durability, functionality, popularity. Let's start with the last one - 10th place. For those who do not have time to fully familiarize themselves with the rating, we have prepared the table below.
Dear parents, as well as all-knowing young pilots!
Before reading the rating, we simply must remind you that no matter what size the drone is, in careless and inept hands it can be equally dangerous for both the user and others. To get a positive experience from owning a device, you will first need discipline, which is equally present in any responsible task. Remember! Safety first! By following simple rules for launching a UAV, you can avoid many troubles. Parents are strongly encouraged to read the rules and familiarize their children with them!
comparison table
| Name | Availability of camera | Flight time | FPV | Height/Position Hold | Headless mode | Flight environment | Price | Review |
| Eachine E010/JJRC H36 | No | 5 minutes | No | No | Yes | room/street | from 23$ | There is |
| Dwi Dowellin D7 | 2MP | 5 minutes | 2.4GHz Wi-Fi | barometer | Yes | room/street | from 40$ | There is |
| Eachine E013 Small Pepper | 1000TVL | 5 minutes | 5.8GHz analog | No | Yes | room/street | 36$ | There is |
| Parrot Mambo FPV | HD | 10 min | WiFi | Ultrasound + optical sensors | No | room/street | 179.99$ | There is |
| Hubsan H111D | HD | 6 min | 5.8GHz analog | No | Yes | room/street | 98$ | There is |
| Hubsan X4 H107D | HD | 5 minutes | 5.8GHz analog | barometer | Yes | room/street | from 80$ | There is |
| Xiaomi MiTu | 2MP | 10 min | 5GHz Wi-Fi | GPS + sensors | No | room/street | from 60$ | There is |
| Tello Drone | 5MP | 13 min | 2.4GHz Wi-Fi | Ultrasound + optical sensors | No | room/street | from 99$ | There is |
| Blade Inductrix FPV | 600TVL | 4 min | 5.8GHz analog | No | No | room/street | 199$ | There is |
| Hubsan X4 H502S | HD | 12 min | 5.8GHz analog | GPS | Yes | Street | from 120$ | There is |
If you think that our rating is missing some model, then tell us about it in the comments below and we will definitely consider it.
General characteristics of quadcopters
Today, quadcopters are presented in various versions, which differ:
- sizes;
- materials;
- quality of equipment;
- controllability;
- productivity;
- possibilities.
If we give a general description of what the design of a quadcopter consists of, then we need to highlight the frame to which the propellers, motors, electronic components for control, battery and equipment are attached. There is a separate control panel. The main requirements for the frame and body of the device:
- strength;
- ease.
The frame must support the weight of the attached equipment and at the same time not weigh down the entire apparatus. The housing is designed to protect installed electronic equipment. The frame and body can be made of aluminum, fiberglass-reinforced ABS plastic, and impact-resistant EPO foam. Carbon fiber tube frames are also available. The appearance and aesthetics of the quadcopter, as well as the strength of the entire model, depend on the frame. It can be additionally equipped with landing gear. The main element of a quadcopter is its control board. The so-called “brains” of the device are its flight controller, which operates on the basis of signals received from various sensors. This is the most important unit of the device, on which depend:
- management potential;
- flight features;
- additional functionality.
The flight controller allows you to automatically stabilize the quadcopter in the air, control the speed at which each motor rotates, thus making turns and even sharp flips. At the same time, processing of sensor signals makes it possible to take into account the current location of the quadcopter and many external factors.
The expanded board will allow you to supplement the quadcopter model with new sensors and functionality.
Attention!!! The more sensors connected to the flight controller, the more complex and multi-functional tricks the quadcopter can perform. Some models have two boards at once.
This control element is located in the center of the structure and requires special vibration isolation to ensure stability and stability. The power and speed of quadcopters depends on the motors that rotate the propellers. They come in three types: collector, collector with gearbox and brushless. The last option is the most reliable and wear-resistant, providing good traction. Motors need to be selected especially carefully. Greater power allows you to reach high speeds, but at the same time, it will require a larger battery.
Motors must be combined with propellers and speed controllers.
For quadcopters, narrow propellers are used, the dimensions of which are selected in inverse proportion to the KV of the motors. They range in length from 8 to 12 inches. Good operation of the propellers is ensured by proper balancing and compliance with the dimensions of other parts of the device. The propellers are arranged in pairs with forward and reverse rotation. Each pair has its own color so that you can visually determine where the front of the device is.
It should be noted that this is the part of the quadcopter that most often breaks during collisions, so it would be a good idea to have several spare propellers.
The connection between the flight controller and the receiver in quadcopters is ensured using many connecting wires, which can be difficult to compactly lay out.
Sometimes textolite boards with power paths are used for this. Switching circuits are quite complex because electrical and radio frequency circuits must be combined. Therefore, if you do not have technical skills, it is better to buy ready-made models. Receivers for quadcopters must have a minimum of four control channels, which will provide movement in three directions and reverse. But for more complex turns and tricks, 8-9-channel equipment is needed. The range of radio control allows quadcopters to move over considerable distances. To prevent them from being lost out of sight, special identification markers are provided on the body. For daytime recognition use:
- two-tone coloring of the propellers or the entire frame;
- mark - a marker drawn on the front.
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At night, the quadcopter can be noticed by signal lights or LED lighting, which are also an effective design element. An important characteristic of a quadcopter model is the number of sensors it has. Main sensors installed on models:
- gyroscope;
- accelerometer;
- barometer;
- compass.
In addition, there may be sensors:
- to track battery level;
- adjusting the operation of the LED backlight;
- determining the location of the device;
- locking blades in the event of a collision;
- work of photo and video equipment.
The principle of operation of a quadcopter
The operating principle of a quadcopter is based on the paired operation of propellers that rotate in different directions. By controlling the rotational force of each pair, you can achieve different directions of movement. There are three main ways to control the movement of the device:
- The equal rotation of all screws at the same time is responsible for lifting up - the stronger their rotation, the higher the quadcopter will rise.
- A stronger rotation of one pair makes it possible to make a reversal.
- Strong rotation of one motor allows you to tilt the device.
How to control a quadcopter?
Figuring out how to control a quadcopter is not difficult. The control panel contains several sticks that are responsible for the orientation of the device in the air and buttons for using additional functions. Understanding their purpose will not be difficult; it all depends on the settings of the electronics.
Note! A display can be built into the remote control device or it can be possible to connect a smartphone as such.
You need to be able to perform basic maneuvers:
- takeoff;
- U-turns;
- freezing;
- landing.
There are several modes in which quadcopters can fly:
- manual;
- stable;
- using the GPS system.
Some models provide control of the quadcopter from a tablet or smartphone using Wi-Fi. To do this, you need to download special software. The main convenience lies in the clear interface, which is based on moving your finger across the screen. But the main disadvantage of such control is the short range of the Wi-Fi signal. The control panel has a long range.
Does the quadcopter need to be recharged?
Typically, depending on the battery capacity, a radio-controlled quadcopter can stay in the air for up to half an hour. After this, it needs recharging, which can last from 20 minutes to a couple of hours. Therefore, a charger must be included in the kit.
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How to care for a quadcopter?
The quadcopter does not require maintenance; it is enough to follow the general rules. It's good if there is a special storage box. Install on a flat horizontal surface. Avoid falling or other mechanical damage. Avoid exposure to moisture. Only optical equipment requires special care.
Precautionary measures
In quadcopters, certain precautions are already provided in their designs. Some models have the ability to block the propellers at the first collision with an obstacle. Many devices are equipped with a low battery alarm system. In addition, when the charge is complete or the control signal is lost, the quadcopters have the function of returning to the place where it was launched and smoothly descending.
You need to know that others often react ambiguously to quadcopters, especially if it circles above their house or near the windows of their apartments.
Popular quadcopter models
There are different models of quadcopters that differ in power, maneuverability, appearance and equipment. Let's look at some of them, representing the most popular brands. The DJI Phantom 3 quadcopter is immediately ready to launch from the moment of purchase, equipped with all the necessary settings. Has six stabilization modes during flight. Thanks to the functions of position holding and self-stabilization, it allows you to take high-quality photos and videos. It has two flight control modes, intelligent control system and low voltage protection. Equipped with two motion control boards and LED lighting. There is a USB connector. The model has a stylish, beautiful design. The kit includes a six-channel remote control, landing gear, camera mount, a set of spare propellers, and a battery with charger. It can reach speeds of up to 10 m/s, the control signal is available within a radius of 300 meters. Designed for 10 - 15 minutes of independent flight; when the battery is discharged, the automatic emergency landing mode will operate. The radio-controlled quadcopter WLToys V959 is an inexpensive device with four-channel control and a three-axis gyroscope. Stable in the air and shock resistant. It has four speed modes and is capable of making sharp turns and coups. The radio remote control is protected from interference and has a range of up to 100 meters. Equipped with a high-quality video camera and flash card. Recommended for children over 8 years old. Radio-controlled quadcopter Hubsan X4 H107C is small in size and of very high quality. Lightweight and durable. Equipped with control equipment and a video camera. Stably held in horizontal direction. It has two flight modes: training and 3D. Able to make turns and flips in four directions. Autonomous flight time up to 10 minutes. The Gaui 500X KIT quadcopter is a new product from Gaui, for flights with and without a camera. Sold unassembled. To make it easier to carry the device, its frame is foldable and fits completely into a special durable case. Among the equipment, it should be noted new motors, reinforced regulators and enlarged screws. But the battery with charger, radio control system and camera mounts will have to be purchased separately. Maintains high stability even in strong winds. There is a protective frame for screws. A larger capacity battery can be used to extend flight time up to 25 minutes. The Xaircraft X450 quadcopter is a reliable and functional model designed for self-assembly. Has a simplified design. It is possible to purchase many additional accessories that expand its optional capabilities.
