Types and features of quadcopters: overview of features, how to choose for the beginner

Quadrocopters, - unmanned aerial vehicles, are no longer a luxury. Now, for a beginner to take pictures from the air, you can buy an inexpensive drone and practice control. It's both fun and an opportunity to take original pictures and make money from them. Drones are often used by photographers, bloggers, those who shoot video. If a beginner enjoys working with a quadcopter, he can buy a professional model.

What kinds of quadcopters there are

Types of drones:

• Mini quadcopters are 15 x 15 cm, foldable. They are often without a camera. This is a toy for children or a device to practice control. Used indoors.
• Simple models of drones fly from 3-10 minutes and are also created for fun. They can not hang in one place, so they are launched only in the street or in a very large room where traffic is not restricted. Usually, the unit has a propeller guard.
• A selfie drone is a drone with a camera designed to take pictures from the air. The camera must have a resolution of at least 5 megapixels, preferably 10 megapixels, and stabilization while moving.
• A drone for aerial photography - the device has a built-in high-quality camera. Such a quadcopter does not have to be controlled all the time. It goes into autopilot mode. This allows you to adjust the angle and focus on taking pictures.
• Sports quadcopters - devices can move at high speed, quickly change direction, maneuver between obstacles. The battery has an increased capacity.

Drones for beginners have the advantage that they are assembled like a construction set. Many parts in case of breakage can be replaced. Most models have shock protection.

How to choose a quadcopter for a beginner

Choosing a drone, the beginner should pay attention to such characteristics:

• The ability to transmit pictures or video to a smartphone in FPV mode.
• Dual-axis stabilization is the minimum to ensure that the pictures were not blurred.
• Motor power determines the stamina of the unit and its lifespan. Brushless motors last longer, are more powerful and quieter.
• The distance from one propeller to the other. If the distance to 200 mm, quadcopters are suitable only for the premises, they are light and are blown away even by a light wind, the distance of more than 250 mm for street drones flying in the doldrums. Drones with a distance between the propellers from 350 mm are suitable for any weather.
• Simple models weigh about 250 grams, semi-professional models weigh 2 kg, and professional drones can weigh up to 20 kg and lift weights. The more weight of the quadcopter, the more difficult it is to control for a novice.
• Flight capabilities. Cheap drones fly a distance of 500 to 1000 m, professional - up to 8 km.
• Battery capacity. The budget models have enough charge for 15-30 minutes. It is convenient if there are several batteries in stock to change them while shooting.
• Control with a smartphone or remote control. The second method gives more range.
• The return home function (Headless) - when you press a certain button on the remote, the drone flies up to it. However, this function is better to use only as a last resort, to practice control. The expensive professional quadcopters often have no Headless function.
• Built-in GPS-navigation allows you to determine the location of the drone from your smartphone.
• Image transmission range of drones for beginners to 2 km.

Some install a GoPro camera on the drone. If there is such a task, choose a quadcopter with a load capacity corresponding to the weight of the camera. The beginner is better to stop at the model with a built-in camera.

What drone to choose a beginner, depends on the financial capacity and management skills. If there is no experience at all, it is worth to begin with a cheap device, because it can be damaged. And when the drone control skills appear, you can safely move on to professional drones.