Blade 350 QX3 Review and Analysis
Among the many Drone Brands, Blade comes out on top when it comes to user-friendliness. Now that the company has added a new craft to its hangar of micro quadcopters, let’s take a look and what’s hot about the newest addition in this blade 350 qx3 review .
Inside the Box
What’s truly impressive about this quad is how it diverts from what the past Blade Nano quadcopters offer. Compared to other RTF drone kits, Blade has decided to ship the 350 QX3 in three different packages.
The first package is the most basic one: the Bind and Fly (BNF) version. The drone ships with a fixed camera mount for the GoPro HERO camera and other action cameras from the same brand. This UAV uses the cutting edge BNF Firmware 2.0 with SAFE® Technology, making it compatible with different and DSM2®/DSMX® aircraft transmitters.
But if you want the default transmitter from Blade, your package of choice is the Blade Nano QX3 RTF where you’ll get the Spektrum™ DX4 transmitter. Blade says this kit is the best quadcopter for first-time drone pilots.
Now, if you want your quadrotor RC helicopter to have a built-in camera, the last package is what suits you. Called the Blade 350 QX3 AP Combo, this UAV comes with the CG02 camera. This lens features a significant improvement from its predecessor, the CG01. The AP Combo’s camera shoots 16 MP stills and records 1080p video clips at 60 fps.
Variant | 3-Axis Gimbal Camera | Radio Transmitter | Li-Po Flight Battery | Battery Charger | Go Pro Camera Mount Support | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
350 QX3 AP Combo | ||||||
350 QX3 Ready to Fly | ||||||
350 QX3 Bind and Fly |
Navigation
Navigation is a truly strong point of the Blade 350 QX3. Regardless of the transmitter you’re using, it’s very easy to maneuver. The drone has different “modes” that alter the way you fly it.
The most basic setting is the smart mode, the ideal configuration for newbie pilots. This enables stick relativity, which allows the quadcopter to move towards the direction that the user wants. This works well regardless of the direction of the quad’s nose or if it’s spinning midair. The aerial photography (AP) mode is also helpful here. When this setting is active, the drone turns off the stick relativity feature. As a result, you gain more control over how the quadrotor RC helicopter hovers, making it easy to pull off tracking or action shots.
Blade 350 QX3 Specifications
First things first, let’s elaborate what this Blade Nano quadcopter has inside. Here are the specs:
Dimensions | 46.5 x 46.5 x 1.9 cm |
Weight | 955 g |
Battery | 11.1V 3S 3000 mAh 30C LiPo |
Camera | CG02 – 16 MP, 1080p 60 fps video output |
Flight Time | 10-15 mins |
Control Range | 100 ft |
Flight Speed | 20 m/s |
Camera
The camera is an upgraded version of the CG01, but it is – at best – an upper mid-range camera. Its 16 MP stills look fine, but nothing stellar. As for the video, it’s great that the sensor can handle 1080p at 60 fps. The problem, however, is that the color appears saturated while recording. Compared with any other Blade Nano quadcopter, the 350 QX3 reigns supreme. But, if you contrast this with a drone from DJI’s Phantom line, the result is not that impressive.
Battery Life
For a drone that’s on the higher end of the UAV spectrum, the 350 QX3’s battery life is a letdown. A flight time of 10-15 minutes is, at best, average. It’s unimpressive, considering that the quadcopter is light enough. Compared to what DJI and Walkera Drones offer in the same tier, 10-15 minutes of flight time is simply way too short.
Connectivity
The connectivity of this UAV is decent. The transmitter is responsive and easy to master. The problem, however, is that in terms of phone compatibility, this Blade quad falters. The app is available for iOS and Android users only, plus only to high-end Apple, Samsung, HTC, and Sony models.
Safety Features
As for flight safety, this Blade 350 QX3 review gives it a perfect score. Safety features are just superb in keeping the pilot and the quad safe from crashes and flyaways. It has built-in flight boundaries, which you can adjust with just a few tweaks.
Moreover, the drone features the SAFE Circle Flight Boundary. When the smart mode is active, this limits the flight pattern of the quad. It creates an imaginary circle around the pilot that serves as a “boundary” the UAV cannot cross. This is to keep the drone and the pilot safe from crashing.
The 350 QX3 is also capable of flying back to where it took off once the battery runs low. Consequently, the pilot can program the quad to follow a certain set of waypoints for easier flying.
The Verdict
The Blade 350 QX3 comes loaded with features that make its price worth it. For its cost, you get a set of features that not a lot of other quadcopters can top. Not-so-impressive camera aside, this UAV is worth the money for both new and seasoned pilots alike.
There are no comments yet, add one below.