Scout X4 Drone Review and Analysis
When DJI released the Phantom 2, Walkera didn’t back down. Instead, it released a new iteration: the Walkera Scout X4. This quadcopter uses a Devention Devo 10 RC receiver alongside a Walkera Devo F12E FPV transmitter. A quick glance would tell you that Walkera stepped up its game with this release, especially in terms of the technology under the UAV’s chassis.
If you’re curious about how this UAV competes with what’s available on the market, your search for thorough Walkera Scout X4 review ends here. We’ll share with you our experience with this drone.
Walkera Scout X4 Specifications
Before we delve into specifics, let’s take a look at what’s under this ready-to-fly FPV quadcopter:
Dimensions | 13.1 x 13.1 x 10.8 inches |
Weight | 3.9 lbs |
Battery | 22.2V 5400mAh LiPo |
Camera | iLook+ camera, 5.8GHz transmitter, 1080p video output |
Control Range | 3,280 ft. |
Flight Time | 25 minutes |
Motor | WK-WS-34-002 |
The Pros
The first thing you will notice once you fly the X4 is how easy it is to navigate the whole quadcopter. Thanks to its Devo F12E transmitter, every nudge you make on the control sticks registers right away on the unmanned aerial vehicle. Paired with its FPV monitor, the drone is so easy to fly; it’s on par with DJI quadcopters in terms of navigability.
What’s even better is that it has a vast control range. While the Phantom 2 Vision+’s max range is 2,000 ft., the X4 quadcopter takes it to the next level by clocking in a control range of 3,280 ft.The range is something you’ll be able to maximize as well. The battery is large enough to provide 25 minutes of flight time. Even though this is older than the Phantom 2 Vision Plus, its beefy battery has the same capability – it could possibly be even better, as the Walkera Scout X4 is heavier.
The most notable improvement is the number of features introduced. The brand’s other drones simply pale in comparison with what the X4 offers.
For instance, it has retractable landing skids – a feature that resolves the common issue of quadcopter landing gear that obscures the camera’s field of view. You can also customize it to add 4 more rotors to carry a heavier payload.
Tech-wise, there are a lot of good things with the X4. It has a unique waypoint mapping technology. This allows you to designate a route for the quadcopter by simply tapping the destinations on your smartphone or tablet. Another feature users rave about is the Follow-Me mode, which instructs the UAV to trail the user based on GPS coordinates.
Take a look at Walkera’s introductory video on this feature:
The Cons
Of course, the X4 is not without flaws. Its weight is the first noticeable disappointing thing about it. Compared to the Vision+, it’s just stockier and heavier. The bulky build doesn’t help to mask this fact, but it’s also possible that Walkera did this on purpose to introduce more high-end features.
For a drone in the prosumer niche, the aesthetics of this quadcopter with camera mount falls short. Its form factor just doesn’t cut it, especially when you compare it with other drones. You don’t even have to look far to see a quadcopter with a much better design, like the Walkera TALI quads. Although the X4 yields nearly no complaints performance-wise, the aesthetics could definitely use an improvement.
Lastly, the Walkera Scout X4 comes off as pricey, even if you reason that it’s from the prosumer niche. It’s more expensive despite being older than the DJI Phantom 2 Vision+. Sure, it has more features, but this drone would be a much better deal had it competed with other drones from the same tier level with the same price point.
Walkera Scout X4 Vs DJI Phantom 2
The closest competitor of the Scout X4 quadcopter is the Phantom 2 from DJI. As far as the specs and the performance go, it’s a fair match. But in the end, the result favors the Walkera drone.
Why? First of all, the Scout X4 packs more features than what the Phantom drones have. Although the Phantom’s form factor and weight are better, the performance-boosting additions of the X4 trump all of those. It’s also worth pointing out that this Walkera quadcopter is something you can fly straight out of the box, as opposed to the Phantom which requires an iOS/Android app to operate.
The Verdict
With the Walkera Scout X4, you get what you pay for. Yes, the drone is pricey, but its features are well-worth it. The extra technology you get for a few hundred dollars more makes it a good purchase. If you’re an experienced user who wants to tinker with drones and who enjoys high-end features, the X4 should be one of your top choices, if not the top choice.
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