We recently received this little foldable drone to test. Built to be easy to fly by even the newest of newbies, this Deerc D10 Foldable Drone is intended for anyone over the age of 14. Although, I believe that with its simple controls and features such as one key start/landing, altitude hold, headless mode, and speed adjustment, pre-teens could successfully fly this drone.
Having a drone that is so compact is convenient and the carry bag that DEERC has included is a huge bonus, As soon as we uploaded the app to our phone it was clear that they had taken previous user suggestions to heart. And, tried to provide users with a great experience. The first thing I checked out was the video tutorial and found it very informative. If you don’t have a smartphone, you can always have some fun using the included controller.
This drone comes with a camera integrated into the body. With just 720 pixels it doesn’t provide the sharp images that we get with our higher resolution drone cameras. However, at this price point, we believe that it meets the needs and expectations of most flyers.
The D20 is very lightweight and so is the controller. Without any substantial weight, this drone is not designed to be flown on windy days or taken up to higher altitudes where there can be strong winds. If you do it could easily be blown off course so keep a close eye on it. Coming in around 6 inches by 7 inches this little guy can easily fit into almost any pocket and go where ever the mood takes you. For such a small drone it sure is a scrappy little guy. With this drone, you can take the fun with you!
Specification
Video/Photo Resolution HD 1280*720P
Folding Size 180*142*65mm
Unfolding Size 340*340*65mm
Flight Time 12-15mins/per battery
Control Distance 100meter
Package Contents
1x D10 Drone
1x Transmitter
2x 3.7V Drone Battery
1x USB Charging Cable
4x Spare Propellers
4x Propeller Guards
1x Manual
1x Screwdriver
1x carrying bag
Foldable Drone Description:
User-Friendly: D10 is extremely user-friendly that comes with one key start/landing, Altitude Hold, Headless Mode, Speed Adjustment functions, adapts to all experience levels even for kids and beginners; 3D Flips function makes flight attractive even for the drone newbies.
Farther and Clearer: This drone provides smooth FPV transmission within a range of up to 80m. You can capture and record 720P HD aerial footage, and share it instantly on Social Media through the DEERC app.
Considerate Design: D10 drone can be folded up into a compact and portable shape, fit easily into a backpack, perfect to take it traveling. Comes with 2 modular batteries that support up to 24 to 30 minutes of play. 4 Propeller Guards that fully protect the propellers and improves flight safety.
Advance Features: Waypoints flying is the newest technology that by drawing a flight course on your smartphone, the drone will fly accordingly; Show your palm or V sign to the front camera, D10 will automatically take a photo or video.
Intelligent Control: You can control the drone through the built-in G-sensor, adjusting the vertical and horizontal of on smartphone without a remote controller; Or control your drone with simple voice commands like“take off”, “landing”, “left”, “right”, “forward”, “backward”.
We really loved the ease of flying this drone. It performed the way we expected it to.
Looking for a mini folding drone? Check out the DEERC D20. This foldable mini drone is a handful!
We also recently received this little mini drone to test. It is built to be fast and agile, this Deerc D20 Foldable Mini Drone is intended for anyone over the age of 14. The D20 is very lightweight and so is the controller. Without any substantial weight, this drone is not designed to be flown on windy days or taken up to higher altitudes where there can be strong winds. If you do it could easily be blown off course so keep a close eye on it. We had quite a bit of trouble flying this drone in our tree-filled yard. It definitely needs lots of open space.
While having a drone that is so compact is a bonus, the app needs some major improvements. You can always have some fun using the included controller so there is no need to leave the entertainment at home. Coming in around 7 inches by 5 inches this little guy can easily fit into almost any pocket and go where ever the mood takes you. For such a small drone it sure is a scrappy little guy. With this drone, you can take some fun with you!
Specification
Weight: 69g/2.4oz
Flight Time: 10 minutes /per battery
Dimension: 196*162*43mm
Charging Time: 80 minutes
Transmission Distance: 131ft / 40m
Photo/Video Resolution: HD1280 x 720P
Package Contents
1 x D20 RC Drone
1 x Transmitter
2 x 3.7V 500mAh Batteries
1 x USB Charging Cable
4 x Extra Propellers
4 x Propeller Guards
1x Manual
1x Screwdriver
Description:
HD Pictures and Live Videos: D20 equipped with a 720P HD Wi-Fi camera to take better aerial photos and videos; with FPV transmission, you can see the sky from a live video feed through the smartphone app.
Best Drone Toy for Kids: D20 is magically simple, just tap the One Key Start/Landing button to start; Altitude Hold can maintain the drone at a certain height, which makes it so easy to control and take high-quality footage.
Powerful and Safe: Features with low power alarm, Emergency stop, and 4 propeller guards to ensure a safe flight, 2 rechargeable and powerful batteries, that support up to 20 minutes flight time, charge safer.
3D Flips and Waypoints: Pushing the control sticks inwards to perform an impressive flip; Drawing a flight course on your smartphone, the drone will go accordingly, add funs to your flight.
Voice Control and Gesture Selfie: Allow to control the drone with simple voice comments like “ Take off” “ landing”; Post a V sign or palm in front of the camera, the drone can automatically take photos or video, good for selfie.
We really wanted to love this drone but it just did not perform the way we wanted it to. That being said, if you have a place like a large open field or gymnasium to fly, this is an acceptable starter drone.
Looking for a larger folding drone? Check out the DEERC D10. This foldable drone is a newbie’s dream!
We’ve put together some of the biggest mistakes we see dronepilots making. Whether you’re an experienced pilot or just a beginner, we all make mistakes. We hope that you can learn from these tips and not make these mistakes yourself!
1. Not knowing your drone and controller.
You are now the proud new owner of a drone! After anxiously waiting to open your new aircraft, you tear the drone out of the box, put in the batteries, and rush outside to take to the skies. Of course, you gather up your friends and neighbors to witness your great first flight. Everyone is impressed with your mad skills. That is when in a split second, it all goes wrong. To prevent major failure and loss of your done, before taking to the skies you need to understand all the functions of the controller, know what each button does, how to setup all the features, and have a basic understanding of how a drone flies.
2. Not knowing how sensors work.
Drones have many types of sensors to provide you with the best user experience. From Multispectral, Lidar, Photogrammetry and Thermal sensors that are used to provide 3D models of buildings and landscape to ToF depth ranging camera sensors that can be used for object scanning, indoor navigation, obstacle avoidance, gesture recognition, tracking objects, measuring volumes, reactive altimeters, 3D photography, augmented reality games and much more.
In addition, many drones are now equipped with collision avoidance systems. These drone vision systems use obstacle detection sensors to scan the surroundings while software algorithms and SLAM technology to produce the images into 3D maps allowing the flight controller to sense and avoid the object. However, it is unlikely that they will detect small thin objects like power lines in time to avoid a crash.
3. Flying in restricted areas.
As a new drone pilot, in addition to learning how your drone operates, you should educate yourself on the airspace regulations of your country, and the general rules of safe flying. Restricted areas are typically located around airports, military installations, or other areas where flight could be hazardous. Temporary Flight Restrictions ( TFRs ) define a certain area of airspace where air travel is limited because of a temporary hazardous condition, such as a wildfire or chemical spill; a security-related event. The TFR website can help narrow down the relevant active TFRs in a specific area.
Without a camera, if your drone is less than the limit of 0.5lb, you shouldn’t need to register it. However, if your drone has a camera, you may need to get it registered with the FAA regardless of weight. Technically, you don’t have to register your drone if you are flying under the Special Rule for Model Aircraft, but it’s not always possible to fit the criteria of that rule, and it’s better to be safe than sorry. To register your drone, you will need to go to registermyuas.faa.gov. Don’t worry, it’s an inexpensive and easy process.
4. Not taking gimbal bracket/covers and sensor stickers off.
If your drone has any “remove before flight” stickers and/or foam or a plastic clamp that holds the gimbal in place be sure to remove them. Not doing so can cause your motors to overheat and irreparable damage may occur.
5. Not updating firmware
Why you should upgrade to the latest firmware.Firmware is essentially the software that operates a particular device. Nearly every device you use has a firmware, from calculators to modems, to smartphones and most other devices we’d consider ‘smart’. So, it’s no surprise then that drones have relatively complex firmware, which controls how all the various electronics within the UAV and the controller interact. If you want to keep your drone running to the best of its abilities, update the firmware!
6. Flying without a spotter.
Flying is not without risks. After all, think about it, you have a package of sensitive electronics zipping around at a range of speeds and altitudes. One mistake can easily spell disaster for what are usually expensive hardware investments. Sometimes, things just go bad. Currently, FPV technology inherently sacrifices peripheral vision. Because of the shaky beginning every novice pilot encounters, there will be the inevitable crashes that come with learning. Having another person maintaining a line of sight can be invaluable when this happens. Also, having a buddy out there with you sharing in the experience can make for a richer experience.
7. Not understanding the weather.
As a drone pilot, you should have a high-level understanding of important weather factors and how it will affect your drone. Both hot and cold environments will cause adverse reactions for various components in your drone, resulting in reduced flight performance.
Obviously, drones don’t hold up well in rain, sleet, or snow. If you’re out in the field and it’s raining even slightly, don’t fly — it’s not worth the risk. Fog may not get the same attention precipitation does, but it doesn’t mean it’s any less crucial to consider. Drones don’t handle any sort of moisture well, regardless of the form it comes in.
Higher wind speeds make it more difficult for your aircraft to hold its positioning, which will result in shorter flight times, less accurate position holds, and more difficult maneuvering. The key here is to not fly in conditions where gusts may exceed your drone’s top speed, not just the average wind speed. Terrian can affect wind speed. Going over a gorge, around a building, or other objects can cause a sudden gust of wind.
8. Not calibrating the Gyro, IMU, Compass, GPS, etc.
It would be nice if these calibrations could be set once, but things like differing magnetic pulls, a hard landing, and other factors skew the drone’s sensors, in particular, the accelerometer and magnetometer. The accelerometer is responsible for keeping the drone stable and balanced as it flies, detecting changes in rotational attributes like pitch, roll, and yaw. The magnetometer is the compass that guides the drone between cardinal directions as it flies over a field, mostly to assist against orientation drift.
A very important, but often overlooked, step in flying a drone is to calibrate the drone’s compass each time that you fly. This is especially important if you bring the drone to a new location to fly. To be safe and prevent a fly-away, complete the calibration process every time you put the machine in the air. GPS is what keeps the drone in place and from drifting. If your drone has it, keep it turned on!
9. Flying indoors for the first flight.
Flying your drone indoors presents a unique set of risks and challenges, such as flying into people, furniture, ceilings, and floors. If you have pets, you have to be concerned with their curiosity with the flying chew toy. You can easily damage something or someone. In order to avoid breaking something expensive or giving someone a haircut, you’ll want to make sure you know what you’re doing before attempting this advanced flight.
10. Not getting GPS lock on before flying.
GPS is used to help the drone determine its position and yours and is what makes it possible for the drone to stop and hover in place. There are always far more than 6 GPS and Glonass satellites visible at any given time. Barriers, such as structures, terrain and even weather (clouds, precipitation) can cause the signal to be unusable. Generally, if you have 6 or more locked before takeoff, you should have at least that while flying, unless you fly near buildings, into a tunnel, etc. If your drone includes GPS stabilization, return-to-home functionality, and other automated flight modes getting a GPS lock before each flight can make a difference in getting your drone safely on the ground or lost to you forever. For solar weather, you can check http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/.
11. Flying too far away.
Drone technology has grown by leaps and bounds over the last few years, and consumer drones have better range than ever before. But the maximum range is only achieved if there is nothing in between you and the quadcopter – if you’re in an open field and fly straight out, or if you fly high and straight out so that there’s a straight line between you and the drone. Some drones have ranges of around 2 to 3 miles – the drone can maintain a radio link to the pilot and a video link, too. Most FPV systems work on the 5.8 gHz spectrum, which has even less range than 2.4 gHz commonly used in radios. Understanding the range of your particular drone model allows you to properly operate this machine, so as to not attempt to fly out of range and damage it.
12. Overcharging and Draining the battery.
Never overcharge a LiPo battery, they do not have a safe saturation point like car batteries where they will no longer accept a charge. If you overcharge a LiPo battery, it can eventually explode. You should also never “trickle” charge a LiPo battery (use a charger designed for LiPo batteries). Also, you also should not discharge a LiPo battery below 3.0v per cell to maintain a healthy battery. It is best practice to always leave 20% of rated capacity in the pack at the end of a flight, with 10% as an absolute minimum.
Safety Tip: Always use a fireproof container such as a LiPo safety bag, metal ammo box, or fireproof safe for storage. Remember to never leave your LiPo batteries sitting around on a full charge for more than 2-3 days. If by the 3rd day you realize you are not going to use your battery today, you need to discharge your battery for safe storage until you are ready to use the battery again. If you’ve ever purchased a new battery and checked the voltage, you should have discovered that it was at approximately 40% of capacity. Over the years, manufacturers have to come to the conclusion that this is the best condition for cell storage over long periods.
13. Flying Into trees and other obstacles.
If you fly these fun machines, it’s only a matter of time – usually a very short duration – until you get one stuck up in a tree. Given murphy’s law and your luck, it will naturally be quite high up. Getting your new drone stuck in a tree can be extremely frustrating. Not only does it force you to hang up the controller, but it also leaves you feeling dejected until you get it down or get a new one. If possible, fly in a large open field away from trees and other obstacles.
It might happen the first time you fly it outside due to inexperience, or it might happen way on down the line due to overconfidence. Or it might happen just by sheer bad luck. Even experienced pilots can run afoul of the giant oak tree and need to call the local power company to save Christmas and their grandchildren’s present. Yep, that’s Santa’s helpers getting a Bugs 2 down. Grandpa was testing it out before putting it under the Christmas tree.
Buckle up when you give this quadcopter drone away; you’ll wish you kept one for yourself!
Bugs 2 Product description:
FULLY LOADED FPV DRONE KIT W/ CAMERA + SMARTPHONE HOLDER: Go farther faster with the MJX Bugs 2 Wi-Fi drone that features built-in GPS and a 1080p camera that puts you right in the cockpit with more FPV drone control than ever before!
ALTITUDE HOLD, 1-KEY TAKEOFF/LANDING + INTELLIGENT ORIENTATION CONTROL (IOC): Take control quickly and easily with 1-key takeoff and landings, altitude hold for easy hover and IOC (aka “headless mode”) for more stable flight.
ADVANCED BRUSHLESS MOTOR TECHNOLOGY: Get more efficiency, durability, and power with the latest in brushless quadcopter design.
HIGH-SPEED FPV DRONE ACTION RIGHT OUT OF THE BOX: Connect the Bugs 2 Wi-Fi quadcopter to your mobile device via the drone app (see user manual for QR code), attach it using the included smartphone mount and enjoy real-time image transmission from your new eye in the sky.
3 RETURN-HOME (RTH) FUNCTIONS: Watch in wonder as your Bug returns on its own at the touch of a button, or if it loses a signal or gets low on power.
NIGHT FLIGHT LED LIGHTS: Your Bug isn’t scared of the dark! Fly it at night and enjoy the show.
Your remote control’s LCD screen tracks all these events and more, and provides a strong signal via a two-way 2.4Ghz connection. BONUS: And, with the extra battery, you can fly your new Bugs 2 drone for twice as long!
Lately, we have been testing a new drone that we recently received from USA Toyz. We have ordered from USA Toyz in the past and have had many positive experiences, including this one, with them. This time we ordered the MJX B2W Bugs 2, which offers WiFi capability and so much more.
The first and most important feature, in our opinion, is the GPS that is incorporated into the drone. All I can say is WOW! All the other drones we fly, including the two that flew away, unfortunately, do not have GPS technology. Which could have saved us from experiencing the disappointment of the flyaways. Plus, the emotional trauma of losing two expensive drones that came along with the losses. This drone is equipped with 3 (RTH) return to home features, smart, failsafe, and low-battery.
Smart RTH: When pressing the RTH button located on the transmitter, the drone returns to your last recorded home point GPS position. In this mode of RTH, you have the ability to guide the drone around obstacles. Failsafe RTH: Automatically engages when the drone loses transmitter signal for more than six seconds returning the drone to the last recorded home point. Low-Battery RTH: Your drone will automatically return if a low battery is detected when the drone is flying at an altitude of 100+ meters or is 300 or more meters away from the home point. Considering our past loss, we have tested all three RTH modes and are happy to report they all functioned flawlessly. Now we can fly high and fast without the anxiety of fly aways. Another feature that I must mention is that while hovering the GPS will hold the drone in a stationary position for sweet video and photography Personally this gives me time to identify possible obstacles and reorientate myself with my surroundings.
Next, we would like to brag about the new transmitter design. The MJX Bugs 2 comes with a very competent and easy to use controller. We both love when simplicity and technology are coupled together, no extra unneeded distractions. On the transmitter you will find (on the left) a red lock and unlock button, the one key take off and land button, and a GPS/gesture button; the power switch is located in the center, and (on the top right) the camera button is situated just below the RTH button, and at the bottom you’ll find the headless mode button. The camera button does two functions. By pressing the camera button a short time you enter photo mode and a long press of the button enters video mode. The default left joystick is throttle and left/right rotation. The default right joystick is your directional control and moves the drone forward, backward, leftward, and rightward.
Another part of this transmitter is the built-in LCD screen. This screen displays the transmitter battery level, camera mode (photo or video), headless mode status, drone battery level. Marc really likes this feature as none of the other drones in our hangar offer this sweet luxury. He especially appreciates knowing the drone battery level since he can adjust his flight path and maximize battery life by returning home without completely discharging the battery. Also located on the screen is the word “Model” and then a number. This indicates the transmitter throttle mode that you have selected to use. A few more features indicated on the LCD screen are GPS or Gesture mode. When in GPS mode a satellite image appears with the number of satellites being utilized for navigation. Remember to fly in GPS only when connected to a minimum of seven satellites. Next to the number of satellites are a series of vertical bars that indicate the signal strength. Finally at the bottom of the LCD screen is your real-time altitude and distance from the home point. Indicated by large H followed by three digits and a large D followed by three digits.
In summation, this drone is designed and built to perfection. The Bugs 2 is hands down the fastest and best-equipped drone in our fleet. The brushless motors are strong and fast, coupled with a transmitter that functioned flawlessly. The only downside is the five hour charge time but Force1 foresaw the desire to stay in the air and included a second battery. Now I get to fly twice as long before being grounded. We are looking with great anticipation to many hours of flying this beautiful, fun drone!
Check out more drones for kids, beginners, and pros that we’ve reviewed HERE.
Watch Live Video While You’re Doing Amazing Things with the Thunderbolt WiFi FPV Drone
Nothing lights up the sky quite like a Thunderbolt! Quicker than a flash of lightning, the new Thunderbolt WiFi FPV Drone is a force to be reckoned with. With all of the latest features and upgrades, the possibilities are endless with this camera drone.
TAKE AMAZING PICS & WATCH LIVE VIDEO with THE THUNDERBOLT WIFI FPV DRONE with CAMERA: Capture intense HD pics and video from an incredible aerial perspective. WiFi transmission allows you to instantly sync your flight to your phone and watch in real time.
THE ULTIMATE BEGINNER DRONE with APP CONTROL, HEADLESS MODE & FLIGHT PLAN: This camera drone is super easy to control with just the tilt of your phone. Headless mode means you’ll never have to adjust the position of the drone and flight plan makes it simple to map out and execute your desired flight path.
ENJOY PRECISION & STABILITY with ALTITUDE HOLD: Enter hover mode to help steady your flight and stabilize aerial photos and video.
ULTRA BRIGHT, FLASHING LED LIGHTS LET YOU FLY EVEN AT NIGHT: This LED drone can be flown any time of day. Bright LED lights make it easy to spot even in a night sky
PERFORM COOL, 360º FLIPS & STUNTS: Impress your friends and family with this powerful, stunt drone. With just the push of a button, swoop through the sky while doing awesome tricks.
Thunderbolt WiFi FPV Drone Box Contents:
Drone, 2 Complete Sets of Propellers, Propeller Guards, Cell Phone Mount, Controller, Screw Driver, SD Card Adapter, Charging Cable, Three Batteries, and Camera
This Little Guy Caught My Eye!
My review of this WiFi FPV Drone:
Being avid hobbyist flyers, we have a half dozen or so drones in our closet at all times. Often when a new drone arrives it is quickly claimed by my hubby or one of the many children and grandchildren that we have as theirs. This time was different as I laid claim to this one. It will be my personal drone. The one that grandma flies. Now, that I had staked my claim it was time to learn all I could about what this power-packed Thunderbolt could do and master the controls. To get started, we plugged the batteries in to charge while we read the manual…
While I read Marcus unboxed the Force1 X5UW Thunderbolt Drone that we received from USA Toyz. He had to investigate! This little beauty has a very attractive gold colored body accented by black propellers, propeller guards, and landing gear creating an aesthetically pleasing airship. The next feature that caught his eye was the sleek gold colored WiFi camera that was mounted on its underbelly. This compact unit operates in 720p HD giving a clear, vivid image when watching in real-time and on playback. This fast little drone is a lot of fun to fly and gets even faster with the ability to remove the camera.
A couple of other features we both really like are the quick clip removable propeller guards and the positioning of the drone power switch, located on the top of the drone body. So, after charging the not one, not two, but three enclosed 3.7v 500 mAh Lipo batteries it was time to frequency pair the drone and transmitter. This process was extremely easy following the simple steps I found in the user manual. For safety purposes, we decided that Marcus should be the first to pilot this drone.
Placing the drone on a level surface and powering on first the transmitter and then the drone, it was time to kiss the sky. Yes, with level surfaces few and far between around our home that’s the Helo Pad that Marcus built especially for drone takeoffs and landings that you see in the pictures. With the motors fired up, Marcus pressed the Take-Off/Landing button and up, up, and away the Thunderbolt went. We found that the altitude hold feature works great for flying and camera operation. After testing the low-speed/high-speed option, by pressing down the right stick it occurred to me, this drone is as quick as it looks! I must mention that we like the included smartphone holder as well as the grips located on the transmitter control stick ends which minimize slippage. We are really enjoying flying this well designed and constructed drone. At this point, Marcus must regretfully surrender the golden drone to its rightful owner and pilot. He is being dedroned by his girl.
Check out more drones for kids, beginners, and pros that we’ve reviewed HERE.
