Go Big with the Dromida XL UAV
The latest multi-rotor aircraft from Dromida is packed with features while staying light on price.
While there are certainly numerous varieties in size, type, and purpose for surface (on-road/off-road) radio-controlled vehicles, the variations in size for multi-rotor, quadcopter aircraft certainly takes the cake. If you’ve been in the market for one of these flying machines, you’ve no-doubt found some that fit in the palm of your hand and others that you might have a tough time wrapping your arms around. With all of these size variations come different applications. Some are meant for racing and entertainment, while others are focused on more utilitarian uses, such as photography and surveillance. If you’ve had an eye on quadcopters, but aren't sure which model would fit your needs, take a look at the new Dromida XL UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle).
Dromida already has a number of multi-rotor craft in their lineup, with both FPV (First Person View) and UAV-styles represented, and also has a knack for building budget-friendly, entry-level R/C machines. The XL UAV doesn’t deviate from this path either. As a RTF (ready-to-fly) package, everything that you’ll need to get up in the air is included in the box. On the exterior, the XL UAV features a number of bright, eye-catching color combinations that will not only make this craft easy to find in the sky, but it will also look great sitting in the hangar (or on your desk).
Sized at 370mm, this is a mid-range quadcopter, in terms of size. While slightly larger than most racing-focused FPV aircraft, it doesn’t appear to be too large or cumbersome to handle while up in the air. The overall shape of the craft is unique in that it utilizes a traditional “X-shape” for the base airframe design, but also features two parallel bars connecting the left/right rotor arms. This isn't the first Dromida quadcopter to feature this design, which should aide in the overall durability of the craft and also gives it a distinct body shape if you need to track it down in a crowd.
The airframe itself is constructed of plastic, making it durable enough to withstand “unintended landings”. This material choice also helps in keeping the overall weight of the quadcopter to a minimum (15.9oz) and allows it to be nimble, even with the slightly-larger size. The supplied 2S LiPo battery should let you fly for 10-12 minutes on a single charge, which isn’t bad for an entry-level aircraft.
The XL UAV is controlled by a MR101 2.4GHz transmitter/radio system. The remote features both sound and light cues to indicate settings and setup progress. There are also an array of buttons that can handle photo and video tasks (if you add a camera) and an “auto-flip” button that will provide instant aerobatic feats at a moment's notice. A mounting bracket is also included on the remote/transmitter for use with a FPV video monitor.
The price of this quadcopter is as attractive as the aircraft itself. For $159.99, you can get your hands on a capable multi-rotor/drone that will let you test out your flight skills and help you progress into higher-end models. Additional details on the Dromida XL UAV can be found at dromida.com.
Image credit: Dromida
