Introduction
In early 2016, Yuneec International introduced another new product that immediately attracted all UAV enthusiasts. The Yuneec Typhoon Q500 4k UHD is an accurate modular video capture system with a professional camera on board. The drone can shoot 4K video at a speed of 30 frames per second or Full HD (1080p) at a rate of 120 frames per second. In addition, the 12-megapixel camera takes high-quality pictures. The copter equipped with a three-axis gimbal, which helps to stabilize the image of the video that captured during the flight. The camera can also be used separately from the Typhoon Q500 4K (manual Steadicam included).
Design
The Yuneec Typhoon Q500 4k UHD is an attractive quadcopter with a bit of design ability for the swept-back body and curvey surfaces. The shiny silver and white plastic skin of the body manufactures it looks more like an oversize toy. The Q500 is a quadcopter, so four propeller blades fixed to four motors on any corner of the device, with 2 rotating clockwise and 2 rotating anticlockwise. It moves by extending the speed of these motors; there are no ailerons, flaps, or other flight surfaces. Beneath the main body of the quadcopter is the CGO3 camera, a small, baseball-size region that looks like an oversize webcam. There’s a microSD slot for storing footage (a 16GB card included) and a power cable that connects to the quadcopter body.
The camera stabilized by several rubber joints and a group of small motors that shift the camera slightly to sudden out vibrations from the body. This climb can also pitch the camera from pointing straight forwards to 90 degrees down, or rotate the camera right and left to a similar angle. When flying the drone manually, you only gain access to the pitch control. The drone’s top half is dominated by its four rotors, while the 4K gimbal-mounted camera sits directly underneath. Batteries loaded into a compartment on the rear of the unit, and two helicopter-style skids stand out from the bottom, complete with soft foam pads to ensure a cozy landing. There are five lights on the Yuneecc Typhoon Q500 – one on the underside of any rotor, with a fifth light on the back.
Features
The drone’s built-in GPS can hover on the spot for prolonged periods without drifting, while the autonomous modes – such as ‘Watch Me’ and ‘Follow Me’ – are easy to activate and take some of the efforts out of flying. The drone automatically tracks the location of the ST10+, while Watch Me attaches the drone’s camera on the pilot, irrespective of where it’s in flight. Both modes performed impressively, but it’s worth noting that unlike more expensive drones, the Q500 4K lacks advanced collision-avoidance systems. It keeps a secure distance between itself and the person controlling it but will contentedly smash into other nearby objects if you’re not aware of those controls.
Camera
The Yuneec Typhoon Q500 4k UHD can manage ultra-high-definition videos at 30 frames per second, but if you’re willing to grab a drop in the quality, you can record 1080p at 60fps and capture slow-motion footage at a massive 120fps. It was extremely noticeable when shooting 4K video, or images it captured. Audio captured with the video, but the engine noise overwhelms anything, so you’re better off replacing it with an excellent soundtrack. The footage captured as MP4 files, which means that it can edit in most video editing programs and quickly shared online.
Flight Modes
The Q500 is too easy to operate; it responded quite quickly to the control sticks. One nice touch is the speed rate control dial (on the right side of the remote), set to rabbit or tortoise. In the tortoise setting, the speed and agility of the quadcopter are restricted, making it easier for new or nervous fliers. In the rabbit setting, the Q500 becomes a very agile quadcopter capable of some high speed and maneuverability.
Battery
The Yuneec Typhoon Q500 4k UHD comes with two 5400mAh batteries, all of which give around 20 to 25 minutes of flight time, hanging on what activities you’re engaged in – using the autonomous modes will drain the battery quicker than merely controlling it manually. The battery has to physically removed from the back of the drone to charge it. You’re getting as much as 50 min of flight time when you venture out into the field.
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