Review of the Xiaomi Mi Drone quadrocopter.

Introduction

A completely new creation by Xiaomi Corporation. Xiaomi Mi Drone is a high-tech quadrocopter whose arsenal allows you to realize high-quality amateur photo and video content from the air without reference to the experience of UAV ownership. The first unofficial shipments of Mi Drone outside of China began in July 2016. Despite the initial "dampness" of the drone, which the developer refined from time to time, the model still received consumer acceptance and is in demand to this day.

Features

• Easy Operation
• 2212 800kv Brushless Motors
• 4K / 1080p WiFi FPV Camera
• 3-axis high-sensitivity gimbal
• Autonomous flight modes
• Max. flight time 27 minutes
• Max. flight range 1km / 2km (for version: 1080p / 4K)
• Positioning GPS / Glonass 2 × ultrasonic and optical sensors
• Monitoring the location of the drone in real time
• Monitoring zones No Fly
• Intelligent low battery detection
• 2.4GHz control
• Sound recording during flight
• Modular design
• Foldable landing legs
• Ready to fly out of the box

Options

The manufacturer offers two versions quadcopter - 1080P and 4K. These specifications say that in addition to the quality of the picture, the flight range will also be different. The "1080P" version will be able to move up to 1 km, the "4K" version up to 2 km.

The kit will include:

• Xiaomi Mi Drone
• Battery 4S 15.2V 5100mAh 77.52Wh LiPo (with charge indication)
• Control equipment with integrated smartphone holder
• 4K / 1080P Wi-Fi camera with 3-axis gimbal
• 4 × rotor
• 4 × spare rotor
• 4 × screw protection
• Charger
• 220V charger cable (requires an adapter for our sockets)
• MicroUSB cable (for connecting a smartphone and a transmitter)
• Tool Fasteners
• Instruction (Chinese)

Datasheet

Appearance

About the product

The Xiaomi Mi Drone is a high quality product, as indicated even by its packagingDrone is ready to fly out of the box without being tied to UAV experience. The main purpose of the drone is high-quality amateur photography and video filming. Despite the fact that Xiaomi has this first drone, it should be noted that "First Pancake" occupies a Premium niche in the price range "up to $ 500" and at least deserves the attention of the consumer.

Motors

The quadcopter is equipped with brushless motorsthe classic version

Camera

On board Xiaomi Mi Drone, two camera options can be suspended using a 3-axis mechanical gimbal: 1080P / 4K. Both received a 12MP sensor from Sony. Thanks to the built-in microprocessor inside the camera, which calculates online compensating movements depending on the flight modes of the quadcopter, the tandem copes with its work exponentially. The output is high-quality both photo and video material. The 1080p camera records video at a maximum resolution of 1920 × 1080p at 60 frames per second. The 4K camera records video in the resolution: 3840 × 2160p at 30 frames per second, or in quality: 1920 × 1080p at 60 frames per second. The camera broadcasts FPV over Wi-Fi in 720p quality at 5GHz.

To implement stabilized shooting from the ground, an additional accessory has become available adapted for Mi Drone cameras, a handheld gimbal - Xiaomi FIMI X1BH

Power supply

The Xiaomi Mi Drone quadcopter is equipped with a lithium-polymer battery with impressive characteristics 4S 15.2V 5100mAh 77.52Wh LiPo. Quad electronics online monitors the current battery charge and, based on the data received, calculates the optimal flight time, taking into account the return. Thanks to such intelligent control, the drone will promptly warn the pilot about a low battery, and if the warning is ignored, the drone will go into autonomous RTH mode and return to the take-off site with subsequent landing. In the test, the battery provided a flight time with a mixed flying style - 24 minutes ( with the declared 27 minutes). What is generally the norm for a UAV of this format.

Control

The set includes control equipment, classic for modern Smart drones. It is not overloaded with buttons, all designations are clear and did not raise questions about their purpose. Provides 2.4GHz radio control. The video stream is broadcast over Wi-Fi at a frequency of 5 GHz. Power is supplied from the built-in lithium-polymer battery 3.7V 5000mAh 18.5Wh. In practice, it provides reliable radio monitoring at a distance of more than 3 km.

The stock smartphone holder on the control equipment excludes the possibility of installing a tablet in it, which would be handy for a drone with an emphasis on aerial photography.

Piloting modes

1. Beginner mode - significantly limits the activity of the drone, in this mode the distance is equal to - 100 meters and the lifting height is limited to 50 meters.
2. Professional mode - reveals the maximum potential of the drone, the ceiling height increases to 500 meters (electronically limited), the distance of removal, depending on the configuration, is 1km / 2km (1080P / 4K).

Flight modes

The Xiaomi Mi Drone quadcopter currently has four autonomous flight modes:

1. Flight according to the planned route
2. Flight with the indication of the destination
3. Circling around the specified point
4. Autonomous RTH return (in case of loss of communication, insufficient battery charge and forced by the pilot)

If in return to home mode it becomes necessary to cancel its execution, move the switch on the control equipment from the “RTH” position to the “Drone” position and the quad will hover awaiting the next commands.

Monitoring "No Fly"

Xiaomi Mi Drone autonomously monitors the boundaries of zones "No fly". The drone freezes if it is in the border zone and informs the pilot about this on the display of the smartphone of the drone paired with the equipment. In practice, it was revealed that "No fly" zones can sometimes cover half of the city, and why only Xiaomi developers know why.

Test Drive

In the test, the quadrocopter has proved itself exclusively from the best side. The potential of the power plant is enough in abundance. In windy weather it hangs like "tethered". In management it is predictable, in general there is nothing to complain about. Perfectly fulfills auto takeoff and landing. The function of return to the take-off site (RTH - Return to Home) with automatic landing works flawlessly. Sits down almost instead of taking off. The return is triggered automatically in case of loss of communication, with a low battery charge, and at the request of the pilot, by pressing a button on the control equipment.

Preflight state

Preparing for the first flight:

1. After the batteries are charged and the drone is ready for flight, the user needs to download the “Mi Drone” mobile application, the interface of which will be in English. Works on IOS and Android.
2. The control gear is activated first, then the drone. The switching on process for both devices is realized by double pressing the power button, the first is short, the second is long. Each device switching on is accompanied by sound and light indication.
3. Place the smartphone in the control equipment holder. Launch the downloaded mobile application "Mi Drone" and follow the visual instructions. The application will tell you about two ways to pair the remote control with a smartphone: Using the supplied microUSB cable, or via Wi-Fi. Priority remains with the cable.
4. A simple pre-flight calibration process follows, accompanied by visual prompts from the mobile app. The process takes no more than 20 seconds.

Flight range

As noted above, in an interference-free zone, the maximum FPV flight range of Mi Drone 1080P is - 1 km, Mi Drone 4K - 2 km. In the test, the 1080P version was able to reach the maximum distance of 500 meters. Then there is a gradual slowdown of the FPV picture with the subsequent loss of the video signal. In this case, the radio control continues to function, and the further movement of the drone can be continued to track on the map (via the application). The FPV range of the 4K version is fully consistent with the data stated in the specification and even more. In practice, it provides an average distance of 3 km. Both versions showed the maximum ceiling in height - 500 meters.

Identified shortcomings

1. Periodically does not correctly align the camera to the horizon.
2. Zones "No fly" can sometimes cover half the city and to fly, you need to ride out of town.
3. The video stream from the 1080P Wi-Fi camera is transmitted within 500 meters. The control remains active, the drone obediently fulfills the commands from the equipment, but without FPV.
4. In point flight mode, there is no possibility to control the camera.

Price

Due to the start of sales of the long-awaited version with 4K cameraXiaomi FIMI X1BH

Output

Xiaomi Mi Drone 4K$500

7.9555555555556

Price

5/10

Camera

9/10

Functionality

8/10

Flight time

9/10

Flight performance

8/10

Compactness

6/10

Completion

10/10

Reliability

8/10

Price / quality

10/10

Pluses

• Quality of execution
• Dynamic / Controllability
• BK motors
• 4K camera 3-axis mechanical suspension
• Autonomous qualities
• Positioning accuracy
• Modularity of construction
• Portable properties (foldable legs)
• Inexpensive Xiaomi FIMI X1BH gimbal (for ground use of the drone camera) (purchased separately)
• Flies from boxes

Minuses

• Periodically incorrectly sets the camera to the horizon
• Does not recognize and does not fly obstacles
• The range of the 1080P version is far from the declared 1km
• In point flight mode, you cannot control the camera

Xiaomi Mi Drone Quadcopter After Elimination by Developer known to all shortcomings associated exclusively with the "dampness" of the product, got every chance of recognition. Most of the bugs identified by the first owners of Mi Drone were fixed by software almost immediately, through a software update. Today it is one of the best RTF

Photos

Photos for Xiaomi Mi Drone.

Video

Mi Drone 4K vs DJI Mavic Mini vs Hubsan Zino.

Comparative test for video quality of Mi Drone 4K vs DJI Mavic Mini.

Video with Xiaomi Mi Drone 4K quadrocopter.

Video with Xiaomi Mi Drone 1080P quadcopter.

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