Xiro Xplorer quadcopter review.

Introduction

Zero UAV Intelligence Technology Co. Ltd is one of the most famous UAV companies in the world and not only. Founded in 2007 in Beijing. The company is engaged in the design and development of highly intelligent unmanned systems for professional use, as well as small UAVs for private use. Zero UAV serves government and military departments as well as research institutes in China. A great many people use their developments. For example, what is the flight controller GEMINI developed within the walls of the company, the potential of which has been appreciated by millions of customers around the world. In 2015, the company decided to please the private consumer and presented a unique drone - XIRO XPLORER.

The XIRO XPLORER drone design has won the Design Award

Features

  • Impact-resistant modular design
  • Variable ground clearance thanks to adjustable mounting feet
  • Brushless propulsion system
  • Satellite positioning GPS
  • 14MP FHD camera built on 1 / 2.3-inch Panasonic CMOS sensor working in tandem with 3-axis mechanical gimbal (for version V)
  • 3-axis mechanical gimbal adapted for installation of 3rd and 4th generation GoPro cameras (for version G)
  • 12MP 4K camera built on a 1 / 2.3-inch Panasonic CMOS sensor working in tandem with a 3-axis mechanical gimbal (only for 4K version)
  • 3-activity modes
  • IOS mode (advanced analogue of “Headless” mode)
  • Auto takeoff and landing
  • Hold position
  • First Person Flight (FPV)
  • Follow Me / Follow Snap
  • Retention rate
  • Point-fly mode (up to 16 Preset Points)
  • Return to Home (RTH) Mode
  • Max. flight time 25 min
  • Max.lifting height 120m
  • Max. removal distance 800m
  • Max.horizontal flight speed 28 km / h
  • Ready to fly out of the box

Options

The manufacturer offers 3 configuration options:

XIRO EXPLORER

  1. Drone
  2. Control equipment (with built-in lithium-ion battery)
  3. Battery for 3S drone 11.1V 5200mAh LiPo
  4. Charging dock (for charging the battery of the drone and remote control)
  5. Power cable for the docking station 220V
  6. 3 × AC adapter options
  7. USB cable (for recharging the remote from the docking station)
  8. 4 × rotor 9450 (2CW / 2CCW)
  9. 4 × spare rotor 9450 (2CW / 2CCW)
  10. Branded belt for holding the control equipment
  11. Instruction (in the form of an illustrated insert in Russian)

XIRO EXPLORER V

  1. Drone
  2. Control equipment (with built-in lithium-ion battery)
  3. 14MP FHD camera in 3-axis mechanical gimbal
  4. Range extender
  5. Drone battery 3S 11.1V 5200mAh LiPo
  6. Docking station for aircraft battery and remote controller
  7. Docking station power cable 220V
  8. 3 × plug adapter options
  9. USB cable (for recharging the remote from the docking station)
  10. 4 × rotor 9445 (2CW / 2CCW)
  11. 4 × spare rotor 9445 (2CW / 2CCW)
  12. Brand belt for holding control equipment
  13. Instruction (in the form of an illustrated insert in Russian)

XIRO EXPLORER G

  1. Drone
  2. Control equipment (with built-in lithium-ion battery)
  3. 3-axis mechanical gimbal adapted for 3rd and 4th generation GoPro cameras (camera in not included)
  4. 4 × spare damping pads
  5. Range extender
  6. Drone battery 3S 11.1V 5200mAh LiPo
  7. Drone battery charging dock and remote control
  8. Docking station power cable 220V
  9. 3 × power adapter options
  10. USB cable (for recharging the remote control from the docking station)
  11. 4 × main rotor 9450
  12. 4 × spare rotor 9450
  13. Brand belt for holding control equipment
  14. Instruction (in the form of an illustrated insert in Russian)

XIRO EXPLORER 4K

  1. Drone
  2. Control equipment (with built-in lithium ion battery)
  3. 12MP 4K camera in 3-axis mechanical gimbal
  4. Range extender
  5. Battery for 3S drone 11.1V 5200mAh LiPo
  6. Docking station for battery charging drone and remote control
  7. Docking station power cable 220V
  8. 3 × power adapter options
  9. USB cable (for recharging the remote control from the docking station)
  10. 4 × main rotor 9445 (2CW / 2CCW)
  11. 4 × spare rotor 9445 (2CW / 2CCW)
  12. Branded belt for holding the control equipment
  13. Instruction on quick launch in Russian

For the information of future users, we note that the developer allowed the possibility of an upgrade for the standard version of the drone to the version "V and G", by means of a separate retrofit kits sold. Upgrade to 4K version is excluded.

Full camera control is provided through the free XIRO mobile app. ​​

Accessories

In addition to the fact that the manufacturer is always ready to offer the consumer any spare parts for the drone, you can also purchase additional accessories:

  • Main rotor guards
  • Li-polymer battery for drone
  • Gimbal Handheld for ground shooting
  • Backpack drone and accessories)

Specification

Drone

) Satellite Positioning:
GPS
Radio Frequency:
2.4 GHz
FPV:
at 5.8GHz over Wi-Fi
FPV image output source:
any gadget on IOS / Android via mobile application XIRO
Max. smartphone size:
5.5 inches
Maximum remote distance:
800m
Power supply:
3S 11.1V 5200mAh LiPo
Charging time:
≈ 2h
Max. flight time:
25 min
Max. horizontal speed flight:
28km / h
Follow me mode:
yes
IOS Mode:
Yes
Hold Position:
Yes
Damping:
6-axis gyroscope
Motors:
brushless type
Return to Home Mode:
Yes
Distance Control:
Yes
Aircraft lighting:
LED
Aircraft weight (versions: Explorer / V / G):
1 / 1.3 / 1.24 kg
Flight environment:
Outdoor

Camera

FHD

Sensor:
1 / 2.3 CMOS Panasonic
Eff. Pixels:
14Million
Video Resolution:
FHD: 1920 × 1080 @ 30fps / sec HD: 1280 × 720 @ 60 fps
Photo resolution:
4384 × 3288
Media type:
8GB microSD card (included)
Video format:
mov H.264

4K

Matrix:
1 / 2.3 CMOS Panasonic
Eff. Pixels:
12M
FOV:
84 °
Aperture:
f / 2.8
Video:
4K: 3840 × 2160 @ 24/30 fps FHD: 1920 × 1080 @ 30/60/120 fps / s HD: 1280 × 720 @ 60 fps
Photo resolution:
4384 × 3288
Photo Modes:
Single / Burst
Movie Modes:
Time Capture/ Slow Motion
Media Type:
8GB microSD card (included)
Video format:
mov H.264

Appearance

[36 9]

  • The Xiro Xplorer's workmanship is at a high level, and its flight characteristics will surprise you from the first take off. The developers did their best, the drone was subjected to repeated tests in terms of such parameters as fault tolerance and reliability.
  • The period of adaptation and training is minimal, everything is reduced to the fact that the consumer does not waste time learning buttons and practicing control skills. Functions such as position hold, automatic take-off and landing, automatic flight along a given route, auto return home with subsequent landing, make the quad easy to operate for a consumer of any level.

Motors

Xiro Xplorer is equipped with brushless motors

Camera

Depending on the configuration, the Xiro Xplorer can be equipped with a 14MP FHD camera (for the V version) and 12MP 4K camera (4K version only). Both models are built on a 1 / 2.3-inch Panasonic CMOS matrix. The cameras are mounted in a 3-axis mechanical gimbal, which works perfectly for this manufacturer. In windy weather, regardless of whether the drone is flying or slowing down, the output picture always turns out to be of indicative quality. You can activate the camera in two ways, through the application, or by pressing the "Record" button on the camera itself. The set comes with a light filter by default, it will allow you to take pictures even in conditions of excessive illumination.

FPV

The video stream is transmitted in real time via Wi-Fi at a frequency of 5.8 GHz. The transmitted picture is displayed on the display of the paired smartphone. According to specification max. FPV removal distance is 800m.

Using the mobile application, the pilot will be able to set the route, altitude and flight speed, as well as configure the camera (interface in Russian).

Range Expander

In addition, the set includes a Range Expander, installed in the lower part of the control equipment. Allows you to expand both the options for customizing the control of the drone and the distance of removal.

Automatic shooting modes

3 modes available to the user:

  1. Follow me - Provides the classic pursuit of control equipment. Thanks to the high-precision electronic stuffing, the mode works perfectly.
  2. Follow Snap - allows you to direct the attention of the drone to any object at the request of the user and shoot excellent photo and video material with his participation in automatic mode.
  3. Retention rate - (holding the course) ensures that the drone is kept in flight in almost any position. The mode will significantly expand the number of new angles when shooting from the air.

Automatic flight modes

Two automatic flight modes are available to the user:

  1. Waypoints - through a mobile application, it allows you to schedule an automatic flight to preset points (max. 16 points), after which the drone will follow them and take beautiful shots.
  2. Return to Home (RTH) - provides automatic return of the drone to the take-off site when the battery charge is low, or forcibly by the pilot when pressing a button on the control equipment.

IOC mode

IOC (intelligent orientation control) - an advanced analogue of the “Headless” mode, disables the orientation of the drone in space, which allows you to quickly adapt to the control of the drone. Relevant for novice pilots.

Battery

The Xiro Xplorer is powered by an intelligent 5200mAh Li-Polymer 3-cell (3S 11.1V) battery. According to the specification, it provides a maximum flight time of 25 minutes. Such a battery is charged within 2 hours from the supplied docking station.

The aircraft electronics monitors the current battery charge in real time and informs the pilot about the need to return in time. If the warning is ignored, the system will automatically switch to the return mode, return the drone to the take-off site and make a soft landing.

Control

Xiro Explorer is equipped with classic control equipment operating in the 2.4 GHz frequency range. The manufacturer did everything to make the process of controlling the drone using this equipment simple and intuitive. Provides removal distance up to 800 meters. Power is supplied from a built-in lithium-ion battery. Charges from the included docking station.

The remote control will vibrate if the aircraft battery is low, and the aircraft will also notify the pilot of communication problems by vibration of the remote control.

Assignment of buttons and indications

Price

The official representative in Moscow offers a quad at the following prices:

  1. Xiro Xplorer - 7,500 rubles.
  2. Xiro Xplorer V - 11,500 rubles.
  3. Xiro Xplorer G - 13 500 rubles.
  4. Xiro Xplorer 4K - 22,500 rubles.

Output

XIRO XPLORERfrom $102
7.8888888888889
Price
5 / 10
Camera
9/10
Functionality
9/10
Flight time
8/10
Flight performance
9/10
Compactness
6/10
Completion
10/10
Reliability
7/10
Price / Quality your
10/10

Pluses

  • Design / Workmanship
  • Modular Design
  • Upgradeable from Standard to V and G
  • Flight Performance
  • FHD Camera (Xiro Xplorer V)
  • 4K camera (Xiro Xplorer 4K)
  • 3-axis gimbal operation
  • Battery with charge indication
  • Automatic shooting and flight modes
  • Ready to fly out of the box

Cons

  • According to numerous complaints from users, extremely sensitive to radio interference (prone to flying in an unknown direction)
  • No obstacle detection and avoidance system
  • Fragile camera gimbal
  • Fragile landing legs
  • Curved RAW format

One of the best quadcopters in its class. The work of radio electronics, coupled with an excellent gimbal and cameras, will surprise any critic. When retrofitted with GoPro cameras, it provides exemplary quality aerial photography. Easy to operate, ready to fly out of the box. The drone's potential will be fully appreciated by lovers of high-quality aerial photography without reference to the experience of owning for a completely humane price tag.

Photos

Photos of Xiro Xplorer and accessories.

Video

Video with Xiro Xplorer quadrocopter.

The video was shot using a light filter (included).

The video was shot without using a filter.

.