Xiro XPLORER 4K Quadcopter Review

Quadcopter Xiro XPLORER 4K, as the name suggests, can shoot full 4K video. In the FULL HD format, it shoots even 120 frames per second. In addition, the drone flies quite far. And all this at a price of about 30 thousand rubles. XPLORER 4K is inferior to the same DJI in terms of sophistication and is an analogue of the popular Phantom 3 Standart or Phantom 3 SE models. This article provides an overview of this curious device. Let's consider the characteristics of the drone, what to look for, and how to avoid mistakes when choosing.

Equipment

The XPLORER 4K is well equipped with everything you need in the event of a minor breakdown. The kit, in addition to the drone itself, includes:

• stabilized three-axis suspension;
• Remote Control;
• signal amplifier;
• fasteners;
• instruments;
• set of spare screws;
• remote control strap;
• spare linings for landing gear struts;
• battery;
• charging;
• micro USB cable;
• Russian instruction.

Unfortunately, there is no carrying bag in the standard delivery. This is forgivable for a budget model. It is better to purchase it additionally right away. Otherwise, the device may be damaged during transportation or spare parts and tools may be lost.

Appearance

The Xploerer 4K has the same look and feel as the previous Xploerer V. The Xiro models look expensive, similar to the Ferrari and Lamborghini cars. The Xploerer has a modern and even cosmic look. The device is very well assembled. All parts are tightly fitted, there are no extra gaps, nothing wobbles or wobbles.

The drone has a well thought out design, but its design is not so well verified. The device is rather fragile. You can’t drop it. The chassis has slender legs that are only designed to work normally. If something goes wrong and the load on the chassis increases, the legs will break and break.

Another significant design flaw is that the camera gimbal is low and when landing is close to the ground. You should always carefully check the landing area. Make sure that there are no large protruding objects - sticks, stones and hemp. Otherwise, this may be the last landing for the camera.

The set includes two types of vinyl stickers:

• military - camouflage color;
• space - makes the device look like a UFO.

Both designs look stylish. Which one to use is a matter of taste.

Specifications

• Flight time - up to 25 minutes;
• Mobile application - iOS, Android;
• FPV video broadcast - 2.4 GHz .;
• Navigation - GPS / Glonass;
• Motors - electric brushless;
• Video quality - Ultra HD 4K 25 fps, FULL HD 1080P 120 fps;
• Matrix resolution - 12 Mp .;
• Control range - 1200 m;
• Maximum flight altitude - 120 m;
• Maximum flight speed - 15 m / s;
• Maximum climb speed - 4 m / s;
• Maximum speed of descent - 2 m / s;
• Operating temperature range - from -10 to +50 degrees;
• Menu language - Russian;
• Screw diameter - 240 mm .;
• Battery - lithium polymer with a capacity of 5,200 mAh;
• Dimensions - 500x500x190 mm .;
• Weight - 1.4 kg.;
• Average price - 29,000 rubles.

Shooting

The Xploerer 4K camera has very good specifications. The quadcopter in this aspect is a serious competitor to the Phantom 3.The camera received a 12 Mp matrix, which is even less than that of the previous Xplorer V model. There was a 14 Mp matrix. But at the same time, the resolution with which the video is recorded has been doubled.

The camera lens has a wide viewing angle of 84 degrees. It consists of an aspherical lens and ten conventional lenses. The aperture is constant and has a value of 2.8. ISO, exposure time and white balance can be adjusted.

At the chassis, the struts are folded down so that they do not fall into the frame. The developers calculated so that the camera was in the center of gravity of the device. This gave the drone additional stability. But the camera is positioned too low, which increases the likelihood of damage upon landing.

The camera shoots video in 4K resolution at 30 fps with good quality. The result is excellent detail and very calm natural colors. But if the lighting is LED at night, then a flickering effect may be observed. The camera supports slow motion shooting in FULL HD quality at 120 frames per second.

The camera takes photos at 4000 × 3000 pixels in JPEG. The RAW format is unfortunately not available. The quality of the photo is very decent.

The vibration that often occurs during flight can lead to a jelly-like effect. This is especially dangerous in sport mode. But this model has a very effective vibration damping mechanism. The silicone dampers do an excellent job of this, separating the camera suspension from the body.

It is very convenient that the camera can be removed from the drone. First, it can be used, for example, on the Xiro Gimbal HandHeld. Secondly, it is very practical to do this when the user is just learning to operate the device. This can keep the camera alive.

Control

The Xiro controller has good ergonomics, all buttons are conveniently located. It's nice to hold it in your hands. The buttons themselves are not very many. Operation of the device is intuitive. The controller has two scroll wheels for camera control and three buttons that are responsible for the following:

• takeoff and landing in automatic mode;
• return to the starting point;
• orientation control.

The capabilities of the controller and its software have significantly improved compared to the previous version. There was a gradation into three levels of control complexity, differing in height and flight range:

• for beginner pilots - height up to 30 m and range up to 100 m;
• for experienced ones - height up to 100 m and range up to 500 m;
• for professionals - height 120 m and range 1200 m.

The setting is done using a switch located on the remote control between the joysticks.

The following instruments are located on board the drone:

• compass;
• barometer;
• gyroscope;
• GPS positioning sensor.

These sensors provide stability and hovering at the point even in gusts of wind. However, it is not recommended to start the device in strong winds, otherwise it may be carried away.

It is very convenient to use a smartphone when controlling a quadcopter. You need to install the XIRO XPLORE application on it, and you can directly see the surrounding area through the eyes of the drone. The broadcast is conducted over Wi-Fi in HD 720 quality. There is a small nuance here. Unfortunately, the phone holder is designed for a small device. If the smartphone has a screen diagonal of more than 5.5 ”, then it may simply not fit into the holder.

The quadcopter has the following programmed flight modes:

• following an object;
• following me;
• flight along the route;
• circular flight;
• autopilot mode.

The copter implements very interesting algorithms for tracking objects. In the following object mode, you first need to select and assign the object that the device will follow. All this is done using a smartphone. The drone will then use artificial intelligence to recognize this object and follow it.

You can turn on the Follow Me mode, in which the copter will follow you, more precisely, your cell phone, tracking its location.

The drone can pre-set a flight route by coordinates. The route is defined by a maximum of sixteen points.

In Circular Flight mode, the aircraft will automatically fly around the object selected in the smartphone.In this mode, you can get a great selfie.

You don't need to be an experienced pilot to take off or land. The drone can take over these functions and do it automatically. It is enough to press the appropriate button and the device will start and, hovering in the air, will be ready to execute further commands. The same button starts the automatic landing program if the drone is in the air at that moment.

If you want the device to land not in the place where it is now, but in the place where it originally started, then you just need to give it the appropriate command. Return to base occurs in two cases. The drone returns by pressing the corresponding button on the remote control. Or he will start flying to the launch site if he loses contact. Then the device starts flying home until the connection is restored. If for some reason this does not happen, the copter will automatically land at the launch site.

The quadcopter can reach speeds of up to 54 km / h, while remaining in the air for up to 25 minutes. This allows a capacious 5,200 mAh battery. 25 minutes is the flight time stated for ideal conditions when it is warm and calm. In reality, the flight time is reduced to 20 minutes. The decrease is especially noticeable in winter, the copter can fly at temperatures of -10 degrees. If the battery is close to discharge, a corresponding indication appears on the remote control and the device automatically returns to the starting point.

Bottom line: advantages and disadvantages of Xiro XPLORER 4K

• modern stylish design;
• good quality of shooting;
• intelligent flight modes;
• good handling;
• ease of use;
• excellent ratio of performance and cost.

• fragile chassis legs;
• the camera suspension is low.

The Xiro XPLORER 4K is an excellent choice for those who love aerial photography. The copter received great reviews. According to buyers, it is very easy to operate. Indeed, the drone has a small number of controls and an intuitive interface. It simply has no competitors in its price niche. The device perfectly shoots video, has good flight characteristics, brushless motors. It is reliable, high quality and inexpensive.