Comparison DJI Phantom 3 SE vs DJI Phantom 3 Professional

Maximum flight time of a quadcopter on one full battery charge. This indicator is quite approximate, since it is most often indicated for ideal conditions - in real use, the flight time may be less than stated. However, by this indicator it is quite possible to evaluate the general capabilities of the copter and compare it with other models - a longer declared flight time in practice usually means higher autonomy.

Note that for modern copters, a flight time of 20 minutes or more is considered a good indicator, and in the most “long-lasting” models it can exceed 40 minutes.

The maximum resolution and frame rate supported by the aircraft camera (built-in or bundled) when shooting in Quad HD.

This standard is intermediate between Full HD (see above) and UltraHD 4K (see below); in cameras of modern drones, the Quad HD frame size can be from 2560 to 2720 pixels horizontally and from 1440 to 1530 pixels vertically. In some situations, such a video turns out to be the best option: it gives better detail than Full HD, while it does not require such powerful “hardware” and capacious drives as 4K.

As for the actual frame rate, the higher it is, the smoother the video turns out, the less motion is blurred in the frame. On the other hand, the shooting speed directly affects the requirements for the power of the hardware and the volume of the finished files. In general, values up to 24 fps can be called minimal, from 24 to 30 fps — medium, from 30 to 60 fps — high. Speeds of more than 60 fps are mainly used for shooting slow-motion video, however, for a number of reasons, such a possibility is rarely provided for in the QuadHD standard: relatively simple devices would require too powerful and expensive hardware for this, and in advanced copters, where the cost of electronics not particularly important, manufacturers prefer to use slow motion at higher resolutions.

— Return home function. With this function, the quadcopter can automatically return to the starting point. The specific details of this feature may vary. So, some models return "home" at the user's command, others are able to do it on their own — for example, when the signal from the remote control is lost or when the battery charge is critically low; in many devices, both options are provided at once. Also note that this function is found even in models that do not have a GPS module (see "Sensors") — the copter can navigate in space in another way (by inertial sensors, by a signal from the remote control, etc.).

— Follow me mode. A mode that allows the quadcopter to constantly follow the user at a short distance — like a "personal drone". The way to implement this mode and the equipment required for it can be different: some models track the direction to the transmitter and the signal strength from it, others constantly receive data from the GPS module of a smartphone or other gadget and follow these coordinates, etc. Anyway, such a mode can be useful not only for entertainment, but also for quite practical purposes — for example, for using a quadcopter as an “air chamber”, constantly located next to the operator and at the same time not occupying hands.

— Dronie (distance). Initially, the term “dronie” refers to a selfie (photo or video) taken from a...drone. This mode is mainly intended for such tasks. And its essence lies in the fact that the copter smoothly moves away from a certain object along a given trajectory, keeping this object in the centre of the frame. The classic version of flying in Dronie mode is moving away first horizontally, then horizontally and up; however, in some models, the copter’s trajectory can be further configured. Frame management can also be carried out in different ways — from simple pointing at a certain point and ending with the selection of an object on the screen with further "smart" tracking of this object. Anyway, for all its simplicity, such a shooting technique allows you to create quite interesting videos: for example, in this way you can first capture a group of people in close-up in one video, then the beauty of the landscape around them.

— Rocket (distance up). A flight mode in which the copter smoothly rises to a predetermined altitude along a strictly vertical trajectory. Similar to the Dronie described above, it is mainly used when shooting video: first, a certain scene is shot in close-up, and as it rises, the camera covers an increasingly wider area around this scene. Usually, in Rocket mode, you can pre-set the height at which the device will stop.

— "Orbit mode" (flying in a circle). A mode that allows you to launch the copter in a circular orbit around the specified point. It is also used mainly for shooting video: in such cases, the camera remains constantly pointed at a given object, but the angle and background, due to the movement of the drone, are constantly changing. In the "orbit" settings, usually, you can set its radius, height and direction of movement, as well as the angle of the camera.

— Helix (circle in a spiral). Another mode used as an artistic technique for filming videos. In this mode, the copter, keeping a given object in the centre of the frame, moves around it in a spiral, gradually moving away and increasing its height. This allows you to get the maximum variety of angles and angles of coverage.

Note that Dronie, Rocket, Helix, and Orbit modes originally appeared as part of the proprietary QuickShot toolkit in DJI's Mavic series drones. However, later similar functions were introduced by other manufacturers, so now these names are used as common nouns.

— Flight plan(Waypoints). The ability to set a specific flight route for the quadcopter, by control points. This feature is very similar to the GPS waypoint flyby (see above), but it works differently, without the use of GPS navigation. One of the most popular options is building a route in the smartphone application through which the copter is controlled; when the programme is launched, the smartphone issues a sequence of commands corresponding to the route to the device. In general, the Waypoints mode is not as accurate as a GPS waypoint flyby and offers fewer options. Therefore, this function is mainly for entertainment purposes; if the copter has a camera, it can be useful for taking a selfie or a simple video.

— Flight by GPS points. A mode that allows you to launch a quadcopter along a specific route — by setting individual route points to the car in advance (according to GPS coordinates) and the order in which they are passed. In addition, additional settings may be provided — for example, speed and altitude on individual sections of the route. This function is similar to the Waypoints mode (see below) in many ways, but it is found mainly in mid-range and high-end devices. At the same time, the use of GPS provides higher accuracy, which allows the drone to be used for professional purposes. For example, if you set a route for shooting from the air in this way, the operator will be able to fully concentrate on working with the camera, without being distracted by controlling the copter.

— Acrobatic mode. A special mode for performing aerobatics. Note that the specific meaning of this mode may be different, depending on the level and purpose of the copter. So, in the simplest entertainment models, automatic programs are usually provided that allow you to perform certain aerobatic manoeuvres literally “at the touch of a button”. And in advanced devices in flight mode, the stabilization system is turned off, and the drone is very sensitive to operator commands; this requires high precision in control, but gives maximum control over the flight.

The range of the drone is the maximum distance from the control device at which a stable connection is maintained and the device remains controlled. For models that allow operation both from the remote control and from a smartphone (see "Control"), this item indicates the maximum value — usually achieved when using the remote control.

When choosing according to this indicator, note that the range is indicated for perfect conditions — within line of sight, without obstacles in the signal path and interference on the air. In reality, the control range may be somewhat lower; and when using a smartphone, it will also depend on the characteristics of a particular gadget. As for specific figures, they can vary from several tens of metres in low-cost models to 5 km or more in high-end equipment. At the same time, it should be said that the greater the range of communication, the higher its reliability in general, the better the control works with an abundance of interference and obstacles. Therefore, a powerful transmitter can be useful not only for long distances, but also for difficult conditions.

The frequency used to communicate between the aircraft and its control device (usually a remote control).

Some time ago, devices with analog control at a frequency of 27.145 MHz and 40 MHz could be found on sale. However, today these standards have practically fallen out of use and modern copter drones mainly use digital communications at a frequency of 2.4 GHz or 5.8 GHz(and some models support both of these ranges at once). This type of control has a number of advantages over analogue control. Firstly, it is less sensitive to interference: on an analog channel, a drone can mistake possible interference for a command and make an unexpected maneuver, while distortion of digital data is perceived precisely as distortion and does not affect the operation of the device. Secondly, the digital format provides high bandwidth, allowing you to even broadcast high-definition video directly from a drone. Thirdly, with this control, each “remote control-copter” pair is automatically allocated its own communication channel, and the system first checks whether it is being used by another pair of devices. Thanks to this, several devices can operate in close proximity without interfering with each other.

As for the features of specific frequency ranges, they are as follows:

- 2.4 GHz. The most popular standard in modern drones. This is due, on the one hand, to low cost (with all the advan...tages of digital control), and on the other hand, to expanded compatibility. The fact is that 2.4 GHz is the most common range of Wi-Fi modules in smartphones, tablets, etc.; so compatibility with this range allows you to easily supplement the drone with the ability to control it from an external gadget (however, this capability is not mandatory). One of the disadvantages of 2.4 GHz is also associated with the abundance of devices that use this frequency: in addition to Wi-Fi, these are Bluetooth modules, some other electronic devices, as well as most remote controls for radio-controlled equipment (not just copters). So this range is somewhat inferior to the 5.8-GHz range in terms of noise immunity; on the other hand, even with a busy broadcast, this moment is extremely rarely noticeable.

- 5.8 GHz. Further, after the 2.4 GHz described above, the development of digital standards. Allows for a longer communication range and is also more reliable, since there are significantly fewer extraneous signal sources at the 5.8 GHz frequency. In addition, the increase in frequency made it possible to increase bandwidth and effectively broadcast HD video from copters in the most advanced standards. However, some of the newest Wi-Fi standards also include support for this range, so drones in this category can also allow control from a smartphone (however, in such cases it is worth paying special attention to compatibility). The disadvantages of this option include the relatively high cost; however, thanks to the development and cheaper technology, support for 5.8 GHz can now be found even in relatively inexpensive copters.

- 2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz. Support for both ranges described above - as a rule, with the ability to use any of them, at the user's choice. This provides additional convenience, reliability and versatility. For example, a model with two control methods (see “Control”) can use the 2.4 GHz band when working with a smartphone (which ensures a minimum of compatibility problems), and work with a remote control at 5.8 GHz (for maximum range and reliability). And drones controlled only from a remote control may even have a function such as automatically scanning ranges and selecting the least loaded one. At the same time, dual-band models are slightly more expensive than single-band ones, but the difference in price (especially with devices only at 5.8 GHz) is not particularly significant. So most modern copters capable of operating at a frequency of 5.8 GHz fall into this category.

When using specialized communication protocols, control signals between the copter and the remote control can be transmitted at special frequencies: 720 MHz, 915 (868) MHz.

The type of motors used in the quadcopter.

Modern copter drones are traditionally equipped with electric motors (usually one for each propeller), and by type, such motors are divided into relatively simple collector and more advanced brushless ones. Here is a detailed description of each variety:

— Collector. In motors of this type, a collector is used to switch the current between the windings — a mechanical device in the form of a ring mounted on the motor shaft and divided into separate sections. The current to this ring is supplied by a pair of fixed contacts — the so-called brushes. Such a design is very simple and inexpensive, moreover, it is repaired without much difficulty. On the other hand, collector motors have a relatively low efficiency, and brush contacts wear out and fail quite quickly due to constant friction (especially with frequent operation at high speeds). Therefore, the main scope of their application are relatively simple and inexpensive quadcopters — in more advanced technology, the brushless motors described below are often used.

— Brushless. In such motors, current switching between windings is carried out using electronic circuits, without the use of moving parts. This complicates and somewhat increases the cost of the design, but it gives a number of advantages over collector units. First of all, brushless motors are more efficient and experience less wear when running at full po...wer. In addition, it is easier to adjust the actual power in them, the range of such adjustment is wider, the accuracy is higher, and the reaction to changing the settings is almost instantaneous. With all this, modern technologies make it possible to create relatively inexpensive and affordable brushless motors, the cost of which is often only a small part of the price of the entire copter. So this option is quite popular in modern drones, it can be found even among relatively inexpensive models.

The diameter of each individual quadcopter/multicopter propeller (it is usually the same for all propellers). In general, this indicator is of secondary importance: it is selected by the manufacturer in such a way as to provide features corresponding to the class of the machine. We only note that the noise level may depend on the size of the propellers: all other things being equal (the number of propellers, the number of blades, the weight of the apparatus, etc.), a propeller of a smaller diameter must rotate faster to provide the necessary thrust, and at high speeds the engines also run louder.

General dimensions of the device. A fairly obvious parameter; we only note that for models with a folding structure (see above), in this paragraph, the dimensions in the working (unfolded) position are given, and the dimensions in the folded form are specified separately.