Blade Chroma Camera Drone 4K Flies Right Out of the Box

Chroma Camera Drone Introduction Video

Chroma Camera Drone Overview

Drones have revolutionized the way we take aerial shots. From using a helicopter with a photographer onboard, it has simplified the process and made it less dangerous and more convenient. What is even better is that drones have greatly evolved, and hasn’t stopped from using whatever new technology is available to create something better.

The latest in the drone series that is taking the top spot on the best of the best is the Blade Chroma 4K. This compact camera is designed for people who want to get a bird’s-eye view on anything and everything while on the go. It is not only relatively handy, but also easily breaks down for travel. Want to take it with you during camping or a trip overseas? You can easily disassemble it, so it’s easier to pack, and then reassemble just as quickly. It is also very easy to use and comes with great features. But, like most things, the Blade Chroma is not perfect. Is it worth the investment? Read on and find out.

Design & Features

The Chroma drone is designed to be travel-friendly. You only need to take out a few parts, which make for easy packing. You won’t even need tools to remove the propellers, landing gear and gimbal’s power cable as you simply spin it off, unclip and disconnect, respectively. For easy re-assembly, the self-tightening propellers are color-coded. Weighing in at 2.9 pounds, the Chroma drone is portable. All the pieces, including the Yuneec ST10+ controller, will fit into a backpack or large messenger bag.

It comes with a 5.5 inch touch screen that is built into the ST10+ controller, so you don’t need a tablet or smartphone to get a live feed or flight information.

A great feature of the Blade Chroma is the Yuneec ST10+ controller that is really unique than any of its peers. It effectively combines the functions of a smartphone and app. Everything you need to control the drone remotely and take pictures can be done through the controller. Watch what the camera lens sees through the first-person view screen. Take pictures and record videos using the controller’s buttons. Use the slider to adjust the camera’s angle, directional speed, and overall climb and descend. To move between different flight modes – Smart, Angle and Home, simply use the switch on the controller.

Good video quality is delivered by the 4K gimbal mounted camera, making the drone suitable for exploration and aerial survey videos. The camera records 4K videos at 3840 x 2160 pixels, and Full HD video at 120fps. It also delivers 12 megapixel still shots. The three-axis gimbal not only offers stabilization, but also handles tremor in the drone, resulting in a stable and decent footage under most normal flight conditions.

One problem with the camera, however, is that it uses an ultra-wide-angle lens, which makes it difficult to gauge the drone’s distance from certain objects. So you might want to reconsider flying by FPV alone.

The 6,300mAh battery, combined with a lightweight construction, enables the drone a flight time of up to 30 minutes under ideal conditions. This is a great improvement from the usual 18 to 22-minute flight time of other drones.

Pros

• The quadcopter is shipped completely assembled. Flies right out of the box
• Extended flight time under ideal conditions
• Enables easy adjustment of settings through the controller’s touchscreen
• Replacement parts and technical support are readily available and accessible

Cons

• Lacks autonomous navigation features
• Doesn’t support waypoint navigation
• There’s a bit of lag between what the camera actually sees and the view fed to the screen
• The controller’s fixed screen restricts the use of a larger tablet display with the drone
• Limited playback options. Video quality is best viewed on smaller screens, such as those on tablets and smartphones.

Final Thoughts

Where convenience is concerned, the Blade Chroma 4K is definitely a great choice. It makes a great companion for all your travel adventures. In the event of repairs and replacements, seeking technical support or finding replacement parts won’t be a problem. Horizon Hobby even has skins available for customization. Based on its price point, it offers a good deal for new and experienced flyers.

However, if you are very particular about autonomous flight options and accuracy of the live feed, the Chroma drone would fall short with your expectations. It lacks the visual positioning system that allows the drone to hover even without a GPS lock. You can’t also plan and execute missions using waypoint navigation.

So which features matter more to you?

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