Quadro-copters or drones are slowly taking over the film making industry, but it is not without good reason. The Quadro-copters are slowly revolutionizing aerial photography and videography due to their unprecedented ability to explore and maneuver through the air. If you like me have a love affair with aerial photography, then you certainly need a Quadro-copter in your life. Buying a Quadro-copter can be daunting because while small, there are plenty of technicalities that are associated with drones. Other things to consider when purchasing a drone include but are not limited to:

  • The RTF which means confirming if the drone comes ready to fly.
  • The gimbal because it is the machinery that fastens your camera to the Quadro-copter and also enables stability so you can achieve videos with excellent quality.
  • Check if the drone has a first-person view (FPV) for a live feed so you can visualize what you are capturing.
  • Lastly, check the bind n fly (BNF) which refers to whether your drone has a controller or transmitter.

We’ve created a comprehensive list of some of the best Quadro-copters that are compatible with GoPro

1. GoPro Karma

Intro

We had to start our Quadro-copter list with a product from the manufacturers of the GoPro itself. The Karma is one of the many Quadro-copters available in the market that is well suited for use with a GoPro camera. Despite its production being stopped, there are still a few variants of this Quadro-copter available for purchase. The Karma can be synced with different GoPro cameras such as the Hero 4, 6, 7 and other newer GoPro variants. It’s, however, advisable that you verify the specifications of your camera to check for its compatibility with the GoPro Karma Quadro-copter. The Karma weighs 1.9 kilos and features, a grip gimbal that facilitates stabilization, and is powered by brushless motors. In our opinion, this may be the most compatible Quadro-copter for your GoPro mainly because it was created by the same company responsible for designing and building GoPro cameras.

Pros

  • Requires only a short time to charge (120 minutes)
  • The name is not the only thing we like about the Karma, and its controls are well-adjusted.
  • Due to its lightweight, it’s also easily portable.
  • It is foldable which makes it compact and means you can move with it anywhere without the hassle and even store it in its case.

Cons

  • The flight time on this GoPro is quite short.
  • There are other better product offerings such as the DJI drones that you can purchase for an almost similar cost.
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2. DJI Phantom 2 V2.0

Intro

The Phantom 2 version 2 is an improvement of the first Phantom 2 only with better and more improved features and functionalities. This version of the Phantom 2 features improved propellers and motors thus giving the Quadro-copter even greater shove than the previous variation. It comes with a remote control that has an indicator and allows you to view the amount of battery left on your drone. Using the same remote, you can control the gimbal on the drone. The Zenmuse H3-3D 3-axis gimbal that the Phantom2 V2.0 is equipped with offers great stabilization and facilitates smooth video recording

Pros

In comparison to other Quadro-copters, the DJI Phantom 2 can endure 20-25 minutes of extended flying which is an additional 10 minutes over other drones.

  • You can activate the first-person view mode on the drone; however, you need to purchase additional items such as an FVPHub Connector kit and a 5.8 gigahertz transmitter and receiver.
  • The battery on the DJI Phantom 2 V2.0 is longer lasting and contains an intelligent circuitry system.
  • The integrated GPS system together with the return home function prevents the drone from crashing.

Cons

  • You must install the gimbal by yourself. This will take you about 30 minutes to an hour depending on if you have experience installing gimbals on drones.
  • You cannot stream via Wi-Fi as it interferes with the remote-control functionality.
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3. 3DR Solo Drone

Intro

Compatible with the GoPro Hero 4 or Hero 3+, the 3DR Solo drone was one of the world’s first drones to feature an artificial brain thus setting itself ahead of the game at that moment. As the world’s first smart drone, it is powered by two one gigahertz computers and was equipped with the ability to stream videos wirelessly to any screen. When it was first created, it was not designed for GoPro’s but the Sony R10C camera, but as GoPro’s continued to evolve and newer versions were introduced into the market, the new variants were compatible with it.

Pros

  • The drone controller resembles a video game controller which feels quite natural in a user’s hands even if they have never flown a drone before.
  • If you are connected to Wi-Fi, you can stream videos with high definition quality straight to your phone or tablet since the 3DR Solo is compatible with Android and iOS devices.
  • The 3DR Solo Quadro-copter has smart shoot technology that only accentuates the video quality that GoPro’s are known for.
  • It is easy to use, and amateurs can easily maneuver the drone.
  • You can control it using either the control pad or your phone

Cons

  • It does not have a gimbal which can be unnerving if you are trying to shoot different aerial angles.
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4. Syma X8C Venture

Intro

The Syma X8C Venture is a budget Quadro-copter ideal for beginners who have never who have little to no experience of handling/flying a drone. It features an intelligent orientation control system that differentiates the nose direction and the forward direction of the drone which makes it easier for novices to use and learn how to manage the different orientations on the drone. The Syma X8C venture is equipped with a six-axis gyro to handle the flight control of the drone

Pros

  • The blades of the drone have been kitted with blade protectors to prevent damage and protect the blades while the drone is in flight.
  • It is easy to use as the drone comes “ready to fly” and does not require any assembly.

Cons

  • You will need extra batteries since the drone can only manage seven minutes of flight time. The flight time on this drone in comparison to other Quadro-copter options is quite mediocre.
  • Some users have reported that the build of the drone is tacky which make it very brittle and flimsy.
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5. Yuneec Q500 4K Typhoon Quadcopter

Intro

The only Yuneec Quadro-copter that has been purposefully designed for GoPro’s, the Yuneec Q500 Typhoon is one of the best Quadro-copters for GoPro. It can function and is well suited for GoPro Hero Black, GoPro 3, 3+ and 4. It is equipped with innovative features such as the “follow me” feature which enables the drone to follow the user in whatever direction they are headed. It’s also equipped with an integrated 3-axis precision gimbal which makes shooting those ultra-high definition videos a walk in the park.

Pros

  • It has a smart mode which makes it easy to use especially for beginners trying to use drones for the first time.
  • In our opinion, the performance to price ratio is excellent as the drone offers you value for your money.
  • It has an innovative angle mode that enables the drone to spin past 50 degrees in any direction, something that experienced flyers would enjoy.
  • You can view everything that you are shooting in realtime from the ST10+ transmitter

Cons

  • It does not include a storage case.
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6. DJI Phantom 3 Professional Quadcopter

Intro

The DJI Phantom 3 is excellent for GoPro because it’s 3-axis gimbal which works well with most action cameras. It is a great drone to purchase mainly if your need/purpose is long term use and if your budget does not limit you. It comes ready to fly straight out of the box and can cover a distance of up to 15 miles which is quite remarkable for the drone. The quality of images and videos shot from the Phantom 3 are exceptional

Pros

  • The 3-axis gimbal offers great stabilization to achieve quality 4K ultra HD videos.
  • You can fly the Quadro-copter in first person view mode.
  • It has one of the best flight times when compared to other drones in the market. The DJI Phantom 3 can fly for up to 25 minutes.
  • Has a shorter battery charging time (40 minutes).

Cons

  • The total cost of the drone runs high especially if you include extra accessories such as an additional battery, hard-shell backpack or hard case.
  • It does not have collision avoidance mechanisms
  • The controller does not have an HDMI output.
  • The view of the camera is limited to only capture forward views.
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Conclusion:

Quadro-copters are extremely fun to use, but it is difficult to decide which one to purchase since they all vary, and each has very distinct features that set them apart. Before you even begin your research into which drone to acquire, have a proper understanding of what you need to achieve. When you’re finally ready to purchase, be sure to buy one that is ideal for your skill level. It beats logic to purchase a professional drone if you are only a beginner.