This is one of the better FPV camera drones in the under $300 price range. Very good stabilized video along with excellent flight range provides for very enjoyable and interesting flights. Find it here http://bit.ly/Fimi-A3 This is a QC101 keeper. It’s perfect for doing FPV exploring with my goggles.
Pros
– Highly accurate GPS/GLONASS system provides very stable hover. Automatic return to home and landing on command or on loss of signal from the controller.
– 1080p 30/25fps full HD camera records directly to microSD card.
– Two axis stabilized mechanical gimbal with three axis electronic image stabilization provides for very stable video.
– 5.8 Ghz analog FPV. Does NOT use or require a phone or WiFi. FPV viewing monitor is installed directly into the controller. Can also use 5.87Ghz anaol FPV racing goggles to receive FPV. A second separate DVR is built into the controller to also record FPV video to a microSD card.
– Advanced flight modes of follow me, orbit, dronie, and fixed wing.
– There is a second very accurate GPS system in the controller. This enables very accurate stabilized follow me capability. One of the better (if not best) follow me drones in this price range.
– 3S 2000mah LiHV battery provides extended flight times (I got close to 15 minutes using the provided LiPo charger).
– Available do it yourself port and controls enables you to attach optional remote controlled features to the drone (servo for parachutes, separate camera, fireworks launcher, etc…)
Cons
– 1080p camera. If you’ve been spoiled with 4K, you’ll definitely notice the difference in image quality.
– Does not return to home on low battery. Instead the drone will land directly under it’s position at low battery. As battery voltage decreases, make sure to bring the drone in close to you.
– I did not get anywhere close to the advertised 25 minutes of flight time (only got about 15 minutes). The LiHV battery can not be charged to its full voltage of 12.75 volts with the provided 12.6V max charge LiPo charger. This is safe and healthy for the longevity of the battery, but will not provide the full potential of possible flight time from this battery.
– The 5 position switch can be cumbersome to access the numerous features and parameters of the drone.
– The controller’s DVR kept stopping recording of FPV video.
– I think that the controller low voltage warning at the end of the flight is a bug in the controller’s software. I think that the controller instead meant to alert that the drone was low battery (instead of the controller). The controller still had plenty of voltage left (was showing almost full). But the drone was definitely depleted at that time.
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This video along with every video of the Quadcopter 101 channel was produced and edited with VSDC Free Video Editor. You may download this excellent, and no kidding “free” video editor here http://www.videosoftdev.com/free-video-editor
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Well, it lasted 20-25 flights. Two days ago I was flying with him, take him to the maximum height that reaches 120 meters and land him on tall grass sideways, but gently without hitting. As soon as he took it, he showed the message "Ready to take off". I put it on the floor completely horizontal and made it take off. As soon as he got up from the ground he went up very quickly and went in the SW direction. When he saw that he was only going up from day to command to lower it but the drone did not respond to any of the controls, not even the automatic return, which I lost, since after climbing he also moved away at full speed. And it was in a land away from the city and without any device that could create interference.
Can the remote play back the video recorded on the remote? That could really help if you lost the thing.
First
Does this drone have waypoints?
Help me sir my fimi a3 drone is unable to enter GPS mode
Is it raw or edited??????
can i use my phone charger adapter to charge remote controller? or should I use USB port on computer?
Hi Thanks for the great review. I have had my A3 for a few weeks now but have only had a chance to fly it once as where I live we get very strong winds, and I am talking 50mph at this time of year. Next week it looks like the wind will drop and I am busy charging all batteries up. My problem is the transmitters built in battery. I connect it to a charger and it turns on automatically and the green battery light on the RC screen starts flashing indicating that it is charging. After a few minutes the screen shuts down and when I press any button it turns on but the green light has stopped flashing indicating that the battery is full, I presume. However if I unplug the USB charger and plug it in again the light starts flashing again until the screen shuts off again. How do I determine when the transmitters battery is actually fully charged? Any advice please.
hi can i ask how many weight lifting handles??
How long was the FPV maximum distance?
Tnx for the review, i thinking og buying it or maybe later reserve my money for FIMI X8.
very friendly guy…..quietly man, perfect video and perhaps perfect drone. Thank you, Keep thumbs for you.
ATnx for this informative video , I am a dji spark user from the Philippines . I am considering of buying the A3 as well . great features at a much cheaper price .
Nice video…just ordered one! Question: does the SD Card on the Fimi record sound and video?
How you did record your controller screen?
Sorry for my basic question. Return to home function make the Drone come to Landing position or where is the Remote controller?
Hello, thanks for the video. This drone can bear how much weight? I'm a shore fisherman. I want to send the fishing rod away.
Mr. Quadcopter 101, i have been watching many of your videos and i like them, so thanks for that. well i have noticed that in many of them you complain about your poor 100$ phone that in several cases can't controle the drones apps because of the low power of the phone processor!!!!. That i kan understand, but for the sake of the viewers use or buy a modern powerful cellphone so you can take the full advantage op the apps and introduce the wright image about what you are testing. That is a very useful hint. Thus again i great you for you work. Amr Safar, The Netherlands.
what stick do you use to make it orbit, right or left stick on the controller?
Not bad if you can live with that motor whistle.
Hi , does this return to home on low battery? Or does it just fall to the ground
Best Drone Reviewer on Youtube…
Thanks for the tips, Job well done.
For anybody interested I have a $300 and $400 off coupon for DJI..
Just received mine this weekend. Going to have to return it. Accelerometer error issue. Probably going to order something cheaper in the $150 to $200 range. Any suggestions? 300m FPV range, 500m control range, GPS, 1080P, gimbal preferred, RTH, handle 10mph wind, batteries around $30. Possibly looking at the Bugs 5W, Thanks.