STACK May 2016 Issue 139

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FLIGHT
CONTROLLER
The rise of the drone has been as spectacular as it has been swift. The
unshackling videography technology is here to stay, whether you believe a
drone is an essential tool in the kit of a wedding videographer or not. It’s
hard to deny how appealing drones are as a device. Even if they couldn’t
record High Definition footage from distant heights, which they can,
drones would still be the remote control cars of the sky. With that sort of
constitutional mass appeal, personal drones are becoming increasingly ever-
present. It’s not just a game for tech-savvy videographers anymore. The
world of droning is finally in the hands of the everyman.
visit TECH FEATURE
74 MAY 2016
TECH
Xiro Xplorer V
In the arena of useability and
relative affordability, the Xiro
Xplorer V stands alone. Though
low-end commercial drones
are becoming increasingly
inexpensive, there is still a gap in
the market for reasonably priced
products that also qualify as
quality. The Xiro Xplorer V may just
be the answer to that gap.
The design is flawless and
sleek. As the drone market
expands and becomes
technologically superior,
companies have been forced
to invest more thought into a
product’s design to help it stand
out from the pack. There’s a
lustrous superiority to the look of
the Xiro Xplorer V, not only with
the quadcopter but extending
also to the transmitter, which
echoes recent iterations
of console controllers.
The detachable
camera gimbal
supports both GoPro 3,
as well as a 4K camera; rare
in a drone at this price. If you
don’t own a camera, there’s no
need to worry, because the Xiro
Xplorer V comes complete with
a HD 16 megapixels 1080p 30
FPS camera.
But it’s the app that
separates the Xiro Xplorer from
its colleagues. Available for
both Android and iOS systems,
the Xiro app not only has the
capacity to control the gimbal but
also receives a real time video
feed as well as real time flight
data on screen.
With an impressive flight time
and useful functions for aerial
videography, the Xiro Xplorer V is
the perfect drone for someone
looking to transition between
cheaper commercial drones and
more professional, high-end
products, or someone wanting
to start out with a bit more than
the basics. The Xiro Xplorer V also
comes complete with a hardshell
backpack designed specifically
with moulded parts to safely
house your drone.
Parrot Bebop 2
With more than twenty
minutes of flight time to a single
charge, a 14-megapixel camera
capable of capturing 1080p video
and a maximum range of 300
meters, the Parrot Bebop 2 is an
exceptional entry point drone for
someone looking to invest in the
rapidly-growing culture of drone
photography. The price point
means there is no 4K video, Hi-Def
live stream or two-stick remote
control, but those luxuries pertain
to more experienced drone pilots,
not someone who is just getting
started.
For video, the Bebop 2 uses
By John Roebuck
Xiro Xplorer V
Parrot Bebop 2