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FEATURE
TECH
TECH
a fisheye lens that’s integrated into
the nose, rather than an external
camera. The camera hasn’t been
upgraded much from the
original Bebop, and while
the footage quality is fine,
it does pale in comparison
to more high-end drone
products. Additionally, the
8GB of internal memory fills
up quickly, and there’s no option
for removable storage.
The Bebop 2 has double the
lifespan of the original Bebop, and
the battery is now easily and firmly
secured, rather than being locked in
with a flimsy velcro strap. The body
of the Bebop 2 is virtually identical
to the original, and is extraordinarily
lightweight, but does a fine job
at maintaining position in strong
winds. Perhaps it’s best not to put
this to the test on the edge of any
cliffs, though.
The Bebop is elegant and
relatively low-cost, with a perfectly
adequate quality of image. While
the initial bond between control
and quadcopter is mercifully
effortless, connection problems can
occasionally develop the further
from the operator the drone gets.
Zero-X Rapture
The satisfaction that
accompanies flying a drone is
palpable, and the Zero-X Rapture
facilitates that feeling with an
outlandishly low price. This is the
world of the entry-level drone,
and it’s proof that even at their
most fundamental, drones are still
wonderful tools.
Flight is paramount for the
Zero-X Rapture, its foolproof
mechanics allowing for
straightforward movement. These
truly are remote control cars of
the sky; with the 360° flip function
allowing the operator to perform
inspiring aerobatic tricks with the
simple press of a button.
Flight time is nine minutes,
which is on par with a drone
at this modest price range,
and flight is remarkably steady
and responsive, even in windy
conditions. The controllable range
is 60 meters, which isn’t far, but
the drone is receptive within
those parameters. It rarely cuts
out and even if you do lose Wi-Fi
range, the Rapture has a black
box function so it will continue to
record uninterrupted footage.
The remote control is the
Zero-X Rapture’s most appealing
feature, ostensibly mimicking
comparable transmitters of
high-end drones. There’s
a mounted LCD screen
that receives footage
from the 480p camera
attached to the bottom
of the drone. The quality
of the footage isn’t remarkable,
but the Zero-X Rapture is intended
for people satisfying their drone
curiosity, not for practiced
videographers.
Zero-X Spectre
The Zero-X Spectre is a step
below the Rapture in regards
to price, but the functionality
between the two models is
somewhat comparable. The extra
cost of the Rapture is for the
LCD screen, which isn’t included
in the Zero-X Spectre, but the
quadcopters themselves are
almost physically identical.
Like the Rapture, the Zero-X
Spectre has a controllable range
of up to 60 meters and suffers
from few drop-outs. The calibration
between the control and the
drone itself is undemanding and
quick, connecting with a couple of
button clicks.
Unlike the 480p camera of
the Rapture, the Zero-X Spectre
actually has a HD 720p video and
2MP photo camera attached to the
quadcopter, although the lack of
LCD screen means that it’s difficult
to comprehend exactly what
footage is being captured as it’s
being captured.
But footage isn’t the principle
concern of the Zero-X Spectre;
flight is. The controller isn’t as
polished as more sophisticated
and pricey drone technology, but
within the economic climate it
inhabits, the Spectre is adequately
responsive. And it also comes
with a 360° flip function, which
makes for some pretty striking
manoeuvres. Additionally, the
two separate speed modes make
mastering control of the Spectre
forgiving, especially for beginners.
There’s an understandable
difference between a model like
the Zero-X Spectre and a drone
that professionals would employ.
The Spectre isn’t for professionals;
it’s for the people with an inner
drone enthusiast just waiting to
take flight.
The satisfaction that
accompanies flying a
drone is palpable
Zero-X Rapture
Zero-X Spectre