The Blade 350 QX RTF Quadcopter is a quad-rotor RC aircraft that is designed to act as an aerial platform for carrying a GoPro HERO action camera. This version of the 350 QX is ready-to-fly (RTF), meaning that a pre-bound transmitter (radio controller) is included and no major assembly is required. As with other multi-rotors, GPS and other calibrations steps will still need to be taken before this quadcopter can safely hit the skies.
Multiple flight modes make the 350 QX adaptable to pilots of varying skill levels. With SAFE (Sensor Assisted Flight Envelope) technology full autopilot redundancy and SAFE Circle are possible. For more experienced pilots, the flight envelope may be extended to full Agility Mode where flips, barrel rolls, and other aerial acrobatics become possible. Additional safety features include Return Home, which brings that aircraft back to the pilot using GPS-based autopilot at the press of a button as well as self-landing when the battery drops below a critical level or contact with the transmitter is lost for more than a brief period.
The 350 QX features a standard GoPro mount allowing mounting of a GoPro HERO camera in most housings or frames. Vibration dampeners are placed between the mount and the aircraft to help reduce vibration incurred by the motors. GoPro models with built-in Wi-Fi should have their Wi-Fi turned off while attached to the 350 QX to avoid close-range interference between the Wi-Fi and the 350 QX's receiver (for the transmitter/radio controller), which share the same frequencies.
A DC charger is included that, new for this version, features a 12VDC accessory port rather than alligator clips as found on previous models. This allows the charger to use virtually any 12V power source, in particular a car cigarette plu. An AC adapter is not included, and will need to be purchased separately if AC charging is required.
Firmware 2.0 introduces two ways to start the motors:
- Pilots can now move both sticks into the bottom inside corners to start the craft
- Or they can continue to use the left-right-center procedure as before
- Smart Mode: Stick Relativity, SAFE Circle feature, Altitude and GPS Lock and Self-Leveling
- AP Mode: Altitude and GPS Lock with soft Self-Leveling
- Stability Mode: Self-Leveling, GPS Lock
- Agility Mode: Only available with Spektrum DX6i or higher transmitters (endpoint adjustment is necessary)
Compass and GPS Error Detection
The Firmware 2.0 update prevents GPS and compass errors from causing adverse flight conditions. The status LED blinks orange if the compass senses a magnet or metal object nearby
While in Smart Mode, SAFE (Sensor Assisted Flight Envelope) technology engages the SAFE Circle which prevents the 350 QX from flying too close to its pilot. When in a hover, GPS and altimeter sensors keep the quadcopter in a consistent stable position. The Stick Relativity feature allows the 350 QX to follow the directional inputs from a pilot regardless of the orientation of the quadcopter
Stability Mode
In Stability Mode, SAFE technology limits the flight envelope of the 350 QX and enables self-leveling characteristics for consistent level flight even when pilot input is abruptly removed from the control sticks. In Stability Mode, GPS Position Hold is active when the pilot stops providing stick input
Agility Mode
The 350 QX utilizes AS3X technology to give it the feel and flight characteristics of a large-scale RC aircraft, even when flying against moderate wind. While flying in Agility Mode, the 350 QX can perform aerobatic maneuvers with extreme stability thanks to SAFE technology
GPS and Altimeter Technology
GPS and altimeter sensors in the 350 QX provide the ability to remain in a specific position for stable aerial footage and peace of mind
SAFE Circle
When in Smart Mode: Using GPS, establishes a 30' radius around the pilot and keeps the 350 QX outside this circle
Stick Relativity
Because a quadcopter can move in any direction it can be easy to lose track of which way the "nose" is pointing. To make flying more intuitive, Stick Relativity keeps the controls arranged so that right is always right and left always left from the perspective of the pilot even if the aircraft gets flipped around
Return Home
During flight, with the flip of a switch, and without any stick input from the pilot, the 350 QX will automatically return to its home point--i.e., the point where its motors were first started
Smart/Stability Mode: 200º/sec
3-axis mode: 380º/sec
Maximum Tilt Angle
Stability Mode: 45º
Stability + Pressure sensor (Mode 0 without GPS): 30º
Smart Mode (Mode 0 with GPS): Position controller allowed up to 30º
Agility Mode: No limit
Maximum Ascent/Descent Speed
Smart Mode: 6.6 fps
Stability Mode with Pressure Sensor: 10 fps
Maximum Flight Velocity
Smart Mode Only: 13 fps