Built for aerial video and photography, the 350 QX3 Quadcopter AP Combo from Blade pairs the 350 QX3 quadcopter with Blade's own CGO2 GB 16-megapixel/Full HD camera with 3-axis gimbal. The camera records internally to microSD, plus has a 5.8 GHz Wi-Fi connection so that you can view a live feed and remotely operate it from a smartphone. A smartphone clamp that mounts on the transmitter is included to keep everything in one place. This bundle is ready-to-fly (RTF), meaning that a pre-bound transmitter (radio controller) is included and that the aircraft comes almost completely assembled.
A GPS-based flight control system - the brains that control the aircraft - enables varying degrees of autopilot redundancy, with options to accommodate pilots of every skill level. This feature is centered around Blade's SAFE technology, which includes Smart, Stability, and Agility flight modes. Additional safety features include Return Home, which brings the aircraft back to the pilot 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.
Also included in the bundle is a 3000mAh flight battery along with a battery charger, an AC adapter for the charger, an 8GB microSDHC card, and finally four AAs for the transmitter. The battery is estimated to last up to 15 minutes - depending on how the QX3 is flown and its payload.
A Gimbal Control switch on the included DX4 transmitter lets you use the throttle stick to tilt the CGO2 GB camera up or down. You can use this control to make quick adjustments in flight, or larger adjustments on the ground with the motors off. If you switch to Gimbal Control in flight, the 350 QX3 will suspend throttle control for 5-seconds and hold altitude while you make your adjustment. After 5-seconds throttle control will return to the throttle stick. If you need to make further adjustments in flight, simply cycle the switch from Aircraft Control to Gimbal Control again
While in Smart Mode, SAFE (Sensor Assisted Flight Envelope) technology engages the SAFE Circle which prevents the 350 QX3 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 QX3 to follow the directional inputs from a pilot regardless of the orientation of the quadcopter
AP (Aerial Photography) Mode
For more experienced drone pilots. In this mode, the Blade 350 QX3 responds to control inputs like a conventional RC aircraft without Stick Relativity. It also gives the pilot more control authority by turning off the SAFE Circle and allowing steeper bank and pitch angles. This makes it possible to get faster panning and tracking shots when shooting high-energy, action video
Stability Mode
In Stability Mode, SAFE technology limits the flight envelope of the 350 QX3 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 QX3 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 QX3 can perform aerobatic maneuvers with extreme stability thanks to SAFE technology
GPS and Altimeter Technology
GPS and altimeter sensors in the 350 QX3 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 QX3 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 QX3 will automatically return to its home point--i.e., the point where its motors were first started
Sensor Information Screen
- See status of all sensors and speed controls at a glance
- Check battery voltage and accelerometer operation
Calibration Screen
- One-click calibration of accelerometers and camera gimbal
- Instructions for calibrating compass sensor and DX4 transmitter
- Adjust geo-referenced flight boundaries
GPS Screen
- See number of available satellites and signal strength
- Verify latitude, longitude, and altitude indications
- Verify GPS accuracy
Device Information Screen
- See programming software version
- See quadcopter firmware version and vehicle ID
- Update firmware
Distance Boundary Range:
20m (approximately 65') out to 2500m (approximately 1.5 miles)
Height Boundary Range
20m (approximately 65') up to 1000m (approximately 3,280')
The DX4 also features spring-loaded control sticks designed to make the Blade 350 QX3 easy to fly. For instance, when using the throttle stick, instead of having to hunt for the right power setting when entering a hover, just climb or descend to the altitude you want and let go of the stick. The 350 QX3 will automatically hold altitude when the throttle stick snaps back to neutral. The same goes for the other controls. Once you have the aircraft where you want it, just let go of the sticks. With the sticks at neutral, SAFE technology will stabilize the 350 QX3 and hold position until you are ready to fly somewhere else