Comparison MJX Bugs 3 vs MJX X101

Maximum flight time of a quadcopter on one full battery charge. This indicator is quite approximate, since it is most often indicated for ideal conditions - in real use, the flight time may be less than stated. However, by this indicator it is quite possible to evaluate the general capabilities of the copter and compare it with other models - a longer declared flight time in practice usually means higher autonomy.

Note that for modern copters, a flight time of 20 minutes or more is considered a good indicator, and in the most “long-lasting” models it can exceed 40 minutes.

The range of the drone is the maximum distance from the control device at which a stable connection is maintained and the device remains controlled. For models that allow operation both from the remote control and from a smartphone (see "Control"), this item indicates the maximum value — usually achieved when using the remote control.

When choosing according to this indicator, note that the range is indicated for perfect conditions — within line of sight, without obstacles in the signal path and interference on the air. In reality, the control range may be somewhat lower; and when using a smartphone, it will also depend on the characteristics of a particular gadget. As for specific figures, they can vary from several tens of metres in low-cost models to 5 km or more in high-end equipment. At the same time, it should be said that the greater the range of communication, the higher its reliability in general, the better the control works with an abundance of interference and obstacles. Therefore, a powerful transmitter can be useful not only for long distances, but also for difficult conditions.

The presence of an information display on the quadcopter control panel.

Note that this feature should not be confused with the FPV broadcast screen (see below). The information display is usually a simple segment display capable of displaying numbers, individual letters, and, on some models, a limited set of special icons. However, even such equipment significantly expands the capabilities of the remote control and allows the operator to receive a lot of additional information: battery charge, signal level, range, flight altitude, etc. At the same time, the auxiliary screen is inexpensive and can be used even in low-cost models. And in advanced drones, it may well complement the broadcast display: separating data into different screens contributes to ease of control.

The number and type of batteries used in the quadcopter control panel.

— AA. Replaceable batteries, colloquially known as "AA batteries". They are available not only in the form of disposable batteries, but also in the form of rechargeable batteries, are produced under various brands that differ in price and quality (which provides freedom of choice), and finding such elements on the market is usually not a problem. The power and capacity of AA elements are relatively small, but in most cases they are quite enough for normal operation of the transmitter for quite a long time. Usually, modern consoles require several of these batteries; in the most high consumption this number can reach 8.

— AAA. Also known as "pinky". In fact, a smaller version of popular AA elements (see above); has the same key features, but differs in more compact dimensions and, as a result, somewhat reduced power. This option is typical for low-cost class models, with a small range of the remote control.

— 3s. This marking does not describe the size of the battery, but its operating voltage and technology. It denotes a lithium-ion or lithium-polymer battery (see "Battery type"), assembled from three cells with a standard voltage of 3.7 V each, and thereby delivering an operating voltage of 11.1 V. The advantages of such a power supply are high power and capacity, which allows you to use the remote control for a long time without recharging. At the same time, batteries of thi...s type can vary significantly in size and weight, and not every model marked 3s will be compatible with the remote control. In addition, finding a spare battery is more difficult than a set of cells of a standard size.

— Proprietary battery. Powered by an original battery that is not related to any of the options described above. Such batteries can be much more powerful than replacement cells, making them well suited even for remotes with high power consumption. Their main advantage is the difficulty with quick replacement: the design of the remote control is at best poorly suited for this, and at worst the battery is generally non-removable. Also, finding the right replacement battery can be a major hassle.

The type of motors used in the quadcopter.

Modern copter drones are traditionally equipped with electric motors (usually one for each propeller), and by type, such motors are divided into relatively simple collector and more advanced brushless ones. Here is a detailed description of each variety:

— Collector. In motors of this type, a collector is used to switch the current between the windings — a mechanical device in the form of a ring mounted on the motor shaft and divided into separate sections. The current to this ring is supplied by a pair of fixed contacts — the so-called brushes. Such a design is very simple and inexpensive, moreover, it is repaired without much difficulty. On the other hand, collector motors have a relatively low efficiency, and brush contacts wear out and fail quite quickly due to constant friction (especially with frequent operation at high speeds). Therefore, the main scope of their application are relatively simple and inexpensive quadcopters — in more advanced technology, the brushless motors described below are often used.

— Brushless. In such motors, current switching between windings is carried out using electronic circuits, without the use of moving parts. This complicates and somewhat increases the cost of the design, but it gives a number of advantages over collector units. First of all, brushless motors are more efficient and experience less wear when running at full po...wer. In addition, it is easier to adjust the actual power in them, the range of such adjustment is wider, the accuracy is higher, and the reaction to changing the settings is almost instantaneous. With all this, modern technologies make it possible to create relatively inexpensive and affordable brushless motors, the cost of which is often only a small part of the price of the entire copter. So this option is quite popular in modern drones, it can be found even among relatively inexpensive models.

The name of the engine installed in the quadcopter. Usually, knowing this name, you can easily find information about the features of the engine — both official manufacturer data and reviews from users — and determine how much you are satisfied with its characteristics. This can be very important when choosing a high-end professional model.

The diameter of each individual quadcopter/multicopter propeller (it is usually the same for all propellers). In general, this indicator is of secondary importance: it is selected by the manufacturer in such a way as to provide features corresponding to the class of the machine. We only note that the noise level may depend on the size of the propellers: all other things being equal (the number of propellers, the number of blades, the weight of the apparatus, etc.), a propeller of a smaller diameter must rotate faster to provide the necessary thrust, and at high speeds the engines also run louder.

The capacity of the battery supplied with the quadcopter.

Theoretically, a larger battery can provide a longer charge time. However, keep in mind that this time also depends on the power consumption of the copter — and it is determined by the power of the engines, dimensions and weight, as well as a number of other features. In addition, the actual battery capacity is determined not only by ampere-hours, but also by its nominal voltage. Therefore, only quadcopters with the same battery voltage and similar operating characteristics can be compared by amp-hours; and it is best to evaluate battery life by directly claimed flight time (see below).

The material from which the body of the quadcopter is made.

In most modern models, plastic is used as the main (and most often the only) material. Plastic is easy to process, easily takes complex shapes and can be painted in any colour; in addition, its weight is quite small. It is believed that this material is not very durable; however, this is true only for relatively inexpensive quadcopters. The fact is that today there are many varieties of plastic, and high-end varieties can be extremely durable. Therefore, the strength and reliability of such cases are usually directly related to the class and price category of the quadcopter.

Other material options may include expanded polypropylene, which is lightweight with good strength; carbon fiber, which is a premium material due to its combination of lightness and high reliability; as well as metal parts used to reinforce important places subjected to high loads.