New to flying drones or experienced and ready for an upgrade? Whether or not you have a GoPro, the best drone for GoPro isn’t hard to find. Here’s our suggestion: the Yuneec Q500. For starters, it has a 3-axis gimbal system for enhanced image stability. And a long battery life to boot. This drone may not feature in the top-rated drones, but it runs smoothly.
Why We Like It – Yuneec Q500
Equipped with a 4K camera, the Yuneec Q500 allows for one to skip getting a GoPro, while still shooting incredibly high quality videos. It even has a 3-axis gimbal system to keep everything buttery smooth.
- Remote controller is also personal ground station
- 3-axis gimbal system
- Great for beginners & experience fliers
- Fixed screen prevents external options
Speed & Power
Compared to the DJI Phantom 2, the Yuneec Q500’s speed might seem slow. It maxes out at 18mph, whereas the Phantom 2 clocks in at almost twice that speed. Still, 18mph is fairly fast and pairs quite nicely with its maximum range. As for battery life, it matches the DJI Phantom 2 with 25 minutes of flight time.
Range & Durability
Don’t let its shiny exterior fool you. It may look like metal, but lifting it up once, and you’ll immediately realize it’s plastic, whereas the Altair Aerial Blackhawk is, in fact, made of metal. It ultimately isn’t a dealbreaker, considering its max distance is 2624 feet.
Camera
You might think twice about the camera, depending on what GoPro you have, because the Yuneec Q500 is fitted with a 4K camera. The CGO3 camera features a 14 mm f/2.8 lens, without image curvature, so you aren’t dealing with a fish-eye view. You’ll also find the option for ground shots inside the CGO3 gimbal camera settings. More importantly, it has a 3-axis gimbal system for superb image stability. Check out our Yuneec Breeze 4K review for another camera drone.
Features
Controlling the drone is done with the ST10 Ground Station Remote Control, which has a built-in 5.5-inch display for making adjustments. A switch in the top-right lets you control its various flight modes, such as: Home Mode, Smart Mode, and Angle Mode. Need your drone to come back? Switch to Home Mode. New to flying drones? Use Smart Mode, whereas Angle Mode gives you full control.
Value
The Yuneec Q500 is in an interesting position. While the 3DR Solo Drone is cheaper and performs just as well, it lacks a camera, which means you’ll still have to buy a GoPro. But if you haven’t bought a GoPro yet, you could knock two birds with one stone and get the Yuneec Q500. And it still has plenty of features to justify its price. Be sure to take a look at our Yuneec Typhoon H Pro review, which comes packed with accessories.
Yuneec Q500 Wrap Up
While you can’t connect to external screens, the Yuneec Q500 will still feel like the full package. The remote control will feel natural in the hands of experienced and the inexperienced, while providing oodles of settings to adjust. And its 3-axis gimbal system is a must-have for photographers aiming at aerial shots.
