This is an exciting year for aerial drone photography. DJI has owned drone photography for the last several years, but now competitors like Yuneec and 3D Robotics are giving them a run for their money with more feature-rich drones. The most interesting development of 2016 in the drone war will be when heavyweight GoPro announces its upcoming drone.
Oh, and I should say right off the bat that this post is in no way sponsored or endorsed by Yuneec. I don't have any sort of backdoor deal with them. They have no idea who I am. I'm just excited about their new drone, and the price is right (check the current price on Amazon).
360 Degree Shooting
The biggest drawback to the DJI Phantom 3 is that you can only shoot through a tiny window. The landing gear block the camera from about half of the shooting area, so the only way to pan is to physically rotate the drone, which doesn't always work. This severely limits the usability of the drone.
If you want to be able to shoot from all angles, you have to buy the DJI Inspire, which costs three times more but has landing gear that lift up and free the camera. But even then, the Inspire 1 can rotate one and a half times and then stops. The Typhoon can rotate endlessly.
The Yuneec Typhoon H has landing gear that raise up, but costs only half of what the DJI Inspire does similarly equipped.
Included Hardshell Backpack
I spent a couple days trying to rig up a suitable case for my DJI Phantom. The fact that the Typhoon comes with a hard shell backpack that fits everything perfectly is really really nice.
Notice in this post how many “included” accessories come with the Yuneec Typhoon. Backpack, two batteries, touch screen, car adapter, handheld gimbal. I love buying from a company that doesn't nickel and dime me with every accessory.
Built-In 7″ Touchscreen
One of the biggest complaints about the DJI Phantom 3 and Inspire is the bugginess of the software when attempting to connect an iPad or iPhone to the controller. Users report constant errors where the connection can't be made.
Another benefit of the Typhoon H is that it has a built-in touchscreen on the controller which allows the pilot to use the camera. Since I'll be controlling the camera and piloting the aircraft, this is a huge benefit to have everything in one place without requiring multiple controllers or connecting third party screens.
There is a downside to the Typhoon's video link, however. While no one has been able to test the new video controller yet, it's likely that it will have more lag because it uses wifi. DJI's video downlink is buggy, but has very very low lag since it uses a different technology.
DJI Drones are Unreliable (In my experience)
This is a question mark for me. I own a DJI phantom and know how incredibly buggy it is. I remember updating the firmware a week before an important trip and the firmware reversed every movement on the control sticks, which basically made it impossible to fly. DJI does NOT produce a stable drone in my experience, and if you have issues, there is basically zero chance you'll get help from their famously horrible customer service.
Will Yuneec's drone be any more reliable? I don't know. It may be as bad or worse. But knowing that I'm not happy with the stability of DJI's drones, I have nothing to lose by trying someone new.
Folding Arms
The arms of Typhoon are not only retractable to get out of the shot, but they also fold down so when you're done shooting you can easily push down the arms to fold it in a nice little ball and put it in the included carrying case.
This makes the hexcopter much more portable for when I'm out traveling to shoot with you guys on our free photography workshops that we do all around the world.
The Price
The price is right for Yuneec's Typhoon H. It's not cheap, but when compared to similarly equipped drones from other manufacturers, it's a steal at $1,299. You can pre-order your Yuneec Typhoon H from Amazon here (that's an affiliate link). I got my pre-order in and I'm REALLY excited to use this thing! The Typhoon is set to be released in March, 2016. Get your pre-order in fast, because I can't imagine that this thing will be in stock for long.
Comes with Two Batteries
Not only are two batteries included, but it also includes both a wall and a 12 volt DC socket so that you can charge the batteries in your car while you're driving. For me as a travel photographer, that's HUGE! Batteries for a drone usually cost in the $100 range, so including two batteries makes a big difference in the overall price of the drone.
I also like that the batteries on the Yuneec have inclosed connections, so you can just push the battery onto the charging station, instead of connecting the cords coming out of the battery to connectors on the charger. I've lost a few batteries to the cords being worn out, so this will hopefully improve some durability of the drone batteries as well.
Another cool feature is that the controller has a USB port so you can charge the remote with USB instead of needing to carry another cord with you. Excellent!
Hexcopter vs. Quadcopter
It's tough to say what the number one feature is of the Typhoon H, but the six rotors has to be very high on the list. By utilizing six rotors, the drone can land itself even if one or possibly two rotors go out. That gives me some comfort when I'm flying a $2,000 robot in the air above huge waves in high winds.
Six rotors also produces much more power. Many reviewers of Yuneec's previous quadcopter offering complained that it simply was not powerful enough to go fast and fight heavy winds.
The other thing that six rotors gives you is significantly better stability. With only four rotors on a quadcopter, imagine that the drone drifts to the right. The only way to stabilize it is for the two right rotors to spin up faster and tilt the drone down to the left to push it back to its original position. This tilting produces a shaky shot. Now imagine you have six rotors. Only one rotor needs to spin up, producing much less tilt in the shot.
Improved Stability
I have not yet flown a Yuneec drone, so I can't comment on this one personally, but everyone I hear from says that the Yuneec drones drift much less in the air than the DJI drones do. That's a huge benefit for photographers who want to push the limits of a slow shutter speed and still get a sharp photo.
This has been reported to be true even with Yuneec's previous quadcopters, so I am hoping that the stability is dramatically better with this hexcopter offering.
Programmed Flight Paths
Orbit mode will fly a circle around the controller, which I plan to use when I'm standing epically on the side of a mountain with my tripod. Journey mode flies away from the controller to show the entire environment. It also has a follow me mode, as well as the ability to put in waypoints.
Obstacle Avoidance
A third party add-on for the Yuneec Typhoon is Intel's Realsense technology, which will sense objects close to the drone and will fly the drone around them to avoid crashing. That's an incredible ability to add to a drone, but the finer details of the cost of this add-on and exactly how well it will be implemented remain to be seen.
It's Not All Rainbows and Unicorns
I don't pretend that the Yuneec Typhoon H will be an error-free drone that beats the DJI drones in every spec. In fact, I expect a lot of bugs. I also know that there are some serious drawbacks to this drone: reduced range when compared to the DJI offerings, no Glonass, no micro 4/3 camera like the Inspire 1 (the Typhoon H uses the same sensor as a GoPro and the DJI Phantom 3), etc. The Typhoon H is not perfect and I don't expect it to be.
However, the Typhoon H promises a significant upgrade from my DJI Phantom, and I'm anxious to see if Yuneec has outgunned DJI with its latest offering. Time will tell.
What do you guys think? Did Yuneec just announce a DJI killer, or is this a scrappy young company with an inferior product just announcing myriad features and accessories to try and compete?
Get the Yuneec Typhoon H on Amazon
I buy all my quadcopter and photography gear on Amazon. Check the price of the Yuneec Typhoon H on Amazon here. I like buying from Amazon because their return policy is much better than many of the retailers that sell drones online, and the shipping is always better and the price is usually the same or better.
I’ve just puchased my typhoon H less than a week ago. It is my first drone. I use it for home inspections, mostly roofs. I am definitely not disappointed. Probably way more machine than I need, but isn’t that the point. Only drawback I see is battery availability
First let me say, this blog or post needs to be updated.
When you purchase the typhoon H now , it does NOT come with 2 batteries, only 1 !
Second, it does NOT come with a backpack!
Third, it does NOT come with a handheld gimbal.
Don’t be fooled.
These were only promotions in the original release and not offered anymore.
Check contents before you order, I learned the hard way …,
Jim,
Where did you order your Typhoon H for $1299 that had it include the backpack? I just went to a local store and they only sold it in its box.
Your article helped in a big way to help me make my decision. I can’t wait to get it!
I does come with 2 batteries if you order the Pro.
I got a typhoon h on a complete impulse buy. I’m not a photographer or even take videos very well. I don’t know anyone who owns a dji or a typhoon h (except me). As far as using this thing for a job or professional use, it’s not going to happen in my neck of the woods. The thing is cool though, even though the first time I flew it I crash landed and broke some props, and the second time I flew it the camera mount broke off and so with it the round spinny camera went on the injured reserve. The third flight I had it follow me while I rode my friends mountain bike to t-mobile to pay my bill and on the way home, crrrash …..I hit a very tall tree and broke some more props! Anyways, you all are probably wondering if I have a point, well, I do, I’m the most regular guy out there who probably owns one of these things and let me tell you all this, I don’t know about specs and Intel this or sense that or even kkk gimbal what have you. But I do know this, it’s one fun and tough, and persistent drone because after all I’ve put it through this dman thing still Flys very graceful and easily through the air with only three and a half props left! And lands a bit shaky, or hoppy but it does land on its feet! So check it out, if a truck like myself can work this thing, you dudes out there with real photography talent get your hands on one of the the sky is the limit and I’m certain you’ll love it and give it mad props! Later on bros!!!
and 10 reasons to choose phantom 4
You are BIASED to an extreme for the Typhoon H. I like the H, but it just doesn’t hold a candle to the DJI P4…. I can shoot holes in EVERY “comparison” that you provide. But, I won’t bother. You Yuneec owners are RABID about defending your choice in drones… Even when ALL the evidence suggests otherwise. – DEMUNSEED
I have been with Yuneec since the Q500 was released. They’re customer service is unparalleled to DJIs, I could never get through to DJI while Yuneec it was maybe a five minute wait for a tech. I have had exponential amounts of people call me asking to fix their phantoms, they are JUNK. I have only had one customer have problems with his Q500. The typhoon H is definitely one of the best drones out there. Yuneec products are also quick easy repairs as the Typhoon H is modular and no soldering is required. The H does not with a steady grip so the author was wrong there slowly we’re converting people to the better quality Yuneec drones. Spread the word!
Gents, this argument will never die so long as our pet copters cost >$1000. That’s too great a buy-in to admit “I may not have made the perfect choice.” Kevin’s comparison of DJI to Apple computers, and Yuneec to Android is very apt…and the techno-prejudice must use the same mental circuits, just listen to an iPhone and Android phone user argue.
The bottom line for us regular-Joe flyers is reliability. Most of us don’t push the envelope so much that we need to spec out our options in copters to get the max everywhere…we just want one that will put up with our errors. My Q500+ is quite simply a resilient bird that makes clear, smooth videos. The “Wall of Shame” in my office has 14 shattered propellers, two broken landing skids, and a snapped battery latch. I’ve had to fix the camera mount 6 times after hard landings, and there are bark marks and grass stains on most of its body. It still flies, and flies, and flies. My neighbor has a DJI Phantom 3. When the weather turned crappy on us suddenly (it’s Colorado, we’re at 7400′) while we were both flying, mine came back and landed (with a hop), his impacted terra firma.
The Typhoon H is in my future because it’s bigger, smoother, tougher, and simply more badass. I won’t stoop to comparing the DJI Phantom 4 to a cream-filled turnover…I won’t, I won’t, I won’t…
One last thought. Did the fellas at Yuneec intentionally design the Typhoon H to resemble an Imperial Probe Droid, or was that just a fortunate coincidence? Well done, boys.
“Fly it. Risk it. Fix it. Fly it.”
I have flown numerous DJI quads as well as two Yuneecs (currently the H).
The ONLY metric – that is, actual spec – which the H measures up to or beats DJI Phantoms is “looks badass”. Those who believe in engineering, functions, image quality and other such things simply cannot compare the H to anything made by DJI.
The lack of basic mapping – something DJI had two years ago – is a deal killer before we even get started. This means no setting of waypoints on a map, no flight paths, no “radar” to see exactly where you are and much more.
Yuneec does not even have an adjustable Return to Home setting! The batteries are “dumb”, so will require a lot more time and energy to keep fresh.
Lots more – but perhaps the other important FACTS are price and image quality. A $599 Phantom 3 4K has a better camera, more options, mapping and the full features of the Go App.
Reliability? With 1.5 million P3 and P4 models out there, the reliability is quite high. While we don’t have exact numbers there are many H owners who have already crashed their models (bad UI, GPS, etc.).
I like the way the H flies. But it’s not a $100 “fly around and have fun” machine – it’s a flying camera. Taking that into account, DJI gives you much more for much less. A loaded H will cost 50% more and do less.
I disagree with you. I have a Phantom 4 and I have just acquired a YUNEEC Typhoon H Pro. The DJI Phantom 4 CAN take “pictures from any angle” buy RELIABLY yawing. There is no limit on the number of complete rotations.
The Phantom 4 and it’s obstacle avoidance is reliable.
Thye Phantom 4 is rock steady, even in winds with it’s dual GPRO SE and Vision Position System.
My Drone crashes, like actually manned aircraft crashes are PILOT ERROR. I know, I’m an accident free pilot with more than 10,000 hours and have been flying for 50 years.
Both the YUNEEC Typhoon H Pro and The DJI are outstanding “drones”.
I like the availability of third party software and the use of SmartPhones and tablets” that DJI uses.
And as others have pointed out the adjustable return to home that DJI Phantom has is very important.
I’m just saying’…..
Don’t get me wrong, the $1,299, six-rotor drone is expertly designed. It has a third more rotors than, say, the DJI Phantom 4 and, unlike virtually every other drone I’ve tested, folds up for relatively easy transport: the rotor arms fold down to the body when not in flight.
http://www.yuneecuav.com/compared-djiyuneec-full-power/
Hi. I highly recommend this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVemOy4HrtA
It gives many reasons why DJI P4 is better than TYPHOON H
Besides… It’s not easy to trust comments from someone somehow haven’t flown a Typhoon…
Saw Drone Racing on ESPN 2 tonight. VERY cool. Seemed very futuristic; seemed like right out of Star Wars.
I personally think that the Thyphoon H design is a little bit rudimentary compared to the P4’s design.Also,there are more inteligent flight modes on a phantom 4 than on an Thyphoon H at a lower price.
Don’t waste your considerable time and money!!!
I purchased a Typhoon H Pro with Intel Real Sense technology back September of 2016. The 1st unit Yuneec sent me, even though I went through the set-up with the manual AND calling Yuneec’s technical support department, the drone flew for a few minutes then became uncontrollable when I was bringing it in for a landing and started to fly in large circles uncontrollably and eventually crashed into some trees. The unit was sent back to Yuneec, they said they repaired the problem and sent me the unit back. I tried another flight, same thing. Fly for a few minutes, try to land, the Typhoon would start fly in directions off on its own, uncontrollably. I sent this unit back and Yuneec again said they repaired it. Again, same issue, uncontrollable flight after a few minutes. The Typhoon H was getting pretty beat-up, rotor’s continually breaking and frustration mounting as each time the unit would come back “repaired” I spent hours updating firmware and speaking with Yuneec’s technical support department to ensure I have set-up the Typhoon H correctly before I would attempt flight only to have the same issue keep arising.
My frustration was increasing considerably as this was costing me time and many missed video opportunities that were planned well in advance so this purchase would be ready for these events.
I asked this time for a brand new unit to be sent. Yuneec sent me another unit. This time, I decided not to read the manual any longer as it is missing information and incomplete and instead called technical support and spent hours on the phone with them making sure the set-up was perfect. AGAIN, the drone flew off uncontrollably, but this time I was ready for it and was able to bring it down without crashing to bad and breaking parts. I again sent this unit back to Yuneec. That was 4 weeks ago and they have yet to send me a working Typhoon H. They have my money, refuse to give me a refund and are, for some reason, delaying sending me a new drone. I’ve requested to speak with a supervisor to have this resolved at least 5 times. Each time I am told I will be receiving a call from the “escalation person” within 24 to 48 hours. I have NEVER EVER received a call from the escalation person and I still am without a working drone and Yuneec has refused to refund my money. They have even lowered the cost of the Typhoon H during the holidays to attempt to sell more units quickly! Don’t waste your time and money.
This unit is clearly not ready for production.
Typhoon is a great drone except that the latest firmware (January 2017) limits the height to 122 meters and you can not change it even through the software. Yuneec says it will be possible again to change this value in the next firmware (true? when??) but now for reasons of governments at the time the typhoon can not exceed 122 meters in height, and consequently also in the distance, can not fly much because of trees and low altitude reached. so, what’s the difference between buying the typhoon and spend $ 1,500, or buy a drone Toy 200 $? very disappointed and frustrated
This uav is shit. It constantly brakes communication with ground station, it does what it wants and worse of all doesn`t start failsafe afterwards. Three times it almost flew away. Countless times almost crashed. It`s the worst drone I ever used. Very disapointed after Q500+. Now bought Inspire 1 and finally everything works as it should.
I like it if you’re on a budget, but it get a ton of vignetting…