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Walkera Aibao
Available Options
Short description
- GPS F8E (Waypoint, Stability, and Follow-Me Functions)
- Video 4K/25p : Photo 16M (4640 x 3480)
- AIBAO GO Game App
- Flight Time: 20 Minutes /with SMART Charge Batt. 7.6V 5200mAh 5C 2S LiPo.
- Range: 1.25 Miles / 2 KM : 2.4G : Remote Batt. 7.4V 3000mAh Li-po 2S
Product description
All other components, such as the smart device holder, must be purchased separately, unfortunately. However, the added components you may or may not need, depending on if you actually want to spend more and invest further, can be found on Amazon, Walkera’s website, or from a handful of random online and in-store retailers.
Walkera AiBao Package
You will notice that the drone comes already assembled, as previously stated, so you can begin to have fun the minute you have unboxed it. Remember to download the application, as well!
DESIGN & DURABILITY
The AiBao is designed to be one of the first virtual reality drones for a perfect gaming experience and mixed reality. It offers a great choice for a drone where gamers are concerned, but is designed to be so light that you won’t know the difference between it and your iPad.
The propeller and motor are designed so that you can utilize the full power without draining the battery too quickly, thanks to the advanced manufacturing techniques used by Walkera to produce a high efficiency, powerful gaming drone.
Walkera AiBao Propellers
Overall, it’s designed to offer a gaming experience during flight that feels so real that you will actually believe you’re up in the air, too. It’s made from plastic and can be purchased with a selection of three colors, being white, black, and beige.
Where durability is concerned, not much is known. At this time of writing, there are no videos on YouTube of flight issues, crashes, etc. However, that does not mean that this drone is indestructible and can be treated as such, so remember to use caution when flying just like you would with any other flying device.
CAMERA
The AiBao by Walkera comes fully equipped with a 4K HD camera that includes 16 megapixels and can shoot both 720p and 1080p HD videos. Videos can be recorded at 25 frames per second in 720p and 60 frames per second in 1080p. Even when the camera’s quality is turned down it still captures everything amazingly. Check out this video to see what shooting in 2.7K looks like.
In truth, the camera is more so for video recording than it is taking pictures because it pairs itself with the augmented reality application in order to properly see the virtual objects that will be appearing on your screen during flight.
The camera in general, however, is one of the most necessary components in this drone. You will be able to transmit in high definition from up to 1.5 kilometers away, meaning that you will be able to see the features and collectibles in the game from this distance, which will take your flying and gaming experience to a new level entirely.
Watch this video to see a gaming experience in full 4K quality.
BATTERY & FLIGHT TIME
The 300mAh transmitter battery included, ensures a longer, safer flight when flying at a transmission range of up to 1.5 kilometers. The signal amplifier that is built in aids this battery function, which can slightly drain the battery depending on how long you need it for and whether or not you’re going out of range, but it is definitely useful to have.
For a 280 class video drone, the battery and flight time specifications are actually not too bad. In total, you get up to 18 minutes of flight time when using the cartridge battery, but if you want to be out there for a lot longer, you can always just switch to an additional battery pack, so there’s that.
Walkera AiBao
CONTROLLER
The DEVO F8E Digital Tx transmitter, or controller, has multiple functions that cater to the ergonomically design for each individual action and function that is used for the drone it works with. When you are in flight and using the app through your phone, the transmitter will pick up on that and work using both at the same time, so really you are using three pieces of hardware at once.
It does have a safety feature when you are flying, which works through some of the buttons redundant and communicating with the app to further confirm what you are trying to do, which is a pretty great feature if you think about it.
To see more on what the controller looks like alone and with a smart device connected, and how it will look in your hands when flying, watch this video to see a short video with a couple of important snippets.
FLIGHT PERFORMANCE
The flight performance for the AiBao is actually a pretty decent one. It would definitely have to be a good one, however, considering it’s a virtual reality drone that needs to be able to fly properly for the purpose of the games involved.
It can ascend at 5m/s and further descend at 3m/s. This is further amplified depending on the performance mode you are using, however. For example, altitude mode allows 20m/s, while sports mode allows 10m/s.
The flight performance also depends on whether or not you are playing one of the games, racing a friend with the same drone, or just casually flying around.
To see more on the overall flight performance of the AiBao by Walkera, watch this video.
VALUE FOR MONEY & GUARANTEE
For a drone that is this futuristic, you’d think that it would more than likely break your bank if you wanted to make a purchase, but that is definitely not the case! The drone is priced at nearly $500.00 on Walkera’s website, priced and at around $400.00 on Amazon, and priced randomly between $450 and $500 on random retailers around the web.
Amazon is definitely the best place to go for buying to get more bang for your buck, but one has to wonder if the purchase is really worth it. Of course it is! You’re literally getting a gaming machine and a drone packed into one, so the value for the money you’re spending, which can be very little if you go to the right place to buy, is absolutely incredible.
The warranty and guarantee options are kind of insane, though. Basically, Walkera offers a free warranty for all of their customers no matter what drone you are buying, but it’s extremely extensive.
While that may not seem bad, because technically it’s a great warranty to have, when you scroll down a little you’re going to see bullet points for miles, including the following:
No unauthorized modification, installation, or disassembling has taken place or your warranty is null and voided
Damage resulting from improper installation or operation that is incorrect will not be warranted as per the guidance manual
Basically, Walkera is saying that you do have coverage, but if you do anything even remotely stupid and break something, you’re going to have to pay for it on your own.
While the value for money is great, and there is a warranty present under very certain circumstances, it’s still worth it. Just ensure that you fly properly, carefully, and in accordance with instructions, the guide manual, and your flight restrictions based on the region you are living in to avoid any issues.
UNIQUE FEATURES
Where the AiBao is concerned, practically all of the features are unique, especially when it comes to the gaming aspects and features. While the three games offered are the most notable when it comes to features, which will be outlined in a minute, there are many other unique features that any drone user can benefit from.
The dual GPS feature uses Glonass and GPS protocols in order to receive and send a signal from the GPS itself with added precision for your and the drone’s location successfully. The orbit flight feature sets up a precise radius around you through the drone application for the purpose of orbiting around you or a stationary location that has been manually set by you.
Waypoints is also another interesting, notable feature. It sets up a precise flight path to follow specified waypoints on your command and works by setting it up through the application. Standard hovering is like the orbit flight feature, but this one works through your horizontal and height location, to ensure a solid holding position.
Even if there are external wind forces that are slightly moving the drone around, it will still hold the standard hovering position when applied by you. The games, however, are the best unique features that come with the drone, which are outlined for you below:
Racing Mode – You can set up a virtual racetrack for you and your friends, or just do one by yourself, through the application.
Combat Mode – Using powerful virtual weapons, you can shoot down enemy aircraft through the dogfighting game that is played through the application.
Collection Mode – Fly around and collect the gold coins through an augmented reality world to gain as many points as possible, with a set amount of points needed to beat each level, which is played, again, through the application.