STORM Drone 6 GPS Flying Platform
- Thread starter harena
- Start date
I don't have experience with it, but I just went through and read the entire page on the Storm and it's pretty impressive and probably easier to fix if something goes wrong than the phantom - plus they sell all the replacement parts on helipal. There are a couple of issues though. Once you add a decent FPV system (easy or deluxe) and a GoPro (their FPV systems use the GoPro for FPV video - except the mini package), you're looking at around the same price as the Phantom Vision 2.
Comparing them side by side since they'll end up costing around the same in the long run, you need to decide what's more important for you. If I was buying one of these right now, the main differences that really stick out are the following:
Flight Time: The Storm has a pretty low flight time. 9-10 minutes with 2 batteries! The Vision 2 claims 25 minutes of flight time, which is amazing considering it has a good camera on it. Normally, for flight times like that, you're going to have to strip all the weight off your copter. DJI has engineered this thing very well.
Stability/ Video Quality: The storm is a hexa (6 props), so it should be more stable than the phantom. Also, it has a lot of features specific to ensuring good video quality (vibration elimination/ anti-jello, etc.). The Phantom can put out good video, but likely not as perfect. Watching some Youtube flight videos of each will give you a better idea here.
FPV Range: The Phantom FPV range is 300m (because of WiFi). The higher end FPV addons for the Storm are 1-3km in range.
With the Phantom, you're getting a ton of R&D money behind it and some of the best engineering in this market, but also seems to be engineered very well and the design is very well thought out. The Storm is also closer to what guys who build rigs specifically for video would do. The Phantom is more of a mass market kind of quad that tries to be for everybody. If I were in your position, I'd likely pick up the Storm because I feel I'd have a lot more room to grow into it and I think it's going to be a better video platform. 25 minutes of flight time is nice, but once you fly, you'll realize that that's an eternity and 10 minutes is probably sufficient. Especially since you can land and put new batteries on and get right back up in the air.
Comparing them side by side since they'll end up costing around the same in the long run, you need to decide what's more important for you. If I was buying one of these right now, the main differences that really stick out are the following:
Flight Time: The Storm has a pretty low flight time. 9-10 minutes with 2 batteries! The Vision 2 claims 25 minutes of flight time, which is amazing considering it has a good camera on it. Normally, for flight times like that, you're going to have to strip all the weight off your copter. DJI has engineered this thing very well.
Stability/ Video Quality: The storm is a hexa (6 props), so it should be more stable than the phantom. Also, it has a lot of features specific to ensuring good video quality (vibration elimination/ anti-jello, etc.). The Phantom can put out good video, but likely not as perfect. Watching some Youtube flight videos of each will give you a better idea here.
FPV Range: The Phantom FPV range is 300m (because of WiFi). The higher end FPV addons for the Storm are 1-3km in range.
With the Phantom, you're getting a ton of R&D money behind it and some of the best engineering in this market, but also seems to be engineered very well and the design is very well thought out. The Storm is also closer to what guys who build rigs specifically for video would do. The Phantom is more of a mass market kind of quad that tries to be for everybody. If I were in your position, I'd likely pick up the Storm because I feel I'd have a lot more room to grow into it and I think it's going to be a better video platform. 25 minutes of flight time is nice, but once you fly, you'll realize that that's an eternity and 10 minutes is probably sufficient. Especially since you can land and put new batteries on and get right back up in the air.
benton j miller
Member
i just received mine. I'm not about to fly it till i get some extra parts....particularly extra rotors. it came as advertised, except there was some assembly. it seems like a solid piece of techno....but well wait and see.
we are waiting of your detailed feedback (pls. do not keep us waiting for long) Why extra rotors? Assembly should it not be RTF? How long it took to be delivered?
benton j miller
Member
it only took 4 days for it to arrive. It is NOT a RTF unit. you have to assemble the legs, and install them, and this was no easy task. i had to retrofit them in order to get them to work. The extra rotors are for when i crash it my first time, and i'm sure i will....just want to have extra parts on hand so i don't have to wait for them to arrive. Just being cautious. otherwise....it seems like a great copter
benton j miller
Member
Ok....the first flight was excellent. very, very easy to fly. auto hover works like a charm. i flew for 3 minutes, then shut it down cause i only have one battery. ordering two more friday, plus extra props. i will be adding gimble, and gopro in the near future. my honest opinion about this setup? excellent. better than advertised.
benton j miller
Member
if i were you....i'd get an extra battery, and a few sets of props. i wouldn't get extra motors yet. my landing was smooth, but be sure to take your time getting to know this craft. go slow. a few short flights. get the feel for it, and then take off!!!! let me know when yours arrives. your going to love it!!
benton j miller
Member
not sure. the whole package was sent out for around seven fifty.
J Swall
Member
Yes I have the storm Drone 6 and I love it. It took less than a week for me to get it from China. I ordered the D6 with upgraded Naza M V2 GPS, battery holder, deluxe FPV and the Tarot gimble. When it came all the hard stuff was assembled and all I had to assemble was the landing gear, mount the gimble, battery holder and GPS antenna all programming and wiring was done for me. All this took me was about an hour and a half to assemble the stuff. After powering up the batteries for the drone and transmitter I was ready for first flight. It takes about a minute for the GPS to locate the satellites but once I got the green light I unlocked the throttle and up it went. I had to just do some minor trim adjustments but that's to be expected. The GPS hold on the V2 is better then the lite so I was glad I upgraded. The drone is very responsive but only lasts about 3 minutes with the one battery that comes with the drone. I will be upgrading the batteries for a longer flight time. The RTH works very well when you kill the transmitter which actives the RTH and it came back to about 3 meters where it took off. Battery alarms are a must for it for when the single battery hit around 3.5v she comes down quick. However it was not a crash it was a good landing and this happened twice. I am glad I got this one for it flies well in the wind much better then my quadcopter and there is no comparison to my first drone the AR Drone. This is my opinion on the D6 and that is worth the money. I plan to use it for aerial photography and so far it is great, the Tarot gimble with the GoPro 3 black takes excellent video, hope this helps.
thanks for you detailed report
I have ordered my Storm few days ago. Hope it will arrive in the next days. I have the similar configuration like yours:
STORM Drone 6 GPS Flying Platform - NAZA-M V2 GPS- FPV Package Deluxe - extra batteries... Did you used the Camera Position Kit? I plan to use the GoPro3 + Black Edition. I am really excited to see how it will fly.
J Swall
Member
Yes I did the Camera Position Kit is vital if you want to add dual batteries. When using 2 batteries and the GoPro you must balance the drone. This is done by sliding the camera or batteries in or out from the center of the drone.thanks for you detailed report
I have ordered my Storm few days ago. Hope it will arrive in the next days. I have the similar configuration like yours:
STORM Drone 6 GPS Flying Platform - NAZA-M V2 GPS- FPV Package Deluxe - extra batteries... Did you used the Camera Position Kit? I plan to use the GoPro3 + Black Edition. I am really excited to see how it will fly.