Blade 350 QX Quadcopter: An Advanced Drone for Multiple Applications

The Blade 350 QX is one of the most advanced drones on the market right now, simply because it comes with the latest features and it is based on the latest technology.

Keep in mind that this unit isn’t designed just for fun because it can be used for numerous applications besides offering a high level of impressive flying experience. It offers smooth flying capabilities, so flying this drone is a real pleasure and simpler than most, other drones can offer.

This drone is fully assembled, which means that it is ready to fly as soon you get it. In fact, all you need to do is to recharge the battery and start flying. However, the manufacturer recommends new users to read the manual, which you should, considering the fact that this is an advanced drone, so it has a lot of features.

After you understand all the features and capabilities this unit has, flying will be simple and interesting.

Product specifications:

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The drone is lightweight, but that build materials are strong, so it can withstand light damages and even crashes. On the other side, thanks to its low weight, it offers the highest level of maneuverability, so flying is better than similar units have to offer.

The frame has been specially developed so it absorbs shocks but, if you have a severe crash, you can replace the damaged components quite easily. A great addition is the fact that spare parts are low-cost and they implement the same quality as original parts.

Taking photos and videos is definitely one of the most important capabilities this drone has to offer. Due to the fact that it offers smooth flying capabilities, photos and videos will have the best quality possible. On the other side, keep in mind that a camera isn’t included in the package, so you will have to get an additional unit.

Build specifications

Packaging

As aforementioned, this drone is fully capable of flying as soon you get it. In any case, you get in the package:

• 1 x Blade 350 QX
• 1 x receiver
• 000 Mah LiPo Capacity Battery
• 1 x manual
• Battery charger
• A battery hatch (white)

The drone in question is also available in the Bind-N-Fly version, but in this case, you won’t get AA batteries and the transmitter.

Additional, smaller components are included in the package, and the assembling isn’t required.

Design & durability

Blade 350 QX weighs only 760 grams, which is lower than similar models, especially those in the same price range. This makes flying much better and simpler, so this drone offers more fun than equivalent drones. On the other side, all components are made from materials that can withstand shocks and smaller crashes. As the end result, you will have a drone that is truly resistant to crashes and lighter damages.

The kit is colored in white and black colors, with red propellers (two of them), which makes it stand out from the crowd and look more expensive that it actually is.

The manufacturer offers spare parts on their website, so it is a much better choice to order a new component from them, than to order from untrusted sellers, due to the fact there are a lot of copied components on the market. Copied components are up to 2-3 times cheaper than original parts, but they are also lower in quality. In addition, most of them won’t fit, so you will have to make a minor modification, or get a new component, which is a waste of money.

Camera

A camera isn’t included in the package, so this component is something you will have to get additionally. On the other side, thanks to its amazing flying capabilities, it is an important element to this drone. Simply said, you need an excellent camera for this drone and you can make professional photos.

A GoPro camera and a professional gimbal are the best choices, as the frame is fully optimized for supporting a camera. Keep in mind that not all camera models can be mounted, so you will have to get a supported model.

In addition, professional cameras are the best choice, due to the fact that they have the highest resolution and they are lightweight. A heavy camera can compromise the maneuverability and fly time, which will have a negative effect on the flying capabilities of this drone.

Battery & flight time

The battery is the smallest, but also the most important components in this unit, simply because it dictates the flying time. The manufacturer has upgraded the battery, compared to the previous model, so this unit has a 3,000 mAh LiPo battery, capable of providing more than 15 minutes of flying time.

Although this time isn’t the best you can get, it is the best among all drones from this price range. Keep in mind that weather conditions affect the flying time, due to the fact the drone must use more power and energy in order to stay in the air. In addition, mounting a camera may reduce the flying time, but this is almost irrelevant.

Charging the battery must be done via the provided by the manufacturer. Charging it with another charger can cause damage to the battery and in some cases, it can even explode. If you use the factory charger, you will recharge the battery in less than 2 hours, which is a bit long, but hey, you can always get a spare.

Controller

The controller of BLADE 350 QX3 Quadcopter is one of the best you can get because it is easy to use and it offers a lot of features. A great addition is the return home button, which will bring your drone to the starting position. When pressed, the LED light will flash, notifying you that your drone is coming. You also get LED indications, depending on the chosen mode (AP, Smart or Stability).

In addition, this controller has a compact design, so holding it in your hands is a real pleasure. It has been specially shaped, so it won’t cause wrist fatigue, even if you use it the entire day.

The best features for the controller are:

• Very easy to use
• Large display on the bottom
• Return home button
• LED indicators
• Long range

All these mean that flying your drone is much simpler and offers a better experience than most models on the market. Keep in mind that the controller is made on the same principle as the drone, simply because it is lightweight, but it offers a high quality.

Flight performance

This factor is one of the most important when it comes to high-end drones. You should know by now that the drone in question has been designed for professional applications, so it isn’t an ordinary toy!

Users claim that 350 QX drone can offer:

• More than 15 minutes flying time (the actual time depends on several factors)
• Maximum speed: 15 mph

A few interesting additions to this drone’s flight performance are the 3 flying modes:

• The Smart Mode, which makes flying safer. In essence, this mode uses a sensor in order to avoid possible damages and obstacles, so the risk of damages will be lower. Stability mode is perfect when it comes to making aerial photos and videos, due to the fact it will keep the drone in one position. Even when a pilot makes certain changes that can interfere with the stability, the system will eliminate them and keep the drone in stable mode.
• The Agility Mode is more than needed if you want to have fun with the drone. It will make flying better and the maneuverability will be improved.
• AP or aerial photography mode is specially designed for pilots who want to take photos from the air. In this mode, the special attention has been focused on the stability and smoothness, which means that all photos and videos you make will have an amazing quality.

The return home is a great feature that will bring your drone back to the starting position and prevent losing your unit. Choosing this mode is simple since all you need to do is to press a button on the controller.

Unique features

Among most unique features, we want to mention the 3 flight modes that enable ultra-stable aerial video capture. Also, since the drone can be adjusted to your way of flying, the device can be used by both beginners and experts in the art of drone piloting.

In addition to the flight modes, this drone also features improved GPS and altimeter technology. It comes with built-in sensors that enable you to keep your drone in a specific position in the air. Thus, you will get more stable aerial footage.

Also, there is a return home mode to automatically return your quad home (at the starting point) with the flip of a switch.

Value for money & guarantee

Two main factors when purchasing a drone are the price and guarantee period. If we compare this model with similar ones on the market, it can be said that its price is very affordable. You can buy it from your local hobby shop or online.

For example, you can buy a new one online for around 500 dollars (of course, you should add the shipping cost to this price). The combination of price, great features, and reliability makes this quadcopter available to the large public. Thus, this model has become one of the main competitors to DJI drones and it’s definitely worth every penny.

The guarantee period is not mentioned on sites where it is available, but you can contact your seller for warranty information and any other issue. Also, you can look at the manufacturer’s website for the warranty information.

Similar models or main competitors

Blade 350 QX2 AP Combo RTF Quadcopter

In fact, this is an upgraded version of 350 QX model. It features an included 2-axis brushless gimbal, as well as a CGO1 1080P/30 camera and an advanced hardware. Also, there is a 5.8 GHz WiFi downlink to save your videos to the supported devices. Thanks to the 3S 3000 mAh Li-Po battery, you can have the extended shoots.

Among others, there is also an integrated RF chipset with an external antenna, improved accuracy and GPS performance, a simplified radio, and a visual compass error detection for calibration. As for the flight modes, the Blade 350 QX2 also has smart, AP, and stability mode. You can select any of them by pushing a 3-position switch on the transmitter.

The flight time is only 10 minutes, which is one of the main drawbacks of this drone, but, there are ways to make it stay in the air longer, and we suggest to learn a few tricks by reading our article about the ways of extending your drone’s flight time. The product dimensions are 23.4 x 22 x 14 inches while the item weight is around 7.5 pounds.

BLADE 350 QX3 Quadcopter (RTF)

The next model in the 350 series, is the Blade 350 QX3 (RTF) drone. As you might assume, it brings a few improved features compared to its predecessors, and they are mainly focused on the aerial videography. All you need to do is mount a GoPro camera, since it is not included, and enjoy recording the shots.

It is quite easy to control and fly thanks to the great flight modes – AP (Aerial Photography), Advanced SAFE (Sensor Assisted Flight Envelope), and so-called SMART mode. By the way, it also contains an improved GPS performance with a mast-mounted GPS antenna for easier navigation.

The appearance remained unchanged: the same shape and the same white frame. The product size is 21.7 x 13.5 x 8.6 inches and it is able to fly 15 minutes. It comes with a DX4 transmitter, DC Li-Po battery charger, and a 3000 mAh Li-Po battery.

DJI Phantom FC40 Quadcopter

One of the main competitors of the Blade drones is DJI Phantom FC40 Quadcopter with Wi-Fi FPV Video Camera. It brings 720p HD camera for the high-quality video recording. Moreover, this quadcopter comes with 5.8 GHz control connection that allows a live FPV (first-person view) Wi-Fi streaming to the iOS and Android devices.

The camera is removable, so you can replace it with a GoPro or any other compatible camera. As for the other hardware components, we’re just mentioning the powerful motor and self-tightening propellers that enable very stable and extra security flight. There is also an intelligent orientation control (IOC) and the advanced GPS navigation functions, including the return-to-home mode you can activate via particular software.

The design is specific for the DJI quadcopters, with a white frame, “X” shape, and two square legs. It is slightly smaller than the above-mentioned Blade drone – 18.9 x 13.4 x 4.7 inches. This aircraft requires a Li-Po 700 mAh battery and it is able to fly up to 15 minutes per charge. For a betetr insight on what this model offers, we suggest that you also read our DJI Phantom FC4O in-depth review.

Overview

If you want to buy this drone, it would be good for you to know what are the main advantages and shortcomings of this model.

Pros:

• Easy to fly quad which is ideal for learning to fly a drone.
• This is a highly capable quadcopter with dynamic flight modes, including smart, safe and aerial photography mode.
• It has return-to-home and other advanced features.
• Suitable for sport, speed, and proximity FPV.
• Ready to fly, so no assembly required.

Cons:

• When a camera is attached, the radio waves can jam the GPS.
• Weak propellers.
• Short flight time.

Although this Blade model has new versions already (such as 350 QX2, and 350 QX3), it is still one of the most wanted hobbyist drones on the market.

It’s certainly not better than today’s DJI Phantom quadcopters, but it is a solid and reliable platform that is worthy of consideration.