One of the popular hobbies several people engage in is drone flying. There are different types of drones; each type has a different design, feature, and uses. We will be looking at hexacopter drones, the different brands, the fastest, and their features.
Some of the hexacopter drones you can get are the Tarot680 Pro hexacopter drone, MJX X600 hexacopter drone, Yuneec Typhoon H hexacopter drone, QWinOut F550 drone, and DJI Spreading Wings Drone. Hexacopters are drones with six rotors, and they are mostly used for industrial and professional purposes.
Quadcopters are the most popular type of drones used; tricopter drones and octocopters are also used. Each type of drone is different; the main noticeable difference between them is the number of rotors or propellers they have.
What Is A Hexacopter
A hexacopter is a small remote control aircraft, a drone with six blades, rotors, or propellers that go round on the top. It is mostly used for photography and videography. A hexacopter is also a drone with six controlled brushless DC motors. The prefix 'hex' refers to the number six, explaining why a hexacopter has six rotors and motors.
The rotors or propellers are arranged in a circular manner around the drone's main body. Each propeller is spaced 120 degrees apart. Hexacopters are lightweight and very powerful; they can also carry heavy payloads. These drones can stay in the air even when there is high altitude.
The six rotors of a hexacopter provide an advantage to users as if one rotor fails, the other five will put the drone in the air and ensure a stable and secure landing. If two propellers of a hexacopter malfunction, the drone can still operate and bring it to a safe landing depending on the position of the malfunctioned propellers. The six propellers give it extra durability and an advantage over tricopters and quadcopters.
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How Does A Hexacopter Differ From Quadcopter Drones
There are several differences between a hexacopter drone and a quadcopter drone. The main difference between a hexacopter and a quadcopter drone is the number of propellers and motors. The prefix 'hex' stands for six, so a hexacopter has six propellers and motors; on the other hand, 'quad' stands for four, so a quadcopter has four propellers and motors.
Hexacopters can stay in the air if one of the motors fails; quadcopters, on the other hand, will crash the moment one of the motors fails. Hexacopters can also lift heavy payloads while quadcopters cannot. However, hexacopters are more expensive than quadcopters, so not everyone can afford to get a hexacopter.
Hexacopters have more power and a longer flight time than a quadcopter. You can use a hexacopter to shoot videos and take higher quality images with a heavier and high-quality camera. At the same time, a quadcopter can only handle an action camera used to take simple images.
A hexacopter can be operated at high altitudes or in high wind because they are very strong and durable. On the other hand, a quadcopter is not as strong and can easily be swayed by the wind if care is not taken. Hexacopters are suitable for professional operators only; a novice can operate quadcopters.
Hexacopter Features
Hexacopters have some advanced and unique features that cannot be found in other types of drones. These features make a hexacopter different and more advanced than other drones. One of the noticeable features of a hexacopter is its size; they are larger than other drones unless it is a nano hexacopter.
Another feature of a hexacopter is its six motors connected to powerful rotors. Hexacopters also have more advanced technical aspects as they are mostly used for advanced photography and videography. They also have better elevation and speed control than other drones.
A hexacopter can fly up to an altitude of 6000 meters and has better durability and stability. Hexacopter also have a higher payload capacity than most drones, including quadcopters, so they can carry heavy cameras and still fly without issues.
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Best Hexacopters
Several manufacturers produce hexacopters; however, some are better than others in different aspects like design, motor type, battery type, and overall functionality. However, as a drone enthusiast, you should not settle for anything less than the best hexacopter, especially if you use it for professional purposes.
MJX X600 Hexacopter Drone
The MJX X600 hexacopter drone is one of the best hexacopters you can get; it is also one of the few hexacopters that beginners can operate. It weighs 2.3 pounds, is 15.15 inches long, 16.73 inches wide, and 2.36 inches high. It uses a 6 axis gyro system and a 4-channel function technology that improves stability in flight and provides strong wind resistance.
It uses a 2.4GHz radio frequency, and its propellers come with protective frames so it can be operated indoors. The flight time of this hexacopter is 7 to 9 minutes, while its charge time is 120 minutes. It is advisable to let the drone rest for 5 to 10 minutes between operations to prevent overheating.
QWinOut F550 Drone
QWinOut F550 drone is not a ready-to-run hexacopter, unlike others; however, it comes with all the materials required to assemble it. Once assembled, it weighs 3.18 pounds, is 11.75 inches long, 8.75 inches wide, and 4 inches high. It does not come with batteries or a controller but a landing pad.
This hexacopter comes with a user's manual that shows detailed instructions on how to assemble it. It uses a 1000 kV brushless outrunner motor and a 2 to 4s 30A RC brushless ESC. You can get a 3S 2000 to 8000 mAh battery for this hexacopter. It would help if you did not operate this hexacopter in crowded spaces, and it is not suitable for children below 14.
Tarot680 Pro Hexacopter
The Tarot680 Pro hexacopter is classified as almost ready to run hexacopters; this means you will have to do a little assembly job to get the drone ready for operation. This hexacopter is a professional drone with several features like safety locking devices, automatic landing gear retraction, brushless ESC installation, and a wire protection slot.
It also has high-quality carbon construction, and its total flight time is 20 minutes. To get this hexacopter ready for operation, you will have to purchase a remote controller and a 5-channel transmission system separately. This hexacopter is not suitable for amateurs, and you must know drone assembly before trying to assemble this drone.
Fast Hexacopters
Not all hexacopters are fast for several reasons; some are better at lifting objects; others have good cameras. However, if you need to take a moving car or object video, you will require a fast hexacopter to get the job done perfectly. Let us look at one of the fast hexacopters on the market.
DJI Matrice 600 Pro
DJI Matrice 600 Pro is one of the fastest hexacopters and the most expensive. It weighs 22 pounds when unloaded and has a maximum takeoff weight of 31.17 pounds. Its payload capacity is 12.12 pounds and carries various cameras and gimbals. You might think that it comes with a camera due to how expensive this hexacopter is; however, that is not the case.
The flight time of this hexacopter is 40 minutes, while its top speed is 40 mph. It can resist winds of 8 meters per second. If you are involved in professional filmmaking, photography, or videography, the DJI Matrice 600 Pro is the hexacopter you should get.
Final Thoughts
Most people are only familiar with quadcopters; this is mostly because hexacopters are for professional use. Hexacopters are a more advanced version of quadcopters and have more advantages. If you want to get a hexacopter, you can pick from the ones we listed out. Have a great time flying your hexacopter.
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Shawn Manaher loves to play with new toys and dive into new hobbies. As a serial entrepreneur, work definitely comes first but there is always room for hobbies.