Quadcopter vs. Drone: The Difference

The first successful flight was in late 1903, and since then, the world has seen different aircraft forms produced and flown. Nowadays, modern aircraft are more popularly known as UAVs [Unmanned Aerial Vehicles]. UAVs are equipped with various features, such as a camera, depending on the purpose the device is to serve. Enthusiasts and hobbyists mostly enjoy the UAV technology for fun, making the "camera drones for sale" market alive in most parts of the world.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A DRONE AND A QUADCOPTER

There are different types of drones, but quadcopters are the most popular for personal use. They may seem like the same thing to the world, but there is a slight difference. We write this article to explore the differences between a quadcopter and a drone. We will also discuss if the quadcopter is the best drone in the UAV class.

THE CATEGORIES OF A DRONE

A drone is the parent term that refers to an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle [UAV] with no passenger, crew or pilot on board. A drone is also a common word people use when they see an aircraft with four rotors (quadcopter). However, it's essential to understand that drones can be more than an aircraft with four rotors. There are three main categories of drones; Multi-Rotor, Fixed-Wing, and Single-Rotor. A quadcopter falls under the Multi-Rotor category and is the most common type of drone. DJI Mini 2 and Holy Stone HS720 are examples of a quadcopter.

WHAT ARE THE USE CASES FOR DRONES?

The drone is the parent of a large family and serves different use cases. The drone's primary purpose for the military is to deliver attacks, perform reconnaissance missions, and conduct surveillance. On the other hand, drones are utilised in the agriculture industry to monitor crops and spread chemical fertilisers or pesticides without human intervention.

WHAT ARE THE USE CASES FOR QUADCOPTERS?

A "drone for sale" advertisement does not necessarily indicate that it is for a quadcopter. Quadcopters are a segment of drones distinguishable by their four-rotor design. The strategically placed rotors allow the quadcopter to stay in the air and benefit from altitude hold. Suppose you happen to be an engineering geek. In that case, you may understand the term nose and tail-heavy, which is typical for remote-controlled planes (Fixed-Wing). However, nose and tail heavy does not apply to quadcopters because the rotors give it balance, negating the effect of gravity pull. Quadcopters are popular with hobbyists for aerial photography and much more. For example, travel content creators use DJI quadcopters to take aerial shots, film landscapes, or record an event.

IS THE QUADCOPTER THE BEST TYPE OF DRONE?

Drones come in different shapes and sizes. However, the quadcopter has emerged as the most popular choice. There are several reasons for this:

• Compared to military drones, quadcopters are small, so they are swift and easy to control. For example, a quadcopter like the DJI Mini 2 has a design that caters for beginners. With a few attempts, a new pilot will quickly get the hand of controlling their drone with remote control.
• Quadcopters are mechanically simple, with four fixed pitch propellers and compact electric motors. With the assistance of remote controls, flying quadcopters is easy and fun.
• Some quadcopters have high-quality cameras, GPS, 3-axis gimbal, and more.
• Quadcopters are relatively cheap and affordable.
• Quadcopters are lightweight drones and are less susceptible to stringent drone laws.

CONCLUSION

Drones and Quadcopters are part of the same family, where the drone serves as the head and the quadcopter branches out from the head. However, the quadcopter is a specific drone, primarily distinguished by its shape. Nevertheless, it is evident that the quadcopter and the drone are not that different; hence, many people will still call quadcopters a drone because that's what they are.