When we buy a UAV , we will choose DJI brand first, especially DJI Phantom 4 with first smart target avoidance. But Yuneec has also released Yuneec Typhoon H RC drone at CES with the same function. So this two high-end UAV have become the most attractive choices for aerial players. So what’s the difference? Which one is more worthwhile to buy?
Gimbal
RC drone has the function which can take aerial images itself. So the camera gimbal specs and quality play very important role. In terms of camera sensor, Phantom 4 and Typhoon H both use 1/2.3inch, but there is difference that DJI Phantom 4 has 20mm, Typhoon H has 14mm, which means Typhoon H can support wide viewing aerial taking, equal to 115 degree, but Phantom 4 with 94 degrees. The shortcoming of Typhoon H will be easy to lead to fisheye effect. DJI Phantom 4 camera has 8s to 1/8000 seconds, but Typhoon H 1/60 to 1/8000 seconds, So from this aspect, DJI Phantom 4 wins.
In video recording, both supports 4K@30fps and 1080p@120fps recording. Typhoon H only supports MP4 format, but DJI Phantom 4 can support MP4 and MOV format.
As for gimbal, Typhoon H can support 360 degree rotation, taking photos or videos without shading. But this is not the key to evaluate gimbal performance. In addition, DJI performs well in accuracy of gimbal controlling. It reacts very quickly to keep the fluency of images. So DJI gimbal is the best until now after going through the four generation of DJI Phantom.
Aerial Image quality
Typhoon H has improved a lot than Yuneec Q500 especially in noise. But it makes more serious in its glare.The saturation is low, the image quality compared with that of Phantom 3, Phantom 4 has much difference in contrast, saturation processing. In addition, the shadow images have been improved in Typhoon H. We can see details in the pictures， however, compared with DJI Phantom 4, the image saturation seems low, which give us not bring and beautiful impression. DJI Phantom 4 has enhanced its image contrast in DJI Phantom 4 compared with DJI Phantom 3, the brightness is appropriate and makes us feel brighter.
Yuneec Typhoon H
DJI Phantom 4
Graphing System
The other vital function for Aerial drones is graphing system which can be regarded as eyes of robot. When UAV fly to 300m, we can’t see it clearly with naked eyes. So graphing system will be your partner. Because it can reflect the aerial video to your phone or tablet pc. Compared with other generations, Yuneec Typhoon H has improved its image pixel to 720p. But its largest transmission distance only has 5,000m, which is more than Typhoon H. It’s said Lightbrige 2 can support 1080p, so we can’t exclude DJI will update to 1080p in the near future.
Automatic obstacle avoidance
Automatic obstacle avoidance technology comes out from two top companies’ PK which has attracted us a lot. DJI obstacle avoidance uses its own Guidance technology which applied earliest into DJI wraf/weft M100 in 2015. DJI has once cooperated with Intel in this project. Until now, its automatic obstacle avoidance is really ripe.
But Yuneec just develops obstacle avoidance based on camera of Real Sense of Intel. Intel RealSense module uses Intel sensing technology, which can integrate two infrared camera, an infrared emitter and a standard RGB camera information to GPU so as to build the 3D information. In enough sunlight, RealSense modules can recognize obstances in 10 meters and tell its shape and place. At night, RealSense module can feel the obstacle in about 5 meters with the help of active infrared transmitters. Intel Realsense module released early at CES in Jan, 2016. Typhoon H has two versions, Advanced version at $1482, and professional version at $1815. Only two ultraviolet modules are on the front of Typhoon H advanced version, which cause doubt in the effect of obstacle avoidance.
In addition, from the theory of obstacle avoidance, the active obstacle avoidance of DJI Phantom 4 uses visual perception system which can tell the obstacle distance in the front from 0.7m to 15 meters and brake or upward flying around obstacles. But Typhoon H can use ultraviolet to avoid obstacle. It can avoid in 5 meters. But it is easy to disturb by the environment and ultraviolet perception is not better than vision.This kind of shortage can easily lead to the unstable avoidance function to occur brakes or failure.
Battery Life
We also care much about battery life.They are both 4s battery with similar capacity. However, the rotors design and heavier weight of Typhoon H makes its battery life less than 4 minutes to 6 minutes than DJI Phantom 4. In aerial, the gap of 6 minutes sense is definitely different. So it not only affect the same flying time about taking off and landing, change of the electric frequency but also affects the aerial efficency directly. In additon, from charging time, Typhoon H needs 2 hours to charge, but Phantom 4 only takes 1 hour.
Portability
Aerial UAV is used for playing outside, not put at home. So we need to take portability into consider when buying one. Although Typhoon H has 6 axis, the folding arm design is highlight. It can be easily put into bag after folding it. But it has disadvantages for 6 axis design. In order to make sacrifice about weight and size, even if it can be folded, compared with DJI Phantom 4 with 4 axis, it stills doesn’t win. Typhoon H has 520 mm x 457 mm x 294 mm, after folding it is 350 mm x 269 mm x 254 mm, weighing 1780g. DJI has 289.5mmX289.5mmX196mm dimensions, 1380g weight. So DJI Phantom 4 wins in portability.
Operation Convenience
Typhoon H still continues Q500 4K configuration with built in 7inch remote control which can not reduce the comprehensive cost, but also reduce compatibility problem of mobile phone or tablet. From this point of view, TYPHOON H dominates. But this kind of design also brings inconvenience. For example, it can update the map real time, and not easy to share the photos in social media.
Flight experience
Typhoon H continues to use smart flying that the previous products had including flying around, interest flying around, route default function and more navigation default function. These functions have enhanced flight experience which is very proper for new users. But as a professional aerial UAV, Yuneec Typhoon H has not improved much in control sensitivity, reacting speed than Yuneec Q500, which makes us feel slow a little in aerial flight. When we film car racing, skating and other high-speed sports, its horizontal speed is 13.5m/s, but DJI Phantom 4 up to 20m/s. So Typhoon H can not compete well with Phantom 4. It’s better that Phantom 4 optimized following taking technology, upgrading GPS following to visual following. When you want to take aerial video about running, riding, or driving, you don’t have to take remote control or smartphone, the UAV will follow with you to record every movement for you.
Conclusion
Yuneec Typhoon H has improved than the last generation, especially 6 axis, 360 degree rotating gimbal and built in screen control, but DJI Phantom 4 also enhanced in gimbal, aerial image quality, Graph transmission, battery life, portability, convenience and flight experience which make you fly better. So which one will you like better?
Update: DJI Phantom 4 coupon code: GBDJI4L at $ $999.