Parrot Disco FPV
45 min, 750 g, 14 Mpx
The Parrot Disco has landed
15.9.2016
Translation: machine translated
If the B-2 stealth bomber were a drone, this would be it. Parrot dares to try something new and presents a flying wing with the Disco. What's more, with its good-natured flight characteristics and clever software, it is more reminiscent of a multicopter than an aeroplane.
The price tag is not without its price tag: you have to pay over 1400 francs for the Parrot Disco at digitec. For this you get a unique flying wing drone. The drone flies at 80 km/h and has a flight time of 45 minutes. And it is packed with state-of-the-art technology. The package includes everything you need to start flying right away.
- Parrot Disco, disassembled into three individual parts
- Control unit and receiver integrated in the fuselage ("C.H.U.C.K.")
- Battery and charger
- Control unit ("Skycontroller 2")
- FPV headset ("Cockpitglasses", smartphone required)
- 14 MP camera
- 32 GB storage space
"C.H.U.C.K." controls all sensors, servos and connections:
- Gyroscope
- Accelerometer
- Magnetometer
- Altimeter
- Pitot tube (speed measurement)
- Ultrasonic (obstacle detection during automatic landing approach)
- Existing receiver can be connected alternatively
Set-up
The Disco is packed in three parts in the box. Metal rods are attached to the wings, which are used to attach the wings and servo connections to the fuselage of the drone. When fully assembled, the Disco has an impressive wingspan of 115 cm.
A camera with a resolution of 14 MP is located on the nose. The video quality does not come close to that of a DJI Phantom 4 Professional, but is sufficient for solid 1080p recordings. Thanks to its gliding flight, the flying wing delivers blur-free videos. There is a powerful motor at the rear that drives the Disco. The rotors are only deployed during operation and retract automatically when landing.
The next step is to pick up the controller. Charge, pair the controller and Disco at the touch of a button - done. The controls are reminiscent of a console device and work in a similarly simple way. In addition to the two joysticks, there are also buttons for switching on and off, for taking off and landing, for the return home function and for the photo and video function.
Optionally, you can connect a smartphone or tablet to the controller and configure various parameters - such as the maximum permitted flight altitude or the maximum flight distance - via the app. You can then use the app to receive the live image and the most important flight data during the flight.
Let's go!
When all the LEDs are green, you are ready for the first take-off. As a serious drone pilot, you know that the 750 gram disco needs insurance and have taken it out. You have identified a deserted and easily manageable terrain for the maiden flight.
Everything ready? Then do like Oli in the video: Hold the Disco with one hand on the wing. Press the start button on the controller. Wait three seconds until the disco has revved up the motor and throw it into the air. It rises independently to a height of 50 metres and does its laps there until you take control.
The right stick operates the elevators and allows you to steer to the left, right, up or down. The left stick is used to regulate the speed. The software converts the flight commands smoothly. In contrast to an aeroplane, the drone automatically corrects the drop in altitude when turning left or right.
Let go of the control sticks and the Disco flies straight ahead until it reaches the range limit and turns round automatically. If you lose sight of the drone, press the home button to return the disco to the take-off point.
You need a good piece of flat grass for the landing. Landing is again easy at the touch of a button. The Disco automatically recognises obstacles when landing and pulls up again in an emergency. In the event of an emergency landing (battery empty), the Disco makes the best of it. It makes itself known with a beep signal so that it can be found again quickly.
The FPV headset
The highlight of the Parrot Disco is the FPV solution supplied. The principle is reminiscent of Google Cardoard or Samsung's Gear VR. The smartphone is fixed in a holder and pushed into the headset. This allows you to see the world from the drone's perspective - an impressive experience! Please note that in FPV mode, a second person must always be present to intervene to correct the situation.
Conclusion
The Parrot Disco is an interesting aircraft with features suitable for beginners. Newcomers will quickly gain a sense of achievement. The Disco even corrects deliberate crash attempts: thanks to the built-in altimeter, it stops at 5 metres above the ground and ignores commands that would send it hurtling into the ground without being pointed. However, it does not avoid people, bushes and trees on its own.
Advanced users install their own receiver and use their own remote control. This removes the limitations of the software. The door is open to wild manoeuvres. And you can certainly do a loop with this thing, can't you?
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Aurel Stevens
Chief Editor
aurel.stevens@digitecgalaxus.chI'm the master tamer at the flea circus that is the editorial team, a nine-to-five writer and 24/7 dad. Technology, computers and hi-fi make me tick. On top of that, I’m a rain-or-shine cyclist and generally in a good mood.