A solid construction and the material used make this tricopter really durable. It has a perfectly shaped body to mount cameras and apply modifications.
It has a pretty bulky and heavy body.
With its significant size, this tricopter is a perfect toy for grown-ups who take it seriously. It is the best solution for professionals to enjoy right from the box.
Ready-to-go
18+ years
Flight range: up to 3280 feet
Flight time: up to 15 minutes
4ch radio system
- A durable fiberglass body
- LED lighting
Length: 22"
Width: 22.83"
Although this tricopter is quite compact (it fits into a small case along with the extra batteries and power banks), it is designed for a pretty strong lift.
The battery and the remote are sold separately.
This particular device lets you not only fly but tune it up if you have some skills and knowledge. It is perfectly Y3-shaped to provide great balance in the air (depending on the engines you mount).
Construction kit
15+ years
Flight time: over 10 min (3S 2200mAh battery)
Maximum Gross Take-Off Weight: 3.1 lbs
4ch or 5ch radio system
- Two engines per axis
- LED lighting
Length: 17.7"
Diameter: 26.8"
Having an opportunity to see the live footage lets you fully immerse into the intriguing flight. 2 engines per axis introduce you to a new level of precision when it comes to the control.
It takes up to 210 minutes to charge the battery.
It is a great ready-to-go model with various features and it suits anyone who loves flights. You don't even need to buy and install a camera since it already has one.
Ready-to-go
12+ years
Flight time: 6–7 minutes
Flight range: up to 262 feet
2.4GHz 4ch radio control
- 2 MP independent video transmission system
- Two engines per axis
- FPV
- High-density air pressure sensor
- Gyro calibration function
Length: 13.6"
Width: 12.2"
Numerous solutions by the manufacturer are geared to make the drone incredibly stable in the air, which makes it a perfect option for a beginner.
Since this copter is set low to the ground, high grass might get stuck in the lower blades.
This one makes a perfect choice in case you're going to buy your very first copter. It is highly stable and easy to control, which lets you improve your skills significantly.
Ready-to-go
14+ years
Flight time: 7–8 minutes
Flight range: about 262 feet
2.4GHz 4ch radio control
- LED flash light for night flights
- Two engines per axis
- High-density air pressure sensor
- Gyro calibration function
Length: 13.6"
Width: 12.2"
Being both durable and versatile, this frame is a good start to make your own tricopter. Besides, you get an opportunity to determine the flight characteristics on your own.
This is essentially only a frame for a tricopter.
T-Trees Y3 is a solution for enthusiasts who are prone to creating unique things rather than using ready-to-go solutions. This option offers you a possibility to show off your skills as a designer.
Construction kit
8+ years
Depends on the engines and the battery you've installed
4ch radio system
- Portable design
- Simple operation
- Motor could be mounted on top or bottom
Length (left wing to tail): 12.08"
Width: 11.02
A Profound Solution for Experts
FlyFly Hobby is a manufacturer that makes only aircraft models and is also popular for their multirotor drones production. We want to highlight the FlyFly FF-Y001 model that attracts professionals with its looks and specs. First of all, let us point out that this model is considered pretty big, it makes 22 inches in length, 22.8 inches in width, and 4.9 inches in height. It also weighs a lot for such a device — 3.08 pounds. However, it doesn't affect the mobility in any way. Looking similar to the Osprey convertiplane, this tricopter comes with awesome flight characteristics. Keep in mind that this particular model is mostly targeted at adults (18+ years).
Impressive Performance
This model has a significant lift, which lets you install some extra equipment right on the copter and provides numerous options for upgrades and thorough tuning. If you're not a professional yet you strive to become one, you get all the necessary things in the package to start using it right away. Notably, the body of the copter is made of fiberglass. Although this material is lightweight, it provides great durability and reliability. By the way, this ready-to-go tricopter right from the box can fly for 15 minutes on a full charge and get up to 3280 feet away.
Maintenance
A tricopter requires maintenance like any other device does. So, you need to clean it on a regular basis. Cleaning requires some tools which we recommend you to buy:
- A small soft brush. This one is used to clean out the dust and any kind of dirt that accumulates in hard-to-reach sections of the body.
- Compressed air. It lets you get where nothing else does and clean out the engine and wiring with no damage risk.
- A cleaning detergent. To clean the body of the copter, you can use the same liquid you use to wipe your computer or TV screen.
- Microfiber cloth. This is another tool to clean the dirt, stains, and dust off the copter's body.
For Anybody who Strives to Fly
If you like classic aircraft, you will find the RC airplanes topic interesting. We're sure you will discover new knowledge from our review on this type of pilotless airliners.
| Last updated price | $0.00 |
| Stock | May be out of stock |
| ASIN | B01N65A79M |
For Those Who Love to Fly and Create
The FeiYu Y6 Scorpion tricopter is an unusual solution that lets you not only use but also thoroughly modify the construction. In short, this copter is a foundation for further construction and development. So, what do you get when buying a FeiYu Y6 Scorpion? First of all, this durable tricopter uses 6 engines, which makes two engines per axis. This technical solution delivers a strong lift, so you have options for a body kit or upgrades. In particular, you can pick a battery with higher capacity, which prolongs the flight duration. By the way, the standard battery (sold separately) lets FeiYu Y6 Scorpion fly for approximately 10 minutes, and higher-capacity batteries can increase it several times.
Features Worth Mentioning
You can't really call this tricopter tiny but, still, it has advantages. The size and the lift force make it useful not only for recreation but also for panoramic landscape footage—just attach a camera to it. We should also mention that in the box you will find not only the propellers (8 per package, which is a lot) but also a LED lighting perfect for night flights. If you're a beginner constructor, then you shouldn't worry about assembling the copter to turn out complicated because you'll get a full manual with step-by-step instructions on how to put the copter together, and even a guide for further modifications of your drone's flight characteristics.
A General Advice
Sometimes, tricopters face bad flight conditions and unfriendly environment, leading to collisions with obstacles, which can damage them. To ensure you can fix your copter, study the construction and buy all the necessary tools in advance. As a rule, a basic screwdriver is enough to screw or unscrew certain elements. However, there are exceptions. Significant damage requires a soldering iron to fix. If you have never used it, better ask somebody to help you out, or visit a service center. Consider that dropping the drone may damage its battery, so it is safer to have some extra.
A Perfect Addition to the Panoramic Footage
If you aim to make some quality footage using your drone, then action sports cameras would be a great solution. They are autonomous, protected, and lightweight.
Additional Info
| Last updated price | $0.00 |
| Stock | May be out of stock |
| ASIN | B017WICS20 |
Feel Like a Free Bird
Cheerson CX-33S is a tricopter that lets you fly right when you get it unpacked. This ready-to-go solution is not designed for any modifications but it has everything you need for the best impression and unforgettable recreation. Let's take a look at what makes it so good. First of all, the 2-megapixel camera lets you take photos and film videos. A worthy mention is the FPV function which lets you see the live footage on a special screen on the remote controller. This camera offers you an opportunity to not only become a free bird but also pick the perfect angles for filming and feel all the advantages of the flight.
All You Need for a Perfect Flight
Cheerson CX-3S comes with great features and flight characteristics, making this device utterly easy to handle even for beginners. Usually, the main obstacle a beginner faces is losing stability in the air, which affects the general condition of your drone in a... bad way. Well, forget about these issues with Cheerson because the manufacturer has implemented gyro calibration into the device. This system allows no tilting and stabilizes the copter. At the same time, the barometer lets the device keep the precise height and prevents collisions with the ground. Also, the standard battery is designed for 6–7 minutes of continuous work, while the remote control provides a flight range of 262 feet.
Proper Check Before Taking Off
Before you take your copter for a flight, consider that:
- The environment should be open and secure to fly
- Trees, houses, and other obstacles increase your chances to crash the copter
- The drone needs to be checked for any kind of damage and ensured that the blades rotate with equal frequency
- Each button on the remote controller works so that you don't face any emergency when in the air, and that you can land the drone safely.
In Case of Road Trips
If you want to take your drone far away from your house, think of extra batteries and ensure you have where to charge them. A power bank comes in handy in this case. Check out a review on power banks on our website.
| Last updated price | $109.55 |
| Stock | In stock |
| ASIN | B01GFVGEEI |
A Simple and Convenient Solution to Access the Skies
Cherson CX-33 is a junior model by Goolsky designed for convenient and safe flights with a copter. It suits both beginner and professional pilots. The key feature here is the stabilizing system and height control implemented into the drone, which makes handling it convenient for a newbie since the drone's behavior is easily predictable. The extra blade protection is provided by the special casing that comes with the package and keeps the blades safe. The manufacturer has provided a user-friendly handling system: there are literally just three buttons to take off, land, and switch the flight modes right in the air.
Higher and Further
Not only the intuitive handling but also the flight characteristics make Goolsky Cheerson CX-33 practical. This tricopter has a classic Y design with two engines and propellers per axis so the copter gains height pretty fast and has great flight characteristics. The standard remote controller has a control range of 262 feet, which is impressive and means nearly no movement restrictions. When the night comes, to make sure you don't lose sight of your copter, each axis comes with a LED light, outlining the tricopter body in the night sky. Notably, the device's body and construction are not designed for rainy weather, so we suggest you use it in good weather conditions.
About the Battery
Most of the drones come with Li-ion or Li-pol batteries. Like in the case of smartphones, the battery loses capacity with time. Try to keep track of the battery's condition of your tricopter and run it with the battery fully charged. Also, try to not fully discharge the battery as it has a negative impact on your battery's life cycle.
An Long-Term Enegry Source for the Remote
Standard AA batteries are used to supply the remote controllers of most copters. To decrease the usage outgoes and prolong working resource, think about buying a rechargeable battery, which transcends the regular batteries in terms of capacity and convenience.
| Last updated price | $0.00 |
| Stock | In stock |
| ASIN | B01NBPDHTD |
A Foundation for a Future Device
Like the human body doesn't exist without a skeleton, neither a tricopter with no durable frame does. It is the starting point when building an aircraft. T-Trees Y3 is the right foundation to start with. You get it in parts and need to make the full assembly. Therefore, the advantage of this product is that you have various options for extra modules customization and, most importantly, the general durability of the foundation. The main supporting elements of the frame, which are made of light and durable carbon fiber, provide an everlasting construction, if you put it together right, of course. To assemble the construction properly, the manufacturer provides a special manual which describes all the necessary points.
What to Install and How to Install Anything on the Base
The frame comes with a center plate, which connects to any device you want to install, and the MG90S servomotor. The design lets you mount the motor at the bottom or at the top. The 22 series motors fit this construction just perfectly. The size of the frame and the span of the axes lets you install various blades in a range from 8" to 10". The size and materials of the blades depend on the lift force you're expecting from your aircraft. When it comes to flight duration, this construction perfectly fits higher-capacity and regular batteries (1500-3000MA/ 20C/3S-4S Li-Po battery).
Some Words About Security
Think about using special glasses, especially when kids are around. Some people consider this advice useless, and, unfortunately, it leads to numerous accidents with pilotless aircraft, causing injuries of various severity, including eye damage. In some cases, children became blind after a blade hit their eyes. Such an accident happened in the UK, where a loose drone hit a child and cut their eyes. Protective glasses help prevent these occasions.
The Key Detail for Eyes Protection
As we've mentioned, you should keep an eye on the vulnerable spots of your body even in times of an innocuous recreation like flying a copter. The best protection for you and your dear ones are shooting glasses.
| Last updated price | $0.00 |
| Stock | In stock |
| ASIN | B015H1A6PK |
What is a Tricopter?
Nowadays we see multirotor drones, and tricopters in particular, becoming more and more popular. Tricopter is a drone built using the Y3 scheme. This design involves a main body with two propellers and a tail with a servomotor used to rotate the copter. This construction reminds a convertiplane a little and it allows the owner perform various maneuvers and stunts in the air.
At the same time, the most simple and common drone is the quadcopter, and you can read a review on the best of them on our website. You can also find a topic on RC helicopters if you're into classics.
What Features to Compare
Type
Tricopters come in two groups: scratch boxes and ready-to-go solutions. If you're a true fan of technology and want to make your own copter, you should seek the so-called scratch boxes, which come with all the necessary elements to assemble a basic device with further options for an upgrade. If you want to take flight right away, then the ready-to-go solutions are what you need. These are mainly assembled at the factory and let you take off at once.
Flight Characteristics
The crucial characteristics are related to the flight capabilities of the tricopter. The main ones are flight range and duration. Beginners also value stability in the air provided by engineering solutions like gyro calibration that lets you control the device without it tilting or tipping over.
Special Features
Some of the tricopters are geared towards particular tasks and these can be predicted by the special features of the model. For example, tricopters may come with a camera for footage and photos. Certain models have an FPV function to allow you to see the footage live. Some have a distinct design like two motors per axis, which impacts the speed and maneuvering qualities.
FAQ:
Q: Should I purchase a ready-to-go copter or build my own?
A: If you have never built a tricopter but you are confident about your technical skills and knowledge, or if you do have a corresponding experience, you should aim to build your own copter with all the mods you need. Otherwise, ready-to-go models are absolutely beginner-friendly and never take much effort to control.
Q: How do I increase the flight duration?
A: The only way you can increase the flight duration is by installing batteries of higher capacity or changing the construction elements to lighter ones. Both options are possible if your tricopter is designed for modifications. Otherwise, you get what the manufacturer provides you.
Q: What about regulations?
A: It is better to register an aircraft to prevent further legal complications. It depends on the tricopter size and flight characteristics, whereas the manufacturer may not include any links to the legislation. So, you should check if it's legal to own one with no registration.
Q: What extras are considered useful?
A: You should have a repair kit including a screwdriver at least. A soft brush, a vacuum cleaner, and a microfiber cloth are must-haves for the maintenance. It is good to have a power bank and extra batteries, which is an alternative to longer flight time. Don't forget about safety and wear shooting glasses.
Q: What do I get when purchasing a scratch box?
A: It depends on what the manufacturer lists to be included in the package. Mainly, the DIY kits contain all the necessary elements for the frame of the tricopter, whereas the engines and batteries are purchased separately. However, you may get some recommendations in the instruction on what kind of engine and battery suits your particular drone.
Q: What extra modules can I mount on the tricopter?
A: If the stock drone has no camera, it is definitely worth mounting one on the tricopter. You can also install a body kit for better looks and additional protection but the extra weight impacts the flight characteristics. Modules like barometer or gyro calibration can be easily installed by professionals. The only figure you should worry about is the lift force. Don't put too much on your drone for it might get unable to take off.
Sources:
1. Build a Tricopter With Rotor Bits, Instructables.
2. Lucas Weakley Build Your First Tricopter, Makezine. April 1, 2015.
3. HOW TO CHOOSE BATTERY CAPACITY FOR LONGER FLIGHT TIME, Oscar Liang blog. February 17, 2014.
4. TRICOPTER - SCRATCH BUILD, Flite Test. April 5, 2013.
5. How to choose your multi rotor Motors/Props/ESC, DroneTest. February 1, 2014.
6. Multirotor, Wikipedia.
7. Oscar Liang Y6 Copter, Y3 Copter & other Multicopter Configurations, Dronethusiast.