Yuneec Typhoon H: unique hexacopter

Introduction

At the beginning of 2016, Yuneec International introduced another novelty that immediately attracted the attention of all UAV enthusiasts. As previously reported, the company began to work closely with the well-known brand “Intel” and it is safe to say that the results of such an alliance were not long in coming. At the Consumer Electronics Show CES 2016, Yuneec International presented a unique hexacopter – Yuneec Typhoon H.

The Yuneec Typhoon H hexacopter is a versatile platform, the purpose of which can vary depending on the payload. Today, the developer offers the drone in six versions, three of which are designed for various levels of photo and video shooting (Typhoon H/Typhoon H Plus/Typhoon H3) and three for commercial use (Typhoon H520/H520RTK/H520BVL).

Peculiarities

Weight (Typhoon Version: H/H Plus/H3) 1695/1633/1633g
6-motor configuration
Foldable carbon construction
Retractable landing legs
Obstacle detection and avoidance with Intel RealSense™ technology built on the Intel RealSense R200 camera
Equipped with one of three available cameras that determine the version of the drone: Yuneec CGO3+/Yuneec C23/Leica ION L1 Pro
Image Stabilization: High-precision 360-degree 3-axis mechanical gimbal
Three control options: Yuneec ST16S personal ground station/Yuneec Wizard remote/ST16S + Wizard remote
6 × preset automatic flight and shooting modes
hyperlapse mode
Panorama shooting modes
Emergency landing mode on 5 motors
Max. level flight speed (Typhoon version: H/H Plus/H3): 70/72/72 km/h
Max. ceiling above sea level 5000 m
Max. flight altitude 500 m (electronically limited)
Max. FPV removal distance 1.6 km
Max. flight time (Typhoon version: H/H Plus/H3): 25/26/26 min
LifeView LTE/5G/4G live video support
Compatible with Yuneec SkyView FPV Goggles

Equipment

The main difference between the kits of all three versions is the presence or absence of the Intel RealSense R200 sensor recognition and obstacle detection system. In the case when the equipment implies the presence of a system, the abbreviation RS will be present at the end of the name. The Wizard remote and SkyView FPV goggles are sold separately.

Yuneec Typhoon H

Included:

Drone (with 3-axis gimbal CGO3+ 4K camera)

Drone Battery (4S 14.8V 5400mAh 8C 79.9Wh LiPo)

ST16S Personal Ground Station

IPS (optical flow sensor) + ultrasonic sensor

Battery Charger SC4000-4 (charges drone battery and ground station)

220V adapter for charger

Cable for charging batteries from the car cigarette lighter

3 × rotors “A”

3 × “B” rotors

2 × spare rotors “A”

2 × spare rotors “B”

MicroSD card 16GB (on which: instructions, quick start guide, recommendations, unboxing video, quick start guide video)

ST16S Camera/Drone/Ground Station USB Upgrade Kit

Sunblind for ground station display

Hanging strap (for ground station)

Instructions for 4K camera

LED map (description of the assignment of LED indication modes)

Instruction

Yuneec Typhoon H Pro RS

Included:

Drone (with 3-axis gimbal CGO3+ 4K camera)

2 × Drone Batteries (4S 14.8V 5400mAh 8C 79.9Wh LiPo)

ST16S Personal Ground Station

IPS (optical flow sensor) + ultrasonic sensor

Intel RealSense R200 Camera with Intel Atom Power Module

Battery Charger SC4000-4 (charges drone battery and ground station)

220V adapter for charger

Cable for charging batteries from the car cigarette lighter

3 × rotors “A”

3 × “B” rotors

2 × spare rotors “A”

2 × spare rotors “B”

MicroSD card 16GB (on which: instructions, quick start guide, recommendations, unpacking video, quick start video guide)

USB kit (for updating the firmware of the camera / drone / ground station ST16S)

Cotton fabric (for the care of camera optics)

Sunblind for ground station display

Hanging strap (for ground station)

Backpack (branded backpack for transporting the drone)

Instructions for 4K camera

LED map (description of the assignment of LED indication modes)

Instruction

Yuneec Typhoon H Plus

Included:

Drone (with 3-axis gimbal and C23 4K camera)

2 × Drone Batteries (4S 15.2V 5250mAh 79.8Wh HV LiPo)

ST16S Personal Ground Station

IPS (optical flow sensor) + ultrasonic sensor

Charger (charges drone battery and ground station)

220V adapter for charger

Cable for charging batteries from the car cigarette lighter

3 × rotors “A”

3 × “B” rotors

2 × spare rotors “A”

2 × spare rotors “B”

Directional patch antenna (for improved video reception)

MicroSD card 16GB (on which: instructions, quick start guide, recommendations, unboxing video, quick start guide video)

USB kit (for updating the firmware of the camera / drone / ground station ST16S)

Cotton fabric (for the care of camera optics)

Sunblind for ground station display

Hanging strap (for ground station)

Backpack (branded backpack for transporting the drone)

Instructions for 4K camera

LED map (description of the assignment of LED indication modes)

Instruction

Yuneec Typhoon H Plus RS

Included:

Drone (with 3-axis gimbal and C23 4K camera)

2 × Drone Batteries (4S 15.2V 5250mAh 79.8Wh HV LiPo)

ST16S Personal Ground Station

IPS (optical flow sensor) + ultrasonic sensor

Intel RealSense R200 Camera with Intel Atom Power Module

Charger (charges drone battery and ground station)

220V adapter for charger

Cable for charging batteries from the car cigarette lighter

3 × rotors “A”

3 × “B” rotors

2 × spare rotors “A”

2 × spare rotors “B”

Directional patch antenna (for improved video reception)

MicroSD card 16GB (on which: instructions, quick start guide, recommendations, unpacking video, quick start video guide)

USB kit (for updating the firmware of the camera / drone / ground station ST16S)

Cotton fabric (for the care of camera optics)

Sunblind for ground station display

Hanging strap (for ground station)

Backpack (branded backpack for transporting the drone)

instructions for 4K camera

LED map (description of the assignment of LED indication modes)

Instruction

Add. accessories

Wizard remote (compatible with Typhoon Q500/Q500+/Q500 4K)

FPV goggles Yuneec SkyView (compatible with Typhoon H and H920 Tornado drones)

Differences between versions

Two years after the announcement, the Yuneec Typhoon H hexacopter, in addition to new cameras, received a number of finishing improvements with the advent of which the drone became a little more powerful, lighter, the communication quality and the overall usability of the product were improved. Thus, the Yuneec Typhoon H Plus (RS) and Yuneec Typhoon H3 versions have the following main differences from the Yuneec Typhoon H Pro (RS) version:

New light gray color
Longer beams (diagonal frame size: 520 mm; vs. 480 mm for predecessor)
New more powerful power plant: BL3210 740KV motors (vs. 850KV for its predecessor) coupled with larger propellers
New battery: 4S 15.2V 5250mAh 79.8Wh HV LiPo (vs 4S 14.8V 5400mAh 79.9Wh LiPo of its predecessor)
Added USB port on control equipment.

More clearly all the differences between the versions in the comparative review below:

Specification

Drone

Takeoff weight (Typhoon H/H Plus/H3):

1695/1633/1633

Diagonal size (Typhoon H/H Plus/H3):

480/520/520 mm

GPS positioning:

there is

FPV:

there is

Return home function:

Dynamic Return to Home

Distance control function:

there is

Max. flight time (Typhoon H/H Plus/H3):

25/26/26 min

Battery (Typhoon H/H Plus/H3):

4S 14.8V 5400mAh 8C 79.9Wh LiPo
4S 15.2V 5250mAh 79.8Wh HV LiPo
4S 15.2V 5250mAh 79.8Wh HV LiPo

Charger:

SC4000-4

Remote Control:

Personal ground station 16-channel 2.4GHz/5.8GHz WiFi

Flight modes:

Orbit Me/Point Of Interest/Journey/Curve Cable Cam/Follow Me (Watch Me)/Dynamic Return to Home

Max. flight altitude:

500 meters (electronically limited)

Max. ceiling above sea level:

5000 m

Max bank angle:

35°

Sink rate:

11km/h

Maximum takeoff speed:

18 km/h

Max level flight speed (Typhoon H/H Plus/H3)

up to 70/72/72 km/h

Drone lighting:

LED on each arm of the drone and on the back of it

Flying environment:

Indoor/Outdoor

Camera

Yuneec CGO3+

Model:

CGO3+

Weight (powered without gimbal):

255gr

Suspension:

3-axis mechanical

Camera control range:

Incline:

-90° to 15°

Turn:

360°

Vibration compensation range:

±0.02°

Matrix:

1/2.3″ CMOS

Camera Lens:

14mm f/2.8 – no distortion

Electronic Shutter Speed:

1/30 sec/8000 sec

Focus system

Essential Optimized Focus

White balance:

automatic or manual setting

line of sight

98º

Photo Format:

RAW(DNG)/JPEG

Video Format:

MP4

Photo resolution:

12.4MP

Video Resolution

UHD:

4K at 30 fps

2.7K

at 30 fps

2.5K

at 30 fps

FHD

at 24/25/30/48/50/60/120 fps

Max. bitrate:

60 Mbps

Memory (file storage):

micro SD card class 10 from 4 to 128GB

Video stream frequency range:

5.2GHz – 5.8GHz

Video transmission range:

up to 1.6km

Microphone

there is

Yuneec C23

Model:

C23

The weight:

350 g

The size:

115×80×130mm

Suspension:

3-axis mechanical

Camera control range:

Incline:

-90° to 15°

Turn:

360°

Vibration compensation range:

±0.02°

Matrix:

Sony 1″ CMOS

Number of eff. pixels:

20 million

Line of sight:

91º

Lens:

23mm/f2.8

Number of collimator elements:

Frequency-contrast response:

104 line pairs per millimeter (pl/mm), center: 0.6, edges: 0.4

shutter type:

line wrapping

Visual Noise (SNR):

ISO 100, SNR 36 dB

Lens thread diameter:

20.5mm

Excerpt:

4 sec – 1/8000 sec

Light sensitivity (ISO):

100-6400

Photo Format:

JPEG/DNG

Video Format:

MP4

Photo resolution:

3:2

(5472×3648)

4:3

(4864×3648)

16:9

(5472×3080)

Video resolution:

4K(4096×2160) H.264

at 24/25/30/48/50/60 fps;

H.265

at 24/25/30 fps

UHD(3840×2160) H.264

at 24/25/30/48/50/60 fps;

H.265

at 24/25/30 fps

2.7K(2720×1530)

H.264

at 24/25/30/48/50/60 fps;

H.265

at 24/25/30/48/50/50 fps

FHD (1920×1080) H.264/265

at 24/25/30/48/50/60/120 fps

HD (1280×720) H.264/265

at 24/25/30/48/50/60/120 fps

Photo modes:

Single
Serial 3/5/7 frames
Interval 5/7/10/15/20 sec
Panorama (horizontal/spherical)

White balance:

Auto
Fixed
Sunrise
Sun
cloudy
Daylight
fluorescent light
incandescent lamp

Exposure:

Auto/Manual

Exposure compensation:

±3°

Digital zoom:

1:1 1:2 1:4

Focus mode:

Center/Average/Point

Signal transmission:

WiFi

Video stream frequency range:

5.8GHz

Max. bitrate:

100 Mbps

Microphone

there is

Min. memory card requirements:

micro SD class 10/U3; Recommended write speed: 90 Mbps

Storage temperature range:

-ten°C to +50°C

ground station

Model:

ST16S

CPU:

Intel® CoreQuad

Operating system:

Android™

Display:

7″ capacitive multi-touch LCD

Flight telemetry systems:

Yes

Tactile (vibration) and audio feedback:

Yes

Number of channels:

AV signal transmission frequency:

5.8GHz WiFi

The quality of the transmitted video signal:

HD 720p

Video reception range (in optimal conditions according to requirements):

FCC:

up to 1.6 km

CE:

up to 1.6 km

Support for LifeView Video Broadcasts:

LTE/5G/4G

Built-in LiPo battery (voltage/capacity):

3.6V 8700mAh 31.32Wh Li-ion

Connectors:

1×HDMI/2×USB/1×3.5 Jack

Appearance

Yuneec Typhoon H (Pro RS)

Yuneec Typhoon H Plus (RS)

About the product

Yuneec International has taken a position in the UAV market as a manufacturer of high quality and high precision products from the very beginning. There is not the slightest doubt about the quality of the drone, at first you just want to hold it in your hands in order to enjoy tactile and visual perception. In the transport state, the drone has a compact size due to the folding carbon arms.

In its pre-flight condition, the Typhoon H rests on two impressive carbon fiber legs that change position when the drone takes off, which in turn allows the drone’s camera, mounted in a 3-axis gimbal, to shoot 360 degrees. As a result, the takeoff of the Typhoon H hexacopter alone deserves special attention.

Motors

The standard version of Yuneec Typhoon H is equipped with 850KV brushless motors. The Typhoon H Plus and Typhoon H3 have more powerful Yuneec BL3210 740KV motors working in tandem with larger propellers.

Flight qualities

The six-engine power plant perfectly copes with its work, there is enough power in abundance. All versions of Yuneec Typhoon H showed the best dynamics in their niche, and handling and maneuverability are above all praise. There is even an emergency landing mode on 5 motors in case of failure of one. Windproof, maximum speed in mode “Follow me “- 70/72 km / h, vertical take-off speed – 18 km / h, maximum flight altitude – 500 m (electronically limited).

Recognition and avoidance of obstacles

The Yuneec Typhoon H hexacopter is ready to fly and boxes (RTF) and occupies the “Smart Drone” segment, which means that the user does not need to have UAV control skills. Such flexibility in use, as well as complete autonomy of the hexacopter, is provided by a whole range of electronic systems, it can literally do everything that a drone with the letter “Smart” should be able to do.

But, the ability of the hexacopter to recognize and fly around obstacles, regardless of their size, deserves special attention here, whether it is a high-voltage wire, a tree branch or a protruding part of a high-rise building, the drone will see all this, remember and prevent a collision during subsequent flights.

It’s all thanks to Intel RealSense™ technology. The principle of operation is that thanks to the special Intel RealSense R200 camera installed on the front of the drone with a separate Intel Atom power module, the drone receives an exact 3D copy of the model of the surrounding world.

Based on the received data, the hexacopter is able not only to see obstacles, but also to plot optimal flight routes during the flight (from above, below, from the side). For example, when a drone flies in the automatic flight and shooting mode “Follow me”, based on the resulting 3D model of the world, it can predict the trajectory of the movement of the pursued object, all this in order to take the optimal position in the air for the best angle.

Moreover, if you ever return to the place where you previously flew the Typhoon H, he will easily remember this and will feel “at home”. Thanks to the ultrasonic IPS (Optical Flow Sensor) sensors installed above the Intel RealSense R200 panel, it doesn’t matter for the drone what time of day the autonomous flight is, late evening or night, it perfectly sees obstacles in the dark. Thanks to this tandem of sensors, autonomous flight of the Typhoon H becomes as safe as possible.

Automatic flight modes

The Typhoon H has six pre-programmed flight and shooting modes.

Camera

Depending on the version chosen, the Yuneec Typhoon H hexacopter can be equipped with one of three available video cameras, the potential of which can be appreciated by both novice users and professionals in the photo and video industry.

Yuneec CGO3+

12MP 4K camera Yuneec CGO3+. Installed on board the standard version of Yuneec Typhoon H. The camera records video quality: 4K at 30 fps, 2.7K at 30 fps, 2.5K at 30 fps; FHD @ 24/25/30/48/50/60/120 fps

.

Built into a high-precision 3-axis mechanical gimbal with the ability to rotate around its own axis without limitation (360º).

The camera uses high quality optics to provide an excellent 98º field of view. During the flight, the pilot will always be able to manually adjust. The exposure time has been increased, which significantly improved the quality of shooting photographic material. The quality of the photo / video output corresponds to the UAV of the “Premium” segment. An excellent choice for fans of photo and video aerial photography. More details in the specification below.

Yuneec C23

20MP 4K camera built on a 1-inch CMOS sensor from Sony. Installed on board Yuneec Typhoon H Plus. Built into a high-precision 3-axis mechanical gimbal with the ability to rotate around its own axis without limitation (360º). Lens: 23mm/f2.8 with 91º field of view. Provides max. video quality: 4K (H.264) at 24/25/30/48/50/60 fps; 4K (H.265) at 24/25/30 fps. Max. photo resolution: 5472 × 3648. Video format: MP4. Photo format: JPEG/DNG. Yuneec Typhoon H Plus is positioned by the developer as a drone for professional photo and video shooting. More details in the specification below.

Leica ION L1 Pro

The Leica ION L1 Pro is a top-of-the-line 20-megapixel 4K cinema-grade solution designed with Leica engineers specifically for photo and video industry professionals, built on a 1-inch CMOS sensor and configured from scratch to work in tandem with the Yuneec Typhoon H hexacopter. Mounted on board of the flagship version of Yuneec Typhoon H3. The camera is built into a high-precision 3-axis mechanical gimbal with the ability to rotate around its axis without limitation (360º). As much as possible about Yuneec Typhoon H3 and the Leica ION L1 Pro camera in our review.

Food

The standard version of the Yuneec Typhoon H is powered by a 4-cell (4S 14.8V) 5400 mAh Lithium Polymer battery 79.9 Wh Battery POWER 4. The Typhoon H Plus and Typhoon H3 versions are powered by the new high-voltage and slightly lighter 4S 15.2V 5250 mAh 79.8 Wh HV LiPo. Provides a maximum flight time of 25 minutes with a standard battery and 26 minutes with an HV battery. Charging time is about 2 hours.

Control

ST16S

By default, the drone is controlled by the Yuneec ST16S 16-channel personal ground station, a full-size controller built on an Intel® CoreQuad processor, running on the Android operating system.

In addition to the main working bodies, the equipment has a built-in 7-inch capacitive multi-touch LCD display, which displays a video stream broadcast in real time from the on-board camera in 720p quality, flight telemetry, and also interacts with the drone and its payload through the screen. Operates in two frequency bands 2.4GHz and 5.8GHz. Power is supplied from a built-in lithium-ion battery 3.6V 8700mAh 31.32 Wh. The pilot has 1 × HDMI port / 2 × USB (1 × for the standard version) / 1 × 3.5 Jack. Provides max. FPV removal distance – 1.6 km.

Wizard remote

The second control method is the compact Yuneec Wizard remote. It looks like a modern TV or radio remote control. Designed to control the drone without using the ST16S ground station, or in tandem with it. Equipped with its own GPS beacon. Purchased separately. Comes with a waterproof case. Allows both drone programming and full flight control.

Control is carried out by buttons on the remote control: “Up”, “Down”, “Left”, “Right”. The conditional change of sticks is carried out by changing the position of the remote control. Horizontal position: “Left stick”, vertical position: “Right stick”.

For example, when you want to shoot yourself in Follow me mode, then taking a bulky ST16 station with you will not be entirely relevant. The Wizard remote comes to the rescue. Set the flight mode, attach it to your arm or belt and go. The drone will strictly follow the remote control and shoot amazing shots with your participation in a fully automatic mode.

ST16S + Wizard remote

You can use the station and remote in tandem (see video below). For this case, there is a special mode: “Team mode”, in order to separate the capabilities of the operator and the pilot. For example, one person will fly using the Wizard remote, and the other will shoot in manual mode. The tandem is perfect for getting excellent photo / video shooting angles for subsequent editing in the main material.

Price

The Yuneec Typhoon H hexacopter is sold both through the developer’s brand stores and through various online trading platforms:

Yuneec Typhoon H – $975.
Yuneec Typhoon H Pro RS – $1908.
Yuneec Typhoon H Plus – $2192.
Yuneec Typhoon H Plus RS – $2333.

Conclusion

Yuneec Typhoon H Plus RS from $2192

Functionality

10/10

Flight time

9/10

Flight qualities

9/10

compactness

7/10

Equipment

10/10

Reliability

10/10

Price quality

10/10

pros

Workmanship/Design
6-motors/Foldable design
Flight qualities
Automatic flight and shooting modes
Intel RealSense/IPS (Optical Flow Sensor) flies around obstacles of any size even at night
Range of versions with cameras/The quality of shooting each/Ability to shoot 360º
Emergency landing mode for 5 motors
Portable Wizard remote/SkyView FPV goggles
Does not require UAV control skills
Price

Minuses

Luggage dimensions
Noisy
The current battery charge of the drone can only be found on the display of the personal station

The long-awaited premium drone capable of flying around obstacles, regardless of their size, time of day or night. Every time you deal with the products of this manufacturer, you are convinced that each model is getting better and this fact does not have to be proven. The quality of performance “Premium” segment. Lightweight due to the carbon construction, compact due to the folding arms. Incredibly spectacular takeoff, when the legs of the drone rise to the beams and thereby free up space for the camera, which, thanks to the gimbal, can shoot 360º. The developer offers a drone with three different cameras, one of which was designed and configured by Leica Camera AG professionals. The Yuneec Typhoon H hexacopter is perfect for people who are professionally involved in aerial photography, as well as for amateurs who appreciate the quality and possibilities of high technologies. Age limit 18+.