#TELLO DRONE MANUAL#
#TELLO DRONE SOFTWARE#

Fast moves comfortably outpace the speed the compression can re-establish detail so areas like grass can get a little blocky. The video is not quite the same quality, but remains to a surprisingly high standard, until motion is introduced. (Image credit: Adam Juniper/Digital Camera World) (opens in new tab) The 2592 x 1936 pixels show detail in twigs, shaded and lit leaves, and the washing lines – more than adequate for social media, though there is certainly some lazy compression in evidence in the darker areas. Outdoor stills look good, capturing color correctly everywhere in this post-storm shed roof survey except the bright light in the top left. Let this happen for too long and… well… it’ll crash. The drone needs visual light to hold position, meaning that when the downward facing camera isn’t getting as much as it’d like, the aircraft will start to drift. On the down side, the Tello does like you to turn the lights on, and not doing so will incur its disappointment, in the form of a yellow box warning you the Ambient light is weak. Indoors the camera affords a surprise advantage in terms of quality if you’ve got any sense you’ll be walking around so near the device there is no worry about reception. The results, though, aren’t really designed for examination under a digital loupe. The practical effect of this is that the video is susceptible to interference, and there is no MicroSD (opens in new tab) backup on the drone. What makes the Tello truly different is that there is no on-board image storage images or video are transmitted and recorded over the live feed or they are lost. If you come to the Tello having seen high end mini drones costing five and ten times as much then expectations of the camera need to be reigned in, but the key difference is not resolution or even the lack of a gimbal.

#TELLO DRONE MANUAL#

We also liked that there was a faster flight speed setting to keep the fun going for manual pilots. In practice, the Tello can pull off flips on command within less than a cubic metre of airspace. Larger drones almost invariably use brushless motors, which generate lower internal friction, so many are pessimistic about the Tello, but in practice the brushed motors (there is little choice at this size) seem capable of replicating the rapid switches in speed required for control, let alone acrobatic movements. Before the landing, though, there’s the flying, and there’s even a ‘Throw and go’ launch option.

#TELLO DRONE SOFTWARE#

This common sense is extended to the software rather than attempt a likely futile disclaimer about hand-landings, the app includes a feature to make it easier (but look just as cool).

We also liked the way the app offered the necessary guidance into basic controls without delaying things too much – an excited recipient shouldn’t be too frustrated. Usability is crucial if you’re going to fly a drone via a screen. (Image credit: Adam Juniper/Digital Camera World) (opens in new tab)ĭespite being around since early 2018, the app has been well maintained – and from a good starting point too.

Tello drone