Hey there! As a seasoned home improvement pro and drone enthusiast, I‘m excited to share this super in-depth guide on how to fly the popular Sharper Image Steady Flying Wi-Fi drone.
I‘ll provide everything you need to know to get up in the air quickly and safely, from unboxing to recording pro-quality videos. Consider this your personalized handbook to drone piloting success!
Introducing the Sharper Image Drone
Before we get to the flying details, let me give you an overview of this neat little drone so you know what we‘re working with.
The Sharper Image Steady Flying Wi-Fi Drone is a medium-sized quadcopter designed for beginners and hobbyists. It sacrifices some of the advanced features of pricier drones, but provides excellent value with its durability, camera quality and ease of flight.
Some key specs:
- Size: 12 x 11.4 x 3 inches, 0.3 lbs
- Camera: 720p HD WiFi camera, adjustable angle
- Battery: 650mAh LiPo, 60 min charge time, 6-8 min flight time
- Range: 150 feet max horizontal, 120 feet max vertical
- Top Speed: Up to 30 mph
With its onboard WiFi system, you can view and record video straight from your smartphone – no need for a separate controller screen.
Overall, it hits a nice sweet spot between performance and approachability. Next I‘ll go over everything required to start flying for the first time.
Step 1: Charging the Battery
The drone runs off a 650mAh Lithium Polymer (LiPo) battery that provides 6-8 minutes of flight time when fully charged.
The very first step is to give the battery a full 60 minute charge before powering up the drone. This is crucial to maximize air time and avoid mid-flight power loss.
The included USB charging cable connects to either a wall outlet or computer USB port. Simply plug it into the charging port on the underside of the drone. The LED light will glow red to indicate charging mode.
Pro tip: I recommend picking up 1-2 extra batteries so you can swap them out and extend your flying sessions.
While the battery charges, let‘s make sure you‘re fully prepped for flight…
Step 2: Preflight Checklist
Following a preflight checklist is essential both for safety and success. We‘ll cover the key steps:
A) Update the App
The drone utilizes the "XSW UFO" app for iOS and Android to view the camera feed.
Be sure you have the latest version installed for best connectivity. Also enable Bluetooth, WiFi and Location access for the app.
B) Read the Manual
Every drone flies differently! Studying the manual will prevent crashes. Make sure you understand exactly what each control stick does.
C) Choose a Location
Find a wide open area free of trees, power lines and other obstructions. An empty park or field is ideal.
You‘ll also need adequate lighting. The drone has LEDs but it‘s best to fly during the day.
D) Check Conditions
Avoid flying in rain or heavy winds over 10 mph. Gusts can blow the lightweight drone off course.
Ideally fly on a calm, sunny day with minimal breeze. This results in steadier aerial footage too!
E) Inspect the Drone
Give the drone a quick visual inspection to check for any damage or issues. Make sure the battery is seated properly and nothing is obstructing the rotors.
Step 3: Connecting to the Drone
Once your battery is fully charged, it‘s time to power everything on and connect your phone.
Insert the Battery
Slide off the battery cover and gently push the LiPo battery into the slot until it clicks. Reattach the cover securely.
Power On
Press and hold the power button for 3 seconds until the lights start flashing. The drone will do a quick self-check.
Connect Phone
Place your phone centered on top of the remote controller. This allows it to connect directly to the drone‘s WiFi signal instead of your regular network.
Launch the App
Open the XSW UFO app on your phone. It will auto-detect the drone and display the camera feed after a few seconds.
If the app has trouble connecting, you may need to reconnect the drone or reset your phone‘s network settings. But when everything connects properly, you‘ll have a live first-person view from the drone!
Step 4: Learn the Controls
Now for the fun part – flying! But first, get familiar with what each control stick does:
Left Stick:
- Up: Ascend
- Down: Descend
- Left: Counter-clockwise rotation
- Right: Clockwise rotation
Right Stick:
- Up: Forward flight
- Down: Backward flight
- Left: Leftward flight
- Right: Rightward flight
These are the basics, but you can perform more advanced maneuvers like flips once skilled. For now just focus on smooth motions and gradual stick inputs.
Step 5: Practice Flying
When you‘re ready, gently push up on the left stick to lift off and start hovering around 1 meter up. Release the stick to maintain altitude.
Try panning the drone slowly by pressing the other directions. Move to an open area and practice moving forward/backward and side-to-side.
Get a feel for how much stick pressure affects speed. Move smoothly to avoid shaky footage.
Pro tip: Engage altitude hold mode on the remote to lock your height for steadier videos!
Spend 10-15 minutes practicing close-range flight until controlling the drone becomes second nature. Don‘t rush – mastering the basics is important!
Step 6: Start Recording
Now the real fun begins! When you‘re comfortable with the controls, try recording some test footage.
Use the buttons in the app to start/stop video recording or capture still photos. You can replay media directly after recording it.
For best results:
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Maintain smooth flight patterns
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Keep the drone facing away from you
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Adjust camera angle to your subject
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Monitor battery level and wind
Capture some hover shots, sweeping landscape pans and other simple footage to get a feel for recording.
Step 7: Advanced Flying Tips
Once you‘ve mastered the controls and flows of the drone, you can start flying farther and capturing more adventurous footage.
Here are my top tips for taking your piloting skills to the next level:
Mind the Limits
Stay within the drone‘s 150ft horizontal and 120ft vertical limits. Go any farther and you‘ll lose signal, causing it to drop.
Keep Orientation
It‘s easy to lose track of which direction the drone is facing. Maintain a mental note of its orientation.
Use Vision Positioning
Turn this on in the app for added hovering stability by using the downward facing camera and sensors.
Enable Headless Mode
This makes the drone‘s forward direction relative to the controller, great for beginners.
Stay in Line of Sight
Resist the urge to fly too far away or behind objects. This is crucial for maintaining control.
Monitor Conditions
Be ready to bring the drone home if winds pick up or the battery gets low. Don‘t take risks!
Fly Responsibly
Be conscious of privacy, noise levels and any local laws. Avoid flying over crowds.
Maintenance Tips
To keep your drone flying smoothly:
- Wipe down with a dry microfiber cloth after use
- Store in a cool, dry place
- Check wires and rotors for damage periodically
- Replace rotor blades if they become bent or cracked
And there you have it – everything you need to start flying like a pro! Just take your time learning the ropes, practice the basics, and you‘ll be capturing stunning aerial footage in no time.
Let me know if you have any other questions. I‘m always happy to provide tips to fellow drone enthusiasts.
Fly safe and have fun!
