I thought I'd throw out this simple comparison of my Phantom 1, versus my Blade 350 QX. Not a big super detailed comparison, just a few observations. I like my phantom, but I gotta say I like the Blade better. I flew both of them just 30 minutes ago and found the comparisons shown below. Both birds are tip top, with balanced props and same day compass calibrations. Phantom is running stock props with stock gains. Upgrades on the phantom include taller landing gear similar to stock, cf 9" blade guards and cf battery extensions in case I want to run dual batteries. Blade is pretty much stock, except for Walkera props on CNC adapters.
Trouble or Return to home Mode
Phantom return to home has to be accomplished by turning off the tx or flying out of range, which I'm not doing. Once turned off it starts the process, but it's very slow to return. It finally came down within 5-7 feet of where it took off from. If after turning off the tx and initiating RTH you decide you don't want to land yet, your stuck with it. They won't reconnect unless you unplug the battery and restart the bird. Kinda tough to do in mid flight
Blade return to home is accomplished by a spring loaded switch. Pull it and it starts the process. It gets about the business of returning pretty quickly and also lands within 5-7 feet of take off point. If you decide you don't want to RTH just release the spring loaded switch and you've got full control again. Kinda nice if you get that, "Oh crap!" mode followed by the "Ok, I'm alright now!" mode.
Manual landing for both is accomplished pretty easy and I'd say neither is tougher or easier than the other.
IOC or Smart Mode
This might be my own issue, but when my Phantom was in HL or CL mode, forward stick was not always forward motion. It was dependent upon the birds orientation. My understanding is, in HL mode it's supposed to go in stick direction regardless of orientation/yaw. CL is similar it just goes in a straigt line per the stick orientation.
Blade in smart mode or photo mode is pretty darn dummy proof. Push the stick forward and it goes forward, regardless of orientation. It'll even do a continuous yaw left or right while in forward, left, right or back direction without going off course. Like I said, maybe that's a ME issue.
In Flight Stability
Phantom hangs on to the GPS like a dog with steak bone. Just a bit more twitchy in a breeze and winds aloft.
Blade holds on to GPS as well, just a lot smoother when correcting against breeze and winds aloft.
I'm not bashing my Phantom. She's a fine fun to fly bird and a keeper. Blade 350 is my go to though and she's the one that will be trusted with the, in my opinion over priced $400 Gopro, particularly when she'll be carrying it over cliffs and waterfalls at Lake Tahoe, where a catastrophic landing or crash will be **** expensive.
Trouble or Return to home Mode
Phantom return to home has to be accomplished by turning off the tx or flying out of range, which I'm not doing. Once turned off it starts the process, but it's very slow to return. It finally came down within 5-7 feet of where it took off from. If after turning off the tx and initiating RTH you decide you don't want to land yet, your stuck with it. They won't reconnect unless you unplug the battery and restart the bird. Kinda tough to do in mid flight
Blade return to home is accomplished by a spring loaded switch. Pull it and it starts the process. It gets about the business of returning pretty quickly and also lands within 5-7 feet of take off point. If you decide you don't want to RTH just release the spring loaded switch and you've got full control again. Kinda nice if you get that, "Oh crap!" mode followed by the "Ok, I'm alright now!" mode.
Manual landing for both is accomplished pretty easy and I'd say neither is tougher or easier than the other.
IOC or Smart Mode
This might be my own issue, but when my Phantom was in HL or CL mode, forward stick was not always forward motion. It was dependent upon the birds orientation. My understanding is, in HL mode it's supposed to go in stick direction regardless of orientation/yaw. CL is similar it just goes in a straigt line per the stick orientation.
Blade in smart mode or photo mode is pretty darn dummy proof. Push the stick forward and it goes forward, regardless of orientation. It'll even do a continuous yaw left or right while in forward, left, right or back direction without going off course. Like I said, maybe that's a ME issue.
In Flight Stability
Phantom hangs on to the GPS like a dog with steak bone. Just a bit more twitchy in a breeze and winds aloft.
Blade holds on to GPS as well, just a lot smoother when correcting against breeze and winds aloft.
I'm not bashing my Phantom. She's a fine fun to fly bird and a keeper. Blade 350 is my go to though and she's the one that will be trusted with the, in my opinion over priced $400 Gopro, particularly when she'll be carrying it over cliffs and waterfalls at Lake Tahoe, where a catastrophic landing or crash will be **** expensive.
