The Cheerson CX-10 makes my DJI Mavic Mini look like a maxi. This micro-drone (some call it a nano-drone*) is radio-controlled, and uses either a remote controller or (in some variants) a smartphone. Although defined as a ‘toy drone’, the skill required to fly it makes it applicable more for fairly skilled pilots, rather than beginners.
This aircraft has neither GPS or altimeter to stabilize hover, so (like race drones) it will crash or land if not constantly commanded. Other CX-10 variants have a barometric altimeter to allow stable (-ish) hovering capabilities, and other drones in the CX-series incorporate GPS (Global Positioning System) receivers for stable hovering.
But this is just raw drone. No camera, no bells and whistles; nothing but incredibly small, relatively fast drone. Of course, with a drone this small, one can’t expect long endurance, extended range, or flight times greater than about ten minutes (see specifications below).
It is my next drone purchase, and for the price, it is hard to pass up. For less than the price of a large, two-topping pizza, you can have a fun (mostly indoor) drone instead…and it has zero calories and zero fat!
It is truly a marvel of technology and miniaturization, even to those of us who have quickly become jaded to technological advances, and lead to expect more and more (capability) for less and less (money).
Of course, this drone won’t fight a MQ-1 Reaper or out-fly a hot racing drone. It won’t carry your GoPro or FLIR camera. It will just simply fly…and provide flying fun, which is just what it is designed to do.
I typically don’t incorporate null and subjective terms like ‘fun’ in reviews and specifications (since I can’t find a formula to define it or tests to quantify it), but that x-factor is more important than us empirical, facts-based fliers like to admit. So while you won’t find a parameter for ‘fun’ in the specifications below, the CX-10 is loaded with fun (once you learn to fly it, and even during the time you are learning).
Type: LASE (Low-Altitude, Short-Endurance) quad-copter
MFR: Guangdon Cheerson Hobby Technologies
Introduced: June 2014
Nomenclature: CX-10 ‘UFO’
Wingspan: N/A
Length: 40 mm (1.5748 in)
Width: 40 mm (1.5748 in)
Height: 22 mm (0.866 in)
Weight: 15 grams (0.529 oz)
Gyroscope: 6-axis for improved stability
Engine(s): 3-speed electric motor (6 mm x 20 mm core-less)
Rotors: 2.9 cm (1.14 in), fixed-pitch
Battery: 3.7v, 100mAh LiPo (15-30 min charge time)
Speed: 7 mph (11.26 kph/6.08 kt) (estimated)
Range: 20-50 m (65-154 ft)
Endurance: 4-8 minutes
Ceiling: 120 ft (36.57 m)
Payload: Estimated 4-6 grams (un-tested) 26.6%-40% of weight
Indicators: On-board LED (2x blue- front, 2x red-rear)
Armaments: None in civilian version (JK)
Sensor (s): None
Controller: 2.4 Ghz, 4-channel, 2 ea AAA batteries
Cost: 18-35 USD
Variants include the CX-10 A (with ‘headless’ course-lock mode), CX-10 C (with 640 x 480, 16 fps camera), CX-10 D (with high-density air pressure sensor for hover stabilization), CX-10 W (with wifi, smartphone control), CX-10WD (with wifi control, air pressure sensor for hover stabilization, and a 720 x 540, 16 fps camera)
- Other drones in the CX-series provide more features and capabilities. In future blogs, I may define their specifications, and make a comparison chart
There have been a number of reviews for the Cheerson CX-10, and below is one from YouTube.
While this drone may not replace my DJI Mavic Mini (or even my on-order SkyDio, or an FPV/race quad), it does make a nice addition to anyone’s drone fleet, and one that will not ‘break the bank’. In the future, I’ll be doing some tests to define exact payload capacity, and its effect on flight times, and some other experiments I am considering. Stay tuned for more updates.
For now, all this writing about drones has got me excited to go fly. So, see you out there…(or perhaps I should say see you UP there…in the skies). More later; for now it’s off I go, into the wild, blue yonder.
(Cover Photo: Drone Rush)
* The UAS Yearbook (7th Edition) defines the distinction as follows: “NAVs are defined as small air vehicles with an operating range less than 1 km, a maximum flight altitude around 100 m, endurance less than one hour, and maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) of 25 g while MAVs are defined as 5 kg MTOW with endurance around 1 hour and an operative range around 10 km”, where NAV is Nano Air Vehicle and MAV is Micro Air Vehicle. A more common distinction is a nano drone fits in your palm, while a micro drone may be a bit larger.
A Brave New Drone World 