To spike your interest, this is a very good GPS drone for people who already have an action camera or simply for anyone interested to get it with the included Full HD cam.
Most drones from MJX that are in the Bugs series (there’s quite a few at the moment) tend to have both long battery life and quite powerful brushless motors.
This is no exception, as the battery can last for up to 15 minutes ( expect about 13 in real life).
But this time around, it also comes with a very cool GPS module that does a much better job than the one on the Bugs 2( that did the toilet bowl movement).
- Flying Time: 12-15 min
- Charging time:60-90 min
- Weight: 40g
- Battery 7.4v 2800mAh
- Flying Distance: 500m
- Live feed distance: 200m
What's in the package?
The drone comes with all that you need to start flying, but the package varies depending on what you choose to buy.
There’s a few versions you can choose from:
- No camera (one or two batteries) – get this if you have an action cam or plan to get one
- 720p cam (one or two batteries) – this is the most budget version, I don’t recommend.
- 1080p cam (one or two batteries)
Balance ChargerYou can charge the battery though a balance charger connected to your socket so you charge all the cells equally.
- One or two Drone batteries2800Mah
Depending on the package you can get up to two batteries.
- Controller500m range
The controller comes with 4 batteries and has an LCD screen.
- 4 Spare Propellers
Great to have if you crash and break some. Don't throw them away! You'll also get a screwdriver in the package.
- The quadcopter itself
The drone is small enough to fit in a backpack, actually just as big as the original Bugs 3.
As you can see, the package has all you need, just like the usual one and also comes with the useful manual and controller scheme. If you want the package with the MJX camera and pay extra, the camera will come in a separate box.
Bugs 3 vs Bugs 3 pro
Positives and negatives of the Bugs 3 Pro
Positives
- The GPS is very stable
- It returns to home when low battery or signal lost
- powerful brushless motors
- Working follow me function
- Waypoint function
- Works with any go pro / action cam (not hero 5)
Negatives
- video is not stabilized besides some dampners for reducing jello effect
- Image signal is lost before the range signal ( image lost at 200m and signal at 500m)
Bugs 3 pro - My video review
Who should buy this drone?
Considering the price of this quadcopter, it’s quite a steal, especially if you already have the camera.
If you get the included camera, then you’ll pay about $50 more, but you’ll be able to use the live app Bugs Go and the Follow me and waypoints functions.
So I’d recommend the bugs 3 for people who have had at least a one time experience with other drones flying (not complete beginners).
Even though it has GPS and it can return to home automatically, the motors are pretty powerful.
If you have any action camera that is the size of a go pro hero 3 or 4, you’re good to go. If you want the version with the included camera I recommend buying the 1080p version.
But if you’re not going to use it with an action camera ever, just with the included c6000 cam, then I’d rather recommend you the Bugs 5w, which in my oppinion has a better and more stable image at an even lower price.
In the meantime I recommend you to read the following article (will open in a new tab).
Guy finds crashed DJI Phantom 4 underwater! (along with other cool stuff)
There’s no doubt finding a DJI Phantom 4 underwater is probably one of the things you’ll tell your gradsons about.
Transmitter and application
The transmitters of all the Bugs drones in general have a very similar look, and they also come with a simple quickstart guide that have the controls mapped in an easy to understand fashion.
The range is pretty big, and the bottom screen shows very important telemetry information like range, height, signal and battery life.
So even if you lose visuals, you’ll be able to press the return to home button and see how the distance from you is decreasing, meaning the drone is coming back. Trust me, it’s very reasuring.
The Bugs Go app can be downloaded for free, both on android and on Iphone and works with every bugs drone so far. You need a 5G wifi capable smartphone to connect to the wifi and then you’ll be able to see the live image in the app.
CAMERA
The camera subject is pretty sensitive for this drone, as there are 2 options you can choose from:
- get the drone with no camera and put your own
- you can put either a go pro 3 or 4 or any action cam that size (most are that size)
- you can also use the live stream app of your action cam to monitor what the drone sees.
- get the drone with a camera included
- 720p c5000 camera (not recommended)
- 1080p c6000 camera, better pictures and videos, but still inferior to a good action cam)
Using a separate action cam
- you can use it for other stuff too
- The quality is much better
- If you get a good one it might also have image stabilization
- It's going to be cheaper if you already have the camera. Ofc.
- The follow me, waypoints won't work
- Live feed range smaller ( max 50 m), or at all, if it doesn't have wifi
Buying the included camera
- You can use the app with follow me, waypoints.
- It's a pretty cheap camera
- Might not work if your phone doesn't work with 5G
- quality is poorer
Conclusion
The bugs 3 pro is definitely a considerable upgrade, even if only for the very good GPS. I say it's perfect if you already have a GO pro or was planning to buy one.
Flight Stability
Range
Camera Quality
Battery life
Power
In the meantime I recommend you to read the following article (will open in a new tab).
The history of Commercial Drones Infographic – First Quadcopter to DJI Drones
This time around we’re going to take a look at how commercial drones, the friendly ones have evolved in time.
