Drones are increasingly becoming popular to shoot everything from wedding videos to open-air concerts, but the fact remains that current technology haven’t yet progressed to the point where any one of them can claim to be the perfect fit for all types of users. If one offers excellent camera features, more often than not it will either be bulky or require a PhD in physics to operate; if it is lightweight and easy to use, it will either come with a crappy camera or be incapable of those Hollywood-like shots that you desire to achieve.
Snap, the new drone from Vantage Robotics, aims to change exactly that. The small and compact Snap allows users to perform a number of automated camera movements that let you focus on the action while the drone maneuvers with a range of 150 meters. Speaking of motion, the 4k camera handles it well thanks to state-of-the-art gimbal stabilization. This electronically-controlled device pivots and rotates the camera to counter the movement of the drone, so the resulting video should look smoother and more professional. Perhaps one of the coolest things about the drone is just how compact it is. It easily transports in a backpack and is durable enough to endure the trip.
“The biggest issue with any drone that shoots quality video is that it’s essentially a big, flying lawnmower. If you’re hit, you’re cut; if it’s in the eye, you’re blinded,” said Tobin Fisher, one of the company’s co-founders. Snap’s four rotors are covered by protectors. The company went through multiple designs to come up with one that doesn’t interrupt the airflow to the rotors while ensuring no one ends up in the emergency room after an accident. The body and electronics of the drone are housed in an enclosure that snaps onto the frame with magnets, giving the product its name.
In the event of a crash, that magnetic connection means the body can easily detach from the main body of the drone — something that Fisher hopes will lead to less damage for the camera and whatever it hits.
Snap is available now for pre-order from Vantage Robotics. The drone still claims a rather hefty pre-order price tag at $895, but with insanely high-quality video recording on-board in a device that you can take out of a backpack then toss into the skies, Snap offers something pretty cool for both drone enthusiasts and those looking to make their first foray into the class of products.
