A quadrocopter which is rather unknown on the drone market is the model X8500 from the manufacturer ACME.
An essential special feature is the camera mount. Action cameras with standard size fit into this. For example, you can use your GoPro Cam and create spectacular photo and video recordings from a bird’s eye view.
Technical data
The drone is easy to operate with the included RC remote control. You don’t need a smartphone, unfortunately there is no FPV mode for this model.
With the push of a button you can activate the Home-To-Return function, where the quadrocopter returns to the starting point.
The ACME X8500 drone is often delivered with the ACME VR06 action camera. This cam has 12 megapixel resolution and a 2 inch display. Videos can be recorded in Ultra HD resolution.
Size, design and weight
From a visual point of view the model reminds us a bit of the Syma drone we have already tested. However, the structure and design is much more robust and stable.
Additionally, a rotor protection is attached. It protects your rotor blades from collisions with other objects and obstacles.
Especially cool and extraordinary are the integrated shock absorbers. Thanks to this special mount, photos and video recordings will not be blurred even though the camera is fixed.
To use an action camera with the ACME X8500, you need to open the mount, insert the cam and fix it firmly with the shutter.
Only the camera without protective housing fits into the corresponding socket.
Camera, memory and FPV live image transmission
As already mentioned, in most shops a corresponding action camera is included in the delivery. This is the ACME VR06, which has a 1050 mAh battery with a maximum runtime of 90 minutes at maximum resolution. To recharge it takes about 2 to 3 hours, for the camera usually 2 camera batteries are included.
You can record 30 frames per second up to a 4K pixel density. Pictures are usually taken with 12 megapixels. But the resolution values can be set very different in the menu.
Micro SD memory cards up to a size of 32 Gbyte fit into the Cam. You should format them before use.
In the overall view the camera is kept very simple in design and processing, but it is compact, cheap and shows good quality. You can also use your GoPro camera, if the ACME VR06 Actioncam does not suit you.
Battery, range and flight time
It is equipped with a lithium polymer battery with a total charging capacity of 1200 mAh.
The drone model itself flies for up to 10 minutes. The remote control system has a range of up to 100 meters, but the transmission range also depends on whether there are many objects between the remote control and the quadrocopter.
Although the ACME X8500 is quite big compared to other models, it’s not as easy to spot at a distance of 100 metres anyway. In Germany there are also certain laws for drones, so the drone may not be flown out of sight and since it has no FPV anyway, 100 meters range is in our opinion completely sufficient, at least for this model.
For us personally, 10 minutes flying time is a little too short, especially because the charging time is 150 minutes, so that the empty battery can be fully charged again.
Flight stabilization
The quadrocopter stabilizes itself completely independently in the air, for this purpose the model has a multi-axis gyroscope. If you keep your hands off the joystick, the ACME X8500 will balance itself automatically via the internal feedback system, even if there is some headwind.
Even if you perform a stunt at the push of a button, the drone will automatically return to a stable flight attitude.
For 360 degree stunts and flips there is a button on the remote control, through which the flips are performed.
Compass mode
A particularly cool feature for beginners is the compass mode, in which the drone always flies in the specified direction, regardless of how the head of the model is aligned, which is why this mode is also called “headless mode”.
For example, if you want to fly straight ahead, but the quadrocopter “looks” with the front to the right, it will still fly forward.
Assets and drawbacks
The ACME X8500 drone is quite special compared to other models, but it also has a few disadvantages. To help you decide which one to buy, we have listed the most important facts for you.
Advantages:
- Mount for typical action cameras in standard size to produce great photo and video recordings
- Shock absorbers ensure that the mount is not blurred
- Cool 360 degree flips at the touch of a button
- You can set different speed modes
- The remote control has a small screen on which the most important data are listed
- The maximum range of this drone is about 100 meters
- Return To Home function – the quadrocopter returns fully automatically at the touch of a button
Disadvantages:
- No FPV mode available
- There is no gimbal system
Conclusion
We can recommend this drone to anyone who would like to have a quadrocopter, where you can use any action camera, for this there is an extra mount with shock absorbers.
However, there is neither an FPV mode, nor a gimbal system. The VR06 camera, which is often included, has Wifi, but the range is quite limited and the latency is in our opinion too high to make decent FPV flights.
Also the flight time is not so good in relation to the loading time. The problem could be solved by buying several batteries in addition.
For beginners who already have a suitable action camera, the ACME X8500 drone is perfect. Not only that many camera models fit, the copter also has a gyroscope, protection bar and a compass mode (headless). So beginners have no big hurdles and can approach flying slowly and flexibly.
Here you can buy the ACME X8500 drone for a low price on Amazon!
