Goolsky JXD 509W Test: Flight characteristics, battery life and range test

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A rather large drone for not even 50€ is the Goolsky JXD 509W. It is similar in size and weight to the Hubsan, but can it keep up with other models at this low price?

In the following report we show which technical features the inexpensive quadrocopter shines with, for whom it is suitable and which alternatives there are to the model.

Design and technical details

The design of the Goolsky JXD 509W looks very futuristic and reminds a bit of the Typhoon Q500 4K, which we have already tested. However, the Typhoon costs more than 10 times as much. There is a protection for the rotor blades which you can take off or put on

For the night flight some LED lights are installed, but in our opinion they could be a little brighter. We recommend not to fly so far away at dusk or in the dark, you have to comply with the German laws regarding drones anyway and you are only allowed to fly them on sight. The maximum range is about 50 meters.

Flight behaviour and special features – Well suited for beginners?

It is even suitable for beginners because of its 6-axis gyroscope it constantly balances itself. It is also easy to operate and stands securely in the air and holds its position when you let go of all control sticks.

All in all the quadrocopter weighs only 150 grams with the following dimensions: 316 x 316 x 106mm. Since the aircraft is of course so big and weighs little, it is also susceptible to wind. Therefore, it makes sense to fly in calm conditions if possible.

Battery, flight duration and charging time

It is equipped with a 3.7V 600mAh 30C Li-Po battery with which the flying fun lasts for about 5-6 minutes, afterwards you have to recharge it. The charging time is about 60-90 minutes. We find the ratio of flight time to charging time a bit unfavorable.

But you can order more batteries and get more out of the drone. The battery packs cost only a few Euros and are easy to install. Unfortunately there are no batteries included for the remote control, you still need 4 x AA batteries.

Modes, camera, apps and FPV mode

If you have no flying experience at all, we advise you to fly in headless mode for the first time. In this mode, the drone will fly towards or away from you depending on the movement of the control lever, regardless of where the head is. If you should ever lose your orientation, you can simply use the Return-To-Home function and the remote-controlled flying object will fly back to its original starting point. Here are some photos with the 0.3 MP camera. They are a bit milky, but you shouldn’t expect too much with this resolution.

The Goolsky JXD 509W drone even has Wifi and you can follow the image live in FPV mode by connecting it to a smartphone via Wifi. You can also easily control it via mobile phone or tablet without having to use the remote control. We really like the “gravity control”, which means that the drone moves depending on the orientation of the terminal. For example, if you tilt your smartphone forward, the Goolsky JXD 509W will also move forward. You can easily download an app for this from the App Store, there is a version for Android and IOS.

Recorded pictures and videos are then stored on the smartphone. Unfortunately, the camera has only 0.3 megapixels and the picture quality leaves a lot to be desired in our opinion, but you have to remember that this is normal in this price range. Many drones in the 50€ range do not have a camera at all.

Scope of delivery

The drone is “RTF”, so it’s “Ready To Fly”. So you don’t get a model kit but can take off directly. The only thing that is not included are the batteries for the radio remote control.

Otherwise the scope of delivery is pretty good for the price, the following elements are included in the package:

  • 1 x JXD 509W RC drone
  • 1 x remote control
  • 1 x 3.7V 600mAh 30C Li-Po battery
  • 2 x pair of spare propellers
  • 4 x rotor protection
  • 1 x USB charging cable
  • 1 x tool kit
  • 1 x manual (unfortunately only in English)

Not included (still needed):

  • 4 x AA battery

Assets and drawbacks

When estimating how strong the advantages and disadvantages are, you must not forget the price. You don’t even pay 50€ here and get a quite big quadrocopter.

Advantages:

  • Very cheap – can be afforded by almost everyone
  • Possesses headless mode
  • 6-axis gyro balances the quadrocopter perfectly – it is therefore also suitable for beginners
  • FPV live picture via Wifi with existing end device (Smartphone or Tablet)
  • Can be controlled with the smartphone based on gravity (gravity control)
  • Lightweight – flies quickly and reliably through the air
  • Possesses a camera

Disadvantages:

  • Wind susceptible – we recommend you to fly only in calm weather or indoors
  • Unfortunately the camera has only 0.3 MP and the picture and video recordings are not as high quality

Conclusion about the Goolsky JXD 509W drone

All in all, it must be said that this model is very, very inexpensive and could be the right drone for one or the other. But if you take a closer look, there are still some teething troubles, for example it is quite susceptible to wind, in strong gusts of wind you should not fly outside. On the other hand you have to say that you even have a camera and FPV with you. This of course increases the value enormously.

If you really don’t have more than 50€ budget available, then the Goolsky JXD 509W drone is probably the best choice and you should take it. But if you want to invest around 70-200€, then take a closer look at the alternative quadrocopters, they are in a slightly higher price range.

You can order the Goolsky JXD 509W here on Amazon*.

Alternatives to the Goolsky JXD 509W drone

If you can’t live with the disadvantages so well, we can recommend some alternatives to the Goolsky JXD 509W drone, including the most popular models from DJI, Parrot and Hubsan, which we have tested extensively and can warmly recommend.

Parrot Mambo

You can get this drone for 50-100€, it has gripping arms and is much easier to control than the Goolsky. But it doesn’t have a front camera but a photo sensor on the bottom, so you can take pictures from a bird’s eye view.

The Mambo is a mini drone, which is also a bit susceptible to wind. But it is the ideal flying model for indoor use.

Parrot Airborne Night

Those who like to fly in the dark can also make use of the Airborne Night by Parrot. This quadrocopter has a cool light system, which we find much better than the LEDs of the Goolsky. In terms of flight characteristics, the model is similar to the Mambo, which is no wonder, since the two drones of the French manufacturer have the same platform.

Ryze Tech Tello from DJI

A real brand product is the Ryze Tech Tello Drone from DJI. For about 100€ you can get a very sophisticated remote controlled model with many functions and a very good camera, even though this is also a mini drone.

Parrot Bebop 2

The Parrot Bebop 2 is slightly larger and also more expensive, but according to our detailed test it is ideal for beginners. Meanwhile the drone costs between 400 and 500 € and is now also more affordable for some. A real highlight is the FPV goggles with which you have the feeling to fly directly in the cockpit.

Hubsan X4 H501S FPV Brushless Drone

For many beginners the Hubsan X4 H501S FPV Brushless Drone is very popular, because it is available for about 200€ and has many functions, which you will find only in much more expensive versions. Among them are many different flight modes and GPS.

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