Introduction

Welcome to Copper versus Glass, where we explore all things tech-related and give you the best advice on the latest gadgets. In today’s video, we will be discussing the best budget drone for beginners – the Ruko F11 GIM2. With its impressive features and affordable price, this drone is the perfect choice for those just starting out in aerial photography and videography.

Unboxing and Setup

Before we dive into the flight test and examine the quality of the footage, let’s start with the unboxing of the Ruko F11 Gim2. This drone is advertised as a budget option, priced at around $579 on the Roku website, approximately £424 on Amazon UK, and can often be found on sale for around $393.

Inside the box, you’ll find the user manual, which I highly recommend reading thoroughly before taking your first flight. Additionally, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with the drone flight rules specific to your area. In my case, I had to pay approximately £10-£20 to undergo a certification process to ensure I could legally operate the drone in the UK.

Spare Parts and Accessories

It’s common for drone blades to wear out or get damaged easily, so it’s a relief to find that this package includes spare rotor blades. These spare parts can be easily swapped out using the provided allen key, which is also included in the box. This allen key is useful not only for changing the blades but also for removing other components like the arms in case of any accidents or crashes.

Additionally, you’ll find two USBC to USB AK tables, which serve the purpose of charging the drone’s battery and connecting it to your computer for firmware updates or transferring files.

Flight Performance

Now, let’s discuss the most important aspect—the flight performance of the Ruko F11 Gim2. As a beginner drone, it offers a satisfying flight experience. The drone is stable in the air and responds well to the controls, making it easy to navigate even for those who have never flown a drone before.

Equipped with a 4K camera, the Ruko F11 Gim2 captures decent quality footage. However, it’s important to note that the camera does not provide any stabilization features, which can result in slightly shaky videos, especially during windy conditions. Despite this drawback, the footage remains generally acceptable for casual aerial photography and video recording.

The drone’s flight time is advertised at approximately 30 minutes, which is impressive for a drone in this price range. However, it’s worth mentioning that the actual flight time may vary depending on factors such as weather conditions and flight maneuvers.

Features and Functionality

In terms of features and functionality, the Ruko F11 Gim2 offers several modes that enhance the overall flying experience. It features GPS-assisted flight, allowing for precise positioning and easy return-to-home functionality. The drone also includes optical flow positioning, which helps stabilize the drone when flying indoors or in environments with weak GPS signals.

Another notable feature is the follow me mode, perfect for capturing dynamic footage while engaging in activities such as hiking, biking, or any other outdoor adventure. The drone will autonomously track and follow your movements, keeping you in the frame at all times.

Charging Convenience

The Ruko F11 GIM2 drone comes with a unique feature that sets it apart from other drones in its price range. The drone is equipped with both a charger on the drone itself and a secondary charger on the controller. This means that you have the option to charge either the drone or the controller separately, or you can charge both at the same time.

This is especially handy if you have multiple outlets or if you have multiple chargers or cables. You can simply charge the battery that you need or even get a spare battery to double your flight time without having to wait for one battery to charge at a time. Additionally, if you happen to break any parts of the drone, you can easily find replacements on the Ruko website or even on Amazon at a lower cost.

High-Quality Controller

The Ruko F11 GIM2 drone comes with a controller that includes all the necessary buttons and controls to operate the drone efficiently. The controller features multiple buttons and controls on the top, allowing you to easily record videos, take photos, zoom, and perform various maneuvers while flying the drone.

The joysticks on the controller are made of metal, giving them a sturdy and durable feel. They also provide excellent tactility, ensuring a responsive and accurate control experience. With the ergonomic design of the controller, you can expect a comfortable and enjoyable flight experience.

Promising Drone Performance

When it comes to the actual flight performance of the F11 GIM2 drone, we can expect it to deliver on its promises. The sturdy joysticks and overall build quality of the drone suggest that it is designed to handle various flying conditions with ease.

While we haven’t tested the drone’s flight capabilities yet, we anticipate smooth maneuverability and precise controls. The F11 GIM2 drone is suitable for beginners who are just starting their drone flying journey, as well as more experienced users who are looking for an affordable option.

Overall, the F11 GIM2 drone from Ruko offers exceptional value for its price. With its convenient charging options, high-quality controller, and promising flight performance, it is undoubtedly the best budget drone for beginners. Whether you’re capturing breathtaking aerial footage or simply having fun exploring the skies, the F11 GIM2 drone is a reliable and affordable choice.

Compact form factor

The Ruko F11 GIM2 is a budget drone that impresses with its compact form factor. When folded flat and with the arms retracted, the drone becomes incredibly small and portable. Despite its small size, it provides a great flying experience, making it an ideal choice for beginners.

Excellent stabilization

One of the standout features of the Ruko F11 GIM2 is its impressive stabilization. With two-axis stabilization and the ability to record up to 4K video, this budget drone offers outstanding image quality. It’s rare to find such high-level stabilization in a drone at this price range, making it a great choice for capturing smooth footage.

Video options

Although the Ruko F11 GIM2 is capable of recording 4K video, it’s important to note that without an SD card, it is limited to 720p at 30 frames per second when recording to the phone. While it would be nice to have a middle ground option at 1080p, having the ability to record in 4K is still impressive for a budget drone. Additionally, the drone comes with electronic image stabilization (EIS), ensuring even smoother video footage.

Importance of an SD card

If you want to fully utilize the capabilities of the Ruko F11 GIM2, it is crucial to have a Micro SD card. Without it, you can still fly the drone and capture videos and photos, but the quality will be significantly lower than expected, especially considering the price range. An SD card is necessary to achieve the best possible video recording on this drone.

Additional features

Aside from its impressive video capabilities, the Ruko F11 GIM2 also offers multiple options for following waypoints, circle flight, and gesture shoot modes. These features make it a versatile drone that is perfect for outdoor sports such as running, climbing, and cycling. With hands-free control, users can effortlessly capture their favorite activities with ease.

Premium build quality

Not only does the Ruko F11 GIM2 excel in performance, but it also boasts exceptional build quality. The drone is sturdy and well-built, ensuring durability during flights. This reassurance of quality makes it a reliable choice for beginners who may still be mastering their piloting skills.

Overall Build Quality

The Ruko F11 GIM2 drone has an overall build quality that is commendable, considering its budget-friendly price. Although it is made entirely of plastic, it feels sturdy and well-built. The design bears a resemblance to drones from DJI, which is not a bad thing at all. It is lightweight and easy to handle, making it suitable for beginner-level drone operators. With proper flight skills and the various modes available, the drone is less likely to be damaged in case of a crash.

Camera Performance

The drone comes equipped with a camera that, on paper, seems to meet expectations. It is capable of capturing footage in 4K resolution at 30 frames per second. However, it is important to note that the video quality might not match that of high-end drones costing thousands of pounds. Despite this, the Ruko F11 GIM2 does a decent job considering its affordable price range. The footage quality is generally good, but when zoomed in, it tends to lose some of its sharpness and graininess becomes apparent. Additionally, there may be a slight color shift in certain lighting conditions.

Flight Controls

The Ruko F11 GIM2 drone offers responsive and user-friendly flight controls. It allows for easy navigation and maneuverability in the air. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced drone pilot, you will find it convenient to operate. The drone boasts different flight modes, enhancing its versatility and accommodating various skill levels. With these features, you can expect a smooth and enjoyable flying experience.

Footage Analysis

When analyzing the overall footage captured by the Ruko F11 GIM2 drone, it is evident that it performs reasonably well for its price range. The 4K resolution is impressive, considering the affordability of the drone. However, as previously mentioned, there may be some slight compromises in terms of bitrate and color accuracy. It is important to set realistic expectations when it comes to budget drones, and the Ruko F11 GIM2 delivers satisfactory results considering its cost.

Responsive and Easy to Maneuver

The Ruko F11 GIM2 drone is incredibly responsive and easy to maneuver. If you have experience playing first-person shooter games like Battlefield and flying helicopters, you will feel right at home with this drone. You can easily control the drone’s movements, including flying up, down, left, right, and strafing from side to side. The joystick allows for precise control, and the drone responds immediately to your commands.

Color Saturation and Editing Options

The color saturation of the drone’s footage is generally nice, although it may be slightly oversaturated. However, you have the option to edit the colors in your preferred editing software to achieve your desired look. This gives you flexibility and allows you to personalize the footage to your liking.

Control Buttons and Features

The Ruko F11 GIM2 drone is equipped with various buttons and features for easy control. At the top, there are buttons for recording videos, taking photos, zooming in, and adjusting the camera angle. These buttons provide convenience and allow you to capture the perfect shots without any hassle.

Camera Pan Limitation

Unfortunately, the drone falls short when it comes to panning the camera downwards. When you lower the camera angle, the colors on the screen become less vibrant and may even disappear completely. This limitation can be disappointing if you are trying to capture aerial shots that require downward camera angles. However, the drone still performs well when capturing shots from above.

Overall, the Ruko F11 GIM2 drone is a great budget option for beginners. It offers responsive and easy maneuverability, and the color saturation can be adjusted through editing software. While there is a limitation when panning the camera downwards, the drone’s other features make up for it, providing an enjoyable flying experience.

Wide Panoramic View

When looking downwards, the Ruko F11 GIM2 drone might appear washed out and the colors may not look great. However, this drone offers the option to take photos, and they come out pretty good. The wide field of view on the camera allows for capturing a panoramic view from a high altitude. These photos can be used as wallpapers on your computer or even printed out, depending on where you’re taking footage.

High-Quality Footage

The drone’s camera captures footage that holds up well overall. To get a better feel for the footage and photography capabilities of this drone, you can find examples in the description below. As uploading videos and photos to YouTube slightly compresses them, the provided link will allow you to experience the true quality of the footage.

Multiple Modes

The Ruko F11 GIM2 drone offers various modes that cater to different needs. You can choose to have the drone follow you, circle an object, or track something specific. The options are plenty, allowing you to explore and experiment with different modes to capture the desired shots.

Tutorial Videos

For a comprehensive understanding of the different modes and capabilities of this drone, the Roku website provides tutorial videos. These videos will give you a clear idea of what the Ruko F11 GIM2 drone is capable of and help you make the most of its features.

The Ruko F11 GIM2: A Budget Drone for Beginners

The Ruko F11 GIM2 is a budget-friendly drone that is perfect for beginners who want to experience the joy of flying a drone without breaking the bank. In this review, we will explore the features and performance of this drone to help you make an informed purchase decision.

Design and Flight Experience

When it comes to design, the Ruko F11 GIM2 is sleek and elegant. It has a sturdy build quality that can endure rough landings and minor crashes. The drone is lightweight and portable, making it easy to carry around and take it on your adventures.

In terms of flight experience, the Ruko F11 GIM2 delivers a smooth and stable flight. It is equipped with a GPS module that ensures accurate positioning and allows for intelligent flight modes such as follow me, orbit mode, and waypoint navigation. With a maximum range of 500 meters and a flight time of approximately 30 minutes, you can explore the skies and capture stunning aerial footage.

Video Quality

While the video quality of the Ruko F11 GIM2 may not be the highest in its price range, it still delivers decent footage. It can record videos in 1080p resolution and capture photos in 4K resolution, allowing you to capture breathtaking moments from above. The drone also features a built-in 3-axis gimbal that provides stabilization, ensuring smooth and steady footage even during windy conditions.

Value for Money

Considering its affordable price, the Ruko F11 GIM2 offers great value for money. It comes bundled with a range of accessories, including a carrying case, extra propellers, and a remote controller with a built-in smartphone holder. The drone is also equipped with advanced features such as gesture control, which adds to the overall user experience.

Potential Income with Drones

Aside from the joy of flying, drones also present an opportunity to generate income. By capturing stunning aerial footage, you can sell your footage or use it in various creative projects. There are websites where you can host your drone footage and potentially earn money. If you are interested in exploring this avenue, we have provided some options where you can share and monetize your drone footage down below.

Key Features

The Ruko F11 GIM2 comes equipped with a range of features that make it stand out among its competitors in the budget drone market.

1. Camera Quality

One of the standout features of this drone is its high-quality camera. With a 4K Ultra HD resolution and 120-degree field of view, the Ruko F11 GIM2 captures stunning aerial footage and crystal-clear photos. Whether you’re capturing landscapes or recording your adventures, this drone will capture every detail with exceptional clarity.

2. GPS Assisted Flight

Another feature that sets the Ruko F11 GIM2 apart is its GPS-assisted flight technology. This ensures stable and smooth flight, even in windy conditions. The drone can maintain its position and altitude autonomously, allowing you to focus on getting the perfect shot without worrying about controlling the drone’s movements.

3. Intelligent Flight Modes

The Ruko F11 GIM2 offers a variety of intelligent flight modes that allow even beginners to capture professional-level footage. With features like Follow Me mode, Orbit mode, and Waypoint mode, you can easily create dynamic and cinematic shots with just a few taps on the controller. These modes add creativity and versatility to your aerial photography.

4. Extended Flight Time

With a powerful 2500mAh battery, the Ruko F11 GIM2 provides an extended flight time of up to 30 minutes. This allows you to capture more footage without constantly worrying about charging the battery. Additionally, the drone comes with an extra battery, doubling your flight time and ensuring you don’t miss out on any incredible shots.

5. Portable and Easy to Use

Despite its impressive features, the Ruko F11 GIM2 is compact and lightweight, making it easy to carry on your adventures. With its foldable design, you can easily pack it into a backpack and take it anywhere. The intuitive controls and user-friendly interface also make it simple for beginners to fly and operate.

Conclusion

The Ruko F11 Gim2 proves to be an excellent budget option for beginners venturing into the world of drones. With its stable flight performance, decent camera quality, and a range of useful features, it offers a great entry point for those looking to explore aerial photography and videography.

However

The Ruko F11 GIM2 drone proves to be a commendable choice for beginners who are looking for an affordable entry into the world of aerial photography and videography. Its build quality, flight controls, and camera performance are all worth considering, especially if you prioritize a budget-friendly option. While it may not deliver the same level of quality as more expensive drones, it still offers impressive features and capabilities. For those seeking a drone that strikes a balance between price and performance, the Ruko F11 GIM2 is definitely a top contender.

The Ruko F11 GIM2 is an excellent entry-level drone for beginners who want to explore the world of aerial photography and videography. Despite some limitations in video quality, the drone offers a satisfying flight experience and comes with a comprehensive package of accessories. If you are looking to dip your toes into the world of drones without breaking the bank, the Ruko F11 GIM2 is a solid choice.

The Ruko F11 GIM2 is undoubtedly the best budget drone for beginners. Its exceptional camera quality, GPS-assisted flight, intelligent flight modes, extended flight time, and user-friendly design make it an ideal choice for those looking to explore the world of aerial photography. With this drone, you can capture breathtaking footage and unleash your creativity. So why wait? Start your drone journey with the Ruko F11 GIM2 and take your photography skills to new heights!