Ryze Tello: source: www.ryzerobotics.com/tello
Ryze Tello: Introduction
The Tello is a drone that sits somewhere between an entry-level 'toy' drone and a lightweight photography drone, and manages to make some of the best aspects of that pricier category accessible to many more people, and reasonably safely. It has its distinct character and design, making it stand out from other drones in the market. Additionally, it is the center of its world of free and cheap apps, from alternative control tools to drag-and-drop programming languages making this a successful STEM tool for kids and adults alike. The thought of being able to command their drone is likely to excite any child, and the fact that DJI technology is included in this device makes it feel like a bargain that the whole family will be fighting over.
Pros:
Built-in impressive flight maneuvers.
Affordable pricing for professional features.
Safety feature with propellor guards.
Compatible with a gamepad.
A variety of apps are available.
5-megapixel camera.
Cons:
The camera lacks a tilting function, both digitally and physically.
Charging via MicroUSB is outdated.
Video recording is not stored internally on the device.
Ryze Tello: source: www.ryzerobotics.com/tello
The Ryze Tello drone is designed to provide an enjoyable and rewarding experience without breaking the bank. It stands out among other toy drones that are priced around $30/£25 or less because of its functionality and build quality. When it was first released, DJI did not have a sub-250g drone, but the release of the Mavic Mini has created a new category of drones. Some may question the need for DJI to contribute technology to Tello, which seems distinct from the rest of its offerings. However, the Tello is in a different price category and has a different form factor, making it appealing to a different market. The question then becomes whether Tello offers value and for whom.
Creatives never had any use for the toys, but with DJI and Autel now both offering folding mini drones which can capture 4K video, a YouTuber would need to be on a tight budget indeed to look down to a 720p device like this. Or would they? Not to mention the other platforms – TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook are rarely about resolution but often about fun.
Ryze Tello: source: www.ryzerobotics.com/tello
Ryze Tello: The Camera and features
If you are familiar with high-end mini drones that cost several times more than the Tello, it's important to adjust your expectations for the camera. The main difference is not just the resolution or lack of a gimbal but the absence of onboard image storage. Images or videos are transmitted and recorded over the live feed or they are lost. This means that the video is susceptible to interference and there is no MicroSD card for storage.
The Tello's camera is not meant for professional examination or high-quality video production. However, it offers an unexpected advantage in terms of quality when used indoors, as the close proximity to the drone ensures no worry about reception. On the downside, the Tello requires good lighting conditions and will display a yellow box warning if the ambient light is weak. The drone needs visual light to maintain its position, and if the downward-facing camera does not receive enough light, the aircraft will start to drift. If this happens for too long, it may crash, but it is likely to survive.
The video quality of the Tello is not on par with high-end drones, but it remains surprisingly high until motion is introduced. Fast moves can outpace the speed of the compression, causing areas like grass to appear blocky. This is especially true after performing flips or stunts, but it should be noted that most camera drones are not intended for flips. The digital image stabilization is impressive, given the fixed camera in the fuselage, making the view easy to use for FPV and the recordings are good enough to edit and share clips from. The cropping does not allow for operator control over the camera's field of view, but that is not the purpose of the Tello. The DJI Mini is intended for more refined camera control. The decrease in resolution from 5 megapixels to 720p means that there are enough pixels to cushion movement, which is necessary for videos as they are usually a closer crop than stills.
The captured images or video clips can be viewed through the main app by clicking on the play icon, where you can choose which images to transfer to your phone's photo collection. However, if you choose to do this a few days later, you'll need to scroll back through your catalog to find them as they'll be in date order. It would be more convenient if there was an option to export content directly to social media or AirDrop. Although it wasn't tested, the app also supports playback via goggles, although this technology is not as popular as it once was.
Ryze Tello: source: www.ryzerobotics.com/tello
Ryze Tello: Flight performance
Despite being released in early 2018, the app for the Tello drone has been well-maintained and offers a good user experience. The app is designed to be easy to use, which is crucial for flying a drone via a screen. It also provides necessary guidance for basic controls without delaying the experience, making it accessible for excited users to quickly learn how to fly the drone. The app also includes features that make flying and landing the drone easier, such as a "Throw and go" launch option and a feature that makes landing by hand easier and cooler. The app's common-sense approach ensures that users can quickly and easily start using the drone.
Many people expect that the Tello's smaller size and use of brushed motors, which generate higher internal friction, will negatively affect its performance. However, in practice, the Tello's brushed motors are capable of replicating the rapid speed changes required for control and acrobatic movements. The Tello can perform flips on command within a small area of airspace. Additionally, the drone has a faster flight speed setting that can keep manual pilots entertained.
The Tello app also includes a "Bounce" mode, in which the drone hovers between 0.5 to 1.2 meters and back repeatedly, creating a kind of magic bouncing ball effect. The app can also be used with a Bluetooth remote controller paired with your phone, which many people already have, allowing them to experience physical controls without additional cost. However, this does mean that users need to manage more devices than hands. Despite this, flying the drone is a lot of fun and the controls, even on a screen, feel similar to using a full-fledged drone. The Tello's flips and other features are easy to access and the written and graphical explanations are clear, avoiding confusing menus that could drain the battery life quickly.
Ryze Tello: source: www.ryzerobotics.com/tello
Ryze Tello: Design and Build
The Tello has impressive build quality for its compact size, measuring less than 10cm (3.3in) wide without the propellers or guards attached. The included guards, which come with even the cheapest configuration, are made of plastic that snaps on and off easily and provides a good balance between being brittle and flexible. The airframe is designed to hold the battery, which can be inserted or removed by holding a clip, but the manufacturing standards can make it a bit difficult. The top of the airframe is made of shiny plastic, while the legs and base are a single piece. The front of the drone houses a multi-color LED that communicates the status of the drone, for example, it flashes red, green, and yellow during boot-up, slowly blinks blue during charging, and turns solid blue when charged. The camera is a 5-megapixel lens that is recessed into the front of the drone.
On the opposite side of the power button is a micro USB connector, which is used to charge the drone as it serves as a charger. However, the drone can also be purchased with extra batteries and charging bricks that can reduce interruptions in use, especially if multiple users are sharing the drone. On the bottom of the rear of the drone, there is a central sensor that functions like a sonar distance sensor and dual vision sensors that are used for positioning. These sensors track the texture of the ground and prevent drift, which contributes to the drone's ability to hover in place like other DJI drones even without GPS.
Active Track, source: youtu.be/NbwNGL43ZzE
Ryze Tello: Eco System
One of the significant benefits of app-based control and Tello's popularity is the availability of compatible apps created by third-party developers and enthusiasts. For example, the TelloMe app adds the function of orbital video following a subject, similar to DJI's ActiveTrack feature. The Tello's ability to be programmed using Scratch, a kid-friendly development tool, is its standout feature. However, there is a minor downside to this, as Scratch 2 (the latest version is 3) needs to be downloaded for free from MIT, and Adobe AIR, Node.JS, and additional instructions to be installed. These are all free but it can be a bit of a hassle, and it may introduce you to some operating system security messages. Unfortunately, this feature is not compatible with 64-bit Macs running Big Sur because Adobe AIR is not available for them.
Despite the restrictions, if you can overcome them, you can use the same drag-and-drop programming feature, including Scratch's blocks. A suggestion from us is to add a "When [] key pressed" + "take off" block and another for "land" before connecting the drone's wifi to your computer. This will ensure a smoother transition into the STEM experience with Tello.
Many of the features that can be achieved with Scratch can also be accomplished with Drone Blocks, an app for iOS, Android, and Chrome. It can be used on a phone screen but may work better on a tablet. It also allows for simple drag-and-drop programming and its user-friendly interface. The app store also has a wide range of other apps available for Tello, many of which are free, such as Tello Route, which allows the drone to follow 3D lines, or Tello Polygon Flight, which allows the drone to fly polygonal routes. These apps offer a wide range of functionalities and many of them are not named in a way that clearly describes their functions.
Ryze Tello: source: www.ryzerobotics.com/tello
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Tello Ryze drone offers a unique and exciting experience for people of all ages. Despite a few areas for improvement such as a wider field of view and a better camera, the overall value for the price cannot be beaten. It's a versatile toy that can be used for both indoor and outdoor fun, as well as an interesting way to capture unique footage for social media. Overall, it's a great choice for anyone looking for a fun and affordable drone.
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