Snaptain SP300 – Obstacle detection and gesture control
The Snaptain SP300 is a robust mini-drone with innovative controls and a great fun factor. The compact quadcopter can be controlled with three different remote controls as well as with the bare hands, masters 3D flips in all directions and can be flown both indoors and outdoors.
Design and weight
The Snaptain SP300 is a flat quadcopter without camera and landing gear. The dimensions of the compact mini drone are 17 x 17 x 3.5 cm. The housing is made of sturdy plastic and comes in a chic light blue.
The rear two rotors are also light blue, while the front two are black. All four rotors are surrounded by a sturdy rotor guard, which protects the drone and bystanders from damage or injury.
A special highlight of the Snaptain SP300 are the many LEDs that are installed around the drone in the rotor protection and make quite a statement, especially in the dark. But the LEDs also serve another practical purpose. When the battery level is low, they start flashing, signaling that the drone needs to be landed again and the battery needs to be recharged.
Weighing only 73 grams in total, the Snaptain SP300 is a true lightweight and an excellent drone for kids as well as beginners.
Flight time and range
Another highlight of the Snaptain SP300 is that the drone comes with a total of two batteries. Each of the two 3.7 V, 650 mAh lithium polymer (LiPo) batteries provides about 6 to 8 minutes of flight time and is recharged within 30 to 60 minutes using the two included USB chargers.
The Snaptain SP300 can be controlled at a distance of about 55 yards (50 meters). It also stops at 164 feet (50 meters) in altitude, although we recommend never letting the drone soar that high. This is mainly because the Snaptain SP300 does not have GPS and is quite susceptible to wind due to its light weight.
There are a total of three different speed modes available for controlling the drone, which can be selected via a button on the controller.
Another particularly handy feature is that the Snaptain SP300 automatically maintains the current altitude when you release the control sticks on the controller.
A feature that is especially handy for beginners is the so-called Headless mode. In this mode, simplified control is available to you. In Headless Mode, it doesn’t matter which direction you move the control joysticks, the Snaptain SP300 will always fly in the desired direction – no matter how the drone is currently oriented in the sky. So in this mode, you don’t have to worry about whether the front or rear of the drone is facing you when you execute a control command.
The remote controls
The Snaptain SP300 has not one, not even two, but three different controllers to control the drone.
In addition to a classic remote control, you also get a small handheld sensor with only one button (water drop shaped remote) as well as a wristband with a gyro sensor (G-sensor wristband) for intuitive gesture control.
The standard controller is relatively small and, in addition to the two control sticks, has various buttons to trigger different functions of the Snaptain SP300. For example, there is a button for automatic takeoff and landing, one for turning the LEDs on and off, and also a button for triggering the various flips and rolls.
Three AAA batteries are still needed to operate the classic remote control.
The small handheld sensor has only one button, for launching and landing the drone. Once the Snaptain SP300 is in the air, you can control the flight direction solely with your hands. This is possible thanks to the infrared sensors installed on all sides of the drone. As soon as you move your hands closer than 1 foot (30 cm) to the drone, it will automatically steer in the opposite direction.
Certainly the most interesting way to control the Snaptain SP300 is to use the G-sensor wristband. Simply slip your hand into the wristband and attach the attached finger sensor to your index finger. To launch the drone, simply press a button on the wristband.
Once in the air, you control the Snaptain SP300 solely with the movements of your hand. The small button on the finger sensor starts the flip and roll function. Depending on how you move your hand, the drone will either move forward, left, right, back, up or down. The charging time of the wristband is about 30 minutes.
Infrared sensors for obstacle detection
The Snaptain SP300 has a total of six infrared sensors for obstacle detection and collision avoidance. The front, rear and bottom sensors are required for handheld control and allow the drone to be controlled without remote control.
Together with the upper sensor, the small infrared cameras provide omnidirectional obstacle detection and prevent the Snaptain SP300 from colliding with walls, furniture or people.
If desired, the obstacle detection can also be switched off. We recommend this for outdoor flights with strong sunlight, as the infrared sensors can be fooled by sunlight.
Before starting: Binding and calibrating
If you want to take off with the Snaptain SP300 together with the classic controller, you first have to connect (bind) the drone and the remote control. To do this, turn on both devices and then move the left control joystick first up and then down again.
To calibrate the gyroscope inside the drone, simply press the drone’s on/off switch once briefly before launch. It is important that the Snaptain SP300 is placed on a flat surface.
Scope of delivery
- 1 x Snaptain SP300 drone
- 1 x classic controller
- 1 x hand sensor (water shaped remote)
- 1 x G-sensor wrist strap
- 2 x USB charger for drone battery
- 1 x USB charger for G-Sensor
- 1 x user manual (DE)
- 1 x Screwdriver
Conclusion
The Snaptain SP300 is an excellent toy drone with innovative control and a total of three different remote controls. In addition to a classic controller, the robust mini drone can also be controlled by hand sensor or optionally with the G-sensor wristband.
Since the Snaptain SP300 comes with two batteries, you can experience up to 16 minutes of flying fun before the two LiPos need to be recharged.
Another highlight of the Snaptain SP300 is the total of six built-in infrared sensors for obstacle detection and collision avoidance, which on the one hand allow you to control the drone with your hand and on the other hand offer protection from collisions.
We think the Snaptain SP300 is an extremely well designed mini drone with a great fun factor, which promises long-lasting flying fun thanks to good workmanship and great features!