Drone racing is an exciting sport and if you’ve ever seen it on ESPN then you know why it is growing. GoDroneX is the brainchild of drone guru Gregg Novosad and he has helped to coordinate drone races at schools in the Chicagoland area. Students compete on teams against other schools. But it isn’t just drone racing. Gregg has turned it into drone gaming. This is the Drone Clan Wars. Thumbs up, goggles down.
Check out the video above to see the race in action.
GoDroneX FPV racing
Students team up and have 8 minutes to complete as many attacks on the Evil Emporium as they can. Each lap involves interactive modules that pilots have to dodge. Pilots have to divide the 8 minutes between their team of two and have to do fast-paced pit stops. There are even shortcuts that appear and disappear during the race. Each lap completed counts as an attack. The team with the most attacks at the end of the day wins. Check out all the rules at www.godronex.com.
What do they fly?
Drones are limited to 60 grams, including the battery. Brushed or brushless, and there are no battery limitations and the quads must have propeller guards. That basically limits the students to 65 or 75 mm whoop style quads.
Inductrix FPV
Majority of pilots fly either the Inductrix FPV or the Inductrix FPV +. The Inductrix FPV is a 65 mm brushed whoop that most students purchase as an all-in-one package. It is the most economical way to get into FPV. For $150 you get the drone, remote, and FPV monitor. The Inductrix FPV + is a 75 mm version with bigger motors and the added bonus of altitude hold.
| Order and Inductrix FPV | Order an Inductrix FPV + |
Eachine M80
The second most popular quad was the Eachine M80. It is basically a clone of the Inductrix FPV + but students have the option to purchase their own remote and goggles. It can be purchased on Banggood for $63 or on Amazon with a remote for $73.
| Order the M80 from Banggood | Order the M80 from Amazon with a remote |
Emax Tinyhawk
The third most popular drone on the course was the Emax Tinyhawk. The Tinyhawk is a brushless 75 mm quad and the one that I would recommend. It starts at $99 but for the beginner comes in an all-in-one package that includes the drone, remote, goggles and case for just $165. It is fully customizable in Betaflight and works great for both beginners and advanced pilots.
| Order the Tinyhawk from Amazon | Order the Tinyhawk with goggles and remote |
Not only are these courses fun but at the recent championship event elements were built and designed by students as well. Not only do students built, tune and repair drones but they also build and program moving obstacles for the course.
There were even prizes for the winning teams and schools that were donated by Horizon Hobby. GoDroneX is a great organization and is doing great things for the hobby.
Learn more about high school drone racing at www.godronex.com
What Is the BEST Drone?
So what is the absolute best drone out there? That question isn’t as easy to answer as you’d think. BUT…for most people the answer is the DJI Mavic Air. It is portable, has an awesome camera and excellent flight modes. Learn more about the Mavic Air HERE.
What Is Our FAVORITE Drone?
The Mavic Air is great but the drone that has us excited to go fly the most right now is the Parrot Anafi. The camera and gimbal setup on this drone allow it to do things that no other drone can. Plus, having the ability to zoom in on what you are filming is priceless. Learn more about the Parrot Anafi HERE.
What Drone Is the Best VALUE?
The best value on the market today has to be the DJI Spark. Now under $400, this little dynamo can do things that once upon a time cost over $1000. Learn more about the DJI Spark HERE. Still too much money for you? There are still some great options. Check out our list of the best drones under $200.
Want More Options?
Every month we update what we believe are the best drones on the market. Check out Best Drones Now. We have also created the one-of-a-kind Half Chrome Drone Cipher™. You answer a few questions and we’ll pair you with the best drone for you.
| Best Drones Now |
Do you want to search by price? Click on your menu above or we can break it down for you. Check out drones under $50, from $50-100, from $100-200, from $200-500 or over $500. Maybe you like a good Top Ten list, we’ve got you covered.
| Drones by Price |
Learn More…
If you want to learn more about taking great pictures or flying FPV then check out our comprehensive guides on those topics. Also, take a look at our articles on how to choose the right drone for great aerial photos or for getting started flying race drones. Learn more about drones and how to get the most out of them in our Drone Academy. In the Academy, we also detail some of the advanced testing we do including drone thrust testing and camera quality testing.
| Drone Academy |
I Want Videos…
Did you know that Half Chrome has its own YouTube Channel? We have reviews, flight tests, crashes, 360-degree videos and more. Check it out and subscribe today
| Half Chrome YouTube Channel |
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