Hello, drone enthusiasts! Welcome to my Ruko U11 review.
Some of the popular drones on the market are pretty expensive, which is unfortunate because it leaves out a whole demographic of people that want to partake in drone flying but can not afford it and also beginners.
Well, that is where drone companies like Ruko come to the rescue. I hope that through my honest review, you can make an informed decision on whether you want to purchase this drone.
Ruko is a Chinese drone manufacturer known for selling consumer drones at low prices to the general public. The Ruko brand is known for its excellent customer service. If any part of your drone is damaged or in need of replacement, do not fail to contact the company.
The Ruko U11 may not be the most sophisticated drone in the Ruko U11s series, but it is a pretty decent drone for beginners and drone enthusiasts alike.
The Ruko U11 comes with a lot of features that can be found in most expensive drones, it has a GPS function for flight stability, a 4K camera, a 5GHz WiFi FPV transmission, follow me mode, and other nice features. It is the ideal drone for beginners.
Quick Overview of the Ruko U11
The Ruko U11 comes equipped with a 4K camera that has a 2-axis gimbal equipped with a vibration damping system for camera stability. It also has GPS enabled “Return to Home”, follow me, flight orbit, automatic landing, and altitude holding. With its “return to home” button, the chances of you losing your drone are almost non-existent unless you are actively trying.
As I wrote earlier, the Ruko U11 Is a budget beginner drone that is ideal for beginners. The Ruko U11 has an easy user interface that is not difficult to figure out. If you are in the market for drones that you can practice with before moving to a more professional and expensive drone, the Ruko U11 is the drone for you.
What’s Inside The Ruko U11 Box
- 1 x Ruko U11 GPS Drone
- 2 x 7.4V 1200mAH Batteries (1 in the drone and 1 in the case)
- 1 x Transmitter (1 x Phone Holder)
- 4 x Extra Propeller Blades
- 2 x USB Cables
- 1 x Screwdriver
- 10 x Screws
- 1 x User Manual
- 1 x Carrying Case
Ruko U11 Specifications
- Weight: 270 g / 9.52 oz
- Max Flight time: 20 Mins （Charging Time: about 2.5hours）
- Dimension: 5.9*6.49*2.36 IN (Folding)/9.25*7.68*2.36 IN (Unfolding)
- Camera: 4K camera (90° adjustable angle)
- Photo Resolution: 3840X2160P (stored in TF card)
- Video Resolution: 2048X1152P (stored in TF card)
- Max Control Range: 300-500M/984-1640ft（Depends on phone device and environment）
- Max FPV Transmission Range: 200-300M/656-984ft (Depends on phone device and environment）
- Max Supported TF Card: 32GB (Not included)
Features and Benefits of the Ruko U11
Let’s go over the features of the Ruko U11 and its benefits to users.
Design and Build
The Ruko U11 has a compact and solid design. The U11 has a lighter build compared with the Ruko F11. The Ruko U11 camera is lodged underneath the drone, the has a 2-axis gimbal which means it can move up and down (this enables the camera to take overhead shots).
It has a very compact and sturdy design. This drone can be classified as a medium size drone with a 9.25 x 7.68 x 2.36 mm measurement.
The Ruko U11 weighs 270 grams, that’s over the 250 grams required for FAA registration. So, you have to register your drone before flying it.
The weight does not help in windy conditions, there is a chance that your drone might drift in the presence of strong and any footage recorded may come out shaky.
The detachable battery fits in a hole that can be found on the back of the drone, while the camera is fixed underneath the drone to give it enough clearance to capture footage from different angles.
Battery Flight Time
The Ruko U11 is powered by a 7.4V 1200mAH Li-Po battery that gives it an 18-minute flight time, which is different from the 20-minute flight time advertised on the sales page.
After testing, the Ruko U11 battery takes around 3 hours to charge completely, which is one of the few cons of purchasing a U11. However, the U11 comes with two batteries.
You can always purchase an extra battery; that way, you have three batteries on hand. You get up to 36-37 minutes of flight time (two batteries), so purchasing extra batteries may be the way to go.
Camera
The Ruko U11 has a 4K camera that is capable of taking clear pictures and recording videos in 1080P. in all honesty, the camera may be sub-par to what you might expect from a 4K camera drone. You have to remember that this is toy grade drone.
The wide-angle lens has a 120-degree field of view that can capture maximum details in your shot, while the 90-degree adjustable camera lens can capture photos and videos from different perspectives.
The U11 camera is equipped with a vibration-damping system to give the camera some stability for overhead shots. Videos recorded on the drone SD card will have a higher resolution than those streamed and saved on your phone.
However, do not expect the videos to be of the same quality as those from other, significantly more expensive drones.
Remote Control
The Ruko U11 remote is great to handle; it has a similar design to other drone brands.
The remote control is not difficult to figure out; it’s pretty straightforward, like the “Return to Home” “Follow Me,” “Encircle Mode,” and “Speed Switch”.
First, you have to unfold the controller. At the upper part are the antennae for Wi-Fi, then attach the phone holder.
The back of the remote controller holds the camera and video buttons (short press for a camera, long press for video). Still at the back of the remote controller, there is a gimbal rotary wheel for adjusting the camera angle.
The front of the remote controller houses most of the buttons. The left-hand side has the left joystick, the power switch (to turn off and on), the GPS button for turning off/on(this only works when the motors are locked), and the follow me mode button (you have to use the phone app with this button).
The right-hand side of the remote controller has a “Return to Home” button( if the drone is far from the line of sight or if the battery is weak, you can press this button and the drone will return to the point of take-off), the speed mode button( press the speed button and you will hear 3 beeps for high speeds, two beeps for medium speeds, and one beep for low speeds), and the encircle mode button( after pressing this button, you can use the joysticks to control the orbit of the drone).
The remote control has an internal battery, so ensure that it is fully charged before flying your drone. You have to download the Ruko drone app, which is available for both Android and iOS devices, to connect your smartphone to the drone and also utilize the FPV feature.
Control Range
The Ruko U11 has a maximum range of 300 meters before it loses connection with your smartphone and remote control. If in the scenario the drone is outside your line of sight or too far for comfort, you can always press the return to the home button.
Another advantage of the Ruko U11 is that it saves you money on repairs and replacements by automatically activating its Return to Home function during low battery, weak signal, or when flying out of range and returning to its initial launch position so you don’t lose it due to crashes and damages.
GPS-Assisted Flight Experience
The GPS-assisted flight feature provides you with accurate positioning details for your drone. If the GPS is on, it enables the return home function, just in case you lose sight of the drone.
Speed and Power
The Ruko U11 comes with a 3-speed mode that can be adjusted from the remote controller to vary your speed during flight. Ruko doesn’t give a direct specification of the speed on the sales page, but many people who purchased the drone on Amazon have attested to how far it can go.
The low-speed mode is for beginners, but it can be difficult to fly in the presence of strong winds. While the medium and high speeds have some wind resistance, To avoid drifting as a beginner, you can use medium speed.
You should be careful about going into full-speed mode because it doesn’t have an obstacle avoidance mode. Plus, you’re more likely to collide with obstacles if you’re a beginner drone pilot. so avoid places with trees.
Durability
Like most other drones, the Ruko U11 is made of plastic (reinforced plastic). The drone is light and very easy to carry.
The Ruko U11 is fairly durable, despite being made of light and strong plastic; it can even stay together after falling one or two times. However, you should take precautions.
Ruko U11 Pros and Cons
Here, I’ll go over what I like and don’t like about the Ruko U11
Pros: What I Like About the Ruko U11
- The drone is pretty easy to fly.
- The camera has a 2-axis gimbal for overhead shots
- The GPS signal is good
- Its user interface is pretty basic, and novice fliers will quickly catch up.
- Very reliable and fun to use for beginners
- Doesn’t have glitches or problems.
- It comes right out of the box ready to use
- Very super simple to calibrate
- GPS mode enables precise positioning and prevents losing the drone.
- It has amazing specs like GPS, a “follows me” mode, and return to home,
- Instruction manuals are easy to follow (they did a great job transmitting from Chinese to English)
Cons: What I Don’t Like About The Ruko U11
- It can be difficult to fly in high winds.
- The phone holder on the remote controller is not efficient
- The 4k camera is subpar from what was promised
- Video footage can be shaky
- The battery takes a long time to charge
- It doesn’t have obstacle avoidance mode. This means you must fly the drone in open areas without lamp posts, tall buildings, electricity lines, trees, or other obstacles.
Ruko U11 Set Up
I’ll go over some basic setups for the Ruko U11 if you’re a beginner drone pilot who doesn’t know how to set up the drone. However, you’ll have to exercise patience so you don’t screw things up.
1. Charging the Ruko U11
The first step is to charge the Ruko U11 drone battery with the USB cord. Fortunately, two USB cables are provided in the package. So you can charge the battery and the remote controller at the same time.
2. Assembling the Ruko U11
Putting on the propellers: This shouldn’t be too difficult. Ruko provided a magnetic screwdriver to help in attaching the screws to prevent them from falling off. They also provided extra screws in case you misplaced some while attaching the propellers to the body of the drone.
Install the propeller guards if you want
Insert the charged battery in the battery slot of the drone
3. Pairing the Ruko U11 With Your Smartphone
The next step is to pair the Ruko U11 drone with your smartphone
1) Download the Ruko app on your phone – free
2) Turn on the controller.
3) Switch on the drone’s battery. The battery’s lights will show the charge level; four lights indicate a full charge. Before successful pairing and calibration, the drone’s lights will flash white and pink/red.
4) Go to the WiFi section of your phone’s settings and choose the Ruko WiFi signal.
5) Click the “Enter Device” button in the app’s first page’s center after launching the Ruko app.
4. Calibrating the GPS of the Ruko U11
This is the final step you have to take before you can begin flying the drone.
Step #1: Switch on your drone and the remote controller, flip the right joystick 45 degrees upward, and then release. When the drone becomes still, it indicates successful gyro calibration.
Step #2: While the GPS is on, rotate the drone 360 degrees vertically and horizontally two times to connect the drone with the satellite.
Step #3: Press the joystick in and flip it down to switch on the propellers. With that, your drone is ready for flight. Simply step outdoors and choose a space free of obstructions like telephone or power wires.
Best Alternatives to the Ruko U11
In this section, I’ll share with you three alternatives to the Ruko U11 to give you more options:
1. Ruko F11 GIM2 (Best Advanced Ruko Drone)
In my opinion, the Ruko F11 GIM2 is the best Ruko drone. It’s easy to use, has advanced flight mode, & comes with dual batteries for a more fun time and a 4K camera with EIS technology.
2. DJI Air 2S (Best DJI Alternatives)
The DJI Air 2S is my best DJI alternative to the Ruko F11. What I like about the Mavic Mini is that it has a long flight time of 30 minutes. Not just that, it comes with double batteries for double fun and a 4K camera attached to a 3-axis gimbal that provides camera stability and smooth footage.
3. Ruko F11 Mini (Best Budget Holy Stone Drone)
The Ruko F11 Mini is my best-budget Ruko drone. It’s pocket-sized, easy to use, and comes with all the basic features and functions of premium drones on the market without the expensive price tag.
Ruko U11 Safety Tips
Below are some safety tips you should be aware of before flying your Ruko U11 to ensure a fun and safe flight for you and everyone around you:
- For your safety and that of the drone, avoid flying near or over obstacles, high-voltage power lines, crowds, trees, water bodies, and airports.
- The minimum recommended flying age for the Ruko U11 is 16 years.
- You’re advised to fly in open areas, where you can maintain a line of sight and preferably below heights of 120 meters.
- Be careful with rotating motors and propellers, and keep a distance to avoid ear damage by the drone’s nose.
- Avoid flying in extreme weather conditions such as rain, fog, snow, and strong wind.
- Avoid flying the drone when tired, under the influence of alcohol, under medication, or when in any physical discomfort.
- Keep the drone clean and well-maintained.
- Read the user manual thoroughly before flying the Ruko U11.
- Follow the battery safety rules as outlined in the user manual.
- Fly the drone with a fully charged battery, and perform all the recommended pre-flight procedures before takeoff.
- Follow your local laws on drone flying, and avoid flying in No-Fly zones.
- Always check the drone, controller, and battery for damages and correct installation before a flight.
- The onboard compass can be affected by electromagnetic fields near base stations or power lines.
Final Thoughts on the Ruko U11
The Ruko U11 is made specifically for beginners and young novice flyers. I would not put the Ruko U11 in the professional drone category if you are in the market for more professional drones for photography. Then check out our best drone for professional photography.
The Ruko U11 may have its quirks here and there, but that does not mean it is not an excellent drone for flying. It comes fitted with updated features that can be found in most professional drones like its advanced GPS technology which makes it easy to handle, and the flight is seamless.
You can also check out the best Ruko drones to see the reviews of various drones from the Holy Stone series to see the benefits they have in store for you.
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