Does the €13 CHINESE TEMU DRONE work? FACEGLE E88 NOVA review
I don't know about you, but I've always wanted to fly a drone; after all, the desire to fly seems almost intrinsic to the human soul since the dawn of time. But should I buy an expensive drone to have the best flight options? What if I later realize I'm not capable, or worse, my fantasy was just a whim and not a real need? The solution lies in affordable products like the E88 NOVA drone, available for around 15 euros (or even less), a price range where you don't expect any outstanding features or quality, but I can tell you that during my tests I was pleasantly surprised. Of course, I reiterate that this drone is primarily designed for amateurs and beginners.
E88 Elite RC Drone 2024 – 4K Ultra HD Camera | Foldable and Portable | Altitude Hold | Perfect Gift for Adults and Kids
The E88 NOVA drone comes in a retail package that also includes a carrying bag containing the drone, a remote control, spare propellers, propeller covers, a micro USB charging cable, and three batteries, as well as the manual. The drone is very light, weighing less than 249 grams. In fact, the E88 NOVA is classified as a Category 0 toy drone, meaning you don't need a pilot's license. However, this doesn't exempt you from registering on the D-FLIGHT portal and purchasing insurance.
The drone boasts a dual camera, one positioned at the front and one under the fuselage for top-down shots. The front camera can be oriented and is mounted on a dummy gimbal, which does not provide stabilization or angle adjustment. Using the companion app, available for Android and iOS, you can take photos or record videos, which are stored directly on your smartphone. Incidentally, the remote control also features a phone holder, so you can monitor the images captured by the drone during flight.
There's no GPS or collision detection, which can lead to some instability if you fly the toy drone outdoors, in the wind. It's recommended to choose days when the wind won't interfere with your maneuvers. The image quality leaves a lot to be desired, especially from the bottom camera. The front camera, though, is quite decent, but live streaming works perfectly, using 2.4 GHz WiFi, allowing you to control the drone from up to 150 meters away.
Ease of use is definitely a strong point, with access to features such as one-button takeoff and headless mode, as well as the ability to perform 360° flips with the touch of two buttons. The three batteries offer a total of about 30 minutes of flight time, ample time for learning or having fun. The drone is ready to fly right out of the box: simply extend the arms and turn it on using the top button. I recommend using propeller guards, considering the drone is very light and not very robust. There are two LED lights on the nose, as well as blue lights on the body, so you can find it even in low-light conditions.
The drone doesn't look toy-like, resembling professional products like the DJI Mavic. As mentioned, the E88 NOVA is foldable, making it easy to transport thanks to its extremely small dimensions: it measures 12,5 cm by 8 cm when folded. Once opened, it remains compact: just 25 cm by 25 cm. It weighs just 160 grams, which is far too light for outings on windy days, but in good weather conditions, the drone seems incredibly stable even when you have to constantly manipulate the controls. The drone's range, 150 meters, may seem limited, but it's designed for local use, for learning, not for long-distance exploration.
If you still want to push the E88 NOVA to the max, there are three speed levels, with direct switching via a button on the remote control. However, remember that the E88 drone does not have anti-collision sensors, so be careful where you fly. The individual batteries offer a flight time of about 10 minutes, with a maximum of 12. They are charged via a micro USB port, but the package does not include an accessory for simultaneous charging, so you will have to charge them individually. Naturally, battery life varies depending on flight speed, flying style, and wind conditions.
The app theoretically allows for many functions, such as piloting the drone directly from your phone. In reality, with the app, you can only view the drone's view in real time, take photos, or record videos that are saved to your smartphone's memory. The drone offers several flight modes, such as Headless, a mode that makes piloting easier for beginners. You don't need to know which side of the drone is facing forward or backward, as the aircraft will fly in the direction indicated by the joysticks. You can perform 360° acrobatics with extreme ease, or make the drone spin on its axis, and much more.
E88 Elite RC Drone 2024 – 4K Ultra HD Camera | Foldable and Portable | Altitude Hold | Perfect Gift for Adults and Kids
In short, the E88 NOVA is a toy drone with interesting features, making it easy to familiarize yourself with and learn to fly. Its ease of piloting and flight modes undoubtedly offer guaranteed fun, even for those who have never held a remote control before, without having to spend a fortune to experience the joys of flight. Its price is truly ridiculous, so I recommend it to everyone, as long as you're not too demanding. So, what will you do? Will you buy one with Christmas just around the corner?
