Bwine F7GB2 Drone Review for 2024: Great for Beginners!
Key Takeaways:
- The Bwine F7 GB2 drone offers great value for its price!
- It’s ideal for beginners looking for an affordable option with GPS and return-to-home features.
- Its camera quality is good, but it may not satisfy professional photographers.
- This drone does lack obstacle-avoidance technology.
In the market for a new drone? The fine folks at Ruko recently contacted me to see if I was interested in reviewing the Bwine F7GB2, an affordable 4K camera drone with some attractive features.
As a filmmaker myself, I’ve been fortunate to have had drones on set in past projects – like in Boneyard Racers, where it was an integral part of our climactic race scene. I’ve seen firsthand the amazing things these filmmaking tools can do in terms of establishing shots, action shots, and other fantastic footage they can capture.
This is the first time I was asked to review a drone, however, and I thought it would be a fun challenge, so of course, I said yes!
According to the materials provided, with a 3km transmission range and level 6 wind resistance, this drone is designed for drone enthusiasts, beginners, and videographers alike and promises a great flying experience. I was eager to put it through its paces and compare it to a drone we regularly use in our film projects.
In this Bwine F7GB2 drone review, I’ll break down the most important details and answer the questions you need to know. That way, you get an accurate picture of what’s included, the drone’s features, and the overall price-to-value ratio.
Let’s dive in and find out how it stacks up!
What is the Bwine F7 GB2 Drone?
The Bwine F7 GB2 is a beginner-level drone designed for hobbyists and those who enjoy flying on a budget. The kit comes complete with the drone, four built-in foldable propellers, a 4K camera mounted on a 3-axis gimbal with shock absorbers, two lithium-ion batteries, one remote controller, a spare propeller, and a carrying case.
The drone’s gimbal allows for relatively smooth and stable video capture. The adjustable 90° lens and 120° field of view (FOV) further enhance its photographic capabilities despite some limitations with its aerial footage.
The camera and gimbal mount are located between the landing gear, and it has good clearance for take-offs and landings. And the overall build is quite sturdy.
With a decent flight time, the Bwine F7 GB2 drone can stay airborne for up to 20 minutes on a single charge, which is good for a drone in its class. With the ability to fly up to 9800ft away from the remote controller, it also has a GPS connection and wind resistance for added precision.
Though the Bwine F7 GB2 drone lacks obstacle avoidance, its auto return feature ensures your drone will automatically return when the signal is lost, the battery is low, or when the Return-to-Home button is pressed, making it a safe option for beginners and experienced users alike.
Drone Pros and Cons
Bwine F7 Pros
I found numerous positives about the Bwine F7 GB2 drone.
Quick Set-Up for Basic Flying: The Bwine drone app comes with a short video and step-by-step quick-start guide to get your drone flying in no time. I had no trouble getting it set up and off the ground for my first flight with one-key takeoff and landing. In addition, the user manual helped with any troubleshooting, and though Bwine offers online help for larger problems, I didn’t need to contact them.
- Compact Size and Sturdiness: When folded, the drone measures 4.6×6.3×5.3 in / 398x326x135 mm, and when unfolded, it sits at 15.6×12.8×5.3 in / 118x161x135 mm. In addition to its small size, it’s pretty sturdy – which I found out the hard way after a first-flight mishap with a tree branch. It also comes with a great little carry bag for all the components, which was a nice bonus.
- Decent Camera: The 4K camera, coupled with a three-axis gimbal, offers 90° adjustable and 120° FOV lenses. You can capture video and photos with a resolution of up to 3840×2160 and 5x digital zoom, though photo quality varies from good to poor. The mechanical gimbal provided good stability across different shots, distances, and compositions, and I tried it on a windy day to really put it through its paces.
- Long Battery Life: The F7GB2 drone comes with two rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, allowing for a total of 30-50 minutes of flight time, depending on flight conditions and weather. In my case, one battery lasted around 20 minutes until the drone initiated return-to-home. It’s important to use a 5V/3A or 5V/2A wall charger (which, in my case, was not included) to charge the battery, which takes about 6-6.5 hours for a full charge.
Stable Flight: Thanks to the low-noise brushless motors and an advertised level 6 wind resistance, the drone managed a fairly stable flight, even in windier conditions – though there was some drift when the wind picked up. I wouldn’t take it into winds above 20-25 mph / 30-40 kph though, as that might prove disastrous.
Range: The Bwine F7 is touted as having a 9800ft video transmission range, though I never flew it so far that it was out of sight. Even so, it provided solid image quality and fairly smooth video footage at the ranges we were working at. The drone’s GPS-assisted features, including GPS Auto Return, Follow Me, and Waypoints, were a major plus. It’s reassuring knowing the drone is set to automatically return home if the signal is lost or the battery runs low – especially for beginners.
Bwine F7 Cons
I experienced a few drawbacks while using the Bwine F7 GB2 drone.
- Wi-Fi Connectivity: One of the main issues I noted was the Wi-Fi connectivity, which could be a bit of a hassle to deal with. At times, the Wi-Fi from the drone would disconnect momentarily mid-flight or experience some lag, especially if I flew it high or a few hundred feet away from my position. This caused some frustration, and it’s nothing that couldn’t be fixed with a hard wire connection between the remote controller and my cell phone.
- Learning Curve: There’s a bit of a learning curve for beginners, meaning it may take some time for new users to become accustomed to controlling the drone and its flight features. The beginner mode is fairly straightforward, but more advanced flight modes, like route planning and waypoints, will take some practice.
- Battery Charging: The battery charging time might be inconvenient for some, taking around 6 hours to fully charge each battery, but it’s not a deal-breaker as other, more expensive drones can have similar charge times.
- Weight: In Canada, you need a drone pilot license to fly drones that weigh more than 250 grams up to and including 25 kg, while in the U.S., drones over 250 grams need to be registered with the FAA for recreational operations. This drone weighs 550 grams, so despite its otherwise compact size, it has to be flown under the same regulations as larger drones throughout North America.
- No Obstacle Avoidance: If you’re looking for a more beginner-friendly drone, then obstacle avoidance would offer extra peace of mind. Unfortunately, the Bwine F7 lacks in this department, and so some extra skill and care are needed when flying. On the plus side, it does have tall landing gear for good clearance when landing in grass, which is nice considering the camera mount is below the drone body.
Despite these minor cons, the Bwine F7 GB2 drone offers a satisfactory experience overall, particularly in terms of camera quality, wind resistance, and range.
Quick Verdict
Bwine F7GB2 Drone with Camera
fter trying it out for myself, I would say the Bwine F7 GB2 is worth the money.
The Bwine F7 GB2 is a low-cost alternative to many drones with similar features, so it's a solid choice for beginners learning their way around drones or as a low-cost alternative where you don't need more than basic features. If you buy from Ruko directly, it runs around $530, which is pricier than other comparable models. So, as long as the Amazon discount stays in place, it's worth the price.
It has a quick learning curve and comes with an easy-to-use Bwine drone app with GPS positioning and return-to-home functionality - a plus for beginners on a budget looking for a fun and easy-to-use drone.
Overall, as an introduction to flying drones, it flies great and comes complete with everything you need (other than a smartphone and charging cable) at a reasonable price.
Who Should Use the Bwine F7GB2 Drone?
You’ll want the Bwine F7 GB2 if:
You’re on a budget. If you’re looking for a low-cost alternative to larger and/or more expensive drones, this is a great choice for those looking for all the basic features at an affordable price.
You’re a beginner. If you’re learning your way around drones, the F7 GB2 offers a quick learning Bwine drone app with GPS positioning and return-to-home functionality.
You want a complete kit. If you want a fun and easy-to-use drone that comes complete with everything you need – including a drone, remote controller, two batteries, spare propeller, user manual, and carry bag (smartphone and charging cable not included), then this is a great choice.
You’ll want to avoid the Bwine F7 GB2 if:
Image quality is important. If you need superior image quality as a filmmaker or photographer, then you’ll want to opt for a higher-end camera drone.
You need longer flying time. With around 15-20 minutes of flight time per battery, you’ll need alternate choices if you require longer usage per flight.
You want obstacle avoidance. A feature that offers peace of mind to beginners, you’ll want to opt for a more advanced model if you’re looking for obstacle avoidance.
Bwine F7GB2 Drone Features
The Bwine F7GB2 has a number of positive basic and advanced features. Let’s take a look!
4K Camera with 3-Axis Gimbal
The Bwine F7GB2 is designed for adults and features a 4K camera that captures photos and videos at 3840×2160 resolution. The 3-axis gimbal lets you shoot stable footage, and the 5x digital zoom adds extra flexibility to your shots. The 90° adjustable lens, coupled with a 120° FOV lens, offers a good range of shooting options.
Though this drone can capture video at 4K resolution through the Bwine app, the framerate is limited to 15 fps. As a result, the footage can be a little choppy. Alternately, you can capture 2.7K video at 30 fps for smoother results, but it would be preferable to have 4K capture at 24 or 30 fps for both better quality and potential commercial purposes.
The F7GB2 can also capture JPEG photos in 4K dimensions, but the camera doesn’t offer any settings other than a few creative modes that can be sent to the smartphone running the Bwine Drone app (but not the SD card inserted into the camera).
Photos and videos tend to be oversaturated at times and processed with a loss of fine detail, so the F7GB2 could be improved in this capacity. If high video and photo quality aren’t a must, then this basic camera gets the job done. But if professional-quality aerial photos and videos are required, then other drones may suit your needs better.
That said, exporting pictures and videos using an SD card instead of directly from your phone does enhance the quality of the media somewhat.
Flight Time
With two batteries included, the Bwine F7GB2 drone offers 30-50 minutes of combined flight time, giving ample opportunities for aerial photography or leisure flying without running out of juice mid-flight. Thanks to an extra drone battery included in the package, this extended flight time is a great feature, especially for beginners looking to learn the ropes without feeling rushed.
Additionally, the drone comes equipped with GPS Auto Return, Follow Me, and Waypoints through the Bwine app for route planning, further enhancing its flight performance.
Stability and Resistance
The F7GB2 boasts level 6 wind resistance with low-noise brushless motors for relatively smooth and quiet flight. In our experience, the 3-axis gimbal and built-in shock absorbers proved to be a positive feature, keeping the camera fairly steady and ensuring smooth footage, depending on the chosen frame rate and wind conditions.
On the downside, though, it might feel a bit bulky for a hobby-grade drone, weighing in at 4.84lbs with the battery installed. With its long landing legs, it also feels top-heavy, which might explain some of its difficulty staying level in windier conditions.
However, the long legs also add stability for take-off and landing, especially with the camera mounted under the main body, so good clearance is definitely a plus if your take-off point is in tall grass.
Like most comparable drones, the F7GB2’s propeller arms fold to reduce size for transportation and storage, which is also a plus.
Overall, some users may need a bit of practice to master control. However, once you get accustomed to it, you’ll appreciate its overall stability and sturdy build.
Extended Video Transmission
One of the positive features of the Bwine F7GB2 drone is an extended video transmission range of 9800ft (3km), however I never flew it this far as I wanted to keep it within visual distance. Even so, it was a smooth flight at the distances flown, and the only quibble was momentary Wi-Fi connectivity loss, but it didn’t seem to hinder the drone’s overall performance.
Though an extended transmission range could be a valuable asset for anyone looking to get hard-to-reach shots with their drone, it’s important to note that the video quality could be affected due to obstructions or interference.
So make sure your flight path is clear and maintain line of sight when flying to ensure a smooth video transmission experience.
Intelligence and Safety Features
The Bwine F7GB2 drone has intelligent GPS-assisted features like GPS Auto Return, Follow Me, and Waypoints, so getting lost shouldn’t be an issue.
The GPS Auto Return feature ensures that the drone returns home automatically if the signal is lost or the battery is low, while Follow Me and Waypoints modes add more fun and convenience to your flying experience.
In case you encounter any problem with the drone, you can expect prompt and efficient customer support from Bwine.
Bwine F7GB2 Pricing
The Bwine F7 GB2 is a low-cost alternative to other drones with comparable features, sitting at around $315 (at the time of this writing) on Amazon or around $530 on the Ruko website.
Drone Alternatives
Several options are available if you’re looking for alternatives to the Bwine F7GB2 drone.
One notable alternative is the DJI Mini 3, a popular choice among beginners and enthusiasts. Our film team at Brimstone Pictures has used the DJI Mini 3 Pro extensively, as it offers features such as a more compact size, excellent image quality via a high-quality camera, and reliable flight performance.
Though its image quality and maneuverability are superior to the F7GB2, it is considerably pricier, typically over $1100 for the drone and controller package.
Another alternative worth considering is the SJRC F7, which bears a striking resemblance to the Bwine F7GB2. Both drones offer similar capabilities, including a 4K camera, 3-axis gimbal, and GPS functionality at a comparable price.
The key differences between these alternatives lie in their brand reputation, build quality, and overall performance. DJI, being a well-established and trusted name in the drone industry, often sets the standard for quality and innovation.
The DJI Mini 3’s superior image stabilization technology and enhanced flight controls give it an edge over the Bwine F7GB2 in terms of overall user experience. On the other hand, the Bwine F7GB2 provides good value for its price and appeals to budget-conscious individuals looking for a reliable entry-level drone.
Ultimately, choosing these alternative drones depends on your specific needs and preferences. Whether it’s the DJI Mini 3 for its industry-leading features or the Bwine F7GB2 for its affordability, aspiring drone pilots have plenty of options to explore based on desired uses and budget constraints.
Final Thoughts
I found the Bwine F7GB2 drone to be user-friendly and easy to learn. Rather than a built-in LCD screen on the controller, it relies on using a smartphone with a Bwine app to fly the drone.
In addition to the drone and controller, it comes with two batteries, a spare propeller, and a carrying case. With a 30-50 minute flight time, its GPS Auto Return, Follow Me, and Waypoints features are helpful for navigation and tracking, though it lacks object avoidance.
Though the camera’s overall image quality could be better for pro filmmakers or photographers, I had a positive and fun experience with the drone, finding it responsive and agile. For filmmakers on a budget, one way to improve the video resolution would be to use AI video upscaling software during your post-production process.
Overall, this drone offers great value for money, especially for beginners and casual flyers!
Common Questions (FAQs)
What are the main features of the Bwine F7GB2 drone?
The Bwine F7GB2 drone comes with a 4K camera and a 3-axis gimbal that offers clear and stable footage, though there is room for improvement in image quality. The two batteries included in the package provide a total flying time of 30-50 minutes. The drone also has good wind resistance and low-noise brushless motors for a fairly quiet and steady flight. It also comes with a great video transmission range and GPS-assisted intelligent flight modes to prevent loss in case of signal loss or low battery.
How does the Bwine F7GB2 drone’s night vision work?
Unfortunately, the Bwine F7GB2 drone does not have a specific night vision feature. However, it has a high-resolution camera that can capture decent-quality images and videos during low-light conditions. Make sure to fly your drone carefully during nighttime to avoid any accidents or loss of signal.
What is the flight range of the Bwine F7GB2 drone?
The Bwine F7GB2 drone has an impressive range, with a video transmission distance of up to 9800ft (almost 3 kilometers). This extended range allows you to explore vast areas while maintaining clear and stable video transmission.
Are there any Bwine F7GB2 drone replacement parts available?
Yes, Bwine F7GB2 drone replacement parts are available for purchase. You can find them on various online platforms, such as the official Bwine website or Amazon. Make sure to double-check the compatibility of the replacement parts with your specific drone model before purchasing.
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