1. Introduction
The 4DRC V18 Mini Drone is a compact and versatile quadcopter designed for recreational use, offering an engaging flight experience for both beginners and experienced users. Featuring intelligent flight modes like headless mode, altitude hold, and 360° flips, it provides stable and easy control. Its durable design with integrated propeller guards ensures safety and resistance to minor impacts. This manual provides essential information for setting up, operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting your V18 Mini Drone.
Note: For recreation use only. Illegal modification of drones/planes is prohibited. Please also pay attention to the relevant laws and regulations on the use of drones/planes in your country/area to ensure legal use.
Figure 1: The portable 4DRC V18 Mini Drone.
2. Package Contents
Please check the package contents carefully upon unboxing to ensure all items are present:
- 1 x V18 Mini Drone
- 1 x Remote Control
- 1 x 3.7V 500mAh Modular Battery (for drone)
- 1 x USB Charging Cable
- 4 x Spare Fan Blades
- 1 x Screwdriver
- 1 x Instruction Manual
Figure 2: Included components of the V18 Mini Drone package.
3. Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Product Name | V18 Mini Drone (Gesture Sensing) |
| Product Size | 10 x 10 x 5 cm |
| Drone Battery | 3.7V 500mAh Modular Lithium Battery |
| Flight Time | Approximately 10 minutes |
| Charging Time | Approximately 120 minutes |
| Remote Control Distance | Approximately 150 meters |
| Remote Control Battery | 3 x AAA Dry Batteries (not included) |
| Aircraft Operating Frequency | 2.4 GHz |
| Control Channels | 2 CHANNELS |
| Motor Type | Brushless Motor |
| Obstacle Avoidance Type | Visual avoidance |
| Integrated Propeller Guard | Included |
| Max Wind Speed Resistance | < 10 KM/H |
| Max Takeoff Weight | <1kg |
| Camera Integration | Camera Included |
| Video Maximum Resolution | 240P (320*240) |
| Video Format | MP4 |
| GPS | No |
| Toy Material | Plastics |
Figure 3: Detailed product specifications.
4. Initial Setup
4.1 Charging the Drone Battery
- Locate the modular drone battery.
- Connect the USB charging cable to the battery.
- Plug the other end of the USB cable into a standard USB power adapter (e.g., phone charger, computer USB port).
- The charging indicator light will show the charging status. Charging takes approximately 120 minutes.
- Once fully charged, disconnect the battery from the charger.
4.2 Installing the Drone Battery
The V18 Mini Drone uses a modular battery design for easy installation and replacement.
- Ensure the drone is powered off.
- Carefully slide the charged modular battery into the designated battery compartment on the drone until it clicks securely into place.
Figure 4: Modular battery installation.
4.3 Installing Remote Control Batteries
- Open the battery compartment on the back of the remote control.
- Insert 3 AAA dry batteries, ensuring correct polarity (+/-).
- Close the battery compartment securely.
4.4 Pairing the Drone and Remote Control
- Place the drone on a flat, level surface.
- Power on the drone. The indicator lights will flash.
- Power on the remote control.
- Push the left joystick (throttle) all the way up, then all the way down. The remote control will beep, and the drone's lights will become solid, indicating successful pairing.
5. Operating Instructions
5.1 Remote Control Overview
Figure 5: V18 Mini Drone with its remote control.
Figure 6: Remote control button layout and functions.
5.2 Basic Flight Controls
- One-Click Takeoff/Landing: Press the dedicated button on the remote for automatic takeoff or landing.
- Throttle (Left Joystick): Push up to ascend, pull down to descend.
- Directional Control (Right Joystick): Push forward/backward to move the drone forward/backward. Push left/right to move the drone left/right.
- Trimmers: Use the trim buttons to fine-tune the drone's stability if it drifts in any direction.
5.3 Special Features
- Intelligent Hover (Altitude Hold): The drone maintains its altitude automatically, making it easier to control.
- Headless Mode: In headless mode, the drone's orientation is relative to the pilot, regardless of its actual front. Press the Headless Mode button to activate/deactivate.
- 360° Roll: Press the 360° Roll button and then move the right joystick in the desired direction to perform a flip.
- Jettisoning Mode (Throwing Mode): Gently toss the drone into the air to initiate flight (ensure propellers are spinning).
- Gesture Control: The drone can be controlled by hand gestures for takeoff and basic movements.
- One-Click Rotation: Press the One-Click Rotation button to make the drone spin in place.
- Speed Switch: The drone has multiple speed settings. Press the speed switch button to cycle through different speeds.
Figure 7: Key features of the V18 Mini Drone.
Figure 8: Gesture control and remote control options.
5.4 Video Demonstration
Video 1: Demonstration of V18 Mini Drone features including one-click takeoff, intelligent height setting, full perimeter protection, jettisoning mode, modular battery, one-click speed switch (multiplayer), 360° stunt roll, one-click rotation, keyboard spin, and one-touch landing.
6. Maintenance
6.1 Cleaning
- Use a soft, dry cloth to clean the drone and remote control.
- Avoid using water or chemical cleaners, as they may damage the electronic components.
6.2 Propeller Replacement
If a propeller is damaged, replace it using the provided spare blades and screwdriver:
- Power off the drone.
- Carefully remove the screw holding the damaged propeller.
- Remove the damaged propeller.
- Install a new propeller, ensuring it matches the original orientation (A or B).
- Secure the new propeller with the screw.
6.3 Battery Care
- Always remove the drone battery when not in use or during storage.
- Store batteries in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and heat.
- Do not overcharge or over-discharge batteries.
7. Troubleshooting
| Problem | Possible Solution |
|---|---|
| Drone does not respond to remote control. | Ensure drone and remote are paired correctly (Section 4.4). Check remote control batteries. |
| Drone cannot take off or flies unstably. | Ensure drone battery is fully charged. Check for damaged propellers and replace if necessary. Calibrate the drone on a flat surface. |
| Short flight time. | Ensure battery is fully charged. Battery life may decrease over time; consider replacing if significantly degraded. |
| Drone drifts during flight. | Use the trim buttons on the remote control to adjust stability. Recalibrate the drone. |
| Lights are flashing but drone won't fly. | Re-pair the drone and remote. Ensure the drone is on a flat surface for initialization. |
8. User Tips
- Practice in Open Spaces: For beginners, start flying in a wide-open area free from obstacles to get accustomed to the controls.
- Start with Low Speed: Utilize the drone's speed switch to begin with a lower speed setting until you gain confidence.
- Monitor Battery Life: Always keep an eye on the drone's indicator lights for low battery warnings to avoid unexpected landings.
- Gentle Control Inputs: Small, precise movements on the joysticks are often more effective than large, sudden ones.
- Indoor Flight: The V18 Mini Drone's compact size and propeller guards make it suitable for indoor flight, but ensure adequate space to prevent collisions.
9. Safety Guidelines
- Always operate the drone in a safe environment, away from people, animals, and obstacles.
- Do not fly near airports, restricted airspace, or sensitive areas.
- Maintain a visual line of sight with the drone at all times.
- Adult supervision is recommended for younger users.
- Do not touch the propellers when they are spinning.
- Avoid flying in strong winds or adverse weather conditions.
- Ensure the drone battery is fully charged before each flight.
- Do not attempt to modify the drone or its components, as this may void the warranty and pose safety risks.
10. Warranty and Support
For warranty information, technical support, or replacement parts, please contact your retailer or the manufacturer directly. Keep your purchase receipt as proof of purchase.
