Drone Racing League's Racer4 Street Lets You Fly Like the Pros

(Image credit: Future)

Ever wanted to fly a drone like the pros? The Drone Racing League is launching a consumer version of the same drone used in its races.

It's not exactly like a regular schmo being able to buy a Formula One car and driving it on the interstate, but it's close. The $599 drone is available for preorder on Kickstarter now and will ship in April 2020.

While the Drone Racing League, now in its fourth season, is still getting off the ground — so to speak — the league has fielded numerous demands from viewers to make available the drones that the pilots use.

The Racer4 Street will have the same performance characteristics of the pro model, but with a few modifications. For example, the Street drone will be more modular, making it easier to swap out parts, and it will lack the advanced diagnostic tools found in the pro model. Where the Racer4 pro version has 1,000 LEDs so that pilots can more easily see it as it's flying, the Racer4 Street will have just 100 LEDs.

Otherwise, the Racer4 Street has the same specs as the pro: Four BrotherHobby 2510 1250kw motors, two sets of 7-inch props (with three blades per rotor), and one 2,200mah 70C battery pack. Consumers will have to provide their own controller and First-Person Goggles.

However, the drone will also come with DRL's drone simulator for free, giving aspiring pilots a chance to get a feel of how the Racer4 Street will perform in the real world. DRL recommends using the simulator first, as its drones can reach speeds of up to 90 miles per hour — twice that of most other consumer drones.

While definitely a niche product, DRL hopes that by making a consumer version of its racing drone that's easier to assemble, it can spawn more interest in the nascent sport.

TOPICS

Michael A. Prospero is the U.S. Editor-in-Chief for Tom’s Guide. He oversees all evergreen content and oversees the Homes, Smart Home, and Fitness/Wearables categories for the site. In his spare time, he also tests out the latest drones, electric scooters, and smart home gadgets, such as video doorbells. Before his tenure at Tom's Guide, he was the Reviews Editor for Laptop Magazine, a reporter at Fast Company, the Times of Trenton, and, many eons back, an intern at George magazine. He received his undergraduate degree from Boston College, where he worked on the campus newspaper The Heights, and then attended the Columbia University school of Journalism. When he’s not testing out the latest running watch, electric scooter, or skiing or training for a marathon, he’s probably using the latest sous vide machine, smoker, or pizza oven, to the delight — or chagrin — of his family.