The tricopter uses 3 motors and propeller propulsion units with servo which rotate one of the propellers to compensate for the adverse yaw. They were popular earlier when brushless motors and propeller units were scarce.
The copter suffers from lower performance and they don’t scale well to the larger sizes.
However, they still have some popularity for small and light hobby use applications. The design is primarily outdated and therefore most people are not going for tricopters.
On the other hand
The quadcopter is the most popular design.
It has four propeller units and is also available in several sizes. Quadcopters are elegantly simpler in design and are hands on down the most popular layouts for various reasons. They are symmetrical and use the simplest operation principle for controlling pitch, roll, motion and yaw.
Varying the speed of each motor will provide you with hover capability full rotation and 3D motion.
This also allows hover capability that most beginners 1st learn (or get familiar with when flying). They come in various sizes and layouts and are therefore capable of performing vital tasks beyond the flying.
The major problem with quadcopters is that single motor failure can result in a crash. A wider variety of materials and techniques may be applied to make a better quadcopter.
Quadcopters are also available in several popular configurations which include:
- X with an X frame layout. The back and the front of the copter are usually between 2 propellers.
- + With an x frame arm layout but with its front and back in line with one of its propellers.
- H-model which has frame side arms running between motors on its sides. The arms are connected with a single or more frames at its middle.
- The square model which has frame arms running between its motors and usually intermediary frame arms which support the central frame. There are variations which include some with motors laid out in a circle. They operate just like the X frame and they offer a better camera exposure in between the motors. The X frame design is much stronger and simple. Its natural symmetry also balances its flying forces better.
Whether you have a copter ready to fly (RTF) or you intending to purchase one, you can’t beat quadcopter’s simplicity. There is nothing complicated about quandcopter’s design, controls or construction. Its frame is a cross shape and all its motors bolt directly to the frame. Furthermore, it doesn’t need servos like those of a tricopter. Servos make it hard to stabilize a tricopter and to control it. They also limit you to the number of tricks to perform.
Tricopters are much cheaper than the quadcopters and especially when building your own copter. The major reason is that everything is less one – less one propeller, speed control and motor. Despite the harder controls and complex design, some people go for the copter due to its lower cost.
However
Pertaining to crash, both tri and quadcopters have questionable reliability. A quad has higher chances of surviving a crash compared to a tricopter. In case of a power system failure, the quadcopter’s mechanical simplicity gives it the edge it requires to survive. On the other side, the complicated tricopter’s servo construction creates vulnerability which highly decrease the chances of survival in case of a smash into a wall or the ground.
Breakdown: What’s the Differences Between the a Quadcopter and a Tricopter…
The Similarities of Tricopters and Quadcopters
There are some similarities between quadcopters and tripcopters such as they are both motor copters. The traditional helicopters have two rotors, a tail rotor and the main rotor.
The primary reason why you should switch from a helicopter to quadcopter is that you don’t have servos. The heli have three servos which control its main frame. They tilt in any direction and also control the blades pitch. This at times can be extremely complicated.
Tricopter vs Quadcopter, which is more efficient?
Size matters a lot. A quadcopter has a smaller size and therefore higher rotor lift to drag ratio which lowers the drone efficiency. How rotors interact with air affect the copters efficiency. Vicious forces dominate at higher speeds and smaller rotor length scaless. This means that smaller rotors are less efficient.
Tricopter vs quadcopter flight time. What are the differences in flight time?
The flight times of the two designs are considerably low and the highest ever recorded flight time for a drone is 3 hours. A flight time of quadcopter will generally last between 10 and 15 minutes while that of at tricopter may last for 21 minutes.
There are several conditions that affect the flight. For example, the flight will last for a shorter period on a windy day and during more maneuvering. The flight of a quadcopter can last up to 21 minutes during a calm day.
Quadcopters are better than Tricopers… What Do You Think?
Tricopter vs quadcopter, which is the better choice for beginners?
There are many benefits and problems whether you choose to fly a tri or a quadcopter and at the end, neither of the two is better. It highly depends on your skills and what you enjoy. If you want more challenge, then you should try a tricopter.
Tricopters are cheaper and will offer you an exciting venture. On the other hand, quadcopters are much rugged and are less susceptible to breakage incase of a crush. The big question is how much time you would like to spend repairing the drone after a crash.
Pros & Cons of Tricopers and Quadcopters
Pros and Cons of Tricopters
Pros
- One less motor
- Less weight
- Longer battery life and
- Lower price
Cons
The Pros and Cons of Quadcopters
pros
- They are simpler
- Low repair cost incase of a crash
- They can lift a larger weight
- Higher chances of surviving a crash
- They are available in many designs
- They can move to any direction
- Easier to fly
Cons
- Not reliable
- One motor failure can cause a crash
