Is This the Drone Case We’ve Been Waiting For?

Let’s face it, buying the right case for your drone is neither easy or cheap. While there’s plenty of choice out there regarding price, size and sturdiness, you need to be sure that your money is being spent on a product that works for you.

Every pilot will have different needs and priorities, but there are a few non-negotiables. The first is durability. There’s no point in having a case if it doesn’t offer at least minimal protection to your drone. How tough a case you need depends on your situation, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Second is price. Nobody wants to pay a fortune for a drone case, but at the same time enthusiasts understand that you get what you pay for. Knowing how much to pay can be tricky, especially when you may need to buy another case for a different model further down the line.

Third is mobility, or how portable the case is. And this will always be the trade-off between a lightweight rucksack and a sturdy hard case. If you’re planning on taking your drone out in to the wilderness, chances are you’ll need a case you can carry comfortably with a strap.

Recently we’ve been approached with what looks like the solution to all of these factors. Rob Butchart, director at Quadra-Box, got in touch to tell us about the release of the the company’s new drone case. He was kind enough to send one along for us to try out, and here’s what we think.

Introducing the Quadra-Box

 

The first thing to say about the Quadra-Box is that it’s somewhere between a conventional hard case and a softer backpack. It’s also significantly lighter than your standard hard case. With that in mind, you’d expect it to feel flimsy and fragile, but it really doesn’t.

It is REALLY compact when sat next to the pro cases or some of the bulkier hardshell backpacks. Everyone needs a case for different uses, but QB1’s compact nature means it’s really easy to take anywhere” – Rob Butchart, Quadra-Box

This is because of a compact design, a hard outer casing and several layers of precision-cut foam on the inside. Weighing just over 5 pounds, it’s small and light enough to carry comfortably with one hand, but it also comes with a shoulder strap for when you’re on the move. The shape means that Quadra-Box offers a case that will easily fit into the trunk of your car, too.

Price

As mentioned above, drone cases can be pretty expensive. Retailing at $99.99 plus tax in the US, or £74.99 in the UK, the Quadra-Box seems like fantastic value for money when compared to its rivals. Amazon Prime members can also get free shipping within two days. As well as being a very reasonable price for a hard case, there is one extra factor that makes the Quadra-Box an appealing choice…

Corporate responsibility

For me, this is the major selling point of the Quadra-Box. It’s customizable, and the company are even posting guides to help customers tailor their case to other drones.

We have to decide if we want to sell more cases or sell the right cases. We chose to sell the right cases and we believe everyone will be better off in the long run” – Rob Butchart, Qaudra-Box

The Quadra-Box is listed as compatible for the DJI Phantom 3, although with some minor adjustments it can comfortably fit the Phantom 4. There are also a range of drones on the market that could potentially fit within the dimensions of the case.

This sense of corporate responsibility stems from two things. The first is that consumer technology is an industry of high turnover are endless waste. As well as being tough on consumers’ pockets, this is pretty bad for the environment as well. Quadra-Box has designed a case that can be easily customized to fit more than one type of drone. No more buying a bespoke case every time you upgrade to a new model.

Rob told me, “Even at our highly competitive price point a good drone case is still a significant purchase so we feel responsible for ensuring that each case has a long life span. When you think about it this no longer just means being durable but also adaptable. We took our time with the development of the foam and chose the materials and shapes specifically to maximise the use of the case”.

Special offer for DroneLife readers

For a limited time, DroneLife readers can get 10% off their Quadra-Box, using the code ‘DRONEL10’ at checkout on either the Amazon product page or the company’s website.