For something that has 4 propellors and a camera, some people call it a "drone" and some people call it a "quadcopter." Which do you prefer it be called? If you chose "something else" comment what you think it should be called.

what is the "it" you are describing spark? if so then it is both a drone and a quad.

I prefer quad or quadcopter because drone has become such a derogatory term... but for the spark, I sometime just call it a camera.

Drone is generic, quadcopter is one of the Drone subset.  Quad = 4

It can also be term as UAV

Flying camera

SOUNDWAVE439 Posted at 2018-1-16 18:46
what is the "it" you are describing spark? if so then it is both a drone and a quad.

I was debating whether to put it in the spark, mavic, phantom, or inspire category but i couldn't decide so i just did spark because i have a spark. But my question is about the spark or the mavic or any of the flying thingees that have 4 propellors and a camera. perhaps i should rephrase

spark = drone , quadcopter, multicopter

I know its a Quad (quadcopter) Drone is a military name for UAV but ALL over internet , even companies like DJI , ALL call them drones so i will too.

The term "Drone" was first used in conjunction with remotely-flown target aircraft as early as the 1920's.  Who are we to change it?

Interestingly, the earliest recorded use of an unmanned aerial vehicle for warfare occurred on August 22, 1849 when unmanned balloons were loaded with explosives when Austrians attacked the Italian city of Venice.

Drone it is.

SUA small unmanned aircraft.

In the beginning 'drone' seemed to be a negative name for what we have as back then 'drone' was reserved for things that take part in war missions, however, now I think that term has become so popular that it's hard to fight it anymore.

Yet for some reason I still prefer to name them quadcopters.

I like to call it a quadrocopter.
To me, a drone is a remote controlled or autonomous flying weapon.  Makes me think of something with a V-tail, sent by cowards.
Unfortunetely my government has decided that all rc aircrafts are drones, and their new “drone” regulations apply to any rc aircraft, including my rc helicopters.

i just call it my Spark, everyone i know call it a Drone .. seems to be the standard term.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) which is a component of an Unmanned aircraft system (UAS).  A similar term is an unmanned-aircraft vehicle system (UAVS), remotely piloted aerial vehicle (RPAV), remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS) and Unmanned Aerial Surveillance Vehicle (UASV) - given the camera. More informal terms are RC Quadcopter as it uses four propeller blades to fly (or quad for short) and calling it a drone (which is the most common label) is fine too as it is a "powered, aerial vehicle that does not carry a human operator, uses aerodynamic forces to provide vehicle lift, can fly autonomously or be piloted remotely, can be expendable or recoverable, and can carry a lethal or nonlethal payload".
So in official (FAA/CAA) circles it's a UAV and more informally, a quad or a drone is fine. I personally prefer 'drone' as the least pretentious.

unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), commonly known as a drone, Drone it is

I still prefer to call it a QUAD but it seems most people call it a DRONE.

I called mine Sparky.

I call it a drone since most people will get what I'm talking about

I call mine Hoverbee

i was thinking more about a name like this...  PRECIOUS!!

JMR58 Posted at 2018-1-17 11:42
i was thinking more about a name like this...  PRECIOUS!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iz-8CSa9xj8

Imagine calling the CAA "yeah, hi there, I was just wondering if I could apply for permission to take MY PRECIOUS into manned airspace"! LOL

Are you calling my Pulse XT .40 size model airplane a drone?  It is an UAV of the subset RC model airplane.  It is not a drone as it can't fly itself.  My quadcopter is a drone because it can autonomously fly itself home and land, stay in a hover, or fly on a course that it has flown before (Mavic, Phantom).  Definitely a drone as it can be set on a mindless task to accomplish on its own.

There are quadcopters from the old days that were just quadcopters since they would roll over and crash if left to their own devices.  They were simply RC models and had no drone functions.  

I try not to call it a drone, but everyone and their mom calls it a drone....and it is easier to say so I gave in.

A CW Posted at 2018-1-17 11:46
Imagine calling the CAA "yeah, hi there, I was just wondering if I could apply for permission to take MY PRECIOUS into manned airspace"! LOL

Would like to see his/her face LOL

JMR58 Posted at 2018-1-17 12:00
Would like to see his/her face LOL

So would I - classic! I prefer precious to UAV though LOL.

Gunship9 Posted at 2018-1-17 11:53
Are you calling my Pulse XT .40 size model airplane a drone?  It is an UAV of the subset RC model airplane.  It is not a drone as it can't fly itself.  My quadcopter is a drone because it can autonomously fly itself home and land, stay in a hover, or fly on a course that it has flown before (Mavic, Phantom).  Definitely a drone as it can be set on a mindless task to accomplish on its own.

There are quadcopters from the old days that were just quadcopters since they would roll over and crash if left to their own devices.  They were simply RC models and had no drone functions.

The thread and pole relates to the Spark - which is clearly defined as a drone.

JMR58 Posted at 2018-1-17 11:42
i was thinking more about a name like this...  PRECIOUS!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iz-8CSa9xj8

Sadly, I can't call my drone Precious...that's the network name of my phone .

Wow. It is an interesting topic. I would like to call it drone and it is eaiser to remember.

What do you call a drone with 6 propellors then?

Bing Err Posted at 2018-1-19 17:27
What do you call a drone with 6 propellors then?

hexacopter