RT, BNF and ARF Differences Explained

Quadcopter transmitter mode2 VS mode1 - DifferenceIf drones and quadcopters are your cup of tea, jargon like BNF, RTF, ARF and the rest fall under your everyday lingo. Newbies, on the other hand, will struggle to follow the conversation if it is peppered with such abbreviations. Seeing as these are the most popularly used in the drone community, here is a breakdown of what they mean.

RTF

RTF stands for Ready to Fly. It refers to the state of the drone when you are purchasing it. An RTF drone comes as a complete package when being bought. It has the controller and all other additional accessories so you can fly it straight out of the shop. This is the best type of drone to buy for a beginner or for anyone who has limited resources.

BNF

BNF stands for Bind and Fly. A bind and fly drone has all the accessories needed to fly assembled except a controller. This is because it can only be flown using a hobby grade controller which needs to be bought separately. With a hobby grade controller, you have access to more functions and features than a toy grade controller. It's also bigger and of better quality. One thing to look out for is the manufacturer protocol of your receiver and transmitter. The two must use the same manufacturer protocol in addition to being on the same channel in order to work.

ARF

ARF stands for Almost Ready to Fly. An almost ready to fly drone has some parts assembled and some left for a DIY. You may have to buy motors, batteries, a flight controller, and ESC. An ARF drone varies from one manufacturer to another in terms of how much assembly is left out for the customer. As such, make sure you thoroughly check the description before purchase to prevent ending up with much more than you bargained for.

In order to enjoy your drone, whichever category you prefer, it is imperative to get a few things right. First, you need to buy a good controller. Look at this as an investment because good controllers are not quickly outdated. You can use your controller for years to come without needing to replace it especially because the transmitter can be upgraded.

Another accessory that can last for long is a battery charger. Find a charger that can not only charge the battery that comes with your drone but it can also charge a bigger battery as your array of drones grows. A little research can help you find the best accessories that will keep for a long time as you enjoy your hobby.

Most importantly, do your research before buying a drone. Get something that suits your capabilities. For example, an RTF is less hassle than an ARF. However, an ARF has a more fun and a different dimension to it because of the assembly. If you are a newbie to droning, the jargon comes with the territory. The sooner you learn it, the more fun you will have in the conversations with your droning peers.