TechCamerasDronesRuko F11 GIM2 review: chunky, beginner-friendly drone with a so-so cameraRuko’s mid-size drone resists the wind better than smaller flying tripods, but the camera quality could much betterWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)T3 VerdictThe Ruko F11 GIM2 beginner drone has its strengths and weaknesses. It’s somewhat heavy, and the camera performance is okay at best, but it’s easy enough to fly, and thanks to the spare battery and carry case included in the price, it’s a decent value-for-money proposition.Reasons to buy+Robust construction+Carry case and spare battery included in the basic package+Larger body makes the drone more stable in the wind+Responsive controlsReasons to avoid-Video performance isn’t great-Retrieving videos from memory card is confusing-You need an Operator ID in the UK to fly itWhy you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
TechCamerasDronesRuko F11 GIM2 review: chunky, beginner-friendly drone with a so-so cameraRuko’s mid-size drone resists the wind better than smaller flying tripods, but the camera quality could much betterWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)T3 VerdictThe Ruko F11 GIM2 beginner drone has its strengths and weaknesses. It’s somewhat heavy, and the camera performance is okay at best, but it’s easy enough to fly, and thanks to the spare battery and carry case included in the price, it’s a decent value-for-money proposition.Reasons to buy+Robust construction+Carry case and spare battery included in the basic package+Larger body makes the drone more stable in the wind+Responsive controlsReasons to avoid-Video performance isn’t great-Retrieving videos from memory card is confusing-You need an Operator ID in the UK to fly itWhy you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
Ruko’s mid-size drone resists the wind better than smaller flying tripods, but the camera quality could much better
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)T3 VerdictThe Ruko F11 GIM2 beginner drone has its strengths and weaknesses. It’s somewhat heavy, and the camera performance is okay at best, but it’s easy enough to fly, and thanks to the spare battery and carry case included in the price, it’s a decent value-for-money proposition.Reasons to buy+Robust construction+Carry case and spare battery included in the basic package+Larger body makes the drone more stable in the wind+Responsive controlsReasons to avoid-Video performance isn’t great-Retrieving videos from memory card is confusing-You need an Operator ID in the UK to fly it
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
T3 VerdictThe Ruko F11 GIM2 beginner drone has its strengths and weaknesses. It’s somewhat heavy, and the camera performance is okay at best, but it’s easy enough to fly, and thanks to the spare battery and carry case included in the price, it’s a decent value-for-money proposition.Reasons to buy+Robust construction+Carry case and spare battery included in the basic package+Larger body makes the drone more stable in the wind+Responsive controlsReasons to avoid-Video performance isn’t great-Retrieving videos from memory card is confusing-You need an Operator ID in the UK to fly it
T3 VerdictThe Ruko F11 GIM2 beginner drone has its strengths and weaknesses. It’s somewhat heavy, and the camera performance is okay at best, but it’s easy enough to fly, and thanks to the spare battery and carry case included in the price, it’s a decent value-for-money proposition.
T3 Verdict
The Ruko F11 GIM2 beginner drone has its strengths and weaknesses. It’s somewhat heavy, and the camera performance is okay at best, but it’s easy enough to fly, and thanks to the spare battery and carry case included in the price, it’s a decent value-for-money proposition.
Reasons to buy+Robust construction+Carry case and spare battery included in the basic package+Larger body makes the drone more stable in the wind+Responsive controlsReasons to avoid-Video performance isn’t great-Retrieving videos from memory card is confusing-You need an Operator ID in the UK to fly it
Reasons to buy+Robust construction+Carry case and spare battery included in the basic package+Larger body makes the drone more stable in the wind+Responsive controls
Robust construction
Carry case and spare battery included in the basic package
Larger body makes the drone more stable in the wind
Responsive controls
Reasons to avoid-Video performance isn’t great-Retrieving videos from memory card is confusing-You need an Operator ID in the UK to fly it
Video performance isn’t great
Retrieving videos from memory card is confusing
You need an Operator ID in the UK to fly it
Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
Ruko F11GIM2 deals
273 Amazon customer reviews☆☆☆☆☆
273 Amazon customer reviews☆☆☆☆☆
☆☆☆☆☆
$730.99$399.99ViewDeal endsMon, Jan 20, 2025$730.99$419.98View$750.98$419.98View
$730.99$399.99ViewDeal endsMon, Jan 20, 2025
$730.99$399.99View
$730.99$399.99View
$730.99$399.99
$399.99
Deal endsMon, Jan 20, 2025
Deal endsMon, Jan 20, 2025
Deal endsMon, Jan 20, 2025
$730.99$419.98View
$730.99$419.98View
$730.99$419.98View
$730.99$419.98
$419.98
$750.98$419.98View
$750.98$419.98View
$750.98$419.98View
$750.98$419.98
$419.98
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Ruko F11 GIM2 review in a nutshell: a popular beginner-friendly drone that’s easy to fly but only provides passable camera footage. It might be worth a try if you come across a cheap deal on Black Friday (or beyond).
Ruko might not be as well-known as DJI – after all, DJI isthebest dronebrand – but they sell plenty of drones via third-party retailers such asAmazon. It’s no surprise, as Ruko’s drones are wallet-friendly enough to entice beginner drone pilots. Should Ruko be considered one of thebest beginner dronebrands? I was determined to find out.
After giving the similarly affordablePotensic Atom SEand the somewhat more premium yet beginner-friendlyDJI Mini 2 SEa try, I was curious to find out what the F11 GIM2 had to offer to convince people (and me). After a couple of weeks of testing, I have some good news and some bad news, but overall, I’m not unhappy with the Ruko F11 GIM2. Read my full review below to find out more.
(First reviewed September 2023)
Ruko F11 GIM2 review: Price and availability
The Ruko F11 GIM2 is available to buy now atRuko,Amazon UKandAmazon USfor a recommended retail price of £499.99/ $619.99. AU price and availability TBC.
This might sound like a lot of money – it is – but the default version of the Ruko F11 GIM2 drone is what most other brands would call the Fly More edition, which means you get an extra battery, a carry case, and a few other accessories included.
The drone comes in three different versions in the US: 2B, 3B and 4B. These add one extra battery at each step (3B: three batteries, 4B: four batteries) and other accessories like a landing mat.
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
Ruko F11 GIM2 review: Specifications
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
Ruko F11 GIM2 review: Design
The Ruko F11 GIM2 is well over the magical 249-gram limit (it weights 584 grams) that allows you to fly a drone with only an Operator ID in the UK, which somehow limits its appeal among beginner pilots who might not feel like studying for the Flyer ID test just so they try Ruko’s drone. Thanks to the drone’s large size, the Ruko F11 GIM2 feels substantial in the hand but not intimidating.
The drone itself has a considerably straightforward design and is foldable, making it easier to transport it around. The included carry case is also a handy accessory, allowing you to haul the F11 GIM2 in the most convenient fashion possible. One thing I found strange is that the carry case handle is on the bottom of the carry case, so to speak, meaning it’s pretty easy for everything to fall out of it if you forget to zip it all the way up.
The removable battery is located on the top of the drone, and interestingly, the on/off button and the LED indicators are also positioned here. It’s not like anyone would want to (or be able to) fly the drone without the battery, but I found this positioning somewhat peculiar. It’s not a hindrance, though.
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
Interestingly, the controller also has a foldable design. You get the usual folding antennas, but the bottom of the controller folds out, too, to improve ergonomics. I have large hands, so I enjoyed this feature, although I think it would’ve made some sense to integrate the smartphone clamp in this area (between the two arms). Again, this isn’t a deal-breaker issue; more of an observation.
The quality of the controller is fine. It’s a bit clunky, and the plastic feels a bit cheap, but it didn’t break or creak the wrong way during the testing period. The display is easy to read, although the user interface isn’t the most mind-blowing thing I’ve ever seen. There is a display, so that’s something!
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
Ruko F11 GIM2 review: Flight performance
I’ll start this section with a bit of a confession: My first attempt at trying to fly the Ruko F11 GIM2 ended up with the drone flying into the sea wall situated not too far from me. In hindsight, I could’ve been farther away from any obstruction, but considering I was out in the open, I thought the GPS would be able to hover the drone steadily.
I learned the hard way that’s only partially the case. As the F11 GIM2 took off, it started wobbling, moving around in larger and larger swings. In an attempt to stabilise it, I started fiddling with the controls, but I couldn’t stop the movement, and the drone flew into the wall, damaging one of the rear arms in the process.
Needless to say, I had to abandon the test to examine the damage. Just to be sure, I changed all the propeller blades and had a look at the damaged area. It all seemed okay, so the day after the first flight, I took out the Ruko F11GIM2 again and managed to fly the drone until the battery almost depleted. In essence, durability is on point!
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
Once it’s up in the air, it’s easy to navigate the Ruko F11 GIM2, thanks to the heavier body that seems to resist wind better than smaller units. There are three flying modes, allowing you to perform a wide range of manoeuvres. I found the controls responsive and enjoyed flying the drone a lot.
As expected from a drone these days, the Ruko F11 GIM2 has pre-programmed flying modes, such as Follow Me, Waypoint Flight and GPS Auto-return Home. Some of the cooler auto features found on beginner DJI models (e.g. Helix) aren’t available on the Ruko F11 GIM2, but it’s to be expected.
When I tried to see how far I could fly out the drone before the connection dropped, it went about 750m/ 2,460 ft before I had to stop. I realised there was a (not awfully tall) building between me and the drone, which probably affected the signal. Further testing is required to see if the drone can actually fly close enough to the claimed 3km maximum distance.
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
Ruko F11 GIM2 review: Camera performance
To be transparent, I didn’t expect the Ruko F11 GIM2 to be able to capture stunning videos and photos. With its 2.5-axis design (2-axis mechanical gimbal plus EIS anti-shake) and supposed 4K max resolution, footage from the F11 GIM2 should look okay, yet I expected a similar experience to the Potensic Atom SE, which also has a 4K camera but looks only so so.
And indeed, the camera performance is far from terrible, but it’s nothing special, either. The main issues are resolution, framerate, and transmission rate. Most photos and even some of the videos look okay on smaller screens (i.e. smartphones), but as soon as you watch either of those on a laptop, you’ll soon see those artefacts cropping up on the footage.
This might be confusing to new drone users, as they might think the videos cropping up on their camera roll are the real deal. Photos are fine as they are, as far as I can tell, so that’s nice.
Two things that the Ruko F11 GIM2 has going for it are flight stability and anti-shake. Although I found it hard to control the angle of the camera smoothly, thanks to the heavier, more wind-resistant body and the EIS anti-shake tech, the videos aren’t as shaky as some similar footage captured with smaller drones.
I know camera performance will forever be the weak spot of more accessibly priced drones, but it shouldn’t be, especially in the case of the Ruko F11 GIM2, which is a heavier drone, so it could support a larger camera unit. Sure, you can mount anInsta360 GO 3on the drone and capture much better footage – many drone pilots did this with theInsta360 GO 2, and there is even a special, third-party mount designed for the purpose.
Ruko F11 GIM2 review: Photo gallery
Image1of9Ruko F11 GIM2 sample photos(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)Ruko F11 GIM2 sample photos(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)Ruko F11 GIM2 sample photos(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)Ruko F11 GIM2 sample photos(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)Ruko F11 GIM2 sample photos(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)Ruko F11 GIM2 sample photos(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)Ruko F11 GIM2 sample photos(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)Ruko F11 GIM2 sample photos(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)Ruko F11 GIM2 sample photos(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
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Ruko F11 GIM2 sample photos(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)Ruko F11 GIM2 sample photos(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)Ruko F11 GIM2 sample photos(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)Ruko F11 GIM2 sample photos(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)Ruko F11 GIM2 sample photos(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)Ruko F11 GIM2 sample photos(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)Ruko F11 GIM2 sample photos(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)Ruko F11 GIM2 sample photos(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)Ruko F11 GIM2 sample photos(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
Ruko F11 GIM2 sample photos(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)Ruko F11 GIM2 sample photos(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)Ruko F11 GIM2 sample photos(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)Ruko F11 GIM2 sample photos(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)Ruko F11 GIM2 sample photos(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)Ruko F11 GIM2 sample photos(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)Ruko F11 GIM2 sample photos(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)Ruko F11 GIM2 sample photos(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)Ruko F11 GIM2 sample photos(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
Ruko F11 GIM2 sample photos(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
Ruko F11 GIM2 sample photos(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
Ruko F11 GIM2 sample photos(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
Ruko F11 GIM2 sample photos(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
Ruko F11 GIM2 sample photos(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
Ruko F11 GIM2 sample photos(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
Ruko F11 GIM2 sample photos(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
Ruko F11 GIM2 sample photos(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
Ruko F11 GIM2 sample photos(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
Ruko F11 GIM2 sample photos(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
Ruko F11 GIM2 sample photos(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
Ruko F11 GIM2 sample photos(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
Ruko F11 GIM2 sample photos(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
Ruko F11 GIM2 sample photos(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
Ruko F11 GIM2 sample photos(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
Ruko F11 GIM2 sample photos(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
Ruko F11 GIM2 sample photos(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
Ruko F11 GIM2 sample photos(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
Ruko F11 GIM2 sample photos(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
Ruko F11 GIM2 sample photos(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
Ruko F11 GIM2 sample photos(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
Ruko F11 GIM2 sample photos(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
Ruko F11 GIM2 sample photos(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
Ruko F11 GIM2 sample photos(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
Ruko F11 GIM2 sample photos(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
Ruko F11 GIM2 sample photos(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
Ruko F11 GIM2 sample photos(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
Ruko F11 GIM2 sample photos(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
Ruko F11 GIM2 sample photos(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
Ruko F11 GIM2 sample photos(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
Ruko F11 GIM2 sample photos(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
Ruko F11 GIM2 sample photos(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
Ruko F11 GIM2 sample photos(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
Ruko F11 GIM2 sample photos(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
Ruko F11 GIM2 sample photos(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
Ruko F11 GIM2 sample photos(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
Ruko F11 GIM2 sample photos(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
Ruko F11 GIM2 sample photos(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
Ruko F11 GIM2 sample photos(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
Ruko F11 GIM2 sample photos(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
Ruko F11 GIM2 sample photos(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
Ruko F11 GIM2 sample photos(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
Ruko F11 GIM2 sample photos(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
Ruko F11 GIM2 sample photos(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
Ruko F11 GIM2 sample photos(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
Ruko F11 GIM2 review: Verdict
The Ruko F11 GIM2 beginner drone has its strengths and weaknesses. It’s somewhat heavy, and the camera performance is okay at best, but it’s easy enough to fly, and thanks to the spare battery and carry case included in the price, it’s a decent value-for-money proposition.
I know that the drone is often on offer, and if you come across it for a discounted price – and have the appropriate licence to fly it – you might as well give it a try. Don’t expect the Ruko F11 GIM2 to provide stunning videos similar to DJI drones, though, especially if you’re trying to create content for social media (i.e. vertical videos).
Ruko F11 GIM2 review: Also consider
The DJI Mini 2 SE might be a better option if you want a lighter drone with a more sophisticated companion app. The feature set and performance of this dinky drone are beyond reproach at this price point. You miss out on some camera features compared to the Mini 2, but the DJI Mini 2 SE offers more than enough functionality for beginners. Read my fullDJI Mini 2 SE review.
Ruko F11GIM2: Price Comparison
273 Amazon customer reviews☆☆☆☆☆
273 Amazon customer reviews☆☆☆☆☆
☆☆☆☆☆
$730.99$399.99ViewDeal endsMon, Jan 20, 2025$730.99$419.98View$750.98$419.98View
$730.99$399.99ViewDeal endsMon, Jan 20, 2025
$730.99$399.99View
$730.99$399.99View
$730.99$399.99
$399.99
Deal endsMon, Jan 20, 2025
Deal endsMon, Jan 20, 2025
Deal endsMon, Jan 20, 2025
$730.99$419.98View
$730.99$419.98View
$730.99$419.98View
$730.99$419.98
$419.98
$750.98$419.98View
$750.98$419.98View
$750.98$419.98View
$750.98$419.98
$419.98
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
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