Drones are remote-controlled flying devices that capture incredible views of the world. Whether you want to fulfill your dream of becoming a pilot or take your photography business to the next level, there is a drone for you. In addition to the world of photography, other industries that can benefit from having an eye in the sky include real estate companies, construction companies, and farms. Drones are also a lot of fun for hobbyists. Here are some tips for choosing your first drone.
There is a wide range of drone types and prices, and that variety is expected to continue to grow. You can get the best drone for $1000 or even less than $300. Choosing the best drone for you depends mainly on what you intend to use it for. There are three main categories of drones for consumers.
1. Toy drones
Toy drones are great choices for beginners in the world of remote control aviation. Toy drones tend to be small and light, and they can even fly indoors without trashing the place. Because of their light weight, they can be difficult to control outdoors, especially in windy conditions. You can find toy drones with and without cameras. If you plan to enjoy your drone mostly indoors, a toy drone is a great option.
Tips for choosing a toy drone
Since toy drones will often be used indoors, look for models with blade guards to protect your walls and furniture, especially if children are flying the drone.
2. Photography drones
If you want to use a flying camera in your next project, drones have made great strides in terms of stabilization and video quality. Photography drones are heavier than toy drones and are designed to fly in the open air and capture still images and video from the sky. These drones are excellent choices for taking selfies from the air and getting a bird's eye view of your surroundings. Everyone from real estate agents to Instagram enthusiasts are tapping into the exciting world of drone photography.
Tips for choosing a photography drone
You can narrow down your options by considering whether you'll be taking images primarily during the day or at night; a larger image sensor can take better quality photos in low light. Many photography drones come with smart features, such as the ability to automatically follow you from the sky or take a selfie when you make a specific gesture
3. Racing drones
Racing drones have a first-person live view (FPV) system that puts you in the pilot's seat, even if your feet are firmly planted on the ground. They offer a thrill and allow you to explore from the pilot's perspective. This type of drone is designed for speed and durability. They are also designed for agility, allowing you to perform stunts in your own miniature air show. Live FPV footage can be streamed to your smartphone, a controller or FPV goggles.
Tips for choosing a racing drone
As the name implies, racing drones are made to fly fast, so look for aerodynamic and lightweight models. Collisions are almost inevitable when you're learning to race a drone, so it's wise to choose a sturdy model that can withstand rough handling.
General characteristics to take into account
When choosing your first drone, the main things to consider are your intended use and your budget. Focus on the features that will best suit your intended use, while staying within your price range. Here are some drone features to keep in mind.
Type of drone package
There are two general types of drone flight packages: do-it-yourself and ready-to-fly. Ready-to-fly packages give you drones that have everything you need to fly your drone. You may need to do some minor assembly, like installing the propeller or batteries, but that's about it. A do-it-yourself drone is sometimes called a "bind and fly" drone. This type of drone can be paired with any compatible control system, but you must link the drone to your remote control yourself. Most people choose a ready-to-fly drone for their first flight.
Motor type
Drones with brushless motors are more expensive than drones with brushed motors, but brushless motors tend to be quieter and have a longer life span. Noise level is something to consider if you plan to photograph weddings or want to be as non-intrusive as possible.
Wind resistance
If you plan to use your drone outdoors and live in a windy area, check the drone's maximum wind resistance. Drones with a feature called a built-in gimbal are designed to keep the drone and its camera balanced when flying in high winds.
Flight time
The amount of time your drone can stay in the air depends on its battery capacity. Keep in mind that flight time includes time away and time back. Typical drone flight times are seven minutes, ten minutes, fifteen minutes, and over half an hour. Battery capacity varies depending on the functions or capabilities you use when flying the drone, such as video streaming.
Flight range
A drone's range is the distance it can fly before losing communication with its controller. Drones can have a range of 500 feet to over 4 miles. Many drones have a feature called "return to home" (RTH). If the aircraft is out of range, the RTH function should activate and fly the drone back into range.
Spare parts
It is not uncommon for a drone to crash. Fortunately, if a propeller is bent, for example, you can order replacement parts. When choosing your first drone, you may want to check the price of replacement parts for that model to see if you'll have the budget to cover them if necessary.
Live Streaming
Drones that allow live streams allow you to stream video to your computer or other device. Drone enthusiasts love the virtual flying sensation this gives them. Some drones come with this live streaming capability, but you can also add a camera if your drone accepts add-ons.
Ease of Flight
Some drone models have a feature called headless mode that can make flying the drone easier for beginners. In headless mode, the drone turns in a direction relative to you and not the drone's virtual pilot. For example, if you press the controller stick to the left, the drone will move to your left, whether the drone is pointed backwards or forwards.
There is a drone in the sky that is perfect for you. The hardest part of learning about drones is deciding which one to choose from all the options available. You'll increase your chances of buying the right drone if you take a methodical approach. Think about how you plan to use your drone and what features you want. Keep these in mind as you go through your choices. No matter which model you choose, you're bound to have a lot of fun once you enter the exciting world of drones.