I jumped on the Bunnings drone bandwagon because I thought it would be a bit of fun to learn how to fly it. Unfortunately, my order wasn't fulfilled but many others were. This got me thinking, what would be a good drone to start off with? I wasn't overly keen on spending $2k+ on a drone to start with. Any ideas?
Goal is purely photography and videography. No intentions to race.
Agree 100% with this.
DJI Spark is a great drone which can do 99% of what most pilots would want to do. If buying, be sure to get the Fly More Combo as you will need the remote controller and extra battery.
Can confirm as well. I have the Spark as an inspection drone for looking on roofs and places I don’t want to get a ladder up for. I also use it as my training drone for people who have never flown but want to learn.
The Spark is now at a great price point for the quality of quad that it is. It’s a great size up that is easy to carry around and fly in places where bigger quads like Phantoms/Mavic Pro might irk people. It’s super easy to fly and has two modes that makes is much more stable and controllable in the slower mode.
If you've never flown one before, why not something cheap like $50-100? You'll get the general feel for them without spending a lot of money. Then if you're interested you could build a really awesome drone from (semi) scratch.
The super cheap drones handle worse than a spark or mavic mini. It's almost a completely flying experience. No GPS or vision hover means that you're always correcting and often over correcting the drone. Then with the lack of GPS hold you're going to be victim to the wind. You'll spend more time stuck in a tree or ground than having fun flying.
Eh I just think spending <$100 than $500-$1000 could give you a better idea, who knows if you'd enjoy it.
While the Phantom here is a great price, I certainly wouldn’t call it a good “learner” quad. They are also quite large to cart about and setup. For that price, I would sooner buy a Mavic Air. Much easier to carry, setup and fly.
what's the goal here? photography or racing?
Purely photography and videography. Nothing professional, just for personal use.
dji spark
Cheers bud. Others have recommended that too. I'll check it out
I'd go for the DJI Spark Flymore combo. It's a great beginners drone. I initially wanted to go the Mavic Air route, but I'm glad I didn't spend the extra, as the Spark does everything I want it to do.
I'm only an amateur hobby droner, so the Spark fits the bill perfectly.
Spark doesn't do 4K if that matters to you.
I was just watching some videos. Only 1080p. Any other suggestions?
The ones that get price error'd then fulfilled
If someone wants to sell me one… Only 80 got fulfilled though.
Would it be possible to get a drone you can programme a full course, say doing several sweeps of the shoreline or bushland recording video. Would a rc plane be better?
Any thoughts on models or price.
I believe DJI drones have an ability to set a course before hand for the drone to fly.
To do proper offline waypoint missions you'll need Litchi.
I think you should start with a $20 toy drone from Banggood. Fun and it will teach you a fair bit with no risk.
Frugal Rock
I think you should start with a $20 toy drone from Banggood. Fun and it will teach you a fair bit with no risk
Yeah and follow this guy on his youtube channel https://www.facebook.com/uavfutures/ and this guy https://www.youtube.com/user/loraan/featured
Hubsan H502S X4 DESIRE cheap drone with GPS, follow me, altitude hold. I got mine with 5 batteries, remote control watch and carry case for under $150.
In China, DJI has actual retail stores where you can go in test the drones, feel the controls, view the video.
There is no equivalent retail concept here in Australia yet. Maybe Bunnings could set aside some space for a drone demonstration.
We do have a drone store that lets you rent and buy them, not sure about trying first.: https://www.d1store.com.au/
Hubsan is way better than DJI. At least you have a proper remote control. Don't have to use a mobile phone, which also means you can run the drone in restricted areas if you have to.
Any recommendation of a specific model?
I'm trying to find out the model yestee. Rang a mate whose got 2 Hubsan's. He's probably in jail…
means you can run the drone in restricted areas
Rang a mate whose got 2 Hubsan's. He's probably in jail…
Hmmmm.
Got in touch with the Hubsan user I know. He recommended this https://dronesgator.com/hubsan-zino-drone-review/
Also with DJI's you have a firmware timeout on the drones, so if you don't update, you can't fly. Plus you drain power on your phone.
Thanks dude! Zino definitely seems the go after some YouTube videos
Have a look at Xiaomi Fimi X8 SE. Comparable to the Mavic - 4K, 3 axis gimbal, 30 min flight time, price of a Spark. The only thing it doesn't have is obstacle avoidance.
Better than the Hubsan Zino - for one Zino has no stabilisation or 4K. Videos from it look shaky.
My understanding was that the Zino could film in 4k?
Sorry - I stand corrected - sorry - been looking at too many different drones. Does have a gimbal too.
Edit: I was thinking of the H502S.
Tonight DJI are launching the supposed Mavic Mini. It's said to weigh under 250 grams, so it will be legal to fly anywhere. Also with a 2.7k camera, it will have better video quality than the spark.
DJI Spark isnt a bad starter drone.
They don't really need much to learn to fly as it is all computer controlled (not like quadcopters of old). You just give it directions.