IOI
Over the past decade, drones have been becoming more popular, and they
will keep coming for a while. For many, drones are ideal for hobbyists and
aerial fans.
With drones, videographers and photographers can enhance their skill set
and take stunning images that not everyone offers. Whether you want to
buy a drone to add to your hobby or start a business, you should be aware
of these eight factors before purchasing one.
Listed below are 8 factors every first time drone purchaser
must be aware of:
Learn about different types of Drones
In order to become a better pilot, you have to get the lingo down. Drone flying
is no different. After all, if you don’t, then you’ll go unnoticed.
It’s important to understand a few terms before you select which drone to buy.
Different machines are great for different uses, and they all range in price.
How would you like to utilize a drone? Will you be performing aerial
maneuvers or aerial photography? Or could you be competing in FPV (first-
person view) events? These questions will determine the kind of drone you are
looking for.
Make sure to know what sort of skills you possess. Can you work with tools?
Some drones can be assembled, but others are ready to get started straight
out of the box. Knowing that will help you choose the right drone for your
needs.
Image quality is the most important
The drone market now offers 1-inch sensors that are being adopted by
consumer drones, like the Mavic 2 Pro, and professional drones like the
Phantom 4 Pro V2.0. The most powerful professional photography drone, the
Inspire 2, offers a Zenmuse X5 camera.
The Mavic Pro and Phantom both have larger CMOS sensors, which make it
easier to capture high-quality videos in low light (Watch the Low-light Test),
but you might not need to worry too much about them during daytime day
shooting.
Understand what you need.
A few common terms and acronyms you need to know before choosing a
specific type of drone for your needs. For example;
– Ready-to-fly (RTF): Although the title may be misleading, you
have to connect your drone’s propeller and control it before
attempting to fly it.
– Bind-to-fly (BNF): Despite being assembled, these drones do
not have controllers. This means that you have to buy one or
download the apps and use them.
– Almost-ready-to-fly (ARF): It’s best to use ARF drones if you
don’t require batteries, remote controls, and motors from these
drone kits.
– First-person-video (FPV): Essentially, this means that the drone
can take and share footage from the first-person perspective via
a computer, VR headset, and smartphone. You can then store
the files in a cloud storage account if you have a limited amount
of storage.
Learn Registration Requirements
Registration is another factor you need to think about before
buying a drone. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has
classified drones in a category of aircraft that requires individual
licenses before they can operate on US airspace.
Know Where to Fly
To get started, here are some guidelines on where to fly your
drone:
1. A drone is not permitted to be flown within 5 miles of any
airport.
2. Drones are allowed to be flown lower than 400 feet.
3. Government facilities or national parks are not permitted to
be flown by drones.
4. It is always polite to get permission before you fly your
drone over other people. It is just common courtesy.
Weather Conditions
You will also want to make sure the drone is set up correctly for
the weather conditions in your area. Many of the drones cannot
withstand winds that are more than 20 mph.
Your drone needs to be weatherproof and water resistant to
ensure that it will function properly. Keep in mind that, the best
time to fly your drone is when the sky is clear and there is only a
slight breeze.
Consider Certain Features
There are many features that make a drone unique, and the
features can be the deciding factor when making a purchase.
If you’re purchasing a drone for a specific purpose, you should
buy a drone best suited for your needs. But don’t disregard
additional features.
Some features you think you’ll use constantly end up being just
useless to you, and you fall in love with something else you
didn’t think would interest you at all. This applies especially to
the first drone you buy.
Of course, it’s true that the more features a drone has, the more
it’ll cost. That’s why you need to find a balance between getting
everything you want and not paying for features you don’t use.
The features that aspiring drone pilots need to consider fall
within some of the ‘nice to have’ categories. However, there are
others that can be useful only in very specific circumstances.
Buy from the Right Place
Getting a new drone can be an exciting experience, so you may
not pay too much attention to where you’ll get it from. But the
retailer makes a difference. While many electronics stores sell
drones, not all retailers are created equal.
As an example, take the case of DJI. This popular manufacturer is
famous for constantly tweaking the performance of their
machines. As a consequence, it is advisable to buy a DJI drone
directly from the manufacturer. It is because DJI is the first place
to get the latest hardware, while models purchased from
somewhere else may have been sitting on the shelves for a
while, and may have become obsolete by the time they are
shipped to you.
One more reason to buy from DJI directly is that it gives you the
choice of taking out DJI Care at checkout if your drone becomes
damaged. Even the most naturally gifted drone pilots will agree
that flying these gadgets takes a lot of practice. In addition to
offering free shipping, DJI offers coverage for accidental damage,
so you won’t be out of pocket if you crash into a tree or are
attacked by an eagle while your first day flying.
Alternatively, if you are looking for something different, don’t
overlook Amazon. They have a vast selection, and their return
policy is well-known as liberal, so you can always return it if you
make the wrong choice.
As an Amazon Prime member, shipping is fast and sometimes
free. And the best part is that you can do your shopping in your
pajamas while sitting on the sofa.
Hobby King is another great source for drones and drone parts.
This store has literally thousands of drones and drone parts to
choose from, so there is a wide range of quality options
available. Just like Amazon, always read reviews carefully to see
what other people’s experiences were like.
Another reliable retailer of drones is Force1RC.com. While the
selection is smaller than those at Amazon, their staff are more
knowledgeable about drones, so if you have questions, they can
be a good resource.
RCGroups.com offers an opportunity to find some great deals on
secondhand goods for sale. Because you’re dealing with the
general public, you can also get ripped off. Although, considering
the savings are well worth your time if you feel comfortable
buying secondhand goods.
