Any drone experts here?

[GAK9]

Oh, and watch out for birds, especially birds of prey.

 

[hozjo]

You found the drone and the remote?

Just the drone, you can fly short distances just over WiFi with your phone, but I did buy a r/f remote on eBay and you just pair them.

 

[FreedomUSMC]

I'm a licensed pilot and use drones for a variety of things, such a Real Estate and 3D mapping.

I suggest figuring out his purpose for it. Will it just be for flying in the back yard? Does he want to race his friends? Does he want to do FPV (first point of view)? Maybe he has business plans?

Obviously, cheaper drones save you money if he crashes it. BUT those drones are MORE LIKELY to crash because they don't have the safety features a top brand does. You can spend $80 on a drone that doesn't have a very good camera, doesn't have stabilization, and doesn't have anti-collision sensors. And that is fine if you want to first test how much he likes it. But also understand that the difference in top brand drones will make a difference in how much he likes it.

 

[FreedomUSMC]

I'm wondering if a FPV setup would be fun, my nephew races them, a different exeprience.

It certainly is. You can build a pretty fast one for under $500. But if you get dizzy easy, it probably won't be for you. Especially if you have vertigo. lol

 

[dhal22]

Radio control airplanes are much more fun and challenging.

 

[StuP]

Radio control airplanes are much more fun and challenging.

Agreed, but you have to have access to enough space. Helis are easier nowadays but still the most challenging.

 

[dhal22]

Agreed. Of course I'm a member of a radio-controlled airplane Club. And helicopters are too challenging for me.

 

[GAGunguy]

Skydio drones are US made and used by the US Military.

DJI are made in China.

Buy USA. F China

Skydio X10

Skydio X10 autonomous drones deliver the best sensors for a drone this small, piloted by the most advanced AI in the sky.

www.skydio.com

They have one that follows you and avoids obstacles. https://www.skydio.com/skydio-2-plu...rone&msclkid=3b38f6a5b7611fc9a7f99468321a6ec2

 

[GAK9]

Skydio drones are US made and used by the US Military.

DJI are made in China.

Buy USA. F China

Skydio X10

Skydio X10 autonomous drones deliver the best sensors for a drone this small, piloted by the most advanced AI in the sky.

www.skydio.com

They have one that follows you and avoids obstacles. https://www.skydio.com/skydio-2-plus?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=g_s_brand_consr&utm_term=skydio drone&msclkid=3b38f6a5b7611fc9a7f99468321a6ec2

I like it and the $100 veteran/first responder discount, but it weighs 800g, so you have to be licensed. I don’t fly enough to justify that.

 

[js415]

I'm a licensed pilot and use drones for a variety of things, such a Real Estate and 3D mapping.

I suggest figuring out his purpose for it. Will it just be for flying in the back yard? Does he want to race his friends? Does he want to do FPV (first point of view)? Maybe he has business plans?

Obviously, cheaper drones save you money if he crashes it. BUT those drones are MORE LIKELY to crash because they don't have the safety features a top brand does. You can spend $80 on a drone that doesn't have a very good camera, doesn't have stabilization, and doesn't have anti-collision sensors. And that is fine if you want to first test how much he likes it. But also understand that the difference in top brand drones will make a difference in how much he likes it.

This is really good advice and basically exactly what I would tell a person.

I've been working on getting my Part 107, but have not put a lot of effort in to it lately.

The cheaper drones are harder to fly, and can make the learning experience miserable. The expensive drones are easy to fly, take fantastic photos and videos, and can be a lot of fun. The down side to that is if you crash, you will spend a lot of money to get it repaired.

Yuneec makes a nice entry level setup, if you just want to learn the basic. Their cameras and stabilization systems are not the best, but they are good.

Read, and read a lot of info before you take off flying. ALMOST 100% of the "rules" floating around the internet are false. Lots of people spouting off about a subject they know nothing about.

Look at a read the FAA website concerning UAS vehicles. Take the "TRUST" test and get some real basic knowledge.

Maybe buy a full sized model on the used market to learn with, and then move to a foldable more compact unit if you really like it.

I'm on my 3rd unit, a DJI Mavic Pro Platinum, which is now about 3 years old. It flies great, and has never given me a problem. You can usually find some good used units on Craigslist.

If you go used, make sure you get it tested out. Make the seller do several fly-bys, take-offs, and landings.

You sure don't want to buy a problem.

Send me a PM if you have specific questions, or one of the other guys here. It seems we have several very qualified pilots on the board.

Jerry