Drone suggestions

[R3dliner]

I'm in the market for a drone. I've seen some newer ones that fit into a pocket, but battery life is like 8 minutes of fly time.

What's the latest tech on these new ones coming out? Any recommendations?

[3GFX]

Contixo F3...didn't hold up very long. Tough to find parts.

Having said that, great drone flight controls and options.

I don't think the pocket drones are even worth your time IMHO.

Save up and get a real one.

[R3dliner]

Originally Posted by 3GFX

Contixo F3...didn't hold up very long. Tough to find parts.

Having said that, great drone flight controls and options.

I don't think the pocket drones are even worth your time IMHO.

Save up and get a real one.

I'm open to full sized ones too. Any suggestions?

[qspring]

Basaed on my experience with mine, Mavic Pro fly time is about 15-22 mins depending on how you're flying it, wind conditions, etc. Has some great technology packed into something that can fold into your pocket.

What are you looking to do with it that you need a long flight time? If you want long flight times, look at DJI Inspire or phantom pro 4. Can't really think of a better out of the box platform.

[AIRPOWER]

I know Karma had some initial production problems but it seems like they got those worked out now. If you already have a GoPro, you get a nice stabilizer for free with the Karma.

[R3dliner]

Originally Posted by qspring

Basaed on my experience with mine, Mavic Pro fly time is about 15-22 mins depending on how you're flying it, wind conditions, etc. Has some great technology packed into something that can fold into your pocket.

What are you looking to do with it that you need a long flight time? If you want long flight times, look at DJI Inspire or phantom pro 4. Can't really think of a better out of the box platform.

hmmm I'm trying to see what's out there. I want it mostly for a vacation that's coming up. Don't want to carry batteries if I don't have to but it seems like I need extra no matter what.

The phantom 4 pro looks pretty sick but a little bulkier. Thanks for your input

[R3dliner]

Originally Posted by AIRPOWER

I know Karma had some initial production problems but it seems like they got those worked out now. If you already have a GoPro, you get a nice stabilizer for free with the Karma.

I do own a go pro 4 however for that price point there's a lot more out there like the dji products for a little bit more.

[zcspec]

Track season is approaching quickly so I've been on the hunt for a drone as well. In my research, I have found that the DJI Mavic Pro offers some outstanding features in a compact body with respectable flight time. One feature I want most, is the autonomous flight tracking. Imagine R3, you're hiking on your vacation and you set the drone to follow you, better yet, the drone follows you, slowly spins around and takes some scenic videos. I'm pretty sold on this one, just have to save a little to fork out the $1000 price tag.

[R3dliner]

Originally Posted by zcspec

Track season is approaching quickly so I've been on the hunt for a drone as well. In my research, I have found that the DJI Mavic Pro offers some outstanding features in a compact body with respectable flight time. One feature I want most, is the autonomous flight tracking. Imagine R3, you're hiking on your vacation and you set the drone to follow you, better yet, the drone follows you, slowly spins around and takes some scenic videos. I'm pretty sold on this one, just have to save a little to fork out the $1000 price tag.

yea that's what i'm leaning towards. That's the exact feature that drove me to look into drones.

[3GFX]

Originally Posted by R3dliner

I'm open to full sized ones too. Any suggestions?

I haven't played with larger ones, or looked at them.

But here is some backing behind the suggestion.

- They are less susceptible to wind and temperature and thus can fly and be used in a great amount of conditions.

- Consider that with the great quality camera comes a lower fly time or potential body and motor setup. Have to trade off things at price point.

- What is your main goal, a toy to fly and have fun, or a camera?

- If I were in the market I'd focus on something that allows me to mount my own adventure Cam if I could for a reasonable price. In terms of the body, I'd look for something that protects the motors and propellers well. I'd sacrifice flight time or other items to make sure it was durable for the long term.

[qspring]

Originally Posted by R3dliner

hmmm I'm trying to see what's out there. I want it mostly for a vacation that's coming up. Don't want to carry batteries if I don't have to but it seems like I need extra no matter what.

The phantom 4 pro looks pretty sick but a little bulkier. Thanks for your input

The mavic pro should fit your needs. It doesn't take much space. I carry mine around in my carry on back pack with two spare batteries. Easy to fly too. GPS helps prevent fly aways, and drifting in high winds. 4K camera and gimbal are top notch. I've used the follow me feature, and it's great. Phantom pro 4 has these feature too, except you'll need a hard case to travel.

I was looking at the Karma too, since it came with detachable gimbal you could hand carry. Unfortunately, all the reviews and the fact they had a recall were disappointing.

[R3dliner]

Originally Posted by qspring

The mavic pro should fit your needs. It doesn't take much space. I carry mine around in my carry on back pack with two spare batteries. Easy to fly too. GPS helps prevent fly aways, and drifting in high winds. 4K camera and gimbal are top notch. I've used the follow me feature, and it's great. Phantom pro 4 has these feature too, except you'll need a hard case to travel.

I was looking at the Karma too, since it came with detachable gimbal you could hand carry. Unfortunately, all the reviews and the fact they had a recall were disappointing.

Much appreciated. I'm about to pull the trigger on the combo pack.
Does it get dinged up/scratched easily?

[qspring]

Originally Posted by R3dliner

Much appreciated. I'm about to pull the trigger on the combo pack.
Does it get dinged up/scratched easily?

Not at all. I've know someone who crashed theirs into a building and took a hard fall. Still flew afterwards - just had to replace the propellers.

They're pretty solid.

[R3dliner]

Resurrecting this thread. I ended up with a DJI spark which is really nice. I couldn't justify spending 1k for the mavic air.

Can someone explain this whole registering your drone with the FAA? Is it necessary or can I get away with not registering?

[tracer bullet]

Recommended but not required if you are a hobbyist just flying for fun.

[tracer bullet]

Originally Posted by R3dliner

Resurrecting this thread. I ended up with a DJI spark which is really nice. I couldn't justify spending 1k for the mavic air.

Can someone explain this whole registering your drone with the FAA? Is it necessary or can I get away with not registering?

Hmm, I think I'm wrong, it seems to have changed. What I said was true when I looked it up last summer when I got mine but no longer.

We are hobbyists under this rule: https://www.faa.gov/uas/getting_started/model_aircraft/

To fly under the Special Rule for Model Aircraft you must:

* Fly for hobby or recreation ONLY
* Register your model aircraft
* Fly within visual line-of-sight
* Follow community-based safety guidelines and fly within the programming of a nationwide community-based organization
* Fly a drone under 55 lbs. unless certified by a community-based organization
* Never fly near other aircraft
* Notify the airport and air traffic control tower prior to flying within 5 miles of an airport*
* Never fly near emergency response efforts

We don't specifically have to follow the part 107 rules but realistically they are all good rules. Some apply more than others of course (try taking a Spark or Mavic to 100mph LOL, but the 400' height and flying over people definitely applies): https://www.faa.gov/uas/getting_started/part_107/

* Unmanned aircraft must weigh less than 55 pounds, including payload, at takeoff
* Fly in Class G airspace*
* Keep the unmanned aircraft within visual line-of-sight*
* Fly at or below 400 feet*
* Fly during daylight or civil twilight*
* Fly at or under 100 mph*
* Yield right of way to manned aircraft*
* Do not fly directly over people*
* Do not fly from a moving vehicle, unless in a sparsely populated area*

[R3dliner]

Originally Posted by tracer bullet

Hmm, I think I'm wrong, it seems to have changed. What I said was true when I looked it up last summer when I got mine but no longer.

We are hobbyists under this rule: https://www.faa.gov/uas/getting_started/model_aircraft/

To fly under the Special Rule for Model Aircraft you must:

* Fly for hobby or recreation ONLY
* Register your model aircraft
* Fly within visual line-of-sight
* Follow community-based safety guidelines and fly within the programming of a nationwide community-based organization
* Fly a drone under 55 lbs. unless certified by a community-based organization
* Never fly near other aircraft
* Notify the airport and air traffic control tower prior to flying within 5 miles of an airport*
* Never fly near emergency response efforts

We don't specifically have to follow the part 107 rules but realistically they are all good rules. Some apply more than others of course (try taking a Spark or Mavic to 100mph LOL, but the 400' height and flying over people definitely applies): https://www.faa.gov/uas/getting_started/part_107/

* Unmanned aircraft must weigh less than 55 pounds, including payload, at takeoff
* Fly in Class G airspace*
* Keep the unmanned aircraft within visual line-of-sight*
* Fly at or below 400 feet*
* Fly during daylight or civil twilight*
* Fly at or under 100 mph*
* Yield right of way to manned aircraft*
* Do not fly directly over people*
* Do not fly from a moving vehicle, unless in a sparsely populated area*

Thanks for the update. That's what I thought but I'm reading a lot of different info on the web. Take my $5 stupid FAA lol.

[tracer bullet]

Originally Posted by R3dliner

Thanks for the update. That's what I thought but I'm reading a lot of different info on the web. Take my $5 stupid FAA lol.

Sure! Anytime. Keep in mind that the date something is written may have an impact on how true it is or isn't.

[Silent9n54]

from someone that has a bunch of drones i would definitely recommend something cheap just to familiarize yourself with flying... Dromida Ominus is a great starter drone that is under 100$ and you can crash it 100 times and it will still fly...i used to race these little guys and im sure i hit a concrete post at least 20-30 times at full speed and it still flies

[R3dliner]

Originally Posted by shanker604

from someone that has a bunch of drones i would definitely recommend something cheap just to familiarize yourself with flying... Dromida Ominus is a great starter drone that is under 100$ and you can crash it 100 times and it will still fly...i used to race these little guys and im sure i hit a concrete post at least 20-30 times at full speed and it still flies

ended up picking up the spark. Really wanted the air but couldn't justify the price. Great drone and lots of fun.

[Socal_R8]

I got a phantom 3 4K and love it.....although I don't know why, but I haven't flown it at all lately....maybe getting the f32 will inspire me to make some more vids


These things are amazing! Especially for vacations in Hawaii

Here is a shot and video I made of my nsx.

[tracer bullet]

Nice job. Nice NSX it seems, too.

I've only flown mine (Mavic) a couple times over the last few months, been itching to do it but cold, wet, windy weather is kind of a downer. We are finally turning the corner here and hope to be out soon, maybe this weekend.