An oldy choosing a new Drone

[Camerart]

Hi,
I want to buy a new drone, and have watched loads of reviews, but mainly for entertainment, not as a buying guide.
Anyway, I want to buy one (UK)
I heard something about Mavic, about the gimbal/camera being 'owned' by Mavic, so it isn't really free of the manufacturer, if you understand, what I mean. First is this true? and can I buy one independant of them, so I don't need to update or anyhting?

So, which one to buy? Under £1000, and this seems a lot! Including FPV, and controller

Any answers welcome.
C

 

[BODOK]

Hi,
I want to buy a new drone, and have watched loads of reviews, but mainly for entertainment, not as a buying guide.
Anyway, I want to buy one (UK)
I heard something about Mavic, about the gimbal/camera being 'owned' by Mavic, so it isn't really free of the manufacturer, if you understand, what I mean. First is this true? and can I buy one independant of them, so I don't need to update or anyhting?

So, which one to buy? Under £1000, and this seems a lot! Including FPV, and controller

Any answers welcome.
C

I Have the mavic air (my first) and it's been a great drone for me, I just recently got the Air3 and really like it alot more due to increased fly time, camera gimble that can be moved up and down in flight, quieter operation, a really nice camera onboard,it is a bit larger but not much. Both of mine have been 100% reliable. Strictly flying for fun here in the USA

 

[Cafguy]

How do you want to Fly? Do you want to just take photos? Do you want to FPV?

I heard something about Mavic, about the gimbal/camera being 'owned' by Mavic, so it isn't really free of the manufacturer, if you understand, what I mean. First is this true? and can I buy one independant of them, so I don't need to update or anyhting?

There are many companies that make great Drones in the FPV world even DJI has a couple that are decent,, BUT DJI and their OCCUSYNC system are "closed" to us FPV'ers Basically it means you fly DJI the way you get it.... No tune allowed! If you fly FPV this can be a deal breaker!
For FPV- DJI's are just O.K. and they are very expensive to fly simply because they are not D.I.Y. Repair friendly.
For Taking photos and videos there is nothing better than a DJI unless of course you have a ton of money LOL
Tell me more of what you are looking for in a Drone and I can be more specific about my suggestion.
Finally As far as budgets go .........In the Drone world NOTHING is cheap. You have found the funnest way I know of to Burn money! and its SO addictive LOL

 

[Mrktn]

How do you want to Fly? Do you want to just take photos? Do you want to FPV?

There are many companies that make great Drones in the FPV world even DJI has a couple that are decent,, BUT DJI and their OCCUSYNC system are "closed" to us FPV'ers Basically it means you fly DJI the way you get it.... No tune allowed! If you fly FPV this can be a deal breaker!
For FPV- DJI's are just O.K. and they are very expensive to fly simply because they are not D.I.Y. Repair friendly.
For Taking photos and videos there is nothing better than a DJI unless of course you have a ton of money LOL
Tell me more of what you are looking for in a Drone and I can be more specific about my suggestion.
Finally As far as budgets go .........In the Drone world NOTHING is cheap. You have found the funnest way I know of to Burn money! and its SO addictive LOL

Echo all of this.

Depends where you want to fly. Sub 249 gram can be flown pretty much anywhere, you’ll need to apply for an operator ID through the Civil Aviation Authority if you fly anything which has an onboard camera. Then you go up to the Air and Mavic series which in the UK are more restricted where you can fly because they weigh greater than 249g and you’ll need both a flyer and operator ID. Flyer ID requires you to pass a multi choice exam, pretty easy.

Budget wise, Air and Mavic wise you won’t get much brand new below £1000. Second hand Air 2(s) with spare batteries and a decent RC is a possibility. Mavic 3 maybe because the Mavic 4 is imminent.

Depends what you want to use it for.

Await your reply

 

[MS Coast]

I heard something about Mavic, about the gimbal/camera being 'owned' by Mavic, so it isn't really free of the manufacturer, if you understand, what I mean.

No, not understanding what you mean. DJI doesn't retain ownership of anything you purchased.

 

[StantonZ]

I'll tell you what my friend told me ~5 years ago when I wanted to buy my first drone: don't buy anything with the word "mini" in the name. It was good advice, and my MA2 is still going strong (and I've never had a problem with wind/stability).

 

[LoudThunder]

I want to buy a new drone

I have welcomed you with your other post, but you really need to help the members offer advice. Tell us what you really want to do with your drone, Photos, Video, First Person Video (FPV as in flying with goggles…) just fly for fun, etc…, your budget of 1000 pounds gives a lot of leeway… but you really need to expand on yur wants and desires.

 

[Camerart]

Hi All, MERRY CHRISTMAS
Lot of different suggestions to choose from, including from the intro thread.

It looks like under 250G

The ones I made, didn't have anything like an APP, registration with the manufacturer, etc. I flew line of sight, and enjoyed developing them for 4 or 5 years, so as you can see, I don't rush.
Most replies have been Mavic, which I know are tops, but I perhaps prefer a lesser type that is simple, if there is one, so if there's one with simple drone/controller, I would prefer this.

I imagine that a second hand one may be ok, but i don't want to find something hidden later, so new is most likely

I would like to fly FPV take videos eg, through woods etc. Good camera

I don't need anything to follow me, or similar.

As mentioned I would like some replies from other than Mavic as well.

Once I've caught up, I'll take notes and narrow down my choice.
C

 

[Cafguy]

Does 1000 pounds get an avata 2 ? seems like the way too go.

 

[Camerart]

Does 1000 pounds get an avata 2 ? seems like the way too go.

Hi C,
That looks a good choice, thanks.
C

 

[Camerart]

Hi,
I saw the advice, "don't buy a mini" but I've just bought a Pro4 mini.
I went for very portable, and I don't like wind anyway.
So far I've only taken it off 2 ft. I'm just going out to try my first flight.
Thanks, C

 

[GadgetGuy]

Hi,
I saw the advice, "don't buy a mini" but I've just bought a Pro4 mini.
I went for very portable, and I don't like wind anyway.
So far I've only taken it off 2 ft. I'm just going out to try my first flight.
Thanks, C

Good luck! Mini 4 Pro is an excellent choice and can handle far more wind than it is rated for, if you put it into Sport mode.

 

[Camerart]

Hi,
I took it for the first flight today, after skimming through the onscreen tutorial.

I took off and played for a while, and it seemed very stable.
My eyes aren't so good, so I was happy to fly using the RC 2 screen, and I slid under some tree branches, so now I can't see the drone.
I went up to 10s of feet, and could see others in the field, so I sent it away to the clear bit.
Then the camera screen went off and showed another screen, and as I was panicking by then, only noted that it said 'finding location' or similar.
Does anyone have any idea what could change the screen? Was it me pressing the wrong button, or an drone error?
C

 

[LoudThunder]

I took it for the first flight today, after skimming through the onscreen tutorial.

When you "skimmed" through the Turotials, did you READ them, or just SKIP them???

Since you live in the UK, there are specific laws and rules for you to follow, please check to ensure these are current.

Overview : Flying drones and model aircraft | UK Civil Aviation Authority

Find out what you need to know and do when you fly drones or model aircraft in the UK

register-drones.caa.co.uk

Even if you have flown Drones before, here is some Good Old Fashion Advice…

You paid a lot of money for that Drone, put your phone number on it. If your drone gets lost or stuck in a tree and it finally comes down when you are not around, give the finders an opportunity to contact you so it can be returned.

Now, for the Fun Part, But do not let the excitement of the moment get the best of you. When you are going out to fly, do it slowly and deliberately. Get used to a set procedure and even practice it.

There are so many things I could write but these are the highlights that I feel need mentioning.

Plug in your phone/tablet into your controller; turn on the Controller and DJI Fly App (if it does not start on its own…). On the Drone, open the front legs, then open the back legs, and then remove the Gimbal Cover.

The Gimbal is the most delicate item on the Drone and banging or bumping can damage it. I also fastened a short "Remove Before Flight" ribbon to the cover so it's more noticeable and I do not forget to remove it…

Turn on the drone and watch it come to "life." Watching the Gimbal go through its self-check is almost like watching a puppy or kitten opening its eyes for the first time…

Place the drone down (preferably on a Landing Pad) while it finishes its self-test (collecting satellites, etc…).

Check your battery status (Phone, Drone, and Controller), check the Signal Strength, by now the Controller should have reported it updated the Home Point.

Lift off, 6 feet (2-meters) or so, hover a bit, check the controls (move the drone a bit forward, back, left, right, yaw left and right). By now, your Controller will probably report again, "Home point Updated."

If you go out in a rush and race thru your start up and take off before the drone has finished it prep, it may update its Home Point over that pond or that old tree you are flying over and in your excitement, you'll fly the drone long past it Low Battery point and when it engages Return to Home and lands in the pond or in a tree; it will be all on you…

Now go have fun, learn to fly the drone by sight before you try to fly it out a distance depending on the video feed, FPV.

I would also advise you to use YouTube and watch a lot of the Videos on flying and setting up the Drone. When it is too dark, too cold, or too wet, you can "fly it vicariously" through YouTube. Also watch some of the Blooper Drone Videos and learn how not to fly your "New Baby."

Below is the link to all of the downloads offered by DJI for the Mini 4 Pro, including the User Manual.

After you read the Manual, read it again, you will be surprised what you missed the first time and you will be better prepared for that first "scary moment…"

DJI Mini 4 Pro - Download Center - DJI

Learn and download DJI Mini 4 Pro related apps, software, and manuals at the DJI Download Center

www.dji.com

Fly On and Fly Safe…

 

[1gratefulflyingdawg]

I Have the mavic air (my first) and it's been a great drone for me, I just recently got the Air3 and really like it alot more due to increased fly time, camera gimble that can be moved up and down in flight, quieter operation, a really nice camera onboard,it is a bit larger but not much. Both of mine have been 100% reliable. Strictly flying for fun here in the USA

My first drone is an Air 3s that’s a couple weeks new to me. Really like everything so far.

 

[Camerart]

When you "skimmed" through the Turotials, did you READ them, or just SKIP them???

Since you live in the UK, there are specific laws and rules for you to follow, please check to ensure these are current.

Overview : Flying drones and model aircraft | UK Civil Aviation Authority

Find out what you need to know and do when you fly drones or model aircraft in the UK

register-drones.caa.co.uk

Even if you have flown Drones before, here is some Good Old Fashion Advice…

You paid a lot of money for that Drone, put your phone number on it. If your drone gets lost or stuck in a tree and it finally comes down when you are not around, give the finders an opportunity to contact you so it can be returned.

Now, for the Fun Part, But do not let the excitement of the moment get the best of you. When you are going out to fly, do it slowly and deliberately. Get used to a set procedure and even practice it.

There are so many things I could write but these are the highlights that I feel need mentioning.

Plug in your phone/tablet into your controller; turn on the Controller and DJI Fly App (if it does not start on its own…). On the Drone, open the front legs, then open the back legs, and then remove the Gimbal Cover.

The Gimbal is the most delicate item on the Drone and banging or bumping can damage it. I also fastened a short "Remove Before Flight" ribbon to the cover so it's more noticeable and I do not forget to remove it…

Turn on the drone and watch it come to "life." Watching the Gimbal go through its self-check is almost like watching a puppy or kitten opening its eyes for the first time…

Place the drone down (preferably on a Landing Pad) while it finishes its self-test (collecting satellites, etc…).

Check your battery status (Phone, Drone, and Controller), check the Signal Strength, by now the Controller should have reported it updated the Home Point.

Lift off, 6 feet (2-meters) or so, hover a bit, check the controls (move the drone a bit forward, back, left, right, yaw left and right). By now, your Controller will probably report again, "Home point Updated."

If you go out in a rush and race thru your start up and take off before the drone has finished it prep, it may update its Home Point over that pond or that old tree you are flying over and in your excitement, you'll fly the drone long past it Low Battery point and when it engages Return to Home and lands in the pond or in a tree; it will be all on you…

Now go have fun, learn to fly the drone by sight before you try to fly it out a distance depending on the video feed, FPV.

I would also advise you to use YouTube and watch a lot of the Videos on flying and setting up the Drone. When it is too dark, too cold, or too wet, you can "fly it vicariously" through YouTube. Also watch some of the Blooper Drone Videos and learn how not to fly your "New Baby."

Below is the link to all of the downloads offered by DJI for the Mini 4 Pro, including the User Manual.

After you read the Manual, read it again, you will be surprised what you missed the first time and you will be better prepared for that first "scary moment…"

DJI Mini 4 Pro - Download Center - DJI

Learn and download DJI Mini 4 Pro related apps, software, and manuals at the DJI Download Center

www.dji.com

Fly On and Fly Safe…

Hi LT,
I did most of what you said.
I am not young, slightly dyslexic, and bought a 'proper' drone after flying my home made ones, and finding that I couldn't tell which way round they were even with a 1FtX 1ft T of red, green and white leds, to help me.

I had my first scary moment (with this drone) yesterday, when I mistook a distant high bird for 'my runaway drone' Happily the system saved me from my failures, and the drone was happily staying where I started panicking, so hat's off to he technology.

I need to read manuals lots of times while practicing to learn enough to be capable.
The reason for a bit of rushing, is that I bought this second hand, and want to make sure it's ok pretty quickly.
Especially the change of screen I mentioned.

Does anyone know what might have happened?
C

 

[LoudThunder]

Especially the change of screen I mentioned. Does anyone know what might have happened?

Rushing to fly it when you really do not know how to control it yet is not how you should check it out to see if it's OK… Because it will not be OK when you hit something..

I thought that I had explained that without more explanation from you about the screen change, we cannot help you and at best, we are just guessing…

But on the Right Top of the screen are Three Dots and if you touch them accidently, those dots bring up the Menus… On the Top Left is a Left faceing Arrow that if you touch that, it returns yo to the intro screen. On the Bottom Left is the Atti Screen/Map Control and again, if you accidently touch that, it brings up the ATTI Screen or the Maps… Over on the middle Right is the Camera selector to select the type of Video or photo you want to shoot. And finally (I think…), are the Camera Controls for Auto Mode or Pro mode to set shutter speed, ASO, etc…

So, with all that being said, now you tell us what you did do, what did you accidently touch, what did the "Screen" look like, was it any of the above mentioned options, or something altogether different…

So, I would suggest you set your device to record the screen or photograph it with your phone if this happen again…

But first, watch this video and practice these maneuvers to learn how to control your drone…

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[Camerart]

View attachment 183394

Rushing to fly it when you really do not know how to control it yet is not how you should check it out to see if it's OK… Because it will not be OK when you hit something..

I thought that I had explained that without more explanation from you about the screen change, we cannot help you and at best, we are just guessing…

But on the Right Top of the screen are Three Dots and if you touch them accidently, those dots bring up the Menus… On the Top Left is a Left faceing Arrow that if you touch that, it returns yo to the intro screen. On the Bottom Left is the Atti Screen/Map Control and again, if you accidently touch that, it brings up the ATTI Screen or the Maps… Over on the middle Right is the Camera selector to select the type of Video or photo you want to shoot. And finally (I think…), are the Camera Controls for Auto Mode or Pro mode to set shutter speed, ASO, etc…

So, with all that being said, now you tell us what you did do, what did you accidently touch, what did the "Screen" look like, was it any of the above mentioned options, or something altogether different…

So, I would suggest you set your device to record the screen or photograph it with your phone if this happen again…

But first, watch this video and practice these maneuvers to learn how to control your drone…

To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Accept third party cookies

Hi Lt,
We do things in our own way, depending on knowledge and nerves, so I did it in my way, which is mostly a crash course, where the pressure makes me tearn fast.

Anyway, I was busy today, so I played with the drone indoors, and found it's simulator, plus I clicked on the icons etc on the screen, including the house icon, that pointed to the start screen that I must have pressed. As for photographing the screen, I was in panic mode, so only memory storage!

I did notice your note: 'write the phone number on the drone, so it can be returned, I'll do that
C

 

[Camerart]

Hi,
I was up and out early, when the light was better for my eyesight, and drone spotting.
I had a good time going round the field where I used to fly my tricopters, and tried flying by eye, and of course just like before I couldn't tell which way round the drone was, but it stopped where I left it until I fingered it out.
I can tell that I'm going to have a lot of fun with it, while learning it and my capabilities.
I tried the RTH button, and it works.
Thanks, C.

 

[LoudThunder]

I tried the RTH button, and it works.

Remember it only works if the drone is at least 20-meters (60-feet) away from iits Home Point... Now you want a scary moment. Turn off your controller. with no signal, the drone is also going to RTH, if it is more than 20-meters away. otherwise, I think it just hovers until the controller is again turned on or it runs out of battery...