Best "starter" drone?

[Zhevotnya]

Hello people! I am new to your group, so I apologize if my question appears rather naive. I am a 70-year-old 100% disabled veteran living in Michigan. I would like to purchase a drone for my 45-year-old son, who has no experience flying a drone. However, "back in the day," I had several R/C planes, so I have some experience. Which brand/model of drone would best suit our needs...and pocketbook?

 

[GFields]

Greetings from Birmingham Alabama USA, welcome to the forum! We look forward to hearing from you!

Many of the newest DJI drones would fit the bill.
It largely depends on what you plan to use your drone for.

 

[Cafguy]

I still fly my RC planes at times BUT My Drone addiction has taken almost all my time. lol
What will your son be doing? Photos? Flying around for the fun of just flying the Drone?
Its an important question. All the DJI Drones are starter Drones really BUT if you get the wrong one for the purpose you will be disappointed.
Flying for the joy of it....Get the AVATA 2 your son will LOVE it and its the best "starter" FPV Drone that I know of.
Photos well thats open for many other questions and on the photo quality and the differences you will need other advice I would think an air 3.

 

[Rchawks]

I started out with a mavic mini as my first drone to kind of learn my way around how it worked. I also used to fly rc planes. Did it for about 25 years total so I also have the bug and I was still nervous starting out learning to fly drones as it was so different. I think the m3p that I have would be a good choice for a first type of drone to try but the m4p would be the newest update for that type of model. Thing is it does have good power for moderate conditions but starting out flyIing in a large open area in calm wind just to stay out of trouble with possible problems. Use a landing mat. The next size up from that say a Air 2 or 3 and the power goes way up and can be quite dangerous if your not careful on takeoff and landings. Another option which might suit your son to learn the ropes with would be a neo. Many options for that one from no controller to many types of controllers such as your phone or a rc with built in display which is very handy for more than one model as well. Be aware of what is compatible and updated for the type of flying he would like. I agree the AVATA 2 as a good choice as well. I have both the neo and the AVATA with the goggles 3 and N3 FPV displays (controllers). It can add up pretty quick so do your research as to the type of flying he would like to do. One more thing, I recently started flying FPV and this type of flying has a very different feel than using a screen controller. I like doing both which can be done using a neo.

 

[Hauptmann]

Hi! Welcome to the forum, from Hauptmann in Hurst, Texas!
I have the Mini 4 Pro, which I heartily recommend for any new droner.

 

[Dale D]

Hi! Welcome to the forum, from Hauptmann in Hurst, Texas!
I have the Mini 4 Pro, which I heartily recommend for any new droner.

Thank you for your service! I am retired USAF (Langley AFB) 86 year old. I fly mostly the Mavic Mini 4 Pro. In the past I started with the Mavic Air 1, then M3, and mini 3. The Mini 4 Pro is the best for travel and all around user friendly drone and you will love it. I have taken it all over the world. It never fails me.

Dale
Miami

 

[GregS]

Hello people! I am new to your group, so I apologize if my question appears rather naive. I am a 70-year-old 100% disabled veteran living in Michigan. I would like to purchase a drone for my 45-year-old son, who has no experience flying a drone. However, "back in the day," I had several R/C planes, so I have some experience. Which brand/model of drone would best suit our needs...and pocketbook?

You might look at an older DJI drone; Mavic Pro, or Phantom 4 Pro. Make sure the batteries are good. Locally only so you can see and fly them before you purchase.I have both and no reason to upgrade. Pricing is MUCH less than the newer drones. Check them out.

 

[IronSky1]

Thank you for your service. I would go with the Mini 3 or 4 series

 

[howardK]

I cut my teeth on some cheap Skyvipers. These were $50-$100 so that if, or more likely, when i crashed it was not a major deal. If you want to start with the Mavic line, perhaps you should start with a pre-owned one. That way you can save a few dollars and if for some reason your son is not into it you didnt go too crazy on expenses, just caveat emptor (Buyer beware).

Incidentally, I had two M1P's and gave one to my son who is active duty USCG. Both of the M1P were purchased preowned, one on Ebay and one at a local pawn shop. I still fly the one i have left.

 

[alfo2010]

I’m 78 pushing hard to be 79 in a few months and have been flying drones for seven years. I think I’ve had six or seven drones now as most of the time I have two drones. I’ve suggested to a few people that are starting out that the DJI Mini 4 Pro with the Fly More Kit is a great little drone that takes reasonably good photos and good video. The cost of purchasing it is reasonable and it’s fun to fly. My second recommendation is the DJI Air 3S Fly More Combo. I had an Air 3S before I purchased my DJI Mavic 4 Pro Creator. The Air 3S will never disappoint as it’s a great all-around drone that takes awesome photos and videos. You can buy one at Amazon for $1,600.00, they are in stock. Watch a lot of Youtube videos before you start flying your new drone and change the “Gain and Expo” settings for each of the three settings. There are lots of videos that will help you to set all the settings before you start out flying. Buy a hard surface landing pad and find a big open field to practice. Good luck with your new hobby, fly safe.

 

[Max Headroom]

I would say set a budget and buy the best spec drone that meets your needs they all fly basically the same if you use the "if in doubt let go of the sticks and take a moment to get your bearings" method of flying when you first start flying you should have no issues.

 

[Army Vet]

My first thought is the cost and will your son really get into it.

"Starter drones" are not inexpensive. At least not the DJI variety. You can spend hundreds of dollars+ and it ends up in the closet. The only requirement I would look for is GPS, brushless motor and a camera. Get it and let him him have fun with it.

A quick search showed this one a Holy Stone. A known vendor.

Amazon.com

There are slightly less expensive ones.

Good Luck
Have fun yanking and banking!

 

[Max Headroom]

Good Luck
Have fun yanking and banking!

That could have been dodgy using predictive text

 

[Army Vet]

Ahhh.....ok.....

"Yanking and banking" refers to a flight maneuver where an aircraft is rolled into a bank using ailerons and then pulled back on the elevator to create a turning motion. It's a fundamental way to change direction in flight"

 

[Army Vet]

Ahhh.....ok.....

"Yanking and banking" refers to a flight maneuver where an aircraft is rolled into a bank using ailerons and then pulled back on the elevator to create a turning motion. It's a fundamental way to change direction in flight"

But my favorite is.....

Boom and zoom" is an aerial combat tactic, primarily used in simulations like War Thunder, where a faster, more powerful aircraft attacks a slower, more maneuverable one by diving on it from above, firing, and then quickly climbing away to regain altitude and energy. This tactic relies on speed and energy advantage to deliver a decisive blow and then disengage before the slower opponent can effectively counter.

 

[WilliamDaugherty]

It all depends on intended purpose and of course, personal aptitude. Some folks just absolutely cannot get the hand-eye coordination to work for flying drones. All that aside, I like the DJI Mini 4K as my go-to beginner recommendation. It's cheap and pretty capable. I love my Neo, but it just doesn't have the wind resistance that a new pilot probably needs.

 

[msinger]

Which brand/model of drone would best suit our needs...and pocketbook?

Flying DJI drones is like riding a bike. Once you learn how to fly one, the next model is just as easy to fly. So there's no single model that's better simply because it's beginner-friendly.

It depends on what your son plans to do with the drone and how much you're willing to spend. Buying the wrong drone, even if it's cheaper, will end up costing more in the long run.

 

[NZBob]

As a total beginner I did much research. It seemed pretty much a given that the DJI drones were super easy and reliable, two very important things for a new flier. Primarily I wanted to fly and take photos/video without spending silly amounts of money. I narrowed the choice to the DJI Mini 4 Pro and the Air3s. I chose the Air3s because of the greater wind resistance knowing that I wanted to fly ōn the coast. It is always worth buying the fly more combo, and the one with the RC2, so much easier than having to connect your phone!

However, I am in New Zealand where it makes no difference which of those models I fly, there is no registration or licence required AND I am not planning to travel overseas with it (I am also old). In most countries, it is a huge advantage to stay under 250g, so in the US I would have bought the Mini 4 Pro as my first drone.