I would appreciate any input on what to buy - or not to buy - as my first drone. This must be a very common question I know, but any input would be gratefully received. How shall I put this ... "I'm shopping on a budget". I'm in Central Queensland, Australia ..... thanks in advance.
Complete beginner here.
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From California, US - @Dapper Dan - Thanks for joining us @ MP!
A lot may depend on what you want to use it for. Recreational flights or monetary flights. Also, you'll have to look into the rules and regulations Australia's Aviation Administration have for drone flights.
Small ones could be something like the Mini 4 Pro, something a little larger would be something like the Mavic 3. Others will likely come on to share their view of things too.
A lot may depend on what you want to use it for. Recreational flights or monetary flights. Also, you'll have to look into the rules and regulations Australia's Aviation Administration have for drone flights.
Small ones could be something like the Mini 4 Pro, something a little larger would be something like the Mavic 3. Others will likely come on to share their view of things too.
Many thanks for that rapid and polite reply. My usage would be purely recreational, general video and photos taken mainly in our bush areas. I'm becoming aware of the local rules and regulations per Google.
Good morning and welcome from Warwickshire in the UK. You have quite a few options.
Small form factor:
Mini 2 (cheapest, still a very capable general purpose drone).
Mini 3 series (excellent camera and a big step up in features).
Mini 4 pro (most expensive but enough of an upgrade in camera quality and transmission signal technology to warrant the cost).
Then the larger drones like the Air series.
Air 2S (still in production and used extensively, carries a 20mp sensor, excellent still & video quality, good middleweight design but limits you regarding where you can use it legally)
Air 3 (startling upgrade regarding camera layout and the same bomb-proof O4 transmission signal as the Mini 4).
But there are also older middleweight drones like the original Mavic Pro: the Mavic 2 Pro and Zoom, getting parts and batteries for these is becoming difficult, but they are cheaper than the newer models and still perform extremely well, but the O2 control signal can be flakey when used in urban environments due to an increasing amount of WiFi noise generated from pretty much every wireless electronic device crammed into every single house/apartment in every city, town and village on the planet.
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Welcome.
My vote second hand mini 2.
But whatever you buy, if it second hand ENSURE that is it unbound by the original owner. "Binding" is an association between
A) the drone and the pilot's DJI account and
B) the controller and the drone.
It can ground a drone if the control app is not logged into the original pilot's DJI account.
It is NOT the connection, between the drone and the controller, that is used for control purposes which is referred to as pairing or linking.
I suggest you google "drone bound to other account".
If you are thinking of a FLY app using drone and will be using a phone etc to run FLY check NOW whether or not your phone will run FLY.
Download fly from DJI Fly - Download Center - DJI
Should add, binding is only applicable to FLY app using drones but you are unlikely to be looking at anything else.
PakNheat380
Well-Known Member
Welcome to the forum from NW Montana
howardK
Well-Known Member
Welcome from the Houston Texas area. I cut my teeth on toy grade drones such as sky vipers. Crashed a few and lost one but it was a good learning experience. I got my Mavic Pro on Ebay for $500 USD delivered. i still fly it and love it. one day when I grow up (and can afford it) I will buy a new drone but for starters a used one may be the way to go
Welcome to the forum from the beautiful woods of Maine,USA!
I would recommend the Mini 2 so you don’t spend a lot for a hobby you may not like or have difficulty operating. My second entry into drone flying started with a Mini and eventually graduated to an Air 2. The Air 2 is enough for my use, I’m not a photographer and don’t post many videos.
I agree with PropWash, it all depends on what you plan to use it for and a Mini 2 is a good entry level drone.
I would recommend the Mini 2 so you don’t spend a lot for a hobby you may not like or have difficulty operating. My second entry into drone flying started with a Mini and eventually graduated to an Air 2. The Air 2 is enough for my use, I’m not a photographer and don’t post many videos.
I agree with PropWash, it all depends on what you plan to use it for and a Mini 2 is a good entry level drone.
LoudThunder
Part 107 Licensed
Welcome from the Hampton Roads area of Virginia, USA. We have a Member's Map in the Upper Right of the Title Bar. Click on "Members" and then Click on "Member's Map…" Check it out and you might find some new flying friends.
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Since you live in Australia, there are specific laws and rules for you to follow, please check to ensure these are current.
Drone rules
Australia’s recreational drone rules are designed to keep you and others safe, on the ground and in the air. Here are the rules you need to know now, before you take-off.
www.casa.gov.au
Once you decide on which drone to buy and fly, 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."
Fly On and Fly Safe…
Greetings from Birmingham Alabama USA, welcome to the forum! We look forward to hearing from you!
Welcome to the forum. We look forward to your participation and your view of the world.
You must define the purpose of flying. sUAV. That will determine your budget. If you need high quality stills or video, then you need to buy high end.
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Greetings: from Chicago the Windy City, welcome to the forum.
FLY SAFE & FLY SMART
I have the MM2, I love it because it's people friendly.
Also, have the Mavic pro, with the Remote ID, I fly it in rural area's.
FLY SAFE & FLY SMART
I have the MM2, I love it because it's people friendly.
Also, have the Mavic pro, with the Remote ID, I fly it in rural area's.
@Dapper Dan firstly welcome to the forum
really any of the DJI Mini family, from the Mini 2 up ,would be a economical way to get into the hobby
really any of the DJI Mini family, from the Mini 2 up ,would be a economical way to get into the hobby
platty
Well-Known Member
When I started I bought a mini 2. Doesn’t have obstacle avoidance but a terrific little drone taking lovely videos and you should be able to pick one up for $400-450. Practice heaps on a footy oval or somewhere there are no powerlines or trees. I had a terrific time learning on that for 12 months and then sold it and now have an Air2s. Take a look on Marketplace to see what’s for sale and what you can afford then Google reviews on the ones that interest you. Good luck. You are going to get hooked.
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