Prop Guards: How Do We Feel About Them?

[Droning on and on...]

Only useful for indoors.
Outside, they are great for reducing the drone's speed and flying time, increasing surface area and drag so the drone will have trouble fighting winds etc.
Generally if you think that prop guards are the answer, a better answer would be to fly somewhere else where there's no need for them.

They're useful flying in any close, cluttered environment, both indoors and out.

Anywhere the ducted props on the Avata are a big advantage is a place prop guards on a camera drone have the same value.

There's countless flights I've taken with the Avatas, clipping tree trunks, grass tips, bushes, etc. that I'd never do with my DJI FPV, or any traditional camera drone – without guards.

If you don’t fly like this, then guards are a net deficit. If you want to explore under the canopy with your A3S, guards are a must.

 

[Droning on and on...]

For flying indoors I think they're great. For outdoor flying all they do is add unneeded weight and wind resistance. When flying outdoors a pilot shouldn't be anywhere near obstacles.

That's rather narrow-minded. Are you unfamiliar with typical FPV flight?

 

[mavic3usa]

The DJI credits go towards your purchase meaning you can buy anything you want from the store and the credit simply reduces the total amount. You don't have to limit yourself to an item that doesn't exceed the amount of your credit. If you were to buy something like a battery or a filter for $35 then you would use your credit and thus, get the item for roughly half off which is still a good value.

 

[Droning on and on...]

On my camera drones, except for takeoffs and landings they are usually hundreds of feet in the air and not close enough to hit anything.

Me too. Only guards I've ever purchased were for the Mini 2, and I only used them indoors.

I'd recommend that anyone that wants to do this sort of flying for the FPV thrill of it to get an Avata 1/2 or Neo. It's a FAR better solution.

However there are plenty of camera drone reasons to fly outdoors in confined spaces. It simply comes down to the camera. If what you're after are quality stills, the whoops are not an option.

 

[msinger]

Would these be worth it? Does anyone here use them? How useful would they be?

I think it's something to strongly consider if you often must fly near many obstacles (like indoors). For most people though, it's probably easier/safer to find flying locations with no nearby obstacles.

 

[DVPOWERS]

I use them all the time. Regardless if I'm flying in an open field or close to buildings. I spray painted my prop guards bright red. now the drone has a bigger footprint in the sky and it is more easier to see. Nothing makes my heart sink deep into my chest as when I can't see the drone in the air. Now I can spot the drone because of the red prop guards. And the paint does not effect the performance.

 

[SpitFire]

Never use them.

 

[CrystKen]

It's really a personal thing. I don't fly without guards because of the nature of my work (obstacles everywhere). And the few times the drone came close to/in contact with an obstacle the guards were added safety for me.

 

[jlynde]

It's really a personal thing. I don't fly without guards because of the nature of my work (obstacles everywhere). And the few times the drone came close to/in contact with an obstacle the guards were added safety for me.

What do you do to where you need guards?

 

[MA2 317]

Would these be worth it? Does anyone here use them? How useful would they be? Are they just for piece of mind?

For the most part, yes.

I had them for my SPARK and MA2 and used them to help deter birds when flying near the river and if one did brush the aircraft, thank gosh for the guards but it never happened.

To be honest, the best use of the prop guards was the ability to carry the aircraft with a pinky finger when the hands are full with the remote and stuff.


Better to have them and not need them verses needing them and not having them.

.

 

[CrystKen]

What do you do to where you need guards?

I fly a lot, simply.
I'm in Civil Engineering, City government; I'm called on for disaster response; at the disposal of the Public Information office; backup to the GIS Coordinator, among many other things.

I get photos & videos for project construction and inspection, for inspection and reporting of structures, for most construction activity, most improvement projects, utilities issues, natural disaster related issues, even media for website development, media for advertisement, property inspections, the list can go on and on.

My obstacles involve nature (trees, shrubs), construction equipment/machinery, buildings and attachments, destruction and hazard impacted areas, and whatever can impact maintaining safe drone activity. The guards give me an added sense of protection while flying for whatever is called for.

And flying is just an added opportunity to my primary function.

 

[jlynde]

I fly a lot, simply.
I'm in Civil Engineering, City government; I'm called on for disaster response; at the disposal of the Public Information office; backup to the GIS Coordinator, among many other things.

I get photos & videos for project construction and inspection, for inspection and reporting of structures, for most construction activity, most improvement projects, utilities issues, natural disaster related issues, even media for website development, media for advertisement, property inspections, the list can go on and on.

My obstacles involve nature (trees, shrubs), construction equipment/machinery, buildings and attachments, destruction and hazard impacted areas, and whatever can impact maintaining safe drone activity. The guards give me an added sense of protection while flying for whatever is called for.

And flying is just an added opportunity to my primary function.

That is awesome!

 

[Xitor]

Joining the conversation late, but I would get them. If you are ever flying indoors, which is not just house, maybe you're flying in a parking structure, an event center, a convention center (after hours/before hours when there are no people). In all these cases having the prop guards is very helpful IMHO especially if you are getting close to poles, walls, etc. Also, let's say you are flying through a tunnel or under a long bridge and may lose satellite, another time having the prop guards on may save your drone. The one drawback, is that they will make it much easier for your drone to get caught in a tree. But again, not too many trees in the areas mentioned above where I would use the prop guards.