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.