Undecided on buying drone, any tip?

[Donrad]

Hi all,
I’ve been going back and forth on buying a Mavic air drone. I know it’s a lot of fun flying a drone, but considering the money and more importantly the strict regulations (difficult to find areas around me, even though I live in a rural area), I was wondering if you could kindly give me some thoughts so I can make my decision solid?

BTW, if I happen to go and buy one (I hope so) what do you think about this bundle (attached) worth $800.
Thanks and happy flying to all

 

[Thomas B]

Don’t know what the package deal you list is priced at, but many of the items on the list are either unnecessary and hardly ever needed or will be included with the drone. You likely can get the drone and controller cheaper andbuy an extra battery or 2 with less upfront investment. Also consider a DJI refurb and also DJICare.

 

[Boneheadnw]

Here is how I made my decision. I live in the Seattle area and was looking to get some aerial photos taken of my property to assess damage to many of our cedar trees. After contacting a few professional drone pilots (who mostly do real estate shoots), I realized that for a little bit more money I could buy my own drone, do it myself, and start a new hobby. I am interested in creating videos and am looking forward to learning how to shoot and edit them.

So far it has been great.

Just my two cents worth.

 

[Donrad]

Don’t know what the package deal you list is priced at, but many of the items on the list are either unnecessary and hardly ever needed or will be included with the drone. You likely can get the drone and controller cheaper andbuy an extra battery or 2 with less upfront investment. Also consider a DJI refurb and also DJICare.

It’s priced at $800. What do you say about buying from ebay? I can finance for 2 yrs with 0 APR from ebay.

 

[old man mavic]

getting into the UAV hobby is really something that you yourself have to decide ,what will suit you will be unacceptable to someone else when you have decided on your purchase please come on the forum for help and advice on flying your UAV

 

[Thomas B]

It’s priced at $800. What do you say about buying from ebay? I can finance for 2 yrs with 0 APR from ebay.

If you need to buy on eBay you can still get one from DJI as they are a seller there. You’ll have what you need to get started then can evaluate what you really need instead of having duplications and/or stuff you’ll never use.

 

[Boneheadnw]

I believe he was just asking for advice on how others made the decision to buy a drone. I don't think he was asking for others to make the decision for him.

 

[Donrad]

If you need to buy on eBay you can still get one from DJI as they are a seller there.

Oh that’s good to know. Thanks. Well my question actually is what do you do with your drone as a drone-hobbist? I know it might sound weird to ask this but is that all flying around and recording some footage?

 

[Thomas B]

Oh that’s good to know. Thanks. Well my question actually is what do you do with your drone as a drone-hobbist? I know it might sound weird to ask this but is that all flying around and recording some footage?

Yep, and exploring all the different modes of flight and photography it has. Also let’s you take unique movies/photos of whatever you like. Then there’s just flying and seeing stuff f that’s a mile away...

 

[old man mavic]

Oh that’s good to know. Thanks. Well my question actually is what do you do with your drone as a drone-hobbist? I know it might sound weird to ask this but is that all flying around and recording some footage?

for me its the pleasure of getting out in the fresh air flying the UAV the videos i get of different locations, saving them on my computer to view at a later date and looking after my UAV, and its something i can do as a retired person

 

[Deleted member 94047]

Do you have a passion for technology? Photography? Videography? Flying things? Are you looking for a new perspective to view the world from? If your answer to all of these is a NO; then it is definitely not for you. That's as best as I can answer your question.

 

[Mossiback]

...BTW, if I happen to go and buy one (I hope so) what do you think about this bundle (attached) worth $800...

The list looks like a lot of filler. For instance, item # 11 - 8 pc filter kit only has 6 filters. The other 2 items are the case and microfiber cleaning cloth that is listed as item #7. When I see things like that I get really skeptical. What is really needed are two extra batteries and a SD card fast enough to record 4K video (the one listed won't). You also need to consider what you will use as a display platform to run Go 4 (display and configuration software). You might find yourself spending a few more hundred dollars for that.

Having said all that, $800 is what DJI charges for just the Air so all the stuff on the list, useful or not, is not really costing you more so I have to say the bundle is worth $800.

...Well my question actually is what do you do with your drone as a drone-hobbist? I know it might sound weird to ask this but is that all flying around and recording some footage?

I fly almost daily on my way home from work and am still impressed with my MP. It is just fun to fly and see things from a different perspective. I very rarely record anything any more unless I happen upon something very special.

 

[RadioFlyerMan]

Oh that’s good to know. Thanks. Well my question actually is what do you do with your drone as a drone-hobbist? I know it might sound weird to ask this but is that all flying around and recording some footage?

You can see, photograph and video things that nobody else will ever see, no matter how huge and expensive their camera is.

 

[Donrad]

The list looks like a lot of filler. For instance, item # 11 - 8 pc filter kit only has 6 filters. The other 2 items are the case and microfiber cleaning cloth that is listed as item #7. When I see things like that I get really skeptical. What is really needed are two extra batteries and a SD card fast enough to record 4K video (the one listed won't). You also need to consider what you will use as a display platform to run Go 4 (display and configuration software). You might find yourself spending a few more hundred dollars for that.

Having said all that, $800 is what DJI charges for just the Air so all the stuff on the list, useful or not, is not really costing you more so I have to say the bundle is worth $800.

I fly almost daily on my way home from work and am still impressed with my MP. It is just fun to fly and see things from a different perspective. I very rarely record anything any more unless I happen upon something very special.

Thanks, great points and one thing that remain is the seller that I’m not sure if what I buy is actually brand new, also if I buy from DJI itself I will be having the customre sevice support and or the warranty.

 

[Donrad]

Do you have a passion for technology? Photography? Videography? Flying things? Are you looking for a new perspective to view the world from? If your answer to all of these is a NO; then it is definitely not for you. That's as best as I can answer your question.

Respectively:

Definitely yes​

Yes​

Meh​

Oh yeah​

Yeah why not.​

​

Thanks really provoking questions. I’l think carefully about them. I don’t want to spend $800 and use it rarely.​

 

[Deleted member 94047]

As suggested before, consider buying refubrished from DJI. You can save some money going that route. I bought mine refub and it looked as good as new and has performed the same. You will also get the one year manufacturer warranty. It is an option worth looking at.

Edit: refubrished not refinished

 

[JoostGT3]

Oooof, how did I get to the decision to buy my first drone?
That's quite a story! We're talking 2012 here, when I was still very actively paragliding, and looking into ways to create nice up-close air-to-air footage of my flights. Drones were coming up back then, and it sparked my interest. I had been pondering on it for a long time, when I had a bad paragliding accident and decided to quit that hobby. I found that I could sell my gear and maybe get a drone in return, to still be able to get that "flying view" fix. However, back then, the best consumer drones were the phantoms (Mavic didn't exist yet), and I was seriously doubting whether I would use the drone how I envisioned it; I really couldn't see myself lugging around with a cooler-sized container on hikes etc. Enter the Mavic. I still remember the introduction of the first Mavic Pro and the realization that THAT was my drone! I still doubted for about half a year, but then I went for it! There hasn't been a single second that I have regretted buying my first Mavic Pro fly more combo. I sold it last week because it was replaced with an M2P with SC and FMC.... and enjoying every minut of flying it!

The only advice I can give you is; think about what it is that makes you consider buying a drone and if you will really be using it for that goal, or whether it is just a temporary urge.

Regarding the kit you mentioned; I am never one to go overboard with all kinds of useless acessories, and it seems like this kit contains a lot of them. The basics you'll need: Drone, Controller, Display (phone, tablet or dedicated device) and some extra batteries. You'll find whichever other stuff you need after a while of flying.

 

[Mossiback]

Thanks, great points and one thing that remain is the seller that I’m not sure if what I buy is actually brand new, also if I buy from DJI itself I will be having the customer service support and or the warranty.

You're welcome. Definitely check out the seller, the return policy, and if it is new. I find it interesting that they sell their own Ultimaxx branded drone and a lot of Air accessories on their web site but the Air is not listed. They also do not mention their return policy and if they are an authorized DJI dealer.

Instead of buying directly from DJI, I would consider advexure.com or bhphotovideo.com. You would deal with their customer service (USA) instead of DJI (wherever) and although DJI has improved their service is still pretty poor. They are authorized dealers with a decent return policy. You could buy locally at Best Buy but would probably pay more sales tax (I did not see any tax charged by Advexure). BB may also charge a "restocking fee" if you took it back. The warranty would be the same as buying directly from DJI.

You could also roll the dice on buying used/refurbished. Just make sure what the return policy and warranty is.

 

[Donrad]

Oooof, how did I get to the decision to buy my first drone?
That's quite a story! We're talking 2012 here, when I was still very actively paragliding, and looking into ways to create nice up-close air-to-air footage of my flights. Drones were coming up back then, and it sparked my interest. I had been pondering on it for a long time, when I had a bad paragliding accident and decided to quit that hobby. I found that I could sell my gear and maybe get a drone in return, to still be able to get that "flying view" fix. However, back then, the best consumer drones were the phantoms (Mavic didn't exist yet), and I was seriously doubting whether I would use the drone how I envisioned it; I really couldn't see myself lugging around with a cooler-sized container on hikes etc. Enter the Mavic. I still remember the introduction of the first Mavic Pro and the realization that THAT was my drone! I still doubted for about half a year, but then I went for it! There hasn't been a single second that I have regretted buying my first Mavic Pro fly more combo. I sold it last week because it was replaced with an M2P with SC and FMC.... and enjoying every minut of flying it!

The only advice I can give you is; think about what it is that makes you consider buying a drone and if you will really be using it for that goal, or whether it is just a temporary urge.

Regarding the kit you mentioned; I am never one to go overboard with all kinds of useless acessories, and it seems like this kit contains a lot of them. The basics you'll need: Drone, Controller, Display (phone, tablet or dedicated device) and some extra batteries. You'll find whichever other stuff you need after a while of flying.

Wow, such an exciting story! It got me I am gonna study and think about it a little more. I feel like after a long winter here in MA seeing sunshine kinda gave me this temporary urge

 

[NAVMAV]

To add one more 'use' to the stuff already mentioned, we're 76 years young, and finding our 900' uphill driveway more of a challenge each day. (See where this is going?~)

Sooo, shortly after Lunch we fire up Millie the MA, and send her up the Driveway to see if the red flag is raised. We're still working on getting Millie to open the Box and return with Mail. Pix will definitely follow after Millie gets The Drill nailed.~

Rgds, NAVMAV