Drones? Any advice re a good one?

[silverback mike]

Evening all, I’m going to buy a drone for my Son. (26) who I think would like to photograph / film things by way of drone. There are seemingly lots out there for sale but I’m at a bit of a loss to which one to choose. I’m looking at £300 ish. Would massively appreciate any suggestions please. Thanks

[SR]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/DJI-Lightweight-Intellige...

Can’t go wrong with this, easy to fly, excellent app and very small. A drone really does give a whole new perspective to your surroundings.
I’ve had mine now for over two years, still working fine.

[silverback mike]

Thanks

[cliffords]

I am not starting an argument, a genuine question. Are you allowed one of those, do you need a license, get yourself registered etc. A fellow near us eventually got himself into a lot of trouble , albeit I think he was interested in people in their gardens in the summer .

[HantsRat]

cliffords said:

I am not starting an argument, a genuine question. Are you allowed one of those, do you need a license, get yourself registered etc. A fellow near us eventually got himself into a lot of trouble , albeit I think he was interested in people in their gardens in the summer .

No such thing as a license.

For a sub 250g drone you simply only need an operator ID if it has a camera from CAA website. For sub you can pretty much fly anywhere other than FRZ/Prohibited and Danger Zones which can be found on Drone Assist app. You also cant fly over large crowds of people.

[silverback mike]

cliffords said:

I am not starting an argument, a genuine question. Are you allowed one of those, do you need a license, get yourself registered etc. A fellow near us eventually got himself into a lot of trouble , albeit I think he was interested in people in their gardens in the summer .

Valid points and comments noted. As covered below, it’s a case of observing the legalities. And in all fairness my lad will be using it for mountains / coastal film / pics

[silverback mike]

HantsRat said:

No such thing as a license.

For a sub 250g drone you simply only need an operator ID if it has a camera from CAA website. For sub you can pretty much fly anywhere other than FRZ/Prohibited and Danger Zones which can be found on Drone Assist app. You also cant fly over large crowds of people.

Thanks HRat

[silverback mike]

SR said:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/DJI-Lightweight-Intellige...

Can’t go wrong with this, easy to fly, excellent app and very small. A drone really does give a whole new perspective to your surroundings.
I’ve had mine now for over two years, still working fine.

Bought one. Many thanks!

[Corso Marche]

DJI is always a good recommendation.

But I bought a Potensic Atom SE Fly More kit over the summer on Amazon for the price of just the drone from DJI.
The kit comprises 2x longlife batteries, and a decent protective carry bag as well as the drone and controller. The batteries genuinely last 25-35 minutes of flying each.
App/software is very similar to DJI, so if you can use one you'll instantly take to the other.

If he's gonna spend time and continue it as a regular weekend type hobby then start with DJI and he can buy accessories etc as he develops the hobby.

If like me it's for taking shots on holidays/trips throughout the year then some of the kits from the likes of Potensic or Holy Stone might be worth considering.

I discovered a lot of very useful guides and reviews/tests on YouTube before I bought anything. Lots of tutorials there on flying and photography too.

[JohnnyUK]

might be a silly question, and I'm not trying to be contentious, but what does one do with these things (as a hobbyist)?

I've read up on the rules and you can't (AFAIK) fly over strangers e.g. at the beach, or at events or the street, so what do folks film?

Genuine question, as I love the tech, but wouldn't know what to do with it!

[joropug]

Under 249g you can fly over people just not crowds, I.e events etc

I have a mini 2 - if you bought just the drone, get at least one extra battery - they last 20-30 mins depending on what you’re doing, by the time you’ve scouted a location and got your bearings you’re landing for a swap out. I’ll often get through all 3.

Some videos here of mine and others:

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

My most fun piloting was from the passenger seat of my mates convertible. My best edit is of Snowdonia.

The operator ID has to be on the drone in either a visible location or one that is easily accessible without tools - I printed mine onto a sticker and placed it on the inside of the battery flap.

The DJI app has an inbuilt editor, which is a lite version of ‘LightCut’ - free app that is brilliant and worth downloading as standalone.

[SR]

silverback mike said:

Bought one. Many thanks!

Glad to offer a users experience, I hope your son will be very happy with it.
In answer to a previous question regarding usage, a drone really does give another perspective to places you visit. This video I flew the drone around for a couple of minutes and then just left it hovering for the batteries life of about half an hour to record a lightning storm at sunset.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=yJ9n4giwqec

[GetCarter]

JohnnyUK said:

might be a silly question, and I'm not trying to be contentious, but what does one do with these things (as a hobbyist)?

I've read up on the rules and you can't (AFAIK) fly over strangers e.g. at the beach, or at events or the street, so what do folks film?

Genuine question, as I love the tech, but wouldn't know what to do with it!

This is what I do.

http://stevecarter.com/random/Aerial.htm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=967HjaK0I_g

Edited by GetCarter on Wednesday 29th November 17:59

[tumble dryer]

said:

This is what I do.

http://stevecarter.com/random/Aerial.htm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=967HjaK0I_g

[nordboy]

GetCarter said:

This is what I do.

http://stevecarter.com/random/Aerial.htm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=967HjaK0I_g

Edited by GetCarter on Wednesday 29th November 17:59

What drone etc are you using to get those shots?

I'm constantly flip flopping between a DJI Mini 2 SE or the new Potensic Atom 4k with the 3 axis gimbal. Missed out on the black friday and cyber monday deals due to not being able to make a decision

They're a similar price but the DJI is a DJI and the Potensic has the 4k.

I'll hang on now til further deals arrive.

[joropug]

nordboy said:

What drone etc are you using to get those shots?

I'm constantly flip flopping between a DJI Mini 2 SE or the new Potensic Atom 4k with the 3 axis gimbal. Missed out on the black friday and cyber monday deals due to not being able to make a decision

They're a similar price but the DJI is a DJI and the Potensic has the 4k.

I'll hang on now til further deals arrive.

I read that anything cheaper than the entry DJIs cannot compare to the entry DJIs. DJI has excellent app/controls too.

The more expensive ones, more of a comparable choice perhaps.


I have a mini 2 (not SE) which has 4k @30fps

What you will find is that panning shots or anything you want to slow down in the edit will be pretty choppy at 30fps. You have to be VERY smooth and slow with your movements.

Some of my favourites:

Best edit/Location:
Best viewed in 4K with audio here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnInqInUAQs

or embedded:


Most fun:

[silverback mike]

SR said:

Glad to offer a users experience, I hope your son will be very happy with it.
In answer to a previous question regarding usage, a drone really does give another perspective to places you visit. This video I flew the drone around for a couple of minutes and then just left it hovering for the batteries life of about half an hour to record a lightning storm at sunset.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=yJ9n4giwqec

They are amazing. Many thanks. I’ll point my lad in the direction of this thread.

[JohnnyUK]

GetCarter said:

JohnnyUK said:

might be a silly question, and I'm not trying to be contentious, but what does one do with these things (as a hobbyist)?

I've read up on the rules and you can't (AFAIK) fly over strangers e.g. at the beach, or at events or the street, so what do folks film?

Genuine question, as I love the tech, but wouldn't know what to do with it!

This is what I do.

http://stevecarter.com/random/Aerial.htm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=967HjaK0I_g

Edited by GetCarter on Wednesday 29th November 17:59

Wow! Beautiful!

And no one shouts at you for flying a drone?

[Timothy Bucktu]

He won't be disappointed. DJI are the Apple of drones, 'they just work'...and work really well.

[nordboy]

joropug said:

I read that anything cheaper than the entry DJIs cannot compare to the entry DJIs. DJI has excellent app/controls too.

The more expensive ones, more of a comparable choice perhaps.


I have a mini 2 (not SE) which has 4k @30fps

What you will find is that panning shots or anything you want to slow down in the edit will be pretty choppy at 30fps. You have to be VERY smooth and slow with your movements.

When I read peoples thoughts on the drones, which I absolutely appreciate by the way, I then end up holding off buying one as I then want a DJI Mini 3 or 4 pro!!

And I can't bloody afford or justify one. Maybe I should look at a used or refurbished one?