Good practice drone?
- Thread starter A.O.
- Start date
Rick M
Absent-minded professor
'Headless' mode means you can tell the quad to ignore where its nose is pointed and respond to your 'forward, back, left, right' stick inputs based on a preset 'nose' direction. It's not a super-reliable system on a quad that doesn't have GPS, and it's a terrible way to learn to fly. The best explanation I've seen is a YouTube video by 'Quadcopter 101' that explains using headless mode as a 'return to home' option. You should be able to find it, and it should clarify how headless mode works on a non-GPS quad.
I think this might be the video I'm thinking of:
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct...ELvNfk&usg=AFQjCNFL_YK9qEudlILb5XzdOk7LMAoPZw
I think this might be the video I'm thinking of:
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct...ELvNfk&usg=AFQjCNFL_YK9qEudlILb5XzdOk7LMAoPZw
mozquito1
Well-Known Member
The best drone to fly is one you built yourself. What do you want to do with it.
Race/acro or photography/video.
If it's race or acro then start with that frame class but under powered 3s or small motors like 1806. A 3-5mm quad frame is more sturdier than a toy.
So is pretty much everything else.
It may seem daunting but it easier than them airfix models when I was a kid.
There are a few pro's on here who could give you a list of reliable parts.
I started with toys killed em built my own & regretted it. Buying the toys I mean.
I bought a load of 3S batteries then one day I got a 4S & regretted buying the 3S.
This hobby progresses pretty quickly.
I'm not telling you what to do but if it photography then yes stay with a toy as they can be stable so main focus on the camera. But racing on a toy isn't in the league of say Nurkfpv or acro on a toy isn't anywhere near Bexamous,
On YouTube. Check out Bexamous that poop is insane. in league with RC addict.
Race/acro or photography/video.
If it's race or acro then start with that frame class but under powered 3s or small motors like 1806. A 3-5mm quad frame is more sturdier than a toy.
So is pretty much everything else.
It may seem daunting but it easier than them airfix models when I was a kid.
There are a few pro's on here who could give you a list of reliable parts.
I started with toys killed em built my own & regretted it. Buying the toys I mean.
I bought a load of 3S batteries then one day I got a 4S & regretted buying the 3S.
This hobby progresses pretty quickly.
I'm not telling you what to do but if it photography then yes stay with a toy as they can be stable so main focus on the camera. But racing on a toy isn't in the league of say Nurkfpv or acro on a toy isn't anywhere near Bexamous,
On YouTube. Check out Bexamous that poop is insane. in league with RC addict.
yay
Well-Known Member
guy wants a costy one for surveilling his ranch, only a cheapie to practice flying on. the dm002 or similar 8.5mm motor builds in that $40 price range will prolly do him alright, dunno much about them. doesn't want to custom one at this point. but the e011 has a lego man. you can put them in the garden to symbolically watch over your valuables after you lose your quad.
the good thing about them is, you have to learn to fly them, they're not auto-level or follow-me or anything, and they're durable enough that you can get some time in doing that (tho even there, the extra props are worthwhile unless you're flying in a room with upholstered walls).
there's a lot of e011 videos and a lot of enthusiasm for them, even racing outside, just don't watch c ray tech's. may be a nice guy but he doesn't fly well.
the good thing about them is, you have to learn to fly them, they're not auto-level or follow-me or anything, and they're durable enough that you can get some time in doing that (tho even there, the extra props are worthwhile unless you're flying in a room with upholstered walls).
there's a lot of e011 videos and a lot of enthusiasm for them, even racing outside, just don't watch c ray tech's. may be a nice guy but he doesn't fly well.
Marietta
Member
How much money do you want to spend? The DJI Spark is a cool little drone for $500. There's the JJRC H37, a nice pocket drone for $40....
There's actually a new drone website called dronecompare.io which might help you make a more informed decision. They have all kinds of drones and you can compare them side by side based on all the specs and cost.
Hope that helps!
peterpan_cake
Member
you should try a cheaper one just in case...
This for my first drone, its mini and cute
You wont use it for long when you've manage it, but may be you'll still bring it when you travel...
Authentic JJRC H20H Mini R/C Hexacopter - i got it on fasttech, not sure if it's the cheapest but it arrived quickly
This for my first drone, its mini and cute
You wont use it for long when you've manage it, but may be you'll still bring it when you travel...
Authentic JJRC H20H Mini R/C Hexacopter - i got it on fasttech, not sure if it's the cheapest but it arrived quickly
A.O.
Member
Well, kind of. I'd like a not so costly one to keep an eye on the place but not sure that's an option, range = $$$$$.
And no, don't want a custom one , or to build one, just one to fly. Kind of leaning towards the DJI Spark right now, I give up a lot of range, but its also half the price and may be good enough with the controller..say it will give me 1.2 mile range which should work.
And I wouldn't want the E011, the E010 maybe... don't need the lego man!
A.O.
Member
Thanks, I'll go look at that website. And right now I'm leaning toward that DJI Spark, still reading reviews. The fly more combo is $699 and comes with a bunch of the extras I would want.
Drone Riot
Member
The Spark is a good drone to learn on and does have good features for the price. It you're wanting to film with it, it's only got a 2-axis gimbal as opposed to the 3 axis on drones like the DJI Phantom 3 Standard, which is a similar price to the Spark. Don't get me wrong the Spark still films decent quality! The P3 can also shoot in 2.7km 1080p in 60 fps and has a 25 minute flight time. Both I would say are really good value for money and great to learn on. What is more important to you, transportation or specs?
If you get the fly more package you might want to get some form of case for it all, as you get a fair amount and that way it will keep it organised for you and also protect it as well. You can find some pretty good cases for it here.
A.O.
Member
You ask what is more important to me.... not sure on that answer. Maybe ease of use with a bit of range, I don't need professional quality video, just decent, with the ability to see what's going on out on my property. Seeing a bunch of stuff on the Spark just falling from the sky and I don't like that, it scares me a bit. I had started off looking at the Mavic, but seems too complicated..
Drone Riot
Member
Found this interesting article on the Spark issue. Maybe wait a bit and see what happens with the Spark problems? If they continue to happen then consider another drone. If it turns out to be fine, you're good to get the Spark.
Flying the Mavic Pro is pretty easy, you can use beginner mode to begin with as well whilst you learn . Pretty much all DJI drones are easy to fly as they have gps positioning and some have downward facing sensors. Focusing the Mavics camera can sometimes be difficult but with a bit of practice it will be fine. There are a lot of youtube tutorials on it as well - like this one https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EofGhS8cHA0
I would recommend the Phantom 3 again, it's super easy to fly and has a range of 1km, you can also buy signal boosters on Amazon which can make it go even further. With the DJI models you could create way points around your ranch and let it fly autonomously, that would be pretty cool.
There is a drone called the Upair One, which is pretty cheap and similar to the DJI models, you could look into that. There's also this article as well which has some other options you could check out.
Let me know what you end up going for!
A.O.
Member
Found this interesting article on the Spark issue. Maybe wait a bit and see what happens with the Spark problems? If they continue to happen then consider another drone. If it turns out to be fine, you're good to get the Spark.
Flying the Mavic Pro is pretty easy, you can use beginner mode to begin with as well whilst you learn . Pretty much all DJI drones are easy to fly as they have gps positioning and some have downward facing sensors. Focusing the Mavics camera can sometimes be difficult but with a bit of practice it will be fine. There are a lot of youtube tutorials on it as well - like this one https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EofGhS8cHA0
I would recommend the Phantom 3 again, it's super easy to fly and has a range of 1km, you can also buy signal boosters on Amazon which can make it go even further. With the DJI models you could create way points around your ranch and let it fly autonomously, that would be pretty cool.
There is a drone called the Upair One, which is pretty cheap and similar to the DJI models, you could look into that. There's also this article as well which has some other options you could check out.
Let me know what you end up going for!
The Upair one was not on that list..
AND... almost starting to lean away from a drone at all, with all the horror stories I've been reading about DJI units falling from the sky and all... just not sure anymore.