Lost my drone today...what inexpensive drone has a good radio distance capability?

R

richg99

Active Member
A few weeks ago my wife bought me a Costco $50. drone. After one successful flight, I checked the Ratings on the Costco site. 80% negative with almost everyone complaining about the drone "flying away". I returned that one and bought a Heygelo s90. No complaints about "flying away" were evident.

Today, I was flying in a light breeze (7 mph)...(with some success)... and I suddenly, apparently, lost contact. No movements of the sticks had any effect. The drone just rose more and kept flying further and further away from me. Somewhere around 75 yards, she disappeared into the trees.

I had just put a new battery in, so it wasn't a case of low battery. By my newbie judgment, the 50 yards distance between me and the bird caused the loss of control. The drone's specs claim 80 to 100-yard receiver distance.

Can anyone suggest an inexpensive drone that has far better distance specs? My hopes are to have some fun with drones, but keeping them within 30 yards takes a lot of options away. Thanks from an old newbie.
 
If you specify how much you are willing to spend, then someone may be able to offer you a realistic recommendation.
 
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To avoid "fly-away" or "Lost Control", the best option is to have a drone with GPS.
With GPS on, the drone will automatically return if it is out of range, out of battery power or lost contact with the controller.
Drone with GPS also has a "Return" button which will recall the drone if the pilot loses orientation, panic and doesn't know what to do nxt.
With GPS on, a drone can remain stationary midair if nobody is touching the controller's sticks. It will never drop out of the sky.
Drones with GPS usually have a control range of 100 to 150 meters ( approx. 328ft to 492ft range).
That said, GPS feature comes with a price.
There are not a lot of GPS drones within your budget. There maybe some but limited choices. You can check that out from Amazon or your local hobby shops.
I don't make recommendations unless I also own the same drone, and my drones are all over 3 years old and no longer available in the market, except Eachine E520S.
 
Well, it happens that the E520S is one drone that I was looking at. It has the GPS (which I didn't fully understand).

Walmart has them on sale right now for $99.00 https://www.walmart.com/ip/EACHINE-...-Drones-for-Kids-Men-Beginners-Gift/251314845

and another model for $160.00 (more batteries, better camera, I think). would either of these be a good choice, In your opinion? Thanks again for your help! (I'm 83 and enjoy doing new things) R

p.s. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Eachine-E520S-Drone-with-4K-Camera-2-Batteries/841591099
 
As long as we are discussing this....my phone does not have 5G. Does having access to 5G only have to do with video....or does it also affect the control distance?
 
richg99 said:
Well, it happens that the E520S is one drone that I was looking at. It has the GPS (which I didn't fully understand).

Walmart has them on sale right now for $99.00 https://www.walmart.com/ip/EACHINE-...-Drones-for-Kids-Men-Beginners-Gift/251314845

and another model for $160.00 (more batteries, better camera, I think). would either of these be a good choice, In your opinion? Thanks again for your help! (I'm 83 and enjoy doing new things) R

p.s. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Eachine-E520S-Drone-with-4K-Camera-2-Batteries/841591099
Click to expand...
First link comes with 1 (one) battery.
2nd link comes with 2 (two) battery.
Hence the difference in prices.
However, the battery used for E520S is about $45 to $50 US. the 2nd link is overcharging for 2 batteries.
I would buy the $99 drone and then go buy a 2nd battery separately.

HOWEVER, the E520S offered from Walmart is a 5g WiFi drone. You have to have a 5g WiFi phone. You can still fly the drone but you will NOT be able to see what the drone see on your phone because your phone is not a 5g WiFi phone. In short, you phone is useless for the drone.
That should answer your other post.
 
richg99 said:
As long as we are discussing this....my phone does not have 5G. Does having access to 5G only have to do with video....or does it also affect the control distance?
Click to expand...
RE : doess it also affect the control distance
I don't know. I have no answer for that.

I wouldn't buy a 5g wifi drone if I didn't have a 5g wifi phone.
 
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When I bought my E520S, I had the choice of 5g or 2.4g wifi. Since my phone does not have 5g wifi, I bought the 2.4g wifi version.
You can do the same if you care to buy it from Bangggod (from China). It is listed at $106.16 Canadian. (yes, I'm in Canada).
The following is a screenshot I took from my Banggood site...................
Eachine E520S GPS WIFI FPV With 4K/1080P HD Camera 16mins Flight Time Foldable RC Drone Quadcopter - Black Without Storage Bag 2.4G WiFi 1080P One Battery
CA$106.16CA$193.02-45%
Lowest price in 365 days
 
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richg99 said:
Thank you for all of your help. I've got some thinking to do. I am pleased with my present phone. Hmmmmmm. R
Click to expand...
I don't think you fully know what I am telling you.
I told you about Banggood which sells E520S in 2.4g wifi which is compatible with the phone you have.
You don't have to buy another phone.
 
richg99 said:
It happens that my backup phone is a Motorola 5g. Problem solved. $99. Walmart item ordered! Thanks again
Click to expand...
no, no, no, no.
A phone which has 5g network is NOT the same as a phone which has 5g WIFI.
I don't know how you can find out if you 5g Motorola has 5g Wifi. You will have to google for that.
How to know if your phone has 5g Wifi?
If you phone, under Wifi section, shows 802.11ac, then you have 5g wifi. If you don't see "ac" at the end, you don't have 5g wifi.

Here is one screenshot taken from BestBuy phone sales page :
1672621830573.jpeg
 
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Thanks, I didnt know about the difference. I'll do some further checking in the morning. At least, with your help, i can return the drone before opening it, if necessary.
 
Give me the model name of your Motorola. For example, mine is Moto E4.
Maybe I can find out fast.

Here is the screenshot of my Moto E4 Wifi spec: Notice there is no "ac" at the end. That means mine does not have 5g Wifi.
1672624909931.png
 
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If you're looking for a drone with better distance capabilities, consider the DJI Mavic Mini. It has a remote control range of up to 2.5 miles and a stable flight time of up to 30 minutes. Another option is the Potensic T18, which has a remote control range of up to 300 meters and a stable flight time of up to 10 minutes. Both drones are relatively affordable and have good reviews here for their distance capabilities.
 
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