First drone advice
Discussion
Seeking PH dronies (I hope that's the appropriate term)!
I'm quite interested in getting my first drone, this will be purely for recreational purposes, taking some videos and photos. I'd like something decent but not bank-breaking. I'd pretty much settled on a DJI Mini 3 (with the screen built into controller). But was holding out for the DJI announcement last week.
The Flip they announced looked great (spec wise) - it films at a higher resolution & frame rate than the Mini 3; can film in D-LOG & take better HDR pics, with obstacle avoidance.
The Flip's reviews are poor though - mainly it's cross-wind capabilities versus the Mini, and lack of repairability on the rotors.
Basically now I am left with the choice of buying a cheaper Flip model with better camera & features, but not great reviews. Versus the much-loved Mini 3. Seems like I'll have buyers remorse whichever I go for.
Can anyone with some experience in this field explain how to make a more-informed choice? I'm reluctant to stretch to the 4 Pro, it's almost double the price. And as a beginner I dont want to risk expensive equipment
I'm quite interested in getting my first drone, this will be purely for recreational purposes, taking some videos and photos. I'd like something decent but not bank-breaking. I'd pretty much settled on a DJI Mini 3 (with the screen built into controller). But was holding out for the DJI announcement last week.
The Flip they announced looked great (spec wise) - it films at a higher resolution & frame rate than the Mini 3; can film in D-LOG & take better HDR pics, with obstacle avoidance.
The Flip's reviews are poor though - mainly it's cross-wind capabilities versus the Mini, and lack of repairability on the rotors.
Basically now I am left with the choice of buying a cheaper Flip model with better camera & features, but not great reviews. Versus the much-loved Mini 3. Seems like I'll have buyers remorse whichever I go for.
Can anyone with some experience in this field explain how to make a more-informed choice? I'm reluctant to stretch to the 4 Pro, it's almost double the price. And as a beginner I dont want to risk expensive equipment
Questions about drones invariably attract the same variety of answers you get when asking the best route into London by road! But I'll get in quick with mine 
Buy the best you can afford.
I use a drone as part of my professional video and photography business. The one I've used for the past four years is the Mavic Pro 2 - of which there are many very good ones on the second hand market for around £600 - £700. It has never missed a beat, done something it shouldn't or underperformed in any way. The images it produces are stunning - both photo and video. I've had it up in quite hefty winds and less than optimal conditions. I wouldn't say it liked it but you would not have known from the images.
So, for not a lot of money you can get yourself a serious pro-spec bit of kit. There are some trade-offs though:
It's over the threshold at which you need a licence and thus some additional restrictions on where you can fly it. But this really is rarely an issue.
And the controller has to operate via your phone - although you can get a screen integrated controller if you wish.
Given the state of the market, I'd say you could get one, use if a few months and if you didn't like it, sell it for what you paid for it.
Buy the best you can afford.
I use a drone as part of my professional video and photography business. The one I've used for the past four years is the Mavic Pro 2 - of which there are many very good ones on the second hand market for around £600 - £700. It has never missed a beat, done something it shouldn't or underperformed in any way. The images it produces are stunning - both photo and video. I've had it up in quite hefty winds and less than optimal conditions. I wouldn't say it liked it but you would not have known from the images.
So, for not a lot of money you can get yourself a serious pro-spec bit of kit. There are some trade-offs though:
It's over the threshold at which you need a licence and thus some additional restrictions on where you can fly it. But this really is rarely an issue.
And the controller has to operate via your phone - although you can get a screen integrated controller if you wish.
Given the state of the market, I'd say you could get one, use if a few months and if you didn't like it, sell it for what you paid for it.
I have both the Mini 3 Pro and the Air 2S. I much prefer the Air, but the additional weight is a barrier to flying in most places (unless I’m doing countryside landscapes).
The Mini 3 is a decent enough drone and lack of serious restrictions should have you flying more (which is half the battle).
My two pennies is that I wouldn’t get hung up on the controller with the screen. I have both versions and the screen controller takes longer to connect, has worse signal interference, has worse contrast and visibility, is less customisable for the controls and requires a fiddly connection each time to display the map. It might less Gucci, but the original one with a holder for your mobile is a better option (from my hundreds of flying hours’ experience).
The Mini 3 is a decent enough drone and lack of serious restrictions should have you flying more (which is half the battle).
My two pennies is that I wouldn’t get hung up on the controller with the screen. I have both versions and the screen controller takes longer to connect, has worse signal interference, has worse contrast and visibility, is less customisable for the controls and requires a fiddly connection each time to display the map. It might less Gucci, but the original one with a holder for your mobile is a better option (from my hundreds of flying hours’ experience).
SV_WDC said:
Thanks all for the responses, I appreciate the insight.
@Nordboy which controller did you go for?
I've got the remote with the integrated screen rather than using my mobile. The functions of the remote are basically the same as the mobile, layout etc all the same.@Nordboy which controller did you go for?
Costs a bit more but I think it was worth it. Biggest issue is that I don't fly mine anywhere near enough.
I've got a Mini 3 with the screen-equiooed controller and at £399.00 I regard it as a bargain. I considered the mini 4 pro, but twice the price it was really only the D-Log that appealed, though subject tracking might have been useful.
I think it's a case of deciding on your budget, sticking below 250g, and buying accordingly.
I think it's a case of deciding on your budget, sticking below 250g, and buying accordingly.
I've got the Mini2,great little camera, copes reasonably well in wind (beaches) if you put it in sport mode. Under 250g, but it is small and can be hard to spot at times, so I put a strobe on mine.
Thought about second hand? There's a number around from people that upgraded
Sites such as MPB?
https://www.mpb.com/en-uk/search?q=dji
Thought about second hand? There's a number around from people that upgraded
Sites such as MPB?
https://www.mpb.com/en-uk/search?q=dji
OP - if you're thinking of going 2nd hand, I might be selling a mini 3 pro, with controller and flymore bundle. Fantastic bit of kit, same sensor as the mini 4 pro and that latest small foldable one they've made. Imho, the 3 pro is an absolute bargain 2nd hand at the mo
I'm selling off a bunch of video kit, was going to throw it all mpb, but drop me a pm if the drone is of interest. - it's in decent condition, kept in a hard case, and I'd say has been flown less than 10 times.
I'm selling off a bunch of video kit, was going to throw it all mpb, but drop me a pm if the drone is of interest. - it's in decent condition, kept in a hard case, and I'd say has been flown less than 10 times.
I would like to get some aerial footage locally, and have a bit of a play, so I think I caught the tail end of Black Friday with this...
https://store.dji.com/uk/product/dji-neo-motion-fl...
Apart from a very cheap toy I lost in a wheat field years ago, this will be my first foray. Hopefully I can use it for some local aerial shots to help with some planning objections, then some more fun family pics and so on.
I've never flown FPV before, but it should be interesting. If I can get an idea of what I'm doing on nicer days over the winter, I can take it for some coastal dog walks in the summer.
https://store.dji.com/uk/product/dji-neo-motion-fl...
Apart from a very cheap toy I lost in a wheat field years ago, this will be my first foray. Hopefully I can use it for some local aerial shots to help with some planning objections, then some more fun family pics and so on.
I've never flown FPV before, but it should be interesting. If I can get an idea of what I'm doing on nicer days over the winter, I can take it for some coastal dog walks in the summer.
Don't you have to wear goggles to fly the Neo? Might make for an interesting dog walk 
Step son has the Mini 5 and it's got follow me function and i think the only time he lost connection was when it tried to follow him through an underpass on the A1M, just a touch too long and lost sight of the satellites.
I keep toying with the idea of upgrading my Mini 2 to a 5 but the incoming RID and how it will be implemented has put me off and so i think i'll leave it.
Step son has the Mini 5 and it's got follow me function and i think the only time he lost connection was when it tried to follow him through an underpass on the A1M, just a touch too long and lost sight of the satellites.
I keep toying with the idea of upgrading my Mini 2 to a 5 but the incoming RID and how it will be implemented has put me off and so i think i'll leave it.
Just in case anyone is drone shopping and hadn’t checked t’internet….
https://www.currys.co.uk/products/dji-mini-4-pro-d...
https://www.currys.co.uk/products/dji-mini-4-pro-d...
slopes said:
I keep toying with the idea of upgrading my Mini 2 to a 5 but the incoming RID and how it will be implemented has put me off and so i think i'll leave it.
I've tried to read up on this and frankly I'm still a little confused. I'm also a Mini 2 user and toying with a mini 4/5 pro as an upgrade. What are the implications for people like us with. the RID stuff? Gad-Westy said:
slopes said:
I keep toying with the idea of upgrading my Mini 2 to a 5 but the incoming RID and how it will be implemented has put me off and so i think i'll leave it.
I've tried to read up on this and frankly I'm still a little confused. I'm also a Mini 2 user and toying with a mini 4/5 pro as an upgrade. What are the implications for people like us with. the RID stuff? The CAA website also states that it's currently working with manufacturers to ensure the drones can do this, in other words, they have no idea how it's going to work in reality. It seems to be one of those ill thought out ideas that will just mean that people will fly drones, but more of them will not bother with all the admin etc. I have an operator ID and Flyer ID to try and stay 'legal' but I won't be doing the RID stuff. I'd rather not fly at all tbh. Which may be what they want?
fooman said:
RFID can be pretty light at least, they put them in stickers etc so I'm sure 1-2g is possible.
If so surely the simplest thing to do is just raise the limit to 255g? As a side note has anyone ever been requested to bring their drone back down so they (someone in hi-viz with a ID card on a lanyard round their neck) can weigh it with the scales they have with them to make sure they are under the limit?
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