Ever since they exploded on the commercial market, drones have been insanely popular. Nowadays there are dedicated subreddits and forums for drone enthusiasts.
If you’re thinking of joining the club and getting your first drone, the sheer amount of information available can be overwhelming. This is why we’ve put together our easy guide on what to look for when buying a drone.
Do your research beforehand or you’ll end up losing out on a lot of money for a drone you don’t even like. The first place to start is by learning about the different types of drones.
Learn the Language
For beginners, often RTF drones are the best bet. This stands for ready to fly, which is a bit confusing because it doesn’t always mean that. Some assembly may still be required, but there is a general understanding between brands that everything you’ll need will be in the box.
Up from the beginner’s level are BNF drones. This stands for bind and fly. These drones don’t have a transmitter, so you’ll need to buy one separately.
The complications come in because not every transmitter will work with different drones. You’ll need a basic understanding of the match types if you buy a BNF drone.
PNP stands for plug and play. Don’t let the name deceive you, these drones don’t come without a transmitter or receiver. You’ll need to purchase compatible equivalents for both.
ARF stands for almost ready to fly, which couldn’t be further from the truth. They’re popular with advanced drone enthusiasts because they need ‘almost’ everything else added. The benefit is that they’re highly customizable.
Know the Features
You’ll also want to look out for certain features for your drone as this will make it easier to fly. In general, the key features to keep an eye out for are:
- High-quality materials for durability
- Device range
- Flight time/duration
- Camera quality
- Live feed
- Availability of spare parts
- GPS navigation
- GPS home function
- Headless mode
Headless mode in particular is a feature well-worth paying extra for if you’re a beginner. It helps set a specific direction for the drone to turn in, no matter which way it’s facing. Even for advanced enthusiasts, this feature can help avoid crashes.
Buy From Reputable Brands
It’s so easy to buy something based on the price tag. But there’s a reason these drones are cheaper. They’re less reliable and less durable.
In the long run, they’ll cost you more. You’re better off paying the marginally higher price for a brand who pride themselves on the performance of their drones. You can find a great range of high-quality drones if you click here.
Research Before Buying a Drone
Buying a drone is simple as long as you know what you want, do your research, and buy from a reputable brand. Don’t purchase something above your experience level if you want to be able to enjoy it straight out of the box.
You can find more tips on all things gadgets on our blog.