A few years ago, buying a drone was just for the experts. Now, it is easier than ever to purchase one and enjoy its many benefits.
In this how-to guide, on How to buy a drone we will tell you everything you need to know about purchasing your first drone so that you can set out on your journey as soon as possible!
For those of you who are not sure what is a drone? It is basically an unmanned aircraft with video cameras that allow users to fly them from afar and capture incredible footage.
To be fair knowing how to buy a drone is one of the initial skills that people need to learn. As a matter of fact, this skill will directly lead you to your first best drone.
How to buy a drone Step By Step
Buying a drone you basically need to consider the features of drones before purchase. Here, you must be extremely cautious because the drones on the market may be difficult to pick.
So Buckle up your sit and hold tight as we guide you step by step on the process of buying a drone.
1. What is the purpose of the drone?
The first thing to consider is what you are going for. Are you looking forward to taking photos, filming videos or both?
If your goal is recording short video clips, then a camera-less drone would be sufficient enough because it’s cheaper and lighter compared to the ones with cameras.
On the other hand, if flying drones with high-end features like better range control systems are not only limited within their space but also beyond this airspace capturing fantastic footage will give value to the money that is spent on these devices.
2. Price Point or your Budget
Drones come at different price points and it all depends on what you are willing to spend.
The cost of drones ranges from $50 for smaller models up to several thousand dollars depending on how advanced and fancy they come with different features such as stabilized cameras, GPS systems that allow the user to set a specific course or operating distance controls.
You can get away with spending just around $200 for your first drone because many manufacturers produce beginner-friendly devices at this price range.
However, if you want more than entry-level things then be prepared to shell out a few hundred bucks more.
3. Battery life of the drone
It is important to consider the battery life of the drone before you buy it because the battery life is directly proportional to how long you will be able to fly your drone.
If you are planning on taking photos or recording videos, then look for drones that offer longer flight times.
The lithium polymer batteries usually provide about 20-25 minutes of total flying time which can be extended up to 30 minutes with extra batteries and more importantly consider getting a few spare ones just in case they run out on the field unexpectedly.
4. Camera Quality of the drone
The camera is an essential component for people who want to make professional videos. Even if you are not making a Hollywood movie, it is still good to make sure that your first drone comes with at least 720p quality on its video recording system.
720P HD Camera Quality will allow users to shoot decent footage but 1080i or better cameras are perfect for those looking forward to serious photography and videography.
5. Propellers of the drone
While propeller blades are not as significant as camera lenses, they still play an important role in how well your aerial videos will turn out.
Cheaper drones usually come with plastic propellers which can result in reduced flight time and less stability during high winds compared to the more expensive counterparts that have metal or carbon fibre blades installed on them.
This is important because drone propellers are part of the device’s design and they will play a major role in how well the drone will balance and the quality of your photos or videos turn out. This is by eliminating motion blur/digital noise.
6. Brushless motors
The brushless motors are the new breed of engine for drones. They are more powerful, efficient and can carry heavier payloads making them great upgrades over their cheaper counterparts that use brushed motors.
The brushless motor technology is still fairly new to hobbyists who might find themselves shelling out a few hundred bucks extra just to get this feature onboard but it’s definitely worth it in the long run.
This is because you will be able to fly longer distances with better battery life which means more films or photos captured from above.
7. Range Control System
This refers to how far your drone can go before losing its connection with your transmitter system where you control most of its movements using joysticks etc…
This usually depends on the brand/model although some manufacturers have less stringent range controls as they know their product better.
You should make sure that the drone you buy comes from a reputable brand actually the Best drone brand and has a decent range of controls for your safety as well as staying within legal limits where possible.
8. In-app control system for mobile devices
If you cannot afford to spend money on a physical remote controller, then it is also wise to look into drones with inbuilt features that allow them to be controlled using an app installed on your smartphone or tablet through a WiFi connection.
This feature can work wonders when trying out new movements even if it’s just around your house so consider getting one of these models especially if this is going to be your first drone. Although keep in mind not all smartphones are with certain brands/models so check to see if your model is compatible.
9. Headless mode
The headless mode can come in handy when flying your drone for the first time.
In this setting, you will be able to fly your drone from any location without having to worry about its orientation thanks to a built-in chip that knows where home is and how it relates back to other key points on the map such as yourself or another object etc…
So instead of worrying if you’re facing towards or away from the craft just let go and enjoy!
This feature also makes it easier for beginners who might find themselves disoriented by all these controls at once especially during their first few flights.
So keep an eye out because some drones do not have this functionality so choose wisely depending on what’s important for you.
This option has become quite common on many drones that are higher-end these days.
You should also keep in mind that some small, cheaper models might only have the headless mode as an extra feature to make flying them easier for beginners who don’t want to worry about orientation.
However, this is usually found with the best entry-level drones which will not offer you much other than stability.
10. Follow-me mode & GPS positioning system
The GPS positioning system is found in many drones these days and it works by allowing your drone to locate itself on a map.
So if you have the controller that comes with this feature then you will be able to set out from one location, switch into follow-me mode and just let go of all controls as the drone follows behind at its own pace while mapping out what’s around for future reference.
This can come in handy when trying to record something specific such as yourself or an object etc… without having to fly through hoops or worry about losing sight of the craft which might happen quite easily especially during windy conditions.
You should also keep in mind that some drones do not have this functionality so choose wisely depending on what’s important for you.
11. Obstacle avoidance
Obstacle avoidance is one of the newest features that you might find on higher-end models like best drones under $1000 although these are usually found with professional drones.
These allow your drone to detect any obstacles in its way and avoid crashing into them using built-in sensors which removes the worry about losing control over your new toy.
However, keep in mind not all obstacle avoidance systems are created equally so do some research before buying a new model if this feature is important for you.
So now that we have gone through everything you need to know about choosing a good quality drone it’s time to put together an action plan starting off by creating a list of what matters most for you when flying your best quadcopter drone.
Our Conclusion on “How to buy a drone” Guide
You’ve read all the information you need to know about drones and now it is time to buy. So what should you do?
If your goal was just to learn more, then congratulations! Now that you are armed with this knowledge, the next step is to purchase a drone.
There are many different types of drones out there for sale so make sure you find one that suits your needs best before buying.
other informational guide about how to buy a drone frome here
Then go through the steps outlined in our guide to ensure everything goes smoothly from start to finish! Happy flying!
FAQ’s on How To Buy A Drone
What should I look for when buying a drone?
Is very simple, you first need to categorise yourself as a beginner or professional. After you go for the basic things to consider like; flight time, battery life, camera quality, price point, a headless mode for beginners, etc…
This “How to buy a drone” guide has detailed all the things you will have to consider before buying any drone.
How much does it cost to buy a drone?
The price range for drones can start as low as $50 and go all the way up to thousands of dollars.
This will depend on the type of drone as best drones for beginners tend to be cheaper than their counterparts which are the best professional drones
Is buying a drone a waste of money?
The answer is no. You are not wasting any money as drones are used for many reasons.
in fact, you can make money with your drone. In addition to that drones are fun to fly and can open you up to new opportunities with this new skill or rather a hobby by itself.