Follow Drone Suggestions/Worth it?

Anyone into drones? Looking into getting a follow drone to do some video capturing of skiing/mt biking.

Any thoughts on the new DJI Mini 4 Pro? Seems like a good pricepoint/option or just go with one of the cheaper brands?

 

I’m actually thinking about getting one myself.

 

If you do you need to be careful and read about what license and registrations you will need. If you spend less than 350.00 you are buying a toy. I started with a toy and moved up to DJI Mavic 4 pro and I am working on my 107 so I can do more with video and not get into trouble.

 

Bought my DJI Mini 2 about 2 yrs ago...they've improved a lot since then

Highly suggest to buy the 'Fly more combo package'

You'll get extra batteries...the newer RC2 controller (I use my IPhone 12 w/old style RC}

Also....You can buy an adapter to fit your 11" IPad if you have one of those

Simply download the program/app and have an 11" screen to fly with...but.....

With the newer RC2 its an 'all in one remote' so no phone/IPad used (confused ? )

Buy directly from DJI...or Crutchfield......last choice would be Amazon

No license needed for under 250 gram weight....just be aware of the rules/reg's

They are a fun/high tech gadget....takes great pics & vid's.....follow & obstacle avoidance are a must

Crashed my first one.....unable to retrieve....I paid $225 for insurance replacement (bird only)

Although I had to show the final video footage of the crash.....yep they explained how for me to do it

https://store.dji.com/product/dji-mini-4-pro?vid=148671

 

Check laws first, my region completely shut down use of drones basically anywhere that isnt an abandoned field 200km away from an airport.

I gave up once my drone flew out of sight due to wind, the GPS home function is a life saver.

 

Utah......no drone fly zones

National Parks & Monuments......Wilderness areas

State Parks OK with a 'fly drone permit' only

Airports of course...not sure of distance from

Anywhere near active wildfire operations

 

Just ordered my DJI Mini 4.

 

Have fun

Great drones !

 

Last time I flew it was 5 mile radius under standard restrictions, or a 3 mile radius with a 100 foot ceiling. Those rules may have changed, I quit a year or two after they started requiring registration.

FAA keeps a no-fly map in case of questions.

One of these days I'd like to get back into a low powered RC toy. Those were really enjoyable to fly. My 280mm go-pro gimbal rig... I'll probably not fly that one again. It was fun to build, it was fun to fly for a while, despite being an ungainly beast that weighs 1.5 kilos. But there are too many rules anymore.

Not to mention, every time I'm camping and I hear that all too familiar buzz that's cutting through the sounds of nature, I can't help but think oh, fuck that guy. I don't want to be that person. I guess that's why I went back to an RC truck.


Damn, maybe I need to find a fly park for old times sake. Id like to see if the sucker is still operational. I built it from scratch.

 

As a fixed wing pilot with some near misses, please utilize

https://www.faa.gov/uas/getting_started/laanc

when planning to fly your UAV; airspace is shared with people’s lives at risk, please be safe

 

Isnt that only for getting authorization for flying within airport restricted space? Recreational drone flyers shouldn't have a legit reason to be there anyway.

 

Some of my 'Fly Park' area

 

That is true, but with how large airspace is (even the smallest probably around 4mile radius from airports) it can cover their entire town/city - some flyers don't know!
And yes less of an issue when you're in the wild camping than at your home parking lot

https://faa.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=9c2e4406710048e19806ebf6a06754ad

 

It's been a while since I did the research, but the "follow" capabilities were a bit janky. It seems to work just fine in wide-open spaces, but mountain biking through relatively dense forest caused them a lot of confusion. I'd look up some (unsponsored and unbiased) review videos so you know what to expect. Probably fine for skiing, but where I bike there are lots of trees.

 

Have you ever flown a drown before? If not, get a cheap one to start. You WILL crash it, potentially with catastrophic results. I wouldn’t spend more than $200 on your first one.

 

Drones weighing <250 grams needs no certificate/training/etc. (common sense and following the laws still apply)

An added benefit of a drone that small is you’ll probably carry it with you more than you would a larger drone. (I usually don’t give a second thought about throwing my mini in my bag)
if you need a drone that can follow you autonomously, I would recommend the mini 3 pro from DJI. It basically has everything you need and the price point should be lower since it’s now an older model.
Highly recommend getting the “fly more package” that someone else here mentioned, as well as DJI refresh (basically an insurance package against any damage or loss).
Costco often times has good deals on drones.

If you’ve never owned a drone before it seems a little silly to buy the latest and greatest (mini 4) but over to you. I would say fly the crap out of a cheaper model and learn on that. Upgrade in a year or two.

If you don’t need the tracking/autonomous follow feature than a mini 2 is a great drone option as well. (You would need to hand fly it to track movers)

Small drones IMO are better for casual users, but a consideration is that their ability to fight wind is significantly lower than bigger drones. Unless you’re “on the job” and need to fly in a lot of different conditions you probably won’t want to be flying when it’s very windy anyways.

Lastly, the mini 3 has two different remotes. One uses your phone, the other does not. I have the style that uses my phone. Overall it doesn’t bother me, and an added benefit is the pictures I take automatically get added to my phones foto library. The remote that has an integral screen is nice if you’re going to be physically moving a lot while flying (rare imo) or if you’re going to be trying to take pictures of your self and setting the remote down a lot.
For all the airspace and no-fly zone stuff. Do your homework and don’t be a jackass. The apps I use are below