(Part 2) Top products from r/drones

Get a hubsan or a syma as learner first. Both are cheap, pretty durable and good to learn to fly with. You will crash while learing. It is much better to do this with 30 dollar quad. I personally like the hubsan more. Once you or your dad is comfortable flying you can take a look at getting a bigger quad for a camera. For under 500 with a transmitter your options are somewhat limited I think.

Hobbyking has a phantom clone with an apm flight controller that looks interesting and is in your price range. I have not personally tried it, but I have a pixhawk flight controller running the same software and I like it. It has a lot of advanced capabilities such as waypoint flying. You can pair it with small canon point and shoot camera to have auto picture taking capabilities as well, though that may be a bit advanced for what you are looking for. It's useful for mapping where you want a picture taken every x meters.

You could also get an older phantom for a little less then 500. I have never flown one, but they do seem to be pretty easy to operate.

Whatever you get I would caution you to make sure you (and/or your dad) understand how to operate the quad properly(i.e. calibrating the compass, understanding the GPS lock etc...) and are capable of flying safely in manual mode should the need arise. I believe that many mishaps and fly-aways are the result of people not really understanding their systems and how to properly deal with issues when they arrive.

Also check /r/multicopter as they are a bit more active lots of good info.

I bought a Phantom 4 Pro+ a few months ago and I love it. Its incredibly steady in the air and the footage/pictures from the camera are fantastic. If this is your price range, then I highly recommend it. Make sure to get the Pro+ one, having the display integrated with your controller is nice.

The third link you posted is pretty much the same bundle I got, although I got the Obsidian model (the black one). I liked it because the stuff it came with was useful. Definitely price out buying bundle pieces separately if you go with one, most don't save you money.

I purchased this Case Club waterproof case and an extra battery. I really like this case because you can store the drone with the rotors still attached. It makes it a lot easier to pull out the drone for a quick shot.

> Hubsan X4 -- How is it "no camera, low res"?

H107P
$39


H107L $45

H502E $98

H107D $99


H502S $178


H501S $269

Hubsan X4 Brushless $319

So here are my reservations:
Amazon reviews are too suspect - too many payoffs for BS reviews, I can usually read pick up a BS review - but it looks like > 30% of these reviews are biased). [That is why I looked to Reddit but like every enthusiast type thing - you just can not get consistent, reliable feedback)
Product descriptions are poorly translated
No solid links to a good Manufacturers page; a clear table of models and features would help sell more product!

This is an interesting product space - they can go from ~ $30 for what may be a half legitimate product to of $3K for pro. In the Amazon Drone store there are like 2400 in the $50 to 100 space - granted there are many of the same product different sellers and different adders. But man this "space" is cluttered as hell - and that scares off buyers.

This is not really a knock on the drones, but the diversity of Drones - and the dark side of Amazon are just creating so much doubt. For my 2 kids - spending $200 for a gift that, if it is crap they will put in the closet and forget about is just too risky.

Despite this I am probably getting a Syma X5SW FPV... 2 units, batteries and props for < $200. haha

I own a Syma X5C-1(I paid $40 but OMG they're $60 now), Cheerson cx-10($20), and a Blade Inductrix($70).

The Inductrix is the best indoors (very small, quiet, and very maneuverable), and the X5C is best outdoors. Both are very easy to fly, but they do take some practice. I am an experienced RC plane pilot and it took me about 1 to 2 hours of stick time to get the hang of the quads. Getting extra batteries speeds up the learning process a lot.

BTW, the cx-10 likes to go full throttle and hide under furniture so I hates it quite a bit.

I think the Parrot BeBop is right around $370 new. It has a fairly decent camera, but it is forward looking only and not on a gimbal. Personally I think it is a great entry level camera drone. I have flown my buddy's and it seems to handle pretty well - though you obviously are not going to get jello free video (and it does have some fish-eye to it - which may or may not be the video style you like).

http://www.amazon.com/Parrot-Bebop-Quadcopter-Drone-Red/dp/B00OOR9060/ref=sr_1_1?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1458415134&sr=1-1&keywords=parrot+bebop

IF you want a gimbal rig - then you will be moving up into the DJI drones which you can likely find a Phantom 2 or 3 used for about $300-$400 on ebay. Might need some repairs, but you can get replacement parts direct from DJi (or send it in to them for repairs).

Dude, I do 3D Photogrammetry with drones as well!

I use Agisoft Photoscan and 3DF Zephyr for 3D Mapping. I actually pirated them and they work great.

Honestly, hands down the best bang for your buck has to be Phantom 3. There are apps where it takes specific photographs based on the GPS and it's great for aerial mapping.

However, I really suggest the Phantom 4. There's tap to fly, collision avoidance, better battery life(better for larger areas), you name it!

Aware of obstacles feature is much pricier. Phantom 3 Standard a little over $300, without the awareness of obstacles BUT with gimbal and 2,7K camera, need of smartphone or tablet for LiveFeed. Some random footage example.

Lower priced drone I know (and fly) is Hubsan H501S, around $260, 1080p@30FPS, cheap-looking controller BUT with implemented FPV (LiveFeed), no awareness, no gimbal - camera inside the body. Example from my older video - edited out the more shaking moments during winds. It's good looking and quite fast too if you want.

It's better to spend more for Phantom 3 Standard, Hubsan H501S is slim-looking and faster with GPS hold unchecked. Phantom is more beginner-friendly.

After a year with Hubsan, I am considering second drone now. Hubsan is great for fun flying, Phantom much better for smooth footage.

The mini Cheersons are awesome. My 7 year old has one and it's easier to control indoors than the hubsan. They even have a camera and they love filming.

https://www.amazon.com/Cheerson-6-Axis-Quadcopter-Airplane-Orange/dp/B00KXZC762

(Syma x5c)[https://www.amazon.com/Syma-2-4G-Camera-Quadcopter-2-0MP/dp/B00MNG37C2/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1481835095&sr=1-1&keywords=syma+x5c] It's just under $50 and you can get extra batteries for about $5 a piece. I've had mine for a while and crashed it a lot and it's worked just fine.
Perfect for a beginner.

Also the (Cheerson cx10)[https://www.amazon.com/Cheerson-CX-10-Mini-Quadcopter-Drone/dp/B00KXZC762] is a mini drone that's pretty fun for under $20.

://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B071L2LH64/ref=mp_s_a_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1497134650&sr=8-6&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=mavic+drone+body+repair&dpPl=1&dpID=418DF0XJ0%2BL&ref=plSrch that's for front right arm (the others are also there to but if I'm correct from your video that it was the front right

A little shield for your camera to prevent it from getting taken by the drone gods
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0719J3YWR/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1497134825&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=mavic+drone+camera+replace&dpPl=1&dpID=512FXXLeQGL&ref=plSrch

Propellers
(If these are close to the ones you had B4)
(Or buy 2 sets of 2)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B071DG71BL/ref=mp_s_a_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1497134941&sr=8-5&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=mavic+drone+camera+replace&dpPl=1&dpID=51d9LA%2BGHTL&ref=plSrch

And (I couldn't find cheaper one this fast) the camera
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B06Y29Y49T/ref=mp_s_a_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1497135125&sr=8-5&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=mavic+camera+replace&dpPl=1&dpID=41Kp1TftHrL&ref=plSrch

Hope this helps, if I add it up probably around $450 for everything including shipping handling. You've gotta decently priced drone so this might be worth it, if u wanna sell it I might be interested :D just saying

It's a bit on the pricey side but it feels very secure. I am able to store my P3A, all my phantom accessories, with a DSLR with a medium size lens attached (24-105mm), and a spare lens comfortably.

Manfrotto MB BP-D1 DJI Professional Video Equipment Cases Drone Backpack

Reviews mention the 4 fits just fine.

Amazon is sold out but adorama has it right now

http://www.adorama.com/MBBPD1.html

I have the p3 professional. 3dr is going to stop producing these not because they are worse but because they lost the overall consumer battle with DJI. Their aircraft is actually really fun to fly and a great platform. For $500 you get a great bundle with the camera.

https://www.amazon.com/3DR-SA11A-Solo-Drone-Quadcopter/dp/B00ZPM7BOG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1478909246&sr=8-1&keywords=3dr+solo+drone+quadcopter

> https://www.amazon.com/Altitude-Camera-Remote-Control-Headset/dp/B01KYLA1KI/ref=sr_1_19?ie=UTF8&qid=1483474717&sr=8-19-spons&keywords=u818a+upgrade&psc=1

I would not recommend the 502s as I got it for my son for Christmas and it has some positives but mostly negatives. The pros are all the GPS hold/RTH, and FPV features, however the flight time on this things was only 5-6 mins tops. Also the receiver burns through batteries almost as fast at the drone itself. In 10 flights we went through 3 sets of batteries. The other thing I didn't like is all the spare parts have to be ordered from China and take 20 days to get. I could not find any USA based stores with parts for these things. On paper the 501s looks good but you will spend more time/money fixing than flying.

I did a bunch of digging and found out this for $60 is the exact same pack as this for $170. I bought one and it works great for my Autel XSP. Perfect size for a carry-on bag on most airlines too.

This one could be a good option for a beginner: https://www.amazon.com/Holy-Stone-F181-Quadcopter-Headless/dp/B00SAUAP5C/ref=sr_1_7?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1484623897&sr=1-7&keywords=drone&refinements=p_72%3A1248963011


I can also personally recommend the u818 if you'd rather go lower in price. It drifts if you don't trim it, but it's real stable.

https://www.amazon.com/U818A-HD-RC-Quadcopter-Control-Headless/dp/B01IZ4BYDY/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1484623771&sr=8-4&keywords=u818


Both of these have altitude hold will be stable indoors, and probably even in light wind outdoors.

There's mini drones on Amazon that you can get for $12-15 and they might be a good and fun thing for him to start off with. I'll try to find a link and post it.

Edit:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00VVP2TFW/ref=psdcmw_11608080011_t1_B00VVP31EK

I don't see anything as far as replaceable batteries go, and I can guarantee you will be unsatisfied with a 5 min. flight time, if you come to enjoy it at all. I might recommend splurging an extra $50 and get a Parrot Bebop without the controller. you can always buy the sky controller later on to increase the range and maneuverability of it.

I am just looking for a done of decent quality with a camera that has OK quality (720p is fine). Basically a drone that isn't just a kids toy from Walmart for $20. I want something with a degree of quality without being overly expensive considering that I really just wanna test the waters with drones that aren't just kids toys. What are my options? Again, I'm not trying to be a hard core drone enthusiast, I just want something to introduce me to the world of drones and test the waters without using a kids toy
http://www.target.com/p/parrot-mambo-drone-white-pf727001/-/A-51470970?ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=google_pla_df&CPNG=PLA_Electronics+Shopping&adgroup=SC_Electronics_Top%20Performers&LID=700000001170770pgs&network=g&device=m&location=9015301&gclid=CjwKEAiAjvrBBRDxm_nRusW3q1QSJAAzRI1tZ08xB7iN3QpFIvlGAxKOWTgj3-APMozbPOe8FInZ2BoCaffw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01LG40OY0/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1480549723&sr=8-3&pi=SX200_QL40&keywords=drones&dpPl=1&dpID=41e1gWC82TL&ref=plSrch

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/cr/B00X9JDPYC/ref=mw_dp_cr

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00MNG37C2/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1480549551&sr=8-1&pi=SX200_QL40&keywords=Drones&dpPl=1&dpID=31F80tz4ENL&ref=plSrch

Looking for a first camera drone. Camera Quality isn't the most important thing..

I bought a range extender for my phantom 3 off Amazon similar to this one. It has reduced the amount of strong interference warnings I am receiving an has boosted the maximum range of my drone by at least 30%, I haven't had an opportunity to fly further than that. Totally worth it for less than $15

I got this U818A Upgraded for Christmas and have been liking it so far. May end up removing the shield so it performs better in higher winds. Maybe get some extra batteries with it too.

https://www.amazon.com/Altitude-Camera-Remote-Control-Headset/dp/B01KYLA1KI/ref=sr_1_19?ie=UTF8&qid=1483474717&sr=8-19-spons&keywords=u818a+upgrade&psc=1

What do you think of the DJI Phantom?

http://www.amazon.com/DJI-Phantom-Aerial-Drone-Quadcopter/dp/B00AGOSQI8/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1417020623&sr=1-3

Looks like a good price $430 for the options.

3DR Solo. (I'm biased) Beware the company has gone upside down, and is only focusing on commercial survey applications. But for build quality and features it is the best deal on the market imho. It was selling for about $1,000 just one year ago. Open Source too

https://www.amazon.com/3DR-SA11A-Solo-Drone-Quadcopter/dp/B00ZPM7BOG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1493218659&sr=8-1&keywords=3dr+solo

Programmable with the Tower app (free), or Solex app ($29) both on android.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.droidplanner.android&hl=en

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fognl.solex&hl=en

We use this Case Club and love it. Plenty of room for extras, it's got wheels, hasn't had any defects in the past year, and isn't too expensive.

Hate to say it, but you can't get anything better than a toy for $100. Sure, you could get some sort of 'drone' like this with an 'HD' camera, but you'd be better off saving up for something better. Heck, you'd be hard pressed to even get a decent HD camera for $100, let alone one that flies.

For videos, I almost exclusively use ND32 to get the shutter speed to 60. Here is the set I got for my P4A. I'm very happy with it. The PL are polarized filters. They rotate to cancel out light from various directions. Being on a drone limits their functionality because you cannot adjust them mid flight, but they work good if you're primarily shooting from one angle.

For pictures during the day, I use the ND8 or ND16. I have not played around with the PL version yet, I have only had my drone for 2 months.

This is a small album I did of the sunset at Silver Beach in St. Joseph Michigan. This was one of my very first shoots. I did not use any filters and the quality is not amazing because I took these while recording video. The last one is a composite I did in photoshop to make the foreground brighter.

Https://imgur.com/a/Tz3M1 This pic was taken with an ND16 filter and taken right off my sd card, no post work at all.

You will just be limited to toy grade at that price range. But don't worry, that is what she needs to start on. It is what I and many others started on. And when she inevitable crashes it, she can get the parts to replace it. I am guessing you are in the states, so if I were you, something like this would be what I looked for.

If, in the future, she finds she does want to keep advancing in the hobby, you turn it into a project for the 2 of you and slowly start acquiring parts to build whatever type drone you want if you don't feel like forking out the $500-$1000 for an all in one. Truth is, they are not hard to build, there are a bazillion guides/how to's on youtube for any build, and the parts are reasonable. The most expensive unit is the Radio Control. After that engines range from $10-$30 each, electronics $20-50, etc. Soldering is the hardest part of putting it together, but if she wants to be in aeronautics, then soldering shouldn't be that scary.

With this $15 range extender, I've gotten 2024m over lakes, and 1400m over land. Over urban areas, I get about 1km, which is supposed to be its max range. The important key is making sure you are always directly facing the drone and having the extender facing it directly.
https://www.amazon.com/SKYREAT-Parabolic-Standard-Controller-Transmitter/dp/B01DC0ZCN4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1469742363&sr=8-2&keywords=phantom+3+range+extender

How do you feel about parabolic range boosters?

I've been thinking about buying THESE to boost my phantom 3 pro range since my area has a lot of trees

I dont know if they make ones for mavic pro, but I got the neewer six filter set off amazon for the p4p and they worked just fine and were 46 instead of 190.

Also, take a peek at the reviews on the second one you listed http://www.amazon.com/Spy-Spot-Investigations-Tracking-Enduro-pro/dp/B0085C9NLW

Some are saying that there are hidden usage fees. It appears that one works on a SIM as well.

I don't see many options that don't require GSM services to relay the GPS data.

I am very interested in this myself as I am likely about to drop over 1k on a new quad.. and I really, really don't want to lose it.

I started looking yesterday, and every GPS tracking unit I find is expensive and/or has a ridiculous monthly fee attached to it.. ridiculous like $50 + per month!

Things I noticed when I found some decent units - some didnt work on GPS at all, but instead required a cell tower.. you want GPS, not GPSR (which is a wireless routing protocol)

Options I've found:
http://www.immersionrc.com/product-details.php?fpv_product=1

http://www.amazon.com/Spy-Spot-Investigations-Tracking-Enduro-pro/dp/B0085C9NLW

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=1174296&gclid=CjwKEAiA8K20BRDetNv3p6DNhXwSJADSwa3tTieYsEI78RTItYHYALVCsCTPh0s0b6rtybY1rnG5lxoCRJzw_wcB&Q=&ap=y&m=Y&is=REG&A=details

I would check eBay or even Craigslist for some local deals. Also if you have a microcenter around you last I heard they were going for that price there.

Today Amazon is having a deal on the advance. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VSIT5UE/ref=pe_2392630_195885460_pd_h0_learn&smid=

https://www.amazon.com/Parabolic-Professional-Advanced-Controller-Transmitter/dp/B017IP2P98/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1468177167&sr=8-1&keywords=phantom+3+range+extender

Trying to find this drone online and found this one for 70 https://www.amazon.com/Blade-Inductrix-Ultra-Micro-Technology/dp/B011UDQYSC same thing?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00VVP2TFW/ref=psdcmw_11608080011_t1_B00VVP31EK

It's only fifty bucks on Amazon

You mean this thing for $259? https://www.amazon.com/Mavic-Gimbal-Camera-Assembly-Authentic/dp/B06Y29Y49T

Phantom 4 $1000

Phantom 3S $500

Huh, that's annoying. Here's the UK amazon link. RIP UK pilots, I guess.