Which Drone? (1 Viewer)

[Sidders]

Hi, can anyone recommend a good starter drone. We’re heading off soon locally to the highlands and was hoping to catch some footage.
Thanks

 

[klaatu]

Budget? I recently bought a Mavic Air 2 and I'm very pleased with it. Must get around to doing something with all the video I've shot!

 

[Vipar]

Check the license requirements first I believe it’s 250 grams
Others will be along to correct me.

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[g3cwi]

Thought it was a bagpipe question.

 

[Sidders]

klaatu ooh good question, hadn’t thought of that and don’t even know how much they are, guessing they will range massively in price. At this stage, bring a complete novice and very likely to damage/crash it I wouldn’t really want to go past £500 and would be happy to look 2nd hand/preloved

 

[TheBig1]

reminds me I bought one last year and never got round to using it

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[Sidders]

TheBig1 - which one did you get?

 

[Two on Tour]

I've got a DJI Mavic Mini.
It folds compact enough to fit in a jacket pocket and a great performance.

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[thebriars]

To be legal, for a Mavic Air 2 you will need a licence from the CAA. Without proof of registration it is an offence with up to £1000 fines.

Add to that you will need several batteries and a lipo charger.

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[David and Sally]

To be legal, for a Mavic Air 2 you will need a licence from the CAA. Without proof of registration it is an offence with up to £1000 fines.

Add to that you will need several batteries and a lipo charger.

The licence can be taken via the BMFA (British Model Flying Assiciation.

Add third-party insurance - again BMFA.

250g before you need a licence.

 

[Two on Tour]

Gaining a licence is a doddle. My Mavic Mini comes in at 249 grams but I took the test to get a licence anyway.

 

[thebriars]

The licence can be taken via the BMFA (British Model Flying Assiciation.

Add third-party insurance - again BMFA.

250g before you need a licence.

Well aware of that, but the Mavic Air 2 weighs 570g.

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[Speve]

The area where we live is a drone no fly zone due to military airfields and artillery ranges of the plain.

 

[Sidders]

bejesus, I didn't realise a license and insurance was needed

 

[Two on Tour]

bejesus, I didn't realise a license and insurance was needed

It's not a requirement to have insurance unless you are using a drone for commercial use, and as I said gaining a licence is a doddle and it's all done on-line.

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[cliffanger]

Ukbandit and Jaws might be good to ask. They’ll be along in a minute!

 

[Revolvor]

Another vote for a Mavic Mini. Best value is to get the "fly more combo" which includes 2x extra batteries, a charger, case, prop guards and spare blades, as posted by Two on Tour .

It has a good camera, 2.7k video, 25 mins+ battery life and 2.5km range. Being under 250 gms also means no licence required.

 

[DorsetDrifter]

Another vote for the Mavic Mini and the "fly more combo" great bit of kit and easy to fly straight away. For extra peace of mind I would also recommend some insurance (Coverdrone) and the DJI refresh package. As previously mentioned the licence is easy to get and worth doing even though it's not needed with the Mini.

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[David and Sally]

It's not a requirement to have insurance unless you are using a drone for commercial use, and as I said gaining a licence is a doddle and it's all done on-line.

But, if you hurt someone or damage property ????? The BMFA insurance and membership is only about £30 a year.

 

[Revolvor]

Another vote for the Mavic Mini and the "fly more combo" great bit of kit and easy to fly straight away. For extra peace of mind I would also recommend some insurance (Coverdrone) and the DJI refresh package. As previously mentioned the licence is easy to get and worth doing even though it's not needed with the Mini.

The DJI Refresh package is EXTREMELY good value. For £35 pa they will replace a damaged or water-damaged Mavic mini twice, for an excess of about £40. In order to qualify, you have to register for the insurance within 48 hours of first activating your drone.

Care Refresh

 

[Nirvanauk]

reminds me I bought one last year and never got round to using it

Ha Ha! same here...

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[Wh05apk]

I bought a used. Mavuc air.combo with 4 batteries for £500 used, benefit over the mini is weight, and build quality it is better able to cope with gusty conditions, the mini has lots of reports of fly aways on forums.

You need to pass the test, but that can be done in 10 minutes so is no big deal.

 

[Graham of Madrid]

I bought a model from Lidl for less that 20 Euro. They are perfect for learning on if you choose the best location and weather. They are quite easy to damage which is probably why I have 5. I have a lot of spare batteries now !

 

[Revolvor]

I bought a model from Lidl for less that 20 Euro. They are perfect for learning on if you choose the best location and weather. They are quite easy to damage which is probably why I have 5. I have a lot of spare batteries now !

I had a cheap one in order to learn, but the advantage of one with GPS and distance sensors is that you don't have to fly it all the time. If you take your fingers off the sticks, it just hovers - rock solid. I've used it for some photos and videos where I'm basically just using it as tripod, hovering 2 metres above the ground.

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[knickam]

Mavic mini fly more combo here as well, Nice and small and no licence needed. Will easily fly for 20 minutes on a charge. Easily within your £500 budget

 

[Rockcrawler]

I've got a DJI Mavic Mini.
It folds compact enough to fit in a jacket pocket and a great performance.

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+1 I have one of these aswell, love it

 

[Wissel]

Just in case anyone is looking to buy a Mavic Mini, eBay have a 15% discount code running, taking the standard drone pack down from £379 to £322. Was too good a deal. Missus will kill me once she gets up

Code is: PACKUP15 for anyone interested.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/710-...0001&campid=5338547443&icep_item=401952644526

Code works with the combo pack as well (£479 to £419):

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/710-...0001&campid=5338547443&icep_item=124009426569

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[Sidders]

Wissel - awesome, thanks for this

what does the combo mean? Sorry a bit new to all this

 

[knickam]

In this combo pack you get a 360° propeller guard for improved flight safety, carry case, 2 extra batteries and USB charging hub which can charge 3 batteries at once

 

[Two on Tour]

Wissel - awesome, thanks for this

what does the combo mean? Sorry a bit new to all this

You get all these bits.

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