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Professional Drone Buying Guide-[ 9 Tips]
Many of the drone pilots I’ve spoken to have encountered one specific problem: they had to purchase a new drone within the first six months of beginning their firm.
They soon outgrew their first drone since it was underpowered. Or, maybe, they just selected a product that was overpriced in relation to the value they received.
I’ll give you 10 pointers on how to get the best deal on a professional camera drone. By the time you’ve finished reading, you’ll hopefully have learned how to avoid the blunders that so many novice pilots make when they first start out.
Controlled airspace is defined as airspace in which aircraft fly under the supervision of air traffic controllers, often via specified air corridors and at specific altitudes. Standard operating procedures apply to all aircraft in this area, however it is completely safe to fly your drone inside it as long as you follow the regulations.
1.Be Aware of Your Spending Limits
How much money do you have available right now? Anywhere between $500 and $1000 is the price range to aim for if money is an issue.
However, you should also think about how much money you can expect to make in the first three to six months after starting your job.
Would the return on investment justify the initial outlay? When you put it this way, it’s okay to spend a bit more money if it means getting better quality.
How Much Should You Pay for a Drone?
It’s the age-old question that aspiring pilots have been asking since 2010. “How much should I pay for a drone?” Of course, the answer will be determined by your goals and objectives.
For the first time, you’re behind the wheel? Are you a seasoned professional seeking to make the transition into commercial operations?
We’ll attempt to connect purpose to pricing, ensuring that you don’t overpay for whatever flight you have in mind.
Beginner? – Spend less than $200 if you’re just starting off.
The ‘Just getting started’ category is for pilots who have never flown before. Maybe you want to try your hand at aerial photography, or maybe you want to try your hand at FPV racing, or maybe you’re simply intrigued about the rise of drone technology and want to see what all the buzz is about.
In any case, starting at the bottom of the pile is your best chance.
To be sure, the more you spend for a drone, the simpler it will (probably) be to fly. However, such reasoning will leave many newcomers out of pocket and is not an option for those who are just starting out.
Furthermore, starting off with a drone that does everything for you is not a good approach to become a competent pilot.
Intermediate and Are Things Getting Serious? Spend between $250 and $600 for an Intermediate Drone.
There are a plethora of intermediate drones available for pilots with a taste for flight and those want to take their aerial photography to the next level.
Surprisingly, since the consumer market has moved so rapidly in recent years, drones that were considered world-leading as recently as 18 months ago have already been superseded by newer versions.
As a result, there is quality to be found in the market’s intermediate segment.
A Professional Drone pilot ?
You could easily spend $1700 or more on a DJI Mavic Pro under $2,000, but should you?
As you’ve undoubtedly guessed, getting started in the drone business isn’t cheap. But there’s good news: you get what you paid for.
If you want to earn money on the side, become a full-time drone pilot, or just take your pastime to the next level, investing $ 700+ or more on a drone will not disappoint.
2.Select a Model with a Long History of Success
Instead of buying a new drone, go for one that has been around for a while. Even top-of-the-line drones can have serious flaws when they are brand new.
This is the last thing a new professional pilot wants to deal with when they’re just getting started. If possible, choose a model that is between six and twelve months old.
3.Be Aware Of The Various Price Points Offered
Prices for professional drones fall into the following categories:
- $400 and $600
- somewhere between $500 and $1,000
- somewhere between $1,000 and $5,000
- $5000 to $9999.99
- more than $10,000
Although this split is questionable, it will suffice for our needs.
You can get a decent camera, flying duration, range, and maybe some autonomous flight modes for $300 to $500 on a lower-end drone.
Typically, these are older models that have been superseded by more sophisticated (but still affordable) drones.
Most aspiring pilots should spend between $500 and $1,000, according to my recommendations.
The features/specs are well-balanced, and you don’t have to spend a lot of money up front.
4.Using Autonomous Fight Modes Makes Sense
Even pilots with decades of expertise rely on self-flight modes to obtain sharp, clear images. Disregarding your pride, take advantage of the situation.
Many $400-$900 drones have a number of flying modes to choose from. Here are some things to watch for:
Waypoints to Points of Interest for Me to Follow
Only using these flying modes will allow you to capture a wide variety of images.
5. Purchase a drone with Enough Range
Pilots in the commercial sector need a greater range than those in the general aviation sector. You should aim for a distance of at least 500 metres.
What’s the deal with range? To obtain the best pictures, professional pilots fly considerably higher and further than the average person.
When a signal goes out in the middle of a shoot, it ruins the whole thing.
When shopping for a new drone, one of the most essential things to consider is the controlled range – that is, how far away the transmitter and receiver can be without the connection breaking.
Most commercial drones have a remote range of approximately 30 metres, but what about longer-range drones?
After all, one of the most significant advantages of commercial quadcopters is that they have enabled even amateur photographers and videographers to capture some spectacular aerial views, which they would not be able to accomplish with a mere 30 metres.
Here’s a rundown of some of the finest long-range drones on the market right now.
Best Long-Range Drones
DJI Mavic Pro Fly More Combo
- Foldable Propeller Quadcopter Drone Kit with Remote,
- Comes with 3 Batteries,
- 16GB MicroSD, Charging Hub,
- Car Charger,
- Power Bank Adapter and Shoulder Bag
Your photos will only be as excellent as the camera you use to take them. Look for at least 20MP stills and 1080p video. You can now get 25MP and 4K footage for a fraction of the price it was a few years ago.
6.Purchase a Drone that has a minimum flight time of 18-20 minutes.
Most professional drones have a flying time that meets or exceeds this requirement, but it’s still something to consider in your study.
You’d set a timer for at least 20-25 minutes. You want to reduce the number of times you have to land and swap batteries.
It’s a truth that no one enjoys having limited battery life with their drones.
Drone flying durations of up to 30 minutes on a single battery have been achieved thanks to technological advances.
Those interested in aerial photography, for example, have a strong desire for the longest flying duration.
A lengthy drone flying duration is also required for some companies.
Real estate, construction, and land surveying businesses may benefit greatly from long-lasting drones, but only if they have a lengthy battery life to get the job done right the first time.
With this in mind, we will be bringing you the finest beginner and professional level drones with the longest flying durations recorded.
Drones with the Longest Flight Times
Be aware that many of the professional drones with the longest flying duration are manufactured by the powerhouse manufacturer DJI.
With that stated, we’re providing you the honest, best of the best in terms of the longest flight durations, so be ready to make your decision!
If money is no issue and you want to know which drone has the longest flying duration, the DJI Mavic 2 is your best bet.
This long-lasting drone battery can keep the Mavic 2 Zoom and Pro versions flying for 31 minutes, making them the drones with the longest battery life.
The DJI Inspire 2 boasts one of the longest drone battery lifetimes, topping the rankings with a maximum flying duration of 27 minutes!
Not only that, but it has an incredible transmission range of up to 4.3 miles (7 km).
It employs the most recent DJI Lightbridge technology for the longest transmission distance possible.
Unfortunately, depending on where you travel, it will cost you about $3000.
For those looking for a less costly option, we strongly suggest the Yuneec Typhoon H. It will cost you about $1500 and has a total flying duration of up to 25 minutes.
That’s not the longest-lasting drone battery, but it’s almost as long as the flying duration of the Phantom drone!
7.Check that the camera has a high enough image and video quality.
Your photos will only be as excellent as the camera you use to take them. Look for at least 20MP stills and 1080p video.
You can now get 25MP and 4K footage for a fraction of the price it was a few years ago.
That being said, it may not be the best option for everyone. If you’re on a tighter budget, the DJI Mini 2 is an even more small and inexpensive option for novices.
Meanwhile, the DJI Phantom 4 Pro V2.0 remains a steady, wind-resistant choice for experienced aerial filmmakers, while Powervision’s PowerEgg X is a one-of-a-kind waterproof solution.
8. Speed of the Drone shots & the Camera
Well, will you be filming pursuit sequences or very rapid pans? If so, invest in a drone with sufficient speed and power to capture these images.
You cannot change the camera on all drones. Furthermore, many professional pilots prefer to utilise their own equipment.
If you want to use your existing equipment at some time and purchase a drone that enables you to do so, you will not need to purchase a whole new gear in the future.
There are a number of excellent remote control drones to purchase out there, so think about what type of sUAS best suits your planned operation and then do thorough research on the best choices.
This essay will try to teach you the key features of the most popular camera drones on the market today.
From price to camera specifications to handling/responsiveness to flying software and battery life, it’s critical to do your homework and ensure you’re purchasing a drone that’s right for you.
All of the models on this list are complete and ready to fly. After charging your LiPo battery and thoroughly reading your user manual, you’re ready to power up, calibrate, setup, and begin accumulating flying hours.
Here’s a complete list of some of the models that has good camera for drone Photography.
9. Think about scalability and portability.
The convenience of being able to take your computer with you shouldn’t be your primary concern. Any type of professional drone will be larger and more difficult to carry.
However, you’ll almost certainly be taking your drone along for the ride. The DJI Mavic Pro is one of the finest drones for travellers because of its portability. For those who value mobility, a quadcopter like that may be an excellent choice.
If you don’t have a carrying case, you’ll need to buy one to transport your gea
My Favourite Professional Drones for New Pilots
My favorite pro drones for new pilots are the DJI Phantom 3 4K, DJI Mavic Air pro, and the DJI Mavic Pro.
But don’t just take my advice blindly. Do your own research, take note of the options out there, and choose the best drone for you.
Also Read: The Best High tech drones in 2022 -[ 5 Reasons why High tech drones are worth it]
There are, broadly speaking, three kinds of airspace in most countries – uncontrolled, controlled and restricted.
Items discussed in the article
Also Read…
- The Best drones on a Budget
- DJI Mavic Mini Drone: Things to know before you purchase.
- Best Drones for kids [Drone Buying Guide and Top 5 Kid Friendly Drones]
- The Best High tech drones in 2023 to Grow your Areal Photography Business
- What Would Be needed For Drone Delivery to Be Safe ?- Facts you must now
About the Author:
Manny Acharya is the co-founder of Artmellows. Your Goto place for Design, Digital Art, Digital sculpting, Photography, Tools & Gears Info, and Product Reviews. Manny is a Digital Artist, 3D Sculpt Designer, Ardent Photography, Drone flying Enthusiast & Tech Lover. He supercharges Digital Art & Design by crafting memorable 3d Sculpts & 2D Design & Art.
PS: Manny has created a Beginner Friedly ebook to Learn Nomad 3d Sculpt App. Know More about the eBook. Know more about Manny