9 Key Factors to Look out for When Buying a Drone
As drones become more popular, the market is beginning to see an influx of new models from manufacturers. Drones can be an exciting and educational hobby, but it’s essential to do your research before purchasing one. There are a lot of cheap drones on the market that aren’t worth your time or money, which is why it’s important to know what you’re looking for when buying a drone.
Speed
Many people see speed as the most critical factor when buying a drone, but it’s important to remember that flying a drone isn’t racing a car. Most beginner drones max out around 20MPH (miles per hour); however, the average drone speed is between 40-60 MPH; with some drones reaching 70MPH; however, you can get customized drones built for racing which can reach speeds of 100+ MPH. When flying drones, pilots are looking for smooth and precise controls, with quick acceleration when necessary.
Camera Quality
Another important consideration when purchasing a drone is the quality of its camera. The camera is typically located on the nose of the drone and comes in two main varieties — a wide-angle lens and a zoom lens. Wide-angle lenses are best suited for general photography, while zoom lenses are ideal for getting close-up shots of a particular object or subject.
The quality of the camera integrated with a drone is essential because it determines what kind of quality images and videos the drone can capture. The better the camera quality is, the better your pictures and videos will be.
Flight Times
Next, let’s talk about flight times. Many drones have a built-in battery with a flight time of around 15 to 30 minutes. There are drones with longer flight times, but they tend to be more expensive. Drone batteries usually take approximately 30 to 60 minutes to charge, but some can take longer. If you’re buying a drone with a short flight time, you may want to think about purchasing an extra battery or two.
Charge times will depend on the type of charger you use. If you get a drone with a lithium-ion battery, you can expect a charge time of around 30 minutes. You can also find drones with a quick charge option that gives you another flight around 10 minutes after the first one ends.
Size of the Drone
Another essential factor to consider when purchasing a drone is its size. This refers to the size of the drone’s body, including the rotors and other components. The size of the drone can determine a few things. For example, smaller drones are typically much easier to fly than larger ones. This is because smaller drones are less complicated and don’t require as much skill to fly. Smaller drones are also better for flying indoors, whereas larger drones are better suited for flying outdoors or in open areas.
However, both sizes have pros and cons, so you should make sure you are aware of the size you require and the features included to make the best choice.
Props and Rotors
Drone rotors are what allow the drone to stay aloft in the air. The drone’s number of rotors is another essential consideration when purchasing a drone. Most drones come with between two and four rotors. The drone’s number of rotors determines how stable and balanced it is in the air. The more rotors a drone has, the more stable it is in the air. This is why most larger drones have four rotors and smaller drones have two.
Another thing to keep in mind when purchasing a drone is the type of rotors it uses. Some drones use standard, round rotors, while others use carbon fiber rotors. Round rotors are typically less expensive and less durable than carbon fiber rotors, which is why carbon fiber rotors are generally better.
Durability and Build Quality
As we mentioned above, props are under a lot of stress and prone to breaking, so it’s essential to ensure the ones on your drone are durable. Cheaper drones will often use weaker, more inexpensive props, which can make your drone less safe. Aside from the props, look at the quality and build of the rest of your drone. Is it made from lightweight materials, or is it heavy and bulky?
A lightweight drone is easier to fly and will break less often. Look out for loose pieces or internal wiring that doesn’t look tidy or well-put-together. A drone that has been put together well is more likely to last.
You want to find a drone built to last with a good reputation, such as DJI drones. You don’t want to purchase a drone that will break the first time you crash it. You can get an idea of a drone’s durability and build quality by reading reviews from other users and looking at independent reviews online.
Remote Control Range
Another essential factor to remember when purchasing a drone is its remote control range. Remote control range refers to the distance you can operate the drone with its remote control. Most consumer-level drones’ standard remote control range is between 50 and 100 meters.
A more extended remote control range is better, but it typically comes at a higher price. Keep in mind that the remote control range is the distance at which you can control the drone. It does not indicate how far away you can fly the drone.
Battery Life and Charging Time
Drone battery life has come a long way in the last few years, but it’s still essential to ensure the model you’re buying has decent battery life. Longer battery life will give you more time to fly your drone, which is suitable for any beginner drone pilot. You should also look at how long your battery takes to charge. Some batteries can take up to six hours to charge, which isn’t ideal. You don’t want to have to wait hours for your drone to be ready to fly again.
FPV Screen Quality and Broadcasting Delay
Another essential factor to remember when purchasing a drone is the quality of its First Person View (FPV) screen and broadcasting delay. The FPV screen is the viewing screen on the controller that allows you to see what the drone’s camera sees as you fly it. Ideally, you want to find a drone with a high-quality FPV screen, preferably with a wide field of view.
A wide field of view allows you to see as much of the surrounding area as possible while still seeing the drone’s camera feed. It’s also essential to find out about the broadcasting delay of a drone’s FPV screen. The broadcasting delay of a drone’s FPV screen refers to the amount of time between when the drone’s camera sees something and when you see it on the FPV screen. Ideally, you want to find a drone with a short broadcasting delay. Short broadcasting delays allow you to react more quickly while flying the drone.
Conclusion
When purchasing a drone, it’s important to keep certain factors in mind. First, you want to select a drone that is suitable for your skill level. If you’re just getting started, you want to find a drone that is easy to fly and doesn’t require a lot of skill to pilot.
Next, you want to find a durable drone built to last. You also want to find a drone that offers various features and functions. Drone technology is constantly evolving, and new models are being released regularly. This means there are plenty of great drones available for purchase. With some research and knowledge, you can find a great drone at an affordable price.