Drones are a rapidly growing market, thanks partly to the rapidly changing designs and technology that allow more people to master the art of using drones personally and professionally.
The fact remains that drones allow for a perspective that traditional photography and videography can’t. Something is captivating about imagery captured from above, allowing us to see the world from an angle we don’t get to see frequently.
If you are new to drones and drone technology, taking that first step to finding a suitable drone for you can be daunting. Yet, with all the choices on the market, it isn’t as straightforward anymore to buy a drone for your needs.
This post looks at some of the essential considerations you need to keep in mind when buying your first drone.
What Do You Want From Your Drone?
You need to ask yourself what type of features you want for your drone before purchasing. Drones come in many different shapes and sizes and with a vast array of features and technology. If you are using it for personal use, then a simple, low-cost drone can help you get used to this type of technology and allow you to practice. However, if this is going to be for corporate use, you need to put more thought into what you want and need your drone to be capable of. Learn More here about the different types of drones on offer and what you can expect at various price points.
How Do Much You Want To Spend?
Different drone capabilities come with other price points. It can be easy to get carried away and go for a drone with all the latest tech. But ask yourself, do you really need all of the features, and how much are you willing to spend on a drone?
Once you can pinpoint your maximum budget, you can narrow down your search.
What Local Drone Laws Do You Need to Know?
This is super important to know. Each country and potentially each region will have different laws and regulations regarding drone usage. Most countries will require you to register your drone, which can require you to pay a fee. Responsible drone owners know all the laws and regulations regarding what they can and cannot do and are registered with the relevant authorities.
It is also imperative that if you are going to be travelling with your drone, you know the laws on bringing drones into the country. Even if you do not plan on using it and are stopping over, you may not even be allowed to have it in your luggage, and you run the risk of it being confiscated. Always check before travelling.
Insure The Drone
Always make sure you get the drone insured. It is an expensive piece of tech, and especially in the beginning, it can be easy to damage it. This can be through an accident or malicious intent via a third party. But if you cannot afford to replace it or repair it should it get damaged, you need to ensure it is fully covered by specific drone insurance.
A caveat with some drone insurers is that you have limitations on flying them and maintaining your policy. If you are planning on travelling a lot, this is important to give you peace of mind.
Practice Makes Perfect
Perfecting the art of drone flying has never been easier. Technology advancements have made learning to fly a drone relatively easy, and most people can pick it up quickly. However, just because it is easy to master the basics, it doesn’t mean you can always enhance your skills.
You can take online courses to improve your drone handling skills and photography and videography skills, along with apps you can download to your phone. One good point of call is the retailer or manufacturer of the drone, who can often have an extensive guide on how to get the best from your purchase.
Buy Accessories
Your drone may or may not come with added extras depending on your purchase. Once you have bought your drone and are used to using it, you may find that you want to take it out for more extended periods to get more experience.
Typically this will require you to have drone components to help you prolong your flying capabilities, including;
- Spare battery
- Car charging port
- Storage case
- Space propellers
- Propellor guards
- Battery charger
Pre Flight Checks
Not only do you need to check your drone and battery status before you fly, but you also need to do other checks in your local environment to make sure it is suitable for flying.
The wind frequently catches off people who are new to drones guard. Each drone has a top-flight speed (airspeed). If the wind reaches this speed or higher, the drone will be unable to make considerable progress into the wind but will travel quite quickly downwind (meaning you could crash).
Before you go out, you can usually check the wind speed online, or you can download a wind speed app to use while you’re out in the field. In addition, your drone will come with an app that allows you to track it in the area. If it blows away from you, the app offers you a clear display of where it is, allowing you to determine if there is an issue usually.
Know The Rules
There are some basic rules regarding drone flying, and it pays to know what these are where you will intend to use your drone, but typically standard drone rules for considerate usage include;
- No flying over 400 feet
- No flight close to airports
- No flight over private or residential properties
- No flight near or over government buildings
- Fly in open spaces only
- Always keep your drone in your line of sight
While it might seem complicated at first to get to grips with your new drone, once you become familiar with the responsibilities of owning and flying your drone, it will quickly become second nature to you.
