Drones Master Thread

[Something Fishy]

There's a lot of drone information spread around the forums, but no one place to discuss everything drone-related - until now . Use this thread to help figure out which drone to buy, what's a good deal, tips and tricks, etc.

For starters here are links to some existing drone-related threads and discussions:

Trying to figure out which drone to get myself
Some discussion on DJI's newest drone, announced today
Pictures/Video (*You've*) Taken from Drones
Important DJI warranty limitation


Current best options for general, typical use:

(See the above links for some deeper comparisons.)

- DJI Phantom 4: The newest version of the most popular drone family out there. Costs around $1200, very well-rounded bird. Obstacle avoidance (front only) and great range.

- DJI Phantom 3 Standard / Advanced / Professional: The older version of the 4. Quite similar, but lesser range and no obstacle avoidance. The 3 models are quite similar, but the camera quality goes up steadily as the price goes up. $499, $799, and $999.

- DJI Mavic Pro: Just announced today, this seems to be the drone for 90% of people. Same quality camera as the P4, and folds into, well.... not nothingness, but really really small. Like, fits in a water-bottle holder small. Remains to be seen how it performs in the real world, but being that DJI has tremendous experience in drones it bodes quite well. $999.

- GoPro Karma: Also just announced with nothing in customer's hands, this seemed to be the winner - until the Mavic was announced. It folds as well, but is still orders of magnitude larger than the Mavic. It uses a GoPro as the camera, and comes with an included hand-held stabilizer. Specs fall very short, with less than a mile's range, no follow modes, and so on. $799 without a camera, $999 with a Hero5.

- Autel X-Star Premium: Very similar to the Phantoms (it sits somewhere between the 3 and 4, spec-wise), it has many things that are actually better and a few that are worse. Overall I'd rate it as the best option out there at the moment, and I'll put my money where my mouth is: I ordered mine yesterday.


Current promos:

The only thing I'm aware of is that Autel will pay for your FAA Part 107 certification via MIR ($150), should you choose to go that route.

[Something Fishy]

DJI also announced today DJI Care Refresh. For $99, you will get priority servise and up to two drone replacements in case of a crash. Needs to be bought and activated no later than 48 hours after using the Mavic for the first time and lasts for a year.

Considering Amex, is this actually useful?

[whYME]

Considering Amex, is this actually useful?

CMIIW, but I don't think Amex will cover a crash after 90 days

[Something Fishy]

Seems that the Mavic won't take filters. Ouch.

ETA: DJI rep confirmed that they'll have proprietary ND filters available "in the doming days".

[Aaaron]

Mavic is $749 without remote, no? 

[tageed-lee]

Mavic is $749 without remote, no?

Its included... (Scroll down a little to "In the box")

http://store.dji.com/product/mavic-pro?site=brandsite&from=buy_now_bar#/box

[Something Fishy]

Mavic is $749 without remote, no?

Its included
http://store.dji.com/product/mavic-pro?site=brandsite&from=buy_now_bar#/box

$749 without the remote, $999 with.

But the range using the direct-to-phone Wi-Fi connection so bad, I highly doubt anyone here will get the no-remote option.

[Alwayshappy0909]

I think that the Phantom 3 series comes without a camera, you have to add a gopro.

I bought the Phantom 3 4k that comes with a camera for $599
And I love it

[Something Fishy]

I think that the Phantom 3 series comes without a camera, you have to add a gopro.

I bought the Phantom 3 4k that comes with a camera for $599
And I love it

That was the Phantom 2, all 3s came with a camera.

The reason I didn't list the P3 4k is because it's discontinued by now.

[Alwayshappy0909]

1 of my recent drone photos

[Alwayshappy0909]

You must register your drone and get a "Small UAS Certificate of Registration" for a $5 fee @ faa.gov

[AJK]

DJI also announced today DJI Care Refresh. For $99, you will get priority servise and up to two drone replacements in case of a crash. Needs to be bought and activated no later than 48 hours after using the Mavic for the first time and lasts for a year.

Considering Amex, is this actually useful?

It is. AmEx will not cover the Drone.

T&Cs exclude.

[lfas25]

It is. AmEx will not cover the Drone.

T&Cs exclude.

They cover flying cameras not drones

[noturbizniss]

It is. AmEx will not cover the Drone.

T&Cs exclude.

based on this?

motorized vehicles and watercraft, aircraft,
and motorcycles or their motors, equipment,
parts or accessories;

[noturbizniss]

Autel X-Star Premium: Very similar to the Phantoms (it sits somewhere between the 3 and 4, spec-wise), it has many things that are actually better and a few that are worse. Overall I'd rate it as the best option out there at the moment, and I'll put my money where my mouth is: I ordered mine yesterday.

Or you ordered it yesterday and have buyers remorse after seeing the mavic and don't want to see us little folk getting a better option than you!

[Something Fishy]

Or you ordered it yesterday and have buyers remorse after seeing the mavic and don't want to see us little folk getting a better option than you!

LOL .

Or, I could just return it and order the Mavic, ya know.

Basically, for me, the only thing the Mavic has over the Autel is its size. The Autel has a better camera, stability, remote, no no-fly zones, and a whole bunch of other things over the Mavic. Of course, that size is absolutely incredible, but as a whole package the Autel works better for me.

[noturbizniss]

LOL .

Or, I could just return it and order the Mavic, ya know.

Basically, for me, the only thing the Mavic has over the Autel is its size. The Autel has a better camera, stability, remote, no no-fly zones, and a whole bunch of other things over the Mavic. Of course, that size is absolutely incredible, but as a whole package the Autel works better for me.

So why not the phantom 4?#n00bhere

[Something Fishy]

So why not the phantom 4?#n00bhere

http://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=28454.msg1562208#msg1562208

Plus I got a really good deal on the Autel

[Something Fishy]

LOL

[Aaaron]

Hey, I'm kinda hoping it gets a similar reception as the Session did, in which case they'll halve the price in two months.  I'd pick one up for $400.