How to choose a drone
Drones are small unmanned aircraft designed for leisure, hobby or professional use. They often come equipped with a built-in camera or a clamp to mount an external camera, allowing you to take photos and video from amazing angles. They are operated remotely, either by a radio-controlled controller or a smartphone or tablet. Most drones have four propellers (quadcopter), but some have six (hexacopters) or eight (oktocopters).
Frequently asked questions when choosing a drone
Can I fly the drone straight from the box or does it require complex assembly?
Some drones arrive ready for use, while others require assembly. For beginners, we recommend buying a smaller and cheaper drone, or an RTF (Ready to Fly) model, which arrives assembled and ready to fly. RTF packages include everything you need, so just charge the battery and take to the skies!
Conversely, drones marked ARF - (Almost Ready to Fly) are not suitable for beginners, as they must be properly assembled before being flight-ready. Drones marked BNF (Bind to Fly) are suitable for advanced pilots; they come without a controller, which must be purchased separately.
What's the difference between indoor or outdoor drones?
Indoor and outdoor drones differ in terms of their design, weight, and not least their price. Indoor drones are designed for flying in enclosed areas, such as halls, offices or homes. They are smaller, lighter and less durable than outdoor drones. They are also cheaper, making them suitable for beginners and children.
In contrast, outdoor drones are bigger, stronger and more stable than indoor models, making them able to deal with wind and other weather conditions. They are equipped with a range of features such as GPS, automatic speed control, and the ability to map terrain using sensors.
Can a drone can be flown without restrictions?
No. As they are considerd unmanned aircraft, the flying of drones is subject to rules and restrictions. These rules vary from country to country, so before buying we recommend that you familiarise yourself with the laws where you live. Generally, such laws set out the minimum distances you can fly the drone from people, buildings and densely populated areas, airports, and other hazardous areas. There are also restrictions on minimum altitudes and flying after dark.
Do I need to register my drone anywhere?
Again, rules regarding registration obligations vary from country to country. Generelly, it depends on the size/weight of the drone and the purpose for which it will be used.
So what type of drone are you after?
Basic drones
For leisure and fun
Basic drones are suitable for both beginners and children. Their durable contruction means they are more resistant to damage, making them ideal training models.
Hobby drones
For more experienced users
Hobby drones are designed for more experienced pilots. As well as automatic modes, these drones can be flown manually and are even capable of performing aerial acrobatics. They feature built-in cameras that can record video at resolutions up to 4K.
Professional drones
Powerful and well-equipped drones
Professional drones are powerful machines used for capturing the best photos and high-quality 4K video. They feature lightweight, durable frames made from materials such as magnesium and carbon fibre.
Important parameters
Speed
The maximum speed is not always stated. However, more powerful drones have top speeds of around 60 km/h, with the fastest clocking in at around 100 km/h. Speed, like battery life, is affected by extra load, e.g. the use of additional cameras, wheels, covers, etc.
Duration of flight
Drones are usually capable of 15-30 minutes of continuous flight, depending on the speed, load and weather conditions. A high load and a headwind will significantly reduce the length of the flight.
Battery type
Drones use either Li-Ion (lithium-ion cell) or Li-Polymer (lithium-polymer cell) batteries.
Li-Ion
- Should be depleted before recharging
- Less expensive than lithium-polymer batteries
- Can deteriorate with time, even if not used
Li-Pol
- Thin and flat contruction
- Batteries with the same capacity are up to 15% lighter and up to 20% larger than the li-ion batteries
- Lose capacity faster than lithium-ion batteries
Note: there is no significant advantage from either battery technology.
Material
Drones are made from a range of lightweight materials including plastic, carbon, and magnesium. Cheaper, less powerful models tend to use plastic, which is light, resulting in improved battery life. Metal is used in more powerful models designed for outdoor flight.
Camera
Drones provide the unique opportunity to shoot scenes from previously impossible angles. They are ideal for filming extreme sports, such as MTB riding, surfing and skiing. You can choose either a model with a built-in camera, or with a bracket for mounting an external camera, which is ideal for those who already own an action camera. In this case, check that the drone is compatible with your model of camera before buying.
Control systems
Drones are piloted using controllers with joysticks and buttons. More expensive models come with a touchscreen controller. In many cases, remote controls can be connected to smartphones or tablets using Wi-Fi or a digital video transmission system.
Flight modes
Most drones are equipped with three flight modes - automatic, hovering mode and manual mode. Automatic modes are preprogrammed with the help of GPS.
Follow me - the drone follows you
Return home - after activating this function, the drone returns to its initial position
Hover mode - the drone hovers at the site where the pilot releases the joystick
Course lock - the controls are fixed to be relative to your aircraft’s current path.
Home lock - the controls are fixed to be relative to the disgnated home point.
Basic drones are easier to control and feature special automatic modes designed for beginners. In these modes, the speed, distance and height are limited to minimise the risk of losing control of the drone.
Drones can also be operated in a fully manual mode without GPS using the remote control. However, this type of flying can be dangerous and thus requires plenty of experience.
Glossary - Drones
Gimbal
A gimbal is a special device that keeps the camera stable when taking photos and videos by eliminating small jolts and tilts. The camera remains in a stabilised position on three axes, allowing you to take crisp photos or smooth videos during flight.
RTF (Ready to Fly)
RTF stands for Ready to Fly. RTF drone packages include everything you need to start flying, so there's no need to buy any additional equipment. As a result, RTF drones are the perfect option for budding new pilots.
BTF (Bind and Fly)
BNF stands for Bind And Fly. BNF drones come complete but without a controller, which you have to provide separately in order to fly the drone. As a result, BNF drones are suitable for pilots who already own a controller or want to fly with more than one model.
Remote control range
Remote control range indicates the maximum distance at which the drone can be controlled remotely. At short distances of up to 20 m, some drones can be controlled via Bluetooth using a smartphone or tablet. Most drones are radio controlled with a range of 2-5 km.