One noob question, are the drones fly using an app or a joystick? Is it easier to fly using the app, if so, any recommendation. I want to learn how to fly a drone but worry that it is difficult to maneuver. One silly mistake, the drone drop and spoil, all the money gone. Is that right?
trying to explain it in simpler, less confusing to you,
go get a dji mini1 (range 40-50m), or dji mini2 (range 150-200m) from carousell. S$300+ for used mini1 and S$400+ for used mini2. sell back to carousell later if you do not like it.
question: will dji mini1/mini2 drop down from sky or get blown away if i leave remote control untouched?
=> someone tested the wind resistance on dji mini1
question: is it difficult to control a dji drone?
=> no, is simple!,... i have this 7 year old video showing maneuver of drone by remote control. note of drone does not fall down or drift away if remote control is left untouched.
this are steps on how you will fly your dji mini drones
1) launch the drone, manually or auto
2) using remote control to "push" the drone to the location you want
3) start taking photos or videos from that spot
4) or, start some auto-quickshot tricks of that drone (dronie, circle)
5) you keep "pushing" the drones around by remote control. the dji mini will hover at same spot if you stop pushing it. it is not much different from controlling RC cars.
if unfamiliar, then avoid buying those cheap S$100-200 drones, dji mini1/2 have the advantages/features of:
- is GPS guided, and downward pointing camera for positioning (something like your PC mouse)
- is more stable in positioning, other GPS guided drones might circle/wobble around that GPS position.
- is safer during launch/landing, due to the downward pointing camera.
- has better wind resistance
- has better camera, so better video/photo quality
- has camera gimbal, and no jello. Gimbal is important.
- is <250g and handy for tours
- is easier to get the accessories/parts and more variety of accessories, supports.
- can always throw back and sell on carousell
===================
now back to your original question of navigation apps or manual (ignore this if it sounds confusing to you)
1) Auto navigation, waypoints
- bebop 2 had been a popular drone for people flying waypoints. go search on youtube "bebop 2, waypoints".
- you mark the destination points on the apps, and the drone will fly accordingly.
2) Auto navigation, simple quickshots
- go search on youtube "dji mini quickshots". drone auto "zoom out" away from you or "orbiting" around you.
- these are the simple tricks mini1/mini2 provides in making your video filming more interesting
3) Auto navigation, some auto freeflight
- skydio 2, 4-6yo model. but still the smartest drone i think. drone uses nvidia jetson TX2 with 256 GPU cores.
- it flies by itself, decides the flight path itself, pickup the best angle in filming you, and very smooth maneuver.
4) Full manual mode
- these are normally called fpv drones, or racing drones. Goggles normally needed and flying the drone is like playing PC games.
- i'm flying in full manual, acro mode. some slow fun flying and filming, using micro whoops. my DIY drone cost of about S$400 to assemble a set. The camera part alone costs S$280.
- i wish i can fly like this guy, but watching his videos already making me having dizziness
===================
will you lose your dji mini1/mini2?
- is possible to lose your drone even if you buy the most expensive drones.
- most of the people lost their drones mainly due to stressing their drones to limit
do this to avoid losing your dji mini1/mini2
- flying within range, set your altitude limit to 40m and distance limit to 100m
- keep line of sight on your drone, avoid big obstacle like a building between you and your drone
- avoid auto pilot, Better to pushing your drone around manually than using auto-pilot. Auto-pilot like circle, dronie, return to home can get your drones crash into trees and damaged easily.
- Fly with line of sight, avoid watching handphone camera video feed and fly (avoid FPV or video piloting).
- leave enough battery for returning
- fly in good weather only. avoid strong wind or light rain.
- take good care of your drones, like don't flying near radio transmitters, or eagles.
- check onemap.sg before flying.
