Nowadays more and more people are purchasing drones, as these gadgets appear to be growing in popularity with each passing day. If you’re a gadget and tech-lover, drones are absolutely fantastic devices as they can provide literally hours upon hours of fun.
If you’re new to the exciting world of drones however, before purchasing your first drone, to ensure you’re getting the best product, there are several things you need to know in advance.
And to help ensure your first drone is memorable for all of the right reasons, here’s a look at 5 things you need to know before purchasing your first flying machine!
You can’t fly them right away
Contrary to what you might think, not all drones can be bought from the store, taken straight to the park, and put in the air within minutes. Sad I know!
There are different types of drone out there and it does pay to know the differences (don’t worry, we’re about to cover that next).
Some need controllers to be purchased separately, some need the controllers installing and the propellers binding to them, and some may even need assembling.
There are different types of drone
Yep, there are different types of drone out there, and as mentioned it pays to do your research so you now what’s in the box before you buy.
Most commonly you will find that Ready to Fly, or RTF drones, are the best for first-time beginner drone users, as these generally just need the propeller installing, and the controller binding to them.
BNF drones stand for Bind to Fly drones, and these often require software to be installed onto mobile devices if you use them as controllers, or for the controllers to be installed separately.
ARF, or Almost Ready to Fly drones, are often drone kits that must be assembled separately. What’s more, receivers and transmitters are often not included, so you will also need to buy these separately. You may even need to buy motors, batteries, and much more besides. If you purchase an ARF drone kit, make sure you read it thoroughly to understand what will need to be bought separately, or ask at the store you are buying it from for professional advice.
Drones can be hard to fly
Although drones may be marketed as being easy to fly, this is not necessarily the case, especially with cheaper drones.
You see, cheaper models will have inferior flight controllers and flight sensors, so they will be harder to control. Begin by practising in perfect weather conditions in an open space such as a large field, and try getting a feel for things.
When you’re just starting out, avoid areas with obstacles and don’t try to be fly like you’re auditioning for Top Gun. That may come in time, but not now!
You should not fly a drone in bad weather
Mmmm, this does depend on your level of experience and knowledge, but in general, and especially if you’re a beginner, even if your drone is fairly easy to fly usually, in adverse weather conditions you should not attempt to fly your drone.
Bad weather, especially where there are heavy winds involved, could cause your drone to get blown off course, and potentially crash. This could result in you losing your drone, or at the very least, it could result in your drone sustaining damage.
Perfect conditions for flying a drone (for most people) are clear and bright days where there is very little wind.
You should be respectful of others
When flying your drone, it is always recommended that you practice good flying etiquette and that you are respectful of others. In fact, we’d strongly recommend you take a little time to research your local laws, rules and regulations for flying a drone in your area.
In urban areas in particular, don’t fly your drone over people’s gardens and homes where it will likely annoy them. Instead, fly over open fields and more rural areas away from people and built up areas. Flying drones is a wonderful hobby that can be lots of fun, but dangerous at times, so use caution and common sense at all times.