I’ve been using a Hubsan 502e x4 Desire to start my long path to honing my drone skills. Whilst there are limits to it’s capability in terms of battery/flight time, camera quality and a slightly annoying habit of needing to calibrate compass (even with latest firmware), it is capable and fun to fly.
As I know that I enjoy flying my Hubsan, I’ve started to look at possible options for my next drone. The vast array of possibilities seems quite daunting, so wanted to ask if a Phantom 4 would be a worth while investment for a novice to move to.
I’m looking to:
Start building a portfolio of photos and video
Increase my skills
Have a reliable easy to use drone that will be forgiving of my rookie, over enthusiastic inputs and expectations
Be easily configurable once I get to grip the DJI software
The above is not an exhaustive list, just the main bits I’m aiming for with a purchase. Another reason for the Pantom 4 over sub 250g drone (which I very much like the idea of and understand the reasons/logic behind) is that I can purchase P4 in immaculate condition - never crashed, rigid case, all accessories nearly new, extra pros, 2 batteries - 1 with 10 charges done and the other with 13, charger, controller, cables all for £200.
To me it seems a good match for price and what I can get out of the P4 and improving my skills.
Any thoughts, better options?
At some stage fairly soon, I’ll be doing the A2 CofC (when I can myself comfortable with a high enough score in the mocks)
Flying a drone is great fun but sometimes you feel the need to have a purpose for doing so and the Challenges category provides some great reasons for you to fly.
There are regular challenges which are open to all, that attract members of all abilities. Support, advice and constructive criticism is freely available; still photography, video and the techniques for editing both are involved in the challenges. Suggestions, for subjects or for complete challenges, are always welcome - take a look in the Challenges category for more information.
We’re a well established club with many knowledgeable members so it’s very likely that any issues you come across will have been discussed here before. Our discussion forum has very powerful search features which should help you find what you need but if you get stuck you can post a new question in the Questions & Answers category.
And finally, if you are new to drones and wondering what it’s all about, have a look at Resources for a beginner.
Don’t buy outdated old crap like that.
Why is it cheap ?
Because Owner is desperate to get rid of it.
Probably accept £ 20 for it.
10 years old, not easy to fly, can’t get spares, can’t get batteries, can’t get props, large heavy and clunky, very noisy, no user friendly functions and features.
Get yourself one of these to practice flying with for £ 150 or less >
Small, easy to fly, excellent camera, lots of good features.
DJI Mini SE Fly More Combo Drone 2.7K - NEW UNUSED ( PUT THIS TEXT IN EBAY SEARCH )
A colleague has one (note the one for sale) and he has taken great photos and videos with his. When he flew it after me flying my little Hubsan, considering the size difference, weight etc, I have to say that it really didn’t seem clunky, or much more noisy than the Hubsan. The DJI Fly app had loads of pilot information available - useful for when you complete your pilot logs/telemetry. In terms of the P4’s flight capabilities, from my very novice view point, it had a lot of features that would help develop my flying skills and help reduce the chance of damage with the all the sensors.
We were flying, with land owner permission, in an exposed field with wind blowing at <5.3mph and my Hubsan was doing its best to stay hovering to get a decent pic and vid, whilst the P4 was able to cope so much better.
As I said in my initial post, I do very much like the sub 250g drones and will look at those options as well, so thank you for the text search for Ebay.
Currently I have only flown my Hubsan, but my colleague that I mentioned in my reply to opochka, has kindly said that we can have a couple of sessions with his to get me use to the basics.
It is good to have a different view of the P4, so I now have a 50/50 split for the P4 being a good drone or outdated old crap
I like lots of drones, but I am looking at what I can afford with the value of the drone with the requirements I listed above.
What I really meant by not easy to fly is that it does not fit into your pocket when out in the countryside on the pushbike.
You need a pick-up truck to carry the large box containing the Phantom 4 and accessories.
Sure, sure, but it does not fold down compact into a convenient small backpack size.
You also can get a much newer complete dji drone package cheaper than £ 200 on ebay.
I think that RavenEye was asking for alternative ideas to the Phantom, I gave him one.
But I can see that RavenEye is smitten in love with the Phantom already.
