What to Consider When Buying a Drone
Buying a new drone is an exciting experience regardless of whether you are a beginner or an advanced drone pilot. However, it is important to do your research as there are many factors to take into consideration before you make your purchase. Drones come with a variety of features and the relative importance of each may vary depending on how experienced you are with drones, and what you would like to accomplish. Our team at XPG Drones is here to help you wade (or rather fly) through the options to make buying a drone an easier and more enjoyable experience. In this article, we will discuss some of the top points to consider when buying a drone.
Legalities
The legalities of flying a drone cannot be overlooked. Beginners may not realize that there is serious potential for criminal charges and hefty fines if you fly your drone without being legal. Remember that if you are flying a drone between 250g and 25kg in Canada, you will need to obtain either a ‘Pilot Certificate – Basic Operations’ or a ‘Pilot Certificate – Advanced Operations’ from Transport Canada Civil Aviation to legally fly a drone in Canada. Check out the provincial drone regulations on our website to ensure that you and your machine are compliant before buying a drone.
Function
A central focus when buying a drone should be its intended purpose. Knowing whether you anticipate flying your drone recreationally or commercially will help you highlight the required features. If you are new to flying drones, then we recommend that you start with a small WiFi Drone. This drone can be flown either inside or outside, it does not require a licence to fly, and it has the advantage of a 1080p camera.
After you have more experience using drones, you can then upgrade to a model that has the potential for increased flying time, and camera specifications. The features that you find most important when buying a drone will become more obvious the more that you fly.
Flying Time
The battery of a drone will limit how long it can remain flying before needing to come back to the transmitter. When buying a drone, it is imperative to check the flying time as these can range from 5 – 30 minutes for recreational drones. Shorter flight times will inevitably mean shorter distances. Charging batteries between flights can take several hours so you will want to get the appropriate cables to speed up this process.
Camera
Drones can either come with a camera built-in or with the ability to mount your own. The main function for many drone pilots is to capture pictures and videos. Therefore, the specifications of the drone’s camera are often a top priority. Drone cameras are very similar to any other camera so check specs such as image resolution, aperture, video stabilization, and the ability to film in professional formats. Drones such as the Hipec FIMI X8SE 2020 have a built-in 4K Camera to ensure professional image quality.
Cost
If you are new to drones, then it may be best to start with a basic model. Not only will you want to keep expenses down while learning, it is also a fact that drones crash, especially for beginners that are still getting the hang of it. However, the more expensive the drone, generally the easier it is to fly as most top range drones such as the Gimbal Drone Quadcopter RTF have built-in stabilization and smart tracking modes.
In addition to the drone itself, you may need to factor in the cost of additional components. Getting your licence, purchasing extra batteries, cables, and a robust carrier bag should all be considered as well. Keep in mind that many drones require a mobile device to control the drone so ensure that your phone has the appropriate specifications.
Company Support
Buying a drone is a fun and exhilarating process from the initial research to the anticipation of opening the box to actually flying it. At XPG Drones, you can be assured that our knowledgeable staff are here to point you in the right direction and answer questions about any technical terms that you may not know.
If you’re ready to start shopping, please browse our online store today!