Topic: Drone help.

[ocala]

Looking into buying a drone. Have done some initial research but still could use some advice from actual users. Looking for something with good video/picture quality. Also something that fly's pretty easy as I am a beginner. Looking to spend about $150.

[galfert]

https://www.amazon.com/Holy-Stone-Quadcopter-Adjustable-Intelligent/dp/B074YYVXQH/

[ocala]

That's one I been looking at.

[galfert]

https://dronedj.com/2018/10/30/amazon-reviews-hs100/

Price has come down since this review was posted

There is this variation too.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07B6TZ575/

[NETO]

???? Is this a WX forum or an RC forum?. Just curiousity.

[galfert]

This is chit chat sub board. Anything goes (within decorum guidelines).

On this forum many regular posters get to know each other pretty well. This sub board is a way to expand on the personal relationships and talk with other members that you know and trust about other topics.

[DaleReid]

Reading the DJDrone pieces about this drone and others makes me pause (significantly) when thinking about reviews.

It seems that by buying the exact thing from somewhere other than Amazon, and labelled differently, you can save at least $80 on the same thing.

And then it mentions many of the limitations that none (of those I read) Amazon reviews have to say about the camera, stabilization, and marked lack of dynamic range of the camera.  After all, we want to get gorgeous pictures, not just race these things, so the camera quality, for me at least, is paramount.

Thanks for the links.  Thanks for the discussion.  I don't think a Mavik will be under my tree this year, but there apparently are alternatives as the software gets worked out so the price on these comes down significantly.

[Jasiu]

Let me know how this goes. I've been thinking of getting one for those times when there is storm damage and I want images, but I don't want to be the idiot getting in the way of the emergency responders / cleanup crews. (Instead I'm the idiot with the drone, but we're all an idiot of one type or another I suppose).

[ocala]

It's becoming apparent that to get good quality pics and video you need to shell out some serious bucks. The prices for the upper end of these units is ridiculous. The pics from that unit are not good. Looks like to get what I want it's going to be $250 to $300.
Not sure I want to drop that much money. I'll keep looking though.

[galfert]

It's becoming apparent that to get good quality pics and video you need to shell out some serious bucks. The prices for the upper end of these units is ridiculous. The pics from that unit are not good. Looks like to get what I want it's going to be $250 to $300.
Not sure I want to drop that much money. I'll keep looking though.

I agree 100%. A budget of $150 for a drone is tight if things like camera quality matter. Another idea is to get something on the used market. Something like a Dji Phantom 3 might be pretty decent. There are three versions of the Phantom 3; Standard (red), Advanced (silver), and Pro (gold).