Last updated on June 8th, 2024 at 06:10 am
Hobbyists, pilots, and photographers find drones to be amazing gadgets that offer a unique flying experience. The price of this thrilling hobby may range from a little under $200 for a toy drone to well over $2,000 for a professional filming or racing drone. However, if you are thinking about buying one as a present this Christmas, there are a few things you should consider first. A new drone is an exciting purchase, but numerous brands and features can complicate choosing the best one. Furthermore, it would be best if you also considered the rules and regulations regarding the use of drones. To help you do this, we will discuss the things to consider before gifting a drone this Christmas.
1. Think About the Rules and Regulations
Don’t just purchase a drone for someone as a Christmas present without first considering where they could use it. As mentioned earlier, according to FAA guidelines, it’s illegal to trespass and invade someone’s privacy with a drone. We know whoever you’re buying a drone for wouldn’t infringe intentionally. Still, it’s important to note that operating a drone in an urban area increases the risk of unintentionally doing so. That said, outside private backyards, the safest locations to fly a drone include public parks, model aircraft clubs, and wherever the drone may be flown “within sight” or below 400 feet in altitude. However, flying a drone during winter can be tricky for a newbie, so you must be careful if you get it for Christmas.
Keep the drone at least 150 feet away from structures, roads, or pedestrians. Operating a drone within five miles of an airport, inside a regulated airspace, near an emergency or rescue activity, within a national park, or above a stadium is illegal. Investigating potential fly zones in advance is crucial in case there are any short-term limitations due to inclement weather or security concerns. Finding a place to fly a drone that is both legal and safe doesn’t have to be difficult, thanks to the wealth of resources accessible online.
2. Consider the Location Before Gifting a Drone
Don’t just purchase a drone for someone as a Christmas present without first considering where they could use it. As mentioned earlier, according to FAA guidelines, it’s illegal to trespass and invade someone’s privacy with a drone. We know that whomever you’re buying a drone for wouldn’t intentionally infringe. Still, it’s important to note that operating a drone in an urban area increases the risk of unintentionally doing so. That said, outside private backyards, the safest locations to fly a drone include public parks, model aircraft clubs, and wherever the drone may be flown “within sight” or below 400 feet in altitude. However, flying a drone during winter can be tricky for a newbie, so you must be careful if you get it for Christmas.
Keep the drone at least 150 feet away from structures, roads, or pedestrians. Operating a drone within five miles of an airport, inside a regulated airspace, near an emergency or rescue activity, within a national park, or above a stadium is illegal. Investigating potential fly zones in advance is crucial in case there are any short-term limitations due to inclement weather or security concerns. Finding a place to fly a drone that is both legal and safe doesn’t have to be difficult, thanks to the wealth of resources accessible online.
3. Understand the Different Types of Drones
One of the trickiest things about buying a drone as a Christmas present if you’re not a drone enthusiast yourself is deciding which drone is best. There are numerous types of drones, but we will attempt to summarize them in simple terms:
- Ready-to-fly (RTF). These are practically airworthy right out of the box. All you need to do is charge the batteries and attach the propellers; you are ready to go.
- Bind-to-fly (BNF). No controllers are included, so you must purchase additional ones or use an app on your mobile device. The good news is that these drones are ready to fly right out of the box.
- Almost-ready-to-fly (ARF). You can think of these as drone starter packs. Most lack essential components like motors, speed controllers, flight controllers, and batteries. Even though you have almost everything you need to construct your drone, you will still need to make a lot of additional purchases to be able to fly it. Plus, you can customize these drones to your specific flying needs.
- First-person video (FPV). These drones can film and send that footage to a smartphone, VR headset, or another device with the appropriate software installed. Taking photographs with a drone is a popular hobby for many photographers.
4. Consider the Form Factor
Drones come in all shapes and sizes, so deciding what kind of drone best fits your needs can sometimes be challenging. Generally, you’ll want to look for a lightweight and compact drone. For instance, you want to find a drone that will be easy to carry and has a secure carrying case. This way, the process can be stress-free if your friend travels or relocates this Christmas. That being said, we generally advise against buying larger models for beginners. Therefore, you should purchase a small enough unit for one person to handle alone but robust enough to handle most flight conditions.
5. Look at the Price of Drones
When it comes to drones, there are three price points you can consider:
- Lower Priced Drones ($20 – $100): These affordable drones don’t set you back more than $100. Toys are primarily used for fun activities like racing and other games. There is no space for customization or additional equipment.
- Medium Cost Drones ($150 – $500): Drones like these have found their way into the professional and hobbyist sectors. They’re a tad larger and decked out with more extras. Intelligence gathering and aerial mapping are just two of these drones’ unique features.
- Expensive Drones ($600 – $2000): These drones are highly adaptable due to their modular design. As with other types of drones, this one is best suited for particular purposes like surveillance or professional photography and videography. They’re expensive, so only buy them if you need them.
This may be when it comes to the most important things to consider before gifting a drone this Christmas.
DJI Drones- https://store.dji.com/