Is GPS really necessary for a beginner & your suggestions
06-11-2020, 04:26 PM
#1
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Is GPS really necessary for a beginner & your suggestions
I should start out by saying I am a complete beginner and I haven’t decided what kind of drone I am interested in getting . I will also say I am on medication which makes me rather slow and I am missing a couple of fingers but it has been surprising how well I have adapted to do most things . I also don’t drive and so getting to most areas is difficult ,and there are not many areas around me where I could use it.
I would like to find out if having GPS on a drone is really necessary for a beginner (as hopefully that will help me now or a down my search and decision.
I am looking for a drone that is very easy to use and stable with as less controls on the controller as possible as I am a on medication which makes me a little slow at times.
I bought a mini drone a while ago but it was no good and it was so light that it just blew it away , it was probably only 30 or 40 g so I want something that is preferably over 100 g.
I have been looking at various ones which I will list and you can tell me if you think they are worthwhile , which one may be best and if you have any other suggestions.
The ones I have been looking at are EACHINE E511s , E520s or the E 58 and possibly the DJI Tello.
I would like to get a good one of firstly as I am a beginner and cannot afford a good one I also want to find out if I do like flying one that actually does what it’s supposed to and is steady.
Thanks in advance for any feedback that you give
I would like to find out if having GPS on a drone is really necessary for a beginner (as hopefully that will help me now or a down my search and decision.
I am looking for a drone that is very easy to use and stable with as less controls on the controller as possible as I am a on medication which makes me a little slow at times.
I bought a mini drone a while ago but it was no good and it was so light that it just blew it away , it was probably only 30 or 40 g so I want something that is preferably over 100 g.
I have been looking at various ones which I will list and you can tell me if you think they are worthwhile , which one may be best and if you have any other suggestions.
The ones I have been looking at are EACHINE E511s , E520s or the E 58 and possibly the DJI Tello.
I would like to get a good one of firstly as I am a beginner and cannot afford a good one I also want to find out if I do like flying one that actually does what it’s supposed to and is steady.
Thanks in advance for any feedback that you give
06-12-2020, 04:32 AM
#2
You are not going to like my feedback. If you are in the United States there are several things you say in your first paragraph that clearly say you should NOT do what you want to do. The FAA is cracking down hard on the type of flying you are implying. If you are not in the United States the FAA equivalents in other countries are doing the same thing.
GPS is certainly not necessary unless you intend to fly FPV beyond line of sight. AND THAT IS ILLEGAL FOR HOBBYISTS. A flight/stability control system certainly helps especially in your situation but they don't require GPS. I have 3 and only one has a GPS.
You say there are only a few areas where you can fly because you don't drive. To be legal that limits you to very small drones, not the large ones you are talking about. The FAA is mandating use at designated flying sites and the vast majority of those are away from populated areas - i.e. you have to drive to them.
You also say you are on medication that affects your response time. That is effectively saying the same thing as you will fly DUI. Our hobby is in a perilous situation right now because some people refuse to follow the rules. I really wish you would restrict your RC to surface vehicles - we don't need any more negative incidences.
GPS is certainly not necessary unless you intend to fly FPV beyond line of sight. AND THAT IS ILLEGAL FOR HOBBYISTS. A flight/stability control system certainly helps especially in your situation but they don't require GPS. I have 3 and only one has a GPS.
You say there are only a few areas where you can fly because you don't drive. To be legal that limits you to very small drones, not the large ones you are talking about. The FAA is mandating use at designated flying sites and the vast majority of those are away from populated areas - i.e. you have to drive to them.
You also say you are on medication that affects your response time. That is effectively saying the same thing as you will fly DUI. Our hobby is in a perilous situation right now because some people refuse to follow the rules. I really wish you would restrict your RC to surface vehicles - we don't need any more negative incidences.
06-13-2020, 11:10 AM
#4
Moderator
GPS is handy because it makes the drone hold position. It's not just for autonomous flying.
I'll echo the concern above- if you aren't able to travel away from houses and populated areas, this hobby won't be viable for you. Also, if your medication would make you unsafe to drive, it also makes you unsafe to fly. I can say with certainty that if you were to fly under the influence in a populated area and would up damaging property or injuring someone, you'd be both civilly and possibly criminally liable.
To scratch this itch, I'd look at one of the micro size indoor quads with an FPV camera. Get one that uses real 2.4ghz control, not that WiFi junk. The Blade Inductrix FPV is a good choice, or maybe the EMAX Tiny Hawk RTF, There are lots of different micro FPV drones on the market now. With the tiny props, they aren't going to to do much damage if you do hit something, and they'll be cheap to fix.
On the fixing topic, whatever you pick, make sure it has parts support. Blade and other Horizon brands are good for that. For other brands, just look at the vendor and see if they carry parts. Your most common needs will be props, arms, and motors. It's also helpful if the quad you pick has removable batteries that use a standard connector. That not only lets you change out batteries to keep flying, but it also doesn't render the quad inoperable when the battery goes bad.
I'll echo the concern above- if you aren't able to travel away from houses and populated areas, this hobby won't be viable for you. Also, if your medication would make you unsafe to drive, it also makes you unsafe to fly. I can say with certainty that if you were to fly under the influence in a populated area and would up damaging property or injuring someone, you'd be both civilly and possibly criminally liable.
To scratch this itch, I'd look at one of the micro size indoor quads with an FPV camera. Get one that uses real 2.4ghz control, not that WiFi junk. The Blade Inductrix FPV is a good choice, or maybe the EMAX Tiny Hawk RTF, There are lots of different micro FPV drones on the market now. With the tiny props, they aren't going to to do much damage if you do hit something, and they'll be cheap to fix.
On the fixing topic, whatever you pick, make sure it has parts support. Blade and other Horizon brands are good for that. For other brands, just look at the vendor and see if they carry parts. Your most common needs will be props, arms, and motors. It's also helpful if the quad you pick has removable batteries that use a standard connector. That not only lets you change out batteries to keep flying, but it also doesn't render the quad inoperable when the battery goes bad.
