Anybody here have a drone they like? I decided I want one and after doing some research, I’m looking at an MJXRC Bugs 4W4K. GPS drone, 24 minutes of flight time, 1 mile range. Drone Captain on YouTube speaks real highly of it.

Anyone here have other recommendations for a drone at $300 or less? My dad has a DJI Spark, but I’m afraid DJI stuff is cost prohibitive to me.

The Bugs 4K4W is a relatively large drone; I don’t want something small if I can avoid it. This is just going to be a mess around toy. I don’t need a super great camera, or a gimbal, or night time video capabilities. I just want something to fly around my neighborhood and some local parks.

Thanks in advance!

I think what you have chosen is a good first choice. DJI is definitely going to be out of your price range. The main TWO things a novice will want is GPS and the other thing that is overlooked is altitude hold. With those two technologies if you get disoriented, and you will, all you have to do is let go of the controls and your drone will stop and hover in place.

Not a drone guy but came across this the other day:

https://tacoma3g.com/threads/drones.10066/

Look for a used DJI Phantom III - they retailed at $500, so if you have $300 or so you might be able to find one locally. My FIL has two of them now, one which he bought check by some guy who couldn't figure out he had the kids settings enable (it would only go 100' away in any direction and then stop). Took us about 5 min to figure that out at home. $250 cash money a couple years ago.

I have a DJI Phantom 4 and a DJI Mavic Pro. If I went out today to get a new one, I’d get the newly released Mavic Air. I’ve watched videos on it, and it looks like a winner with flight time over 30 minutes, a 1/2” sensor for great images and video, crash sensors all around, 6k reach, etc.

Yep, it is for more than you budgeted for, but this small drone appears to deliver. Also, a well maintained used DJI drone like a Mavic Pro, Mavic II Pro or even a first gen Mavic Air will get you up and flying at your budget.

quote:

Mavic Air

My buddy has one of these. We flew it down over the 300 yard target. He set it to hold and it sat rock solid even on a windy day. We were calling hits & misses on steel.

I ended up going with the Bugs 4W4K I was initially guided to. I then made the mistake of watching a DJI Mavic Air 2 review and now I want one of those, but Bugs with 3 batteries was $300, and the the Air 2 with 3 batteries is $1,060 or so. So I’ll go with the Bugs for now, hopefully get good at flying it, and then if I stick with the hobby, I’ll upgrade to an Air 2.

quote:

Originally posted by Revolution37:
I ended up going with the Bugs 4W4K I was initially guided to. I then made the mistake of watching a DJI Mavic Air 2 review and now I want one of those, but Bugs with 3 batteries was $300, and the the Air 2 with 3 batteries is $1,060 or so. So I’ll go with the Bugs for now, hopefully get good at flying it, and then if I stick with the hobby, I’ll upgrade to an Air 2.

Wise move. Have fun!

I was telling someone this just today, I really really want a drone. But I also know, in all likelihood I'd use it a handful of times, do the few things I want to do with it, then rarely if ever use it again. So the secret is to find someone else who's the same, as I suspect most drone buyers end up being, and buy it used from them.

I second finding a used DJI Phantom 3 or 4. They are easy and do a great job. This is mostly a camera that flies.

Revolution37... I only have DJI drones and no experience with what you are getting ... but it sounds like a good choice, especially with the extra batteries.... which are important.

My first drone was a DJI mavic mini which I really like... the mistake I made was not buying the package with extra batteries... which you can't find anywhere these days....

Don't get too caught up in DJI's marketing.... that is one thing they are good at.... they got me with the mavic mini (no complaints) and then they did it again with a Mavic 2 pro.....

One observation, possible complaint is these things are to a degree way over engineered... I can't figure out how to do half of what that Mavic 2 can do....

You do need to read and follow the rules on Drones though... they are a little different for recreational users... I have a UA pilots license and have to follow the FAA 107 rules...