In fact, a drone is nothing more than an unmanned aircraft that you can control from a distance. However, you will notice that there are many different models if you want to buy a drone and do comparative research. That is why we list the types of drones that are available.
You can buy a ‘drone’ from the local prize fighter for a few tens. These are toy drones that are made to fly only tens of meters. Thanks to the usually present protective hull, children do not cause damage so quickly when they make a steering error. Because of its modest size, a toy drone can also be described as a mini drone, although there are also enough compact models that are intended for serious use by adults.
If you want to make beautiful pictures from the air, it is best to invest in a good camera drone. The camera lens is pointed downwards, so that you can capture impressive panoramic images from above. You can also shoot photos if you wish.
The battery of a drone with camera usually has sufficient capacity to bridge a considerable distance. Using an integrated GPS chip, drivers can easily keep an eye on the current location, so that you don’t just lose an expensive quadcopter.
Model pilots use a tablet, smartphone or specially supplied controller for operation. Many drones include a smart security feature. If the air vehicle suddenly loses contact with the ground, it will automatically fly back to the place from which it took off.
Although in this article we speak of a mini drone and camera drone, there is in fact no strict dividing line between the different types. For example, many mini drones make beautiful environmental images, so that the device belongs in both categories.
On land, at sea and in the air
You will also come across all kinds of other types on online product pages. For example, an rc drone means that you can control the air vehicle with a remote control (rc stands for remote control). In addition, a foldable drone is very popular, since you can easily store the flying equipment. You can also effortlessly take a foldable copy with you in a suitable travel bag.
Not every drone moves through the air, by the way. There are also unmanned submarines that capture the underwater world in great detail. The better models film both above and below water. They are suitable, for example, to record the performance of water sports enthusiasts or to lend a hand to fishermen. Some unmanned boats dive up to a hundred meters deep!
Relatively few (web) shops still sell such an underwater drone, although more and more interesting products are coming onto the market.
Buy a cheap drone or spend a little more?
Whether you buy an affordable or very expensive drone, almost every model has (room for) a camera, with the exception of toy drones. The quality of the camera varies quite a bit. For example, a cheap drone films in 1280 × 720 pixels, while a somewhat more expensive model makes razor-sharp 4K recordings.
Also pay attention to the maximum flight time. The cheaper unmanned aerial vehicles, for example, give up after only a fifteen minute flight, while the best consumer models are on the road for half an hour. By the way, it’s worth checking out purchase a drone can also order an extension set with an extra battery, travel bag and spare parts. Drones from the better brands almost always offer such an extension set.
Many people think that it is better not to take a product from a high price segment with a drone for beginners. Nothing is less true! After all, a cheap nano drone a few centimeters in size lacks sensors that ensure that the device automatically avoids objects. For example, consider a tree or windmill. If you are an untrained pilot, there is a real chance of damage.
To avoid disappointment, you should therefore preferably invest in a somewhat more expensive model with obstacle sensors at the front and back. The better models also offer more stability, making them easy to control from the ground. In practice, flying a drone is very easy. With a little spatial awareness and some guts you will quickly master the control of a good drone.
Professional drones
A professional drone is intended to make very high-quality film recordings, so that the images are suitable for use in films, series and TV programs, for example. Professional nature videographers, among others, frequently use drone images. As a consumer, you are of course also free to buy a (semi-)professional drone.
Such an expensive device often has a special cinema mode in which the air vehicle flies extremely slowly. This gives viewers time to properly admire the scenery. There is also often a function to automatically follow a specific object, for example a wild animal or certain car.
Furthermore, the best drones keep the camera stable at all times, so that a sudden gust of wind does not affect the footage. A so-called two- or three-axis gimbal keeps the built-in camera straight all the time.
A luxury drone sends live videos directly to the ground during the flight. You can view it via an app on a tablet or smartphone. The images from a live connection are often of lower quality. Fortunately, most mini helicopters have space for a memory card to store videos in the best quality.
It is therefore important to secure these files after the flight. You do that by copying the videos and photos to a PC, laptop or NAS.
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