Beginner drone for filming mountain biking?

I’m looking for a good beginner drone to film my family while we’re mountain biking. I have no experience with drones, and every site seems to recommend something different. I want something easy to use but good for capturing action shots. Any suggestions?

The DJI Mini 4 Pro is probably the best beginner drone right now. It has great camera quality, obstacle avoidance, and tracking features. If it’s too expensive, the Mini 3 is a solid option too

Sage said:
The DJI Mini 4 Pro is probably the best beginner drone right now. It has great camera quality, obstacle avoidance, and tracking features. If it’s too expensive, the Mini 3 is a solid option too

Agreed. The Mini 4 Pro is great for a first drone, and it has subject tracking, which could help with biking footage

Sage said:
The DJI Mini 4 Pro is probably the best beginner drone right now. It has great camera quality, obstacle avoidance, and tracking features. If it’s too expensive, the Mini 3 is a solid option too

If tracking is important, make sure to get a model that supports ActiveTrack. The Mini 2, for example, doesn’t have it

Are you looking for a drone that follows the riders automatically, or do you plan to fly it manually?

Rio said:
Are you looking for a drone that follows the riders automatically, or do you plan to fly it manually?

If you go manual, keep in mind there’s a learning curve. Might be better to start with a cheaper drone to practice before investing in something high-end

I just got a Mini 2 SE as my first drone. It’s easy to use, not too expensive, and still captures great footage. If you’re new to drones, it’s a good way to start without spending too much

Vaughn said:
I just got a Mini 2 SE as my first drone. It’s easy to use, not too expensive, and still captures great footage. If you’re new to drones, it’s a good way to start without spending too much

That’s a good point. No need to go all-in with a high-end model if you’re just getting started

Vaughn said:
I just got a Mini 2 SE as my first drone. It’s easy to use, not too expensive, and still captures great footage. If you’re new to drones, it’s a good way to start without spending too much

Yeah, and crashing a cheaper drone is a lot less painful than crashing a $1,000+ one

If you want to track fast-moving bikes, be aware that not all drones are good at keeping up. Some riders use Skydio drones because they have better tracking, but they are more expensive

Roux said:
If you want to track fast-moving bikes, be aware that not all drones are good at keeping up. Some riders use Skydio drones because they have better tracking, but they are more expensive

Yeah, DJI drones are great overall, but their tracking can struggle with fast motion, especially in rough terrain

Roux said:
If you want to track fast-moving bikes, be aware that not all drones are good at keeping up. Some riders use Skydio drones because they have better tracking, but they are more expensive

If you’re mainly doing slower-paced rides with scenic shots, a DJI drone will work fine. If you want action shots at high speeds, Skydio might be a better fit

Whatever you choose, make sure to check local drone regulations. Some areas have rules about where you can fly, especially with drones that have cameras

Ash said:
Whatever you choose, make sure to check local drone regulations. Some areas have rules about where you can fly, especially with drones that have cameras

Good call. In some countries, you need registration for drones above a certain weight

Ash said:
Whatever you choose, make sure to check local drone regulations. Some areas have rules about where you can fly, especially with drones that have cameras

Yep, and some places restrict automated tracking flights, so check before using features like ActiveTrack