Hey everyone, I need advice. A friend is offering me a DJI Flame Wheel F550 for 150 euros. He says it has upgrades like a better transmitter, receiver, motors, and batteries. At first glance, it seems like a good deal.
Here’s my situation: I don’t know much about drones. I understand the basics of how they work and know some popular models, but I’m clueless about specifics. My plan is to use it for cinematography, filming locations for clients.
My main questions: Is this a good base to work with, upgrades aside? Would it be sturdy enough to carry a decent camera (like a newer full-frame model with a gimbal and shock mount)? And is it useful by today’s standards?
I’ve seen mixed opinions online—some say it’s “ancient junk,” others claim it’s a capable machine. I’ll ask my friend for more specifics about its upgrades, but for now, I need to know if it’s worth even considering.
If anyone has experience or thoughts, I’d really appreciate it! And if I’m asking the wrong questions, feel free to correct me.
Jai said:
That drone is way past obsolete. Don’t spend any money on it.
Honestly, you should just hang it up as a decoration. It’s practically a piece of history at this point.
Exactly! I still have a Phantom 3, and the case it’s in is worth more than the drone itself. But I can’t bring myself to get rid of it—feels like an antique.
The F550 is like the Model T of drones. I got one for $100 on eBay years ago and managed to get it flying, but it’s really only useful as a science project. It’s not worth much.
Hal said:
Hard pass. You’d be better off with a modern DJI consumer drone, not someone’s DIY project from a decade ago.
I’m not looking for a consumer-grade drone. The cameras on those aren’t good enough for professional work. I need something that can carry my own equipment.
@Tilden
Professional drones aren’t just about the camera quality. The ability to control the camera while flying is just as important. Modern DJI drones integrate the camera with the controls, letting you adjust everything—focus, aperture, shutter speed, white balance—while in the air.
If you strap a camera onto an F550, you’ll lose all that control. It’ll be a ‘fire and forget’ setup. For real professional work, you’re looking at a much bigger investment—something like €10,000 for a proper rig.
@Hal
I already have the camera gear, like A7V and Arri rigs for car mounts. My idea was to find a drone setup that could use my existing equipment. I’d have a second operator for the camera. I get that older platforms have limitations, but I wanted to explore my options.
@Tilden
If you’re serious about lifting larger cinema cameras, look into modern ‘cinelifter’ drones. They’re often X8 configurations and built to carry heavy cameras. The F550 is way too small for what you’re planning.
@Tilden
Realistically, the F550 won’t lift anything heavier than a GoPro. If you’re looking for older heavy-lift options, maybe check out the DJI S800. But honestly, modern systems like FreeFly or Skynamic are your best bet.
I have one in my garage. It’s fun to fly, but I could never get it tuned well for videography. There’s a lot of room to mount stuff, but for client work, I wouldn’t recommend it. A modern drone will be much more stable and easier to use.
Tilden said: @Corey
Why wouldn’t it work for client projects? Is it unreliable or just hard to manage?
Both. The F550 vibrates a lot, which affects the footage. Newer drones have better stability, safety features, and flight controls. If you’re using expensive gear for professional work, you need a reliable platform that won’t fail mid-flight.
You could swap out the flight controller and ESCs to make it flyable, but it’s still an old platform. If it was free, maybe. But spending money on it? Not worth it.
Skyler said:
The F550 is beyond obsolete. It’s either a wall decoration or e-waste.
What makes it obsolete? Is it the hardware or something else?
The arms are plastic, which makes them flexible. This causes vibrations that can mess up flight stability. Newer drones use carbon fiber for a reason—it’s much stiffer and reduces vibrations.