Hi everyone, I’ve been looking into getting a drone for my 15-year-old son, and I’ve come across the Starship by StarScope. I know this is a common question but I’ve read so many mixed opinions that I’m still not sure what to do. My son is on the autism spectrum, and he’s really good with RC planes. He volunteers at a train museum, where he drives real trains, and I thought it would be great to get him a drone for capturing footage of him and his friends at the museum. The idea is to create some videos for social media to help promote the museum.
The problem is, I see ads all the time for drones under $100, and the Starship pops up quite a bit. I’m not looking for a high-end drone like a DJI, just something affordable that would work for this. But I’m wondering if a drone in this price range is a waste of money, or if it’s actually decent enough for the footage I want. I don’t want to buy something useless, but I’m also not looking to break the bank. So, is the Starship a decent option, or should I keep looking? Thanks in advance for any advice!
Just to clarify, I have some pretty expensive hobbies myself, like $30,000 worth of bikes and $10,000 in sim racing gear, so I get that you get what you pay for. But I’d love to hear your thoughts on whether this drone is a complete letdown or if it could still be fun and useful for my son.
This seems to be a common question about which drone to buy. You might want to check the stickied thread on this forum where people share recommendations and advice on drones for different budgets. Good luck!
@Kai
Not sure about that one, a lot of drones are the same with different stickers. Make sure to check out the reviews, as there are often a lot of fake ones around.
Bailey said: @Kai
Not sure about that one, a lot of drones are the same with different stickers. Make sure to check out the reviews, as there are often a lot of fake ones around.
I noticed that too. After looking closer, it seemed like knockoff brands that were nearly identical but different manufacturers. Thanks for the tip! The Holy Stone might be just what I’m looking for.
Honestly, if you’ve spent that much on sim racing, you’re probably going to be disappointed with a drone in the $100 range. The quality difference is huge between no-name brands and something like the DJI Mini. The camera quality and overall experience with DJI are much better. I’d suggest looking into something from the Mini or Neo range.
I wouldn’t consider the Starship at all. The website looks sketchy, and the reviews seem fake. For a quality drone that can actually do video work, you’ll need to spend more. At least $500 for a solid entry-level drone. Anything less won’t be worth your time.
@Lily
I had my doubts about it too, and I’m glad you confirmed that. I just thought it might be a fun gift, but it seems like it would just end up being a waste. Thanks!
If you want to use the footage for advertising, you’ll need a 107 commercial pilot license. It’s not cheap or quick to get, but it’s required if you want to make it legal. Even if the drone is under $100, it might not be good enough for what you want to do. A $200 DJI Neo might work, though. Have you considered using a phone to film from a high point like a bridge?
@Skyler
Thanks for the reply! It won’t be used for actual commercial ads, just for social media posts. The museum is cool with us flying a drone, but we’re keeping it simple. They just want to make sure nothing classified gets filmed. We can’t fly too high due to nearby government properties, but I thought it would be fun to get some footage of my son driving the train. I appreciate your input!
@Kai
Even if the footage is not for paid ads, you’d still need a Part 107 license if it’s used for any sort of promotional purpose, like on social media. It’s not hard to get the certification, and there are free study guides online to help with the test.