I’ve been enjoying seeing drone pictures for a while, but I usually stick to frugal hobbies and want to keep it that way. I know buying a drone can be a big upfront cost, but how about maintaining it? How long do drones last, and what are the usual costs to keep them running? Do you spend more each year on this hobby compared to others? Thanks for any advice!
It’s not expensive unless you get really into it and start buying more drones. You buy what you need and use it. Batteries are rechargeable. They can last a long time if you don’t crash. The DJI Neo is one of the cheaper drones, and it’s tough. Drones closer to $1000 usually come with avoidance sensors.
@Shea
I’m thinking of getting a mid-range drone for better pictures. Hopefully, it’ll last a while. How long have you been using your current drone?
Grier said:
@Shea
I’m thinking of getting a mid-range drone for better pictures. Hopefully, it’ll last a while. How long have you been using your current drone?
I bought the DJI Neo Fly More package from Excellent Photo in Canada. I live in the US, and it cost $530 with 3-day shipping. You can get just the drone for $175. If you can afford it, I’d suggest getting the Fly More kit because it’s much cheaper than buying everything separately. I originally got the drone from Amazon, but after seeing some videos about the goggles and motion controller, I returned it and bought the full kit.
@Zed
You can find some good deals on drones with one battery and a controller. I recently got a Mini 4 for a great price and then bought a second battery. I rarely use all three batteries, though. I did when I had the Neo, but I sent it back in the end, hoping the flip will be better.
Grier said:
@Shea
I’m thinking of getting a mid-range drone for better pictures. Hopefully, it’ll last a while. How long have you been using your current drone?
I’ve been using the Mini 3 for 2 years, and I recommend the Mini 3 Pro for beginners. I didn’t have the budget for the Pro version. It offers a lot for the price. There’s so much to learn: how to fly, how to shoot, settings, editing, exporting, posting… It’s a lot, but you’ll get better with practice.
Grier said:
@Shea
I’m thinking of getting a mid-range drone for better pictures. Hopefully, it’ll last a while. How long have you been using your current drone?
I first bought a Neo without a controller, which cost $200. That was about two months ago. A week later, I bought a controller for $130. On Black Friday, I bought a mini 4K with a controller for $230. The Neo had a bug with losing control at about 20 meters, causing it to crash into a tree and a brick building. Fortunately, there was no damage. Now, I mostly fly the Mini 4K.
@Shea
Or you can skip the avoidance sensors and get a Raspberry Pi that’ll send your $2000 drone flying into the sunset.
Lian said:
@Shea
Or you can skip the avoidance sensors and get a Raspberry Pi that’ll send your $2000 drone flying into the sunset.
Sounds like you’ve had a rough experience with that?
It depends on the type of flying. If you’re filming with a regular consumer drone that pretty much flies itself, the risk of breakage is low. But if you’re doing freestyle FPV flying, you’ll be replacing parts often and probably wrecking a few drones while learning.
I have a Mini 4K from DJI. It cost a few hundred to start, and I got insurance in case it breaks. It’s been great for 2 years. FPV drones, on the other hand, are a lot of fun but can get expensive. I have like seven tiny whoops now.
My other hobbies include cars, guns, and women. Drones are cheap compared to those!
You can get a nice drone for just a few hundred dollars if you’re not looking to go professional. If you aren’t racing or doing risky things, it’ll last a long time.
Faithjone said:
You can get a nice drone for just a few hundred dollars if you’re not looking to go professional. If you aren’t racing or doing risky things, it’ll last a long time.
That’s good to hear. Does your drone have obstacle avoidance?
@Grier
Yes, I have the DJI Mini 4 Pro, and it has 360-degree obstacle avoidance.
I haven’t spent anything on maintenance in the past few years, and it’s my favorite camera. The images I capture are amazing for gifts and home decor.
I spent 300€ on a DJI Mini 3, and it’s been great. DJI drones are mainly for slow, nice pictures and videos. So, I ended up getting an FPV drone, and that’s where the real money goes! But it’s a lot of fun.
I highly recommend getting repair and replacement insurance.
Drones are actually cheap for photography. A full Mini 4 Fly More package costs about the same as a single midrange Canon lens, and it’s much cheaper than a high-end camera body or lens.
If “frugal” is about comparing to other ways of getting similar results, then drones are much cheaper than other ways of taking aerial photos.