What's the best drone for light shows?

Crazy to think that Intel used to dominate the drone show market. They were the first to do those big light shows, right?

Teal said:
Crazy to think that Intel used to dominate the drone show market. They were the first to do those big light shows, right?

Yep, Intel started with those Guinness World Record shows. But they’re out of the game now, I think.

Teal said:
Crazy to think that Intel used to dominate the drone show market. They were the first to do those big light shows, right?

They were huge, but it looks like companies like UVify and Sky Elements are taking over now.

Ty said:
I saw a news clip about a record-breaking show with 5,293 drones in the air at once. Does anyone know who did that?

That was UVify! They partnered with Sky Elements and broke the record in May 2024. Pretty wild seeing that many drones at once.

Has anyone heard about Verge Aero’s Skystream app? I read it syncs music with the light show somehow.

Emmy said:
Has anyone heard about Verge Aero’s Skystream app? I read it syncs music with the light show somehow.

Yeah, it’s a feature that lets spectators sync with the show on their phones. Adds an interactive element, especially with music.

Firefly’s Gen2 drones are apparently based out of Detroit. Nice to see an American company making waves.

Chen said:
Firefly’s Gen2 drones are apparently based out of Detroit. Nice to see an American company making waves.

Right? Plus, the Gen2 drones have 25 minutes of flight time. They’re a solid choice for anyone starting with light shows.

What does it cost to get into these light shows, like the Verge Aero or UVify drones?

Dustin said:
What does it cost to get into these light shows, like the Verge Aero or UVify drones?

UVify’s light show drones go for around $1,700 each. Verge didn’t share their prices, but they say they’re ‘competitive.’ It adds up fast if you need a whole fleet!

Dustin said:
What does it cost to get into these light shows, like the Verge Aero or UVify drones?

Ouch, but I guess that’s what you pay for the cool factor.

So many new players are getting into drone light shows! I think it’s going to become the next big thing at events.

Adi said:
So many new players are getting into drone light shows! I think it’s going to become the next big thing at events.

Totally agree! I wouldn’t be surprised to see these at weddings, corporate events, or even backyard parties soon.

I heard Firefly’s drones have this heated IMU system, so they stay more stable during shows. Not sure what an IMU is, though?

Darin said:
I heard Firefly’s drones have this heated IMU system, so they stay more stable during shows. Not sure what an IMU is, though?

IMU stands for Inertial Measurement Unit. Basically, it helps the drone stay balanced and stable in the air, which is essential for light shows.

Anyone know what happened with Intel? I feel like they were all over the light show market but now… nothing.

Renny said:
Anyone know what happened with Intel? I feel like they were all over the light show market but now… nothing.

They actually pulled out of the consumer drone space. So now it’s mostly UVify, Firefly, and the other smaller companies taking over.

Has anyone here tried building a DIY light show drone? Sounds cool but also kinda hard…

Orion said:
Has anyone here tried building a DIY light show drone? Sounds cool but also kinda hard…

I haven’t, but the Drone Dojo course sounds helpful. If you’re into soldering and coding, it could be a fun project!

Thanks for all the info, everyone! Definitely leaning toward checking out Verge Aero. Their user-friendly software sounds like it could be perfect for someone just starting out.