What to Look for When Buying a Drone

Are you considering buying a drone? Have you already decided you want one but have no idea where to start? Buying a drone can be a daunting task for a first-timer. Amazon, and similar sites, are filled with so many options, reviews, and technical terms, it can be overwhelming to find the best fit.

We want to help you know what to look for when purchasing a drone! In this article we’ll go over everything you should know before buying your first drone.

Where to Buy A Drone

If you don’t know where to buy a drone, don’t worry, you’re not alone. There are tons of online stores all over the world that sell them, and with most offering global shipping, the options are endless. If you’re looking for a toy drone, the best option is Amazon, as they have countless options. If you’re looking for the best camera or hobby-grade racing drones, check out myfirstdrone.com. If you find the a DJI drone is the best fit for you, make sure to get it from the DJI store directly. DJI regularly makes small changes to hardware and software, so other retailers like Best Buy and Amazon can’t guarantee the latest version. These updates are typically vital to the safety and reliability of the drone, so it is something to be aware of when purchasing.

Words to Look For When Buying A Drone

While you’re shopping for your drone, you’ll notice there are several unfamiliar acronyms. Understanding these will ensure you buy the right drone for your needs.

• RTF stands for ready-to-fly: The name is misleading, as you’ll often need to install the propeller or bind the controller to the drone before flying. You will also need to charge your drone’s battery before it can fly.
• BNF stands for bind-to-fly: These drones are usually pre-assembled, but they don’t have controllers. You will need to buy your own or install software on yours mobile device.
• ARF stands for almost-ready-to-fly: It means that most often your drone is going to come as a kit. Make sure you read the description of an ARF drone carefully, so you know which components aren’t included.
• FPV stands for first-person video: These drones can stream footage from a first-person perspective to a phone, VR headset, or other devices.
• LiPo stands for Lithium Polymer: Most drone batteries are made of lithium polymer.

Buying A Drone May Require Registration

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) classifies drones as Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and requires registration of all UAVs weighing more than 0.55 pounds and less than 55 pounds. This isn’t as big of a hassle as it sounds, as registration only costs $5 per aircraft and is valid for three years. After registering, you will receive a unique identification number which must then be displayed on your drone. You must be at least 13 years old sto register.

Conclusion

While flying a drone, it is best to be safety conscious at all times. Drones should never be used to harm others or disrupt events in any way. Joining an online drone community is a great way to learn more about drones and get advice from others on proper usage. Here is a list of some things you should and shouldn’t do:

•  Stay at least 5 miles away from all airports.
•  Don’t fly more than 400 feet above the ground.
• Don’t fly over people without permission.
• Don’t fly over government facilities.
• Don’t fly in national parks.
• Don’t fly over private property.
• Don’t fly over fires or crime scenes.
• If the police ever approach you, be polite.