Drone suggestion

[5030]

Interesting. And surprising.

Rob

Surprising... Not at all. You'll see the same thing with cell phones and computers, in fact everything electronic. The Chinese have the world (and us) by the balls. Sadly, we let them do it. That computer you post with, where was it built? Your cell phone. where was it built? and more importantly, the origin of the components.

That includes your vehicle, all the electronics and chipsets are made in guess where?

 

[BigBlue1]

Surprising to me that China is the ONLY supplier of these chips for drones. Most other things you mention have manufacture capability in US but China is cheaper so that's where they come from. Yes, I get that China is a key player and disruption of that will be a problem. That's not what I was surprised about.

 

[newbury]

I'm looking for my first drone for two prime purposes, both in remote northeast Mississippi.
1. Monitor my rooftops - I've 7 good sized roofs mostly not visible from the ground or adjacent buildings. All surrounded by trees which drop limbs, needles, leaves etc. BUT provide a lot of shade. I'd like to be able to get a view of the tops after storms versus getting the ladder out. So that purpose could be served easily by a small limited drone.
2. Monitor my "lots", I've 7 parcels of land that have road frontage and are over 25 acres each. I'd like to be able to look at who is clearing timber on my lots. Most lots the roads run on the ridges so if I can get up a few hundred feet I should be able to see the entire lot.
I've had one guy that cleared 1/2 acre of prime 10 yr old planted pine to set up a landing so he could haul trees out from his lots. Never asked, I discovered it on Google Earth about a year later. I think this usage might require more drone power.
So any recommendations for my first drone? (As inexpensive as possible)

 

[cdaigle430]

I'm looking for my first drone for two prime purposes, both in remote northeast Mississippi.
1. Monitor my rooftops - I've 7 good sized roofs mostly not visible from the ground or adjacent buildings. All surrounded by trees which drop limbs, needles, leaves etc. BUT provide a lot of shade. I'd like to be able to get a view of the tops after storms versus getting the ladder out. So that purpose could be served easily by a small limited drone.
2. Monitor my "lots", I've 7 parcels of land that have road frontage and are over 25 acres each. I'd like to be able to look at who is clearing timber on my lots. Most lots the roads run on the ridges so if I can get up a few hundred feet I should be able to see the entire lot.
I've had one guy that cleared 1/2 acre of prime 10 yr old planted pine to set up a landing so he could haul trees out from his lots. Never asked, I discovered it on Google Earth about a year later. I think this usage might require more drone power.
So any recommendations for my first drone? (As inexpensive as possible)

just to check property, ease of use, budget-warranty then my suggestion would be Mavic Mini by DJI. Only because it has a short learning curve. Thee are others out there but if my 76 year old dad can fly a DJI Phantom 4 when he cant even operate a computer mouse it has to be user friendly.

I have the Mavic Air-smallest 4k video drone....I love it. So easy to fly, even took it to several countries like Brazil because its so portable.

 

[BigBlue1]

Alien,

Where did you buy your Fimi from?

 

[5030]

I don't care for DJI because of the built in Geofencing. I have more than enough 'big brother crap' to deal with as it is. Why I went with Autel, no geofencing.

For a first drone, I'd suggest a cheap one that when you crash it (and you will), it don't hurt bad (wallet). I have not only the EVO, but a Tello, pocket drone. Has FPV and does acrobatics too. Flight time is short compared to the bigger battery drones but is still very capable, downloads video in 1080, has image stabilization and all the built in gadgets and for 135 bucks (with additional batteries, props and multi port charging hub, it's pretty hard to beat and no controller needed. Flies with the Tello app on your cell phone or tablet direct. I actually have more fun with the Tello than the EVO because I don't worry about crashing it. Crash an EVO and it's over a grand. Crash a Tello and it's a C-note.

I ain't rich.

Finally the Tello is built by Ryze Tech (China) but runs an Intel processor with DJI software but no Geofencing.

Fun little pocket drone you can fly in the house or outside too.

 

[TractorGuy]

Watch out for attack eagles.

Bald eagle shows air superiority, sends drone into lake

 

[5030]

Watch out for attack eagles.

Bald eagle shows air superiority, sends drone into lake

Was in the paper tonight. Bald Eagle thought a DJI was a seagull. DJI is under water 150 feet from shore and the DNR is down one drone. DJI's do look like seagulls, sort of. Must have been a cheap one, paper said the value was 904 bucks.

 

[bunyip]

Our Wedge Tail eagles have been known to attack ultra lights, hang gliders, parachutes as well as drones, it's a lot of bird to contend with, I nearly hit one in the car but managed to get around him, hate to think of the damage it would have done to the car.

 

[Alien]

Alien,

Where did you buy your Fimi from?

I ordered it through FIMI Australia. It came from China in 9 days.
Banggood sell them and I think AliExpress too.