You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
LesBijouPotato fancies a drone for his Xmas this year. He’s knocking on 8yrs old. Wants to film himself racing his soapbox and other stuff.
What do I need to know?
Over 250g needs registering and both you and your son would need to take the CAA's test.
Have a think about where you'd fly - operating within the limits is pretty restrictive and they apply whether you're over or under the weight limit. https://register-drones.caa.co.uk/drone-code/where-you-can-fly
Some good recommendations here (the Eachine looks really good for the money) https://www.t3.com/features/best-cheap-drone - can either go lightweight and avoid the paperwork but tricky to fly outside in the wind, or sturdier and more stable but over the weight limit. Don't expect a great camera on any of them unless you're spending a few hundred at least.
Just so you know the CAA test is really simple and you can refer back and forward to their documents and take the test as many times as you need to for no extra charge. Basically the test is to just make you read the rules. The rules themselves are logical and straightforward. Quite interesting to actually know where and how to fly safely. You'll also get a number which you can write on your drone so it can be returned to you if you lose it (or they can hunt you down if you use it for terrorist attacks 😉)
I think the charge is about £15 for a three year license.
Personally, I would fire the things in to the sea.
Professionally, my work involves them.
Simon_G has it right 👍
My 10 yr old grandson has just told us he would like a drone for Christmas. He wants a camera on it but not a follow me facility. £75 is what we would like to spend and there seem to be some Eachine ones at that price (but not the 520S).
Is there anything that will not disappoint for that sort of money?
Stick the model number in on YouTube and you’re bound to find some sample footage. It’s pretty much what you’d expect for the money, don’t expect to be making high quality cinematic stuff and you’ll be ok.
520S is over 250g so the legalities above apply.
Sorry, just seen not the 520s. That weight is key though to just legally using without paperwork (although you still have to follow the rules) and it’s hard to get a reasonable camera and flying time on a budget and staying under that limit.
Also anything over 250g isn't worth buying right now due to the changes coming in Jan 2021, drones manufactured after this date will have a new CE mark that will make it a lot easier to fly certain weight classes near people.
Any drone over 250g without the new CE mark, will have fairly harsh flying restrictions imposed post 2022/23.
Dji tello is good for the kids, super easy to fly and the pictures and video it takes are fine.
About 90 quid I think, maybe cheaper as they've been around a couple of years now.
Under 250g too.