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Eye in the sky

Points to ponder before buying your first drone

by Marc saltzman

Need some adrenaline in your life? Drones are surprisingly fast and responsive, and most have advanced cameras that allow you to capture stunning aerial footage you can watch later on a TV or computer. Some drones work with special glasses that let you see what the camera sees, in real time. You control the drone’s flight via a dedicated radio controller on the ground, or, depending on the model, you can also use a smartphone app.

Drones are not only fun, but they’re being embraced by several industries for commercial applications, such as real estate (to see the entire property), movies (for bird’s-eye footage), search and rescue (to find lost people) and even delivering items to shoppers (though this service is still in the early stages).

Here are a few things to consider if you’re thinking of buying a drone.

For visuals

If you’ll use a drone primarily to shoot video or snap pics, make sure it has a good onboard camera (or at least allows you to mount one, such as a GoPro). Look for a wide-angle 4K camera. Some drones house a three-axis mechanical gimbal for more stable video recording, and an auto-tracking feature that can lock onto a still or moving target. The larger the camera sensor, the better (at least 1 inch), and an RYYB (red, yellow, yellow, blue) filter array is also key. Both can help capture clear images in low light.

Practical considerations

Battery life (flight time) is important, as you don’t want the thrill to be over too soon. Some drones can last 40 minutes between charges, but be sure to keep a spare battery with you to keep the fun going. Other features to look for include advanced obstacle avoidance, far video transmission, the ability to land automatically or return to its flier, and alerts for low battery power and no-fly zones (such as near an airport).

If you’re thinking of buying a drone for someone special, note that flyers need to be at least 13 years of age and must register first with the Federal Aviation Administration. Certifications may be required for commercial use. Have fun flying.

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