DECEMBER 2019 T3 59State of the art
Drones no longer cost a fortune – the latest batch of budget models
pack in high-end features at low prices. Here we look at the best
Budget drones
Words: Alistair Jennings Photography: Neil Godwinrones are great fun, and there’s
a huge choice out there, ranging
from those costing a few pounds
to several thousand. DJI leads the
field with advanced features, high-end build
quality and innovation that have driven the
drone market forward.
But not everyone can afford a DJI, or needs
all of that tech. The good news is that even on
a smaller budget, there’s still plenty of choice.
The budget drones we’re looking at here
cost a fraction of their high-end rivals but still
pack in features that will give you hours of
enjoyment. They’ll help set you on the path to
becoming an experienced enthusiast or pilot.
One of the most important features that
you should look for is a built-in gyro – this
is an absolute essential for stable flight. The
addition of GPS is also a bonus and will enable
you to program in-flight paths and otherD
autonomous flight control. Signal strength is
essential for good aerial control, and most
drones will use Wi-Fi, which means they can
connect to your phone.
Then there’s the camera; this feature is what
propelled these small airborne devices into the
mainstream. Look for Full HD quality, and for
the most fun check to see if the footage can be
streamed live to an accompanying app for your
mobile device.