My son has been asking for a drone for a while now. We’ve bought a few very cheap RC drones in the past, and he’s had fun with them. We’re now thinking of getting him a proper drone for Christmas. He’s 9, so I don’t want to go professional, but budget is still a factor. I’ve read about the DJI Mini 2, SE, and 4K drones, and they seem to be a good value. I wasn’t expecting to spend $300, but I’d rather spend once and get something good than buy something cheap that will break or not work well.
Could you share your thoughts on what’s out there and what we should consider next?
One thing to think about is whether your son wants a camera drone or an FPV drone. There are two types of hobbyist drones:
Camera drones are great for taking photos and videos, but they’re basically just flying tripods. They fly themselves and aren’t very maneuverable, so they’re not super fun to fly.
FPV drones, on the other hand, are great for quick movements and fun flying, especially for cool camera shots and even flying around playgrounds (without kids!). They require more control and aren’t stabilized, so you have to be more hands-on.
For example, I’ve flown my DJI Mini 3 four times in the past year, but I’ve flown my FPV drones dozens of times because they’re just more fun. You might want to check out the BetaFPV Meteor and Air series, and Radiomaster radios. Avoid RTF kits, as they usually have poor controllers and drones that aren’t very good.
@Nyle
I’m surprised you used your Mini 3 so little. I bought mine in spring this year, and I can’t get enough of it. I’ve flown over beautiful spots in Philly, over lakes, waterfalls, herds of deer, and even filmed fireworks. I made a video montage from spring to fall, and it turned out great. I guess it all depends on your expectations.
@Nyle
I’ve got a Mini 3 Pro too and don’t think I’ve flown it more than five times in almost a year. But I still plan to fly it more. I enjoy those relaxed, cinematic flights.
I’ve been spending more time with FPV drones, though, because it’s so fun and rewarding. FPV is immersive.
To OP, I’d recommend considering if your son would enjoy FPV. If he can handle FPV at his age, he’ll be fine with a DJI in the future.
You might want to look into BetaFPV RTF kits. They offer more than basic flying modes (angle mode, horizon mode, and acro mode) and would be a good introduction to FPV without going overboard. I bought a Cetus kit for a gift, and it wasn’t too expensive. The controller wasn’t bad either, and it could lead your son into learning other things like electronics and soldering.
@Eli
The issue with Cetus drones is that they don’t use the usual software. They use BetaFPV’s own software, which makes it hard to get help from the community if something goes wrong. The gimbals on the controllers aren’t great either, as they tend to drift.
@Nyle
I get what you’re saying, but I think the kid is only 8. He might not be ready for the whole Betaflight/ELRS/Edge TX setup just yet.
The gimbals may not be the best, but they’re better than some of the old kits. I still think a ready-to-fly whoop with some beginner features could be a great intro to FPV for a kid without spending too much.
@Nyle
I’ve got the Mini 3 Pro too, but I haven’t flown it much either. It’s just not as fun for me as the FPV stuff. I’d say it depends on what kind of flying your son enjoys.
If he’s more into fun flying and wants to learn about electronics and drones, FPV might be the way to go. But if you’re looking for more relaxed, cinematic flying, then the DJI Mini 2 or 3 could be better for him.
@Nyle
I think a Mini is a great first drone. FPV drones might be too much for a first-time flyer. The Mini gives him a chance to learn how drones work and get comfortable with them.
Nico said: @Nyle
I think a Mini is a great first drone. FPV drones might be too much for a first-time flyer. The Mini gives him a chance to learn how drones work and get comfortable with them.
Any of the Mini series would be perfect for a beginner. I started with the Mini 2 and upgraded to a Mini 4 later. I’ve really come to appreciate the Mini after upgrading. The more expensive drones have better cameras, but the performance is similar to the Mini.
You can even get a second-hand Mini 2 with the fly more combo for a good price, and it comes with extra parts and a bag. It’s a lot of drone for the money.