Top 5 Drones Of 2017
Drones are one of the coolest innovations in the recent times. Anyone would agree to that even they can’t really justify buying one. Now there are various types of drones. Some of them maybe useful just for fun and are only used as tech toys, while there are other that focus on imaging and cinematic applications. Drones are a costly affair. But there are also budget drones available in the market. The final price also depends on the utility of the drone. Here we are listing some of the best drones in the market currently.
1. DJI Phantom 4:
On the top of the list, we have the DJI Phantom 4. The drone is easy to fly and is extremely stable. It has the ability to avoid obstacles. The DJI Phantom 4 has incredible operating range with 720p Live View. It also has return-to-home and other safety features, along with automated flight modes. The drone also has high-speed Sport mode. It allows for smooth 4K video capture and comes with a 20mm wide-angle lens. DJI Phantom 4 also easily recognizes subjects and tracks them. It also has Raw and JPG still capture. The problem with DJI Phantom 4 is that it’s a bit expensive. Also, mission planning requires third-party app. DJI’s top-end consumer drone, the Phantom 4, definitely comes with a lot of improvements. The DJI Phantom 4 is said to be the best consumer drone on the market. But then it is also priced accordingly.
2. DJI Inspire 2:
Second up on the list is also a product by the DJI. The DJI Inspire 2 has magnesium alloy construction and offers two camera options. It has 5.2K video and 16-bit Raw images. It offers PCIe SSD storage. 67mph is the top speed of the DJI Phantom 2. The DJI Phantom 2 also comes with obstacle detection and avoidance, just like the Phantom 4. The Phantom 2 has retractable landing gear and 360-degree camera rotation. It offers dual operator control with FPV pilot camera and comes with intelligent flight modes. For the video editing part, you would require a high-performance computer. A drone like the Phantom 2 is not intended for hobbyists. Micro Four Thirds camera is expensive. DJI’s Inspire 2 drone is a huge update to the Inspire 1. It definitely delivers more pro-grade video features and enhanced dual-operator control.
3. Yuneec Typhoon H Pro:
On the third position, we have the Yuneec Typhoon H Pro. This drone has a six-rotor design and a freely rotating 4K video camera. It allows Raw and JPG image capture. It comes with retractable landing gear. It also has remote control with integrated display. The drone has a solid operating range. Yuneec’s Typhoon H Pro has Intel RealSense obstacle avoidance and it also supports dual-operator control. The flight time on the Typhoon H Pro is only limited to 19 minutes. One drawback is that the obstacle avoidance system only works at low speeds and the controller is large and unwieldy. Also, the battery life indicator is confusing to read. The drone has spotty automatic white balance and is also pretty expensive. The Yuneec Typhoon H Pro with Intel RealSense Technology has enormous potential. But its flight interface and video both leave some room for improvement.
4. Parrot Bebop 2 FPV:
Next up, we have the Parrot Bebop 2 FPV. It is a compact drone that includes remote and FPV goggles. The average flight time of the Parrot Bebop 2 FPV is just 19 minutes. But it has stable 1080p video and also supports midair flips and rolls. The drone has adjustable geofence. The flight app of Parrot Bebop 2 works with Android and iOS. The cons of this Parrot Bebop 2 has very limited suburban operating range. Also, the full-resolution images are fish-eye. You would require a smartphone or tablet for camera view. Also, the video quality is not that great. The Parrot Bebop 2 FPV is an attractive, compact drone. But it has difficulty with long distance flight in areas with crowded Wi-Fi signals.
5. Parrot Disco FPV:
Last, we have the Parrot Disco FPV. Another product from the Parrot group. The drone is amusing and easy to use. It has a good 35-minute flight time with detailed flight logs. The drone is also Android and iOS compatible. The Parrot Disco FPV has more cons than pros. It has a very average video and image quality. The drone requires large, open space for landing. The FPV goggles encourage unsafe operation. Also, it is pricey. The Parrot Disco FPV isn’t exactly the most practical drone, though it is fun to use.
Conclusion.
Out of so many different drones with different focus and capabilities, it is difficult to select one that suits you the most. But while deciding on a drone, there are a few factors that you must seriously consider, like its flight time, the size, the utility or how you can use it, its functions etc. The above mentioned are some of the best drones currently available in the market.
Nisarg is the Business Development Manager at Nimblechapps, a top mobile game development company and has been with the organisation since its inception in 2014. He likes to update his knowledge on changing trends in technology and marketing and pens his thoughts regarding the same on various blogs and LinkedIn.