Is a Drone worth getting?

[LimeyRider]

Planning on riding out to a lot more scenic places around the UK as soon as winter is over as there are only so many roads around here that I can ride before I'm going to be repeating routes in videos.. With that in mind, is it worth getting a Drone for some footage of surroundings when you dismount at places?

Seen a few people do it and in my opinion it looks mega, but as I've stated in other posts, I'm really new to this so I havn't really got a clue as to what is good and what is bad content, anyone tried incorporating drone footage into your vlogs?

More specifically, with drones do you have to go big or go home for this sort of thing? I think I probably know the answer to that, but if any experienced people have an answer?

Cheers!

 

[Hippo-Drones]

Legally, the size of the drone you have adds restrictions on it's use. So don't go big... also big takes up room, so drones like the DJI Mavic Air I believe are on the easier to be allowed to use them side of things legally.
If you get one, I massively recommend doing your research as they are very expensive for what they are and you can't just throw them up in the air any old place you want.
I used to have a DJI Mavic Pro, it was a cracking drone, but in the 18 ish months I owned it, I only flew it 22 times, and with the three batteries I had for it, I technically could have just used each battery once and still had charge left in one of them in all that time.... For me, it was a huge waste of money, I sold it when all the drone stuff was going on at Gatwick Airport as I could see the rules changing on their use as a fallout from that.
If after researching the legality of their use, and working out if you do think you'll actually use it, they can add a nice bit of B-roll to a video. I'd always look to improve my main camera before worrying about secondary cameras though, and learn to get the best from kit you have. Much better to have the basics sorted first, like camera angle on the helmet, better audio, etc. Once you have the basics nailed, then maybe think about adding toys.

 

[LimeyRider]

Legally, the size of the drone you have adds restrictions on it's use. So don't go big... also big takes up room, so drones like the DJI Mavic Air I believe are on the easier to be allowed to use them side of things legally.
If you get one, I massively recommend doing your research as they are very expensive for what they are and you can't just throw them up in the air any old place you want.
I used to have a DJI Mavic Pro, it was a cracking drone, but in the 18 ish months I owned it, I only flew it 22 times, and with the three batteries I had for it, I technically could have just used each battery once and still had charge left in one of them in all that time.... For me, it was a huge waste of money, I sold it when all the drone stuff was going on at Gatwick Airport as I could see the rules changing on their use as a fallout from that.
If after researching the legality of their use, and working out if you do think you'll actually use it, they can add a nice bit of B-roll to a video. I'd always look to improve my main camera before worrying about secondary cameras though, and learn to get the best from kit you have. Much better to have the basics sorted first, like camera angle on the helmet, better audio, etc. Once you have the basics nailed, then maybe think about adding toys.

That actually makes a lot of sense, I'll stick to nailing down the basics first, thanks dude

 

[scooterwuf]

I’m not sure of the laws in the UK regarding drones, but in the US if your YouTube channel is monetized, then you must have a Federal certification permit to operate a sUAS (Small Unmanned Aircraft System). Or in other words a pilot’s certification is required for what may be considered a professional job. Definitely do the research as the restrictions are tighter in the UK compared to many places.

- Wolf

 

[Drakhen99]

Yep - the Part 107 here in the States.

Definitely follow @HippoDrone 's advice - it's gold.

I got one, but afterwards I found out about the Part 107, so I stopped flying it for my vids. Drones DO add a lot to videos, but they also take practice and more practice to incorporate in the most effective way.

-John

 

[LimeyRider]

Yep - the Part 107 here in the States.

Definitely follow @HippoDrone 's advice - it's gold.

I got one, but afterwards I found out about the Part 107, so I stopped flying it for my vids. Drones DO add a lot to videos, but they also take practice and more practice to incorporate in the most effective way.

-John

thanks for the input dude, much appreciated. As @HippoDrone mentioned I'll work on the fundamentals first before buying one, as they say - I should stick to learning to walk before trying to run haha

 

[LimeyRider]

I’m not sure of the laws in the UK regarding drones, but in the US if your YouTube channel is monetized, then you must have a Federal certification permit to operate a sUAS (Small Unmanned Aircraft System). Or in other words a pilot’s certification is required for what may be considered a professional job. Definitely do the research as the restrictions are tighter in the UK compared to many places.

- Wolf

Yea, had a quick search of the laws, seems there is WAY more involved than I thought. It was probably a little naive of me to think I was going to just launch one up where ever I stopped! All great learning points though! Thanks!

 

[R-Rated]

I’m not sure of the laws in the UK regarding drones, but in the US if your YouTube channel is monetized, then you must have a Federal certification permit to operate a sUAS (Small Unmanned Aircraft System). Or in other words a pilot’s certification is required for what may be considered a professional job. Definitely do the research as the restrictions are tighter in the UK compared to many places.

- Wolf

You can also hire a commercially licensed drone pilot for shots too.

 

[R-Rated]

Yea, had a quick search of the laws, seems there is WAY more involved than I thought. It was probably a little naive of me to think I was going to just launch one up where ever I stopped! All great learning points though! Thanks!

Yeah, even DJI Mini3 which does not need to be registered in the US with the FAA due to weight has legal limits. It is cool for personal use but not so much for if you are monetizing a channel unless you have a commercial license. Even then you have to keep the little beast in visual contact so your range is limited by eyesight.


A great example of further restrictions is the GPS fencing that is happening. I live a few miles from a neighborhood built around an airstrip. I can fly my oldee Phantoms just fine but they only use GPS to stay in position. I have a newer drone that uses GPS for navigation and it stops when it gets to the radius boundary for the airstrip.

Really a pain since the planes from the airstrip fly low over my neighborhood all the time without needing my permission.

 

[Baldbiker]

It's pretty much become standard equipment for today's motovlogger, but don't get a big one, no need. Don't get one too small either or you'll never be able to fly it without risking it blowing away. I would suggest something compact, but powerful, like a Mavic Air 2. You may need a license depending on your country but don't get too paranoid about where you can fly it. Just use common sense.

 

[Moto Mengy]

I love my drone, it's a DJI Mini 2. it's light enough to "fly" under the weight limit so many of the regulations for the larger drones don't apply to it. Still, there are many areas here in the US which prohibit drone flying completely, so it's not as convenient nor fun as it first might seem. There have been many times I've wanted to use it for filming but wasn't allowed to.

I bought it mostly for personal use just for kicks, but I have used it now and then for shots in my motovlogs.

 

[LimeyRider]

Sweet, thanks for all the feedback! All helpful stuff

 

[L. Bilious]

I'd love to get a drone, but my budget wouldn't allow it.

 

[MotoWolfUK]

So glad I saw this thread and Hippos advice - was planning to buy one for scenic reasons like yourself, but perhaps it’s not worth the budget

 

[LimeyRider]

So glad I saw this thread and Hippos advice - was planning to buy one for scenic reasons like yourself, but perhaps it’s not worth the budget

Yea i didnt bother getting one in the end, to be fair I'm really bad with impulse buying, which that would have been

 

[nophix]

I have one just because I enjoy flying them, but they are definitely not a good impulse buy. I will say, I can do some pretty trick stuff with my DJI Mini 2. I've been practicing pulling of some low level steady cam shots for B roll with it. They have a pretty good gimble and image stabilization, so you can get a very similar effect panning around the bike.

That said, I need to get my Part 107 done before I use that on YouTube. Well, not only for that, but it's what pushed me to do the research. If you're REALLY going to use it, it's not a bad investment. If not, it's a lot of money sitting on a shelf.

 

[lonerockz]

If you have a lot of cash to burn then, a drone is worth it. I got some great drone footage on my last trip. That said, I don't pay enough attention to the legality of it. I use a Mavic 3 mini, at under 250gr, which means you can use it in many places. I don't drone in the USA; people are crazy about them here. I only use it in Europe and Asia. People don't freak out there (or at least I haven't encountered that). But I know that in some places I've used it I probably shouldn't have. But the footage is great!

 

[R-Rated]

I have one just because I enjoy flying them, but they are definitely not a good impulse buy. I will say, I can do some pretty trick stuff with my DJI Mini 2. I've been practicing pulling of some low level steady cam shots for B roll with it. They have a pretty good gimble and image stabilization, so you can get a very similar effect panning around the bike.

That said, I need to get my Part 107 done before I use that on YouTube. Well, not only for that, but it's what pushed me to do the research. If you're REALLY going to use it, it's not a bad investment. If not, it's a lot of money sitting on a shelf.

Good points. I would not encourage anyone to cheat the regs here in the USA. However, a low steady shot from a drone is hard to tell from a low steady shot from a camera person at the same height.

So anything shot lower than 6 feet is nearly identical right?

 

[Drakhen99]

Good points. I would not encourage anyone to cheat the regs here in the USA. However, a low steady shot from a drone is hard to tell from a low steady shot from a camera person at the same height.

So anything shot lower than 6 feet is nearly identical right?

So, what you're saying is that the gimbal in a drone can be used to get walkaround footage of one's motorbike? I like the way you think, sir!

-John

 

[R-Rated]

So, what you're saying is that the gimbal in a drone can be used to get walkaround footage of one's motorbike? I like the way you think, sir!

-John

Why yes my friend it can! The Spark even had a handheld attachment so the user could carry it around without all the waspy buzzing but some users prefer using it in hands free mode.