A Dozen Features Found in Today’s Best Drones

Drone sales have exploded since 2015, with sales growing 224% from 2015 to 2016. With experts projecting that the number of drones sold in the United States could reach 7 million by the year 2020, manufacturers have responded by introducing new and improved drones at an astounding rate. With all of the new models on the horizon, buyers should keep some key points in mind as they evaluate drones. Below are a dozen features offered by today’s best drones.

1) Superb safety. Today’s drones showcase the latest in design efficiency and safety. By introducing key safety features, manufacturers are offering an increasing number of drones that do not have to be registered with the FAA. Examples of safety features offered by top drones include the following:

Caged propellers to help protect your drone and users in the event of a crash Redundant stabilization systems that enable drones to continue to fly and land if a propeller fails Multiple sensors that prevent drones from immediately falling if trouble strikes The inclusion of inertial measurement units (IMUs) that help with drone positioning Motor fail-safe modes that enable the drone to land safely even if one of the motors fails

2) A long-life battery. One of the biggest complaints shared by recreational and professional drone owners alike is poor battery life. After all, longer flight times help professionals capture the perfect shot or video, and provide recreational owners with prolonged enjoyment. While you can certainly address this issue by maintaining a ready stockpile of replacement batteries, the process of swapping batteries is inconvenient and interrupts productivity for professionals. The best drones feature a battery life of at least 30 minutes while maintaining a control range of at least 2500m to 3000m.

3) User-friendly operation. Today’s busy consumers are looking for a drone that they can master right away. With only 7% of people admitting to reading an operator’s manual for an expensive vehicle, drone manufacturers are quickly realizing the importance of a user-friendly design. While you can expect a learning curve with any new drone, the best models feature an intuitive design that facilitates fast mastery of operation. A few examples of enhancements in user efficiency include the following:

The inclusion of multiple modes of operation based on skill level Ability to track flight information to facilitate learning Intuitive controllers that can be operated with or without a smartphone

4) Outstanding obstacle avoidance. Obstacle avoidance ranks right alongside battery life on the wishlist of drone owners. The latest cutting-edge drones such as the DJI Phantom 4 are manufactured with obstacle avoidance in mind. They possess features such as the following:

Front-facing cameras that prevent the drone from colliding with fences, trees, and walls Integrated dual GPS systems Return to home features Multi-direction obstacle sensing

5) Enhanced computer vision. Computer vision is vital for professional drone owners requiring accuracy. As vision technology applications continue to grow, drone manufacturers are placing more emphasis on the following:

Improving image quality Autonomous navigation Analysis of terrain

Today’s top drones are constructed with mechanisms that enable cameras to follow any subject and remain focused on that subject throughout the flight. They achieve this through the addition of optical cameras to the nose of the drone along with downward facing cameras on the drone’s body.

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6) Rugged construction. Drone operators often need to use their drones in a wide variety of environments and weather conditions. Even the most experienced pilots cannot anticipate every obstacle or prevent every crash. Investing in a durable, rugged drone that will continue to function flawlessly after enduring crashes is a great way to extend the life of your drone and maximize your investment. While it may be impossible to design a fully “crash-proof” drone, there is a global emphasis on constructing an indestructible drone. Today’s best drones are able to withstand extreme temperatures and the harshest elements in addition to potential collisions.

7) Lightweight design. The quest for portability and featherweight construction continues within the drone industry. Manufacturers are increasingly turning to carbon fiber and other lightweight materials to construct drones that weigh under 250 grams. Many of these drones can be folded and packed for safe and easy transport from one location to another. Notably, manufacturers are taking extra precautions to ensure that power and speed are not unduly compromised by a lighter design.

8) Compatibility with smartphones and tablets. A growing number of drones are fabricated with technology that is compatible with your favorite mobile devices. These drones eliminate bulky controllers because you can control drones using your phone’s touchscreen and view real-time camera images on your smartphone or tablet. Consumers can easily download the app and have accesses to vivid imagery on a device with which they are already familiar. Not all drones feature this technology, but their market share is increasing rapidly.

9) Excellent manufacturer support. Few things are more frustrating for flyers than being unable to receive technical support when problems arise or spare parts are required. Even the most seasoned drone operators have questions and concerns that might not be answered in an operator’s manual. The industry’s top drones are manufactured by companies that offer stellar customer support. Ideally, manufacturer support should be offered in the following ways:

Telephonic support E-mail support Live Chat Online availability of operator’s manuals and instructional videos Ordering spare parts is fast and easy Prompt return merchandise support in the event of a product defect The ability to access support 24 hours per day

10) Ready to use. Every hour counts for surveyors, real estate agents, surveyors, and other busy professionals who purchase drones to conduct their jobs. Time spent assembling a drone and mastering its operation equates to lost income. While it might be impossible to avoid battery-charging time, manufacturers are increasingly selling drones that require little assembly to provide immediate gratification and return on your investment. In response to consumer expectations, manufacturers are selling more drones in “ready to fly” or “almost ready to fly” condition with little to no preparation time required.

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11) Reasonably priced. Fierce competition and the rise in international drone manufacturers has been beneficial to drone users in more ways than one. In addition to mounting pressure to improve drone design, manufacturers are being forced to adjust their prices in order to maintain their competitive edge. And with the introduction of a plethora of relatively low-priced models being produced overseas, today’s high-end drones are half the price they were in 2016. Consumers are the ultimate beneficiaries, with more people being able to enjoy the benefits of drones.

12) Designed with consumer feedback. It is no surprise that drone manufacturers who seek and consider consumer feedback in their design process are frequent leaders in the drone industry. Examples of drone enhancements spurred in part by consumer feedback include waterproof technology, agricultural drone systems, and industrial drones with single ground control points. Some drone manufacturers take this concept a bit further by collaborating with consumers, government officials, and regulatory agencies in an effort to identify drone owners without revealing their specific identities.

As the evolution of the drone industry continues, consumers in search of the perfect drone will continue to have a plethora of new and improved models from which to choose. Increasing competition among manufacturers will also help drive continued drone enhancements. Remembering the twelve points above will help consumers ensure that they buy the best drone for their needs.

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