If you do get a drone

I received a few questions regarding last Monday's post about drones, so I thought I would continue discussing the topic–should you decide to get a drone.

Here are some tips from the top of my head:

1. Must-have (and optional) accessories

a. two extra batteries

A battery lasts ~10 to 15 minutes of footage. The first battery is usually for practice and ocular. And the last battery is for backup.

b. launch/landing pad

This is for properties where you have to park far and need a clean flat surface to fly from.

c. Separate monitor/phone for remote controller (optional)

I use one mobile phone for Waze, calls/texts, and flying the drone. Though doable, switching between uses is tedious.

2. Plan the shots you wish to do before the trip

If you're new to drones, stick to simple camera movements. Make sure to practice these beforehand. You'll be surprised how even turning left/right requires very controlled thumb movements (imagine you're a heart surgeon).

3. Check for app updates and fly zone regulations the night before

One time, I needed to update the app and didn't have data coverage. I ended up not using the drone and wasting the trip.

4. The "Auto-Home" feature isn't precise

I've already crashed my drone in tall grass because the GPS was off by 3-4 meters from the road.

5. Make sure to take clear videos of the adjacent lots

In Tagaytay, I took a video of what turned out to be the wrong lot. (The owner gave me the wrong location). 🤦🏻‍♂️

There are also a ton of Youtube videos about drone flying. Make sure to watch a couple.