The Best Long Range Drones – Maximize Flight Range
Our Top Pick
DJI Spark
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Introduction
In most cases, light models are usually budget-friendly and suited for drone enthusiasts who are on a budget. Besides, they perfectly capture all the videos and photographs making them worth a purchase. On the other hand, heavy models will be more tolerant in areas with high winds.
That said, you should always consider your specific needs before settling on one because whether the drone is affordable or expensive, it remains a vital investment for you. Before purchasing a drone for your desired purpose, the following features are significant if you need to get the best long range drones.
Build Quality
Do you want to use your drone for a long period of time? Well, the type of quality used in construction should always be a priority. Cheaper drones are usually made from ordinary plastics to ABS plastics, and you are not assured of its durability.
High-cost quadcopters are manufactured from materials like fiberglass and carbon fiber making them even more durable. However, there are few companies that make low-cost drones that have the ability to resist medium crashes.
If you are on a tight budget, consider purchasing drones manufactured using strong ABS plastics. But, if you have enough bucks to spend, go for the drones made from fiberglass and carbon for durability and the best quality.
Camera Type
How do you want your photographs and videos to appear after a long day shooting? You should always consider the camera type of the drone you desire to purchase. In some cases, there are models may come with their cameras, while others may need a camera product attached to them before use.
When purchasing a drone for whatever tasks you intend to use it for, always settle for the ones with their inbuilt cameras, since they are lightweight and more functional. Additionally, always confirm the camera distance, number of megapixels, video resolution and if you can comfortably control the angle of the drone camera.
The higher the pixels the clearer the images you will get using the camera. So, if you need a camera with higher resolution it means you should be ready to spend more.
Best Long Range Drones Comparison
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Battery Life
The battery life of your drone is very significant especially when the equipment will serve you for extended periods. It is annoying to receive a low battery notification while at the middle of a very important shoot. Also, check the charging time of your drone, considering that you want one that charges fast.
Most drone models are purchased with batteries that take two hours to achieve a full charge. There are drones that have the ability to fly for 6 minutes while others will fly for 12 minutes before requiring a re-charge. High-cost drones have good flight time with the ability to fly for 20 – 30 minutes.
That said, it is significant to purchase drones that come with their replacement batteries, because they will help you when your battery gets low or when your battery can no longer hold a charge.
Speed and Altitude
Depending on your needs and the type of activities you are performing, the speed and the altitude of the drone are very crucial features for consideration. For example, if you are a sports reporter wishing to capture live events during a game, you should consider purchasing a drone that can fly 300 feet high.
In terms of the speed, most drones usually have the speeds of 10 – 15 miles per hour. If you wish to take photographs and videos of events like parties or games, you should consider purchasing drones with high speeds because of large crowds and the space area.
In addition to that, the range of the which you will control your drone is a great feature of consideration. It is significant for people who want to use the drone for photography purposes. You should always keep in mind that videos and aerial photos should be taken from high altitudes.
Most companies manufacture drones that have a range of 30 meters which is not efficient for aerial photography purposes. You will need to dig deep into your pocket to purchase one of the best long range drones.
Live Feed Feature
What is a live feed? It is a feature that enables the user to see what the drone is capturing from above. Most high-cost drones have the live feed feature, and you can receive the videos or photographs on your tablet, smartphone, or computer.
These cameras are usually placed at the lower parts of your drone. The live video can also be accessed from the controller LCD display, especially if you want precise flying. If the drone has a controller with the LCD display, you will see what the equipment is capturing in real time. For investors in the real estate and properties industry, it is significant to purchase drones with the live feed feature to capture all aerial videos.
To receive all the videos real-time on your handset devices, you are required to download an app that is directly connected to the drone’s camera. With such an app, you can stream the videos from the comfort of your home or office. However, the capabilities of streaming vary from one drone to the other.
Best Long Range Drones Reviews
1. DJI Spark Review
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- Obstacle avoidance
- Tons of intelligent flight modes
- Excellent flight performance
- Average flight time
- No 4K camera
- Low altitude only
This device won’t sustain any severe damage if it gets dropped two-dozen feet. The items that are most vulnerable to damages are the props, which are inexpensive and easily replaced items.
Apart from its hyper-portable and small design, its numerous intelligent flying modes are one of its most significant features. Also, the device comes with a handful of latest modes, featuring Dronir, Rocket, Circle, and Helix. The drone also can recognize the gesture, allowing it to be operated without depending on a controller or smartphone.
Another big feature is its effective obstacle avoidance system. Though this feature is exclusively reserved for drones that are larger, DJI went further to build a not-too-robust one into the Spark’s hull.
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2. DJI Phantom 3 Review
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- Automated flight modes
- Easy to fly
- Extremely stable
- A bit pricey
- Slightly difficult setup
- Third-party app required
It tracks a moving object with no effort and precise hovering. This product features all the characteristics of its predecessors while including a few new ones. One of those new features is the return-to-home safety system which prevents the drone from moving in its tracks in the case of any obstacle detection.
Though pricey, the top-end consumer drone offers excellent value for its price with an operating range of 720p Live View, raw and JPG still capture, a smooth 4K video capture and 20mm wide-angle lens, making it one of the best drones in the consumer market. You can consider the immediate predecessor if you are so much discouraged about this product’s price. It has a flight time of 28 minutes.
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3. DJI Mavic Pro Review
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- Compact, folding design
- Automated flight options
- Small remote control
- Frequent firmware updates
- Slightly pricey
- Smartphone required
This device takes 12MP Raw and JPG still photos. It also includes a charging hub (which can handle four batteries at a time without charging them simultaneously), a car charger, and an extra spare propeller pair.
The drone uses both its GPS and GLONASS satellites to gather information data. Its precise satellite position makes it pick up location easily. Its downward-facing sensors read the ground patterns to keep the device steady during while being flown indoors.
Its inbuilt automated return-to-home safety feature and forward obstacle avoidance make it a fantastic choice for several aerial videographers. YouTubers also have a great deal on its crisp 4K video. Its flight time lasts up to 28 minutes per charge while adding two extra batteries.
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4. GoPro Karma Review
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- Simple to set up
- Good image quality
- Sturdy and well made
- Short flight time
- Low transmission range
- No obstacle detection
The drone, weighing 1.06kg, is constructed from sturdy and durable plastic. Its weight exceeds that of the DJI Phantom 4 and Mavic Pro, even when you fold in its four propeller arms. This is the result of its low-profile design. The gimbal and camera mount has been placed on the aircraft’s nose rather than slung it underneath. The result is a very slim device having both its landing gear and arms folded.
To reveal the touchscreen which is clear and sharp, the controller opens like a clamshell. The controller also houses the twin-stick setup which is classic. The drone is constructed out of an easy-to-grip, sturdy matte plastic. It also has a wheel for controlling the camera pitch, and buttons the camera shooting mode and shutter.
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5. Autel Robotics Review
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- Obstacle avoidance system
- Compact
- 30-minute flying time
- Pricey
- Smartphone is required
- Not suitable for high flights
The camera can support as much as 120fps in 1080p standard HD, 60fps in 4K Ultra HD video. It also yields an ultra-wide field view of 94-degree while mounted on an inbuilt 3-axis gimbal. It’s still photos capacity is hinged at 12MP in burst or single and also provides auto exposure bracketing which helps you avoid missing any shot taken in tricky lighting conditions. This device accepts Micro SD cards as large as 128GB which allows for enough storage for both phenomenal pics and videos.
The 11.4V LiPo of the device is rated at 4300mah, which is good for a flight duration not exceeding 30 minutes flight.
While also incorporating a 3.3inch 720p OLED screen, the controller gives you excellent FPV images. For a greater view, use the device’s Explorer app to get 1080p live camera view on your smartphone (Android or Apple iOS device.) This allows you to make changes to the settings of the camera while flying and also gives you access to the product’s Intelligent Flight Modes with just a tap of the screen on your smartphone.
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Best Long Range Drones Summary
Summary
If you have never used or owned a drone before, you are likely to be confused when making a purchase. However, the above features will be significant especially if you have some specific needs in mind when purchasing a drone.
Depending on your budget, you can always get a drone that matches your needs. For instance, drones used for recreational purposes are usually affordable.
Reading various online reviews of different drones is also crucial to purchasing the best long range drones that will suit your needs.
