Newbie: Re Flight Range Restricted in South Africa or Not?

[NewbieNewbie]

Greetings to all the experienced members

I am totally new and was hoping to ask for some advice please?

Is it true that all drones in South Africa are automatically restricted to 500 metres of flight range, irrespective of the actual range on paper of the drone? In other words, does the drone automatically pick up via GPS that one is in South Africa, and then it automatically electronically reduces the actual flight range/distance to 500 metres OR does this only apply to DJI drones?

I have heard that DJI is very strict compared to other drones. Not sure if true.

In other words, is there any point in spending money on a drone for example that has a flight range on paper of 1200 metres, if it is in any case automatically electronically limited to 500 metres when in South Africa? OR is it only DJI who implements this automatic restriction?

If I may ask a last question please? Bear in mind that my farm is massive and vast, and there are lots of killings on farms in South Africa (for those not from South Africa, and not aware of this fact).

Am I correct that the automatic restriction is implemented when it detects one's location via GPS at the beginning when switching on the drone for the very first time when taking it out of the box for the first time? 

In other words if one switches to the other mode (non GPS) for flying, then does this mean that the restriction is lifted temporarily because the GPS is switched off?

Is there a way to over ride this automatic flight range restriction for my farm? I don’t want to go commercial (I am old and my memory is not suited to exams now LOL).

Has anyone brought in a drone from another country where they already opened it and discovered (by chance on a farm/private property) in South Africa that the range is more than 500 metres OR perhaps that there are other drone brands that are not so rigid to automatically implement this range restriction (I have heard that with DJI it is not possible to over ride it).

Thank you to everyone for all your advice and sorry for the long post (I hope I can get advice from those inside and outside the country).
Thank you again
Best wishes
Justin

[Ricoby]

I had the DJI Phantom 3 Pro, and now have the DJI Spark. Neither is restricted on the range. There is a setting which overrides the range. The shorter range and height is set as default for beginners. You can disable this in the flight app (DJI GO 4). Your range may also be limited when in the vicinity of aerodromes or airports as this is a safety feature built into the flight software app you use on your phone/tablet screen.

[GERMAN]

Got the mini, no limitations

[E816]

There are legal limitation however

[nicofly]

It depends on what version you have EU or FAA.

The restrictions on the EU version is just plain Stupid.

[Alien.swd]

Restrictions to flight distance is LINE OF SIGHT.
Once you fly beyond that (because you can see your drones footage) is the main reason laws are getting worse and worse.
If you go for your RPL you dont even look at your screen. You keep your eyes on the drone, because you need to know what is around it.