Which drone for travel writer/filmmaker

[kudu177]

I need your sage advice, please.

I am an experienced travel writer, photographer and audio producer. I now want to expand my horizons (literally) and use a drone in my travel journalism.

Some parameters I have set for myself.

1. The drone will be used mostly to give a sense of place or location as part of my travel videos.

2. I am highly safety conscious and will not be flying the drone in built-up areas or over crowds. The films are mostly about back-country travel — hiking, sea-kayaking, river-tripping, motor- and mountain-biking in the Karoo, that kind of thing.

3. The drone camera must be capable of shooting 4K 60fps.

4. The drone should be light enough to be backpacked/carried on a mountain bike.

A couple of questions.

1. What are my best options (considering that I am not on a pro’s budget)?

2. Do I need a license?

3. Who offers training in the Western Cape?

4. Should I mess around with mounting a GoPro on a drone or should I cut straight to getting a drone with a decent, gimbal-stabilized camera?

5. What have I missed?

Thank you all in advance for your help and advice.

Paul (Ash)

[Piggy-Hawk]

From experience with a R400k AG drone to R160k search and rescue drone, I can tell you that you don't need more than a Mini 3 Pro.

The prices will drop as the Mini 4 Pro has been released.

The quality is excellent.  Buy it with the smart controller and the fly more batteries.

You can never have enough batteries, and the charger that comes with the fly more kit charges 50% faster.

It does film in 4K and 60FPS, but as with most drones, what they don't tell you is that some functions such as the follow me functions don't work when the 60fps is selected.

It works with 4k, but not at 60fps.

The quality on the Mini 3 Pro is better than a GoPro (I have most models). You don't need a "decent" gimbal. The gimbal on the Mini 3 Pro is as steady as you can get.

I wouldn't bother with a license for your intended use.  Again on the Mini 3 Pro, it's the quietest drone out there. If you're flying on the "N" setting above 20m no one will even know there's a drone.

I wouldn't take any drone sea kayaking.  Water and things like hail nets messes with most drone sensors. Drones don't float.

The Mini 3 Pro also fits nicely into a small backpack.

[kudu177]

From experience with a R400k AG drone to R160k search and rescue drone, I can tell you that you don't need more than a Mini 3 Pro.

The prices will drop as the Mini 4 Pro has been released.

The quality is excellent.  ....

Thank you for the straight up and detailed reply, Piggy Hawk. I really appreciate it. Good stuff!

[Hexapilot]

I agree with Piggy.

You don't need anything more than the Mavic 3 Pro.

I fly a Dji M300 RTK with P1, L1 and from this week an L2 sensor , an old Aibotix X6 from Leica Geosystems (There is still one sensor ONLY compattible with this dinasour...) Phantom P4 RTK and well as my Mavic 2.
For privare use, travelling and in-the-pocket-conveniance, the Mavic 2 is my go-to drone.
I should perhaps upgrade to a newer model, but this little gem is now so old, that I don't care about it so much, and I take it in to areas and risk situations that I would never take a newer more expensive drone.
I will replace it the day it does not come back home anymore...

[Dual]

I have the DJI Mavic Mini 2 and just do photos, very happy with it
3 Batteries and flying last 25 minutes per battery
Took this today, we had some serious damage after 25 September storms
Onrus river lagoon, Hermanus



Took this last week, Klein river lagoon at Grotto, Hermanus

[kudu177]

Took this last week, Klein river lagoon at Grotto, Hermanus

Thank you! And, oh wow, so lovely to see that the mouth is open again.

[FHV]

I can vouch for the Mavic Mini 2 SE Flymore package (drone, tx, 3 batteries and charging hub), its on special all over the place at about R10 500,00.
I bought one for myself for Xmas, having had a Phantom 3 Pro that was getting long in the tooth.
The Mini is extremely user friendly and photo and video quality well above what most people need. Needless to see with the development that has happened since I bought the original Phantom 3 Pro the Mini puts the P3pro in the shade.
Did a range test this afternoon over open country and it comfortably got to 1500m out before I thought it sensible to come home. With the limited video making that I need it for that is more than enough anyway. Pics I take in Raw.
I bought mine from Kloppers in George, but as I mentioned above, they seem to be on special nationally.
Hope this helps
Francois