Purchasing first drone !

honest1

honest1

Adept
I am contemplating the acquisition of a DJI Mini 2 for personal use. Considering that this would be my first drone and more of an experimental venture, I am inclined to abstain from investing in newer drone models, and the Mini 2 aligns with my budgetary constraints. I did used it for a couple of days and I believe it will suffice my need for the time being.

However, I have a few questions:

1. I am exploring the option of procuring a refurbished unit from the United States, preferably from the DJI official store on platforms such as eBay or other reputable stores. Does opting for a refurbished drone make practical sense, or is it an ill-advised decision?

2. Are there any retailers or establishments in India offering the DJI Mini 2 at a reasonable price point?
 
honest1 said:
I am contemplating the acquisition of a DJI Mini 2 for personal use. Considering that this would be my first drone and more of an experimental venture, I am inclined to abstain from investing in newer drone models, and the Mini 2 aligns with my budgetary constraints. I did used it for a couple of days and I believe it will suffice my need for the time being.

However, I have a few questions:

1. I am exploring the option of procuring a refurbished unit from the United States, preferably from the DJI official store on platforms such as eBay or other reputable stores. Does opting for a refurbished drone make practical sense, or is it an ill-advised decision?

2. Are there any retailers or establishments in India offering the DJI Mini 2 at a reasonable price point?
Click to expand...

1). Dji refurbished are known to be in very good condition and functions perfectly.
So it is worth taking a chance but it's still a small chance of getting a bad version.
So go for it if you can take 95/5 chances.

2). Now you will find many photography/ camera equipment shops that do sell drones ( though India has banned DJI drones(chinese drones but still easily available). They are mostly Dubai imports from what I have seen.

They test it right in front of you so it is much safer option.
You will find some retailers selling online too but they look pricey.

I don't know about your place but in Kolkata we have metro gali( camera and photography shops) they all have drones and they are decently priced like 10k -12k above UAE price I have noticed.

In Delhi also my friend said there are shops that had great prices on drones.

Check for such places in your city selling camera and photography gears and they should provide you with decent offer on drones too.

Now to add a personal opinion...
Two advice I would like to give ..one buying drone is bit courageous investment as it is very easy to mess it up. I have had birds coming to attack my drone out of nowhere but got very lucky .

Ofcourse the footage you get from drone is just out of the world.( it requires good dedication to get that art right though )
But just saying have the courage to lose that investment too.

Second DJI is bas**** when it comes to providing battery and spare parts for older drones.( DJI mini 2 is now quite old..great drone though)
They stop the production much earlier than it is supposed to and that gives price rise situation and shortage of availability too.

So buying something latest is more sensible as it will still be having those spare part support for longer time.

Just my 2 cent.
 
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solo_wing said:
1). Dji refurbished are known to be in very good condition and functions perfectly.
So it is worth taking a chance but it's still a small chance of getting a bad version.
So go for it if you can take 95/5 chances.

2). Now you will find many photography/ camera equipment shops that do sell drones ( though India has banned DJI drones(chinese drones but still easily available). They are mostly Dubai imports from what I have seen.

They test it right in front of you so it is much safer option.
You will find some retailers selling online too but they look pricey.

I don't know about your place but in Kolkata we have metro gali( camera and photography shops) they all have drones and they are decently priced like 10k -12k above UAE price I have noticed.

In Delhi also my friend said there are shops that had great prices on drones.

Check for such places in your city selling camera and photography gears and they should provide you with decent offer on drones too.

Now to add a personal opinion...
Two advice I would like to give ..one buying drone is bit courageous investment as it is very easy to mess it up. I have had birds coming to attack my drone out of nowhere but got very lucky .

Ofcourse the footage you get from drone is just out of the world.( it requires good dedication to get that art right though )
But just saying have the courage to lose that investment too.

Second DJI is bas**** when it comes to providing battery and spare parts for older drones.( DJI mini 2 is now quite old..great drone though)
They stop the production much earlier than it is supposed to and that gives price rise situation and shortage of availability too.

So buying something latest is more sensible as it will still be having those spare part support for longer time.

Just my 2 cent.
Click to expand...

Really great insights and appreciate your efforts!
 
solo_wing said:
1). Dji refurbished are known to be in very good condition and functions perfectly.
So it is worth taking a chance but it's still a small chance of getting a bad version.
So go for it if you can take 95/5 chances.

2). Now you will find many photography/ camera equipment shops that do sell drones ( though India has banned DJI drones(chinese drones but still easily available). They are mostly Dubai imports from what I have seen.

They test it right in front of you so it is much safer option.
You will find some retailers selling online too but they look pricey.

I don't know about your place but in Kolkata we have metro gali( camera and photography shops) they all have drones and they are decently priced like 10k -12k above UAE price I have noticed.

In Delhi also my friend said there are shops that had great prices on drones.

Check for such places in your city selling camera and photography gears and they should provide you with decent offer on drones too.

Now to add a personal opinion...
Two advice I would like to give ..one buying drone is bit courageous investment as it is very easy to mess it up. I have had birds coming to attack my drone out of nowhere but got very lucky .

Ofcourse the footage you get from drone is just out of the world.( it requires good dedication to get that art right though )
But just saying have the courage to lose that investment too.

Second DJI is bas**** when it comes to providing battery and spare parts for older drones.( DJI mini 2 is now quite old..great drone though)
They stop the production much earlier than it is supposed to and that gives price rise situation and shortage of availability too.

So buying something latest is more sensible as it will still be having those spare part support for longer time.

Just my 2 cent.
Click to expand...
What about drone registration though? Only reason I'm not purchasing one is because digitalsky portal stopped registration of drones (and the portal itself is inaccessible now).
 
ze_cook said:
What about drone registration though? Only reason I'm not purchasing one is because digitalsky portal stopped registration of drones (and the portal itself is inaccessible now).
Click to expand...
Look this is India...half the time they don't know what they want to do and rest when they do decide , they can't do it efficiently and properly.

Even I did not manage to register my drone. It use to fail and there was stupid rules of showing invoice of being purchased in India etc.
My drone was USA bought.

I was flying around no issues at all except in no fly zones.
(I was asked in Nagaland not to fly or they will shoot down my drone by locals) so just know the rules and check with locals in sensitive areas.

Btw DJI mini is below 250gm it can be flying anyways without registration.

Above that is where rules in the books get more stricter.
 
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honest1 said:
Anyone knows any reliable market for drone in Mumbai?
Click to expand...
I am sending you a number via DM.
They are SK electronics. They are on OLX too.
I had got my drone battery from them and very professional people. Kept me updated when shipped from Mumbai to Kolkata.
They seem to deal in drones.

However please do take your own safety measures when dealing .

Just trying to help here.
 
solo_wing said:
I am sending you a number via DM.
They are SK electronics. They are on OLX too.
I had got my drone battery from them and very professional people. Kept me updated when shipped from Mumbai to Kolkata.
They seem to deal in drones.

However please do take your own safety measures when dealing .

Just trying to help here.
Click to expand...
hi do they sell Propellers for DJI Mini 3 ? If so, can u DM me their number?
 
Any forums which is specifically for DJI drones and have guides/hacks ?

Also, where to look out for information as to which area is fly and no-fly zone ?
I do understand that near to airport is a no-fly zone but then apart from it, can we fly it in city area?
 
honest1 said:
Any forums which is specifically for DJI drones and have guides/hacks ?

Also, where to look out for information as to which area is fly and no-fly zone ?
I do understand that near to airport is a no-fly zone but then apart from it, can we fly it in city area?
Click to expand...

: : DigitalSky - Airspace Map : :

digitalsky.dgca.gov.in digitalsky.dgca.gov.in

Go through this map and zoom in on locations you plan to fly . If it comes under red ..it is not fly zones. Yellow is limited to certain height of flying only and green is completely free fly zones.

Plus there are more details rules ..

Just go through above link and Google for Indian drone flying rules.

Rest is common sense...avoid sensitive places like military or police check posts , observe places where there are not much birds and peoples personal places which are not very private ( you know I mean)

Rest I don't you will have any issues.

Also there are many forums check on Google you will find many Including one officially supported by DJI.
 
Tha
solo_wing said:

: : DigitalSky - Airspace Map : :

digitalsky.dgca.gov.in digitalsky.dgca.gov.in

Go through this map and zoom in on locations you plan to fly . If it comes under red ..it is not fly zones. Yellow is limited to certain height of flying only and green is completely free fly zones.

Plus there are more details rules ..

Just go through above link and Google for Indian drone flying rules.

Rest is common sense...avoid sensitive places like military or police check posts , observe places where there are not much birds and peoples personal places which are not very private ( you know I mean)

Rest I don't you will have any issues.

Also there are many forums check on Google you will find many Including one officially supported by DJI.
Click to expand...
Thanks, really helpful !!!

On the forum aspect, I was actually looking for the once where hacks/etc are discussed.
 
honest1 said:
Tha

Thanks, really helpful !!!

On the forum aspect, I was actually looking for the once where hacks/etc are discussed.
Click to expand...
Welcome.
Just search on Google you will find many.
As for hacks I think drone-hacks.com
Is the most popular and best but still do your research.
I have never used it to purchase hacks.
I think DJI mini 2 is easily hackable. Check some YouTube vidoes also.

Hope this helps.
 
solo_wing said:
Welcome.
Just search on Google you will find many.
As for hacks I think drone-hacks.com
Is the most popular and best but still do your research.
I have never used it to purchase hacks.
I think DJI mini 2 is easily hackable. Check some YouTube vidoes also.

Hope this helps.
Click to expand...
Thank you !!
Are you the only one with drone here ;):oops::D
 
honest1 said:
Thank you !!
Are you the only one with drone here ;):oops::D
Click to expand...
Haha.
I sold my drone long time back here to a member.


It was bought with lot of passion and ideas in mind so I researched a lot before and after , which is why I am able to help with but reality made me realise It is a risky endeavour but totally worth it if one can take the risk.
 
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Futureized said:
@honest1 which model did you decide ?
If you are purchasing from India, do share

I am looking for a drone myself since last year - https://techenclave.com/threads/drone-for-12-14-year-old-boy-around-5000.211797/
Click to expand...
For 4000-5000 you will only find some Indian made drones..just don't expect much in terms of flying features and smooth control of DJI drones...

Someone I met at a snacks shops sometime back bought it for 3k It was on sale on Amazon India. I forgot the model...He said it was decent.

I don't have any experience with Indian made drones but you can check on YouTube for reviews of Indian made drones and decide to go for it.
 
Futureized said:
@honest1 which model did you decide ?
If you are purchasing from India, do share

I am looking for a drone myself since last year - https://techenclave.com/threads/drone-for-12-14-year-old-boy-around-5000.211797/
Click to expand...
DJI Mini 2 !
Fits perfectly in my budget and also VFM.
solo_wing said:
For 4000-5000 you will only find some Indian made drones..just don't expect much in terms of flying features and smooth control of DJI drones...

Someone I met at a snacks shops sometime back bought it for 3k It was on sale on Amazon India. I forgot the model...He said it was decent.

I don't have any experience with Indian made drones but you can check on YouTube for reviews of Indian made drones and decide to go for it.
Click to expand...
Indian drones are good for use cases except photohoraphy.
I know many drone companies who are making it for surveys, agri, etc but till date, havent come across someone who excels in photography as compared to DJI !
 
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honest1 said:
DJI Mini 2 !
Fits perfectly in my budget and also VFM.

Indian drones are good for use cases except photohoraphy.
I know many drone companies who are making it for surveys, agri, etc but till date, havent come across someone who excels in photography as compared to DJI !
Click to expand...
I known even photography and videography will be below the par .

But he said he just wants it as a toy for 14-15 years.

One jugaad that I can suggest which may require some good effort...is attach a small light action camera with ziptie or some of the mounts for quick shots about 10-20 secs.

It has worked for people but action camera needs to be really light weight otherwise drone will not be able to lift.
Depends on drones power to create the lift..

Not exactly an easy jugaad.
 
solo_wing said:
I known even photography and videography will be below the par .

But he said he just wants it as a toy for 14-15 years.

One jugaad that I can suggest which may require some good effort...is attach a small light action camera with ziptie or some of the mounts for quick shots about 10-20 secs.

It has worked for people but action camera needs to be really light weight otherwise drone will not be able to lift.
Depends on drones power to create the lift..

Not exactly an easy jugaad.
Click to expand...

Can be done but as you mentioned, its not easy !

I am thinking of taking this one for my kid !
 
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