Drones were always intended for proactive people. The ones who want to have fun. Who wants to explore. Soar higher and fly further. The recent breakthroughs in radio and FPV areas are finally making these wishes a reality, pushing the limits of what can be achieved with each passing day.

However, there will always be some limits.

Here, we will explore just how far can a drone fly, take a look at some of the most outgoing crafts currently on the market and try to find out what is the best long distance drone money can buy.

So for those in a hurry, here are the top 3 drones we would recommend to our friends, depending on their needs and budget.

Our Top 3 Long Range Drones

Our #1 Rated

DJI Mavic 3, Drone with 4/3 CMOS Hasselblad...

DJI Mavic 3 Pro

"Editor's Choice"

  • Professional-oriented tool for high-quality aerial photography and videography.
  • Ultra-lightweight for a large, professional drone (221×96.3×90.3 mm folded without propellers).
  • 46 minutes of max flight time without wind surpasses

Our #2 Rated

DJI Mavic Mini 3 Pro

"Budget Pick"

  • DJI’s Mavic Mini 3 feels much more agile and responsive in flight than its predecessor, too. Even the controls feel more sensitive in both modes - Normal and Sport.
  • The primary camera features a 20MP Four Thirds CMOS sensor.
  • Flight time has been increased due to several improvements in the Mavic 3 design and the new battery.

Our #3 Rated

DJI Mavic Mini 2

"Tight Budget option"

  • The Mavic Mini 2's camera can shoot 4K Videos at 30fps and 1080p videos at 120fps.
  • It boasts an excellent flight time of 31 mintues and a stunning flight range of 10km!
  • The Mavic Mini 2 is probably the best drone in the $300-$600 prince range.

1. DJI Mavic 3 Pro

DJI Mavic 3, Drone with 4/3 CMOS Hasselblad...

"Ideal For: Professional photo or videographers"

Every time a new drone comes out, we feel like little kids excited about unwrapping the Christmas presents. DJI Mavic 3 has just come out, and we couldn’t wait to tell you all about our time spent with it.

Today is that day, and we’re able to tell you everything about this drone from our personal experience. We’re as excited (if not more) as you to tell you all about it.

The Specs

Mavic 3 is a long-awaited successor of the Mavic 2 Pro, which is a professional-oriented tool for high-quality aerial photography and videography. 

It’s ultra-lightweight for a large, professional drone (221×96.3×90.3 mm folded without propellers) that offers this much. The takeoff weight of the Mavic 3 is 895 g and the takeoff weight of the Mavic 3 Cine is 899 g.

Mavic 3 Cine is a more expensive variation of this drone, and it compensates the price with 1TB of internal storage and Apple's ProRes 422 HQ codec that applies the least amount of compression to video files for the highest quality of imagery possible. 

The sensor on the Mavic 3 camera is 4/3’ CMOS which shoots 20 Mpx. There’s a wide lens (24mm) and variable F2.8-11 aperture and a telephoto one on top (160mm) with fixed F4.4 aperture and 28X hybrid zoom. 

The video quality that is available to you while filming with the Mavic 3 is the following:

  • 5.1K: 5120×2700@24/25/30/48/50fps
  • DCI 4K: 4096×2160@24/25/30/48/50/60/120*fps
  • 4K: 3840×2160@24/25/30/48/50/60/120*fps

*with Apple ProRes 422 HQ

  • 5.1K: 5120×2700@24/25/30/48/50fps
  • DCI 4K: 4096×2160@24/25/30/48/50/60/120*fps
  • 4K: 3840×2160@24/25/30/48/50/60/120*fps
  • FHD: 1920×1080p@24/25/30/48/50/60/120*/200*fps

*with H.264/H.265

Flight time for Mavic 3 and Mavic 3 Cine is really something that makes them stand out.

Obstacle avoiding sensors have also been improved so when you’re flying your Mavic 3 through the woods, there’s nothing to worry about!

Another thing that has been greatly improved upon is the transmission range of this drone. 15KM is significantly more than the Mavic 2 Pro or any other competitor out there.

46 minutes of max flight time without wind surpasses the Mavic 2 Pro and the Air 2S by a lot. It’s all because of the battery - 5000 mAh makes a difference.

DJI Mavic 3 - Should You Buy It?

If you’re someone who’s basing your income on drones or are a drone enthusiast, it’s an understatement to say that Mavic 3 is a perfect choice.

But, the price tag of over $2,000 isn’t something that is ok for everyone. We know that everything you’ll get for that money is worth every penny, but it’s not easy to pay that much for a piece of equipment.

Mavic 3 is the top-of-the-line choice, but its predecessor is still more than capable.


2. DJI Mavic Mini 3 Pro

DJI Mavic 3

"Ideal For: Photographers-turned-drone-enthusiasts"

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While bringing some fantastic improvements we’ve come to expect of new editions, the Mavic Mini 3 Pro has not one but two significant changes that stand out for photographers and drone enthusiasts.  

These changes are the four-thirds image sensor and, interestingly enough, a secondary camera that features hybrid zoom.

Although folded, DJI’s Mavic Mini 3 is essentially the same as the Mavic Mini 2. 

However, the improved video shooting capabilities make the Mavic 3 a significant upgrade from its world-renowned predecessor. 

If your primary goal is capturing high-quality photos and videos, then Mavic Mini 3 Pro is the best compact drone which doesn't require registration (249g) in most countries and regions - and by a wide margin. And even though you might not require footage this good, this long-range drone is super fun to fly.

Specifications:

The Intelligent Flight Battery Plus is truly a powerhouse, offering an impressive maximum flight time of 47 minutes to deliver the ultimate in aerial performance. Even over and above what you'd expect from Mavic Mini 2's great 34-minute autonomy!

Beyond its weight - 80.5 grams for conventional batteries compared with 121 grams for the Intelligent Flight Battery Plus - there are significant differences between this battery and other options: unparalleled power delivery combined with increased drone endurance make it simply indispensable when handling more technically advanced missions.

Plus, the Mavic 3 weighs less than 250 grams, meaning that you wont be required to register it with the FAA.

Camera:

With the Mavic Mini 3 Pro Camera, you can easily capture stunning images without having to worry about any compromises.

It features a 48MP 1/1.3” CMOS sensor with an 82° FOV and 24mm F1.7 fixed-aperture lens that will smoothly produce 4K HD resolution pictures in portrait orientation - something not seen before on DJI drones.

All of these incredible capabilities are presented in such a way that it won't overwhelm first-time shooters or novice photographers; everything is straightforward so beginners don't have to be intimidated by complicated tasks or unnecessary gimmicks just for the sake of it.

Features:

The Mavic Mini 3 Pro Camera 2 from DJI offers a slew of features, enabling you to take your video recordings and photography up a notch.

This includes the fan-favorite Slow Motion mode that can capture videos at 1080p 120fps for high-quality shots as well as Timed Shots, Burst Mode, and D-Cinelike Color mode with more color flexibility when editing. 

If 48MP images are desired then shooting in a single image is necessary while the 12MP setting lets users enjoy extras such as Timed Shots or AEB - without worry if forgotten because it'll automatically switch!

PROS

  • Foldable design
  • Excellent image quality
  • Improved battery life
  • Doesn't require FAA registration

CONS

  • Expensive for a "budget" offering
  • Slightly unstable in windy conditions

3. DJI Mavic Air 2S

DJI Mavic Air 2S Long Range Drone

"Ideal For: Those Shopping on a Budget"

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If you asked us what the best mid-range DJI drone is, only a couple of weeks ago, our answer would've, without a doubt, been the DJI Mavic Air. But things have changed – and drastically so. The original Mavic Air now has a successor – and a worthy one, at that – known as the Mavic Air 2S. 

And this beast has it all: 

The range, the speed, the camera, the new-and-improved features; you name it, and the Mavic Air 2 has it – and all for less than a grand. 

The competition better steps up its game, because DJI certainly did: 

Their latest drone is making quite a bang, packing some serious high-end features at an entry-level price point! 

Specifications:

The first thing you'll notice is that Mavic Air gained some weight over the past two years; the second-generation Mavic Air 2S weighs noticeably more, clocking in at 570 grams. So, yes, FAA registration is mandatory. 

You'd be silly to assume that this extra weight somehow affected its flight performance, though. The Mavic Air 2S's performance is impressive as ever: 

Thanks to the updated electronics, it now stays aloft for up to 34 minutes and, more importantly, develops speeds of up to 42.5 miles per hour. Plus, the OcuSync 2.0 is miles better – pun intended – compared to the Wi-Fi-based controls. You now have a 10-kilometer transmission range! 

How's that for impressive? 

What's more, it looks nothing like the original Air. Don't get us wrong; Mavic Air 2S has "DJI" written all over it – but the design language is worlds apart from its predecessor.

Camera:

Mavic Air's camera wasn't bad by any means. However, the Mavic Air 2S's 1/2-inch CMOS sensor is pretty hard to compete with, especially now that it employs a high-performance Quad Bayer sensor to ensure unmatched HDR video quality.

Plus, you're looking at 4K/60fps videos and 48MP photos; aerial photography and videography never looked better! 

DJI's known for its fantastic, content-creation-oriented software – and the Mavic Air 2S indeed continues the tradition, living up to and surpassing our expectations: 

You can play around with 8K Hyperlapse, SmartPhoto five-category scene recognition, HDR Panorama, and a wide range of QuickShots functions, to name a few. 

Features:

The original Mavic Air already had a whole lot to offer. So, considering that the Mavic Air 2S is an improvement in pretty much every aspect of its predecessor's performance, you shouldn't be too surprised to learn that it's a feature-rich beast of a drone. 

Still, the innovations are mind-blowing. The camera features that we talked about are the tip of the iceberg; there's a whole lot more going on there. However, the Mavic Air 2's 1/2-inch CMOS sensor is pretty hard to compete with, especially now that it employs a high-performance Quad Bayer sensor to ensure unmatched HDR video quality.

It comes with obstacle-detecting sensors – front, rear, and bottom ones – that work hand-in-hand with the new-and-improved Advanced Pilot Assistance System (APAS) obstacle-avoidance system. 

The smart piloting features will win over any novice pilot; it's insane how easy-to-fly this drone is!

What's more, the Mavic Air 2S also features FocusTrack – a set of intelligent tracking modes that includes Active Track 3.0, POI 3.0, and Spotlight 2.0. 

PROS

  • Shoots 4K video and 48MP photos
  • 10-kilometer range and 34-minute flight time
  • An improved obstacle avoidance system
  • Loaded with high-end features, stable and easy to fly

CONS

  • Requires FAA registration

DJI Mavic Mini 2 4K Long Range Drone

"Ideal For: Beginners and Intermediate Pilots."

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DJI Have recently launched an upgrade to one of their best and most affordable models, the Mavic Mini. 

The Mavic Mini 2 is a new and improved version of the compact, under 250g drone that still requires no FAA registration. 

Just how compact this drone is cannot be understated, it's foldable and easy to carry around with you everywhere you go. 

The Mavic Mini 2 also brings high quality video resolution and stabilty, as well as class leading flight range and duration from the Mavic series to the under $500 price range.

The Mavic 2 boasts everything you need to truly experience an out of this world performance. From beginners to experts, the Mini 2 is a wonder in any hands. Even a baby can fly this thing.

Specifications:

The Mavic Mini 2 has an incredible control range of just around 10km! It's predeccessor, the Mavic Mini had a range of just 4km in comparison.

The flight time for the Mini 2 is still just as impressive as the Mini's. You get 31 minutes of flight time with this drone per battery charge.

However, one of the more impressive feats of the Mavic Mini 2 is it's ability to keep stability in level 5 winds at an altitude of up to 4000 meters! 

Camera:

Located on the front of this drone is it's quite impressive camera. The high-quality camera is supported by a three-axis motorized gimbal, and  fitted with a 1/2.3-inch sensor.

The camera is capable of capturing footage at a 4K Quad HD resolution, with a 30fps frame rate, an upgrade from the Mini's 2.7K HD Resolution.

It can also shoot 1080p video at 60fps. Moreover, it’s capable of capturing 12MP images, as well. 

The drone of course, can also transmit Live Video in high-quality, real-time with 0 latency, from a stunning range of 10km! The best FPV experience you can get from a drone within this budget.

Features:

Just like the original Mavic Mini,  this long-range, long flight time drone measures in under 250 g. This means you will not have to register this drone with the FAA! That's kind of a big deal for us, and a big reason why we are so excited about this done.

It also comes with the same, but improved, safety-oriented features

For instance, the integrated altitude limit prevents you from getting carried away, all the while being able to resist Level 5 winds at a whopping altitude of 4km!

return home function kicks in automatically when the battery gets critically low – and ensures that your drone comes home safely.

I had my doubts about its mid-air performance, considering its lightweight frame. However, I couldn’t have been more wrong: 

It felt stable and precise at all times, partially due to the downward vision sensors that allow it to detect the ground for safer landings, as well as more stable flights and hovering. 

Are there any downsides, though? 

The one trade-off that I should mention is that it doesn’t come with object tracking. I wouldn’t be too surprised to see this feature added as a part of a future update, though.

PROS

  • 12MP Built-in Camera, 4K Video
  • Sturdy build
  • Under 250 g, so no FAA registration needed
  • Class Leading Specs and Performance
  • Incredible range and flight time for the price

CONS

  • This package doesn’t include spare battery
  • No Object Tracking yet

5. DJI Mavic Mini 3 Pro - Best Upgrade Pick

Completely outshining the predecessor's overall stability, duration, flight range, and even the quality of the video resolution, the Mini 3 offers numerous upgrades and additions over its predecessor, exceptional for a drone priced under $800.

The DJI manufacturer has done it again! Despite all odds, they have released the newest edition to the Mavic line of drones - the Mavic Mini 3 Pro.

Specifications:

Straight to the point - the Intelligent Flight Battery Plus can pull off an incredible maximum flight time of 47 minutes. Even the entry-level battery outshines the Mavic Mini 2, with a 34-minute maximum flight time!

With the Mavic’s Mini 3 Pro Intelligent Flight Battery, you can effortlessly travel and control the drone a maximum of 18km distance.

But, if you decide to upgrade your drone with an Intelligent Flight Battery Plus - you can extend the range to 25km, as long as the conditions are optimal.

Even the maximum hovering time is not something to joke around! With the entry-level battery, you’ll have up to 30 minutes of hovering time

On the other hand, the Intelligent Flight Battery Plus pushes that further to approximately 40 minutes of hovering time.

Camera:

The bread and butter of this drone is its camera performance. It can smoothly capture pictures at a 4K HD resolution with a 48MP, 1/1.3” CMOS sensor, resting on a three-axis mechanical gimbal that rotates to portrait orientation - the first time on a DJI drone.

The camera uses a 24mm F1.7 fixed-aperture lens that can deliver an 82.1° FOV. 

One of the fan-favorite features is the Slow Motion video recording. The Mavic Mini 3 Pro comes with this feature, capable of Slow Motion recording videos at 1080p 120fps.

Furthermore, the Mavic Mini 3 Pro offers Timed Shots, Burst Mode, and D-Cinelike Color mode that provides you with more flexibility and color possibilities when editing.

Features:

Furthermore, there are features such as MasterShots - an integrated system that helps out all-new beginners seeking to become aerial photographers. Just by selecting a subject, the Mavic Mini 3 Pro will carry out a series of pro maneuvers, which leads to a short cinematic video afterward.

When it comes to the safety features of this quadcopter, you won’t have to worry about losing this drone at any point of the flight. The Advanced Pilot Assistance System (APAS 4.0) will detect any incoming terrain with special sensors.

Moreover, as soon as the battery drops low, the return-home feature will kick in, resulting in the return of your quadcopter in no time.

The Mavic Mini 3 Pro can be used by all people, both amateurs and professional photographers, as the intuitive UI allows both parties to fully enjoy the camera’s capabilities.

PROS

  • Advanced camera systems
  • Exceptional flight range and control
  • Great transmission range, 4K 120FPS
  • Foldable design
  • MasterShot feature

CONS

  • Slightly sensitive to windy conditions

DJI Inspire 2 Long Range Drone

"Ideal For: Experts and Commercial Users"

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Calling this craft Inspire 2 doesn’t do it any real service. The T650A mark that is reminiscent of something you could hear in the Terminator movie series suits it much better. And truly this drone looks more like something produced by Skynet than an expensive gadget.

The super polished magnesium aluminum composite shell of the drone looks and feels simply superb, and the strong black carbon fiber arms that are attached to it enhance the menacing insect-like visual style of the craft even more. Another good news is that the crafts remote signal frequency can be switched between 2.4GHz and 5.8GHz, which has its effect on the quality of the connection.

It should be clear by now that we are talking about a premium product that features a bunch of interesting options but might be for everyone’s pocket.

Specifications:

All the goods we covered above make Inspire 2 make one of the heaviest long range drones on the market. The total weight of the craft with mounted camera amounts to quite substantial 3440g, which takes its toll on the flight time, but not too heavy. The built-in 6000mAh battery is able to keep Inspire 2 in the air for average 23-27 minutes. However, the maximum take-off weight of the craft is 4250g so you will at least get an opportunity to play with different camera options.

However, the DJI 3512 motor setup is powerful enough to fly the craft 7km away from you at astonishing 94km/h so your time in the air will be well spent.

As for the size, Inspire 2 falls right in the middle of the similar products we can see on the market. The dimensions of 427 x 317 x 425mm are certainly compact enough for seamless transport. However, having a strong protective case is highly advised.

Camera:

The powerful Zenmuse X5S camera that can be found in a package was designed specifically for this model ramps up the resolution to 20MP and allows you to shoot your videos in 5.2K, albeit at 30fps (4K goes all the way up to 60fps). The captured material still looks seamless, so who are we to complain.

As you would expect, you get a bunch of shooting modes (burst shots, single shot), a variety of frame rates and several different output formats. The extensive sensor support that allows the craft to notice the objects in range of 30 meters and precise GPS location, allow a bunch of impressive automated shooting modes like TapFly, ActiveTrack, WayPoint and Point of Interest.

What’s most important is that the captured material is excellent (both images and video), so you’ll definitely get the worth for your money in this department.

Features:

Inspire 2 is one incredibly nimble and fast piece of hardware equipped with all the neat features you would expect from DJI, so all the regular mentions like RTH and quality feature-rich app are there and work like a charm.

Still, we will give a special shout-out to Dual Control carried over from Inspire 1. Namely, if you have a friend who is interested in shooting and you are willing to invest into an additional controller, you can have fun flying the craft and let your friend move the camera independently.

An interesting and unique feature that definitely introduces a welcome change of pace to the drone market.

PROS

  • Excellent design
  • An option to use dual controllers
  • Stunning 5.2K camera, durable build
  • Stable flight performance
  • Robust flight options

CONS

  • A bit too pricey
  • Flight time is definitely below average
  • The craft doesn't support earlier Zenmuse cameras

Yuneec Typhoon H Long Range Drone

"Ideal For: Beginners! 6 rotors makes it super stable"

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Yuneec is a manufacturer that has gained quite a respect for pushing a series of high-quality drones coming with a very affordable price tag. They are also the sole reason why this list isn’t a DJI private party, which is no small achievement.

But there will be more than enough time to talk about long distance DJI drone range later.

Where does ambitiously named Typhoon stand in the hierarchy of long-range flyers based on its merits? We are glad to say – definitely in the upper tier.

So far, so good. Let’s take a closer look on the specs.

Specifications:

Although not amongst the smallest units on the market it is very hard to call Typhoon H anything other than compatible. The sleek but somewhat fragile body measures 520 x 456 x 296mm with the diagonal wheelbase of 480mm. The substantial battery packs 5400mAh which brings us to the total weight of 1965g, which makes one pretty balanced package.

The craft is brought to the air by six powerful motors which is both a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, the flight stability and the level of control you get over the craft are way beyond its price point. On the other, high power draw bogs down the flight time to only 22 minutes.

However, you are still able to breeze at the very high speed of 70km/h, covering the range of 1.6km around you and keep flying even if one of the motors which is sown which is more than enough to earn Typhoon a spot on this list.

Camera:

Typhoon H is a very capable shooter. Featuring a rotating 4K 12-megapixel camera (it goes all 360 degrees), quality lens, 3-axis gimbal, and affordable price tag, this package makes one incredibly easy purchase.

The shooting frame rate at UHD may be locked at 30fps, but drop the resolution to 1080p and you will be able to make some astonishing slow-motion videos at 120fps. The quality of still photos may not be amongst the best on the market, but it’s still way above average.

Features:

Unlike other options with a similar price tag, Typhoon H features a very tight controller with built-in 7-inch Android display which is a real blessing since you will be able to use your phone while flying. The craft supports GPS navigation, offers RTH failsafe, and features eight intuitive flights modes suited both for beginners and professionals.

Another feature worth mentioning is Curve Cable Cam which allows you to set the drone fly between predetermined coordinates while giving you free rein over the camera.

PROS

  • A lot of value for the money
  • High flying speed of 70 km/h, intuitive flight modes
  • The ability to fly with only five motors
  • High-quality camera

CONS

  • The control range is limited to 1.6km
  • The build quality could be better

How to choose the best long distance drone?

Although all the drones you can find on the market operate on the same logic and usually scale all of their specs equally as you climb up the price ladder (e.g. longer flight range usually goes packed with better camera), the long distance drones still have their unique set of specs you should pay attention to while choosing.

So, here are the things you should consider if your priority is to explore new frontiers.

The setup

The 4K camera drones are built for image quality. The racing drones are, obviously, built for speed. Although it can feature both these qualities a regular long range quadcopter is built primarily for efficiency. This means powerful radio communication equipment operating on longer wavelength, lighter build, large-capacity battery, lower RPM motors and a set of pretty substantial propellers.

It is also worth mentioning that these units are usually not as customizable as their brethren, so what you buy is what you get.

The frame

So, we established that frame long-range drones need to have light and economical frames. How that translates to numbers? Well, surprisingly enough, lighter and smaller doesn’t necessarily translate to better.

If you want to achieve the best results, you should aim for 7-inch (178mm) frames with wheelbase ranging between 220mm – 300mm. They are able to carry some very chunky batteries while still being very efficient and able to cruise without any hiccups.

Flight time

When it comes to long ranges, having a craft that can stay in the air for extended periods of time is absolutely necessary. No matter how fast you fly, your drone will need some time to fly to a remote location and get back home. Any kind of seamless long-distance expedition will require at least 20 minutes of airtime.

Keep in mind that we purposefully pointed out the flight time rather than battery capacity. The more powerful battery often translates to longer flight time, but not always. It really depends on the drone’s efficiency.

Still, you can take a 5000mAh capacity as a reference point to where your intended craft stands.

The capacities bellow will rarely produce solid flight times.

Radio transmission

The radio transmission equipment is important for more than one reason. First, a strong radio signal allows you to control the craft on longer distances. Second, stable connection is absolutely necessary if you are going to use FPV capabilities because any kind of lag can disrupt your navigation and cause your craft to crash.

Typical multipurpose cheaper drones operate on the high-frequency radio waves on the 2.4GHz spectrum. Since larger-sized waves are able to penetrate solid objects and travel greater distances without interference, lowering the frequency to 1.2 GHz should extend your control range to 10km or more.

Another way to deal with signal interference and enable stable video link is to buy a unit that features dual (2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz) frequency bands.

Navigation system

Any kind of long-distance craft can't be imagined without GPS/GLONASS support. Otherwise, you would be restricted to your FPV link to position your craft in the world, which is nearly impossible during long-range flights. However, this is only the beginning.

The drones are pretty expensive gadgets and long flights tend to be quite treacherous. You should take as many precautionary measures as possible. That is why you should try to find a unit that is able to automatically find its way home while avoiding obstacles, and safely land to the ground in the case of lost connection or low battery.

Max flight distance

All of the aforementioned entries produce a property that is called transmission range, or, in other words, the max distance on which you are able to maintain the connection between the controller and the craft. Currently, some of the strongest units on the market are able to fly as long as 18km.

Once again, you should take these numbers with a grain of salt and be aware that they can vary for a number of different reasons (e.g. weather conditions, signal interference, etc.). That is why you shouldn’t really try to squeeze every single meter of distance out of your craft.

In the case that happens whether purposely or accidentally (e.g. controller malfunction) be sure to have an RTH option turned on as a fail-safe.

And now that we’ve covered the theoretical groundwork, let’s see what the best flyers on the market are and which craft can fly the furthest.

long range drone photography

Frequently Asked Questions

What does FPV mean?

FPV stands for First Point View. This useful feature allows you to navigate your craft by sending the downlink from the camera to your controller or smartphone. This way, you see what drone sees and get the so-called “first point” perspective.

Note that flying in FPV mode can be very tricky at long distances so it's best to use GPS and other assistance to help you with navigation.

Q: How to prevent the drone from flying out of the range?

The drone can fly off the range for a number of different reasons, some of which may be intentional some accidental. For instance, if you set your drone to fly in a straight line, it will, at some point, fly out of the control range.

The bigger problems are unintentional fly-outs caused by a lost connection between the controller and the craft or faulty GPS. In such circumstances there is very little you can do to fly the craft back to safety.

The only option is to turn on the RTH (Return to Home) failsafe feature that will safely fly your drone to the take-off point in the cases of emergency.

Q: Can I transport objects over long distances using a drone?

Yes, but most of the commercially available drones aren’t capable of lifting heavy objects. If you want to transport some items or use heavy professional cameras for shooting, you should take a look at some of the models built specifically for this purpose.

For instance, DJI’s latest addition to Matrice lineup M600 can carry up to 6kg of mounted weight and fly solid 5km away from your position.

Q: What if I face battery discharge during flight?

Most of the modern will prevent this situation from occurring. When the battery comes too close to 0% the craft will automatically switch to RTH mode or simply land itself back to ground in the current position.

However, you should do your best not to push your craft to the limit because both these failsafe mechanisms can be disrupted for a number of different reasons. So, keep a close eye on the battery status on your display.

Q: Can I switch a camera on the drone for a GoPro?

Some crafts will allow you this option while others feature built-in cameras that can't be replaced. Since cameras make a substantial chunk of drones’ price, if you want to use your trusted GoPro, it is best to buy the unit with a camera mount that sells camera separately and save some money in the process.

Q: How much distance can a drone fly?

A high-end consumer drone can have a range of roughly 2.5 to 4.5 miles (4 to 8 kilometers), whereas a toy drone may only have a range of 20 to 100 yards. A common range for mid-level consumer drones is between 400 meters to three kilometers, or 0.25 to 1.5 miles.

Share & Comment

We hope you enjoyed this roundup of some of the best commercially available long distance drones that can currently be found on the market. Tell us what you think, share the post with your friends and tell us how far have you managed to fly your craft of choice.

Last update on 2024-11-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API This article contains affiliate links which for which the owner of the site may receive a commision.

About the Author
 Ruan Nelio

When I'm not geeking out over the newest drones, I'm busy flying my DJI Mavic 2 Pro all over Oslo. The coolest part about this job is I get to keep some of the drones I review, which happens to be how I got my Mavic 2!