I Never Travel Without This Gadget!

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In a recent post about my weekend trip to Palm Springs, I shared a photo captured with my drone.  Million Mile Secrets reader John asked me to write about which drone I use.  I’m happy to do so because I think a high-quality flying camera is one of the coolest things you can buy!

I’m definitely not a drone expert.  But I can share a bit about the 2 drones I have and why I take them everywhere I travel.

The 2 DJI Drones I Take With Me on Trips

Link:   DJI Mavic Pro 

Link:   DJI Mavic Air

There are many different consumer drone manufacturers.  A search on Amazon or Best Buy will show you hundreds of different models.

And drone technology is constantly improving, which is why I have 2 of them.  I originally purchased the DJI Mavic Pro because at the time of purchase, it was one of the smallest foldable drones with a high-quality camera.  But just a few months later, the company released 2 new models that were even smaller.  That’s why I ended up acquiring the DJI Mavic Air.  And there are rumors of an even better model coming out in the next few weeks.

Drone size was one of the most important factors for me when I became interested in buying one.   I wanted something that could easily fit in my carry-on bag.  I knew if it was too bulky or had to go in checked baggage, I wouldn’t travel with it and it would be a waste of a purchase.

The design of the DJI foldable drones is impressive.  You can unfold the legs quickly and without any tools.  So it doesn’t take long to go from taking the drone out of its carrying case to getting it in the air.

The drone models I have cost ~$750 to ~$800 each.  Keep in mind, you could spend more if you shop for accessories, like extra batteries, car chargers, and spare propellers.

There are definitely cheaper alternatives available.  But DJI is the market leader for consumer drones.  And my experience with both products has been very good.

If you’re considering buying a drone, I strongly recommend comparing features across different models.  I often hear from family and friends that they see new drones for sale in the ~$200 or ~$300 price range.  But all drones are not the same.

The models I have can capture extremely high-quality video footage in 4K, as well as high-resolution photographs.  And they each have a battery life of ~20+ minutes.

One question I’m often asked is about the difficulty of flying a drone.  Although I’m a bit of a tech geek, I can say that operating the drones I have is really straightforward.  Both models have sensors to prevent them from flying into trees or buildings.  And there are preset functions that allow you to take off and land just by tapping a button.

That said, it does take some time to learn all of the different controls and settings.  There are some phenomenal video tutorials on YouTube to learn more about specific features of various drones.  I feel like I’m constantly learning new tricks.

For an amazing comparison of both drones I have, check out the thorough video review done by Ready Set Drone.

Fly Safely!

Link:   Federal Aviation Administration Drone Information

A drone might seem like a toy, but there’s a lot of responsibility that comes with owning one of these flying machines.  Rules and regulations are still evolving as technology becomes more prevalent, so it’s important to keep up with any changes.

I like the DJI drone software because it ensures you don’t fly in many restricted areas.  For example, when you’re within proximity of an airport, the drone will not be able to take off.  Also, the software doesn’t allow you to fly into restricted airspace.

Keep in mind, certain towns and cities have banned recreational drones.  So I always recommend checking the rules before you fly because violating them can come with hefty fines.

Bottom Line

Flying a drone in exciting travel destinations gives you an opportunity to experience and capture a whole new perspective.

There are lots of drone models available.  The 2 I travel with are the DJI Mavic Pro and DJI Mavic Air.  Both of these drones are foldable, which means I can fit them in my carry-on luggage.  And as a drone novice, I love how they’re easy-to-fly.

Drones are not for everyone.  But for less than $1,000, you’re essentially buying a high-quality flying camera that allows you to capture high-resolution photographs or 4K video.

Anyone else travel with a drone?  Let me know in the comments below!