Not familiar at all with drones but curiosity took the best of me and decided to take a look at them to use as obi type toy, no other purpose rather then taking some aerial photos, any feedback would be appreciated such as price range, what should I be looking for, reliable brand, radius/distance, battery

 

thanks

 

Hi Mavideol sent you this Video of this Drone, I have this and its unbelievable probably the size of your hand and under 250 gms. I paid under 10k tbt for it. 4k video takes photos has 3 Zoom capability easy to fly when you get used to it and if you panic hit the Return home button on the Screen and it will return home to you. Can't wait to bring it with me in November and fly it around the G/Fs Village. Down side only has 10-15 mins flight time so i carry spare battery. Although you can buy more expensive battery's that will give you half n hour flight. It does not have a sensor to prevent you crashing it into cables or objects that you fly near, most new Drones have that capability now but are more expensive. Hope this helps.

43 minutes ago, Mavideol said:

Not familiar at all with drones but curiosity took the best of me and decided to take a look at them to use as obi type toy, no other purpose rather then taking some aerial photos, any feedback would be appreciated such as price range, what should I be looking for, reliable brand, radius/distance, battery

 

thanks

What do you think you need, and is there a budget limit ? 

Where are you located ?  South of TH ?  

If TH, then legally, with a camera drone, you'll need to register & have insurance.

 

DJI if not worried about restricted flight areas.  Save the comments people, you can, and I have, operated in restricted air space, responsibly. 

 

You can get decent quality for <10k THB to 15k.  Or go DJI for best quality, starts ~15k THB & up.

 

No matter what you buy, get the maximum extra batteries you can when buying, and baby them.

 

In TH, you need a powerful drone and it must have good GPS, due to high winds here.

 

First drone, buy something inexpensive, teach yourself how to operate, without GPS first, in an open field for a week, on non windy days.   If that works for you, then buy something with power and a decent 3 axis camera. 

 

It can even be a cheap toy drone, w/ brushless motors, as the operate on the same principle.  No sense wasting money to teach yourself.

 

Get pass teaching yourself, then chime back in.

 

I can be something as silly as this, that fits in your hand and cost less than 1000 baht.  Seriously, if you can't operate this toy, no need to spend   10-20-30k baht more for something you'll crash.

 

 

53 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

What do you think you need, and is there a budget limit ? 

Where are you located ?  South of TH ?  

If TH, then legally, with a camera drone, you'll need to register & have insurance.

 

DJI if not worried about restricted flight areas.  Save the comments people, you can, and I have, operated in restricted air space, responsibly. 

 

You can get decent quality for <10k THB to 15k.  Or go DJI for best quality, starts ~15k THB & up.

 

No matter what you buy, get the maximum extra batteries you can when buying, and baby them.

 

In TH, you need a powerful drone and it must have good GPS, due to high winds here.

 

First drone, buy something inexpensive, teach yourself how to operate, without GPS first, in an open field for a week, on non windy days.   If that works for you, then buy something with power and a decent 3 axis camera. 

 

It can even be a cheap toy drone, w/ brushless motors, as the operate on the same principle.  No sense wasting money to teach yourself.

 

Get pass teaching yourself, then chime back in.

 

I can be something as silly as this, that fits in your hand and cost less than 1000 baht.  Seriously, if you can't operate this toy, no need to spend   10-20-30k baht more for something you'll crash.

 

 

 

Doesnt DJI Mini 4K have obstacles avoidance software that is good enough for beginners? And fly home to base button ?

18 minutes ago, Hummin said:

 

Doesnt DJI Mini 4K have obstacles avoidance software that is good enough for beginners? And fly home to base button ?

 Yes & no, as people, noobs still crash them.  Even I crashed my first GPS drone, first day, first flight I did, total ignorance and ignoring all common sense.  Actually turned out to be a good thing, as it cracked the GPS module, and forced me to learn without GPS.

 

Didn't avoid me from crashing other drones in the future, but definitely made operated drones a lot more fun.  Total confidence instead of anxiety attack.   Actually, anyone really good at video games, shouldn't have too much problems learning to operate a drone.  A lot of it is hand / eye coordinating with the remote and watching the drone, of while in FPV, vis phone & camera.

 

Though operating FPV is banned in TH, and must operate LOS (Line of Sight)

 

Obstacle avoidance doesn't avoid everything.  A few things it can't see, thin, wires, and it's not 360° protection.  Like if going up.  Should learn to operate anyway, without GPS.  Return to home is fine, if still having control.  If lost signal & it returns to home, better hope settings are correct.   If set at 30m altitude, and there's a 35 meter tree or building in the way, it will crash with the battery runs out.

 

Some fancier ones will find away around an obstacle, though not sure if DJI has that programming or what price needed to pay for it.

4 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

 Yes & no, as people, noobs still crash them.  Even I crashed my first GPS drone, first day, first flight I did, total ignorance and ignoring all common sense.  Actually turned out to be a good thing, as it cracked the GPS module, and forced me to learn without GPS.

 

Didn't avoid me from crashing other drones in the future, but definitely made operated drones a lot more fun.  Total confidence instead of anxiety attack.   Actually, anyone really good at video games, shouldn't have too much problems learning to operate a drone.  A lot of it is hand / eye coordinating with the remote and watching the drone, of while in FPV, vis phone & camera.

 

Though operating FPV is banned in TH, and must operate LOS (Line of Sight)

 

Obstacle avoidance doesn't avoid everything.  A few things it can't see, thin, wires, and it's not 360° protection.  Like if going up.  Should learn to operate anyway, without GPS.  Return to home is fine, if still having control.  If lost signal & it returns to home, better hope settings are correct.   If set at 30m altitude, and there's a 35 meter tree or building in the way, it will crash with the battery runs out.

 

Some fancier ones will find away around an obstacle, though not sure if DJI has that programming or what price needed to pay for it.

I did look in to it a few years ago, but knowing I would use it intensively for a few months and most likely just once and awhile after that when I got bored, I didn’t buy, and if I would crash it, I do not think I would buy a new one 😉 

 

thanks for clearing that up, since I still thinking of buying once once and awhile but, well we will see. 

12 minutes ago, Hummin said:

I did look in to it a few years ago, but knowing I would use it intensively for a few months and most likely just once and awhile after that when I got bored, I didn’t buy, and if I would crash it, I do not think I would buy a new one 😉 

 

thanks for clearing that up, since I still thinking of buying once once and awhile but, well we will see. 

 

I got into them pretty good, building my own and all.  Now they're better & cheaper than you can build them.  I'm running out of batteries for the toys, and really too windy where we live anyway.

 

Still have 2 vid drones, but rarely use.   TH law really restricts their use, even if registered & insured legally.  Law really does restrict where you can operate legally.   Really useless in most tourist areas.  Too many people (foreigners) to complain, and no operating in Nat. Parks.

 

It's a nice perspective for photos, new, high angle & such but unless really into photography, you'd get bored fast.   We stay in hotels now, usually over looking valleys or stream, so really don't need a drone, as already a great view.

3 hours ago, KhunLA said:

What do you think you need, and is there a budget limit ? 

Where are you located ?  South of TH ?  

If TH, then legally, with a camera drone, you'll need to register & have insurance.

 

DJI if not worried about restricted flight areas.  Save the comments people, you can, and I have, operated in restricted air space, responsibly. 

 

You can get decent quality for <10k THB to 15k.  Or go DJI for best quality, starts ~15k THB & up.

 

No matter what you buy, get the maximum extra batteries you can when buying, and baby them.

 

In TH, you need a powerful drone and it must have good GPS, due to high winds here.

 

First drone, buy something inexpensive, teach yourself how to operate, without GPS first, in an open field for a week, on non windy days.   If that works for you, then buy something with power and a decent 3 axis camera. 

 

It can even be a cheap toy drone, w/ brushless motors, as the operate on the same principle.  No sense wasting money to teach yourself.

 

Get pass teaching yourself, then chime back in.

 

I can be something as silly as this, that fits in your hand and cost less than 1000 baht.  Seriously, if you can't operate this toy, no need to spend   10-20-30k baht more for something you'll crash.

 

 

thanks man, great help. I live in the South and have lots of empty space around here, but didn't know about the requirements to register. I think your advise about starting with cheap/less expensive and learn how to operate, I don't need anything out of standard stuff as my intentions are purely for fun, take some videos, photos, again thanks,  do appreciate the feed back

3 hours ago, BarraMarra said:

 

great toy, thanks for the info, worth looking into it

3 hours ago, BarraMarra said:

Hi Mavideol sent you this Video of this Drone, I have this and its unbelievable probably the size of your hand and under 250 gms. I paid under 10k tbt for it. 4k video takes photos has 3 Zoom capability easy to fly when you get used to it and if you panic hit the Return home button on the Screen and it will return home to you. Can't wait to bring it with me in November and fly it around the G/Fs Village. Down side only has 10-15 mins flight time so i carry spare battery. Although you can buy more expensive battery's that will give you half n hour flight. It does not have a sensor to prevent you crashing it into cables or objects that you fly near, most new Drones have that capability now but are more expensive. Hope this helps.

Thanks BarraMarra, that's really nice and looks great as well, do you have any problems with registry or no need to worry about it, price it's within my budget and since you are familiar with it and happy with as well it goes to the top of the list, how far from base can it fly? thanks for the battery tip that helps, where did you bought it, lazada? or special store

2 hours ago, KhunLA said:

 Yes & no, as people, noobs still crash them.  Even I crashed my first GPS drone, first day, first flight I did, total ignorance and ignoring all common sense.  Actually turned out to be a good thing, as it cracked the GPS module, and forced me to learn without GPS.

 

Didn't avoid me from crashing other drones in the future, but definitely made operated drones a lot more fun.  Total confidence instead of anxiety attack.   Actually, anyone really good at video games, shouldn't have too much problems learning to operate a drone.  A lot of it is hand / eye coordinating with the remote and watching the drone, of while in FPV, vis phone & camera.

 

Though operating FPV is banned in TH, and must operate LOS (Line of Sight)

 

Obstacle avoidance doesn't avoid everything.  A few things it can't see, thin, wires, and it's not 360° protection.  Like if going up.  Should learn to operate anyway, without GPS.  Return to home is fine, if still having control.  If lost signal & it returns to home, better hope settings are correct.   If set at 30m altitude, and there's a 35 meter tree or building in the way, it will crash with the battery runs out.

 

Some fancier ones will find away around an obstacle, though not sure if DJI has that programming or what price needed to pay for it.

again appreciate the details and the ins and outs, what model do you currently have, expensive or within the 10-15 K range. I don't intend to fly it in an busy residential area, mostly open area beach or around and although no wires,  there are some trees. As I said, absolutely no experience and I am no a video game type person, thus have to learn the ABC of it, will take time to do so

Now my current vid drones are MJX Bugs 16 & ZZL SG906 PRO 2.  Both good, but both about 5 yrs old.  Bought when contracted the house build, as wanting to vid and photo the progress of that.  Also good to check the Solar system and chase pigeons if they were hanging around. 

 

MJX handles the wind better, and the ZZL has a better Sony camera sensor.   Neither had obstacle avoidance.  

 

I'm a Sony fan, as my 'land' cameras & lens for wildlife are Sony.  They both good enough for photos, with a bit of editing software, to tweak them.   They do not come with that, as I already had.

 

I think DJI has software programs, and really made for vids also.  My 2 el' cheapos (฿7900 & ฿5100) are not, though I'm not a big vid fan anyway.  Probably because I suck at it, and don't have the patience to edit them.   I stop too often to take photos.

 

DJI is a clear winner, with extra batteries, better results and safer to fly.  Edit software & always get extra batteries.   Not sure what their no fly zone software restricts or how to override it.   As I lived, live near airports, Udon Thani airport w/ Wing 23, and now  RTAF Wing 5, and less than 5 kms from house, so DJI was a non starter for me.

 

On vids, you'll see promos for 2.5k, 4k, 6k 8k, and unless you got the software and computer power for such huge files, they're useless.  I think my one MI drone was 4 or 2.5k, and converted to 1080p, which was more than enough.  Most view on small devices anyway.   I view on 55" TV, as computer monitor, and 1080p is fine.   Unless doing professional work.

 

You really do want a 3 axis gimbal, mandatory for vids, better for photos.  Here's example of 3 axis, and I put a non gimbal camera on top of drone ...

 

 

I don't follow what's new and available any more.  Still have too many I don't even use.

 

Capt Drone on YT was pretty good for reviews, and why I bought both my current vid drones.   Already a MJX fan, having 4 prior to present one.  ZLL was new to me, and quite nice, for my purposes.  Just take photos ...

 

18 hours ago, KhunLA said:

Now my current vid drones are MJX Bugs 16 & ZZL SG906 PRO 2.  Both good, but both about 5 yrs old.  Bought when contracted the house build, as wanting to vid and photo the progress of that.  Also good to check the Solar system and chase pigeons if they were hanging around. 

 

MJX handles the wind better, and the ZZL has a better Sony camera sensor.   Neither had obstacle avoidance.  

 

I'm a Sony fan, as my 'land' cameras & lens for wildlife are Sony.  They both good enough for photos, with a bit of editing software, to tweak them.   They do not come with that, as I already had.

 

I think DJI has software programs, and really made for vids also.  My 2 el' cheapos (฿7900 & ฿5100) are not, though I'm not a big vid fan anyway.  Probably because I suck at it, and don't have the patience to edit them.   I stop too often to take photos.

 

DJI is a clear winner, with extra batteries, better results and safer to fly.  Edit software & always get extra batteries.   Not sure what their no fly zone software restricts or how to override it.   As I lived, live near airports, Udon Thani airport w/ Wing 23, and now  RTAF Wing 5, and less than 5 kms from house, so DJI was a non starter for me.

 

On vids, you'll see promos for 2.5k, 4k, 6k 8k, and unless you got the software and computer power for such huge files, they're useless.  I think my one MI drone was 4 or 2.5k, and converted to 1080p, which was more than enough.  Most view on small devices anyway.   I view on 55" TV, as computer monitor, and 1080p is fine.   Unless doing professional work.

 

You really do want a 3 axis gimbal, mandatory for vids, better for photos.  Here's example of 3 axis, and I put a non gimbal camera on top of drone ...

 

 

I don't follow what's new and available any more.  Still have too many I don't even use.

 

Capt Drone on YT was pretty good for reviews, and why I bought both my current vid drones.   Already a MJX fan, having 4 prior to present one.  ZLL was new to me, and quite nice, for my purposes.  Just take photos ...

 

thanks for the info, have a good day

On 11/1/2025 at 1:35 PM, Mavideol said:

Not familiar at all with drones but curiosity took the best of me and decided to take a look at them to use as obi type toy, no other purpose rather then taking some aerial photos, any feedback would be appreciated such as price range, what should I be looking for, reliable brand, radius/distance, battery

 

thanks

Only buy if you can operate 100% I've bought 2 drones both flew off into the distance and disappeared forever lol

I bought my Drone from a friend Mavideol. I wont be registering it in Thailand as i won't be flying it in busy areas, just mainly out in the sticks due to its size once its up 50mtrs it is not visible. Like KhunLA said fly it 1st in an open field where you can watch it get used to it. Iv'e never flown one and only used a hand held DPad for XBox gaming but the controls for your drone is similar i wrote left, right , up, down on the pad lol. My Model does not have Avoidence alarm but a return to home function if you get panicked. After a few days you will be more comfortable and start flying it out of site the hardest part is looking at your Screen where your drones flying to and not trying to site it with you looking skyward.

 

 

 

hi

 

I published a video on my channel:

 

 

 

Ive done another one on the exam etc. 

 

You are best to buy the newest model in my opinion. This mini 5 pro is excellent. 

20 hours ago, KhunLA said:

I don't follow what's new and available any more.  Still have too many I don't even use.

 

 

 

This is the newest model. I did a video on it if you are interested. Also did another one about the exam etc. 

On 11/1/2025 at 1:45 PM, BarraMarra said:

 

 

On 11/1/2025 at 2:51 PM, Hummin said:

 

Doesnt DJI Mini 4K have obstacles avoidance software that is good enough for beginners? And fly home to base button ?

Yes it does. I discuss this in my video if you are interested:

 

 

Newer Models do have Avoidence Software installed but my DJI mini 2 does not have it.

21 hours ago, Mavideol said:

 

Capt Drone review (part 1), for the  ...  Mini 5 Pro

 

Fancy.   All that tech, and very experienced operator, and he still crashed it.  Like his comment about Mini 4 & 5.   Pricy and having way more tech & features that I would ever use.  Definitely for someone more serious than myself.

 

 

I owned a drone until recently and sold it because of the recent restrictions. First you will need an insurance for 3rd party damages, this is a law. And you need permits from 2 different government agencies. As you might know there was a temporary flight ban for private drones which was replaced by a system where you have to inform the authorities about every flight. And as mentioned do not try to fly in any public park or national parks. Security guards and park rangers will stop you. I owned the small DJI Neo which is small and light. But as soon as there was some windy condition the drone was unstable and impossible to control. 

58 minutes ago, BarraMarra said:

Newer Models do have Avoidence Software installed but my DJI mini 2 does not have it.

Mini 2 would actually be my (DJI) choice, but they stopped selling it, as just checked TH DJI.

 

If buying another, I'd probably go with the FIMI MINI 3 w/ extra battery.  I don't need obstacle avoidance and has nice price point, and I'm more photos than vids.   DJI is out for me, as I live too close to airport.

 

Available on LAZ @ 13.3K THB

26 minutes ago, msbkk said:

I owned a drone until recently and sold it because of the recent restrictions. First you will need an insurance for 3rd party damages, this is a law. And you need permits from 2 different government agencies. As you might know there was a temporary flight ban for private drones which was replaced by a system where you have to inform the authorities about every flight. And as mentioned do not try to fly in any public park or national parks. Security guards and park rangers will stop you. I owned the small DJI Neo which is small and light. But as soon as there was some windy condition the drone was unstable and impossible to control. 

Most is common sense if its windy don't fly it or if it looks like rain. As for licensing its aimed at people who use them for work or are seriouse flyers, your bog standard fun flyer should no not fly it in a built up areas, security areas like hospitals, police stations, infantry establishments. I don't think you would get a pull flying 1 around a Village out in the sticks.

28 minutes ago, BarraMarra said:

Most is common sense if its windy don't fly it or if it looks like rain. As for licensing its aimed at people who use them for work or are seriouse flyers, your bog standard fun flyer should no not fly it in a built up areas, security areas like hospitals, police stations, infantry establishments. I don't think you would get a pull flying 1 around a Village out in the sticks.

If you buy a drone from a reputable camera shop they will not even give it to you without registering it first, even if you just use it for fun. This is a new regulation. You are actually not allowed to fly it over any village. Of course in the sticks the risk is low that you run into trouble. Regarding wind, yes it is common sense. But the point is not to buy the lightest model with not enough power. The small DJI Neo was unusable in 50% of all cases.

2 hours ago, BarraMarra said:

I bought my Drone from a friend Mavideol. I wont be registering it in Thailand as i won't be flying it in busy areas, just mainly out in the sticks due to its size once its up 50mtrs it is not visible. Like KhunLA said fly it 1st in an open field where you can watch it get used to it. Iv'e never flown one and only used a hand held DPad for XBox gaming but the controls for your drone is similar i wrote left, right , up, down on the pad lol. My Model does not have Avoidence alarm but a return to home function if you get panicked. After a few days you will be more comfortable and start flying it out of site the hardest part is looking at your Screen where your drones flying to and not trying to site it with you looking skyward.

 

 

 

thanks, I will take it easy to start with and will see how it feels

1 hour ago, BarraMarra said:

Most is common sense if its windy don't fly it or if it looks like rain. As for licensing its aimed at people who use them for work or are seriouse flyers, your bog standard fun flyer should no not fly it in a built up areas, security areas like hospitals, police stations, infantry establishments. I don't think you would get a pull flying 1 around a Village out in the sticks.

 

38 minutes ago, msbkk said:

If you buy a drone from a reputable camera shop they will not even give it to you without registering it first, even if you just use it for fun. This is a new regulation. You are actually not allowed to fly it over any village. Of course in the sticks the risk is low that you run into trouble.

 

Just stay away from tourist areas & farangs ... 'Karen syndrome'  

 

Had drones for about 11+ yrs, and no Thai has ever had a problem with my operating, anywhere, and quite the contrary, quite interested in all things about drones.

 

Only twice been asked not to operate, and was in or near a park at the time, by park staff.  Have flown everywhere and anywhere, arrogantly, ignorantly, stupidly ... but always responsibly, only a danger to myself & drones 

 

Even registered a few, without the camera.  Did contact the CAAT way back when, and they didn't want to talk to me ... go figure.

Not directly related but worth to think about for people who want to use drones in low altitude to film persons or surroundings. After selling my drone I bought a 360 degrees Insta x5 action cam. This camera is available with a 3 m selfie stick (mostly unvisible in footage) which will give you the impression of a drone shot with the wide lens view. You can really get amazing shots and effects. But it is of course not a drone substitute.

56 minutes ago, Mavideol said:

thanks, I will take it easy to start with and will see how it feels

Don't worry about crashing ... nothing a little super glue, zip ties & Velcro can't fix  

 

One of my earlier ones I crashed the hell out of.   When crashed too many times, off the the chop shop, and morph into something else.

 

 

 

One that can land & take off from water ..