Have you noticed the globe’s recent fascination with drones? They\u2019re practically everywhere – agriculture, the news, outside your twenty-second story window \u2014 and what has essentially become a distinct subculture (similar to GoPro\u2019s preferred demographic, but different in its own right) which has grown far too quickly to be regulated as strictly as one might think.<\/p>\n
Practically anyone can obtain a drone these days; thanks to recent developments in this revolutionary technology, you can be part of the aforementioned \u201canyone.\u201d<\/p>\n
Note from the Editor: Before you put a drone in the air, consult local and federal laws (or consult your lawyer).<\/em><\/p>\n To start, you\u2019ll want a comprehensive app that keeps you updated on flight alerts. Such an app does, indeed, exist – a testament to the prevalence of this subculture in and of itself – and it goes by the elusive name Hover<\/a>.<\/p>\n Hover provides you with No-Fly Zone maps, both temporary and permanent, as well as consolidated weather and an integrated flight log. If you have the slightest inclination to avoid accidental stalking or becoming a threat to national security, Hover has your back.<\/p>\n Next, you\u2019ll probably want some hardware to accompany your software. In a rapidly expanding drone market, you\u2019ll be hard-pressed to find one that absolutely outdoes every other item; however, for your convenience, we have assembled a list of choice picks.<\/p>\n The Phantom 2 Vision+<\/a>: A stabilized drone that shoots video in 1080p. Autonomous flight is an option, but the Phantom 2 Vision+ truly excels with its input capability; the option to program in specific coordinates and control each minute movement from the ground makes this drone optimal for shooting long, panoramic videos as well as quick, dynamic angles.<\/p>\n Lily<\/a>: Also known as the camera that made third-person action possible, Lily is an autonomous drone that is geared towards extreme sporting fanatics. Lily flies behind you and records in 1080p, with the advertised option of slow-motion recording in 720p. Lily is also waterproof, as well as being surprisingly portable.<\/p>\n Hexo+<\/a>: Approximately the same functionality as Lily, with a few key differences: Hexo+ comes with a dedicated app to consolidate all of the drone\u2019s functions into your preferred smartphone, as well as much more in-depth controls than Lily. Hexo+ is described on its site as \u201ca drone specifically designed to follow and film you\u2014in any situation,\u201d which suggests extreme durability.<\/p>\n Splash Drone<\/a>: Still in prototype with a tentative release date of August 28, this drone is worth keeping an eye on. Besides being built around a reliable waterproof chassis, the Splash Drone comes with an emergency flare system, a payload release system (literally taking autonomous delivery to a new level), and the seemingly obligatory autonomous operational capabilities.<\/p>\n Airstoc Footage<\/a>: Recently, we wrote about GoPro\u2019s campaign<\/a> to create the equivalent of Shutterstock for video marketing. While there were definitive pros and cons, the overall idea was fairly solid. Airstoc Footage is the drone version of that campaign<\/em>, offering both the ability to buy footage or hire an operator for a more personal touch \u2014 something GoPro\u2019s campaign lacked. Keep an eye on this site as well.<\/p>\nFirst, check out the no-fly zone maps<\/h2>\n
1. A stabilized drone that shoots in 1080p<\/h2>\n
2. Throw the drone up, it follows you around<\/h2>\n
3. Durable drone controlled by your phone<\/h2>\n
4. A waterproof, emergency-ready drone<\/h2>\n
5. Buy footage or hire an operator<\/h2>\n
6. Hire a drone operator pro on the fly<\/h2>\n