To drone or not to drone?

raqball

Jul 22, 2025

Tue at 10:04 pm

I have been considering getting a drone for a while now but keep putting it off as I don't think I'd use it that much.. I am not a YouTuber or anything like that so getting footage for videos would not be my primary goal.

I would like to find one that has collision avoidance because I am a drone nOOB and don't feel like it getting stuck up in tree on my 1st flight. LOL. There are only a few that do that, and they are kinda pricey..

My main use of a drone would be to scout ahead on a trail to check conditions / terrain or, more importantly to me, to look for sweet dispersed camping sites that I might otherwise miss..

**Most people use a DJI, like a Mini 4 Pro, but they are hard to find as I guess the US has an issue with them being made in China and is blocking their imports. DJI has also taken all the drones down from their US website and no longer sells them here in the US.. You can import them from places like Korea, but you'd probably be hit with a few hundred dollar in tariff fees..

**please do not turn this thread into a political / tariff food fight..

Any of you peeps have, and use, a drone?

Thoughts, suggestion and opinions welcome..

onX Trail Guide & Tread Lightly Member
2023 Badlands 2 door in Hot Pepper Red 🌶️ 🌶️

BuckYeah, UserError

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Tue at 10:31 pm

Weight will determine if you need certification and or registration.Under 250 grams you don't but need any thing but check laws and regulations for the area you plan to fly. A lot of state parks and forest have banned them.

DJI is a popular unit.

Joined May 29, 2020 Member 546
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raqball, UserError

Wed at 12:18 am

Bronco V-8
Weight will determine if you need certification and or registration.Under 250 grams you don't but need any thing but check laws and regulations for the area you plan to fly. A lot of state parks and forest have banned them.

DJI is a popular unit.

All of the ones I was looking at are under 250G.. As stated, DJI (as far as selling drones go) is out of bizz in the US..

onX Trail Guide & Tread Lightly Member
2023 Badlands 2 door in Hot Pepper Red 🌶️ 🌶️

UserError

Wed at 1:27 am

DJI says they are committed to US business, they have stock and import issues, I would watch them, but buy another brand for now.
As an AMA flyer I suggest joining the AMA, there are a lot of benefits to being a member.

Joined May 29, 2020 Member 546
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raqball, UserError

Wed at 4:17 pm

That sucks about not being able to buy DJI drones from DJI. You have to buy it directly from them if you want to get the warranty they offer.
I personally have the mini 4 pro. Collision avoidance is really nice to have, even after flying lots of hours with it. Like mentioned above, you can fly it in a lot more places. Even near airports if you go on their site and ask permission ahead of time.
National Parks (edit) are off limits to all drones, without exception, and most state parks.
If you do get your hands on one, make sure and spend the extra money for the remote with the screen built in. Avoiding the hassle of hooking up your phone, via wifi to the drone and to the controller and the controller to the drone all through an app. With the screen on the controller, you just turn them both on and wait for satellite connection.

I would go on YouTube and search for a comparable drone made in America. Watch several different reviews.

I am not the leader. I just like to go first.

UserError, raqball

Wed at 5:58 pm

I agree with @EZAPAR get one with the better controller with the built in screen. we have the DJI mini 4 and we never use it because the hassle of having to take the phone out of the case then putting it in the controller, getting it set up then in the air, the group is ready to move on by then. I also suggest getting the Extra Batteries these things at the under 250G don't have a super long flight time.

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UserError, raqball

Wed at 7:39 pm

EZAPAR
National forests are off limits to all drones, without exception, and most state parks.

I believe it is National Parks that are off-limits, not National Forests.

'23 Eruption Green 2-Dr Sas Black Diamond with 2.7L acquired 5/11/23
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raqball

Wed at 8:38 pm

broncorob3
I believe it is National Parks that are off-limits, not National Forests.

You are correct! https://www.fs.usda.gov/visit/know-before-you-go/recreational-drone-tips

23 SAS Badlands 2D Area 51

UserError, raqball

Wed at 9:32 pm

I really wanted to buy a Drone this year, but DJI is really the only game in town. I'm holding off until the issues get resolved with the government (stop laughing at me). Once they are for sale again, I will get an Air 3s Fly More combo. I'm studying for my FAA Part 107 license in the meantime.

UserError, raqball

Yesterday at 6:30 am

raqball
I have been considering getting a drone for a while now but keep putting it off as I don't think I'd use it that much.. I am not a YouTuber or anything like that so getting footage for videos would not be my primary goal.

I would like to find one that has collision avoidance because I am a drone nOOB and don't feel like it getting stuck up in tree on my 1st flight. LOL. There are only a few that do that, and they are kinda pricey..

My main use of a drone would be to scout ahead on a trail to check conditions / terrain or, more importantly to me, to look for sweet dispersed camping sites that I might otherwise miss..

**Most people use a DJI, like a Mini 4 Pro, but they are hard to find as I guess the US has an issue with them being made in China and is blocking their imports. DJI has also taken all the drones down from their US website and no longer sells them here in the US.. You can import them from places like Korea, but you'd probably be hit with a few hundred dollar in tariff fees..

**please do not turn this thread into a political / tariff food fight..

Any of you peeps have, and use, a drone?

Thoughts, suggestion and opinions welcome..

Don't tell anyone but you can still get them on Amazon, they even had prime deals on some. I've actually been eyeing one for a over a year now to make videos of off road adventures. I was recently at a wedding and the photographer used one so I got a chance to see him use it. Pretty cool stuff. I've been interested mostly because of the proximity setting where you can program it to follow your Bronco and stay within a set distance and the return home flyback feature. I'm more interested in the Mini 4k due to cost but the Mini Pro does have obstacle avoidance.

Supreme Leader of the Wandering but NOT Lost
2022 OBX Cyber Orange Metallic with random acutriments.

UserError, raqball

Yesterday at 10:54 am

#10

EZAPAR
National forests are off limits to all drones, without exception, and most state parks.

I was told by US Forest Service that you can use a drone in National Forests... I'll have to call them again as I spend most of my time in National Forests..

Edit to add: Others already said it's National Parks where they can't be used..

And yeah, sounds like it's DJI or bust.. I found a different brand on Amazon that looks to be an exact clone of the Mini 4 Pro but it does not have an option for the controller with a screen..

Amazon Drone

The reviews and the few videos I've seen on it look good but they do not offer an after care program (lost drone replacement), there is no option for controller with a screen, and they are a new company..

I guess I'll just wait it out and see what DJI and the US gubment end up doing..

onX Trail Guide & Tread Lightly Member
2023 Badlands 2 door in Hot Pepper Red 🌶️ 🌶️

UserError, Jakob1972

Yesterday at 1:47 pm

#11

OrangecrushBronco
Don't tell anyone but you can still get them on Amazon, they even had prime deals on some.

The problem, with DJI basically bailing out on the US, is that you can't get DJI care even if purchasing from Amazon.. I would 100% want and need DJI care to replace a lost or damaged drone. Being a n00b to drones, that would give me piece of mind for the repair or replacement if I lost it, or crashed it...

onX Trail Guide & Tread Lightly Member
2023 Badlands 2 door in Hot Pepper Red 🌶️ 🌶️

UserError, EZAPAR

Yesterday at 2:02 pm

#12

raqball
The problem, with DJI basically bailing out on the US, is that you can't get DJI care even if purchasing from Amazon.. I would 100% want and need DJI care to replace a lost or damaged drone. Being a n00b to drones, that would give me piece of mind for the repair or replacement if I lost it, or crashed it...

Not only that, but DJI replacement parts can't be imported at this time either. So if you gambled and bought a DJI, and subsequently broke it, you would have a hard time finding the right parts to fix it.

I know you wanted to stay clear of politics, but DJI didn't bail on the US. The US government has made serious accusations against DJI manufacturing, which DJI has denied. The US government is holding up the investigation process. In other words, DJI wants their day in court, but the US is stalling. At the same time, congress critters want to fund drone development in the US by placing a tariff on drones form China. But the US has effectively banned the largest drone supplier out of China. Not sure how you raise tariff revenue on a product you banned, but here we are.

Oh, and, DJI is still allowed to sell several other products in the US with parts sourced from the same factories that caused the drone ban.

This is going to squeeze farmers pretty bad, as DJI commercial drones have become very popular on small to medium size farms. And now those cost effective commercial drones have no support.

Jakob1972, UserError

Yesterday at 2:10 pm

#13

I don't have a drone but many people insist that I do. They say I drone on and on about my Bronco. 😜

Chris here. I drive a 2-door Velocity Blue 2023 Ford Bronco Badlands with Sasquatch, Lux, a 2.7L V6, and an automatic transmission. It’s fun.

Jakob1972, UserError

Yesterday at 2:10 pm

#14

TechnicalDisaster
Not only that, but DJI replacement parts can't be imported at this time either. So if you gambled and bought a DJI, and subsequently broke it, you would have a hard time finding the right parts to fix it.

Yeah, good point..

As far as the gubment goes, they (all sides of the political spectrum) need to stop playing games and do what's right for us, the people, and consumers...

If DJI does not have a China spy issue, and the only thing holding them back is the child labor claims, then give them their day in court to prove, or disprove the claim.

I contacted a seller in Korea who is selling the Mini Pro 4 at retail and they said I would need to pay import and tariff fees. I saw a reddit post where someone said they got hit with $400 in tariff fees to release their drone from US customs. Not sure what DJI drone it was though..

It's a mess.. I guess I'll just take a wait and see until it either sorts itself out or a US manufacturer comes along with a similar quality and covered product..

onX Trail Guide & Tread Lightly Member
2023 Badlands 2 door in Hot Pepper Red 🌶️ 🌶️

UserError, TechnicalDisaster

Yesterday at 2:43 pm

#15

Sort of back on track. When the full sized Bronco was launched in China, it came standard with DJI software to control drones while you drive. That's not something the FAA would ever allow due to line of site rules, but an awesome feature!

Jakob1972, EZAPAR

Yesterday at 5:53 pm

#16

broncorob3
I believe it is National Parks that are off-limits, not National Forests.

Yeah, whoops, meant Parks, typed Forest. We have so many around here. :)

I am not the leader. I just like to go first.

Yesterday at 6:27 pm

#17

TechnicalDisaster
Sort of back on track. When the full sized Bronco was launched in China, it came standard with DJI software to control drones while you drive. That's not something the FAA would ever allow due to line of site rules, but an awesome feature!

All Chinese Broncos have flat fenders and the consul doesn’t wiggle. Looks like they get the Everglades too. I kinda want a Chinese Bronco. If for nothing else just to test it.

Deano Bronc

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