If you are going to spend a significant amount of money on a drone, it is a good idea to know a little bit about the history and reputation of the company that makes it before deciding which are the best drones to buy. Four major players in the drone industry are DJI, Yuneec Electric Aviation, 3D Robotics, and Parrot SA.
DJI (Da-Jiang Innovations)
DJI is a Chinese technology company founded in 2006. It was originally created to build flight control systems for model helicopters, but as drones began to grow in popularity, the company shifted its focus. They are the creators of the Phantom (Standard, Advanced, Professional) and Inspire lines of drones. They also invented Lightbridge technology which connects the drone and the controller, allowing for enhanced communication.
They are known for producing drones that are easy to set-up and reasonably priced for a consumer market. Their drones are capable of professional photography and open platform software allows users to modify the drones for specific uses if necessary. DJI’s customer service can be an issue at times.
Yuneec Electric Aviation
Yuneec Electric Aviation is another Chinese company. Founded in 1999, its focus was as a manufacturer of radio-controlled model aircraft. It also created an electric paraglider and electric trike. Its drone lines include OEM/ODM, Typhoon, and Tornado. The drones it manufactures are also capable of professional photography and videography. They also feature several safety features. When problems occur, users generally report a positive customer service experience.
3D Robotics
3D Robotics is an American company headquartered in Berkeley, CA. It was founded in 2009 and has product lines which include the Aero-M Fixed Wing UAV, X8 Quadcopter, IRIS+, and the Solo. As of November 2015, the company announced that they would no longer be supporting the older models of drones, instead choosing to focus their manufacturing and support energy on the Solo.
3D Robotics stands behind their Solo drone, offering a 30-day money-back guarantee if you are not satisfied. Also, if the mobile app suspects a problem, it gives you the option of opening a support ticket.
3D Robotics and Yuneec Electric Aviation are both founding members of the Dronecode Opensource UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) Platform. This organization allows developers all over the world to work on new, practical applications for drones in fields such as agriculture, environmental science, and meteorology. The group wants drones to make a positive impact on the world.
Parrot SA
Parrot SA is the oldest of these four companies, founded in 1994 in Paris, France. Over the years, the company has worked a great deal with wireless technology, especially the Bluetooth. In 2010, they introduced the Parrot AR Drone flying hardware. In 2012, they bought a controlling share of the Swiss drone company senseFly. In May 2014, the Bebop drone was produced. This was followed in 2015 by the Bebop 2.
Customers report some quality control and tech issues with their drones. There is also a lack of instructions. Those who purchase their drones must search for documentation online in order to have a successful flight experience.
While you might not make your decision to purchase a specific drone based solely on the company that made it, it is one factor to take into consideration in order to be satisfied with your purchase.
Author: Stacey Miller
Copyright: 2016 BestDronesToBuy.org