6 Essential Accessories for Drone Pilots
A Guide to Enhancing Your Flying Experience
When it comes to hobby drones, many people focus on the drone itself, but don't give much thought to the accessories that can enhance their flying experience. From carrying cases to cleaning kits, there are a variety of accessories that can help protect your drone, improve your flying experience, and even capture better footage. In this post, we'll take a look at some of the most popular accessories for drones and how they can help you get the most out of your drone.
Purchasing a drone is likely only the beginning of a series of smaller purchases to fully deck out your drone and make life easy on yourself, and also extend the life of your drone. Unless the drone you buy comes with a bunch of accessories, you will want to acquire a few more accessories to enhance your drone's life, and your experience as a drone pilot.
1. Carrying Cases
One of the most important accessories for hobby drones is a carrying case. These cases are designed to protect your drone from damage during transport, and come in a variety of sizes and styles to fit different types of drones. For example, the Pelican 1150 case is popular among drone owners for its durable construction and customizable foam insert that keeps your drone securely in place. Carrying cases also come with additional pockets for batteries, chargers, and other accessories. They are ideal for drone users who frequently travel or need to transport their drones to different locations.
2. Cleaning Kits
Another important accessory for hobby drones is a cleaning kit. After flying, your drone can accumulate dirt, dust, and other debris that can affect its performance. A cleaning kit typically includes microfiber cloths, cleaning solution, and brushes that are specifically designed to clean drones. The DJI cleaning kit is one of the popular cleaning kits in the market, it includes a microfiber cleaning cloth, an air blower, and a cleaning brush that allows drone owners to clean their drones safely and effectively. They are ideal for users who fly in dusty or dirty environments, or who want to keep their drones in top condition.
3. Propeller Guards
Propeller guards are another essential accessory for hobby drones. These guards are designed to protect your drone's propellers from damage during flight, which can be especially important if you're flying indoors or in tight spaces. They come in a variety of sizes and styles to fit different types of drones. For example, the DJI propeller guards are made of lightweight, durable materials and are specifically designed to fit DJI Phantom drones. They are ideal for hobbyist who are learning to fly, or who fly in tight spaces where the risk of collision is high. Just remember to confirm that the propeller guards will fit (and protect) your specific drone and its propellers.
4. Extra Batteries
Extra batteries are another great accessory for hobby drones. These batteries are designed to be used as a backup or replacement for the batteries that come with your drone. They come in a variety of sizes and styles to fit different types of drones. For example, the DJI Mavic 2 Pro Intelligent Flight Battery has a capacity of up to 31 minutes, which is longer than the standard battery. Having extra batteries on hand can help ensure that you never run out of power while flying your drone.
5. Camera Filters
Camera filters are another great accessory for hobby drones. These filters are designed to improve the quality of your drone's footage by reducing glare and reflections, and by improving color balance. They come in a variety of sizes and styles to fit different types of drones. For example, the DJI Mavic 2 Pro ND filter set includes an ND4, ND8, ND16, and ND32 filter, which can be used to reduce the amount of light entering the lens, allowing for more control over the camera's aperture and shutter speed. Camera filters are ideal for hobbyists who want to capture better footage and improve the quality of their photos and videos.
6. Sunshade Hoods
Finally, a sunshade hood for the remote controller is a convenient accessory for hobby drones. These hoods, which attach to the controller's display, can help reduce glare and improve visibility in bright outdoor settings. Before you purchase a new drone, check out everything that is included including the controller. There may be a sunshade hood already included with the drone controller. For example, the DJI Phantom 4 Pro+ Remote Controller comes with a sunshade hood that can be easily mounted on the remote controller's screen.
In summary, the accessories mentioned above, such as a carrying case, cleaning kit, extra batteries, propeller guards, and sunshade hood for the remote controller, can make your life easier and protect your investment.
Carrying cases protect your drone, especially when transporting or traveling with your drone. It will keep your drone safe and secure during transport.
Cleaning kits keep your drone in top condition by removing dirt and dust. The cleaning kit is a must-have, it keeps your drone in great condition and looking like new.
Extra batteries are great because many drones have very short flight times. Having a backup power source for your drone allows for longer and multiple flights. Always bring extra batteries. You’ll want the backup just in case.
Propeller protectors will protect your drone's propellers from damage during accidents or collisions. They are a lifesaver and will save your propellers from accidental damage.
Camera filters are a game changer, they improve the look of your drone footage significantly. Enhancing the quality and color of your drone's camera footage, especially in bright sunlight or harsh lighting conditions can help ensure your footage is the highest quality possible.