Travel Lifestyle

Category: Reviews

The Best Drones For Travel In 2018

If you’re planning on traveling with your drone, you want a drone that’s right for you and easy to travel with. Read on for tips on what to look for in a travel drone, and which are the best on the market right now.

What to look for in a travel drone?

A few years ago, if you wanted to buy a drone, there were only a few options, so the decision was easy. But now, there are thousands of different drones, of all different sizes, with all different abilities.

It can be hard to know what you should actually look for in a drone, but here are some of the must-have qualities that you want to look out for when buying a travel drone.

Portability

If you’re taking your drone all over the world with you, then first and foremost you want a drone that’s portable.

There are some drones that you’d need a whole extra suitcase for, but ideally you want to travel light. If you’re taking your drone on adventures, and on long treks, you don’t want to have to lug around a huge one. Ideally, you want one that fits nicely in a rucksack, or even better, in your pocket.

The idea with a travel drone is that it enables you to see even more of your destination, so you don’t want one that you can’t take out and about with you. Otherwise, you’ll be sat in your hotel room flying it, without actually getting out there yourself.

Drones are fast becoming more and more portable, so it’s not unreasonable to expect to find a lightweight, and portable drone, regardless of your budget.

Image and Video Quality

This is almost as important as portability. If your drone is only capable of taking fuzzy and blurry pictures and videos, you’re not going to bother taking it anywhere with you.

I’d suggest going with a drone that’s capable of recording in at least 1080p. With this sort of quality, you’ll still be impressed by the footage, and you should be able to get a drone of this quality fairly cheaply.

Even 4K camera drones are becoming more accessible and affordable though, so if you can, go for a 4K drone. You won’t regret spending a little extra for that impressive quality.

As well as the quality of the actual footage, a drone with a gimbal camera is what you really want. Otherwise, you’ll have bumpy and unstable footage. So if you can, make sure you get a drone that keeps the camera stable to ensure smooth filming.

Intelligent Flight Features

If you’re just using your drone as a selfie drone, you don’t really need to know anything about intelligent flight features. But if you want to make the most of your drone, and take it on every adventure possible, and capture every shot you can, then you NEED to look at these advanced features before buying.

If you normally pack your travels with extreme adventure sports like skiing, snowboarding, kayaking, mountain biking, anything like this, then ideally you want your drone to have active track. This is where your drone locks focus on you, or another subject, and follows them, keeping the camera fixed on them or you.

Beginner pilots will especially want to look out for intelligent flight modes when buying a travel drone. Some drones offer flight modes where you don’t even need to pilot it at all. So you can have fun and sight-see, whilst your drone circles something that you’ve set as a point of interest, or follows a flight path that you’ve drawn.

The Best Travel Drones Of 2018

Here’s a list of the top drones to take on your travels. All of these are portable, super high quality, and come with intelligent flight modes. And don’t worry, there are drones to suit beginners as well as advanced pilots.

1: DJI Mavic Air

DJI’s new release, the Mavic Air, is already a big hit. It’s everything that any avid traveller could want. The Mavic Pro was already a top choice, and one of the best drones on the market, but somehow the Mavic Air is even better!

Quality-wise, it’s just as good as the Mavic Pro, with a 3 axis gimbal and 4K camera. You can even use it to create sphere panoramas! A photography trick that is incredibly impressive. Basically it’s the smallest drone with such good quality.

Plus any previous drone flyer will know how annoying it is when drones don’t have enough internal storage, but the Mavic Air comes with 8GB of internal storage, so even without a memory card you can record amazing videos.

It’s been made more compact than ever. When folded it’s only 168 mm long and 83 mm wide. Even the controller folds up, and has removable joysticks so that it’s virtually indestructible when packed away and on the go.

As for intelligent flight modes, it’s got it all. All of the intelligent flight modes that DJI is so well known for are of course present in this new drone. From the beginner friendly TapFly (literally just tap on the screen where you want the drone to go) and SmartCapture (where you gesture at the drone to get it take pictures and videos), to the more advanced flight modes like ActiveTrack and QuickShot. It really does have it all.

Weight: 430g

Dimensions:

Folded: 168 x 83 x 49 mm (LxWxH)

Unfolded: 168 x 184 x 64 (LxWxH)

Camera Specs: 4K Video Resolution / 12MP still resolution

Flight Time: 21 minutes

2: DJI Mavic Pro Platinum

Not as portable as the Mavic Air, but still one of the most compact drones on the market today and certainly one of the most notable. It offers great performance and image quality in a small package.

Folded up, this machine is not much bigger than a soda can and easily fits in a small carry-on bag. It’s a traveler’s dream drone.

Easy to use features, obstacle avoidance and automated flight modes make this a good fit for the average Joe. You don’t need to be a professional photographer or drone pilot to have fun and get some great shots. It comes with a great controller that’s easy to use, whether you’re a beginner or an advanced drone flyer.

One quality that this drone has that makes it more desirable than many other drones is that it’s quiet. Drones can be embarrassingly noisy, like a loud and annoying swarm of bees. But the Mavic Pro Platinum is so much quieter. This makes discreet flying a little easier.

It also has the longest flight time out of all our favourite camera drones. It’s not often that you find a consumer drone with 30 minutes of flight time, so for drone enthusiasts this is definitely a big deal.

Weight: 734g

Dimensions: 83H x 83W x 198L (folded)

Camera Specs: 4K video resolution

Flight Time: 30 Minutes

3: DJI Spark

A mini drone that packs a hell of a punch. Perhaps the second most portable pick on the list, it fits in the palm of your hand and can easily slip into your jacket pocket.

This is the only drone on the list without 4K video support, but its 1080P quality is still pretty good. You could say it’s a fair trade off for the extra portability and cheaper price. Given this caveat however, this isn’t recommended for the professional photographer.

Weight: 300 g / 0.66 lbs.

Dimensions: 55 x 143 x 143 mm / 5.6 x 5.6 x 2.16 in

Camera Specs: 12MP | 1080P 30 fps | 1/2.3″ CMOS

Flight Time: 16 min

4: Yuneec Breeze

This little number is a good budget option, with a 4K camera, a selection of automated flight modes and all for about a quarter of the price of the DJI Mavic Pro, this drone is quite a deal.

It sounds perfect, but there is one major issue to bear in mind – you won’t enjoy the stabilization you would get from the DJI drones.

The Breeze makes up for its lack of control by providing features like selfie, orbit, follow me, auto landing and return home modes. These automated flight modes will capture smooth footage effortlessly, so you don’t have to worry about your piloting skills, or lack thereof.

Weight: 385 g / 0.85 lbs.

Dimensions: 65 x 196 x 196 mm / 2.56 x 7.7 x 7.7 in

Camera Specs: 13MP | 4K 30 fps | 1/3.06″ CMOS | 720P live view

Flight Time: 12 mins

6: PowerVision PowerEgg

If you think other drones attract attention, wait until you see this one. Shaped like – you guessed it – an egg, this drone is definitely unique. It opens up like something from outer space, so it’s definitely a conversation starter.

A 360 degree range 4K camera makes for stunning panoramas, while its stabilization and automatic flight modes makes for smooth and easy excursions.

It also comes with a traditional RC style remote, as well as one that looks a little like the Nintendo Wii wand. Pretty cool, right?

It’s small enough to fit in your carry-on, but it is still heavier than any of our other top picks, weighing a hefty 4.6 pounds.

Weight: 2100 g / 4.63 lbs.

Dimensions: 272 x 176 mm / 10.7 x 6.9 in

Camera Specs: 14MP | 4K 30 fps | 1/2.3″ CMOS | 360 Panoramic

Flight Time: 23 min

7: GoPro Karma Drone

The GoPro Karma Drone is a huge hit with those that are already GoPro fans. But for everyone else, perhaps not so much.

Unlike most other drones in its price range, it doesn’t come with a camera. Instead the idea is that you use whichever GoPro you already have, or buy a Karma Drone and GoPro package (which obviously makes it more expensive).

But, it does have some pretty cool intelligent flight features, like follow me, return to home, and even their passenger app, which lets someone else watch your flight and control the GoPro.

The controller it comes with is also one of the best controllers out there. It has a built in screen, which saves you having to use your phone, and the controller is so easy to use.

The Karma isn’t the most portable of drones, being quite a lot bigger than the DJI drones, but it does fold up, and it comes with a hard shell carry case that can be worn as a rucksack.

One of the biggest selling points of the Karma Drone is that it comes with the Karma Grip. Stabiliser grips on their own can be several hundred dollars, and they’re fast becoming a popular photography accessory. The stabiliser grip secures the GoPro in a gimbal that keeps your video footage smooth, regardless of what you’re doing.

Weight: 1006g

Dimensions:

Folded: 365 x 224 x 89 mm (L x W x H)

Opened: 303 x 411 x 117 mm (L x W x H)

Flight Time: 20 minutes

01/26/2018
Why Every Digital Nomad Needs A Camera Drone

For any avid traveler, recording the journey is almost as important as the experiences themselves. As a result, the camera has always been a nomad’s best companion. From disposable cameras, camera phones, GoPro’s and DSLRs, we’ve now entered the era of the drone.

But if you need a little more convincing that a drone is the perfect travel accessory, here are the top reasons why every digital nomad needs a camera drone.

Get a Bird’s-Eye View of Your Destination

Drones offer a whole new perspective, so you can see your destination not just from the ground, but from the skies, looking down. This kind of view never used to be possible for the average person, unless they somehow managed to charter a plane or a helicopter. And none of us have the money to dothat.

Capture spectacular aerial shots with your drone and take in the view from every angle. Let’s face it, everything looks a little cooler from the air.

Flexible Shooting Options

Another great benefit of having a drone is that you can capture incredible videos, as well as photos. Off-the-wall selfies, breathtaking scenery, cinematic videos and stunning panoramas.

One thing’s for sure, there are way more angles and opportunities when filming with a drone than with a regular camera.

Some drones today come equipped with intelligent flight modes that allow for unmanned flight, to follow its pilot or even track an object or point of interest, creating awe inspiring footage with ease.

Get Your Bearings

The chances are, even if you’re already a drone owner, you’ve never once thought about using a drone this way. But if you think about it, what better way to pinpoint your location and get your bearings back on track?

Imagine losing your way in a forest – just send your drone up to find the trail or a landmark. Ideally you would want a drone that can send live feed to your smartphone for this purpose.

Make New Friends

As popular as they are today, drones are still a fascination for most. Whether it’s because of their price tag or because they’re just not that mainstream yet, there are always going to be people that drones are out of reach for. So be prepared to get some attention when you pull out your flying machine.

You never know, you might even meet fellow drone flyers, which could lead to hours of interesting conversation, exchanging tips and advice on tricks and top drone flying locations.

There’s the potential to make money with your drone videos

What most people don’t realise is that anyone that captures amazing drone footage could easily be making money from those videos.

Become a drone nomad and upload your videos to sites like YouTube or even stock video sites. With ads, affiliate links, or downloads, whichever route you decide to take, there’s money-making potential. So you can fund your travels with your travel videos!

Your travel videos will be much more interesting

Normally, when anyone puts on a slideshow of their travel photos, everyone smiles and nods along with the occasional ‘oh wow’, whilst they secretly try to suppress their yawns.

But when you’ve got a video of some exotic location, filmed from 100 meters above ground level, people are going to be genuinely interested and intrigued. Drone videos can be really impressive pieces of cinematography, even if you’re only an amateur drone flyer.

Drones can even be lighter than digital cameras

If you normally travel with your digital camera, you’ll know how heavy they can be, especially if you’re got different lenses and pieces of kit. A drone can often take better pictures and videos than even the most high-end digital cameras, and what’s more, they can be lighter!

This is obviously dependent on the drone you choose as your travel companion, but many of the latest drones, like the Mavic Air, can film in 4K, and fit right in your back pocket.

01/26/2018
What Are ‘Drone Nomads’ And How Can You Become One?

Traveling with a drone, or even becoming one of these new age ‘drone nomads’ opens up a whole new way of travel.

Read on to discover exactly what a drone nomad is and how you can become one.

What is a drone nomad?

We’ve probably all heard of the term ‘digital nomad’, but if not, a digital nomad is someone who travels the world, earning money to do so either passively or using the internet. Someone who isn’t tied to any specific place, and can make money on the go, from anywhere in the world.

But lately the term ‘drone nomad’ has been popping up. So what and who are these drone nomads?

Basically, drone nomads are those who spend their days traveling with a camera drone as their companion. So wherever they go, they can capture not just what they see before them, but also the view from way up above – the view that most people can only dream of seeing.

But more than that, drone nomads can be considered a type of digital nomad. How so? They publish their drone images and videos (mainly videos) online, on their own sites or on sites like YouTube and other social media platforms. In doing so, they build up a following of drone fanatics and travel addicts alike.

And as any online entrepreneur will know, the larger the following, the higher the potential for profit.

So lots of drone nomads actually fund their travels by making use of their drone footage.

Why would you want to become a drone nomad?

If like me, you’re already sold on the idea of this high-tech drone version of the digital nomad life, then the chances are that you don’t need any reasons why this way of life is one of the best.

But if you’re still not sure and it all sounds a bit ridiculous, traipsing around the globe with a flying camera, here are just some of the reasons why this could be the perfect lifestyle choice.

You get to see the world

People are starting to realise that travel is one of the best things you can ever do. It makes you a better and more well-rounded person, and it can even contribute to your success.

Becoming a drone nomad means you get to live a life that is centred around travel. You can go on exploring the furthest corners of the world, and if you want to get all cliche, bettering yourself, potentially indefinitely.

There aren’t many lifestyle choices that offer you complete freedom to do and see everything you want. But drone nomads have the world at their fingertips.

You master a new skill

Drone flying and drone videography might sound like good fun, and it is, but it’s also a skill.

You need to learn how to fly your drone, and like any skill, the more you do it, the better you’ll become.

What use is it being able to fly a drone? Once you’ve flown one drone, you’ll feel confident controlling any other drone. You could even go on to become, dare I say it, a master of drone flying, which opens new doors like racing and competition opportunities.

Plus, learning a new skill is a great way to develop and boost your brainpower. If you want to know the science behind it, mastering a new skill basically makes the myelin (white matter) of your brain more dense, which in turn makes you a faster learner.

New brain cell growth can also help slow cognitive ageing, making dementia and Alzheimer’s disease less likely as you grow older.

You make money doing what you enjoy

There aren’t many jobs out there where you can make money just walking across a sandy beach, or paragliding down from a mountain. But by monetising your drone videos, any adventure or activity you undertake can be filmed, and can be used to top up your bank account and fund new adventures.

You can capture truly interesting travel videos

Let’s face to, most of the time when someone shows you their travel photos, you’re bored beyond belief.

You don’t want to see a picture of your Grandad in speedos, or a selfie of your friend with a cocktail you wish you were drinking.

But when you whip out your drone travel video, suddenly you’ll have people’s attention and an avid audience. Who doesn’t want to see a flyover of a tropical rainforest or an exotic beach?

You can view the world from a new perspective

When you visit somewhere new, you’re amazed by everything, right? Everything is new and exciting and it’s one of the only times in life when you get to experience childlike wonder as an adult. The scenery is different, the food is different, even the toilets are different!

With a drone, you can take that novelty and excitement to a whole new level. Think of how exciting everything at eye level is. Now imagine you’ve got al that AND the view from the sky as well.

You’ll see things you would never have seen otherwise and you can even experience your drone videos through VR goggles, and pretend you’re actually flying over your destination.

You’ll meet new and interesting people

Having a drone is one hell of a conversation starter. If you pull out a shiny and futuristic looking flying contraption, people are going to stop and talk to you.

So if you’re traveling solo, this is great! You’ll meet tons of people, make new friends from new places, and you might even find a few like-minded drone flyers, with tips on the best places to fly.

There’s never a dull moment

Being a drone nomad is no boring office job. There’s no sitting around waiting for the day to end. The day begins and ends when you say it does. And the day consists of exactly what you fancy doing.

You’ll become a part of the ‘new rich’

The new rich are those with income streams that mean they have all the time in the world to spend doing what they enjoy. Time is fast becoming the most valued currency, and by becoming a drone nomad, you’ll technically be able to class yourself as part of this ‘new rich’.

How can you become a drone nomad?

First thing’s first, f you want to become a drone nomad, you’re going to need to buy yourself a drone (one with a camera). And of course, you need to travel the world with, otherwise you’re just a drone owner.

Once you’ve found yourself a trusty camera drone companion, and you’ve set off on your travels, it’s up to you to take the best photos and videos you possibly can. You want to capture everything!

The more footage you have, the more you can do with it, and the more material you have to attract people with.

So you’ve got your drone, you’re well into your travels, and you’ve got memory cards full of great drone films, but what now?

Now you need to DO something with your them. Edit them if need be, and turn your amateur footage into a cinematic piece of art. Make each clip flow smoothly to the next, apply effects if you want to, and what really transforms a drone video is music.

Find the perfect piece of music to play in the background of your video. Something that screams excitement and adventure. And if you really want to take it to the next level, get the music to coincide with the pans and zooms of your videos.

Of course if you’d rather not edit though, there’s nothing that says you can’t upload the raw footage for a more authentic flying video. It’s all about personal taste!

Once you’re happy with your drone videos, try publishing them on YouTube and social media sites. People love drone videos, and you’ll soon build up quite the following.

To make money from your drone footage, monetise your videos with ads and affiliate links to the drone you’re using and other relevant products.

You can even monetise the experience of flying drones. If you have a website, write blog posts detailing flights you’ve had, drones you’ve loved and hated, and even flying tips and tricks.

Follow all of these steps and you’ll be able to class yourself a drone nomad in no time.

01/25/2018
11 Pieces of Survival Gear That Could Save Your Life

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The elements of nature provide some of the biggest obstacles to the everyday traveler. Even the most seasoned of travelers can benefit from owning some useful pieces of survival gear. It could even save your life!

If you ever find yourself in a situation where your survival skills are put to the test, or you want to give Bear Grills a run for his money, you want to have all the right tools with you. So here are some of the most useful pieces of survival gear for when you’re exploring the wilderness.

1: Trauma Pak

Having a first aid kit is a necessity, just in case of injury. It’s something that’s useful even just for day trips.

Who knows what will happen in the wild?! You might scrape a knee, cut your arm, or get a nasty sting – the wild is full of unexpected situations. But whatever you’re faced with, a trauma pak is going to be a massive help. And if you manage to escape the wild unscathed, at least you’ll have peace of mind with the trauma pak by your side.

2: Learn and Live Knot Tying

Having rope on hand is only useful if you know what to do with it. These small, informative diagrams will teach you how to quickly fasten the knot that you need. Not only is this guide useful, but it’s also compact and easy to carry with you wherever your travels take you.

3: 5 in 1 Survival Whistle

If you ever get lost in the woods, the dessert or whatever wild landscape you’re heading to, you’re going to want people to find as quickly as possible. This survival whistle is sure to be a life saver if you find yourself lost.

The 5 in 1 whistle makes sure that you’re both heard and seen. It features a whistle, compass, signaling mirror, matchbox, and fire starter. It’s so versatile! So if you only ever get one piece of survival gear, this is a good one to go for.

4: Emergency Sleeping Bag

While you may not be expecting to camp out, you should prepare for it just in case. With an emergency sleeping bag you won’t need to worry about being left exposed to harsh weather conditions, you’ll be well and truly protected.

Snuggling up in the emergency sleeping bag will also make you visible to others, as it’s made from reflective material. This is a great feature if you’re having to use the sleeping bag because you’re lost!

It also folds down so that it’s super compact and easily portable. You can carry it in a rucksack or maybe even a pocket.

5: Personal Water Filter

Packing water is an essential if you’re spending prolonged periods of time outdoors. If you run out of water, you’re in trouble. Your only hope will be to find natural water sources.

But if you’re doing this, you need to make sure that the water is safe for consumption. A personal water filter will make any river or lake water drinkable for you.

6: Rehydration Salts

One of the most common ailments that goes hand-in-hand with being outdoors is dehydration. And these rehydration salts are the perfect solution.

Hold on a minute, doesn’t salt normally dehydrate us? Yes, so don’t go drinking salt water as that will definitely make the situation worse. But these rehydration salts are different from regular salt. They can be used to help you get rehydrate you if you’re severely dehydrated, and can help you overcome dehydration symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, and cold sweats.

These salts are made from sodium, potassium and glucose, ingredients to help you get your levels back to where they should be.

7: Paracord Bracelet

One of the bulkiest items in your survival gear pack can often be your rope. These compact paracord bracelets contain rope that won’t get in your way or take up too much space. Just wear them on your wrist and you won’t even notice them. Then if you end up needing rope, it’s super easy to unravel the cord and make use of it.

8: BlastMatch Fire Starter

.Ordinary matches can prove to be difficult to deal with when you’re outdoors and the wind’s howling away. They can break, they often only last for a few seconds, and they can go out easily. This fire starter can be used with one hand and lasts for up to 4,000 strikes. It also generates 3x the heat of an average match, so hopefully your fires will be slightly more successful with this tool.

9: Aluminium Stainless Steel Carabina

These carabiners are the definition of heavy duty. They can withstand all climates and hold up to 4457 lbs. Using a carabiner will make knots and tensions more secure. If you need a simple way to quickly fasten items together in a time of need, these will also come into play.

10. Emergency Food Supply

Whilst it might be possible to rely on nature’s resources if you’re stranded in the wild, this could likely lead to digestive discomfort.

These packets of food will last you 3 days in case of an emergency. The boxes are easy to store and will not take up too much room. It’s a good emergency stash to have with you on adventures, especially if you know you wouldn’t fare well surviving from what the wild has to offer.

11: Survivor Dry Box

Keep your resources safe and you’ll keep yourself safe – that’s the logic behind this piece of survival gear. You can store all of your important items in this weather-proof casing.

It’s brightly coloured so you can easily keep your eye on it, and it’s easy to carry, so taking survival gear with you doesn’t have to be a nuisance. It even floats so it really is suited to any situation.
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10/10/2017
The Ultimate Country Road Trip Playlist: Top 15 Country Road Trip Songs

Whether you’re driving through the southern states, or you just enjoy a bit of country, you’ll need some music to accompany your road trip. Here’s a list of my top 15 country songs for a road trip! (more…)

01/14/2017