Among the array of 30 meticulously researched drones, the Yuneec Q500 4K Typhoon stands out as the unrivaled GPS drone, securing its position at the zenith of our top 5 rankings. Boasting unparalleled photo and video quality, coupled with a remarkable transmission range of up to 400 meters, the Yuneec Q500 4K Typhoon emerges as the epitome of excellence. Join me as we unravel the distinctive features that elevate this drone to a league of its own, alongside the other contenders in our comprehensive list.
Easy to use, yet complex enough for an intermediate to expert level drone pilot, the Yuneec Q500 4K Typhoon offers a great variety of modes that makes flying easy. GPS tracking is on point up to 400 m and the flight time takes up to an impressive 25 minutes. Due to the ST10+, you can freely control the camera’s angle and direction. As the name already says, this GPS drone allows you to take 4K shots whether photos or videos. It’s simply good and if you need a drone that doesn’t cost as much as a DJI yet performs consistently, the Q500 is a great device.
The Hubsan H501S X4.is an incredible GPS drone without the high asking price. It includes 3 different quick mode buttons: Auto Return to Home, Low Power Protection and Follow Me. It can stay up in the air for 20 minutes and the camera is fitted with a six-axis gyroscope for improved stability and low latency. The tracking is top-notch and the different automatic modes make it easy to use even for a beginner droner. Not only does it perform well, but it also looks great too; rocking a white and gold palette that makes it look like a flying luxury drone.
You won’t find any other drone like this for its price. The SwellPro Splash Drone 3 Auto is a UAV capable of navigating through land, sea and air. It is the perfect GPS drone when you are strolling at the beach or relaxing by the river. Even if it loses battery after 20-plus minutes, you won’t ever worry about it crashing into a body of water. It is also great for aerial photoshoots during a rainy day, making every image look very dramatic and intense. The build is strong, the controls are easy to navigate and the general look is suave.
Yuneec Typhoon H Pro with RealSense is a 4K camera drone that is not for the faint of heart. For one, the price is expensive. And two, it requires prior droning experience in order to operate it properly. If you can handle it, the Typhoon H Pro is a beauty to behold thanks to its built-in Intel RealSense Technology (which can distinguish obstacles while adapting a 3D model of the area) and an ST16 controller which will make you forget about using a smartphone app. Its 3 automatic flight modes are handy too: Curve Cable, Auto Return to Home, and Point of Interest.
The VOOCO X-Star Premium is what I would consider as one of the friendliest drones ever for a beginner. Not only does it include GPS tracking, but the controls and management of the drone are simple enough to not confuse the user. It’s not that much of a budget-friendly choice but if you have the money to go for something spectacular for a drone newbie like you, then the X-Star Premium makes it worth your while. Also, the UAV includes a camera capable of 4K resolution images and videos, which makes it awesome especially if you like taking aerial photos.
If you are looking for an extra challenge when it comes to droning, you should get a UAV with a built-in global positioning system (GPS). And so, I highly recommend buying the Yuneec Q500 4K Typhoon since this is the best GPS drone in this list for having topnotch GPS tracking, long distances and an intuitive controller. Looking to buy something cheaper? That’s where the Hubsan H501S X4 comes in; affordable yet high in value. But when you are looking for a drone that is best for beaches, rivers, and rainy days, you should settle with the SwellPro Splash Drone 3 Auto. And if you like an advanced UAV, the Yuneec Typhoon H Pro with RealSense is a rewarding experience. Last but not the least, if you are new to GPS drones, the VOOCO X-Star Premium is a great entry-point.
Of course, you are here for the GPS tracking or navigation. The main difference between this and an ordinary drone is that you can set waypoints in order for it to move autonomously. The expensive GPS drones usually have built-in sensors in order to determine if it will hit an obstacle such as trees, posts, and buildings, but the cheaper ones are not that responsive. That’s why if you are planning to buy a good GPS drone, you better make sure the tracking sensor is reputable for being reliable.
By default, GPS drones always include the following modes on a controller: Auto Return to Home, Hold Position and Autonomous Flight. This is where the GPS magic happens. Auto Return to Home obviously lets you call your drone back to your position, Position Hold or Hold Position makes your drone stay in a fixed altitude and location and Autonomous Flight will cause your UAV to automatically fly to the GPS waypoints.
GPS drones are more expensive than a regular drone by default due to their added tracking device and a more advanced controller. The ones listed above are among the best and the cheapest.
While GPS drones are more in favor of expert users, the controls still need to be simple enough in order for the pilot to plot down the waypoints for the UAV.
Much like GPS on a car, drones also use the same technology in order for the device to know where to head off. But unlike cars, drones will perform autopilot as long as the user has set-up the necessary waypoints on the map.
Modern GPS drones now have the ability to sense any incoming obstacles like trees, walls and telephone poles. As experienced droners say, you should invest in a more expensive GPS drone since the price determines the tracking technology.
Some drones like the DJI Phantom Pro and Matrice 600 can fly as far as 7 km to 5 km. However, there are now more drones that can compete with the high-profile drone brand such as Yuneec and Hubsan.
Quite frankly, you will need prior drone experience before you hop onto the GPS-type drones. This is because GPS drones are a different matter compared to drones that do not have tracking. Also, they are more expensive to buy than the usual drones.