Drones are being used by many amateurs, enthusiasts, and even total beginners to increase their production and popularity. With YouTube still being a great phenomenon, this type of business model is spreading to vloggers and adventurers, which brings us to today’s topic — the best drones for mountain biking!
If mountain biking is your thing (and believe it or not, it is considerably more popular than most of you think), I’m sure you’ll be interested in the topic of this post. It’s even better if you have your own YouTube channel where you post your amazing films.
Wouldn’t it be even better if you could supplement your film with overhead footage? Consider the amazing scenery you may capture as you and your bike travel down the track. Isn’t it incredible?
Do you think it’s possible that anything like this may happen? Simply search in mountain bike drone footage onto YouTube and watch the first few videos that up. You’ll be blown away!
Using a drone to take footage is a really good option. If done correctly, drone footage may bring a totally new perspective to your footage and provide you with film-quality footage of your journey.
Don’t worry, we’ll take care of it!
Table of Contents
Best Drone That Follows You While Biking
Mavic 2 Pro
The Mavic 2 Pro is the best drone for nature with a standard RGB visual light camera. This aircraft has the following features:
A 20-megapixel sensor produces still images with 5472 × 3648 pixels resolution. It can also take video in 4K, making it one of the best drone cameras available.
The temperature range for operation is 14°F to 104°F. What makes this a good mountain biking drone, though?
It incorporates an Omnidirectional Obstacle Sensing technology that helps it quickly dodge the trail’s various obstructions. This technology makes the Mavic 2 Pro ideal for forests, whether it’s flying forward, backward, up, down, left, or right.
No other drone on the market now avoids obstacles in all directions while shooting still images with a 20-megapixel camera.
It’s compact, weighing in just than 2 pounds, and folds up to fit in your cargo pocket or a small hard case.
TIP: Combine the DJI Goggles with your drone to obtain a first-person perspective of what it views, and you’ll have a good system for capturing nature. What binds it all together is that adding these features doesn’t significantly increase the price.
Robotics EVO 2 – Best MTB Drone with 8K Camera
At CES 2020 in January, Autel Robotics unveiled its long-awaited EVO II series drone, boasting significant improvements over the original EVO model released in 2018.
Its most significant feature is a modular camera system, which comes in three types with varied characteristics to fulfill the demands of different users, from consumers to experts.
The camera is 1/2 “on the basic EVO II. The first consumer drone to deliver an 8K video has a 48MP Quad Bayer sensor. The EVO II Pro has a bigger 1-inch display “-type 20MP sensor with 6K recording, while the EVO II Dual has both an optical and a thermal camera in one device, with 6K recording as well.
The modular technology allows users to switch cameras as needed on a single drone.
When purchasing an EVO II, you have the option of selecting the model with the camera that best meets your requirements. You may change the camera on your drone at any time without having to buy a new one.
The EVO II was released in June following multiple delays, including a software problem and supply chain difficulties. Has the corporation worked out the kinks that caused the debut to be pushed back a few months?
And how does it compare to DJI’s equivalent models? In this review, we’ll look at both of these issues.
Thanks to our colleagues at Drone-Works, we were able to test the regular EVO II. Antoine Tissier, a Chicago-based pro, offered us his EVO II Pro model for some further testing. The EVO II Dual was not put to the test.
DJI Mavic Air – Best Cheap Mountain Biking Drone
The DJI Mavic Air strives to provide you with a similar, high-quality experience as the Mavic Pro 2, but at a lower cost.
However, it is 3-Axis Gimbal Stabilization that can shoot in 4K and capture detailed, smooth video.
Slow-motion at 120 frames per second in 1080p adds a dramatic impact that will remind your viewers of an exciting, high-speed chase picture.
The fact that this drone keeps the tracking function and the Omnidirectional Obstacle Sensing technology, which allows you to bike and shoot simultaneously, allowing you to ditch your cameraman, is extremely significant for mountain biking.
You will have to make a few concessions if you choose this lower-cost alternative, such as slower flying speeds.
It may also be operated with a smartphone rather than a specialized controller. However, you might prefer it.
Other advantages over the Mavic Pro 2 include the fact that it is smaller and lighter, making it easier to travel in a case, which is essential when you don’t have much room on your bike or in your bag.
I’ve recorded several hikes and trips with my little drone. Overall, the photography is amazing, the operation is straightforward, and the drone and remote control are small enough to put into a big pocket.
Mavic Air is a wonderful example of a drone that strikes the sweet spot between value and quality for individuals who understand you don’t always need a flagship product.
Holy Stone HS120 Black – Best Budget MTB Drone
The Holy Stone HS120 Black is an excellent all-in-one drone for any mountain biker on a budget who wants to snap some aerial photographs.
The follow mode allows for hands-free riding, which is essential for mountain bike filmmaking unless you’re a really skilled rider, and while the 16-minute battery life isn’t big, it’s more than enough for the average rider to grab the pictures needed to put together a short movie.
The camera records at 1080HD, which is where the price difference is most noticeable, but if you’re a casual rider who simply uploads to social media, a 4K camera isn’t necessary.
The drone can fly securely and easily thanks to the GPS system, and it fits on a piece of A4 paper, making it easy to pack and carry with you.
Parrot ANAFI
Parrot is one of the most well-known drone manufacturers, and the ANAFI is arguably their best model yet. It’s the French brand’s first folding quadcopter, giving it a huge thumbs up for packability for mountain bikers. It also shoots in 4K and takes some quite beautiful shots.
The DJI Mavic Air is the ANAFI’s most apparent competitor, with the Parrot’s key advantages being that it’s even cheaper, that it can fly a bit longer, and that the camera is really a little better.
So why would you pay extra for the Mavic Air? The ANAFI’s biggest disadvantage is that it lacks the object avoidance technology that makes the DJI drones so enticing.
You must also purchase the “follow me” option on the ANAFI app. It is not included in the first purchase. The in-app purchase is usually approximately £17.99, although they’ve been known to drop it to as low as £0.99p on occasion, which is at least something.
It’s a shame about the object avoidance, because the Parrot app is a little simpler than DJI’s, making it a little easier to get on board with for beginners.
However, because there’s no technology in there to save you if you lose control or don’t spot that 100ft tree in the way, starting out with a Parrot ANAFI could be a bit risky, especially if you’re hoping to use the drone while riding through forest trails crowded by trees.
Nonetheless, it’s a terrific choice that flies well, videos and shoots well fold up compact, and costs less than the DJI competitors.
YUNEEC Typhoon H Pro
The YUNEEC Typhoon H Pro is an award-winning drone that, owing to the sensors and camera on the front, resembles something from the Transformers franchise.
YUNEEC claims to be delivering “capabilities previously only available in high-end professional goods, but at a consumer pricing,” and the ANAFI and the Mavic Air are in the same price range.
The Typhoon H is a drone with intelligent front sensors that automatically stop short of obstacles and move around obstacles, as well as orbit mode (which circles you), follow me mode, a selfie mode (dubbed “journey,” which goes up and out to 90 meters for a selfie), and the ability to program a route for Typhoon H to fly between two coordinates.
Home Mode returns the drone to within eight meters of you, and a unique safety function guarantees that the drone doesn’t fly into the restricted territory.
The drone’s Ultra HD 4K footage and CGO3+ camera make it an especially enticing option for anybody wishing to upgrade from an entry-level drone to a high-quality flight.
GoPro Hero7 Black – Best Mountain Biking Action Camera
The newest GoPro camera pushes hyperstabilization to new heights. Getting airborne or employing this function can smooth out the shot without the inconvenience of using a gimbal when riding bumpy, difficult trails.
This action camera has the following features:
4K/60. Previous GoPro cameras only featured 4K/30, which is excellent for the typical GoPro user, but if you’re into extreme sports, this additional capability will come in handy.
TimeWarp, sometimes known as Hyperlapse, is a camera that shoots time-lapse video rather than pictures, resulting in smoother film.
The user experience has been a stumbling block for all prior GoPro cameras, and GoPro has finally addressed it with their new screen design. Options, menus, and modes have been streamlined, and they now show clearly, letting you know precisely what setting you’re on.
FAQ About Mountain Biking Tracking Drones
WHAT MAKES A GOOD MOUNTAIN BIKING DRONE?
It’s a good idea to double-check what you’re searching for before shelling out a substantial chunk of money. Drones aren’t quite the same when it comes to the sort of performance they deliver, but I suppose I don’t have to tell you that.
Anyway, these are the important characteristics of an excellent mountain biking drone:
THE QUALITY OF MOUNTAIN BIKING CAMERA ON DRONES: This one is self-evident – the camera is essential for anyone who wishes to capture amazing aerial footage of their outdoor hobbies… or, in this case, mountain biking.
A decent CMOS sensor (not CCD; they are for FPV racing drones) with a high MPX count is what you should be searching for.
You’ll also require 4K capability (or at the very least 1080p) and some form of picture stabilization, but more on that later.
For the time being, it could be a good idea to look at drones that have cameras to better understand what a decent drone camera should be capable of.
ALTITUDE HOLD ON DRONES: Naturally, having a drone that can hover by itself makes filming mountain bike footage much easier.
Altitude Hold comes into play in this situation. This unique function allows your drone to maintain a consistent height automatically.
You won’t have to change the throttle manually to keep it at bay, allowing you to focus on riding your bike and shooting the best aerial footage possible.
For this capability to perform effectively, your drone will require GPS and ground sensors to maintain the highest level of hovering precision. Drones with altitude hold, in my opinion, are a no-brainer for mountain bike aerial movies.
MOUNTAIN BIKING STABILIZATION ON DRONES: When I mention stabilization, I refer to the picture stabilization we discussed before. However, here is some further information on the subject — In terms of image stabilization, you want a clean, jello-free film that is exceptionally smooth and polished in every way.
EIS or gimbal stabilization are commonly used for this. The latter is a far superior alternative because it not only smooths out your films but also gives you complete control over your camera’s focus.
Do You Need to Spend More for Hardware Stabilization?
As I previously stated, hardware stabilization is critical for any drone intended to shoot aerial footage. It’s a foundational feature of any decent aerial photography drone, and I feel you should spend the extra for it. For instance, consider 3DR Solo as an excellent example.
You can acquire the drone for a very low price, but if you want a specialized gimbal for it, you’ll have to spend quite a bit more. We’re talking about gadgets that are both comprehensive and sophisticated. They aren’t inexpensive to produce, but they make a significant difference in image quality.
Paying more for hardware stabilization devices (also known as gimbals) should never be questioned since they are well worth the money.
Setting Up the Stage
Now that I’ve covered all you need to know about fantastic aerial photography drones, it’s time to walk you through your initial steps.
As with many beginnings, this one may be challenging. Several functions and capabilities are included with these premium drones, but you will only use a handful of them. So, with that in mind, here’s how to prepare for your first mountain riding video:
- For optimum results, always inspect the surrounding environment and determine where your drones should be positioned to acquire the best footage.
- Experiment with different starting shots to see what works best. It’s possible that panoramic vistas aren’t always the best choice. This is very dependent on the sort of business you’re in… It is said that practice makes perfect.
- Use the Follow Me/Active Track mode to see how it works. Choose yourself on the drone’s FPV monitor (or, in some situations, your smartphone) and enjoy the hands-free footage. This allows you to focus entirely on your bike rather than constantly fiddling with the drone.