Phantom 3 Standard in 2020? (The three things to know)

I've been flying drones for about seven years now. I have a mavic zoom with smart controller and a mini 2 as well as several cheap drones just for fun. I'm a retired aerospace worker and needed something to keep me busy (out of trouble). I recently had the opportunity to buy a phantom 3 standard that is in excellent condition from a family member who just didn't have the same love of flying them. I've modified it to have FAA aircraft standard lighting (red on port (left) only, green on starboard (right) only with a few 5mm white LEDs facing forward. All are powered off of the motherboard and except for the white lights were an easy modification (have to drill holes). I'm still on the fence about tinkering with the up and down link antennas. A range booster for the camera and controller may be on the way too. After flying the others I can say that it is definitely a heavy stick drone meaning that the flight characteristics are about what I expected for such a heavy machine. It definitely goes through battery power faster than the others but it will handle some wind that the other lighter drones will not. I've had it at 200 feet AGL (above ground level) in roughly 12 mile an hour winds hovering and it was fairly stable with minimal drift of about one foot each direction due to gusting. My battery lasted about one third less because of the wind. Even taking off and landing in a cross wind was manageable. The camera is fine for my purposes as I mainly record video of flights in case of a wipeout lol. Ironically the exact P3S that I now have is the very first drone that I had ever seen and I'm glad I was given the opportunity to buy it. I would agree that it can still be a fun machine to fly. Just understand it's features and limitations and you'll be fine.

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Can't wait to get mine

i got one from a friend for $150 pluss squashing $150 he owed me that i wasnt holding my breath over. so far so good.

Thanks for the great advise, very well presented

just picked one up for 250.00 and it is my first hobby grade drone.. Thanks for all the info look forward to seeing more!!

I’m so excited to get back out and fly my Phantom 3! I just subscribed!

Nice video with points to consider. Your presentation was well thought out with good information. Great job. Thank you.

Nice throwback review. Happy to subscribe

i bought mine for 250 usd. Worst thing is the short range and that its so damn big. If i would have bought a drone today, i would definetley have put in some extra money and bought like a mavic with longer range and its smaller.

I drove an hour to make a trade on a old 1/5 scale that I had for a trade on a Dji phantom 3 & let me tell you I love this thing, it's just amazing.

It’s all about use! I liked that you mentioned to work around the limitations. I just picked up a P3S for a great price. I just need it for a few shots once in a while. For now, it is a great starter drone for me.

Exactly the info I was looking for to decide. Thank you sir. You got a subscriber.

Love the divine mercy image man! Rock it out!

Thanks, great advise

I still got my P3s since 2016 and from time to time I make use of it, for me upgrading to the next generation drones is still depends on your needs. Nice video bro it makes some sparks to me to fly again my drone today :)

Thanks for this! Was just gifted a used Phantom 3 Pro. Grateful to hear your thoughts. Love the Divine Mercy poster!

I own 2 P3S's, bought new back around 2016. This quad holds its own with the best. Does everything I need & I don't have 1000's of bucks hanging in the sky.

I got mine in a yard sale for 50 dollars and it came with a lot of accessories and used drone and controller only with few scratches works perfect and it came with a case

I bought one this morning with a backpack and a fly more for $225. It's still worth that much!