Long Range Drones:

Currently consumer drone pilots can operate drones inside the visual line of sight. It limits the working range of the drones and makes them nonviable for many commercial operations. However, when we say a remotely operated aircraft is a long range drone it usually means the drone can fly a “few” kilometer away from the pilot and its radio controller without losing the connection. However, in this list we included the drones having the range of 1 kilometer or more as long range drones. Since photography is the major application of drones, It should be noted that sometimes the radio range of the drone is higher than the video capturing range.  While compiling this list, if two drones were of the same operating range, then we have chosen the one with a lower price.

Drone Range Dependencies:

The range of a drone also depends on the radio frequency, the higher the frequency, the lower the range. Most of the new drones support two main radio frequencies, i.e., 2.4 GHz and 5.8GHz. However, some drones use other radio frequencies as well. The ability to operate at dual frequencies is helpful to control the drone in situations where there is obstructions and interference. However, it does affect the range when the drone operates at 5.8GHz, the range drops.

The electronic standards of different countries use different criteria to determine the range. It is a compliance issue and depending on Europe, the US or and any other standard, the range of any particular drone may vary when measured against each one of them.

Following is the list of drone ranges. These ranges are the maximum ranges according to the specification documentations and compliance to at least one standard.

Top 6 Long Range Drones with Camera (Ranges 1km to 7km):

Drone	Camera	Live Video Resolution	Video Range	Drone Range	Maximum Flight Time
DJI Phantom 4 Pro	20 MP	720P@30fps	7km	7km	30 min
DJI Inspire 2	20 MP	FPV Camera= HD1080P and Main Camera=HD720P	7km	7km	27 min
DJI Phantom 4	12.4 MP	720P@30fps	5km	5km	28min
X-Star Premium	12MP	HD 720P	2km	2km	25min
Yuneec Typhoon H	12 MP	HD 720P	1.6km	1.6km	25 min
EHANG Ghost Drone 2	Supports 4 cameras	Depends	1km	1km	25 min

Applications of Long Range Drones:

There are countless applications of drones where the long range becomes crucial for the safe operation of drones. Some of these applications include disaster management, delivery of medical or other supplies. Also.  firefighting, search and rescue, forest and wildlife management. Some specialized usage of these drones include flood reporting, nuclear accident coverage and volcano observation. We hope that soon drone regulation authorities such as FAA and CASA would be able to make regulations for beyond visual line of sight operation of drones which would take the drone industry to a new higher level. Only then we would be able to utilize these long range drones at their full potential. If you are interested in learning about what services drones can offer and other commercial use of drones please refer to the article Drone Services and Business Ideas.

Key Features and Price of Popular Long Range Drones:

Key Features:

1. Weight (Battery & Propellers Included): 1.388 kg
2. Max Speed 72 kph
3. Twelve Fight Modes
4. Forward, Backward and Downward Vision
5. Two Live View Working Frequencies: 2.4 GHz ISM, 5.8 GHz ISM
6. Maximum Wind Speed Resistance: 10 m/sec
7. Obstacle Sensory Range: 0.2m to 7m

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Key Features:

1. Weight (including battery, propeller and gimbals) =3.440 kg
2. Max Speed: 80kph
3. Film Making:Professional Quality Imaging, Live video broadcast at 1080P and 720P, Additional Video Accessories Available.
4. Maximum Wind Speed Resistance: 10 m/sec
5. Obstacle Sensory Range: 0.7m to 30m
6. Ability to operate in extreme temperatures using self-heating Intelligent Flight Batteries.

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Key Features:

1. Max Take-Off Weight  = 1.6 kg
2. Max Speed: 57.6 kph
3. Video Link Frequency=9.2 MHz
4. Radio Frequency: 5.8GHz
5. Low Battery Fail Safe Return Home at 25% Battery Level
6. High Quality Carrying Case.

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Key Features:

1. Weight with Battery  = 1.695 kg
2. Max Speed: 70 kph
3. Video Link Frequency= 5.8 GHz
4. Radio Frequency: 5.8 GHz
5. No Fly Zone and Return to Home

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Key Features:

1. Weight with Battery  and propeller without propeller guards = 1.15 kg
2. Max Speed: 70 kph
3. Communication Frequency: 2.4 GHz
4. Wind Resistance: 10.7 m/sec

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