meet Sparky | our Drone
(DJI Spark)
Meet Sparky the Drone
We recently invested in a DJI Spark drone. No, we don't have kids. No, we don't have pets. But we have Sparky now! He is our baby and travel companion. We love lil' Sparky.
Drones are incredible at snapping footage from a bird's eye view, capturing action, and filming us from a distance (instead of selfie distance). So the DJI Spark will allow us to cherish more travel memories than just a camera will. Plus, let's be honest, it's fun to have!
we took the drone out in Jerome, Arizona
Drone Shopping
Zach did a lot of research to determine what the best drone for us would be. From the DJI line there's also the DJI Phantom and the DJI Mavic but the DJI Spark is the most compact (mini) and best for beginners. They also have more industrial ones and different versions of each drone. As new travel bloggers we thought the DJI Spark was the best fit. If in the future we want to upgrade to the Pro versions we can. However, so far we are happy with our decision. No buyer's remorse here.
Sparky is freaking awesome! He does what we tell him to do and goes where we tell him to go. Who else's kid does that? Haha but in all seriousness, this drone is incredible.
practicing with the drone in the family's neighborhood
DJI Spark's Features
Besides just sending it up in the air, it has many other unique features. One option is to tell it what to follow which is called "active tracking". So we can click on Zach and wherever he walks or runs, it will follow. How cool is that?
The DJI Spark also has simple control using hand gestures. So you can make a box with your hands and that cues the drone to take a photo! Wowza!
Another thing it can do is shoot straight up in the air like a rocket ship so you go from a really close view to an extremely expansive view.
The DJI Spark's best feature: it's mini. The blades easily come off and fold up into the carrying case. So it fits in our carry-on backpack easily.
Another feature we like of the DJI Spark is its compatibility with our phones. In fact, our cell phone fits right into the remote of the drone. Then all the footage is captured and transferred onto the phone. That makes it easy for us to watch back what we filmed, edit, and post to social media quickly!
Learn more about the DJI Spark's features here.
views of Jerome, Arizona from up high
Get a DJI Spark
If you are someone who loves new gadgets and would love to capture footage from your life or travels, we highly recommend this drone. We got ours from Amazon and you can get yours here too (with or without accessories).
practicing with the drone in Florida @ mama's butterfly garden
Enough talking...we want to show you our first TWO drone videos ever from Destination Dorworth.
PS- Subscribe to our YouTube Channel to see our future drone footage!
One Minute in Dove Valley, Arizona
One Minute in Jerome, Arizona
My hubby wants one of these so bad! A lot of travel bloggers that I interview in my Traveler Tuesday series have recently mentioned this drone – it looks pretty cool! And you took these videos in my own backyard as I am in the Phoenix area!
Andi, can’t believe you’re in Phoenix too! Love it here.
We have often thought about getting a drone. It adds such a different perspective to visits. It was interesting to hear that the Spark version really is good for a beginner. The fact that this is smaller would help not to add a lot to our already big luggage. Love the videos from this little package!
It is quite fun and it is easy to pack too!
I don’t know about sparky but I would love to take your motorcycle through Jerome. Sedona, Jerome, Cottonwood and a big loop to avoid too much time on I-17. Plus, that one big switchback by the Ghost Hotel would be epic.
P.S. The drone is cool too.
Haha thanks!
So glad you guys are having so much fun with your new baby, sparky. I own one too, they really are so much fun. Can’t wait to see future drone pics! Exciting time ahead!
Sara, thanks! Loving it!
Hey Zack and Steph, thanks for sharing your experience with Sparky. Like most bloggers, I’ve been thinking about adding a drone, and it’s just so darned hard to know which one to pick. My photography equipment is heavy and bulky enough already, that size and weight are significant factors, so it’s great to hear your positive comments about the DJI Spark.
Ann, yes it’s a tough decision. But we love how tiny the spark is so we’re happy.
Love Sparky! My guy has a little one too but he insists on doing the circular shots almost exclusively and they make me a bit ill to watch! Your work is much more relatable.
Elaine, oh cool!
How much I am yearning for a drone now! The top perspective always fascinated me.
I will check out this DJI series. Can’t imagine the drone recognizing hand gestures!!! You got me interested in this.
Yes you guys should get one!
Ahah! Good to keep this in mind! Been courting my partner to buy a drone for us for our next travels but he hasn’t made up his mind yet. I should show him this, and I hope he’ll also get interested at DJI Spark drone as I am! The best feature I’d love is, it’s mini so it can easily be fit in a backpack and not too hassle! So cool, aye!x
Hope you guys get one! We love it!
Sparky took pretty awesome shots! Amazing! Will definitely check it out!
Kirstie, thanks for reading!
Oh it looks so cute. I’ve been considering getting a mini but wasn’t sure if I would be good enough at flying it! Now I might need to reconsider
Jean, it does take some practice but so worth it.