Just got my first drone (Mini 4K) and looking for a decent landing pad. I've been reading about adding fishing weights to the basic Amazon round ones, but wondering if there are any other budget options that work well. I need something weighted and foldable for hiking trips. What do you all use and what's the sweet spot for price vs quality?

I've been using the same cheap Amazon landing pad for 3 years now. I use it primarily in scenarios where there is loose dirt/gravel or sand in the landing area. The fishing weight trick really does work - just thread them through the corner loops and you're golden!

I personally use and recommend Hoodman's pad - yes it's pricier but the quality is night and day compared to the cheap ones. A good landing pad is made of durable materials like metal, aluminum, and neoprene to withstand landing impact. However, protecting the drone's cameras is one of the primary reasons consumers use landing pads.

Honestly? A much more valuable skill to teach yourself is how to take off and land your drone from your hand. Being able to take off and land using your hands means that you can fly from anywhere. This also means you don't need landing pads and other convoluted equipment. Save your money and practice hand launching instead.