Who has a drone?

RyanB

RyanB

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Ryan
Who on here has bought a drone? I've been looking at the Phantom DJI which seems to be the most popular and looks like one of the best. I love the fact that it's controlled by your "i" device, but I just can't justify the 1200$ price tag.

What are some other less expensive options?

I'd love to hear your stories!
 
My work bought a DJI Phantom 4. I love it. Our only issue is that the video feed only works 50% of the time if that. Can't figure out what's the issue.
 
Custom Cinetank MK-2L

Paid less, but if you were to replicate it, probably cost more than the DJI. It is pretty high performance and can be reconfigured for a bunch of different missions, I also used a camera and bought a different lense for it, so same price for me, a bit more to re make it.

 
I have dji phantom 2, a tarot 680 pro, blackout 330 and a rotor riot alien. I like to keep tabs on my neighbors and any city park dwellers.
 
I have a DJI Phantom 3 and flew it at Thanksgiving on a family land near north Alabama. Love it. See video if you like..Also have LEDs attached to it for night - it is awesome. Planning to post more in the next couple of days.

 
I had a phantom 2 vision+. Was great. Sold it because my use for it was extremely limited. Long story. I enjoyed flying it and had no issues with it at all. Longest flight was something like a mile out over the water.

I have really good eyes so I could see it the whole time. ;)
 
ARFlyer said:
My work bought a DJI Phantom 4. I love it. Our only issue is that the video feed only works 50% of the time if that. Can't figure out what's the issue.
Click to expand...
That's a bummer. When it does work, are you able to see what the drone camera is seeing through your iPhone while you're flying it?
 
I picked up a used Autel X-Star drone last summer. Guy at the airport thought he had a contract coming that would require one, bought it, and the contract didn't pan out. It's a Phantom clone with some improvements (personal opinion). Rather than wi-fi like many, it uses radio.... 1.2 mile range. Came with 3 batteries, and I got it for a good price. Fun toy!

Took the plunge and got my sUAS license, so I could potentially use it commercially... even have permission from KBJJ to use it in their airspace at will.

Jim
 
Ryanb said:
I've been looking at the Phantom DJI which seems to be the most popular and looks like one of the best. I love the fact that it's controlled by your "i" device, but I just can't justify the 1200$ price tag.

What are some other less expensive options?
Click to expand...

That's for the DJI Phantom 4 I assume. You can find the DJI Phantom 3 Standard for under $400 if that meets your requirements.
 
Ryanb said:
That's a bummer. When it does work, are you able to see what the drone camera is seeing through your iPhone while you're flying it?
Click to expand...

Yeah it works great, when it works. I'm thinking I screwed something up when I changed out the receiver module. You would think for something that is removable they wouldn't use ribbons cables....
 
Jim Rosenow said:
I picked up a used Autel X-Star drone last summer. Guy at the airport thought he had a contract coming that would require one, bought it, and the contract didn't pan out. It's a Phantom clone with some improvements (personal opinion). Rather than wi-fi like many, it uses radio.... 1.2 mile range. Came with 3 batteries, and I got it for a good price. Fun toy!

Took the plunge and got my sUAS license, so I could potentially use it commercially... even have permission from KBJJ to use it in their airspace at will.

Jim
Click to expand...
The Phantom 4's range is a little over 4 miles
 
ktup-flyer said:
The Phantom 4's range is a little over 4 miles
Click to expand...

That's impressive..... I applaud excess capacity! Regs still say 'in sight' or some such. The prices have come down on the 4's, also!

They're allegorical to computers....the one you buy today is out-classed by the one available next Tuesday. :)

Jim
 
Didn't think there were many which has a radio not requiring a ham that went 4 miles

Or many multi rotors which have the speed and economy to reach out like that, that at least a 8 miles flight not even counting climb
 
Jim Rosenow said:
That's impressive..... I applaud excess capacity! Regs still say 'in sight' or some such. The prices have come down on the 4's, also!

They're allegorical to computers....the one you buy today is out-classed by the one available next Tuesday. :)

Jim
Click to expand...
They never said you can't use a spotting scope
 
ARFlyer said:
Yeah it works great, when it works. I'm thinking I screwed something up when I changed out the receiver module. You would think for something that is removable they wouldn't use ribbons cables....
Click to expand...
Is it relatively easy to use for the most part? I was watching a video on one and it looked kind of complicated to set up. Syncing to device, calibrating etc.
Jim Rosenow said:
They're allegorical to computers....the one you buy today is out-classed by the one available next Tuesday. :)
Click to expand...
As with all electronics. The moment you take them out of the store they've depreciated and are out of date.
 
I have a DJI Phantom 2 Vision + that I used to capture aerial footage of my sister's outdoor wedding. The wedding videographer coordinated with me and gave me a list of aerial shots that he wanted of the wedding, surrounding area, etc. He folded my footage into his and produced the finest wedding video I've ever seen. This all took place 2 years ago, right before drones became super commonplace, so it was unique for a short while.
 
colojo said:
I have a DJI Phantom 2 Vision + that I used to capture aerial footage of my sister's outdoor wedding. The wedding videographer coordinated with me and gave me a list of aerial shots that he wanted of the wedding, surrounding area, etc. He folded my footage into his and produced the finest wedding video I've ever seen. This all took place 2 years ago, right before drones became super commonplace, so it was unique for a short while.
Click to expand...

This isn't you is it?? ;)


 
My best friend gave me one of the little indoor $40 drones for my birthday. It has no auto stabilization or out flight of any kind. You have to control it old school in all axis with joy sticks. It is not easy to master! I'm getting the hang of it it, but it's a squirrelly little bastard. I have three cats. One cat runs out of the room when I fly it, (smartest one) one cat runs to cover in the room and likes to watch (kinda smart) and one of my cats thinks it's hilarious good fun and chases it wherever it goes. (the cat that would be naturally selected out of the gene pool if it were and outdoor cat)
 
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There are several good options for doing photography now. DJI is the only company with an active app ecosystem. So if you think you might want to play with some of those kinds of things, there is only one game in town.

This is one I'm going to play with in the next couple weeks.

https://www.skycatch.com
 
Ryanb said:
Is it relatively easy to use for the most part? I was watching a video on one and it looked kind of complicated to set up. Syncing to device, calibrating etc.
Click to expand...

It's very easy to use. The 4 and 4 Pro sync to your device via your power cord. So it cuts out the whole bluetooth thing the older models had to use. It's completely stable in flight. If you let go of the controls it will hover at that spot and height. So you basically only touch the controls when you want to move it side to side or up and down. The calibrating on the 4 is just twisting it in a circle around the horizontal & vertical axis. This is just to get the compass aligned to the local field.
 
ARFlyer said:
It's very easy to use. The 4 and 4 Pro sync to your device via your power cord. So it cuts out the whole bluetooth thing the older models had to use. It's completely stable in flight. If you let go of the controls it will hover at that spot and height. So you basically only touch the controls when you want to move it side to side or up and down. The calibrating on the 4 is just twisting it in a circle around the horizontal & vertical axis. This is just to get the compass aligned to the local field.
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Oh ok, that sounds good. I'll have to look into it further. I'm pretty tempted! Thanks for the knowledge :)
 
ktup-flyer said:
Yea, corrective lenses. They correct my inability to see 4 miles.
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Clever, but not unforseen. CFR 107.3: "Corrective lenses means spectacles or contact lenses." Chances are you won't get caught, but if you do a lot more than your part 107 cert may be on the hook. Best of luck to ya.

Nauga,
and a different kind of spectacle
 
Several dozen.
Three of the type you are probably referring to, and a basement full of RC planes.
 
My kids have about 15 racers.

Watching them race reminds me of the first time I watched a hockey game.......my eyes couldn't keep up.

They're mostly homebuilts so I have no real idea of the aggregate cost. Not much though.
 
If you can wait to get your hands on a Mavic, that's the best way to go. It's so compact and the GPS map shows airport airspace to help keep non pilots put of trouble with that sort of thing. Since its a DJI offering you know own you're getting a great product and it costs less than the top Phantom package.
 
ARFlyer said:
My work bought a DJI Phantom 4. I love it. Our only issue is that the video feed only works 50% of the time if that. Can't figure out what's the issue.
Click to expand...
Probably using a non-approved device to run the App... has to be better than 2.7 GIGs IIRC/Had the same issue when I tried to use a Galaxy Tablet//trouble resolved with one of the approved (tested by DJI) devices /also make sure you have removed ALL packing...there is a collar around the gimbal that looks like it belongs there but is part of the packing...It will cause a shaking video as the gimbal attempts to correct but collar stops it from doing so...
 
rwellner98 said:
There are several good options for doing photography now. DJI is the only company with an active app ecosystem. So if you think you might want to play with some of those kinds of things, there is only one game in town.

This is one I'm going to play with in the next couple weeks.

https://www.skycatch.com
Click to expand...

Kinda sorta.

If you are running a pixhawk and read up on adrupilot, it's open source and has been used from everything from 3D modeling, laser, consumer photography, AG, drone racing, etc etc.

Here a little snippet on a guy making a fully automated flight with a off the shelf camera, produced a 107mb geo referenced photo of a house.

http://diydrones.com/m/blogpost?id=705844:BlogPost:1586107

Same software and flight controller I run, I have all the same features of a DJI, plus lots more
 
NJP_MAN said:
If you can wait to get your hands on a Mavic, that's the best way to go. It's so compact and the GPS map shows airport airspace to help keep non pilots put of trouble with that sort of thing. Since its a DJI offering you know own you're getting a great product and it costs less than the top Phantom package.
Click to expand...

Mavic is the way of the future, but today in the V1 product, the image quality isn't nearly as good as the Phantom. Way, way nicer form factor if you are willing to compromise on image quality though.

James331 said:
Kinda sorta.

If you are running a pixhawk[...]
Click to expand...

lol. ok, fair enough. A bit of missing the forest for the trees, but sure, you can build your own drone, wrestle getting unsupported software to work and get something that works like one of the many apps available for DJI. For some people, that is absolutely the perfect solution.
 
Anybody use the GoPro Karma? Seems a lot like the Mavic but uses GoPro cameras. Also you're not giving your money to a Chinese company.
 
Dav8or said:
Anybody use the GoPro Karma? Seems a lot like the Mavic but uses GoPro cameras. Also you're not giving your money to a Chinese company.
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Karma got a total recall Are they back on the market yet ?
 
I suppose that since I have a certificate allowing me to fly them commercially that I should get one just in case an opportunity ever presents itself.
 
Dav8or said:
Anybody use the GoPro Karma? Seems a lot like the Mavic but uses GoPro cameras. Also you're not giving your money to a Chinese company.
Click to expand...

As was mentioned, they are still ironing some kinks out, but he big question for me would be what they did when the lens.

I ended up buying and installing a 150ish buck 5.4mm IR cut lens for the GoPro hero 4 black I use.

The fisheye on the gopros is great for close action but not really great for typical drone stuff, and taking the fisheye out digitally it also less than ideal.
 
I have a Phantom 3 Pro that I use for side real estate photography/videography jobs. I plan on getting a Mavic for vacation use since it's small and portable.
 
FlySince9 said:
Probably using a non-approved device to run the App... has to be better than 2.7 GIGs IIRC/Had the same issue when I tried to use a Galaxy Tablet//trouble resolved with one of the approved (tested by DJI) devices /also make sure you have removed ALL packing...there is a collar around the gimbal that looks like it belongs there but is part of the packing...It will cause a shaking video as the gimbal attempts to correct but collar stops it from doing so...
Click to expand...

It's only doing it on our iPad Mini. We just bought several 3rd gens. I'm wondering if their too old for the 4. My iPhone 6 works perfectly.
 
Those that have a drone...what kind of work, commercially, do you use it for?
 
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