Tell me about Drones

[fizzy]

DJI for me!
I have a Phantom 3 pro - still awesome. My longest flight was just over 2 miles away.
Debating getting a new Mavic but the Phantom is easier to hand catch on landing.

 

[fizzy]

I have a DJI Mavic 2 Pro and I am not a licensed drone pilot.

A mobile phone is used as part of the control handset. I use Android phones and the navigation buttons are not easy to get at when mounted. If a popup obscures the screen, I have a hard time getting rid of it.

The firmware prevents take off in restricted areas. Almost the entire Adelaide (an Australian capital city) plain is a restricted area because of the main airport. Consequently, I cannot lift the drone 300 mm off the ground in my back yard.

There are height limitations and distance limitations. I cannot fly near people, I cannot fly in most public spaces. I cannot fly in parklands, or national parks. There are numerous small airports and helipads with associated restricted areas.

The bottom line is, make sure you can do what you want before you purchase.

If I were licensed and submitted a flight plan, I would have more freedom but in some public spaces, public liability insurance would be required.

Jack

That is why I still have my old Phantom 3 Pro - no updates

 

[fizzy]

I have a DJI Mavic 2 Pro and I am not a licensed drone pilot.

A mobile phone is used as part of the control handset. I use Android phones and the navigation buttons are not easy to get at when mounted. If a popup obscures the screen, I have a hard time getting rid of it.

The firmware prevents take off in restricted areas. Almost the entire Adelaide (an Australian capital city) plain is a restricted area because of the main airport. Consequently, I cannot lift the drone 300 mm off the ground in my back yard.

There are height limitations and distance limitations. I cannot fly near people, I cannot fly in most public spaces. I cannot fly in parklands, or national parks. There are numerous small airports and helipads with associated restricted areas.

The bottom line is, make sure you can do what you want before you purchase.

If I were licensed and submitted a flight plan, I would have more freedom but in some public spaces, public liability insurance would be required.

Jack

Can't fly in national parks? I thought only the Yanks were that stupid. Thousands of square miles of nothing and you can't fly a drone - but shooting a .44 magnum is fine

 

[Shox Dr]

They are a handy bit of kit. The most recent experience I’ve had was one which was used for counting deer. It was mounted with a thermal camera, the quality of picture was impressive. Our DM has said several times that they are looking at trialling a big drone that can carry bags of fertiliser out onto site or recover shot deer!

I've a DJI Spark. Brilliant bits of kit. Wouldn't mind taking it to Poland with me.

 

[Blue Chips]

Can't fly in national parks? I thought only the Yanks were that stupid. Thousands of square miles of nothing and you can't fly a drone - but shooting a .44 magnum is fine

Yes, there are restrictions on drone usage in US national parks, as there are in numerous other countries, although much of the hundreds of millions of acres of US public land is available for drone usage, with some exceptions.

I fly a Mavic Air, which still works well and produces decent video, although I'm looking at eventually (if/when budget allows) upgrading to something with a higher 4K frame rate to smooth out pans and other motion shots. I like compact drones, since I don't like carrying a lot of extra weight or bulk when I'm walking/hiking.

BTW, I just wanted to add that there are restrictions on the use of firearms in US national parks:
https://www.nps.gov/articles/firearms-in-national-parks.htm#:~:text=Unless authorized, the use or,NPS regulations and state laws.

 

[fizzy]

Yes, there are restrictions on drone usage in US national parks, as there are in numerous other countries, although much of the hundreds of millions of acres of US public land is available for drone usage, with some exceptions.

I fly a Mavic Air, which still works well and produces decent video, although I'm looking at eventually (if/when budget allows) upgrading to something with a higher 4K frame rate to smooth out pans and other motion shots. I like compact drones, since I don't like carrying a lot of extra weight or bulk when I'm walking/hiking.

BTW, I just wanted to add that there are restrictions on the use of firearms in US national parks:
https://www.nps.gov/articles/firearms-in-national-parks.htm#:~:text=Unless authorized, the use or,NPS regulations and state laws.

In parks where hunting is allowed then guns can be carried.
But they also allow 4x4 driving which causes more noise and damage than drones. Not that I am against 4x4s of course
I could understand them banning drones around specific attractions in the national parks but not the whole area. The national parks in the USA and Australia are vast!

 

[Blue Chips]

But they also allow 4x4 driving which causes more noise and damage than drones. Not that I am against 4x4s of course

Actually, off-road driving is prohibited in most US national parks, although some parks have designated areas for off-road vehicles (ORVs), and even those designated areas may be subject to certain rules and requirements. Here's a link to a National Park Service brochure on the topic: https://www.nps.gov/aboutus/upload/Driving-Off-Road-in-National-Parks.pdf

I'm a fan of 4x4s, having owned about a dozen different 4x4 vehicles over the years, and I always try to drive them in a responsible manner. Unfortunately, there are some people who will abuse what they perceive as their right or privilege.

I could understand them banning drones around specific attractions in the national parks but not the whole area.

I tend to agree with you on this. As to drone usage in national parks, I'd like to see drone policy managed at the level of individual parks, rather than a blanket rule over all parks.

 

[Fraserb]

I've 2 dji phantoms (long story). Theyre really easy to fly, I wouldn't recommend trying a cheap one first as I had one and to be honest they'd almost put you off as wind or anything blew them away, the dji as soon as you let go of the controls it just hovers where it is. Mine doesnt have collision avoidance which is the only thing I'd change.

 

[Rickt]

I've been into drones for years ,started off with a Hubsan, then the Syma's, then built my own using KK2 flight controller's , still have a 650 with a Pixhawk controller with 14" props. But then I started to buy better ones, but didn't get rid of any, so now have a silly collection. Most are old and obsolete now but they still fly.
I love the aerial photography/videography, hence me getting into the hobby. Then comes the editing ,adding titles and background music etc. It's a great hobby.

 

[James1979]

I've been into drones for years ,started off with a Hubsan, then the Syma's, then built my own using KK2 flight controller's , still have a 650 with a Pixhawk controller with 14" props. But then I started to buy better ones, but didn't get rid of any, so now have a silly collection. Most are old and obsolete now but they still fly.
I love the aerial photography/videography, hence me getting into the hobby. Then comes the editing ,adding titles and background music etc. It's a great hobby.
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That’s not a hobby man, that’s a bloody addiction!!

Do you put the videos online?

 

[Shox Dr]

Litchi is a fantastic app for designing flight paths etc.

 

[Migmac]

I've been into drones for years ,started off with a Hubsan, then the Syma's, then built my own using KK2 flight controller's , still have a 650 with a Pixhawk controller with 14" props. But then I started to buy better ones, but didn't get rid of any, so now have a silly collection. Most are old and obsolete now but they still fly.
I love the aerial photography/videography, hence me getting into the hobby. Then comes the editing ,adding titles and background music etc. It's a great hobby.
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Now there’s a hobby that really took off !

 

[Rickt]

@ James1979, Yes I do . I have a few on YT. I do need to be more creative with my editing though. There is some fantastic drones video's on there much better than mine, although some of mine arn't bad........most are.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

@Rickt Have you considered collecting bench vises? @MattF could competition.....

 

[Rickt]

Yes , if I can put props on and fly them.

 

[fizzy]

Yes , if I can put props on and fly them.

Drop them on Russians. Or better still drop some in my direction. On soft ground of course

 

[Tinbasherdan]

I’ve just bought an f450 dji flame wheel kit off the bay to build up. They’re supposed to make good camera ships

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

I've 2 dji phantoms (long story). Theyre really easy to fly, I wouldn't recommend trying a cheap one first as I had one and to be honest they'd almost put you off as wind or anything blew them away, the dji as soon as you let go of the controls it just hovers where it is. Mine doesnt have collision avoidance which is the only thing I'd change.

Umm. Mine will land if it loses signal.
That's about it. Must get it out again. Really need to sort some fpv goggles for it.

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

Tend to fly in Sims in vr these days. Easier and cheaper.

Love this sort of flying. Wouldn't attempt it in real life. But In a sim.

 

[fizzy]

Umm. Mine will land if it loses signal.
That's about it. Must get it out again. Really need to sort some fpv goggles for it.

And stop taking vertical videos