Anyone here fly Drones?

[blacklightning]

I got a DJI Phantom 4. I had a spyder group party recently and it made me think of doing some drone photography, the more I looked into it the more I wanted one.

We ran into a guy last spring on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Grandfather's Mountain. He was flying the exact one that you have. It was great, and had beautiful video. We stood near the Aquaducts and watched him spy in on the people at the top of Grandfathers Mountain. He stated that it was one of the more expensive ones, but the easiest one that he has ever flown.

 

[Saluda]

I came close to getting that unit not too long ago, bought a camera instead.

 

[wyliec]

Yes it is a big boy toy but so are our Spyders. II already have shot some footage around my house from around 300 ft in 4K. I will soon figure out how to set up missions where you program waypoints and points of interest and it just flies the mission by itself.

If you set up missions, which take it out of line of site, how do you avoid things like power lines, and buildings? Do you scope out the area of the flight path first?

 

[ARtraveler]

We have enough Bald Eagles around here, that I think they'd have fun playing with it! nojoke :yikes:
They regularly cruise my back yard at about thirty feet off the ground...

The eagles would probably consider a drone as a lunch tidbit. :yes:

 

[Sarge707]

I have 15 RC Airplanes and Drone problems in CT have caused the State to Ban RC airplanes and Drones in any state park.
But my park ranger allows me to fly for at least the rest of the year.
Most people get bored with drones very quickly Unless your using them for Your Work ?
RC Planes are more challenging . IMHO ONLY!!!!

 

[Joe T.]

Interesting.

I think the latest FAA rules say nothing beyond line-of-sight. There maybe an exception to this for commercial users who have a permit.

Since the video said it could fly up to 5 km from 'home,' I think that is WAY out of line-of-sight.

Also, how does the video get from the drone to the tablet held by the user if the drone is beyond LOS? Does it use a cell phone?

Regards,
Joe T.

 

[ekfraz]

Drons

I have owned many RC Helicopters and Airplanes which are actually drones also and you can mount cameras of them also, I knew a man that flew his RC helicopter into stacks at refineries with a camera to inspect for cracks. He could mow grass flying the helicopter upside down if he wanted to.

 

[gparr]

Autell X Star Premium here.

 

[Bob Denman]

The eagles would probably consider a drone as a lunch tidbit. :yes:

I've heard it said, that they taste just like chicken...

 

[AY4B]

Interesting.

I think the latest FAA rules say nothing beyond line-of-sight. There maybe an exception to this for commercial users who have a permit.

Since the video said it could fly up to 5 km from 'home,' I think that is WAY out of line-of-sight.

Also, how does the video get from the drone to the tablet held by the user if the drone is beyond LOS? Does it use a cell phone?

Regards,
Joe T.

Yes when you get it registered it clearly says line of sight along with other rules like not flying around people and not flying over 400 feet. I will stay within the FAA rules. I do not know how they get the video from that far but it works. There are 2 antennas on the remote and a clamp to put your tablet. I use a lightning connector to go from the tablet to the RC. I bought a 9.7" Ipad pro to use with it because my older Ipad would not connect to the drone and the video on my Galaxy note 4 was too small for my eyes.

 

[AY4B]

Also there are no fly zones like big airports. Mine tells me there is a dirt airport nearby and to fly with caution. The drone will not allow you to fly into a no fly zone.

 

[cuznjohn]

i want the same drone you bought, but right now i can't justify the price for it

 

[AY4B]

If you set up missions, which take it out of line of site, how do you avoid things like power lines, and buildings? Do you scope out the area of the flight path first?

When you set up a mission you need to do your homework and make sure you are flying over anything that may be in the way. In my case the tree tops are like 70 feet up so once you are over that, you don't have much to worry about. You can fly to a waypoint that is lower and set it as a waypoint or a point of interest. I am just now trying to learn how to do that and have not flown any missions yet. I am just flying manually. I do have lots of trees at my place so if I do loose line of sight because of a tree, the display shows the clear video with all the perimeters like altitude, distance and direction in relation to you.

 

[AY4B]

When you set up a mission you need to do your homework and make sure you are flying over anything that may be in the way. In my case the tree tops are like 70 feet up so once you are over that, you don't have much to worry about. You can fly to a waypoint that is lower and set it as a waypoint or a point of interest. I am just now trying to learn how to do that and have not flown any missions yet. I am just flying manually. I do have lots of trees at my place so if I do loose line of sight because of a tree, the display shows the clear video with all the perimeters like altitude, distance and direction in relation to you.

I forgot to say that the P4 does have an optical avoidance system. It will put on the brakes if you try flying it into something. BUT dont rely on it because some branches and power lines are hard to detect. Just know where they are and if you are not in line of sight, Just fly an an altitude that you know is over everything else. Im my case If I hit the return to home button, It will go to 95 feet, fly to where I took off and land itself.

 

[Cavman]

In one of episodes of Better Late Than Never, a picnic basket is delivered via a drone. It drops off the basket and then returns from where it came from.

 

[AY4B]

Here is an example of videos that are on Utube of what a Phantom 4 can do.

 

[Lamonster]

I have my finger on the button to buy the same one now. My wife wants me to wait till we get some of our todo list done. She's right and by that time they will be better or cheaper or both. Maybe Christmas :doorag:

 

[Bob Denman]

...Maybe Christmas :doorag:

:shocked: But wouldn't that mean having to behave until then???

 

[Dmpsam]

Ok, Now I really want one!!
That footage is spectacular! Love those 4K cameras.....so clean and crisp
:yes::yes::yes:

Here is an example of videos that are on Utube of what a Phantom 4 can do.

 

[SPECTACUALR SPIDERMAN]

i'm saving up for a dji phantom 4 & a indian sport, got over half the money for each already.