Drones- anyone still into them?

[bigskinner]

Originally Posted by Ken07AOVette

I picked up a third phantom 3 today that was crashed, hoping to fix it. This one augered in hard, wrecked the light bridge, main board, camera. It didn't look that bad, but I got it pulled apart I saw the plugs pulled right off the motherboard. Bad news.
Then I got a dji 550 with fpv goggles, first big 6 blade unit I have flown. Pretty cool unit.

A third one? you must be made of a helava lot of money . them boys are $300 bucks +, that,ll buy a helava lot of T-BONES

[Ken07AOVette]

Originally Posted by bigskinner

A third one? you must be made of a helava lot of money . them boys are $300 bucks +, that,ll buy a helava lot of T-BONES

hehe the Phantom 3 Pro is $1400, the 4k is $1000. Batteries for a Phantom 3 are $220 each.

I just bought an Inspire, on sale they are $2700, down from $3999

[6gunner]

I took a ground school course last weekend and I should have an SFOC back in 10-15 days. Drafted up a safe work practice, JHA's, and a bunch of other planning documents. Gonna pick up an Inspire Pro and Flir camera pretty soon, Im going to try and make some money with mine.

[WhistlePig]

Had my phantom 3 out this summer 500 meters high and 2500m+ away at the bighorn dam. Here is my first attempt at making a video.
https://vimeo.com/179467471

[Ken07AOVette]

Originally Posted by WhistlePig

Had my phantom 3 out this summer 500 meters high and 2500m+ away at the bighorn dam. Here is my first attempt at making a video.
https://vimeo.com/179467471

Not trying to be the drone police, but if you get caught at 500m you are in protected airspace, and fines get heavy. We are limited to 120m without SFOC and proper clearance. Just a friendly reminder/warning, take it as you want.

[WhistlePig]

Originally Posted by Ken07AOVette

Not trying to be the drone police, but if you get caught at 500m you are in protected airspace, and fines get heavy. We are limited to 120m without SFOC and proper clearance. Just a friendly reminder/warning, take it as you want.

Did i say 500? Totally meant 120... Thanks for the warning.

[6gunner]

Your also not allowed to fly within 30m of roads whatsoever, or people without written permission. Be careful with these things, the actions of a few have the possibility to screw it up for many. Nice video but please follow the rules, especially when you are posting it on the internet. I'm not intending to insult anybody but I highly recommend taking a course and learning how to fly UAV's safely and legally.

[Ken07AOVette]

Anyone else get into them? I bought a couple Inspires, which are very cool large units, but my favorite so far is still the Phantom 4. I flew it over 9,000m on one battery this weekend, great footage.

[sirmike68]

Check out the new DJi Mavic Pro. When I have the extra cash laying around this is the one I'm going to get.

[Ken07AOVette]

I have. They are a dainty fragile unit, cool toy but not robust at all. They are specifically catering to the drone in the pocket crowd.

[6gunner]

Yup, the Mavic is a little too flimsy for me.

[Ken07AOVette]

Originally Posted by 6gunner

Yup, the Mavic is a little too flimsy for me.

I was going to save 'drone in the purse crowd ' but that may not be pc

Cool unit though

[Big Bull]

I'm seriously considering getting a Mavic, once they get all of the bugs worked out and the initial pre-order panic is over. I like the compactness of it, and it will be easy to throw in a backpack(or purse).

[Ken07AOVette]

Originally Posted by Big Bull

I'm seriously considering getting a Mavic, once they get all of the bugs worked out and the initial pre-order panic is over. I like the compactness of it, and it will be easy to throw in a backpack(or purse).

Waiting is good, there will be TONS of them for sale cheap soon, and supposedly DJI has another big announcement in a week. Inspire 2 or Phantom 5 maybe?

[tri777]

Originally Posted by Ken07AOVette

Just did my longest highest flight. 55m up and 540m out. I made it almost to the park but did not want to bother anyone or their horses. Little nerve wracking seeing it turn into a tiny dot that far out, but the pic on the display stayed perfect, swept around a little and headed it back into the wind home.

So much fun, so addictive
[/URL]

I am really seeking to buy a Drone where i can watch from the ground
on a screen in real time as it flies above that can fly
for around 20+mins without recharging..any recomends Ken? Price?

[Ken07AOVette]

All of the Phantom line are excellent choices, they all do exactly that. The versions available right now are;
Phantom 3 Standard; HD camera, wifi connect to phone, decent range $680,
Phantom 3 Advanced; same as above but better range, $1080,
Phantom 3 4k; comes with 4k camera for excellent pics and video, $1080
Phantom 3 Pro; all the best options, great range up to several km, 4k camera, $1350

Phantom 4- much faster and more agile than the P3 line, price starts @$1650,

Their newest, the Mavic pro which is geared towards true hobbyists that are looking for more of a sporty handheld drone, tiny and fragile, but quickk and again 4k camera $1350

Inspire- comes with X3 or X5 camera, much bigger more stable platform more geared towards commercial photography, but still fun to fly. $2700 with X3, $5000 with X5

They sometimes go on sale, people upgrade to the next level so there are deals to be found. The bad thing with used, is you don't know if they have been lawndarted or flown into a tree or dropped into water.

I have a 4k that I picked up for my Uncle that you could have for $800. No trees, water or lawndarting

[Ken07AOVette]

I forgot to add:

If you are really interested, don't cheap out and get the lowest line one. soon you will be wishing you had more range, a better camera, obstacle avoidance and follow me, like on the p4 and mavic.
I would say at least go with the advanced, 4k or pro, for lower lines, the standard is not a lot better than the old Phantom 2.
I have had Yuneec 4k pro, flywheels, lots of the little cheap ones. They are all fun, but the better/higher end Phantoms are truly high end hobby material and wonderful machines.

[tri777]

Originally Posted by Ken07AOVette

All of the Phantom line are excellent choices, they all do exactly that. The versions available right now are;
Phantom 3 Standard; HD camera, wifi connect to phone, decent range $680,
Phantom 3 Advanced; same as above but better range, $1080,
Phantom 3 4k; comes with 4k camera for excellent pics and video, $1080
Phantom 3 Pro; all the best options, great range up to several km, 4k camera, $1350

Phantom 4- much faster and more agile than the P3 line, price starts @$1650,

Their newest, the Mavic pro which is geared towards true hobbyists that are looking for more of a sporty handheld drone, tiny and fragile, but quickk and again 4k camera $1350

Inspire- comes with X3 or X5 camera, much bigger more stable platform more geared towards commercial photography, but still fun to fly. $2700 with X3, $5000 with X5

They sometimes go on sale, people upgrade to the next level so there are deals to be found. The bad thing with used, is you don't know if they have been lawndarted or flown into a tree or dropped into water.
I have a 4k that I picked up for my Uncle that you could have for $800. No trees, water or lawndarting

Wow, That is a Great wealth of input!!

That is a pretty sweet $800 deal !
Earliest for this would be next June-ish..really would like to
buy one that is *Ken Approved* to avoid any hindsighted issues
as a newbie.(would pay extra of course!)

The Inspire X3 sounds about where i would be happy, as i don't want any issues whatsoever with crosswinds, or having want of a higher end model and it's features, etc..i know myself & within an hour of flight time with a lower end model, i would quickly be seeing i wanted to upgrade with getting bored of cheaper stuff pretty quickly.

[tri777]

Originally Posted by Ken07AOVette

I forgot to add:

If you are really interested, don't cheap out and get the lowest line one. soon you will be wishing you had more range, a better camera, obstacle avoidance and follow me, like on the p4 and mavic.
I would say at least go with the advanced, 4k or pro, for lower lines, the standard is not a lot better than the old Phantom 2.
I have had Yuneec 4k pro, flywheels, lots of the little cheap ones. They are all fun, but the better/higher end Phantoms are truly high end hobby material and wonderful machines.

Haha..i see i took to long to reply and you beat me
to saying what i repeated above! (Post #108)

I totally agree on avoiding cheapee features/crap!!
I am interested in having some fun with a drone, but am
much more interested in a quality machine that is solid
that won't give me grief.

[Ken07AOVette]

Originally Posted by tri777

Looks like a pretty sweet $900 deal if any AO'r's
want to jump on this Ad posted 55mins ago..

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-electronics/e...ationFlag=true

Be careful, there is no way anyone paid $3000 for it, sounds like a scam

[tri777]

Originally Posted by Ken07AOVette

Be careful, there is no way anyone paid $3000 for it, sounds like a scam

Yikes & thanks Ken..
(Just sent the guy an email)

Mods, do remove please!

[snowshoes]

Almost a year ago I was contemplating between a DJI Phantom 3 and a Blade Chroma. Didn't purchase anything till January, the Bade Chroma kit w/ CG02 camera, ST10+ controller, Pelican type case and two batteries went on sale. The Chroma has been a decent unit but now I have the Phantom 4 on my wish list.

[Ken07AOVette]

[Ken07AOVette]

Originally Posted by snowshoes

Almost a year ago I was contemplating between a DJI Phantom 3 and a Blade Chroma. Didn't purchase anything till January, the Bade Chroma kit w/ CG02 camera, ST10+ controller, Pelican type case and two batteries went on sale. The Chroma has been a decent unit but now I have the Phantom 4 on my wish list.

Or the Phantom 4 pro? Did you see the new releases?

[snowshoes]

Originally Posted by Ken07AOVette

Or the Phantom 4 pro? Did you see the new releases?

Just read about this unit, wow!! DJI has taken this to the next level.

[hillbillyreefer]

Hey Ken I've got my drone selection down to two different ones, I could use a little guidance before plunking down the cash.

The two drones are the Yuneec Typhoon H with real sense and the DJI Phatom four pro.

The cameras are pretty equivalent from what I've researched so the big questions are primarily about the birds themselves.

Yuneec typhoon pros
Built in screen on control
Retractable landing gear for unobstructed view
Six motors making rtb possible in case of one failing.
Separate wizard control could be handy for certain situations
More accessories included in the package than the DJI

Cons
Less than twenty minute flights
One mile video and control limit.
Long recharge times on the battery packs

DJI pros
5000m control distance
Smaller less cluttered control
Better market saturation meaning better parts availability
Quicker battery charging
25 minute flights

Cons
Gear cluttering up shots
Less accessories included
No screen included, not a big deal

The main use for the unit is crop scouting.

The simple solution would be to buy both but swmbo would have a bit of a problem with that. Right now I'm leaning toward the Typhoon simply because of the extras included, but the control range is lacking a bit for the purpose.

With your experience which drone would you pick?

[Ken07AOVette]

Not to throw a wrench into your research, but the phantom 4+ comes with a screen.

I have had 1 Yuneec. 25+ dji. I had the Yuneec less than a week. It is nice but a toy compared to dji.

The camera only ever sees the props when you are videoing a high speed run or into heavy wind.

The Phantom 4 pro has 4 point obstacle avoidance.

It will destroy the yuneec in speed runs.

30 minutes plus are very doable with a p4p.

The 4 pro now has a 20mp camera.

If you go into the Facebook drone forums there are countless Yuneec drones for sale, used but very little.

Phantom 4 used are very rare in comparison even though the Yuneec only makes a fraction of the sales of DJI.

I have 2 new in box phantom 4 pro's here. I was told the screen is just a stripped down Galaxy s5. Not worth the extra money, far better to run a 9" nexus or Samsung.

For me DJI all the way.

Everyone else is trying to catch up to Dji.

[Ken07AOVette]

Have you looked at the Mavic yet? It would be long wait though, they are months behind on shipping.

Also take a look at an Inspire

[hillbillyreefer]

Thank you for your input Ken!

I didn't get a chance to look at them yesterday while in the city, that leaves more time to research.

There was a Traxxas Anton under the tree, but..........


When the box was opened this is what was inside


It was purchased from Bestbuy the box was sealed and glued back together. Bestbuy is refusing to reply to my inquiries about it. We aren't sure what the next step is. Avoid buying anything at Bestbuy is my advice, they ripped us off for $600 and refuse to help. Their customer service is crap.

[Ken07AOVette]

I assume you called the 1-800-bestbuy customer service #.

I called the Manager in Lloydminster.

It is handled.

Get it to me or to Don at Best buy Lloydminster, you will get ALL your money back.