Dji Phantom UAVs

[04helipilot]

LB14 said:

Had my Phantom 2 a few weeks now and been having great fun practising, but still a long way to go.

I have a friend who flies them commercially, he's got the license which involves a flight test and a theory test.

My first trial video:

http://youtu.be/limMSCe4Zeg

Thats a pretty cool video, is that a 2+ and was you FPV. I am still learning but thought you had to keep 50m away from people and buildings etc ?

[gazchap]

On your own land and provided the people you're flying near to are OK with it and understand the safety implications, I think you're OK legally.

I'd not feel comfortable flying that close to someone though! Not after seeing that famous video of the wedding photographer smashing the groom in the face with a Phantom

[LB14]

04helipilot said:

Thats a pretty cool video, is that a 2+ and was you FPV. I am still learning but thought you had to keep 50m away from people and buildings etc ?

Cheers Its a P2 with Go Pro Black, I was using the FPV screen but I was stood pretty close so I could check I didn't get too close to my daughter - I was ready to just whizz it straight up into the air if I'd got too close, but it worked out fine, it was all pretty low speed and it was on my own land.

[Byff]

From what I've read of section 167, 50m away from vessels, vehicle or structures not in control of the pilot.

If it's your house and child, you're fine. No good for having a quick gander through the neighbours windows though

If you wanted to fly alongside the humber bridge for example, would you be allowed to take off from the road deck (assuming there were no cars and 50m away from the main structure)?

[V8A*ndy]

Anyone here using the immersion 600mm and flysight monitor.

I'm getting terrible picture breakup and poor range. Phantom 10m in the air and the picture starts tearing up.

Beginning to wonder if I have a bad TX.

[04helipilot]

First attempt with GoPro and 3d Gimbal.

[redback911]

Recently purchased a Phantom 2 vision+. My first two movies:

http://youtu.be/RcXPSu7v3lA
http://youtu.be/mmBBP15iPcw

Really enjoying the drone, quite a bit to thinking about and plan for when using it, but well worth the effort.

A quick piccy as well.

Edited by redback911 on Saturday 13th September 20:45

[Boro]

V8A*ndy said:

Anyone here using the immersion 600mm and flysight monitor.

I'm getting terrible picture breakup and poor range. Phantom 10m in the air and the picture starts tearing up.

Beginning to wonder if I have a bad TX.

Hey Andy, we use that setup on our demo unit and have sold loads without any issues.

What antennas are you using?

[V8A*ndy]

Boro said:

V8A*ndy said:

Anyone here using the immersion 600mm and flysight monitor.

I'm getting terrible picture breakup and poor range. Phantom 10m in the air and the picture starts tearing up.

Beginning to wonder if I have a bad TX.

Hey Andy, we use that setup on our demo unit and have sold loads without any issues.

What antennas are you using?

Boro M8, meant to mail you.....

This seems to have been a signal phasing problem in the area I was testing. Some clearance of the metal structures and tweaking of the antenna position helped.

Both TXs have now been tested on flat ground and above the ocean to good effect.

Just waiting for you to start stocking S900s now LOL.

[Boro]

Ahh good news! It's a pretty good setup that.

What S900 are you after, we have some available but not on the website yet.

[Davie_GLA]

Sorry to hijack this thread and if it's already been mentioned but i found this:

http://www.banggood.com/DJI-Phantom-2-Vision-Plug-...

Looks to be a good few hundred cheaper than the UK?

[Rich n Em]

I've seen that site and have been seconds away from buying a battery from them, just something 'off' about it, can't put my finger on it.

[sgrimshaw]

Davie_GLA said:

Sorry to hijack this thread and if it's already been mentioned but i found this:

http://www.banggood.com/DJI-Phantom-2-Vision-Plug-...

Looks to be a good few hundred cheaper than the UK?

Factor back in the VAT on import, possibly import duty (depends on how it's classified) and the courier handling charges for collecting the VAT etc and there won't be much saving on buying from the UK.

[Boro]

Agreed. Plus they aren't official DJI dealers so your warranty will be with China, if they even honour it. Sending a £900+ quad back to China for repair will soon eat up any saving you've made, providing you get away without paying taxes.

Just notice that's the old version too. The new one has the following:-

• New transmitter remote with built-in lipo battery and power level indicator with training port for simulators
• New throttle stick with lock mode for easier descent
• New lighter motors with more power with less vibration
• New ESC's
• New props with higher pitch and tuned for less vibration
• New improved Compass with better shielding

So for £940 in the UK, you'll get the latest version with warranty and aftersales service.

If anyone wants a UK MK2 version, drop me an email.

[Rich n Em]

Aside from needing a case and more batteries (please, Santa) I'm loving mine. Here are my first 2 attempts at films (played with a logo on the 2nd as I do eventually want to go commercial) :


http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cUjW4rcDufs

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=sMO03X4QCVg


Comments and suggestions welcome.

[Davie_GLA]

Boro said:

Agreed. Plus they aren't official DJI dealers so your warranty will be with China, if they even honour it. Sending a £900+ quad back to China for repair will soon eat up any saving you've made, providing you get away without paying taxes.

Just notice that's the old version too. The new one has the following:-

• New transmitter remote with built-in lipo battery and power level indicator with training port for simulators
• New throttle stick with lock mode for easier descent
• New lighter motors with more power with less vibration
• New ESC's
• New props with higher pitch and tuned for less vibration
• New improved Compass with better shielding

So for £940 in the UK, you'll get the latest version with warranty and aftersales service.

If anyone wants a UK MK2 version, drop me an email.

Thanks all. I was blinkered by the low number and hadn't even considered the VAT etc. Also the newer version seems safer!

[Seight_Returns]

I bought a Hubsan x4 from Banggood.

It arrived within a week and was exactly as described - customs declaration was completed such that no VAT/Import Duty payable.

For a "bit of fun/throwaway money purchase" I'd definately buy from them again. For something that I'd want some customer service for if it didn't work, rather than just put in the bin - I'd buy from a UK dealer.

[V8A*ndy]

Rich n Em said:

Aside from needing a case and more batteries (please, Santa) I'm loving mine. Here are my first 2 attempts at films (played with a logo on the 2nd as I do eventually want to go commercial) :


http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cUjW4rcDufs

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=sMO03X4QCVg


Comments and suggestions welcome.

Oops LOL. Fair play for posting the crash. Hope all was good afterwards?

I'm hoping to go commercial to, however the legislation on these things is going to change in the not too distant future so I am unsure if doing the exam now is worth it as it might mean further qualifications and more expense.

Here's a quick vid from a couple of months ago attempting to stay within the law and PH requirements.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCFad9lL8zE

[Rich n Em]

Have you got a source for the potential legislation change? I'm planning to sit the BNUC-S in February.

Yes, all was fine after the crash, bit muddy but after a wipe down she took straight off with no fuss!

[V8A*ndy]

Rich n Em said:

Have you got a source for the potential legislation change? I'm planning to sit the BNUC-S in February.

Yes, all was fine after the crash, bit muddy but after a wipe down she took straight off with no fuss!

Great stuff. without tempting fate, I havn't had an oops moment yet.


It was reported in the news on several occasions recently (BBC) that the Gov was apparently looking at changing the legislation to make it simpler for film makers etc to operate. This also might have something to do with the likes of Amazon and their proposed delivery service. I havn't seen any other details.

The US has already made such moves, so I'm just unsure about the entire thing at the moment. I've also a slight disability that might go against me anyway though I would love to sit the BNUC-S.

I would really like to hear about your experiences of sitting the exam as it all seems a bit unclear from their website of what is actually expected.