Dji Phantom UAVs
Discussion
On the 'Drone Pics' thread I mentioned that I had just got a Solo 3DR and had ordered a Phantom 3 pro to compare the two, as the Solo was having trouble getting GPS lock (lots of bloody great hills here).
So - I just got the DJI up and running and here are a few initial thoughts. (Only done three flights).
Firstly, the phantom gets a lock within seconds. The second set of satellites must really help. So that is the main problem with the Solo overcome.
2/ The solo was easier to fly than the phantom. It was pretty much idiot proof (I, being an idiot, can testify). Everything about it was 10% better, faster, easier.
3/ I haven't tried the automaton flights yet in the phantom, but in the solo they were a breeze. Will get back on that.
4/ Solo much sexier machine than the Phantom (but what the hell - that is so unimportant... still).
5/ New 20mm lens on the phantom 3 gives an image with MUCH less barrel distortion than using a GoPro Hero 4 Black, so horizons are almost completely straight. Saves time in photoshop.
6/ Still images from the phantom are better than the GoPro.
So... in short... the Solo has been returned and I am going to keep the DJI. Sad to let the 3DR go as it was SO easy to fly, but the GPS lock was a real issue. I stood waiting for 15 minutes in a large open field waiting for a lock (which never came), and even though there is a youtube fix (ta for that PH), it means de-assembling the craft and putting a bit of cardboard in to help screening, which will void the warranty.
My real fear about drones is not the CAA or legislation, but birds of prey. There are lots here and twice I have seen them circle with an evil eye on the new noisy neighbour. I predict that this will kill my ambitions... though my rubbish flying might do me first.
I'll let you know.
So - I just got the DJI up and running and here are a few initial thoughts. (Only done three flights).
Firstly, the phantom gets a lock within seconds. The second set of satellites must really help. So that is the main problem with the Solo overcome.
2/ The solo was easier to fly than the phantom. It was pretty much idiot proof (I, being an idiot, can testify). Everything about it was 10% better, faster, easier.
3/ I haven't tried the automaton flights yet in the phantom, but in the solo they were a breeze. Will get back on that.
4/ Solo much sexier machine than the Phantom (but what the hell - that is so unimportant... still).
5/ New 20mm lens on the phantom 3 gives an image with MUCH less barrel distortion than using a GoPro Hero 4 Black, so horizons are almost completely straight. Saves time in photoshop.
6/ Still images from the phantom are better than the GoPro.
So... in short... the Solo has been returned and I am going to keep the DJI. Sad to let the 3DR go as it was SO easy to fly, but the GPS lock was a real issue. I stood waiting for 15 minutes in a large open field waiting for a lock (which never came), and even though there is a youtube fix (ta for that PH), it means de-assembling the craft and putting a bit of cardboard in to help screening, which will void the warranty.
My real fear about drones is not the CAA or legislation, but birds of prey. There are lots here and twice I have seen them circle with an evil eye on the new noisy neighbour. I predict that this will kill my ambitions... though my rubbish flying might do me first.
I'll let you know.
Edited by GetCarter on Tuesday 22 September 16:14
House Martins don't like them either.
They swoop on the aircraft. Far enough away not to cause a collision but close enough to ruin footage.
Lots of buzzards around here and they havn't seemed too interested so far.
Glad the Glonass has worked for you. The PH3 might not be as easy to fly, however having good GPS reception means it will find it's way home or not drop into atti mode unexpectedly.
They swoop on the aircraft. Far enough away not to cause a collision but close enough to ruin footage.
Lots of buzzards around here and they havn't seemed too interested so far.
Glad the Glonass has worked for you. The PH3 might not be as easy to fly, however having good GPS reception means it will find it's way home or not drop into atti mode unexpectedly.
Video this morning... Having your drone over 2000 meters away makes you a little nervous that's for sure..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQV-nxuiQwM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQV-nxuiQwM
Mr Trophy said:
Video this morning... Having your drone over 2000 meters away makes you a little nervous that's for sure..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQV-nxuiQwM
Very good. What drone is that?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQV-nxuiQwM
I had my P3A out yesterday and I admit the distances involved can be scary.
Davie_GLA said:
Mr Trophy said:
Video this morning... Having your drone over 2000 meters away makes you a little nervous that's for sure..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQV-nxuiQwM
Very good. What drone is that?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQV-nxuiQwM
I had my P3A out yesterday and I admit the distances involved can be scary.
I want to do this as well....
However i'm in N.I and would need to travel.
I've a slight disability as well (right arm and hand) however I've been flying the phantom reasonably well for the last couple of years with no crashes.
It's finding out what the course actually entails in more detail is the problem. I would have to travel with someone and would like to know my stuff well in advance.
However i'm in N.I and would need to travel.
I've a slight disability as well (right arm and hand) however I've been flying the phantom reasonably well for the last couple of years with no crashes.
It's finding out what the course actually entails in more detail is the problem. I would have to travel with someone and would like to know my stuff well in advance.
V8A*ndy said:
I want to do this as well....
However i'm in N.I and would need to travel.
I've a slight disability as well (right arm and hand) however I've been flying the phantom reasonably well for the last couple of years with no crashes.
It's finding out what the course actually entails in more detail is the problem. I would have to travel with someone and would like to know my stuff well in advance.
Speak to the resource group - they were really good and support you along the whole process - the first part of the course is web based learning so you'll have a good idea of what is involved before you get to the course.However i'm in N.I and would need to travel.
I've a slight disability as well (right arm and hand) however I've been flying the phantom reasonably well for the last couple of years with no crashes.
It's finding out what the course actually entails in more detail is the problem. I would have to travel with someone and would like to know my stuff well in advance.
The course format appears to have changed since I did mine a few months ago so not sure I can be of that much help, other than if you have common sense and the correct attitude you should be OK.
Emeye said:
V8A*ndy said:
I want to do this as well....
However i'm in N.I and would need to travel.
I've a slight disability as well (right arm and hand) however I've been flying the phantom reasonably well for the last couple of years with no crashes.
It's finding out what the course actually entails in more detail is the problem. I would have to travel with someone and would like to know my stuff well in advance.
Speak to the resource group - they were really good and support you along the whole process - the first part of the course is web based learning so you'll have a good idea of what is involved before you get to the course.However i'm in N.I and would need to travel.
I've a slight disability as well (right arm and hand) however I've been flying the phantom reasonably well for the last couple of years with no crashes.
It's finding out what the course actually entails in more detail is the problem. I would have to travel with someone and would like to know my stuff well in advance.
The course format appears to have changed since I did mine a few months ago so not sure I can be of that much help, other than if you have common sense and the correct attitude you should be OK.
I was looking at the BNUC-S so i'll investigate resource group.
Perhaps you could also clear something up.
My sister lives in a very remote area and the BBC had a drone doing some filming. It was around ten feet from her house and about eight feet of the ground (there is a small clearing beside her house that they used for take off and landing).
She complained and the operator told her that as he was qualified he was able to fly so close and it was all above board.
he went a bit sheepish when she told him "my brother flys them and my brother says the law is 50 meters.".
So how can you fly say for residential estate agency work? Some of the pics I've seen have many homes nearby less than 50 meters away.
Personally I find the rules in some instances very vague.
V8A*ndy said:
Emeye said:
V8A*ndy said:
I want to do this as well....
However i'm in N.I and would need to travel.
I've a slight disability as well (right arm and hand) however I've been flying the phantom reasonably well for the last couple of years with no crashes.
It's finding out what the course actually entails in more detail is the problem. I would have to travel with someone and would like to know my stuff well in advance.
Speak to the resource group - they were really good and support you along the whole process - the first part of the course is web based learning so you'll have a good idea of what is involved before you get to the course.However i'm in N.I and would need to travel.
I've a slight disability as well (right arm and hand) however I've been flying the phantom reasonably well for the last couple of years with no crashes.
It's finding out what the course actually entails in more detail is the problem. I would have to travel with someone and would like to know my stuff well in advance.
The course format appears to have changed since I did mine a few months ago so not sure I can be of that much help, other than if you have common sense and the correct attitude you should be OK.
I was looking at the BNUC-S so i'll investigate resource group.
Perhaps you could also clear something up.
My sister lives in a very remote area and the BBC had a drone doing some filming. It was around ten feet from her house and about eight feet of the ground (there is a small clearing beside her house that they used for take off and landing).
She complained and the operator told her that as he was qualified he was able to fly so close and it was all above board.
he went a bit sheepish when she told him "my brother flys them and my brother says the law is 50 meters.".
So how can you fly say for residential estate agency work? Some of the pics I've seen have many homes nearby less than 50 meters away.
Personally I find the rules in some instances very vague.
Gassing Station | Photography & Video | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff