Dji Phantom UAVs

[Tuna]

Davie_GLA said:

Haven't flown my P3A in a while as i had a slight altercation with my house. New props on (carbon as can't get a hold of standard locally)
Not sure if it was just because i haven't flown it in ages but it seemed a bit quieter and quicker to ascend than standard. got ----- pretty quickly.

I updated my DJI Go app on a nexus 7 i use and didn't get asked to update or re-login, are these restrictions only outside of Europe where the FAA have a presence?

I don't think the new restricted firmware is out yet?

If you aren't licensed, you might want to think about that height. Above 400ft is illegal in the UK.

Can't get excited about the Spark - no desire to mime frantically at a drone, and by the time you've bought a decent controller you might as well buy something else. It makes sense as a "my first DJI", but once you get past the bells and whistles, it's a very expensive way to get a selfie.

[Dan_1981]

I'm more excited by it as it shows the development and speed things are moving in the area.

I want a Mavic which 12 months ago had people gasping at the size & functionality of it. I'm holding off at present as I think it's price is gonna drop dramatically over the next few months and more and more developments come to the fore - of course I could go on for ever waiting for the latest greatest to be the right price

[Tuna]

Dan_1981 said:

I'm more excited by it as it shows the development and speed things are moving in the area.

I want a Mavic which 12 months ago had people gasping at the size & functionality of it. I'm holding off at present as I think it's price is gonna drop dramatically over the next few months and more and more developments come to the fore - of course I could go on for ever waiting for the latest greatest to be the right price

It seems that DJI have made quite a clear statement with this machine though - the camera is deliberately hobbled to 1080 30fps, so at this price range that's all the camera you'll get. I'm guessing they're going to keep the price for a 4K/60fps camera at around the Mavic point for as long as they can. The Spark is all about trying to compete with all the other selfie drones that are a fraction of the price of any other DJI offering.

[dudleybloke]

I'm seriously considering getting a Xiaomi Mi 4k.

[GetCarter]

Tuna said:

Dan_1981 said:

I'm more excited by it as it shows the development and speed things are moving in the area.

I want a Mavic which 12 months ago had people gasping at the size & functionality of it. I'm holding off at present as I think it's price is gonna drop dramatically over the next few months and more and more developments come to the fore - of course I could go on for ever waiting for the latest greatest to be the right price

It seems that DJI have made quite a clear statement with this machine though - the camera is deliberately hobbled to 1080 30fps, so at this price range that's all the camera you'll get. I'm guessing they're going to keep the price for a 4K/60fps camera at around the Mavic point for as long as they can. The Spark is all about trying to compete with all the other selfie drones that are a fraction of the price of any other DJI offering.

Indeed. I'm buying one as it can sit in my coat pocket (NOT for selfies! - check out some footage >>> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQTWrVvVKtw ). I still use the P3pro and am waiting for the P5 later this year.

Just like the RX100 that sits in my pocket 24/7, it's the camera you have with you that is the best in the world. As we all know

Edited by GetCarter on Friday 26th May 11:53

[Tuna]

GetCarter said:

Indeed. I'm buying one as it'll be a bit of fun sitting in my coat pocket (NOT for selfies! - check out some footage >>> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQTWrVvVKtw ). I still use the P3pro and am waiting for the P5 later this year.

If you do, get the physical controller - using a phone screen to control it is not good.

You know I'm a Yuneec convert, so I'm holding out for their new camera coming later this year. It should just swap out with the existing camera so I get to keep the controller and drone and only pay for the improved snapper.

[GetCarter]

Tuna said:

If you do, get the physical controller - using a phone screen to control it is not good.

You know I'm a Yuneec convert, so I'm holding out for their new camera coming later this year. It should just swap out with the existing camera so I get to keep the controller and drone and only pay for the improved snapper.

Controller was ordered with Spark. (Good call).

It's all tax deductible, so I might as well!

Edited by GetCarter on Friday 26th May 12:42

[andyr30]

I'd quite like the Spark, it would be more than enough for what I currently use the Mavic for.

It's a shame I can't buy it and use the Mavic controller with it though :-(

It would be good if some of the auto flight mode stuff came across to the Mavic although I doubt it will.

It will be quite interesting to see how it handles the wind with its low weight!

[red_slr]

Tuna said:

If you aren't licensed, you might want to think about that height. Above 400ft is illegal in the UK.

Thought it was 1000 feet AGL? That's what I fly too tbh. Always with an observer.

[Tuna]

red_slr said:

Thought it was 1000 feet AGL? That's what I fly too tbh. Always with an observer.

http://dronesafe.uk/drone-code/

400ft is the ceiling above which normal air traffic can fly. If you're above that level you're in regulated air space and should only be flying if you are licensed to do so (which may involve contacting local air control before a flight).

In addition, without a license you should fly within line of sight, which may be considered to be significantly less than 1000 feet in the case of small white pudding basin drones.

Having an observer doesn't make any difference unless you're licensed and insured.

It's unfortunate to have to bang on about this, but the number of incidents being reported to the police and by aircraft pilots are only increasing, and the chances are that it's going to result in some fairly strict limits on hobbyist owners. The recent DJI firmware upset is part of that reaction.

[andrewrob]

Fine if he's flying fpv under 3.5kg and the observer can see it unaided though

[Tuna]

andrewrob said:

Fine if he's flying fpv under 3.5kg and the observer can see it unaided though

I'm not sure where you got that from - I don't recognise it from the CAA regulations. Have you got a reference?

Edited to add - oh yes, got it, I must admit I don't pay as much attention to the FPV scene.

Edited by Tuna on Saturday 27th May 20:03

[red_slr]

Tuna said:

http://dronesafe.uk/drone-code/

400ft is the ceiling above which normal air traffic can fly. If you're above that level you're in regulated air space and should only be flying if you are licensed to do so (which may involve contacting local air control before a flight).

In addition, without a license you should fly within line of sight, which may be considered to be significantly less than 1000 feet in the case of small white pudding basin drones.

Having an observer doesn't make any difference unless you're licensed and insured.

It's unfortunate to have to bang on about this, but the number of incidents being reported to the police and by aircraft pilots are only increasing, and the chances are that it's going to result in some fairly strict limits on hobbyist owners. The recent DJI firmware upset is part of that reaction.

Can you please explain exemption 4185 and how that fits in with the above?

[Tuna]

red_slr said:

Can you please explain exemption 4185 and how that fits in with the above?

That's been superseded by 4457 (a copy here: http://publicapps.caa.co.uk/docs/33/1226.pdf ) which essentially says the same - flight up to 1000ft.

However, the weasel words are in part 6c: [The observer].. is competent, by direct unaided visual observation of the SUA, to assist and advise the
person in charge with the safe conduct of the flight.

If you were challenged by the CAA, you'd have to be able to prove your observer could reliably tell you the orientation and relative motion of your drone when at that height (and meet all the other safety and sanity criteria).

TBH the chances of being 'caught flying' by someone competent to argue the details of the regs are pretty small - the biggest risk these days is probably being caught selling photos or services online without a license. However, there's enough latitude in the regs that if the CAA did want to throw the book at you, it'd probably hurt. I've met a drone operator who was arrested and sent through the courts and though he came good in the end, it was clearly a damaging experience. With the recent rash of drone scares, it's only a matter of time before they choose to make an example of someone.

If you're flying somewhere where being hassled by the public is a risk, it's worth carrying a copy of the Drone Code as reference - but good luck if you want to argue about the relevance of particular exemptions.

Edited by Tuna on Saturday 27th May 20:08

[red_slr]

Nah I don't fly anywhere near a populated area so that's not likely. My flying field is on 400 acres of private property.
Its boring but I fly fixed wing too so that's a bit more exciting FPV wise. Drones are boring in a big open space.
Myself and spotter have 20 years each in RC flight so I am sure we can easily argue we are competent. Its much easier to see a foamie than a 250 quad.

[Tuna]

red_slr said:

Nah I don't fly anywhere near a populated area so that's not likely. My flying field is on 400 acres of private property.
Its boring but I fly fixed wing too so that's a bit more exciting FPV wise. Drones are boring in a big open space.
Myself and spotter have 20 years each in RC flight so I am sure we can easily argue we are competent. Its much easier to see a foamie than a 250 quad.

Good for you, are you inviting everyone around? Plenty of people here would love that luxury.

[the_engineer]

Where would you all recommend buying a spark? Direct from DJI or somewhere that has a physical presence on the high street like Jessops or Maplin in case of warranty issues? Price seems to be the same everywhere so I guess it comes down to the best customer service..!

[GetCarter]

the_engineer said:

Where would you all recommend buying a spark? Direct from DJI or somewhere that has a physical presence on the high street like Jessops or Maplin in case of warranty issues? Price seems to be the same everywhere so I guess it comes down to the best customer service..!

If you are not in a rush then I would highly recommend wexphotographic.com - Really good service and customer support. (I've used them for many years).

You may be too late to buy from DJI as I suspect their order book is full.

[TheRainMaker]

I would buy from Wex over any high street store tbh, they are fantastic, never had a problem and always next day delivery.

[leggly]

Has anyone had any problems with the new update? My Mavic seems fine and the Inspire1 didn't ask me to log into the DJI Site at all.