Does Anyone Here Fly Drones??

[XB GS 351 Coupe]

I started off buying myself a drone at Aldi when they were selling them for $79, and I got hooked.

A few moths later I bought a DJI Drone, I went for the small compact spark and love flying it, currently putting some change aside to may be buy a bigger drone like a Phantom.

Here is my first one ever :



Here is my first flight on my DJI Spark:



I also picked one of these up just for fun :



Please comment on what you have and may be some videos you have made.

Anyone own the Phantom or Karma??

[slowsnake]

I only fly mine at night!
It sounds like this Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz..and drones on for 6 hrs....lol.....just kidding!

They fly them and big model planes in a massive park 100m from my place, pretty crazy, I watch them from my place, but I'm only a klm from Perth airport, always thought it was illegal?
Looks like more fun than RC cars though?


Billy.

[GO FURTHER]

Great videos!

I'd like to get a decent drone to video moving cars going along a road and aerial shots of them while been driven.

How hard would you say it is to do this and follow a car at slow speed say in a safe area like a road or track in a large parklands area?

Thanks

[XB GS 351 Coupe]

Here is my first flight ever with the DJI Spark, a bit scary when you start off:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqKknZGO7bc&t=105s

[XB GS 351 Coupe]

Originally Posted by GO FURTHER

Great videos!

I'd like to get a decent drone to video moving cars going along a road and aerial shots of them while been driven.

How hard would you say it is to do this and follow a car at slow speed say in a safe area like a road or track in a large parklands area?

Thanks

The DJI Spark has a follow me mode, where it follows, I was planning to try out exactly that in the next few weeks, was going to take my 4x4 out on the beach.

Any of the DJI Drones have this feature, the spark (the one I have) is the cheapest entry level drone that's worth having IMO

I would really love to buy a Phantom 4 Pro or similar but they are over 2K and upwards, I am still saving my pennies for one, just putting a bit of cash aside, I could buy one now but the missus would blow her lid if I spend 2.5K (the package I want) I am also waiting for may be a new model to come out.

Here is a video entirely filmed with the DJI Spark of my daughter riding her horse in our back yard with the drone following her :

[LG17]

So you've moved to the new place then?

[GO FURTHER]

Originally Posted by XB GS 351 Coupe

Here is a video entirely filmed with the DJI Spark of my daughter riding her horse in our back yard with the drone following her :

Excellent video!
(Don't know how you are keeping your videos up on YouTube with copyright music. )

I notice when you are controlling the panning motion of the drone camera to follow your daughter, the movements are not a smooth continuous panning action but more deliberate in movement "a bit at a time".

Is this a limitation of the DJI?

Do more expensive drones feature a smoother panning motion?

Thanks

[XB GS 351 Coupe]

Originally Posted by GO FURTHER

Excellent video!
(Don't know how you are keeping your videos up on YouTube with copyright music. )

It's copy right free music you can download from youtube, so no breaches of copy right otherwise youtube will mute your videos.

Originally Posted by GO FURTHER

I notice when you are controlling the panning motion of the drone camera to follow your daughter, the movements are not a smooth continuous panning action but more deliberate in movement "a bit at a time".

Is this a limitation of the DJI?

Do more expensive drones feature a smoother panning motion?

Thanks

It's really a flying skill thing, also control software has just been updated and future videos should be a bit smoother panning as that was one of the updates. (I will be testing that out when I do my car video on the beach hopefully soon.

In saying that the more expensive the drone the easier they are to fly. The DJI spark I have has two positioning sensors and 1080 video and a two axis camera mount and 2km flight range and 15 minute flight time per battery.

The Phantom 4 pro 2.0 (the latest model) has 4K video, 3 axis camera mount, 5 sensor with automatic obstacle avoidance in all directions, and a 6 camera navigation system that constantly calculates speed and distance from objects as well as a host of other features with a range of 7km and 30 minute flight time per battery.

The Phantom 4 pro 2.0 costs $2399 while the Spark costs $629 or $859 in the fly more package

[XB GS 351 Coupe]

Originally Posted by LG17

So you've moved to the new place then?

Over a year ago now, been very busy, so I guess there have not been may updates in the other thread.

I rarely come on these forums now, keep myself busy in my shed around the property and my new hobby of making videos...

[mac_man_luke]

Just got myself a Mavic Pro, only a couple of flights so far but mostly got it for 4wd trips which will see it get a lot more use.

Too hard to fly it safely (and legally) around Adelaide.
Second flight i had a dog want to eat it when landing with low battery!

Quick video from my first flight

[mac_man_luke]

Originally Posted by GO FURTHER

Excellent video!
(Don't know how you are keeping your videos up on YouTube with copyright music. )

I notice when you are controlling the panning motion of the drone camera to follow your daughter, the movements are not a smooth continuous panning action but more deliberate in movement "a bit at a time".

Is this a limitation of the DJI?

Do more expensive drones feature a smoother panning motion?

Thanks

Panning is a bit of a skill, out of the box i have found the controls are way too sensitive and the smallest movement of the stick causes quite jerky motion.
Drones like the spark/mavic that have to pivot the whole drone to pan do seem a little harder to get right than something like a phantom that has a rotating gimbal

[XB GS 351 Coupe]

Originally Posted by mac_man_luke

Just got myself a Mavic Pro, only a couple of flights so far but mostly got it for 4wd trips which will see it get a lot more use.

Too hard to fly it safely (and legally) around Adelaide.
Second flight i had a dog want to eat it when landing with low battery!

Quick video from my first flight

Nice, I was going to get a Mavic Pro for my next one, but I think I will be getting the Phantom 4 Pro, my spark is very small and I take it everywhere, so I might as well get the biggest one, just means I have to squirrel change away for longer

It's hard to define legal, there are some basic rules as well as hight restrictions, I think common sense is a big factor.

I have never had anyone complain about my drone flying, but I do use a sensible approach.

[EFFalcon]

can't legally fly them in Vic State/National Parks which is probably the main place i'd want to use one unfortunately.

[mac_man_luke]

Yea P4P would be nice especially having the better camera that actually has aperture control.

Mavic 2 is looking interesting with a camera possibly better than the P4P and same form factor.

[XB GS 351 Coupe]

Originally Posted by mac_man_luke

Yea P4P would be nice especially having the better camera that actually has aperture control.

Mavic 2 is looking interesting with a camera possibly better than the P4P and same form factor.

Yeah I won't be buying anything for a while yet, have other things I need to spend my $$ on and the Spark seems to keep me entertained for now.

I am sort of holding out for whatever may be coming out in the next 12-18 months before making any decisions.

Just ordered some accessories for it as well so will see how that goes.

[XB GS 351 Coupe]

Originally Posted by EFFalcon

can't legally fly them in Vic State/National Parks which is probably the main place i'd want to use one unfortunately.

I don't think you can fly in any national parks to be honest.

It's best to check before flying somewhere.

Common sense and a sensible approach go a long way when flying drones.

[real time]

these thing's are great if you're into LBG fishing, just catch some bait then fly it out then sit back and wait for the hookup

[creative]

I fly proper quads... ;)

My current rig:



And a video of my flying...

https://www.airvuz.com/video/Sail?id...e955704fbeead1

https://www.airvuz.com/video/Ray-of-...bd374af3f2ac01

Im into the hobby in a big way so feel free to ask any questions.... so long as its not about DJI crap.... :P

[Tonz]

there are areas over this part of the world, drone survival is very short lived, one goes up its usually down very quickly and with, usually terminal damage from lead projectiles. Something to do with whats been grown on the ground under natural shade as so I have been informed by the local constabulary.
They are very aware of the happenings and antics of all involved.

[Ratmick]

Originally Posted by creative

I fly proper quads... ;)

My current rig:

image

And a video of my flying...

https://www.airvuz.com/video/Sail?id...e955704fbeead1

https://www.airvuz.com/video/Ray-of-...bd374af3f2ac01

Im into the hobby in a big way so feel free to ask any questions.... so long as its not about DJI crap.... :P

That's the sort of thing I am building, Armattan Chameleon 5" quad.

It's my first drone so will be...detuned at first.

...so if it's ok I might be asking you some questions

Still in the building phase at the moment, just getting back into it after a run of work and surgeries/injuries and a case of CBFs...I did actually get the thing running and bonded and fully functional but then changed cameras...which meant I ran out of room in the stack.

It's a journey

Using FPV Freerider as a learning tool, have a Taranis X9D.

Here she is:

[flightstrike]

For those interested. Here’s the rules for flying Drones. It’s all enforced through the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). https://droneflyer.gov.au

[buggerlugs]

My young bloke does Digital Video Production mainly with Motor Bike racing. The Drones are probly about 30% of his work now..........
http://6hd.com.au/project/2017-yeppo...urox-coverage/

[Ratmick]

I had a AR.Drone2, I was one of the first poeple with one, pre-ordered it.

It was a bit...underwhelming.

I gave it to my #2 son.

[mac_man_luke]

Originally Posted by EFFalcon

can't legally fly them in Vic State/National Parks which is probably the main place i'd want to use one unfortunately.

But you can fly over a national park from the other side of the fence ;)

[creative]

Originally Posted by Ratmick

That's the sort of thing I am building, Armattan Chameleon 5" quad.

It's my first drone so will be...detuned at first.

...so if it's ok I might be asking you some questions

Still in the building phase at the moment, just getting back into it after a run of work and surgeries/injuries and a case of CBFs...I did actually get the thing running and bonded and fully functional but then changed cameras...which meant I ran out of room in the stack.

It's a journey

Using FPV Freerider as a learning tool, have a Taranis X9D.

Here she is:

image

Not a fan of Armattan, rubbish carbon in my experience. everyone I know that has one has 2 as they are always waiting for replacement parts.

Have you direct soldered the xt60 to the board? If so, take it off and attach it to a short piece of wire otherwise you WILL rip it off in a crash.

Runcam Split? V1 or V2?

I run an x9d+ as well. m9 gimbals, upgraded speaker and custom paint job. Havent found anything I like better ( Im lucky to having access to my local shop and all the stock that comes through I can try).

Are you on faceballs? Jump into the beginners group I admin on... https://www.facebook.com/groups/droneracing/

just let me know its you when you join so I dont decline you.

Also waiting on my new frame to arrive and my batteries from CNHL. Building a new 6s rig with the new Mr Steele Stout motors... its gonna rip!

[EFFalcon]

Originally Posted by mac_man_luke

But you can fly over a national park from the other side of the fence ;)

haha yes... not very useful when i too want to be in the national park :P

[Ratmick]

Originally Posted by creative

Not a fan of Armattan, rubbish carbon in my experience. everyone I know that has one has 2 as they are always waiting for replacement parts.

Have you direct soldered the xt60 to the board? If so, take it off and attach it to a short piece of wire otherwise you WILL rip it off in a crash.

Runcam Split? V1 or V2?

I run an x9d+ as well. m9 gimbals, upgraded speaker and custom paint job. Havent found anything I like better ( Im lucky to having access to my local shop and all the stock that comes through I can try).

Are you on faceballs? Jump into the beginners group I admin on... https://www.facebook.com/groups/droneracing/

just let me know its you when you join so I dont decline you.

Also waiting on my new frame to arrive and my batteries from CNHL. Building a new 6s rig with the new Mr Steele Stout motors... its gonna rip!

Well I haven't crashed mine so all good

Push come to shove the beauty of these things is that you can rip all you running gear off it and put it onto another chassis pretty easily. The Armattan has a lifetime warranty anyway so if it breaks I'll get a new one and sell it

I'm finding the 5" frame pretty tight, will see how I go with this one, but may upgrade to a 6" in due course.

The XT60 is mounted on a short pigtail running through rubber insulators:



It flexes pretty well.

It's a Runcam Split v2.

I have the stock gimbals in my X9D, will upgrade though.

I have the Rx and VTX, they aren't mounted yet though.

I've requested to join your FB group, don't be alarmed if I look like a 54yo grandfather (mainly as I am one).

[creative]

not seen those rubber spacers before... interesting idea, not really needed, but interesting.

I have a frame that i needed to remove all the plugs from the fc to get it to fit, a proper lowrider! that was an interesting build! Looking forward to building the 6s rig though. (thats 6s battery, not 6inch frame) Smaller mah but longer flight times.

Definately upgrade the gimbals. I run a m9-r on the throttle and a normal m9 on the other. Wouldnt change it for anything now.

what rx and vtx and fc you using?

and added to the group. Ask as many daft questions as you want there as thats what the group is for!

[Ratmick]

Originally Posted by creative

not seen those rubber spacers before... interesting idea, not really needed, but interesting.

I have a frame that i needed to remove all the plugs from the fc to get it to fit, a proper lowrider! that was an interesting build! Looking forward to building the 6s rig though. (thats 6s battery, not 6inch frame) Smaller mah but longer flight times.

Definately upgrade the gimbals. I run a m9-r on the throttle and a normal m9 on the other. Wouldnt change it for anything now.

what rx and vtx and fc you using?

and added to the group. Ask as many daft questions as you want there as thats what the group is for!

Thanks, great stuff

Rx is a FrSky XSR.
VTX is a TBS Unify Pro 5G8 HV.
FC is a Mateksys F405-AI0 (FC and PDB in one).

I am starting off with 3S packs...

I started off in Electronics back in the '80s. I was a tech in the Defence Force and then got into IT. Did some RC stuff before I had kids in the early 90s, cannot believe how unbelievably small everything is now...

...and comparatively it's cheap as chips

The main issue I have is I live 80km from Melbourne CBD and there are no decent hobby shops. Everything is mail order...

Secondary issue is that due to staring at screens for 30+ years my eyes have had enough and I am now long-sighted and wear glasses. FPV goggles don't accommodate long-sighted people very well, I have FatShark Transformer HD goggles that should be adjustable enough for me to get away with my glasses underneath (they work ok around the house)...

...either that or I get used to contacts.

[Ratmick]

Originally Posted by creative

Definately upgrade the gimbals. I run a m9-r on the throttle and a normal m9 on the other. Wouldnt change it for anything now.

Done, bright red ones on order