Drones

[CoreyinWP]

Just purchased my first Drone. Learning how to fly. What experience do others have with them? Tips or suggestions would be great!

Mine is the DJI Mavic Mini.

 

[Neal]

Congrats! It's a great new opportunity for photography. I started flying mine in a field with no obstacles, I went to a school football field for my first flights. It's very easy to fly and you'll learn the DJI app as well which is amazing. It's going to go out of sight so you'll learn how to use the map to find your way back or use the return to home feature which I rarely use. All to suggest really is fly it, experiment, enjoy. Lots of YouTube videos on everything about flying to camera settings and learning the features of the drone you purchased.

 

[NWIP]

I was really interested in getting one but then started seeing all the restrictions in Nat’l Parks, SP and campgrounds and decided to hold off. Do you find these restrictions prohibitive? Are they not really enforced except NP?

 

[Neal]

There is an app or two that tells you if you can fly or not. Yes, there are places you can't fly, I've started seeing some CG's that don't allow drones, okay ONE so far. It's a valuable photography tool that I really enjoy and now that DJI has them smaller in the Mavic lineup it's even better for RVers. I can carry my drone and my Nikon camera in a camera bag. Imagine going to Alaska and being able to get the far off shots without having to risk being consumed in the process!

This is the camera bag I use for drone + Nikon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002I9OBPG/?tag=rvf01-20

Here is the drone I got: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07RZDWCM1/?tag=rvf01-20

I previously had the DJI Phantom 3 Pro and loved it and carried it in the RV until I got the above drone. I sold it.

@CoreyinWP upload videos to youtube when you do some flying, I'd love to see some drone shots.

 

[CaptainGizmo]

I was really interested in getting one but then started seeing all the restrictions in Nat’l Parks, SP and campgrounds and decided to hold off. Do you find these restrictions prohibitive? Are they not really enforced except NP?

More and more places are prohibiting their use. It comes down to safety, because THEY WILL have issues; whether inference, batteries, or pilot error! I’ve experienced all three and have been lucky to not injure anyone or lose my drone.

I became keenly sensitive that not everyone likes to have a camera flying over them; let alone the constant buzzing. I let this be my guide, along with the safety factor.

Interesting Sidenote: the FAA regs for drones pretty much restrict all of the things “we” seem to love to do: eg fly over people, high value targets, etc. [emoji15]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Neal]

I was on an airline heading in to LAX. I spotted a drone off the left wing guessing 1/4 mile. It was at our altitude of nearly 3000ft. I notified the flight attendant and got invited to the cockpit to inform the pilots as they didn't see it, they reported it to whomever. I did get a heading and distance from the airport to try to locate the area of the near miss. It could have been ugly. I was in a 757.

I flew my drone in my remote SP location in southwest NM on the trip west. As I flew the drone back to my site my neighbor came over putting on a non verbal show, I ignored.

Don't let any of this prevent you from enjoying what a drone can offer. Just know the rules, don't bother others such as flying your drone up to their window and taking videos haha. It's an amazing tool for great photography. Great for the 4th of July too

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

Where did I put those shells for the skeet gun? I know they're around here somewhere.

TJ

 

[NWIP]

Where did I put those shells for the skeet gun? I know they're around here somewhere.

TJ

It’s an expensive investment and people like you have me worried ?

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

Seriously, for a moment; how much chance is there that a drone will be lost? At nearly two grand for the one @Neal is flying, losing it would be a hit to the edit card. Is there some type of GPS tracking that will lead you to them even if they are grounded?

TJ

 

[Neal]

I think there was a story in the news once of someone shooting a drone. As these are expensive devices the penalties can be high. I don't think it went over well for the shooter in that case.

Yes, there is GPS tracking, it's rare for flyaways unless you don't do what you're supposed to do such as calibrate the compass. People get into trouble testing max range and don't consider headwinds flying back and run out of battery. Again, all on YouTube.

Tips on when to calibrate the compass:

1) Anytime you've changed location over 30 miles
2) If it's been over 30 days since the last calibration
3) The app tells you to

Sure enough the only time I ever had a problem was when the seller came to look at my DJI Phantom 3. I hadn't flown it in forever other than a short test flight before he arrived. Yep, it flew off, was very difficult to control. Had I not had experience in radio controlled airplanes in my past it would have been a gonner. It was hard to control but I got it back. I did a compass calibration and immediately flew it again for the seller and it was fine. He bought it! Amazed.

 

[CaptainGizmo]

Like Neal said...as well as these points about GPS:

1. Yes, I've darned near lost my drone while flying AT THE VERY EDGE OF RADIO COVERAGE! It was the worst scenario; over 2 miles away, over mountains, low battery, and at dusk! I, like Neal, in a state of panic mind you...realized that my COMPASS HAD LOST CALIBRATION!!! So, I had to use a technique of flying at right angles until I could tell which direction I was flying, then fly straight toward me and pray I didn't run out of battery.

2. When flying in remote locations; having a "lost known GPS COORD" won't really help you if you don't have communications (cellular) with your drone in order to locate it on a map.

3. If you DO lose it...can you GET TO IT? If over bad terrain...goner. If over water...goner. If downed in a hostile (aka theft) market...goner.

Still, I loved flying mine and got some awesome shots.

OH, and another point: emergency scenes are a HUGE no-no!!! I can't believe how many times PD or FD authorities have to broadcast statements to keep drones out of the area. Our last wildfires were PLAGUES with IDIOTS flying among firefighting planes, jets, and helicopters. Another time, a drone was chased away from a SHOOTER LOCKDOWN at a school. Stupid people. In these cases, I think "Open Season" should be declared on those drones!

 

[Neal]

The new DJI drones have much farther range. I think they are using WiFi radios now? Not sure. My Mavic 2 Pro has a 5 miles range. I think my DJI Phantom was 1 mile. I don't plan to test the 5 mile range but I've seen youtubers that have.

The obstacle avoidance in the Mavic 2 is amazing. The mini doesn't have it and I really have never needed it until recently. Tested my stupidity as I was heading towards the coach, hit full reverse and didn't see the tree I was heading towards. The Mavic stopped itself. I swear this progressing A.G.E. syndrome is getting the best of me!

 

[Neal]

I recently got the FPV Goggles by DJI. Only used them once but it was interesting! Plan to explore more with them.

 

[Neal]

I want to look directly into the eyes of a bear, from 4 miles away!

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

Sorry! I didn't mean to touch a nerve with my attempt at humor. It was poorly done. My apologies. I would never be so irresponsible as to shoot down anyone's drone.

TJ

 

[Neal]

Sorry! I didn't mean to touch a nerve with my attempt at humor. It was poorly done. My apologies. I would never be so irresponsible as to shoot down anyone's drone.

TJ

It was taken as humor. I know you wouldn’t. I was just sharing a story where I heard someone did. It’s probably more common than we think. People don’t like drones.

 

[NWIP]

I know of police departments that use these during active shooters and other scenarios. My son is responsible for flying the one his department uses.

 

[CoreyinWP]

I have now flown my drone in my family room and screened in porch. I may set it free tomorrow!

 

[Neal]

Awesome! Lots of fun!!

 

[Jim]

Just purchased my first Drone. Learning how to fly. What experience do others have with them? Tips or suggestions would be great!

Mine is the DJI Mavic Mini.

Hey CoreyinWP. Mine is a Autel X-Star Premimum which I've only had for about 6 months, give or take... Still learning. Here is a short video of my house that I shot a couple of weeks after getting it. House 1.wmv