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Thread: Drone Dilemna

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    Default Drone Dilemna



    So I've been wanting a quadcopter for my gopro since they came out and am still debating getting one. With the sand hills coming up I'm trying to decide shortly. Does anyone have a Phantom or similar? I've had the chance to check some out and see footage and so far I'm really not as impressed as I'd like to be. The big problem is wind, and here in CO we've got that most days. Here's some footage from a real estate guy in CS in 15mph winds, it's pretty shaky:



    I like the high up shots, but even productions like expedition overland use it sparingly, and I'm hesitant to dump 7-800 dollars into a setup that gives marginal shots. Flight time is cut down in wind too, and it's pretty short to begin with. I also saw a guy trying to recover one a couple of weeks back on a hiking trail, a gust took it into a tree and it got stuck. He said it happenned in a second. I've had some good luck with a simple painters pole for $15.00... Anyone have any suggestions or advice? I'm leaning towards waiting for the next generation of them, or for prices to drop, but I am still sold enough on the idea to pull the trigger. IDK.

    Here's this, just because. It's a pro using it, so I imagine these shots are as good as can be done.


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    Default Re: Drone Dilemna



    One of those is on my laundry want list too. Did you heard about drones being made illegal in national parks?:

    http://www.livescience.com/45395-dro...nal-parks.html

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    Default Re: Drone Dilemna



    I know this this guy. He's very much into the quality of the photography. I can get info on his gear.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYc0hkKJ1FE
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    Java (May 8th, 2014)

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    Default Re: Drone Dilemna



    Have you checked out this site for reviews?

    http://droneflyers.com/?gclid=CKf75M...FRQmMgod40EAQw

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    Default Re: Drone Dilemna



    As I recall, the Phantom 2 Vision has a built in camera that doesn't sit on a gimble, so you'll definitely get more vibration and crappy video quality with that compare to the one with a GoPro and the Zenmuse HD-30 3 axis gimble. Essentially, the gimble isolates the movement of the camera from the movement of the copter, so the buffeting in high wind and with extreme movements won't effect the footage as much.

    Here are a few examples...





    The DJI also has GPS holding mode, which will attempt to hold it in the same place even in a windy environment or when bumped off course (if you go over and try to pull it away, it will resist). Its certainly the most popular and most idiot proof and ready to fly of the higher end multi-rotors, but you certainly pay for it. Anything with a camera mounted will cost close to or more then $1000 from DJI. You could probably upgrade a knockoff clone of the Phantom for cheaper though, but they aren't quite as robust as the DJI.

    You could probably build one for a lot less, but the learning curve is a bit steeper obviously, and it will likely take some trial and error. The one limitation I've found with the Phantom's is they really aren't going to hold more weight then a Gopro with a FPV system attached, so if you ever have aspirations towards mounting a DSLR or camcorder for higher quality footage, then it might be worth starting with something bigger.

    Additionally, rumours abound with the possibility of a GoPro Hero 4 and some other quad copters coming out, and I don't think we have quite hit the sweet spot for price to features with these copters yet either. It seems like this is well on its way to becoming the next fad in the "adventure video" area, and we'll be seeing a lot more hobbyist level multi-rotor footage in the future I think.

    There are definitely alternatives to the DJI stuff out there, but so far I haven't seen an out of the box setup that is as complete or ready to go so its probably the best choice for anyone who doesn't want to spend time tinkering and perfecting something.

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    Default Re: Drone Dilemna



    lots to think about, thanks all. I think I'm going to put a pin in it for the weekend.

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    Java (May 14th, 2014)

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    Default Re: Drone Dilemna



    Nice....getting closer to the price I want to pay but I still think a gimbel is required equipment for the video quality I personally am looking for. Definitely a cool little unit though.

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    Default Re: Drone Dilemna



    Jim previously posted:
    "http://www.theregister.co.uk/2014/05...ith_new_drone/"

    The drone only has a 12 minute battery life? Is that typical?

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    Default Re: Drone Dilemna



    Haku previously posted:
    "Nice....getting closer to the price I want to pay but I still think a gimbel is required equipment for the video quality I personally am looking for. Definitely a cool little unit though."

    The link I added was for my friends first test flight with a gimbel. There are earlier ones of his without a gimbel you can compare to.
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    Default Re: Drone Dilemna



    Tom previously posted:
    "The link I added was for my friends first test flight with a gimbel. There are earlier ones of his without a gimbel you can compare to."

    My comment was in reference to the Parrot one that Jim linked to. I like the price, but if you watch the footage you can definitely tell it could use a physical gimbel instead of the "digital 3 axis stabilization" that they said it had. I do like the price though...getting more reasonable. At least for me though, I would need something with a gimbel since I'm pretty picky about good video quality. Still not ready to throw down the money it takes to get something like the DJI stuff yet. Might look into building it myself at some point though.

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    Default Re: Drone Dilemna



    I was looking at ones of those also. Thinking it would be cool to have when on the tail doing clean up runs or bigger events. Also for just general purpose

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    Default Re: Drone Dilemna



    another issue is that you can't use the gopro wifi while using the drone's wifi, so you have to bring it back and manually do everything for each shot. for me the happy price is under $400.00 for a complete setup (not a gopro nickel and dime deal) with over 30 minutes of fly time and stable footage. however they get there is fine with me.

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    Default Re: Drone Dilemna



    Perhaps a bit of old news...

    Published on Nov 30, 2013
    http://dslrpros.com/uas-drone-landin...FSgV7Aod8nkApw

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    Default Re: Drone Dilemna



    A nice example of using a drone to film a ride, showing grand scenery. Go full screen...

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


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    Default Re: Drone Dilemna



    Take a look at this "follow-me" camera. Watch the video on that page,

    https://www.lily.camera/

    Taking orders now at 1/2 price. Very tempting.

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    Default Re: Drone Dilemna



    I forgot about this thread. .. got a Blade 350 QX3 for Christmas. ... so far no complaints. Flight time is around 10 12 min depending on how you fly it. Comes with an open style carrier for a gopro.... i still use the full hard case on mine just in case i crash it. Has modes from beginner to advanced.... return home mode that runs on gps in case you lose sight of it... works well....

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    Default Re: Drone Dilemna



    I never found anything that fit the bill for me, so I bought a little toy one for about $60.00 and it's been a lot of fun. The video quality is good, It's a Hubsan X4 http://www.amazon.com/Hubsan-Channel...d+black+camera



    I used it in the beginning of this video, haven't had a chance to use it since. FYI they are banned in all Jeffco Open Space.


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    Default Re: Drone Dilemna



    So I heard that a watch has released that will control you drone and keep it with you.....
    so fallow cam type set up!
    That could be way sweet for filming trail runs.
    As we seem to never get photos taken of us......I need to do something so I see what everyone else sees....

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    Default Re: Drone Dilemna



    Coincidental timing...

    Lily Drone Is a Flying Action Camera That Follows You

    http://www.tomsguide.com/us/lily-dro...kly_2015-05-19

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