The Drone Thread

[olbriar]

Thanks for the congrats everyone. I'm way excited. I have the day off and it's still raining. Oh the luck!
I'm still trying to figure out where I can fly the thing. I had no idea that air space was so congested. I'll figure it out but man... I wouldn't think under 400' would be a big deal to air traffic. Especially considering there is no way I'm going to be flying anywhere near a drones max ceiling.

I thought it was pretty weak on DJI's part to be such a hassle for an Android based owner to use. I finally gave up installing / upgrading via device and wifi and installed their assistant app on my pc. The pc to device seemed a bit tricky at times but at least it wasn't a constant FAIL to dnld or FAIL to install. I was so long at upgrading that it failed due to lower than 50% battery in the drone. A later update refused to install due to the same with the controller. ... sheesh.

My other major complaint is their instruction manual. It's printed with such a minute font that my old eyes struggle to read. I plan to look today to see if that paperwork can be found on the net in a pdf. I'd love to read through the literature but it's impossible with what came in the box. So far I've used youtube as my source for setup.

With all of that said, I'm still super excited to fly the drone. I might have to take off, hover at 4', and land a few times here at the house just to get the drone off of my desk. I just have to get in the air and feel the drone on the controller.

 

[lunatic59]

Better read ALL the fine print there, @olbriar. A lot of the drones come with a geofence that won't let the drone fly within a certain distance to the pilot. If you take off within that radius it can a.) cause the drone to immediately try to get outside that radius which probably isn't a good idea inside ... or b.) get completely confused and fly right into you (check youtube for all the drone crash videos.)

 

[olbriar]

Better read ALL the fine print there, @olbriar. A lot of the drones come with a geofence that won't let the drone fly within a certain distance to the pilot. If you take off within that radius it can a.) cause the drone to immediately try to get outside that radius which probably isn't a good idea inside ... or b.) get completely confused and fly right into you (check youtube for all the drone crash videos.)

I think the manual is a must read... trust me. The very reason I opted for the drone I purchased is it is equipped with a 360° obstacle avoidance system in the dumbded down flying modes. It has sensors on all six sides to prevent pilot error. Reviews prove that they are not 100% reliable but a great safety net... which I'm certain I'll need to begin with.

I was surprised at check out time at Best Buy to be offered an extended warranty that included complete replacement for two years no matter what happened to the drone. Lost, crashed, no matter what the cause was tempting but pricey. $449 was more than I was willing to pay.

 

[NightAngel79]

Thanks for the congrats everyone. I'm way excited. I have the day off and it's still raining. Oh the luck!
I'm still trying to figure out where I can fly the thing. I had no idea that air space was so congested. I'll figure it out but man... I wouldn't think under 400' would be a big deal to air traffic. Especially considering there is no way I'm going to be flying anywhere near a drones max ceiling.

I thought it was pretty weak on DJI's part to be such a hassle for an Android based owner to use. I finally gave up installing / upgrading via device and wifi and installed their assistant app on my pc. The pc to device seemed a bit tricky at times but at least it wasn't a constant FAIL to dnld or FAIL to install. I was so long at upgrading that it failed due to lower than 50% battery in the drone. A later update refused to install due to the same with the controller. ... sheesh.

My other major complaint is their instruction manual. It's printed with such a minute font that my old eyes struggle to read. I plan to look today to see if that paperwork can be found on the net in a pdf. I'd love to read through the literature but it's impossible with what came in the box. So far I've used youtube as my source for setup.

With all of that said, I'm still super excited to fly the drone. I might have to take off, hover at 4', and land a few times here at the house just to get the drone off of my desk. I just have to get in the air and feel the drone on the controller.

I used Youtube to learn everything I know. Shouldn't need the manual (though it never hurts). I don't have issues updating on my phone, but make sure you have the right app on phone, word is there was a newer version of the DJI Go app for the newest Mavic's, can't confirm that though. Firmware updates are at least 250mb, which go pretty slow. I try to check for updates the day before I fly.

Be careful in house. I gave myself a heart attack first time I started it up. I took off and it was so strong I got spooked and grab it underneath, which because of sensor it thought it was too close to ground, so it went full throttle. I had to check how to power off and hold throttle down until it stopped, all the while It was so strong it about stood me up (i was sitting at table)

Better read ALL the fine print there, @olbriar. A lot of the drones come with a geofence that won't let the drone fly within a certain distance to the pilot. If you take off within that radius it can a.) cause the drone to immediately try to get outside that radius which probably isn't a good idea inside ... or b.) get completely confused and fly right into you (check youtube for all the drone crash videos.)

No restrictions on DJI, though as Rick states it has obstacle avoidance (unless sport mode is on) so it won't fly too close. (5ftish)

I think the manual is a must read... trust me. The very reason I opted for the drone I purchased is it is equipped with a 360° obstacle avoidance system in the dumbded down flying modes. It has sensors on all six sides to prevent pilot error. Reviews prove that they are not 100% reliable but a great safety net... which I'm certain I'll need to begin with.

I was surprised at check out time at Best Buy to be offered an extended warranty that included complete replacement for two years no matter what happened to the drone. Lost, crashed, no matter what the cause was tempting but pricey. $449 was more than I was willing to pay.

DJI Care Refresh - it varies by drone, but mine was $100 for first year. If *anything* happens to drone, if you stomp in on purpose even, they will replace it. Up to 2 times (small fee for second replacement). After a year you can re-apply for program. I opted to not re-new, I was confident after 1 year.

Only restriction is you have to have a drone to return, if you completely lose it they mostly wont replace (there are cases on youtube where they still replace because crash was due to battery fault that DJI logs in phone confirmed).

My DJI referral link: https://click.dji.com/AGoN-J5P83fW5mrD560LkA?pm=custom

 

[NightAngel79]

I think the manual is a must read... trust me. The very reason I opted for the drone I purchased is it is equipped with a 360° obstacle avoidance system in the dumbded down flying modes. It has sensors on all six sides to prevent pilot error. Reviews prove that they are not 100% reliable but a great safety net... which I'm certain I'll need to begin with.

I was surprised at check out time at Best Buy to be offered an extended warranty that included complete replacement for two years no matter what happened to the drone. Lost, crashed, no matter what the cause was tempting but pricey. $449 was more than I was willing to pay.

As an aside, you need to get DJI Care Refresh within 48 hours of activating. Otherwise you can submit a verification video, filming yourself/drone to show you haven't broke it already, lol. Looks like it's $139 for the Mavic 2

 

[olbriar]

As an aside, you need to get DJI Care Refresh within 48 hours of activating. Otherwise you can submit a verification video, filming yourself/drone to show you haven't broke it already, lol. Looks like it's $139 for the Mavic 2

I opted in on the Refresh last night. I saw the information on a drone forum a couple of days ago and thought it might just be worth while. I normally shy away from extending a warranty but this sounded like good insurance... knowing my track record. I appreciate the information though. If I had missed it... it still would not be too late. I have nothing but rain here. No flying yet.

I found the manual in PDF and have read most of it. Will finish it later. Most or all of it is old hat for I've watched every DJI Mavic youtube at least twice. I'm a reader so it's my nature to read such materials. I have found both misinformation on the net and typos in the PDF.

 

[NightAngel79]

I opted in on the Refresh last night. I saw the information on a drone forum a couple of days ago and thought it might just be worth while. I normally shy away from extending a warranty but this sounded like good insurance... knowing my track record. I appreciate the information though. If I had missed it... it still would not be too late. I have nothing but rain here. No flying yet.

I found the manual in PDF and have read most of it. Will finish it later. Most or all of it is old hat for I've watched every DJI Mavic youtube at least twice. I'm a reader so it's my nature to read such materials. I have found both misinformation on the net and typos in the PDF.

Amen brother, lol

I actually missed the 48 hour deadline, so I had to make the verification video and submit to DJI. It was a pain to film, but I got it. You can submit same video to extend past a year, but it wasn't worth it for me. (*knocks on wood)

I am HUGELY against any insurance or extended warranties. They hate me wherever I go and they ask, because I immediately jump on my soap box . But this one is different....

But enjoy! I love, love, love flying this thing, and all the footage I get. Just started thinking to take it with me when I go places to get new landscapes filmed. I took it to Renaissance Festival and got some ok footage, lol

https://photos.app.goo.gl/taGEcVk4AEn8dQuJ9

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Z3SNqCaRbBJ6BDUf7

 

[dontpanicbobby]

Just don't fly it where the planes used to be built @olbriar.
I'm pretty sure some of that is federal territory so random shot downs could be in your future[URL="http://"].[/url]

 

[olbriar]

Just don't fly it where the planes used to be built @olbriar.
I'm pretty sure some of that is federal territory so random shot downs could be in your future.

I have two farm airstrips near my cabin. Those I'll try to contact... I know they are seldom used. I will not be flying in a military fly zone. Perhaps, if it stops raining, a test flight four feet off of the ground at my house but no higher. I am so law abiding that I'm dull. I'm not worrying about them shooting down my drone but I certainly don't want to cause a problem.

 

[dontpanicbobby]

Straight up should work no problems. The shooting zone's not about height. Go for it!
I'd love to see your results.

 

[dontpanicbobby]

OMG! I can't believe i just assumed there is a camera on your drone.

 

[olbriar]

Amen brother, lol

I actually missed the 48 hour deadline, so I had to make the verification video and submit to DJI. It was a pain to film, but I got it. You can submit same video to extend past a year, but it wasn't worth it for me. (*knocks on wood)

I am HUGELY against any insurance or extended warranties. They hate me wherever I go and they ask, because I immediately jump on my soap box . But this one is different....

But enjoy! I love, love, love flying this thing, and all the footage I get. Just started thinking to take it with me when I go places to get new landscapes filmed. I took it to Renaissance Festival and got some ok footage, lol

https://photos.app.goo.gl/taGEcVk4AEn8dQuJ9

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Z3SNqCaRbBJ6BDUf7

Your captures are so cool my friend! They are so clear. Now I'm really anxious to take flight.

I'm going to miss a great photo op tomorrow for my lack of experience and I have to work.
The river my cabin is on is predicted to flood. Projected crest at 25.6 feet. The flood of 2016 was second highest in recorded history at 30.5 feet. That flood brought the water to the bottom of the cabin's deck and half way up onto the wheels of my 26' trailer. Scary stuff! When the river is flooding it cuts across the access to the property leaving my stuff on an island. It would be so cool to capture that.

 

[olbriar]

Straight up should work no problems. The shooting zone's not about height. Go for it!
I'd love to see your results.

Yes there is a camera on the drone. It's the same camera that @NightAngel79 has except the newer model comes with a zoom lens. My chances of getting in the air today are slim. The rain seems endless. Just under four inches yesterday and still falling.

 

[lunatic59]

Another thing I've seen with drones is to avoid flying over water. It seems to confuse them enough to send them for a swim.

 

[olbriar]

Another thing I've seen with drones is to avoid flying over water. It seems to confuse them enough to send them for a swim.

I've seen countless vids of my drone flying over water. I think it's safe. However, I'm not ready to try it. I'm worried enough about flying over ground. I would love to have the confidence and experience as well as the time to capture the flood waters at my cabin. It's not going to happen.

 

[NightAngel79]

Your captures are so cool my friend! They are so clear. Now I'm really anxious to take flight.
I'm going to miss a great photo op tomorrow for my lack of experience and I have to work.
The river my cabin is on is predicted to flood. Projected crest at 25.6 feet. The flood of 2016 was second highest in recorded history at 30.5 feet. That flood brought the water to the bottom of the cabin's deck and half way up onto the wheels of my 26' trailer. Scary stuff! When the river is flooding it cuts across the access to the property leaving my stuff on an island. It would be so cool to capture that.

That reminds me of a great shot/vid I took. Cumberland Falls in Ky earlier in the year when our area got super flooded. I took the drone there (about 3 hours away from me). Will have to try to dig that up now.

Another thing I've seen with drones is to avoid flying over water. It seems to confuse them enough to send them for a swim.

Good point. More below.

I've seen countless vids of my drone flying over water. I think it's safe. However, I'm not ready to try it. I'm worried enough about flying over ground. I would love to have the confidence and experience as well as the time to capture the flood waters at my cabin. It's not going to happen.

Because they have ground sensors, over water can confuse they tracking. That said, I've done it countless times. If anything, if you get with a few feet from the ground, and try to go lower, it goes into auto land mode. And if you do that over water.. well, bye bye drone

 

[NightAngel79]

That reminds me of a great shot/vid I took. Cumberland Falls in Ky earlier in the year when our area got super flooded. I took the drone there (about 3 hours away from me). Will have to try to dig that up now.

Good point. More below.

Because they have ground sensors, over water can confuse they tracking. That said, I've done it countless times. If anything, if you get with a few feet from the ground, and try to go lower, it goes into auto land mode. And if you do that over water.. well, bye bye drone

Oh, and I LOVE this hyperlapse tutorial I just found here:

Might have to try this

 

[olbriar]

That reminds me of a great shot/vid I took. Cumberland Falls in Ky earlier in the year when our area got super flooded. I took the drone there (about 3 hours away from me). Will have to try to dig that up now.

Sounds way cool! Would love to see it.

Oh, and I LOVE this hyperlapse tutorial I just found here:

Might have to try this

The hyperlapse does like fun for sure. Even the boring landscapes look great with cloud shadows moving across them.

 

[lunatic59]

If anything, if you get with a few feet from the ground, and try to go lower, it goes into auto land mode.

Right right. That's the other thing. Depending on the software, if you lose your connection to the drone, it will "return home" but if you lose it in pilot mode, it will land where it is. And, if you get to a certain battery threshold or lose GPS signal for a given number of seconds it will also land. Over water ... do they sell a pontoon package?

 

[NightAngel79]

Sounds way cool! Would love to see it.



The hyperlapse does like fun for sure. Even the boring landscapes look great with cloud shadows moving across them.

I may start trying to do hyperlapses, his looked so awesome.

And I swear I flew the drone there, but all I could find was some cell phone footage of the falls. Was still extra cool because of the flooding though.

Right right. That's the other thing. Depending on the software, if you lose your connection to the drone, it will "return home" but if you lose it in pilot mode, it will land where it is. And, if you get to a certain battery threshold or lose GPS signal for a given number of seconds it will also land. Over water ... do they sell a pontoon package?

DJI's will 'go home' no matter what (barring software failure, lol). Battery too low, loss of signal, etc. I've pushed the outer edges both around home and downtown cincy (between buildings, lol). DJI software is a best in this regard.

 

[olbriar]

I almost got off the ground. The rain hit a lull so I took to the back yard all excited. When I fired up the drone it stopped me and gave me a screen to confirm I had permission to fly in a military no fly zone.... and I didn't naturally. I shut everything down and removed my phone from the controller and still couldn't remove the screen without confirming I had permission. Man what a hassle. At least the motors run and I was able to exit the app without rebooting the phone.

Looks like the rain is finally moving out and I'll have clear skies until the weekend. Maybe later in the week I can sneak away and find a place to fly.

 

[NightAngel79]

I almost got off the ground. The rain hit a lull so I took to the back yard all excited. When I fired up the drone it stopped me and gave me a screen to confirm I had permission to fly in a military no fly zone.... and I didn't naturally. I shut everything down and removed my phone from the controller and still couldn't remove the screen without confirming I had permission. Man what a hassle. At least the motors run and I was able to exit the app without rebooting the phone.

Looks like the rain is finally moving out and I'll have clear skies until the weekend. Maybe later in the week I can sneak away and find a place to fly.

In truth, you're fine to just hover a few feet off ground and familiarize yourself with it. You wouldn't show up on radar lol

 

[olbriar]

In truth, you're fine to just hover a few feet off ground and familiarize yourself with it. You wouldn't show up on radar lol

I figured as much. However, the go4 app wouldn't let me take off without proclaiming I had permission to do so.

 

[olbriar]

I finally had the time and good weather to fly today. My maiden flight was down at my cabin. It's at the fringe of two non controlled airports. I captured a few stills and some footage and will view them once my controller has charged. I'm not expecting much out of my first attempt to take some pictures. Today... and likely the next few outings will be all about learning to fly.
I can't remember the last time that my knuckles were that white but it was actually easy and fun to fly. I kept my flights short and close and took off and landed many times. Fun stuff!!
It was much easier than running my RC cars. I'm hooked!

 

[Unforgiven]

I figured this was pertinant here, especially with olbriar's flight restrictions at home.