Drone view of the neighborhood from last weekend.

[MMfrompa]

I know some people hate drones but they are just like anything else. Used properly they are a blast.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3g84b87G53k&feature=em-upload_owner

 

[Industrial Toys]

I would say that video is outstanding and certainly beyond my expectations.

 

[MMfrompa]

Thanks, that took 5 minutes to edit in I Movie, if you spent some time you could really make a nice video

 

[Industrial Toys]

Was that your drone? What do they cost and how do you control them? What about range and max ceiling?

 

[kenmac]

If you were flying that thing.. all I can say is ,,, WOW !!!! You are an excellent pilot, and that thing has 1 he!! of a camera on board !

 

[MMfrompa]

Yes Its mine and I was flying it. Its a DJI Phantom Vision 2, It has a 14mp camera that does 1080 video as well. Trust me after a little practice they are very easy to fly. If I can do it anyone can. One time a guy asked me if I want to fly his remote control helicopter (one of his cheap ones) I said no better not, he said you can't hurt it unless you hit something really hard or get it wet. I hit a tree and it dropped into a creek!

But anyway max height is 400' which is plenty high, you can get software to fly much higher but Im not going to risk colliding with a plane or helicopter, plus FAA frowns upon flying over 400' the farthest I've flown it out was over 2000' away. Its a little unnerving at first because at 350' up and 800' out it goes out of site and you are flying 100% with the screen only. It has a 3 axis gimble that the camera is mounted on that makes the video so stable. It also always knows its position and it will stay in place if you just let go of the controls. (GPS) even in the wind it won't move.

 

[MMfrompa]

Oh, it costs about $1200.00, 5 years ago it would be like 30 or 40k for this technology

 

[4570Man]

Was that your drone? What do they cost and how do you control them? What about range and max ceiling?

I have heard from an aircraft pilot that you aren't allowed to fly them higher than 400 feet for safety of planes, but their max altitude is much higher.

 

[EddieWalker]

Impressive video. Much better then I had expected. Especially how stable it is!!! Can you fly low enough to see people? I'm wondering about spotting tresspassers or poachers? Is it loud enough that they will hear it? What about following a fence line and making sure it's OK after a big storm instead of having to deal with mud and maybe getting stuck?

 

[Industrial Toys]

Can it come home on it's own? Does it have an altimeter or is this done through GPS? How long can it remain in the air? Can it take hi-res stills?

Sorry for all the questions.

Not long ago, one would pay this for a good digital camera.