Drone suggestion

   / Drone suggestion #1  

japody

Platinum Member
Joined
Oct 19, 2013
Messages
827
Location
Richmond & Boydton VA
Tractor
Ford 4000 & 5000, New Holland TN65, Mahindrda 2516
I'm thinking about getting a drone. Just today, a cow had a calf and would not let me get near her. A drone with remote video would have made that easier. Anyway, anyone have ideas, recommendations, suggestions, negative feedback, etc. on drones. Looking to keep it under $500. Thanks in advance.
 
   / Drone suggestion #2  
I'm not sure you'll get quality dependable service from a $500 Drone.

I fly an Autel Drone that costs $800. Then extra equipment is usually wanted which will raise the cost to $1200-1300.
 
   / Drone suggestion #3  
You can easily get a used dji phantom 3 for your budget.
 
   / Drone suggestion #4  
DJI mavic mini at $500
 
   / Drone suggestion #5  
I concur with Richard but I use a DJI Mavic which ticks all the boxes for me, I prefer it to the Phantom as it folds up and will fit in your pocket, 4K video and stills, almost 30 minute fly time and a lot of other features too numerous to mention.
Not sure how you will go approaching livestock as they are quite noisy close up, our horses hate them.
They now come with a choice of cameras including an optical zoom, the prices vary accordingly, you may get lucky and find a used unit.
 
   / Drone suggestion #6  
Yep, I'm thinking the Drone noise will make it worse.
 
   / Drone suggestion #7  
I've never flown over livestock or wildlife so can't testify to that. I bought a set of aftermarket props that are quieter than the originals but still noisy.

The mini drones are very popular. Harder to see in flight but much easier to transport.
 
   / Drone suggestion #8  
Here's a video I shot a couple years ago of my friend's farming operation. Kinda gives you an idea of camera quality. How the video is processed also has an effect. This was processed using Microsoft's old program. Now I use Filmora which is better quality. You could easily monitor livestock with this picture quality. I'm guessing my flight height at 60ft. A cow wouldn't leave her calf but she would be nervous if you hovered over her at this height.

As Bunyip mentioned you can now get zoom lense cameras which would help. Mine does not zoom. There's also a lot of different lense covers you can use depending on light conditions when you are flying. It's like any other media. Options are only limited by budget.

Someone mentioned flight times, I get 25 minutes with my drone.

Overall View Corn Harvest Narrated 1 - YouTube
 
   / Drone suggestion #9  
Here's a pic of my Drone. It will give you an idea of size. My Drone does not fold up so I transport it in it's hard case. Maybe Bunyip can post a pic of his mini drone.

If you want screen view capability my Drone requires the use of your cell phone or a tablet. I tried my phone but couldn't see it well enough for controlled flight. So I bought a 7x9 tablet. I like it a lot better.

Understand, once you launch you quit looking at the Drone and fly strictly by viewer. That's where experience comes into play. You have tunnel vision. My camera can only rotate up/down. It doesn't swivel. To see to the right, rotate the drone to the right. To see behind you, rotate the drone 180 degrees. Very common to be flying sideways, backwards, etc. That's tricky. If flying in trees it's easy to lose track of obstacles....

20170322_162736 (1280x720).jpg
 

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