Drone suggestion

[japody]

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.

 

[ovrszd]

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.

 

[cjoffutt]

You can easily get a used dji phantom 3 for your budget.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

DJI mavic mini at $500

 

[bunyip]

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.

 

[kcflhrc]

Yep, I'm thinking the Drone noise will make it worse.

 

[ovrszd]

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.

 

[ovrszd]

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

 

[ovrszd]

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....

 

[ovrszd]

Here's another video I shot of my friend planting beans. It's a bit lengthy but worth the watch. Things kinda go bad at the end.


Darrin Planting beans narrated - YouTube

 

[ovrszd]

Flight time has been mentioned. Bunyip and I share similar flight times. All dependent on how you are flying. High speed, large altitude variations, quick changes of direction, etc., eat battery time. Moderate piloting can get the maximum time out of a battery. I can get 27 or 28 minutes under perfect conditions and if I run the battery to critical low levels.

That sounds like a lot but it's not. I have 5 batteries. If I'm trying to video a farming operation I may be in the field a couple hours. I also have two chargers. I also have a 110V inverter in my truck. As soon as I swap out a battery I put it on the charger. By the time I've used the fifth battery the first one will have enough charge to give me another 15 minutes or so of flight time.

I'm not saying you must have all these things. I'm just telling you my experiences. I started with one charger, no inverter, 3 batteries. Immediately realized I needed more. Isn't that the way most hobbies are.

With all of the things I've added I'm probably approaching $1500. I've had two batteries wear out on me and had to be replaced. It appears I can get around 125 charges out of a battery. Or 3,200 minutes of flight time.

 

[ovrszd]

I have an FAA permit to fly my Drone. I'm not a commercial licensed pilot. FAA knows my Drone by it's serial number. There are very strict restrictions on where and how you fly. I am very considerate of violating people's space. I rarely fly in heavily populated areas and if so it's at events like at the local Dragstrip or a Parade. I maintain courteous height when near people. I don't want my Drone to be a nuisance.

FAA regulates my height at 400ft. Here's a pic from that height.

 

[ovrszd]

I'm not sure of the altitude of this pic....

 

[rswyan]

Fascinating posts Richard ... thanks for sharing ... :thumbsup:

 

[ovrszd]

Here's a short video I shot for the Town of Eagleville Missouri. They put on a Car Show each year and are wanting to promote it to a larger crowd. This was shot at an altitude of 120ft.


217 Eagleville Carshow - YouTube

 

[ovrszd]

Fascinating posts Richard ... thanks for sharing ... :thumbsup:

You are welcome. I enjoy doing it.

 

[pmsmechanic]

I've watched your videos previously. I recognize the voice and the style. Thanks

 

[ovrszd]

I've watched your videos previously. I recognize the voice and the style. Thanks

You are welcome.

I just started using Filmora this Winter. I'm not very good with it yet but am practicing. I have a friend in France that shoots spectacular videos using Filmora. I'm no where near his level.

To get exceptional viewing quality you have to watch these videos on a device that can fully support the 4K capability. I'm on wireless out here in my shop. I can tell a difference if my wireless signal is a bit weak.

 

[cdaigle430]

I have a DJI Mavic Air with the travel pack and that came to almost double what you budgeted for. I love it as its so portable...been to Canada and Brazil (I am licensed in Canada, Brazil and US)with it and taken so many beautiful shots and videos. Run time depends on many factors like wind, altitude etc. You can go really far in 15 minutes flying at 35mph. Always want to make sure you have enough to return

For your application I would recommend the DJI Mavic Mini because the DJI is sooo easy to use and navigate. Ive had mine in 40 mph winds on the beach in Niterio Bazil-it handled it like a champ. The mini is one of the quieter drones unlike my noisy Mavic Air I am looking into stealth props for it soon.

I also use Filmora for editing.

If you dont care about taking video in 4k-def go with the mini.

 

[cdaigle430]

I recommend the DJI for beginners because they even start you out in beginner mode-the app also has a simulator you can practice with. The drone itself has many safety features like obstacle sensors front, below and in the back-it will stop immediately.