Drone

[Halliwell Jones Chester]

Anyone on here know much about drones? I've done a bit of research and this one seems to come up with great reviews. https://m.dji.com/uk/product/dji-mi...iCz4g5TwNjqRb2fAHz2hxoCtB4QAvD_BwE&vid=113991

 

[emax]

Take care of the regulations.

I don't know about the UK, but in Germany you must not fly a drone heavier than 249g without permit. You have to pass an (easy) exam and get an official certificate.

Though I do not like the DJI model (software updates, mandatory registration etc) I must admit that there is nothing better on the market. They are safe and easy to fly, and they protect you from entering a no-fly-zone by accident (e.g. close to airports).

I have build all my drones myself, but since they have changed the rules I had to change my equipment. It's the smallest drone fom DJI which lacks some features but is suffcient for me: DJI Mini 2.

249g at about 550€ including some extra gear.

If you want to create somewhat more professional footage, you should consider to get the certificate (yes, costs, but not very high) and invest a bit more.

PS: I clicked your link after writing this post. It's the successor to my drone. When I bought mine the Mini 3 wasn't yet available. That's a very capable drone, and if it's below 250g you should be fine. If money is not the bottleneck, go for it.

You should check (I simply don't currently know it) whether it can "follow me" and such things (mine can't) and whether it has anti-collision sensors (mine hasn't). They are worth the extra expense.

Be aware, that a 250g drone is prone to get blown away in strong wind. The motors are light and thus lack power against strong gusts. But that's the price for the weight limit.

 

[bemax]

The DJI drones are the ones that make the pace. Especially the stable connection between drone and remote control makes them best in class in my opinion. emax pointed out the 249 gr. rules in Europe. The license for the slightly bigger ones is quite easy to gain. It’s mainly about not mailing pictures of the nude neighbourhood and not bringing explosives into crowds…
Those small drones are not isolated against rain!
So only good whether flying is possible.

Ähh, where did you say you come from?

 

[emax]

Watch this:
(was only a quick search)

 

[Halliwell Jones Chester]

The DJI drones are the ones that make the pace. Especially the stable connection between drone and remote control makes them best in class in my opinion. emax pointed out the 249 gr. rules in Europe. The license for the slightly bigger ones is quite easy to gain. It’s mainly about not mailing pictures of the nude neighbourhood and not bringing explosives into crowds…
Those small drones are not isolated against rain!
So only good whether flying is possible.

Ähh, where did you say you come from?

UK, it will be used to create videos for the Grenadier.

 

[Halliwell Jones Chester]

I thought the follow me function would be good for following the car.

 

[bemax]

UK, it will be used to create videos for the Grenadier.

Sorry, I didn’t mark the joke
Good weather —> no rain —> UK
Of course I know where you are from

 

[Halliwell Jones Chester]

Sorry, I didn’t mark the joke
Good whether —> no rain —> UK
Of course I know where you are from

It's been a long day climbing mountains to take pictures of colour samples

 

[emax]

It’s mainly about not mailing pictures of the nude neighbourhood and not bringing explosives into crowds…

Oh no, you are overlooking the most important part: the violation of airspace.

If the violation resulted in endangering air traffic, it's not a misdemeanor, it's a felony. This can easily cost you 5000 euros, depending on the case. And then you also have a criminal record.

The problem is that the assessment of "endangerment" is a matter of the authorities, and even worse, the case officer who initiates the procedure. It may be enough to take off somewhere in your weekend garden. If it is too close to an airport - bang! (in that case, a DJI btw. wouldn't simply take off - if their database is current).

But even worse, since this is something unpredictable: an active notam. This is a "Notice to Airmen" that publishes temporary restrictions, something a DJI doesn't know. At the G7 summit at Schloss Elamau for example it was forbidden to fly in a zone with a radius of 30 NM around "Schloss Elmau" (Nfl-1-421-15).

This might all be irrelevant for a Grenadier video. But "might" is just "might".

I think they overdid it with these rules. But the fact is that with a drone you become a participant in air traffic and therefore liable for all violations you can potentially commit.

The point is: They just don't want us in the airspace.

 

[bemax]

Oh no, you are overlooking the most important part: the violation of airspace.

If the violation resulted in endangering air traffic, it's not a misdemeanor, it's a felony. This can easily cost you 5000 euros, depending on the case. And then you also have a criminal record.

The problem is that the assessment of "endangerment" is a matter of the authorities, and even worse, the case officer who initiates the procedure. It may be enough to take off somewhere in your weekend garden. If it is too close to an airport - bang! (in that case, a DJI btw. wouldn't simply take off - if their database is current).

But even worse, since this is something unpredictable: an active notam. This is a "Notice to Airmen" that publishes temporary restrictions, something a DJI doesn't know. At the G7 summit at Schloss Elamau for example it was forbidden to fly in a zone with a radius of 30 NM around "Schloss Elmau" (Nfl-1-421-15).

This might all be irrelevant for a Grenadier video. But "might" is just "might".

I think they overdid it with these rules. But the fact is that with a drone you become a participant in air traffic and therefore liable for all violations you can potentially commit.

The point is: They just don't want us in the airspace.

I would like to have the days back where it was possible to fly nearly everywhere.
But that’s not possible with so many idiots out there.
- There have been to many incidents with drones on airports
- there have been to many pictures and videos made over private ground without allowance
- the risk of using it as a weapon is real.

All of this made the government to tighten the rules. I don’t like it but I understand it

 

[Bushguide]

Anyone on here know much about drones? I've done a bit of research and this one seems to come up with great reviews. https://m.dji.com/uk/product/dji-mi...iCz4g5TwNjqRb2fAHz2hxoCtB4QAvD_BwE&vid=113991

Just purchased that DJI Mini3 Pro last week and its a very friendly drone to use, even for a beginner. You cant go wrong with it and it produced Broadcast Quality footage as well. You will need more than one battery though and they also produce an excellent hard case carry case for all that. Within half an hour I managed to have it landing on a handkerchief sized LZ without much trouble.

 

[Tazzieman]

Check regulations re drones and national parks/reserves/coastal areas also. There are many restrictions for better or for worse depending upon your needs , personality etc!

 

[emax]

All of this made the government to tighten the rules. I don’t like it but I understand it

I am afraid you don't know the whole story.

It's all about money. The idiots are there, yes. But there is another thing coming up, which I will tell another time if you want.

It's too late in the evening.

 

[Bushguide]

Check regulations re drones and national parks/reserves/coastal areas also. There are many restrictions for better or for worse depending upon your needs , personality etc!

Hi there Tazzieman,
I intend using my drone to photograph the Magpie Geese eggs in their nests during the wet season up here in Far North Queensland. The Geese make their nest's out of reeds and spike rush and they float on the water ways and lagoons up here, the eggs being the size of your fist. The drone saves launching a boat or canoe and playing with the crocodile population which I am now too old to be bothered with although my two friends Mr. Smith and Mr. Wesson are happy enough to still do their job.

 

[Tazzieman]

Hi there Tazzieman,
I intend using my drone to photograph the Magpie Geese eggs in their nests during the wet season up here in Far North Queensland. The Geese make their nest's out of reeds and spike rush and they float on the water ways and lagoons up here, the eggs being the size of your fist. The drone saves launching a boat or canoe and playing with the crocodile population which I am now too old to be bothered with although my two friends Mr. Smith and Mr. Wesson are happy enough to still do their job.

Makes a lot of sense. We have looked at getting a drone for our Tassy travels but the restrictions make it just about impossible to film our favourite places.
And as a bushwalker who enjoys the serenity I understand why the rules are what they are.
Cheers Paul

 

[DaveB]

Hi there Tazzieman,
I intend using my drone to photograph the Magpie Geese eggs in their nests during the wet season up here in Far North Queensland. The Geese make their nest's out of reeds and spike rush and they float on the water ways and lagoons up here, the eggs being the size of your fist. The drone saves launching a boat or canoe and playing with the crocodile population which I am now too old to be bothered with although my two friends Mr. Smith and Mr. Wesson are happy enough to still do their job.

Looks like we have the same friends
Model 686 International in .357

 

[klarie]

@Halliwell Jones Chester reading all this. - The guys first of all come up with the regulatory part.

I own a DJI Magic Air 2. plus a proper controller - not using the mobile phone as a controller device.

Sharing my experience.
Indeed - regulations are some shi*e you have to work out for country and local - where you intend to use it.
Perhaps you need a proper liability insurance too and licenses. Discussed here already.

To the more technical part.
In the beginning the proper controller and software wasn't available so I had to use the mobile phone as part of controller.
It gets pretty hot, receiving a mobile call when flying, power drain and so on. Also the display is small and depending if you wear sunnies with polarized glass you wont see a lot.
Now with a proper separate controller and just a link to mobile phone - local network via hotspot this is lots easier - still depending on sunlight it is difficult to see the display . Bought a neckholder as add on. Need a proper starter plate - some cardboard that shoud be even - important to control GPS and exact return to home parameters.

Once you ve got all this . next is proper training to handle the drone . take off, landing auto homing, obstructions handling, Turning, - what about birds. .. My drone was attacked once by crows, glad I monitored in time Turned the drone . and did a counter attack . So I indeed accelerated . and the birds got scared before. Also High Power Voltage Lines may not be detected by the collision avoidance system. So there is a lot what you have to do in the area of flying. Get someone with you that has experience in flying drones.

Also - when you want to make recordings on IG while in Motion check the location and what you want to see. Speed matching - drone in front flying backwards so camera takes the bonnet and driver or following or drone flying parallel.. / sideways. - There is a lot to consider - (not just the regulatory part that takes a huge amount of effort)
Seriously . if you do not want to do this as a regular hobby - instead I would engage a professional - with a proper 2kg drone - and all the capabilities.

I have the Mavic Air 2 to check corn / other crops for damage by boar and other, measuring any damage in size if any, occasional check for rescue of roe fawn before hay and so w/o walking in the area and leaving my scent everywhere. Saves a lot of time. Also after storm when wind has sufficient calmed down I check agricultural and forestal gravel and green lanes if any trees had came down and call the forestal service to get these removed. I am not an experienced drone pilot - I am very careful and most of the time I fly between 10m and 50m altitude - when controlling a forestal road between trees - it is somewhat 5 feet above ground to avoid low hanging branches and other obstructions.

A friend of mine does overlanding with a H2 Hummer so what he does - if unknown terrain is ahead - he sends the drone out to verify the planned route on any obstructions.

My opinion think twice before you purchase something like this. - Does the effort match the result? You need to fly frequently!
Seriously - I was thinking multiple times before I invested in this. However - in my case it avoided a lot of discussion with farmers claiming for compensation on damage by boars. And a lot more, calling a professional would be much more expensive as I need it on a regular basis. But in your case .. ad videos - that is professional investment, perhaps tax relevant.. and as long as you do not do it on a regular basis .. I would not invest both time and financial effort.

 

[Cheshire cat]

In the UK, the basic course is taken online. Takes around 30 mins and costs £10:00.
If you want to borrow a Mavic Pro I have one that I would lend you on the basis, “You break it, you replace it”. To save any damage I would suggest you start in a very big field. They are good fun at least for a limited time. One good feature is the editing. It will automatically edit the film
and add music.
Currently, DJI seem to be the best on the market unless you Are looking for more specialist kit.

 

[Halliwell Jones Chester]

In the UK, the basic course is taken online. Takes around 30 mins and costs £10:00.
If you want to borrow a Mavic Pro I have one that I would lend you on the basis, “You break it, you replace it”. To save any damage I would suggest you start in a very big field. They are good fun at least for a limited time. One good feature is the editing. It will automatically edit the film
and add music.
Currently, DJI seem to be the best on the market unless you Are looking for more specialist kit.

Thanks @Cheshire cat I think i will go for the DJI mini 3 pro due to it's weight and reviews, I have a big enough field here at the racecourse to practice on. I will be down at Glanusk on 29th with INEOS so hopefully will be the first footage we shoot with it.

 

[Cheshire cat]

I think you will get a lot of value from it in your job. Looking forward to the footage.