BajaNomad - Anyone who's been wanting a drone, but hasn't pulled the trigger yet, this is the one you want

Anyone who's been wanting a drone, but hasn't pulled the trigger yet, this is the one you want

JZ - 1-23-2018 at 10:20 AM

Mavic Air. Not much bigger than a phone, flies 45mph, forward and backward collision avoidance sensors. 2 mile range, 4K and ultra slow motion HD. $799.

https://youtu.be/uF-WXHwzURs

[Edited on 1-23-2018 by JZ]

JZ - 1-23-2018 at 10:59 AM

You can get shots like this. San Pedro Island 15 miles off the mainland.

[Edited on 1-23-2018 by JZ]

[Edited on 1-31-2018 by BajaNomad]

TMW - 1-23-2018 at 12:39 PM

That is pretty cool.

TMW - 1-23-2018 at 01:00 PM

From what I can tell it requires a smart phone for a monitor. Is that correct?

Alan - 1-23-2018 at 01:20 PM

Your personal spotting plane at a fraction of the cost! :biggrin:

JZ - 1-23-2018 at 01:38 PM

Quote: Originally posted by TMW

From what I can tell it requires a smart phone for a monitor. Is that correct?

Phone or iPad. Streams live back to them.

They also sell dedicated monitors that are 3x brighter than smartphones so you can see better in sunlight.

BigBearRider - 1-23-2018 at 02:30 PM

Do you have the Mavic Pro. [Edited, to remove question if you had the yet-to-be-released Air.]

[Edited on 1-23-2018 by BigBearRider]

chippy - 1-23-2018 at 04:22 PM

Do you launch them off a boat? If yes how hard is it to land them on a semi moving target?

JZ - 1-23-2018 at 04:37 PM

Use off a boat all the time. Launch is easy. Landing can be tricky if it's pretty windy, especially if you are in waves and the boat is going up and down. Still doable though.

JZ - 1-23-2018 at 04:39 PM

Quote: Originally posted by BigBearRider

Do you have the Mavic Pro. [Edited, to remove question if you had the yet-to-be-released Air.]

[Edited on 1-23-2018 by BigBearRider]

I have two Mavics, a Phantom 3 and a Phantom 4. The Mavics are the best.

Need to sell at least 3 of those and get the Air, which is even more capable than the larger original Mavic.

chippy - 1-23-2018 at 05:06 PM

Quote: Originally posted by JZ

Use off a boat all the time. Launch is easy. Landing can be tricky if it's pretty windy, especially if you are in waves and the boat is going up and down. Still doable though.

Thanks for that. Another question: can an totally inexperienced person of age (tercer edad) fly one of these or is it a younger persons toy?

JZ - 1-23-2018 at 05:14 PM

Quote: Originally posted by chippy

Quote: Originally posted by JZ

Use off a boat all the time. Launch is easy. Landing can be tricky if it's pretty windy, especially if you are in waves and the boat is going up and down. Still doable though.

Thanks for that. Another question: can an totally inexperienced person of age (tercer edad) fly one of these or is it a younger persons toy?

Super easy to fly. Watch an hour or two of youtube videos and you'll get it. Pretty much flies out of the box and it just hovers unless you move the sticks.

If someone gave you 10 secs of instruction you'd know the basics of flying it around.

The video edit part obviously requires some skill. Premier Pro is pretty easy to learn though.

BigBearRider - 1-23-2018 at 05:20 PM

Thanks!

chippy - 1-23-2018 at 05:52 PM

Thanks JZ.

advrider - 1-23-2018 at 06:34 PM

Good info, love the shots you post. Are any of the smaller ones any good, something to fit in a backpack for use on a moto?

DavidT - 1-23-2018 at 06:43 PM

Free expedited shipping and no sales tax outside of N.Y. and N.J.

mtgoat666 - 1-23-2018 at 06:59 PM

Quote: Originally posted by chippy

Quote: Originally posted by JZ

Use off a boat all the time. Launch is easy. Landing can be tricky if it's pretty windy, especially if you are in waves and the boat is going up and down. Still doable though.

Thanks for that. Another question: can an totally inexperienced person of age (tercer edad) fly one of these or is it a younger persons toy?

Teenagers to old age, all men love drones! So easy to fly even a caveman can do it!

Seems like every male teen (and their dads )in my hood got a drone in the past year.... I think they are all peeping toms...

basautter - 1-23-2018 at 07:26 PM

Nice! I have been watching this technology and think it's time to jump in! :bounce:

motoged - 1-23-2018 at 07:41 PM

Great toy/tool.....but with every goombah in the hood flying them around, regulations are coming into effect NOB.

Users need to become aware of flight restrictions, if not currently set, they are around the corner.

Not being a party pooper....just saying.....

e.g http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/banff-drone-fine-danny-mceachren-1.4499979

DavidT - 1-23-2018 at 09:23 PM

Quote: Originally posted by motoged

Great toy/tool.....but with every goombah in the hood flying them around, regulations are coming into effect NOB.

Users need to become aware of flight restrictions, if not currently set, they are around the corner.

Not being a party pooper....just saying.....

e.g http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/banff-drone-fine-danny-mceachren-1.4499979

Imagine trying to film this one today.

BigBearRider - 1-23-2018 at 09:57 PM

The FAA already regulates drones in the US. As a pilot, I believe it is necessary.

Timo1 - 1-24-2018 at 06:15 AM

I want one

Doug/Vamonos - 1-24-2018 at 05:35 PM

Dangle a few feet of line with sinker underneath and grab it when you get it close to the boat. Then reel it in and shut it down. These things are super easy to take off, land, and fly.

JZ - 1-24-2018 at 06:23 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Doug/Vamonos

Dangle a few feet of line with sinker underneath and grab it when you get it close to the boat. Then reel it in and shut it down. These things are super easy to take off, land, and fly.

I wouldn't advise that.

gringorio - 1-24-2018 at 07:32 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Doug/Vamonos

These things are super easy to take off, land, and fly.

I'd be careful saying that to someone new to any kind of R/C flying. Yes, they have a tone of safety features, but you still have to know how to fly it.

There's more to these drones than that they "fly out of the box". You have to update software, choose the right return to home settings, set the proper low battery warning and to be aware of wind and obstacles. On the forums and on youtube there are many new drone operators asking 'why did my drone crash?' In most cases it was because they did not know how to fly, didn't read the manual or didn't have the best settings for their flying situation (flying over water for example).

I highly recommend that anyone new to drones considering the Mavic Air or any other somewhat expensive drone first drop 30 bucks on a toy drone to learn the basics of flying a quadcopter. Once you have crashed the toy drone enough and have learned to fly it, then maybe spend the bigger bucks on a better drone.

I only state all this to possibly save anyone losing their new $800 drone on the first flight.

JZ - 1-24-2018 at 07:41 PM

Quote: Originally posted by gringorio

Quote: Originally posted by Doug/Vamonos

These things are super easy to take off, land, and fly.

I highly recommend that anyone new to drones considering the Mavic Air or any other somewhat expensive drone first drop 30 bucks on a toy drone to learn the basics of flying a quadcopter. Once you have crashed the toy drone enough and have learned to fly it, then maybe spend the bigger bucks on a better drone.

chippy - 1-24-2018 at 07:42 PM

Is night flying a nightmare?

mtgoat666 - 1-24-2018 at 08:16 PM

Quote: Originally posted by chippy

Is night flying a nightmare?

With IR camera you can be a nighttime peeping Tom

Rossman - 1-24-2018 at 08:30 PM

Quote: Originally posted by JZ

Quote: Originally posted by gringorio

Quote: Originally posted by Doug/Vamonos

These things are super easy to take off, land, and fly.

Totally agree. When I got my first drone I had some anxiety over the learning curve since I had never played with a radio controlled anything and never played a computer game that took more than two fingers. I did purchase a $500 drone instead of the $1000 one that I wanted and I think even that was a mistake. They do in fact fly right out of the box for someone with no previous experience and each new generation gets even more foolproof.

gringorio - 1-24-2018 at 09:26 PM

You had me until this bit. Negative. Someone gave me that advice and it was the worst possible advice. Set me back.
Just spend half a day watching YouTube videos before you fly it.
Practicing on a toy drone is a waste of time and money. They aren't similar.
[/rquote]

Sorry. Not trying to be negative. Just being realistic in order to help someone who has never flown before not lose their drone. "Just spend half a day watching YouTube videos before you fly it." This is truly bad advice. These drones will fly out of the box but you're risking a crash if you do not calibrate the compass and IMU and perform the updates. And if you've never flown R/C before watching youtube videos does not give you the skills to safely fly a quadcopter forwards, backwards, toward yourself or out of line of sight or in variable wind conditions. Yes, DJI is marketing the Mavic Air to beginners and that is great. The point I'm trying to make for people new to drones is take it step by step. A toy drone is not a waste of time and money. They fly just like the larger drones as far as stick input goes. I recommend something like the syma x5c-1, though it's more than $30.

mtgoat666 - 1-24-2018 at 09:57 PM

I wouldn’t spend $1000 on a drone. I know from watching videos and watching the neighbors,... drones are a novelty, after a while you get board of aerial shots, voyuerism and fussy gadgets, and then $1000 toy just gathers dust in garage.

micah202 - 1-24-2018 at 10:39 PM

...been following a round the world sailboat race,, Volvo Ocean Race,, 7 one-design boats in very close racing. They each have a media person onboard, and use drone's,,, most amazing ariel views of the sailing action,,,, it's incredible they can get ariel views 1000's of miles from land! Entrancing!!! <;~O

JZ - 1-25-2018 at 01:53 AM

Quote: Originally posted by gringorio

You had me until this bit. Negative. Someone gave me that advice and it was the worst possible advice. Set me back.
Just spend half a day watching YouTube videos before you fly it.
Practicing on a toy drone is a waste of time and money. They aren't similar.
[/rquote]

Sorry. Not trying to be negative. Just being realistic in order to help someone who has never flown before not lose their drone. "Just spend half a day watching YouTube videos before you fly it." This is truly bad advice. These drones will fly out of the box but you're risking a crash if you do not calibrate the compass and IMU and perform the updates. And if you've never flown R/C before watching youtube videos does not give you the skills to safely fly a quadcopter forwards, backwards, toward yourself or out of line of sight or in variable wind conditions. Yes, DJI is marketing the Mavic Air to beginners and that is great. The point I'm trying to make for people new to drones is take it step by step. A toy drone is not a waste of time and money. They fly just like the larger drones as far as stick input goes. I recommend something like the syma x5c-1, though it's more than $30.

Interesting to see you double down with terrible advice.

[Edited on 1-25-2018 by JZ]

BigWooo - 1-25-2018 at 05:44 AM

Still pictures from drones, especially from higher elevations, can have a lot of haze in them that washes out the color and detail. I've been using a program called Affinity Photo. It's an excellent and inexpensive photo editing program that can reduce haze and bring out the original detail and color.

JZ - 1-25-2018 at 09:55 AM

Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666

I wouldn’t spend $1000 on a drone. I know from watching videos and watching the neighbors,... drones are a novelty, after a while you get board of aerial shots, voyuerism and fussy gadgets, and then $1000 toy just gathers dust in garage.

Best bet is to buy them off CL. In 6 to 9 months you'll probably be able to get one for $500. Can always resell them, just like camera equipment.

motoged - 1-25-2018 at 11:37 AM

Quote: Originally posted by JZ

..... get one for $500. Can always resell them, just like camera equipment.

JZ
I have four 35 mm cameras and sets of various lenses....wanna buy them? :lol:

gringorio - 1-28-2018 at 10:43 PM

Interesting to see you double down with terrible advice.

[Edited on 1-25-2018 by JZ][/rquote]

Not sure why you're so negative. Why is caution based on more experience than you terrible advice?

[Edited on 1-29-2018 by gringorio]

Doug/Vamonos - 1-29-2018 at 03:19 PM

The DJI drones are extremely easy to fly. The potential pitfalls (taking off, landing, returning to home) are fully automated. You just press a button and stand back and watch. And be astounded. If you want one just do it and don't be talked out of it. The pics and movies you can get will amaze you. It's like hollywood talent in the palm of your hand.

gringorio - 1-29-2018 at 09:58 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Doug/Vamonos

The DJI drones are extremely easy to fly. The potential pitfalls (taking off, landing, returning to home) are fully automated. You just press a button and stand back and watch. And be astounded. If you want one just do it and don't be talked out of it. The pics and movies you can get will amaze you. It's like hollywood talent in the palm of your hand.

I'm looking forward to the crash videos.

For anyone new to flying r/c or the DJI drones, I recommend you to check out these forums first in order to understand the details of flying these drones:

Phantom Pilots: https://phantompilots.com/

Mavic and Mavic Air: https://mavicpilots.com/