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Anyone else using an RC Helicopter drone? |
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ny_nautique 
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Joined: June-01-2011 Location: Albany NY Status: Offline Points: 1215 |
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 Topic: Anyone else using an RC Helicopter drone?Posted: June-10-2014 at 1:20pm |
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I run a website business and much of my work is real estate websites. Because of this, I've also branched out into doing real estate photography. One of my clients specializes in horse farms and I thought it would be good to get some aerial shots of the properties. So... I bought a DJI Phantom RC helicopter drone.
This is a relatively low-end copter, but it works great. I use it with my original GoPro HD Hero. I may end up buying a GoPro 3 for better video quality. The Phantom uses GPS to track and hover, and because of GPS, it can go back "home" when the battery gets low, making a controlled landing. Here are a few still shots from a farm I shot on Sunday. I'm going back tonight to get some hopefully better video. On my first try, I didn't have enough usable video for more than 4 seconds at time. I have to keep it a bit more still and try for 10+ second takes. Once I get a few more hours of flying time under my belt, you can bet I'll be getting some lake and watersports related shots.   
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- Jeff
1999 Ski Nautique |
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quinner
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Joined: October-12-2005 Location: Unknown Status: Offline Points: 5828 |
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Posted: June-10-2014 at 1:55pm |
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Imagine what a Peeping Tom could do with something like that, is there a stealth version, LOL
That is very cool, how much was the Copter? |
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Morfoot
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Joined: February-06-2004 Location: South Lanier Status: Offline Points: 5323 |
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Posted: June-10-2014 at 2:11pm |
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Wow ...nice Farm house!
Starting to see them more and more often but usually at large events. I've seen them hovering around the Boat Show, Masters Ski tournament, and a Victory Motorcycle rally I was just at. They are becoming more common place which is cool but scary as well. I think Quinner nailed it with his comment. Big Brother is watching you has a whole new meaning. As prices come down on these things your nosey neighbors might be watching your every move. Those things are pretty silent when up in the air. I foresee invasion of privacy lawsuits around the bend as these things become the norm instead of the rare sighting. I hate to say it but mark my words. It'll happen. |
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"Morfoot; He can ski. He can wakeboard.He can cook chicken.He can create his own self-named beverage, & can also apparently fly. A man of many talents."72 Mustang "Kermit",88 SN Miss Scarlett, 99 SN "Sherman"
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ny_nautique
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Joined: June-01-2011 Location: Albany NY Status: Offline Points: 1215 |
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Posted: June-10-2014 at 2:24pm |
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The DJI Phantom is about $450-$500 at Amazon and other retailers. I also bought prop guards and an extra battery. I'm also going to get a carrying/storage case which are around $200, but I'm just going to use a wheeled jobsite toolbox from Lowe's which is $49. It will fit in the back of my truck and go under the hard cover.
The prop guards were a good idea because my dad crashed it into a tree. No damage at all... Both my kids (11 and 8) had the hang of flying in a matter of minutes. These aren't silent, and they have several red and green flashing lights (used to know which way is front and which way is back when looking up at it in the sky). It is amazing how smooth they can track and how they can hover so well. It uses GPS to hover and can even recover if you were to hit it with your hand while hovering in front of you. More expensive models and upgrades include gimbal mounts that use motors to keep the image level and straight. Each battery only lasts for about 12-15 minutes of flight time. And yes, this is a nice farm house. The property is listed for $3.8 million if you're interested :) |
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- Jeff
1999 Ski Nautique |
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Hansel
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Joined: September-21-2006 Location: Twin Cities, MN Status: Offline Points: 415 |
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Posted: June-10-2014 at 2:41pm |
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Jeff, that is pretty cool. I know in the SLR community the old skool way it to get your camera aloft using a kite. Amazing how quickly this technology is becoming accessible. I am going to have to figure out if/how I can use it for my job!
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halfnelly
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Joined: January-14-2013 Location: Maitland, FL Status: Offline Points: 253 |
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Posted: June-10-2014 at 2:48pm |
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Those drones are pretty amazing for action sports photography too. Someone did some drone footage of one of the guys jumping at my Alma Mater, it was the first time I'd seen anything like it before:
It keeps up with the boat pretty well! |
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JPASS
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Joined: June-17-2013 Location: Orlando Status: Offline Points: 2283 |
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Posted: June-10-2014 at 3:23pm |
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This guy has a great channel full of Gopro tips and tricks. Here's a video where he compares the old and new DJIs.
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'92 Correctcraft Ski Nautique
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Gary S
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Joined: November-30-2006 Location: Illinois Status: Offline Points: 14096 |
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Posted: June-10-2014 at 4:51pm |
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Those are some amazing photos! I have attached a key camera
to one of my planes but obviously not any where near the quality of yours. Been trying to fly this gets real hard when it's coming at you- Might have to look into a smaller version of one of those 
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