New Quadcopter Video - Natchez Parkway Bridge in Franklin

[Hozzie]

So, some of you saw my feeble attempt at getting some video with a cheap quadcopter I bought to play with.  My flying wasn't pretty, but the video wasn't terrible (meaning quality of image) considering the cost.  However, it did teach me one thing, and that is simply, Quad's are awesome.  Fast forward a month and my lack of self control has me a new quad that is simply amazing.  This is only my second attempt at making a video by editing video segments and adding audio, but I think it turned out pretty well.  This quad has a camera attached that will shoot in 4k and take 12MB pictures.  It is also night and day easier to fly.  

 

A couple of things I learned along the way for anyone interested.  

1. While cheap quad's are great for learning, the are very difficult to fly in a steady fashion.  You will get better with them, but they will never allow you to get great video. You can get a cheap quad for $60 or less that will let you learn the basics, but you will quickly want to upgrade after you start playing with them.
2. There is some pretty amazing technology out there now.  I purchased the latest DJI Phantom 3 which is the quad you see them show a lot on TV.  It's kind of like the AR/Glock of the Quad world.  When you hear of an accident with a quad, no matter what one it was, they show a picture of a Phantom.

If anyone is interested in learning a bit more, I would be glad to discuss it.  

 

First, a pic of the quad.

 

A pic from about 400ft above my friends house.

 

A pic of the Natchez Parkway Bridge

 

And last, the video I did.  Not terrible for my third flight and 2nd video ever made.  It was all filmed this morning.

https://youtu.be/ACswd_D1ofc

Edited May 31, 2015 by Hozzie

[jacob]

Nice!

[ArmyBrat61]

WOW    no traffic!   :rofl:  :up:

[Grand Torino]

Sweet......that looks like it could become an expensive hobby really fast. :lol:

[RED333]

I think you did well for just a few times you have shown off. :up:

[Monkeyman2500]

Dang Hozzie, pretty cool.

[TGO David]

That's just darn cool.  Nice!

[Trekbike]

That is too slick!   

 

So are you getting a live feed from the camera so you know what the camera is seeing or does it just record to be watched later?

 

So what is the maximum control distance from the quad?  

 

Do you get some kind of warning to keep you from going out of range?

[Hozzie]

Thanks everyone. I have to admit, it is very addictive once you get started.

[Hozzie]

So are you getting a live feed from the camera so you know what the camera is seeing or does it just record to be watched later?

- Yes, I get a live feed to my iPad which is connected to the controller.


So what is the maximum control distance from the quad?

- 1.2 miles is what they say, but with a good line of sight guys have went almost 2 miles.


Do you get some kind of warning to keep you from going out of range?

- You do, but it also has a return to home feature, so if you lose connectivity, it will come back on its own. Edited June 1, 2015 by Hozzie

[2.ooohhh]

Thanks for posting this Hozzie, My new quad is supposed to ship this week and I can't wait for it to arrive. It'll be my first capable of carrying a decent camera and shooting with a single operator. 

[BrasilNuts]

I would like to see video of a IDPA/USPSA match shot with a quad. Edited June 1, 2015 by BrasilNuts

[Hozzie]

Thanks for posting this Hozzie, My new quad is supposed to ship this week and I can't wait for it to arrive. It'll be my first capable of carrying a decent camera and shooting with a single operator.

What are you getting?

[2.ooohhh]

I ordered a 3dr Solo with the gimble for my gopro.

[Hozzie]

I would love to get together and compare them at some point. I had considered the 3dr along with the Inspire 1. They all have their advantages. I didn't already have a GoPro, so it just didn't make it quite as cost effective. If it wasn't for the size of the Inspire 1 I probably would have went with it, but I wanted something I could carry in a backpack on a plane.

[2.ooohhh]

I'll shoot you a PM as soon as I get it off the ground. I'm also very interested in the comparison since my first quad was an early DJI. 

[rmiddle]

Sweet.

[hipower]

I can't afford another hobby!!!!

Dang that looks like a lot of fun!

Don't be dismissive of your work. That's the equal of any but the top end pros we might see somewhere besides utube.

[BigK]

These quad copters are very impressive. They're already changing things in Hollywood. I could easily see them changing televised sports and they could be really helpful in inspecting areas too dangerous for a human.

 

I'd like to get one, but there are too many things I want worse at the moment.

[KahrMan]

Dude, that was awesome.  Nothing at all like the first video.  I am really impressed in the stability of the video and quality.  How does it handle in the wind?

[Hozzie]

Kahrman, it handles incredibly well.  It will hold steady in 20 mph winds, but I don't push it that far.  I have had it up in 15 mph winds and it has done extermely well.  That is one reason these are so much easier to fly.  It uses GPS to keep itself within a 3-5 area.  You can just let go of the controllers and it will sit where it is at.

[Fourtyfive]

I've been eyeing them for my gopro , just haven't decided which one yet and the War Department (wife) says my RC one has to go first ….. :rant:

Edited June 1, 2015 by Fourtyfive

[Hozzie]

I've been eyeing them for my gopro , just haven't decided which one yet.

 

Since you have the GoPro, I would certainly consider the 3dr Solo.  In the end, the Phantom and Solo are going to be pretty comparable.  It just comes down to a few details around software, but they are both going to fly very similarly.  The guy who is now running 3dr was the lead designer for DJI previously and had a bad split with them.

 

As with anything, it basically comes down to how much you want to spend.  

[mikegideon]

I want this one...

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNPJMk2fgJU

[Hozzie]

/\ Love this guys way with words.