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Post by On y va on Feb 20, 2015 22:35:46 GMT
I like that Parrot Bebop. It is nice and compact and seems to make good video/photos.
Funny thing is, on Aliexpress it is a more expensive than on the Parrot website.....strange......
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Post by hoppy on Mar 18, 2015 16:09:01 GMT
ORDERED Decided on the Mariner www.and.ecwid.com/#!/Mariner-Waterproof-quadcopter-BASIC-version/p/39692055/category=10408242 I'm getting the basic kit as I'll strip the electronics out of my surviving quad. The mariner does not have provisions for an FPV camera so I've decided to use my gopro for that. I have modified 2 Gopro backs adding a cable gland (rated to 5 bar). One will be used to supply video to the transmitter that I'll mount in the Quad. The other will have a 4 m cable and RCA connector so I can stick the gopro on a stick underwater so I can stream live video. This is just a play around thing as I had a few spare backs and the cable/gland don't cost much
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Post by singoviv on Mar 30, 2015 2:26:24 GMT
Proof of concept testing
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Post by singoviv on Mar 30, 2015 2:26:30 GMT
Proof of concept testing
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Post by hoppy on May 2, 2015 11:35:49 GMT
ORDERED Decided on the Mariner www.and.ecwid.com/#!/Mariner-Waterproof-quadcopter-BASIC-version/p/39692055/category=10408242 I'm getting the basic kit as I'll strip the electronics out of my surviving quad. The mariner does not have provisions for an FPV camera so I've decided to use my gopro for that. I have modified 2 Gopro backs adding a cable gland (rated to 5 bar). One will be used to supply video to the transmitter that I'll mount in the Quad. The other will have a 4 m cable and RCA connector so I can stick the gopro on a stick underwater so I can stream live video. This is just a play around thing as I had a few spare backs and the cable/gland don't cost much It's taken forever, but my mariner has finally arrived. I need to put all of the electronics in and figure out what I am missing and then it's time to fly I tested my Gopro with live video feed on the boat yesterday. First up I just lowered the housing about 3 meters underwater with coins to weigh it down and it remained dry after an hour immersed. Then braved the gopro and the live stream worked. The water was so murky I could not see anything.
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Post by hoppy on May 4, 2015 5:25:53 GMT
It flys First couple of test flights completed. Some teething problems caused by cramming a lot of electronics into a tight space and with only one battery and a 10 minute drive to an open field, not many chances to test in a day. My stupid solder iron packing it in does not help. One thing that is really annoying is that the video out from the gopro does not get reoriented because I take the video from The expansion connector at the back rather than the usb or hdmi connectors. I don't think I will test the waterproofing until I am in Greece and I can take the dinghy or swim to recover it if I land it upside down
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Post by vasko on Jul 2, 2015 18:36:20 GMT
Hoppy,
I'm playing with quad this days , but not very impressed by the wind resistance and the time of flight.. e.g 15 - 20 min tops even got to try DJI T600 from a friend and still despite the great and stable picture length of fly and wind resistance is not impressive..
is this normal ? as compared with even a outdated model of rc heli with nitro engine performs way better... i'm thinking to give up on quads and move to rc heli with nitro and put some arduino flight controller on it ....
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Post by hoppy on Jul 2, 2015 19:53:07 GMT
15-20 is pretty good flight time. The stability in the wind can greatly depend on the prop size and motor speed. The smaller props with a high speed motor more stable in wind because they can react faster. The trade off is flight time. I have not had the energy to get out the new quad yet, partly because I've been waiting for the waterproof gimbal to arrive. I now have it, so that's one less excuse I may have issues with wiring up the gimbal controller to my quad. It would probably be much less of an issue if I was still in Sweden, but here in Corfu I might have a problem sourcing even the simplest of connectors. I don't want to sit around the marina for days waiting for a 20 cent connector I might have to order from elsewhere.
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Post by sailbleu on Oct 28, 2015 5:51:09 GMT
Hoppy , I have finally bitten the bullet. Santa Claus and Christmas comming up , I bought this one , well not really for myself but for my darling grandson. Although I'll give it a go aswell , when he's asleep that is . www.aliexpress.com/store/product/X6sw-WIFI-Fpv-Toys-Camera-rc-helicopter-drone-quadcopter-gopro-professional-drones-with-camera-HD-VS/511438_32443560962.htmlThe guy is nearly 9 and had some practise with a small chopper and is able to park the thing on my head if need be. I thought it's time to bring it to a higher level (also litterally) , in a safe place and under supervision mind you . I think the camera will definitely give him a rush. For sure this is probably not to be compaired with what you have , but for this price it looks alright doesn't it ? What's you take on it ? Regards
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Post by alenka on Nov 17, 2015 11:48:44 GMT
10/10 Hoppy for the daring landing.
Just a word of caution to all budding pilots outs there. In the UK it is criminal offence to fly a camera carrying drone within 50m of a person, building, structure, vehicle, etc., and the CAA are very happy to stick you in court and collect a hefty fine without hesitation.
At last years boat show I was talking to one individual who had been threatened with prosecution for taking pictures of that grounded car carrier. Apparently the CAA slapped a no fly zone around it by lunchtime and it took all on to prove he'd taken the photos in the morning prior to the ban.
So all those youngsters who fly their new christmas present drone around the back garden on Christmas day all have the potential to pick up a criminal record! It can be even worse in the USA where there are some no drone fly areas and towns.
I doubt the Greeks will be so keen but I did see one chap in Gouvia being told to stop flying by marina management. Probably because they have their own drone - yep I have seen it in the office.
The latest DJI drones have a 'Follow Me' mode. Just tell it a hight and a distance and it will automatically follow your boat filming as it goes.
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Post by hoppy on Nov 17, 2015 17:53:22 GMT
Been on the boat the past week and finally got my quad flying. At the start of the summer I was waiting on parts for my Mariner and by the time they arrived I was too busy getting to sea to spend time getting the Mariner flight worthy and once I'd started sailing I just did not make the time to get it ready (want to test over land ) It would fly but was unstable. This week I made some mods which was to drill a hole and mount the video antenna externally. It now flys much better, but still not as good as my other quad. I still need to put a waterproof cover over the antenna for when I fly over water (probably use a condom ) So now next season I should be ready to brave some flights of Jessabbe again.
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Post by hoppy on Nov 17, 2015 17:58:26 GMT
Hoppy , I have finally bitten the bullet. Santa Claus and Christmas comming up , I bought this one , well not really for myself but for my darling grandson. Although I'll give it a go aswell , when he's asleep that is . www.aliexpress.com/store/product/X6sw-WIFI-Fpv-Toys-Camera-rc-helicopter-drone-quadcopter-gopro-professional-drones-with-camera-HD-VS/511438_32443560962.htmlThe guy is nearly 9 and had some practise with a small chopper and is able to park the thing on my head if need be. I thought it's time to bring it to a higher level (also litterally) , in a safe place and under supervision mind you . I think the camera will definitely give him a rush. For sure this is probably not to be compaired with what you have , but for this price it looks alright doesn't it ? What's you take on it ? Regards Cheap, so you can't go wrong. The big risk is that he might quickly get to pushing it's limits and then be justifying to grandpa why he needs a better one That's what I do, but that's just for me to justify upgrades do myself
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Post by sailbleu on Nov 18, 2015 5:02:06 GMT
Hoppy , I have finally bitten the bullet. Santa Claus and Christmas comming up , I bought this one , well not really for myself but for my darling grandson. Although I'll give it a go aswell , when he's asleep that is . www.aliexpress.com/store/product/X6sw-WIFI-Fpv-Toys-Camera-rc-helicopter-drone-quadcopter-gopro-professional-drones-with-camera-HD-VS/511438_32443560962.htmlThe guy is nearly 9 and had some practise with a small chopper and is able to park the thing on my head if need be. I thought it's time to bring it to a higher level (also litterally) , in a safe place and under supervision mind you . I think the camera will definitely give him a rush. For sure this is probably not to be compaired with what you have , but for this price it looks alright doesn't it ? What's you take on it ? Regards Cheap, so you can't go wrong. The big risk is that he might quickly get to pushing it's limits and then be justifying to grandpa why he needs a better one That's what I do, but that's just for me to justify upgrades do myself It did arrive yesterday , no one there to collect so it's in the postoffice waiting to be picked up . And that's exactly what's going to happen this afternoon. It's a Santa klaus present so it will be stored for awhile , but not before I have given it a go . Get the picture Regards
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Post by hoppy on Nov 18, 2015 5:34:49 GMT
I hope santa does not crash it before Christmas
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Post by sailbleu on Nov 18, 2015 7:42:12 GMT
I hope santa does not crash it before Christmas No way , it will be a gentle indoor short (I hope) tryout. Get the remote control batteries in , charge the drone's and do what most men (including me) don't like ,...read the manual . I just have to do it now , because knowing my sweetheart , once it's unpacked I will not get a chance to get the hang of it so I can tell him what to do. He will claim the remote immediatly. Regards
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Post by alenka on Nov 30, 2015 20:18:23 GMT
Sailbleu,
Good to see your drone has prop guards fitted. Just been watching an awful piece on TV about a youngster who got hit in the face by an unprotected drone prop and lost an eye!
I managed to get my fingers in the way once and it really, really hurt to say the least. If it had been my larger drone I could well of lost a digit or two!
Take Care.
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