Discussion
dobbo_ said:
Questions:
1.) Does anyone else spend the entire time they are flying in a state of abject terror? Or just me?
2.) Can you swap the functions of the control sticks?
1) Yes, always, but it fades the more I use it (which is nowhere near enough, hence the panic every flight, especially over water)1.) Does anyone else spend the entire time they are flying in a state of abject terror? Or just me?
2.) Can you swap the functions of the control sticks?
2) Yes, if it’s a DJI - there are settings to change which sticks do what. I’ve changed mine, as I couldn’t get on with the out-of-the-box configuration.
Nice pics BTW
dobbo_ said:
Minehead is just a short hop away by drone - and a long drive by car 
As a PC gamer for more years than I care to remember, I want left hand to be forward backward and strafe, and the right hand to be look. The default was the opposite, but entirely predictably you can swap it.
I flew it round my office showing off to my mate and crashed it instantly, but it's fine because it was so much more intuitive following the change.
I think I'll have as much as 3 or 4 percent less anxiety next time I fly!
I have an Xbox and i can sort of see your point but maybe my brain is just wired wrong because it automatically go to the default on the drone when flying it, then if i go back home and play on the xbox, i default to that too. As a PC gamer for more years than I care to remember, I want left hand to be forward backward and strafe, and the right hand to be look. The default was the opposite, but entirely predictably you can swap it.
I flew it round my office showing off to my mate and crashed it instantly, but it's fine because it was so much more intuitive following the change.
I think I'll have as much as 3 or 4 percent less anxiety next time I fly!
Either that or i am clearly somewhere on the spectrum....
I find take off is fine and flying about is fine, it's when i come in to land and dropping down from height to fairly close to the ground ready to land, i look up from the screen and instantly i use the wrong stick and almost fly the bugger into something/myself. I've had to duck a couple of times and then of course, duck again when i correct the mistake and fly back towards myself.
I've started landing a good 2 metres away now just in case
Back on topic
The over grown underpass in the picture was shut down sometime in the late 80's early 90's i think, i'm sure i've driven under that bit way back in the day, certainly used the round about that is now shut off over the top. This was all closed down when a planned road development was cancelled
Edited by Lost Soul on Thursday 18th May 10:07
Shnozz said:
No, not just you. It’s why I can’t contribute to this thread! Blind panic from the moment it takes off.
I spend a bit of time doing videos of our trains - once you start following a train you start to forget how far away the drone actually is. Its when you get the "lost signal" message and the screen goes blank that the panic starts 
I've also been chasing a train, hopped into the car to speed to the next station, and forgotten that I've left the drone in the air!
Probably 80% of my drone flying is over water, and actually, after a while you realise it's nowhere near as stressful - as there's sod all to hit!
As for landing, I almost always catch (it will find you hand really easily), rather than risk uneven ground. You need to understand where the props are (!), but once you get it, it's easy. (Mavic or smaller mind!)
As for landing, I almost always catch (it will find you hand really easily), rather than risk uneven ground. You need to understand where the props are (!), but once you get it, it's easy. (Mavic or smaller mind!)
GetCarter said:
Probably 80% of my drone flying is over water, and actually, after a while you realise it's nowhere near as stressful - as there's sod all to hit!
As for landing, I almost always catch (it will find you hand really easily), rather than risk uneven ground. You need to understand where the props are (!), but once you get it, it's easy. (Mavic or smaller mind!)
I suffer really badly with arthritis in my fingers and am in almost constant pain, so there is no way i am attempting to catch a drone. To be fair, most of my take off and landings are from reasonably level ground, or like the last pic i posted, i took off and landed from the top of a waste bin as it was the only almost flat surface in the area.As for landing, I almost always catch (it will find you hand really easily), rather than risk uneven ground. You need to understand where the props are (!), but once you get it, it's easy. (Mavic or smaller mind!)
Flight wise, i tend to fly above 30mts just to ensure i dont get grumpy people complaining when in the urban area, so hardly anything at that height but got a few ideas of places to fly that are out of the urban area, just need to look into how i'm going to do it as it involves potential risk
GetCarter said:
As for landing, I almost always catch (it will find you hand really easily), rather than risk uneven ground. You need to understand where the props are (!), but once you get it, it's easy. (Mavic or smaller mind!)
I must try that. I carry one of those folding orange H landing mats ( link ), position it somewhere reasonably flat and point the camera vertically down to land if the ground is a bit unevenmikef said:
I must try that. I carry one of those folding orange H landing mats, position it somewhere reasonably flat and point the camera vertically down to land if the ground is a bit uneven
It's really easy after a couple of goes. I usually fly it back to about 6ft away and head height then you put your hand under the drone palm up and use your other hand to push the altitude stick down until it is sitting on your hand.dobbo_ said:
Shnozz said:
dobbo_ said:
Questions:
1.) Does anyone else spend the entire time they are flying in a state of abject terror? Or just me?
No, not just you. It’s why I can’t contribute to this thread! Blind panic from the moment it takes off. 1.) Does anyone else spend the entire time they are flying in a state of abject terror? Or just me?
Video from earlier. You can see what I mean about inputs - to get really good results you've either got to be insanely gentle or smooth, or have one single linear input and then cut to the next piece of footage. Off to do some research I think!
Edited by Tycho on Friday 19th May 09:02
This one is a bit picture heavy but i decided as i was awake early and the weather is nice to go investigate something i had seen on a previous pic i posted.
Up to height for this first one
Almost there
Here we are
So i thought this was an old road i had driven down back in the day but it turns out it was once a cycle route which i have walked along back in the day and once the planned road didn't get the go ahead, they canned the underpass as part of the cycle route. This was something i knew was there and wanted to investigate but it is fenced off so care was needed
nearly there
Here we go
I wanted to fly under the underpass but it is quite low and this pic was a shade under 2 metres above the ground and once i got to less than a metre i still would have struggled. Didn't want to land the drone and then have issues, so back up we went
Up to height for this first one
Almost there
Here we are
So i thought this was an old road i had driven down back in the day but it turns out it was once a cycle route which i have walked along back in the day and once the planned road didn't get the go ahead, they canned the underpass as part of the cycle route. This was something i knew was there and wanted to investigate but it is fenced off so care was needed
nearly there
Here we go
I wanted to fly under the underpass but it is quite low and this pic was a shade under 2 metres above the ground and once i got to less than a metre i still would have struggled. Didn't want to land the drone and then have issues, so back up we went
GetCarter said:
Probably 80% of my drone flying is over water, and actually, after a while you realise it's nowhere near as stressful - as there's sod all to hit!
As for landing, I almost always catch (it will find you hand really easily), rather than risk uneven ground. You need to understand where the props are (!), but once you get it, it's easy. (Mavic or smaller mind!)
Firstly, apologies for possibly going a little off-topic, but there seems to be a lot of drone experience on this thread.As for landing, I almost always catch (it will find you hand really easily), rather than risk uneven ground. You need to understand where the props are (!), but once you get it, it's easy. (Mavic or smaller mind!)
The idea of catching a drone sounds really interesting to me.
I'm thinking of venturing into the world of drones, and what has prompted this is that some friends and I have been doing quite a lot of kayak trips - some whitewater, but mainly on slow moving and placid rivers, canals, and lakes. Whilst a couple of people bring along a go-pro for some video, I'm really interested in the idea of using a drone for both stills and video shots from above. Also for the possibility of scouting rapids ahead of us from still water above the rapids.
I'd have to carry the drone either in the kayak, or in a waterproof case strapped to the deck, so I'm guessing the smaller the drone, the better.
I'd ideally like to launch the drone and return it to me whilst still sitting in the kayak on the water.
Firstly, is this a really stupid idea, and I'm basically going to lose the thing in the drink in short order?
If not entirely stupid, what would be good recommendations for drones suitable for this?
I've not flown a drone before or anything with a screen and first person view, but have some experience of RC helicopters and although no means an expert, have flown collective pitch helicopters with some degree of success (kept them under control and decently accurate landings). Obviously I'd get a good deal of practise in with a new drone on an empty field before taking it near the water!
Edited by C n C on Monday 22 May 14:39
C n C said:
GetCarter said:
Probably 80% of my drone flying is over water, and actually, after a while you realise it's nowhere near as stressful - as there's sod all to hit!
As for landing, I almost always catch (it will find you hand really easily), rather than risk uneven ground. You need to understand where the props are (!), but once you get it, it's easy. (Mavic or smaller mind!)
Firstly, apologies for possibly going a little off-topic, but there seems to be a lot of drone experience on this thread.As for landing, I almost always catch (it will find you hand really easily), rather than risk uneven ground. You need to understand where the props are (!), but once you get it, it's easy. (Mavic or smaller mind!)
The idea of catching a drone sounds really interesting to me.
I'm thinking of venturing into the world of drones, and what has prompted this is that some friends and I have been doing quite a lot of kayak trips - some whitewater, but mainly on slow moving and placid rivers, canals, and lakes. Whilst a couple of people bring along a go-pro for some video, I'm really interested in the idea of using a drone for both stills and video shots from above. Also for the possibility of scouting rapids ahead of us from still water above the rapids.
I'd have to carry the drone either in the kayak, or in a waterproof case strapped to the deck, so I'm guessing the smaller the drone, the better.
I'd ideally like to launch the drone and return it to me whilst still sitting in the kayak on the water.
Firstly, is this a really stupid idea, and I'm basically going to lose the thing in the drink in short order?
If not entirely stupid, what would be good recommendations for drones suitable for this?
I've not flown a drone before or anything with a screen and first person view, but have some experience of RC helicopters and although no means an expert, have flown collective pitch helicopters with some degree of success (kept them under control and decently accurate landings). Obviously I'd get a good deal of practise in with a new drone on an empty field before taking it near the water!
Edited by C n C on Monday 22 May 14:39
Secondly. Drones do a 'return to home' function. This WILL NOT work if you're on a boat - it'll return and land wherever you took off.
Thirdly. You need to be either very good at drone manoeuvring or completely stationary when you land it to hand.
Forthly. The most important thing about drone flying is if you let go of all the controls, the drone will stop moving and hover. If you remember this, and don't panic, it's pretty hard to crash.
There are loads of videos by DJI on Youtube - teaching new owners the basics. Well worth a watch.
Good luck.
PS. I've followed a few of my local friends as they tit about on the sea...
Also, mad people doing extreme triathlons.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7bqkMgw87Y
Edited by GetCarter on Monday 22 May 15:30
Edited by GetCarter on Monday 22 May 15:31
GetCarter said:
Okay... first up, all half decent drones (ie all DJI models) will do a 'follow me' mode, so it will do exactly as it says - above and behind at whatever height you set. The later the model the more intelligent they are at this... but I still wouldn't want to trust it through a forest!
Secondly. Drones do a 'return to home' function. This WILL NOT work if you're on a boat - it'll return and land wherever you took off.
Thirdly. You need to be either very good at drone manoeuvring or completely stationary when you land it to hand.
Forthly. The most important thing about drone flying is if you let go of all the controls, the drone will stop moving and hover. If you remember this, and don't panic, it's pretty hard to crash.
There are loads of videos by DJI on Youtube - teaching new owners the basics. Well worth a watch.
Good luck.
PS. I've followed a few of my local friends as they tit about on the sea...
Also, mad people doing extreme triathlons.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7bqkMgw87Y
I’d be delighted if I’m wrong in stating I don’t think my DJI mavic mini has a follow me function as it was abandoned from the previous model to get the weight below 250g. Secondly. Drones do a 'return to home' function. This WILL NOT work if you're on a boat - it'll return and land wherever you took off.
Thirdly. You need to be either very good at drone manoeuvring or completely stationary when you land it to hand.
Forthly. The most important thing about drone flying is if you let go of all the controls, the drone will stop moving and hover. If you remember this, and don't panic, it's pretty hard to crash.
There are loads of videos by DJI on Youtube - teaching new owners the basics. Well worth a watch.
Good luck.
PS. I've followed a few of my local friends as they tit about on the sea...
Also, mad people doing extreme triathlons.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7bqkMgw87Y
Edited by GetCarter on Monday 22 May 15:30
Edited by GetCarter on Monday 22 May 15:31
GetCarter said:
Okay... first up, all half decent drones (ie all DJI models) will do a 'follow me' mode, so it will do exactly as it says - above and behind at whatever height you set. The later the model the more intelligent they are at this... but I still wouldn't want to trust it through a forest!
Secondly. Drones do a 'return to home' function. This WILL NOT work if you're on a boat - it'll return and land wherever you took off.
Thirdly. You need to be either very good at drone manoeuvring or completely stationary when you land it to hand.
Forthly. The most important thing about drone flying is if you let go of all the controls, the drone will stop moving and hover. If you remember this, and don't panic, it's pretty hard to crash.
There are loads of videos by DJI on Youtube - teaching new owners the basics. Well worth a watch.
Good luck.
Thanks for this - much appreciated.Secondly. Drones do a 'return to home' function. This WILL NOT work if you're on a boat - it'll return and land wherever you took off.
Thirdly. You need to be either very good at drone manoeuvring or completely stationary when you land it to hand.
Forthly. The most important thing about drone flying is if you let go of all the controls, the drone will stop moving and hover. If you remember this, and don't panic, it's pretty hard to crash.
There are loads of videos by DJI on Youtube - teaching new owners the basics. Well worth a watch.
Good luck.
1. Looking at a DJI Mini 3 / Mini 3 pro, so I understand it does have this function, which is great.
2. Noted, and makes complete sense!
3 and 4 - so one possible approach to landing it to hand would be to get it to a low height over stationary water near my kayak, let go of the controls so it hovers, then paddle the kayak to position it directly under it, then lower it the final short distance to hand. Sounds like a possibility, after a good deal of practise on dry land. An alternative would obviously be to ground the kayak on the shore and even get out onto the bank (clear of trees) for landings - Doing some further reading, it's also clear that they really don't like getting wet!
I've spent a few hours looking at YouTube videos, reading the NATS guidance etc.. Much of it is very interesting/helpful. I'll spend quite a bit more time down the YouTube drones rabbit hole!
Oh, and if/when I do get one, maybe I'll be able to contribute to this thread actually on-topic with some results.
Thanks.
C n C said:
Thanks for this - much appreciated.
1. Looking at a DJI Mini 3 / Mini 3 pro, so I understand it does have this function, which is great.
I'm not an expert, and I have one on the desk next to me! But I'm pretty sure the "follow me" is a function of the "pro" models not the others.1. Looking at a DJI Mini 3 / Mini 3 pro, so I understand it does have this function, which is great.
8bit said:
Shnozz said:
I’d be delighted if I’m wrong in stating I don’t think my DJI mavic mini has a follow me function as it was abandoned from the previous model to get the weight below 250g.
Mini 2 doesn't have it either.dobbo_ said:
C n C said:
Thanks for this - much appreciated.
1. Looking at a DJI Mini 3 / Mini 3 pro, so I understand it does have this function, which is great.
I'm not an expert, and I have one on the desk next to me! But I'm pretty sure the "follow me" is a function of the "pro" models not the others.1. Looking at a DJI Mini 3 / Mini 3 pro, so I understand it does have this function, which is great.
As this is a feature I really would like, as well as the forward and reverse collision avoidance sensors (also only on the 3 pro), it looks like the pro is the one to go for!
ETA - I just watched this great video on the Mini 3 pro, which seems to be about the most comprehensive guide to it one could wish for (I did slow it down to 0.75x speed though as he talks pretty quickly).
Apart from the great guide to all the features, towards the end, he demonstrates landing it with your hand by simply hovering it about head height. If you then take hold of the drone from below (avoiding the rotors) and quickly turn it upside down, the drone automatically shuts itself off. Apparently this is a feature of most/all DJI consumer drones, and would definitely be very useful for "landing" it whilst in a kayak/boat! Also good to avoid the sand on a beach, or I guess anywhere the ground doesn't have a suitable flat landing site.
Edited by C n C on Tuesday 23 May 13:41
seyre1972 said:
Worse ever " live in a castle" without stating it .... 
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