The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Down Range Cafe => Topic started by: billt on June 30, 2015, 05:55:58 AM
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http://www.bestbuy.com/site/searchpage.jsp?st=dji+phantom+2&_dyncharset=UTF-8&id=pcat17071&type=page&sc=Global&cp=1&nrp=15&sp=&qp=category_facet%3DSAAS%7EAerial+Drones+with+Camera%7Epcmcat369900050002&list=n&iht=y&usc=All+Categories&ks=960&keys=keys&ref=P10T12R105&loc=BODY&CampaignID=725602&SubscriberID=150902829&eut=2705478312
What do you guys think? Maybe we should have some eyes up there?? They even have auto takeoff and landing!
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I can see the value for store security in and on their private property, as a farmer for scouting fields or checking feedlots, as a contractor or insurance adjustor taking a quick peek at roofs, etc. However, I am fully against the peeping toms, including government, just snooping on us.
This past week we have endured the annual photo taking sessions. Photographers in their planes buzz the country side taking photos of farm yards. This means that in a month or two we will have high pressure salesmen on the place pushing photos. A real joy knowing that as you are working outside there is somebody overhead taking photos.
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How much armament will it carry? .50cal? Or just a .223?
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The hype disgusts me.
They are radio controlled air craft. BFD.
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Note that the even the most expensive one only takes and stores pictures and videos.....at least I see nothing about "live" transmission of video. I have found that this feature is referred to as First Person View (FPV)
And I'd assume you are flying "blind" and would need to have it in sight to direct it's flight with any accuracy.
Without live video, it has little "tactical" value in your neighborhood. By the time it returns and the pictures are viewed on another device, what ever was about to happen, will have started at least.
It is still great for spying or peeping-toming ;D ;D
If I am mistaken about the live video and blind flying, let me know...I am assuming if FPV is not expressly mentioned in the blurb, it isn't a feature of the model.
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Not that hard to add wireless video for live feeds.
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I think the big plus with these is how easy they are to fly. Going back just a few years ago, RC helicopters were a real PITA to fly. Many resulted in expensive crashes. These will all but fly themselves. Some can stay airborne for up to a half hour on one charge. When the batteries get low they will automatically land.
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Not that hard to add wireless video for live feeds.
Have no experience with the gear or it's requirements for live feed.
I see two concerns:
1. the added weight of that extra gear which might be a consideration with these small drones.
2. traditionally transmitters have been power consumers, but I guess cell phone technology has reduced that considerably, but still a long flight time is 30 or so minutes a video transmission may take a bite out of that.
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Solus,
If you watch shooting shows you will see these. I have seen them on at least three, but the only name I can remember is 3 Gun Nation. They are flying these on the range covering the stages. I am assuming that the cameraman is watching live video feed on the monitor in front of him as he flies the drone.
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I think the big plus with these is how easy they are to fly. Going back just a few years ago, RC helicopters were a real PITA to fly. Many resulted in expensive crashes. These will all but fly themselves. Some can stay airborne for up to a half hour on one charge. When the batteries get low they will automatically land.
I noticed that the expensive one from that link ($1200+) was GPS equipped and can fly "home" and land. Flip the burgers while the bird comes home.....
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Solus,
If you watch shooting shows you will see these. I have seen them on at least three, but the only name I can remember is 3 Gun Nation. They are flying these on the range covering the stages. I am assuming that the cameraman is watching live video feed on the monitor in front of him as he flies the drone.
Ahh...same "class" drones as on the link?
They do it for the audience to view or some part of officiating?
Thanks
Edit: Sounds like part of the video program after rereading your post.
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As to payload, Amazon and one of the shipping companies ( UPS ?) are looking at using drones for same day delivery near their distribution centers.
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/same-day-shipping---drone-delivery-may-not-be-feasible--ups-174846046.html