Do you own a drone?

McT said:
Isn't that an expensive exercise ... or is it designed for such?
Click to expand...

The initial outlay can be expensive. But because it isn't something you buy off the shelf (like the DJI stuff) - if something breaks, you know exactly what needs replacing and how to replace it (cause you built it). It's pretty modular - the frame, the motors, the flight controller (brain) - camera, the video transmitter, the controllers for the motors. Individually not that expensive, but bought at once, it is painful.

This past week-end I had a crash and broke an arm (of the quad) - R100 for the arm is not bad (thankfully nothing else broke). One connection had to be re-soldered and I was done. The expensive bit is actually the batteries. They are rechargeable but you get about 4 or 5 minutes flight time out of 1 battery, so you need about 8 or 10 for a good session - and they (depending on the brand and size etc.) can run at around R300-R600 per battery.

As with most hobbies, getting into it is expensive - which is why I choose the toy -> indoor quad with proper controller and some cheap goggles -> proper quad (already had the controller and goggles by that point). That route into the hobby didn't hurt too much. I have heard of guys just walking into the store and dropping 10 - 15k to get all the shiny newest stuff - and then promptly crash it on their first outing :(
 
I've seen a few nice second hand Phantom 3 Standard's go for around the R7k mark. Sadly the one I wanted to pick up in Mossel Bay yesterday as I was in the area wasn't available due to the seller not responding to my messages.

I'm not in a rush to get one, but after having flown a Phantom 2 a while back coupled with the good second hand prices I have been really tempted :)
 
Quick question. the In the box does not indicate, is the battery included or do I need to go buy one, haven't opened the box yet...

G
 
I'm asking since someone told me no I'll have to still get one... ye it might be funny, also can't see one not included, but asking... otherwise I'll just confirm later when I open the box.

G
 
eg2505 said:
why is it you don't need a license for those, I will never understand.
its a full fledged aircraft, can perform like one even.
Click to expand...

Well in the US i think one needs a license. South africa hasn't caught on yet, I think because not everyone has a drone yet, as soon as a reasonable number of the population acquire a drone we will see harsher laws. There are a few laws in place though.
As for the phantom 4, it is a mini fighter jet.

Thing can hit 70kph :twisted:
 
namzsteve said:
Well in the US i think one needs a license. South africa hasn't caught on yet, I think because not everyone has a drone yet, as soon as a reasonable number of the population acquire a drone we will see harsher laws. There are a few laws in place though.
As for the phantom 4, it is a mini fighter jet.

Thing can hit 70kph :twisted:
Click to expand...

cool stuff, had any accidents with it?
I mean Ive always wanted to know if people flying those things ever have issues with birds flying into them.

one day is one day for me in my Citi golf of a drone...
even insects fly into mine...
 
DJI Spark. Could be better. Will probably upgrade.
 
eg2505 said:
cool stuff, had any accidents with it?
I mean Ive always wanted to know if people flying those things ever have issues with birds flying into them.

one day is one day for me in my Citi golf of a drone...
even insects fly into mine...
Click to expand...

Hahaha, I've had some insects fly on the camera lens, leaving a nasty splat ruining my footage.

The most epic accident was in the Follow me mode on the drone, I set it up to track me running, it tried to keep up and crashed into some trees. Took me a good 2 hours to get it down.

Still waiting for a bird attack.
 
namzsteve said:
Hahaha, I've had some insects fly on the camera lens, leaving a nasty splat ruining my footage.

The most epic accident was in the Follow me mode on the drone, I set it up to track me running, it tried to keep up and crashed into some trees. Took me a good 2 hours to get it down.

Still waiting for a bird attack.
Click to expand...

a hadeda tried to attack mine, even though mine was tiny and hadly a threat to it,

did manage to confuse it by flying like Maverick out of Top Gun:crylaugh:

kept hitting loop and left, to make it loop around, hadeda got so confused
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X