DJI Phantom 2 Video Feed/FPV?

Neilc28

Neilc28

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Well, I've finally done it and purchased a DJI Phantom 2, H3-2D Gimbal and a GoPro Hero 3+ Black Edition, absolutely loving it so far and had to take it for a spin yesterday to check out what was above the fog as it was like Pea Soup!

My First flights for anyone interested!


Anyways, the reason I am posting, specifically in the technology section is that I am now looking for a 5GHz video link solution and was wondering if anyone here has any experience of this? As I have noticed a few members have Phantoms. I'm not specifically after the who FPV/Goggles setup, but some kind of video feed would be damn useful when it goes out of sight!

The GPS (Auto Fly Home) feature was a fantastic success yesterday that's for sure ;)
 
These things are awesome.
I'm working on making a chaser target so the copter will alway point and track a target.
 
Where did you get it from and how much did it all cost? I am seriously tempted with purchasing one. More for photos than anything else. Is it possible to take photos remotely?
 
Got the Phantom 2 and H3-2D Gimbal for just over 600 from 'Build Your Own Drone', I believe the package is now down to 520 as the new H3-3D Gimbal has just come out and knocked the 2D prices down! Typical..

The GoPro3+ can be bought from many places and prices vary depending on which edition you want, mine is the Black (Top Dog) and was 320.

Easiest way to take shots is to set the GoPro to take a photo every second or few seconds. Remote control for the GoPro is not advised as it uses 2.4GHz, the same as the controller. 5GHz FPV seems to be the way forward :)

Neil
 
And...

Not tempting you to purchase one....

But..

They are INSANE amounts of fun! And the footage can be amazing! I've been capturing a half-marathon from the sky, surfers and just general coastline, everything looks completely different from above!
 
Awesome, cheers Neil. Looks like they are out of stock of the H3-2D though :(
 
This is a good forum to read if you have one or want one.
http://www.phantompilots.com/index.php
The basic Phantom 1 is quite affordable, but even if you already have a gopro or similar you will likely end up spending at least twice that. :woot:

And there is the risk of hideous crash or losing the whole setup sooner or later.
Sometimes it's best just to forget about it!
 
They get stock in REALLY quickly, they were out of stock when I ordered mine, so I phoned them and they were really helpful and managed to source one so I could have the order the next day. Couldn't recommend their service enough! Excellent bunch of guys! I need to phone them tomorrow about FPV recommendations :)
 
There is risk, but as long as you know to calibrate the compass, use the recommended camera due to weight balance, always wait for GPS lock and not to use 2.4GHz tech at the same time as flying, then the risk is massively reduced
 
If you do get one, make sure you upgrade the firmware to 2.00 and recalibrate compass prior to first flight. There were some changes made to the system to counter gyrocompass interference, something highly suspected to cause fly-aways. Needless to say, I did mine straight away!
 
mmm I used to build a nd fly quads... Really tempted to get one (and flog my old bits I have first!)
 
Doubt they'll be banned, and with no GPS failsafe and flying near a nuclear sub pen he was pretty much asking for it!
 
I bought a DJI Phantom 2 Vision a few months back and have to say it's great fun to fly and super easy. The only thing I'm not keen on the Vision, is the image quality is not as good as I want, but at least you get the FPV.

Out of interest, how do you video/photograph from the GoPro without the FPV?

Been trying to work out whether to change the Vision for a Go-Pro and gimbal.
 
You have to either start recording the video prior to flight, or set the interval timer for photographs. Either way, without FPV there is no way of seeing where you are shooting...
 
Neilc28 said:
You have to either start recording the video prior to flight, or set the interval timer for photographs. Either way, without FPV there is no way of seeing where you are shooting...
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That's what I thought, which is why I went for the Vision, but not sure I made the right choice now.
 
I went for the other option, knowing that I need FPV to fully take advantage of the equipment. My wallet hates me lol
 
Neilc28 said:
Doubt they'll be banned, and with no GPS failsafe and flying near a nuclear sub pen he was pretty much asking for it!
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You're right, they are unlikely to be banned. The government will do the usual thing with things they think might be dangerous - tax them. BTW some people who fly these things are openly speculating that it was no coincidence it mysteriously fell from the sky when it went near the nuclear base.

I stopped looking seriously at drones when I realised that I probably needed an expensive license to use one commercially - and that I would always be undercut by people who didn't bother with stuff like that. I've a funny feeling that technically the FPV models may be illegal in the UK - IIRC the pilot has to maintain line of sight with the drone and you could argue they aren't able to do that with goggles on.

But like I say, I'm sorely tempted by one of these. Love watching the videos. I just can't make a business case for it :(
 
You need an aviation pilots license to do it commercially, its been covered in drone forums a LOT! Lol, with regards to FPV, it is legal but requires someone to be with you so they can be your spotter. No solo FPV
 
Neilc28 said:
You need an aviation pilots license to do it commercially
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Yeah. I think it's about £1,500 and several days training. Which is quite an investment only to find people are quietly doing it without a license. I have some jobs where these would go down a treat but I just can't seem to guarantee the £10K or so of business I'd need to make it work.

Also I know if I bought one it wouldn't be longer before I "needed" a better one. And different rotors. And a gimbal. And a better gimbal.....
 
JonathanRyan said:
You're right, they are unlikely to be banned. The government will do the usual thing with things they think might be dangerous - tax them. BTW some people who fly these things are openly speculating that it was no coincidence it mysteriously fell from the sky when it went near the nuclear base.

I stopped looking seriously at drones when I realised that I probably needed an expensive license to use one commercially - and that I would always be undercut by people who didn't bother with stuff like that. I've a funny feeling that technically the FPV models may be illegal in the UK - IIRC the pilot has to maintain line of sight with the drone and you could argue they aren't able to do that with goggles on.

But like I say, I'm sorely tempted by one of these. Love watching the videos. I just can't make a business case for it :(
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That's why I stopped, would have been £££££ to get sorted.

As for the vid, I know barrow well having worked out there. Firstly he took off from next to an active airfield. About 400 yards if that, so bloody stupid. Also next to a sub site... yes it is but he would prob not have made it to the "nuclear" bit... But knowing how seriously they take there security he got off very lightly.
 
The UK law is line of site and that means no more than 400 meters, especially like flying above fog cover and showing your face on the video doing such - it's fun but let me just warn you with some friendly advice, the CAA are monitoring the tube every day and there have been a lot more convictions than the papers disclose. As a pilot and an ex drone designer I would advise everyone to just be bloody careful, not for the safety element but the higher powers are looking to make examples of people. Cracking video though! It's always a pretty sight to see fog cover below, reminds us how peaceful it can be :)

The phantom is a good piece of kit if you want everything to work out of the box, don't forget to check out Hobby king if you want to do the diy route as they have some cracking deals on equipment for fpv :)
 
A second for hobby king... I got almost all of my kit from them
 
For people who are using Gopro, what kind of FPV is available? How how would it be setup?
 
Fatshark goggles or black pearl monitor, both are highly recommended mainstream products :)
 
I promise to stop going on about this.......but I just saw a news report from Oz about a triathlete that was injured when a drone hit her on the head.

Too many idiots spoiling it for the sensible pilots and it's going to get worse :(
 
The fact people do stupid things with quadcopters does not make quadcopters dangerous/stupid, or all gun makers would be murders. If someone was to use a quadcopter with a gopro to look through a bedroom window it does not mean we have to ban quadcopters, he could have done the same with a brrom handle and a gopro. It does need regulating to control the fools, but not banning!!
 
The thing is, what most don't realise is that if it becomes regulated it will ruin the hobby as it will class helis, planes and other airborne 35mhz/2.4ghz devices into a rule book. The hobby is awkward enough these days with model clubs bickering over flights etc. Retailers need to be a bit more careful about who they are selling equipment to. But then again that would never happen because of imported equipment - just look at the fpv power requirement for 10 mw or less AV transmission power yet most retailers are selling 500mw and 2w kit! If people could be more careful and stop bragging soo much about fpv and their range then we will avoid the CAA ' S wrath of laws.
 
Well, since this thread started I'm now looking at the standard recommendations on FPV Kit, so the AVL58, Cloverleaf antenna's and either FatShark Goggles/Glasses or the Black Pearl screen, far too much money to invest in potentially sub-standard parts!

For anyone interested, here is my latest video, still getting to grips with it but getting more confident by the day :)

 
I followed your advice and ordered with build your own drone and had problems. They emailed to say they were out of stock and then they have ignored all my emails when I ask how long it would be. The contact number on website is wrong, and I have had to go through paypal to somehow get a refund :(
 
Neilc28 said:
For anyone interested, here is my latest video, still getting to grips with it but getting more confident by the day :)
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Nice. Very nice. :)

I'd be very wary of showing the underside of the drone though. It breaks the illusion a little for me. Is it possible to set the gimbal so it can't go that high?

KelvinB said:
It does need regulating to control the fools, but not banning!!
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True. But governments of all persuasions don't have a great track record in gently helping the majority to enjoy an interesting hobby while weeding out the 1% nutjobs. It will be taxed soon.......
 
Oh good grief. Why have I discovered this thread. I had never heard of these things until I saw Froknowsphoto's video of his. I don't need another expensive hobby but this looks cool. That beach video is superb!!
 
JonathanRyan said:
Nice. Very nice. :)


True. But governments of all persuasions don't have a great track record in gently helping the majority to enjoy an interesting hobby while weeding out the 1% nutjobs. It will be taxed soon.......
Click to expand...


To resurrect this a little, I don't believe new legislation or taxes will be bought in. However, I do think the relevant bits of the ANO will be more rigorously enforced then they are now. I could see existing rc model clubs moving to insist on this just to protect their hobby
 
Neilc28 said:
Well, since this thread started I'm now looking at the standard recommendations on FPV Kit, so the AVL58, Cloverleaf antenna's and either FatShark Goggles/Glasses or the Black Pearl screen, far too much money to invest in potentially sub-standard parts!

For anyone interested, here is my latest video, still getting to grips with it but getting more confident by the day :)

Click to expand...

I really like that. But what can you do to prevent the parts of the drone entering into the field of view every so often?
 
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