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How Video and Photography Drones Work

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How Video and Photography Drones Work
For Beginners and those who want to know the basics behind these miracle machines.

Drones are in the news almost daily with millions being sold and flown. However, many are not familiar with the mechanics of how they work. This article will provide a basic explanation of the systems that keep a modern Camera Drone flying.

Is it Magic?

“Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.” – Arthur C. Clarke

For our more logical minds, it may help to rename magic to “sensor fusion” which is defined as:
“combining of sensory data or data derived from disparate sources such that the resulting information has less uncertainty than would be possible when these sources were used individually.”

Some fancy words…for sure! An example might help. Most modern automobiles have anti-lock brakes which use various sensors and computers to acheive a better result than a human driver would. Based on the slippage of the tires, the steering angle and other such inputs, the anti-lock systems makes decisions which help your car stay on the road. It is only the combination of these sensors (sensor fusion) and the proper programming which makes the system function as intended.

Modern camera quadcopters, such as the Phantom 3 or Phantom 4 series, need to have control of multiple systems:

The flying machine itself
The camera/gimbal combination
Radio Control between the ground and the drone.

Keeping the drone AND the camera steady and under control results in the desired end – butter smooth video and stunning photographs.

Multirotor Flight Control Sensors and Instruments [Read more…]

DJI Spark Camera Drone – Is it for You?

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Droneflyers.com received a review model of the DJI Spark Camera Drone before the official launch. We therefore have had a few months to put the model through its paces and determine the pros and cons of this ultra-portable quadcopter. Note that we have our initial review in this article as well as a number of Spark videos at our youtube channel. These may answer many of your questions, however the below is a summary of our thoughts at the present time. We will present most of the benefits and features in the beginning of the article and list out the major “cons” (what it doesn’t do, etc.) at the end.

What is Spark and who is it for?

The DJI Spark is the first mass-market ultra-portable drone that still has most of the features of the larger and heavier models. These include a camera gimbal, front and bottom sensors, dual GPS, FPV, an advanced App and an array of photographic and other options. Up until the Spark, the closest model to this ideal was the Parrot BeBop 2 – which has many of the above features, but lacks a gimbal (mechanical camera stabilizer) – instead using Electronic Image Stabilization to remove vibrations and other unwanted movement from the video(s). Most experts will agree that the mechanical (Spark) camera gimbal results in better overall video than EIS.

The DJI Spark is available with or without an option R/C controller. When purchased without the R/C controller, the range is limited and the model must be controlled using “virtual sticks” which are on the screen. Those who have no experience with either virtual or real “sticks” will likely need a lot of practice (and reading) to become familiar with operating the Spark via Mobile Device. Still, in our opinion, the Spark represents a truly useable camera drone/mobile device combo….something that we feel is lacking with most earlier models.

Adding the R/C controller makes the Spark a much more capable device – extending the range, the control “feel” and other options enough to make it a totally different experience. The R/C controller also features a “Sport” mode – which turns the normally tame Spark into a racer/FPV model that you’ll enjoy flying around the local fields. It can also integrate with the DJI Googles – giving you the full FPV experience (our DJI goggle review is here).  [Read more…]

2013 vs. 2017 – How Much Camera Drone tech do you get for your money?

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The advances in consumer Camera Drones have come quite quickly, outpacing similar technologies such as smart phones, computers and flat screen TV’s. As one example, an iPhone 3 in 2009 sold for a similar price as an iPhone 6 in 2016 (when inflation is considered). Of course, the newer iPhones are much more powerful and capable due to increased processing power.

When it comes to consumer camera drones, the price/performance (value) evolution is much more drastic. As an example, we will use the first Phantom/Gimbal combination to illustrate the point.

Mid-2013 Consumer Camera Drone Example

The first models of the Phantom (Phantom 1) were followed by an optional gimbal (stabilizer) – designed for the GoPro Hero 3 models. The gimbal was named “Zenmuse H3-2D” the “2D” meaning it was a 2-Axis gimbal. The Gimbal sold for $700 US, however existing Phantom owners also had to buy a PMU (power management unit) as well as the GoPro 3 Camera. A basic unit would therefore be:
$650 Phantom 1
$780 – Gimbal with PMU
$400+ – GoPro Hero 3
———
$1830

This setup required installation and tuning – the Phantom had to be opened up to install the wires and the PMU. Having this done by a dealer…plus a couple extra batteries, would bring the minimum price up to approx. 2K. [Read more…]

DJI Spark – NYC Introduction and our First Look at the Hardware, etc

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Note – we are adding a number of videos on our youtube channel. Most are embedded in this article however the direct link is here.

We also have a “Forum Continuation Thread” where we are posting tips and hints as they are known…and where you can even ask a question and take part in the conversation. Here is the link.

DJI introduced a smaller and lighter camera quadcopter (drone) named Spark on May 24. The Event was held in Grand Central Station in New York City.
Droneflyers.com obtained a pre-production model which we will be testing and flying extensively in the weeks ahead. Here are the very basics as we know them before…and at the time of launch. Xparks should be shipping very soon (Late June, 2017)

Price: $499 for the basic unit – operated by gesture control and/or smartphone.
$699 – for a complete package with Remote Control, Case, Prop Guards, Multiple Battery Charger, etc.

The DJI Spark is a small drone that does not fold – but is smaller and lighter than the Mavic Pro. It contains a 2-axis gimbal capable of 12MP Stills and 1080 Video. The DJI Spark is positioned as a “starter” drone but I’m sure more experienced and creative pilots will be able to use it also due to its size and capabilities. If you just want to order one now – try this link at DJI. Amazon is now taking orders also for Mid-June Delivery – here is a link.

DJI Spark – click to enlarge

In terms of weight, here is what our little scale read:
Weight – 344 grams with battery and prop guards (12.12 oz.)
305.4 grams with battery – no prop guards – (10.77 oz.)
Battery only – 95.8 grams (3.38 oz)

Flight time is advertised as 16 minutes – this is a maximum without the prop guards, which add quite a bit of weight. Figure on 12 minutes when you are using the prop guards. True flight time (usable) is closer to 13 minutes without prop guards and 10 minutes with. The battery only takes a couple seconds to swap out, so this is not going to be a problem for the close-in work this drone is designed for.

The base unit will sell for $499 and is controlled by “gesture control” (your hands, palms, face, etc.) or a smart device and wireless communication protocol. Advanced control on the smart device is through the DJI GO 4 App and a similar interface as other DJI models – except that the “sticks” show up virtually on the screen when your fingers touch it. The Go App for Spark features a number of Intelligent Flight Modes as per the screenshot below:

Intelligent Flight Modes

Note – there are some fancy moves such as “palm launching” as well as new camera modes and controls – most designed for the “selfie” aspect of this model. For example, a pano mode is included as well as a option to have a shallow depth of field (DJI calls this “Shallowfocus”). Vertical and Horizontal models are included (Landscape and Portrait).

An R/C (Remote) will be available for the Spark – as an extra cost option. This greatly extends the range and height.

Remote Control for Spark – Click to Enlarge

Range and Wind Resistance [Read more…]

Dronespeak.com and Dronecoalition.net Acquired by Droneflyers.com

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The domain names:
http://www.dronecoalition.net
and
http://www.dronespeak.com have both been acquired by Droneflyers.com.

As a result of these purchases, both domains now point to the Droneflyers.com main web site. However, most of the blog posts, articles and other information contained in those two sites now resides in our archives here and can be found in numerous ways. You can use our search box – or even use google and any result that points to those two URLs (web sites) will automatically transport you here.

We will be deleting and/or updating articles which are far out of date or contain information which is not useful today or in the future.

Of course, if you want the newest and freshest articles, reviews, opinions and links you can simply navigate using the menu links at the top of the page or click the Droneflyers logo to be transported to our front page.

We hope some of you find the content from the other web sites useful.

Sincerely,

Droneflyers.com

Note – if you have a drone web site you are no longer updating we’d be glad to speak to you about taking over the hosting of the content. It’s always a let down when good information disappears from the internet.

DJI Headset Goggles review! – Now available for Order – specs, videos and more!

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When DJI announced the Mavic Pro, they also showed a pair of advanced FPV/VR Goggles. Unfortunately, these have not yet been available – until now! In the meantime it appears they have cut the price in 1/2 (based on original projections). The goggles are available to order for just $449.

DJI has provided us access to an early shipment of preproduction – we have now received them and are in the process of a full review. If you are interested in getting in line to order, check out the DJI order page – all of the specs are there also.

Give the price and the features, these may be the first “mass market” goggles in the camera drone world. Sure, they won’t be used by most professional racers who have customer (read that speedy) setups which fit their uses – but for everyday control and an immersive flying experience, these should do the trick!

Stay tuned…..the entire reviews will follow here as it moves along.

First, here is the owners manual. It’s nice to have – for example, I didn’t get one with my (pre-production) set, so didn’t even know how to charge the batteries!
DJI_Goggles_User_Manual_EN

USB Port on Headband for Charging Battery

[Read more…]

First Look and Review – DJI $1349 Phantom 4 Advanced with 1″ Sony Sensor & CrystalSky Monitor

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DJI has announced a version of the Phantom 4 – like the Pro and Pro +, it features the 1″ Sony Sensor, larger lens and higher resolutions and bitrates. It is sold without the rear and side obstacle avoidance (I personally don’t use them anyway!) – the good news is that you get the top of the line camera and the other cool stuff – for less money – $1349 (bring your own device) or $1649 with the built-in Android based ChrystalSky Monitor.
Shipping NOW……you can order now at the DJI Store by using this link (info and ordering!)

DJI Phantom 4 Advanced +

DJI was kind enough to send us an evaluation (pre-release) model so we could test the new Phantom 4 Advanced + with the built-in CrystalSky Monitor.

What is CrystalSky? Simply speaking, it’s the best and brightest monitor available for consumer and prosumer level drones. DJI says it this way:
______________________________________________________________
“A maximum 2000 cd/m² of brightness means the CrystalSky monitor is more than four times as bright as typical mobile devices. On-screen details are clear and sharp, and colors are vibrant, giving the quality needed to fine tune image composition. A dedicated Sunlight Readability Enhancement mode is especially designed for processing the image in real-time to ensure more comfortable viewing under bright light.

* 5.5” / 7.85” 1000 cd/m2 7.85” Ultra Bright 2000 cd/m2
Resolution: 2048×1536 (7.85’’) / 1920×1080 (5.5’’)

______________________________________________________________

A picture I took (with iphone) of the CrystalSky Screen – taken in bright sunlight (in sunroom).

Let’s get back to the CrystalSky in a minute – first, we will describe the new Phantom 4 Advanced so consumers are clear about what they are getting – or not getting. At first glance the P4A looks exactly like the other Phantom 4 models. However, the advanced Sony 1″ Sensor means we can only compare it to the Phantom 4 Pro (and Pro+). We did an extensive review of the Phantom 4 Professional (without CrystalSky), which is located here.

Here are the differences between the Phantom 4 Pro and the Phantom 4 Advanced.

  1. The Phantom 4 Advanced lacks the rear facing optical avoidance cameras – and also the left and right side infrared sensors.
  2. The Phantom 4 Advanced uses a single frequency (2.4GHZ) for it’s R/C control and image transmission – the Pro model has the option of using 2.4 or 5.8 or both. Note – the Advanced may have less range due to this single frequency.
  3. The weight of the Phantom 4 Advanced has been shaved down by 20 grams – allowing for slightly longer flight times.
  4. The Price – as of May, 2017 – is $150 less.

[Read more…]

The Drone Report – 2017 #1

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The Drone Report – 2017 #1

Introduction – this article will bring the reader up-to-date (mid-2017) in terms of most facets of the consumer drone (multirotor) business. Please consider it an “Executive Summary” and excuse the lack of detail on each of the many subjects involved. Note – this is also slanted toward the N. American Market.

Basic Index
Drone Hardware – Software – Services – Add-ons

Hardware Overview – 2017 is shaping up very differently than previous years. This is due, in part, to the “winning” of the Consumer Drone Wars by industry leader DJI. At this point we can dispense with the idea that other companies are going to hit the market with competitive products in most of DJI’s price ranges. Here are the big stories involving Hardware (drones) within the civilian consumer camera drone market.

Consumer Models ( <$2,000 ) – Supply has outpaced demand. Consumers are excited about upper-end models such as the DJI Mavic Pro and the (larger sensor) Phantom 4 Professional. Those who want other models have at least a a dozen to choose from – an example of the largest sellers on Amazon is at this link.

Higher end Commercial Drone Example – The DJI Matrice 200 is available in multiple configurations

With the FAA now allowing commercial work, drone makers are starting to produce models designed for industrial or higher end commercial use. Models include the DJI Inspire 2 and the new DJI Matrice M200 series. Yuneec has announced beefed up models of their existing hexacopters which are also designed for heavier-duty use.

In terms of corporations which are succeeding in the business, the list is slim – here is our short take on the state of the major players:

DJI – Prospering – 2017 sales will likely double those of 2016, driven by the Mavic Pro which could sell a million+ units.
Parrot – Layoffs, sharp decline in sales, floundering
Yuneec – Layoffs reported – Treading Water – not gaining the market share they had hoped.
Autel Robotics – Layofsf reported – Reasonable sales volume but with high costs is unlikely to be able to keep up with the current speed of innovation in consumer Drones.
GoPro Karma (Failure to launch – unlikely to be news in the 2017 market). More and more layoffs reported.

As we mentioned in an earlier article, buyers seem willing to spend more on camera drones than in 2015/2016, but they want to get something very advanced (larger sensors, computer vision, portability, etc.) for their money. At the lower end, this means booming sales for models such as the DJI Mavic Pro (small size/weight)  and the Phantom 4 Pro (larger sensor). [Read more…]

How to Pass the FAA Part 107 Exam – hints, tips and comments

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In mid-January, 2017 I passed the FAA Part 107 test on the first attempt. Although I was pleased to pass the test, my score, at 82, was lower than I anticipated. The following discussion will provide some food for thought for those interested in taking – and passing – this test.

Who are You? How old are You?

I’m in my early 60’s and have been self-employed my entire life. This means I never had to take tests…but rather I had to prove myself in the School of Hard Knocks. This has worked out well – but such a life does not prepare a person for the specific task of rote memorization and study needed to excel in new fields of study.

To keep it short – if you are in college or have been in grad school or other similar ventures within the last decade, you will probably find the process easier. I my case, the last test I took was for HAM Radio and that was 35 years ago.

If you are already a pilot or well versed in aviation norms, you will have a leg up. Same goes with those very familiar with weather and maps. In my case, I did have the benefit of having been a map aficionado for much of my life.

The Material and Test are Difficult

This is not a test which is easy to ace. There is a lot of material involved and some of the specifics are exacting. There are many sites which provide the specifics of the study material…so I won’t repeat them here. However, keep in mind that you need to know details such as follows. In some cases, the air space up to a certain height (say 2500 feet) is FAA Controlled. A sample question might ask both what that height is – AND, whether it is UP TO or INCLUDING that height. In other words, you may have the general knowledge memorized (Class “X” airspace is up to 2500 FT), but forget whether it included 2500 Ft. or whether it was up to 2,499.9 feet. This is but one example where, in the real world, it makes no difference at all and yet your answer still must be accurate.

Most Students Should go for a Well Known Training Program

All of the material for the tests is available free of charge SOMEWHERE. In fact, the FAA themselves have a number of web pages and documents which cover the subjects involved. However, the order and the method the material is presented in will vary greatly, making it applicable only to the most capable of self-starters. I am a “self-learner” myself and yet would have probably found it difficult to study for and pass the test without the help of the program I joined. I used UAV Coach and their Drone Pilot Ground School. They have trained thousands of drone pilots and 99% of their students have passed the test on the first attempt. While I may not always be the smartest guy in the room, I am fairly certain that I am one of the 99%…. 🙂
[Read more…]

Best Selling Camera Drones on Amazon – Jan/Feb 2017

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Best selling consumer camera drones (up to $2K) on Amazon in January – February time period. Drone sales on Amazon are often indicative of overall consumer drone sales as a decent percentage of customers prefer ordering from them. Please see notes at the end for our opinion on the trends driving these sales and rankings.

Phantom 3 Standard
Mavic Pro
Phantom 4
Phantom 4 Pro
Phantom 4 Pro
Phantom 3 Pro
Autel X-Start Premium
Phantom 3 Advanced

Hot Sellers below that we cannot accurately place in exact order due to Amazon differing categories which don’t line up.

Parrot BeBop 2 FPV Kit

Parrot BeBop 1 (refurb) – Hot Seller at $179 – w/GPS and Camera, etc. –

No longer on the Top Charts

The Yuneec Typhoon H appears to have fallen off the Charts with their H model ranking well over #1,000 in Camera and Photo. The prices seem to have increased which may be responsible for it ranking so poorly –

The older Yuneec Q500 4K is selling about the same numbers as the Typhoon H – coming in at #1,438 in Camera & Photo. At most times of years, units ranking much about #1,000 do not make it to this listing. We will call these two models “honorable mention” for this report!

Note: DJI models can be ordered worldwide direct from DJI also at this link.
Note that DJI also has a “Refurbished” Section where some models which are not available any longer (Phantom 3 Pro, regular Phantom 4) may be found at discount prices and with a good warranty:
Many Parrot models can also be purchased from their online store at this link.

Our Analysis of the Above – State of the Consumer Drone Industry Early 2017

Droneflyers.com has many detailed articles about the State of the Consumer Industry – recently articles can be found about DJI, Parrot’s layoffs and GoPro’s failure to crack the market. In addition we offer short analysis of the current sales trends such as the one below.

The current Amazon data shows some interesting trends. Consumers seem more than willing to spend MORE than before on Flying Cameras. While 2015-2016 saw a reduction or leveling of the average sales prices, we are now seeing spiking popularity of more expensive models. These include the Mavic Pro, which while the sales price is $999, the average “ticket” is closer to $1400 because many customers buy the more complete package and/or additional batteries, extra warranties, etc.
The same is evident in the popularity of the new DJI Phantom 4 Pro – a model which starts at $1499 ($1799 for unit with included screen). This unit has the more advanced 1″ Sony Sensor as well as additional features for the more experience photographer or videographer. [Read more…]

DJI discontinues MOST of Phantom 3 line – as well as Phantom 4.

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In a surprise move, DJI has announced the termination of production of many of their Phantom quadcopters. Here are the units they claim to have discontinued:
Phantom 3 Pro
Phantom 3 Advanced
Phantom 4 (original)

The communications from DJI do not mention the Phantom 3 Standard, however they do mention this:
“The (DJI) consumer drones will be limited to the Mavic Pro, the Phantom 4 Pro and the Phantom 4 Pro Plus.”

If we take them at their word, this would mean DJI isn’t going to produce models at the very low end of the price range ($400-$700). Given current prices, this would mean: [Read more…]