Have been looking online and found Phantom 4, Fat Shark FPV, kits online at Amazon, etc. Need advice from very knowledgeable, very experienced quad copter users. I know very little, certainly not enough to ask the appropriate questions. Looking to purchase very soon for video of timberland that was blown down by high winds. Thanks in advance.
In the market for a really good quadcopter, FPV, xtra batteries etc. plenty of budget i think
- Thread starter Tough
- Start date
Altsickeness
Quad Addict
None of my business but I would learn to fly before getting that good of a quad and goggles. Maybe Im wrong and phantoms are so easy that they dont require flying skills. Ive never owned one.
The DJI Phantom 4 would be a great choice, though as @Altsickness said, you'll probably want to make sure you can fly by getting a toy grade like a little 15$ Eachine toy. Practice a couple hours flight with it or until you're confident. Then you can take the Phantom out for a few test flights. The Phantom pretty much flies it's self as long as you guide and direct it, but if you will want to learn a little orientation.
I really appreciate the thoughtful and cautionary comments regarding "walking before you run" so to speak. I understand and will do so. However, for the more expensive model, I want to determine make, model, accessories, etc. so I can get price and availability as soon as possible. There are several RC shops around, and they seem to be knowledgeable and helpful. But, like everything else in life, it's best to get advice from those who have already gone down the path before. I do not want to re-invent the wheel, I want to get equipment that is tried and true, if possible.
I do not have the luxury of time, I have to get 200 to 300 ac. on video and assess what to do with the down timber. It is so bad you cannot walk it and gain meaningful information. The only way I can think of to survey and assess the damage, then come up with the best plan for reclamation of the marketable trees, is to fly it. The timber has to be removed fairly soon or the wood begins to degrade. Could be talking $20,000 to $40,000, maybe more, if it is not taken care of in the next 2 weeks so I have to act. I am in my late 50's and am mechanically inclined. (was sent off to college many years ago and got a degree in engineering, have a tiny little understanding of mechanical concepts, - just trying to tell you that I am not completely ignorant, but almost completely ignorant when it comes to RC Quadcopters ) I grasp new concepts fairly quickly. I agree it is best to practice in an open field with less expensive model(s), than beginning with the Phantom or something similar. I do plan to do that, I can make the time to practice. I believe that a 1, 2 or 3 day "crash" course with practice model(s), (might need a few extra toy models to crash while learning) may be enough, just have to see. I am able to take off to spend the time, all day for several days to learn, practice and learn some more. My son had some very small ones that we flew in the house.
I have a Futaba InterLink ELITE Controller RealFlight simulator ( bought it a couple of years ago) and have practiced with the software for flying Helicopters. Never could master hovering, was surprised as I generally catch on to things pretty quick. Having used the simulator, for quite a few hours, it seems the controller is over sensitive or I am over clumsy. I have not taken it back to the store to see if they can fly the simulator with this particular controller. Trying to fly the helicopter convinced me the quadcopter would be much better.
TASK: 3 to 4 hours flight time recording video - If GPS can be utilized to fly a calculated grid, will do so.
BUDGET: $3,000 +
QUESTION: Your recommendation for best production quadcopter equipment package to accomplish the TASK.
Have to fly a grid, low and slow, in order to assess type and size of damaged/down trees. Have to determine where to begin timber removal in order to recover most valuable timber first.
Once again, I am more than happy to receive all the cautionary advice you have, best practices, etc. I also would like a list of items you would advise purchasing to accomplish my task. If I knew someone that was already well learned in flying and videoing, I would take them with me to be the pilot. This may be a possibility, and will be looking into it.
I will contact RC Stores in the Dallas Ft. Worth area and see what advice they have about the equipment.
Hope the long post is not offensive
Thanks again
I do not have the luxury of time, I have to get 200 to 300 ac. on video and assess what to do with the down timber. It is so bad you cannot walk it and gain meaningful information. The only way I can think of to survey and assess the damage, then come up with the best plan for reclamation of the marketable trees, is to fly it. The timber has to be removed fairly soon or the wood begins to degrade. Could be talking $20,000 to $40,000, maybe more, if it is not taken care of in the next 2 weeks so I have to act. I am in my late 50's and am mechanically inclined. (was sent off to college many years ago and got a degree in engineering, have a tiny little understanding of mechanical concepts, - just trying to tell you that I am not completely ignorant, but almost completely ignorant when it comes to RC Quadcopters ) I grasp new concepts fairly quickly. I agree it is best to practice in an open field with less expensive model(s), than beginning with the Phantom or something similar. I do plan to do that, I can make the time to practice. I believe that a 1, 2 or 3 day "crash" course with practice model(s), (might need a few extra toy models to crash while learning) may be enough, just have to see. I am able to take off to spend the time, all day for several days to learn, practice and learn some more. My son had some very small ones that we flew in the house.
I have a Futaba InterLink ELITE Controller RealFlight simulator ( bought it a couple of years ago) and have practiced with the software for flying Helicopters. Never could master hovering, was surprised as I generally catch on to things pretty quick. Having used the simulator, for quite a few hours, it seems the controller is over sensitive or I am over clumsy. I have not taken it back to the store to see if they can fly the simulator with this particular controller. Trying to fly the helicopter convinced me the quadcopter would be much better.
TASK: 3 to 4 hours flight time recording video - If GPS can be utilized to fly a calculated grid, will do so.
BUDGET: $3,000 +
QUESTION: Your recommendation for best production quadcopter equipment package to accomplish the TASK.
Have to fly a grid, low and slow, in order to assess type and size of damaged/down trees. Have to determine where to begin timber removal in order to recover most valuable timber first.
Once again, I am more than happy to receive all the cautionary advice you have, best practices, etc. I also would like a list of items you would advise purchasing to accomplish my task. If I knew someone that was already well learned in flying and videoing, I would take them with me to be the pilot. This may be a possibility, and will be looking into it.
I will contact RC Stores in the Dallas Ft. Worth area and see what advice they have about the equipment.
Hope the long post is not offensive
Thanks again
Given all of this info then I'd certainly suggest the DJI inspire v2 or Phantom 4.
23 minute flight times, 5 km range, and gimbaled cameras pre installed with 4K ability.
You could order a Phantom 4 and almost fly it out of the box. Hovering will be really easy on this compared to any heli, as it is about as simple as releasing the sticks or using GPS hold. You also have the ability to fly a mission using the mission planner, I'd suggest setting up a back and forth pattern, and having it RTH on low battery to have the battery swapped out, then pick up where you let off.
The flight simulator has probably gave you plenty of the skills needed for the Phantom, so you can probably just take a little time to see how you feel on the toy quads, and if you can fly those reasonably well ou should be good. Once you order the Phantom, you'll naturally have a little down time while it shipps anyways.
23 minute flight times, 5 km range, and gimbaled cameras pre installed with 4K ability.
You could order a Phantom 4 and almost fly it out of the box. Hovering will be really easy on this compared to any heli, as it is about as simple as releasing the sticks or using GPS hold. You also have the ability to fly a mission using the mission planner, I'd suggest setting up a back and forth pattern, and having it RTH on low battery to have the battery swapped out, then pick up where you let off.
The flight simulator has probably gave you plenty of the skills needed for the Phantom, so you can probably just take a little time to see how you feel on the toy quads, and if you can fly those reasonably well ou should be good. Once you order the Phantom, you'll naturally have a little down time while it shipps anyways.
tylorwashere
Well-Known Member
If this is the only job you plan to use it for, I would think it would be cheaper just to hire a local small aircraft pilot to do a fly over
ringolong
Well-Known Member
I would recommend the Phantom 4. It is easy to fly, has a beginner mode to start you out while you learn to fly, collision avoidance, safety features like return to home, and it takes really good video.
It also has a built in simulator to learn how it flies also so that you could learn the sticks with.
I fly mine with headplays, and it is awesome.
It also has a built in simulator to learn how it flies also so that you could learn the sticks with.
I fly mine with headplays, and it is awesome.