[Misc] Drone advice

Chinman3000

Well-known member

Sep 28, 2011

1,267

• Nov 18, 2020

• #1

I'm looking at getting a drone for photography reasons as I have some big events planned next year (assuming they go ahead!)

Want something fairly decent with a quality stable camera, preferably on a gimble, and bells and whistle appreciated (auto programme shots etc)

Interested in the DJI Mavic Mini, but any suggestions?

 

Papa Lazarou

Living in a De Zerbi wonderland

Jul 7, 2003

18,858

Worthing

• Nov 18, 2020

• #2

Chinman3000 said:

I'm looking at getting a drone for photography reasons as I have some big events planned next year (assuming they go ahead!)

Want something fairly decent with a quality stable camera, preferably on a gimble, and bells and whistle appreciated (auto programme shots etc)

Interested in the DJI Mavic Mini, but any suggestions?

Click to expand...

I own a DJI Mavic Air... lovely piece of kit. Not sure of it's got a good enough camera for you though. It has all the set flight programmes though.

 

Change at Barnham

Well-known member

Aug 6, 2011

4,906

Bognor Regis

• Nov 18, 2020

• #3

I have a very tiny knowledge of Drones.
If I wanted to buy a drone to play with and take photos how restrictive is the use of them in public spaces?
I haven't seen many around recently.

 

Papa Lazarou

Living in a De Zerbi wonderland

Jul 7, 2003

18,858

Worthing

• Nov 18, 2020

• #4

Change at Barnham said:

I have a very tiny knowledge of Drones.
If I wanted to buy a drone to play with and take photos how restrictive is the use of them in public spaces?
I haven't seen many around recently.

Click to expand...

Any drone over 250g must now be registered with the CAA, and you need to take a test and pay annually for an Operator ID to be able to fly your drone legally.

https://register-drones.caa.co.uk/individual

 

Dick Swiveller

Well-known member

Sep 9, 2011

9,156

• Nov 18, 2020

• #5

Don't worry - Timmy left ages ago so the noise has .... oh, sorry. Wrong drone.

 

Chinman3000

Well-known member

Sep 28, 2011

1,267

• Nov 18, 2020

• Thread starter
• #6

Papa Lazarou said:

Any drone over 250g must now be registered with the CAA, and you need to take a test and pay annually for an Operator ID to be able to fly your drone legally.

https://register-drones.caa.co.uk/individual

Click to expand...

This is why I'm interested in the mini as it is 249g for this very reason

 

Papa Lazarou

Living in a De Zerbi wonderland

Jul 7, 2003

18,858

Worthing

• Nov 18, 2020

• #7

Chinman3000 said:

This is why I'm interested in the mini as it is 249g for this very reason

Click to expand...

Don't limit yourself just on that basis. The test isn't that hard, and you only do it once. After that you register your Drone and yourself as an Operator. you renew it yearly at a cost of £9. Simples.

There are some very stable drones which either have better optics or allow you to fix your own camera, but they are bigger (and costlier). Having said that DJI are making some beautiful drones recently, and the mini does continue that. The issue with the smaller drones is battery life - if you want longer flying time between battery changes, the larger drones will give you that.

 

zefarelly

Well-known member

NSC Patron

Jul 7, 2003

21,811

Sussex, by the sea

• Nov 18, 2020

• #8

My lad has a DJI Mavic, not sure which one, but its great, small compact, easy to fly, goos film and photos.

low res . . .but you ge tthe idea.

 

Last edited: Nov 18, 2020

Bozza

You can change this

Helpful Moderator

Jul 4, 2003

55,721

Back in Sussex

• Nov 18, 2020

• #9

Casey knows his drones, and he loved the Mini...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9NH0Jqh7Is

 

zefarelly

Well-known member

NSC Patron

Jul 7, 2003

21,811

Sussex, by the sea

• Nov 18, 2020

• #10

Bozza said:

Casey knows his drones, and he loved the Mini...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9NH0Jqh7Is

Click to expand...

My lad watches his videos and reviews, he had a few tiddlers, flying around, helicoopters, then a clunky thing with a camera, then got the DJI, I think its the air, a very clever bit of kit, and given its dimunitive size rearkably composed even when its windy

 

Gazwag

5 millionth post poster

Mar 4, 2004

30,137

Bexhill-on-Sea

• Nov 18, 2020

• #11

Chinman3000 said:

This is why I'm interested in the mini as it is 249g for this very reason

Click to expand...

I wonder if that one gram is the difference between life and death when dropping onto somebodies head

 

swindonseagull

Well-known member

Aug 6, 2003

9,268

Swindon, but used to be Manila

• Nov 18, 2020

• #12

Dick Swiveller said:

Don't worry - Timmy left ages ago so the noise has .... oh, sorry. Wrong drone.

Click to expand...

That duty has been taken over by [MENTION=28934]AmexRuislip[/MENTION].

 

R

Rowdey

Well-known member

Jul 7, 2003

2,536

Herne Hill

• Nov 18, 2020

• #13

On lock down V1, I did a deal with a customer on a brand new in the box DJI Flame Wheel, complete with FLYSKY FS-i6, NAZA-M Lite, batteries, charger etc. I saw it as a decent way to spend time bonding with son while building it, and it was all good until fly time.. We just cannot get the thing to power motors and in air..

Like to think i'm pretty technical as can diagnose/repair boilers, but it's got the point where i'd happily pay someone to spend an hour rolling their eyes at me to show me how/what i'm doing wrong and set me straight.
I'm based in South London but come down to Rotters and Lancing fairly regularly to see folks - Most drone shops seem to be online only, but can anyone recommend a shop or be up for being paid to help me out sometime.. ? I'm looking like a failure to a son, and the Mrs sees it every day and keeps threatening to throw it all out..