Anybody else got a drone?

12/29/2014 | djf

[djf]

Anybody else have a drone?

I'm asking because I decided to get myself a cheapo Christmas present, and got a Hubsan. The small one.

It's quite a challenge to fly... so far, I think I've taken off and landed a total of twice. All the other events have been crashes.

The first time I tried it, I hooked it up on my coffee table, powered up the controller, and pushed the RPM's up. It VERY promptly took off, crashed into my roof but keep going, and landed at the top of a bookcase about 15 feet away...

Wow!

Since that time I have tried mostly low-level flights, trying to get the feel of the controller and the feel of the drone.

No camera, so no pictures. That will wait for another day.

And it has a somewhat short flight time - measured in minutes, MAYBE ten minutes if I can run it that long without crashing.

Is there a drone ping list? I might be interested!

[B-Cause]

I had the same unit you have and had the same problems you are having. My eye-hand coordination just could not keep up with the machine while it was in flight. Outside flying primarily resulted in crashes and lost propellers.

Picked up the DJI Phantom 2 Vision + and it is a totally different experience.

Click here for a first flight video at our local Veterans' Memorial. With a carrying case and a few extra items you can plan on close to $2,000 - but it is worth it.

[South40]

I got a Phantom 2 last month and some keen accessories for Christmas. It's pretty easy to fly out in the open. I have found, though, that if there is anything around I will hit it. So I stick to open spaces.

I also have a GoPro camera and the Zenmuse H3-3D gimbal. So I can take some incredible video.

[djf]

Well, I’m happy to report:

1) I’m STILL alive!
2) The drone is also!

If you have any drone dreams, please post away!

For everybody else, I have a few recommendations.
First, read the manual. Then, burn the manual. The manual won’t tell you boot squat about how to fly a drone.

A drone must be flown (as near as I can figure) by feel and touch and response.

Second, GET THE ROTOR PROTECTORS!!
Did I say that loud enuff? GET THE ROTOR PROTECTORS!

That’s because when you are practicing, or learning, you will CONSTANTLY be stopped by the drone bumping into something and then it sits there and just whirs.

I finally after about twenty attempts got it to fly about three feet off the ground and pretty much stay stationary!

Progress!

I will check back often!

[lucky american]

My son-in-law got one. It looks like an overgrown butterfly. He tried it a couple of times inside, crashing both times. He was outside a while and I didn’t see what happened but it’s been on the shelf since.

[fulltlt]

My boys got remote control helicopters this Christmas. They only work indoors due to the type of remote they use. I challenged the boys to try and land on one of the fan blades of the ceiling fan in the living room. Well, they spent hours trying to accomplish Dad’s challenge. One of them finally made it. He took a picture of it on his cell phone as proof.

[bbernard]

Make sure you have the unit set to beginner mode and calibrated on a level surface. I bought the x4 with camera for my son for Christmas. He has been flying r/c planes, helicopters and drones for years and cannot fly this drone in expert mode, yet.

Here is a good article on the x4 with some good tips.

http://spincrisis.net/hubsan-x4-quadcopter-review/

Good luck.

[GRRRRR]

http://www.phantompilots.com

I have had the Phantom Vision2+ since July.

Great fun, expensive to replace the camera and gimbal after you crash into a tree at high speed, but lesson learned.

[kjam22]

I live in Oklahoma City... the wind is 7 mph on the days it doesn’t blow. I’m not sure a drone is made for my part of the country....

[Rebelbase]

This is giving me flashbacks to being 12 years old and buying a Cox Stuka dive bomber at a thrift store.

She made one complete revolution before hitting the zenith and diving straight to the ground and smashing into pieces beyond repair.

[KosmicKitty]

My son brought his over for our after the holidays Christmas dinner Saturday. He made it go too high and it crashed. I couldn’t believe that Mr Kitty actual found the drone, with the camera still recording, several blocks away. The video is pretty cool, though.

[clintonh8r]

I had a L’il Stinker when I was about 11. Never got it off the ground....

[The_Media_never_lie]

Sounds like great fun!

[djf]

Thanks!

That was a great article, I bookmarked it!