"Drones"

[nelsonic]

Whether we like it or not drones are going to be taking over our skies in the near future.

http://www.recode.net/2016/11/10/13553070/drone-startup-zipline-health-care-delivery-rwanda http://www.businessinsider.com/zipline-raises-25-million-for-humanitarian-drone-deliveries-2016-11

I'm obviously keen on learning how to fly drones for arial photography. https://github.com/dwyl/summer/issues/4 But I also see the many opportunities for practical applications ... http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2013/12/131202-drone-uav-uas-amazon-octocopter-bezos-science-aircraft-unmanned-robot/ see #4 on the list...

I'm resisting the temptation to "waste" money on the DJI Mavic Pro: https://youtu.be/p1d_ptE6yrc Even though every neuron of my child-like-mind is trying to convince me it's a great idea and I "need" one!!

http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/dji-mavic-pro-4k-quadcopter-drone-fly-more-combo-n88em

When the time comes we will get one for viewing our land and the surrounding area.

[nelsonic]

DJI Inspire 2 ... Wow. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBHuftMcmis 😮 @sohilpandya how badly do you want to try flying this drone...?!

http://www.theverge.com/2016/11/15/13627800/dji-inspire-2-drone-two-cameras-professional-ssd

[sohilpandya]

Ummmm. lets do it!!!! 😆 😆 😆

[nelsonic]

Sadly, the price of the Inspire 2 is a little bit silly: http://store.dji.com/product/inspire-2

It's not a "consumer" device... without the camera (i.e. useless) it's $2,999 but with the setup in the promo video, $5,999

[sohilpandya]

JESUS!

[nelsonic]

@sohilpandya I'm on the "tell me about Mavic Pro availability" list for Maplin: But if you think we should consider buying it directly from DJI: https://store.dji.com/product/mavic-pro Thoughts...? (our main objective is having a good customer service if anything goes "wrong" with it...!)

I wouldn't mind getting it from another retailer provided they have good great Customer Service.

But given the "supply shortage" (brilliant marketing tactic) it looks like getting it directly from DJI is the best "bet" for getting it "sooner"... 😉

[sohilpandya]

@nelsonic DJI is probably not the best place to buy the drone from:

7 Day returns policy is not great.. 😢

IMO Maplins is the best bet for getting this due to its great customer service.

[nelsonic]

@sohilpandya agreed. 👍 Ordered it from Maplin. (placed order but they are out of stock so we're on the waiting list...) Would you mind doing a few mins of research to see what else we should get for it? e.g: is there a way to protect the camera/lens from crash landings? any other "accessories" ? Is there a simulator people can play on before they try flying a $1k drone...?

P.S. are you excited...?! 😮 https://youtu.be/4xGAAjJkxxE?t=16m59s

[sohilpandya]

I am super excited about this! 🎉 🎉

• In terms of practice, I'm not sure about it, I've personally had experience flying DJI drones and they are super easy to fly. For starters, it might be best to take it out in a completely open area (Vic park)

Some accessories which may come in handy:

• More Batteries
• longer legs
• More Propellers
• We should get a lens cover which will cover the camera when it's not in use.
• Bag Although I recommend that we look for alternatives that are cheaper (will post if I find a good one here!) 👍

[sohilpandya]

I have just spent the last hour watching other people fly/talk about the drone... 😟

https://youtu.be/mBaPcpddMZ8?t=3m40s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WsHpdQPIMvI

[nelsonic]

@sohilpandya thanks for doing the research!! (and sharing the links!) I ordered this hard case (because it looked good...) https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01N20K9ES/ Also ordered the other accessories you have suggested. 👍

We have one spare battery on order, should we get more than that...? 🤔

[sohilpandya]

@nelsonic 🎉 Ah, didn't know we had ordered an extra one. It gives us a total of ~30-45min+ of flight time with 2 batteries so plenty imo 👍

[nelsonic]

@sohilpandya looks like we be flyin' this weekend! 🛩 (not quite "G6" but, moar fun-per-dollar!) wanna Meet Me @Maplin at Midday? 🕛 ❓

P.S: have you seen: http://dronelife.com/2016/05/07/5-apps-every-drone-pilot-consider/ ? especially "Lichi": https://flylitchi.com ... see: https://youtu.be/ZvdWSGrf_Ak FPV: https://youtu.be/ewznIo8RTlg ...? 😮

[sohilpandya]

@nelsonic oh boy!!! CANNOT WAIT

Is it the St. Pauls Maplin at 12? 👍

I'll be looking into all the recommendations! 💯

[nelsonic]

I didn't know that I would be working from client office today when I ordered it last week. 🤔 📆 so I asked for delivery to Liverpool Street. (see PDF I sent you) store is close to "Skills Matter". 🎯 Will try and be there for 12:00 ... hope you sleep well! 🛌

[sohilpandya]

Ordered another battery. Should be with us for Monday. ☺️

[iteles]

@nelsonic Shall we close this issue for now? We have the equipment, the next issue should be on how to use it most effectively 😊

[nelsonic]

Agreed. closing. 👍

[nelsonic]

This is why we can't have "nice things"...

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-45073385

All it takes is one idiot to spoil it for all amateur aerial photographers... 😞

Also, not a very effective military if they all run at the slightest sign of "danger"... What happened to protecting your "leaders"...?! 🙄 Reminds me of the "Bodyguards" sketch in John Finnemore's Souvenir Programme: https://www.comedy.co.uk/radio/finnemore_souvenir_programme/episodes/4/1/ ... Someone kindly uploaded the show: https://sites.google.com/view/playlistsnight/home

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AxX7594pBYd9b23OH_ubZqY47y0Hxwjl/view if you like intellectual comedy, listen to it (download or stream). Thank me later. 😉