Dear all,
I will be filming a documentary about some fishermen this summer, and so will be doing some aerial HD filming with a drone. However, given that I have no experience flying drones, and that the seas might be rough and windy, plus it will be at an isolated island, I am not sure whether I should invest in a good drone, or many cheaper drones.
Chances are that it will most likely crash, and therefore I won't have a chance to purchase a new one due to the location, I am considering getting a couple of cheaper ones so I have reserves.
It seems that there are barely any mid-range-budget drones, but only cheap ones, then expensive ones, then very very expensive ones. From my research, the best budget drone is one of the Syma models, for ca. 35 GBP, while the better expensive is DJI Phantom 1 for 350 GBP. So, as you can see, I can get 10x Syma's for the same price, and still crash a bunch of them in the ocean.
The filming should be in full HD 1028x30 or have the possibility to attach a gopro/sj4000 etc. With this in mind, are there any drones you would recommend in the various price ranges? Is my research correct to say that the best budget drone out there is the Syma, while the best expensive on is the DJI ? Do you know of any mid-range ones?
I was also hoping if some of you have some tips as to what I could do to twerk the drone so that it could float for a bit, if it is to crash in the water. What could be added that wouldn't add too much weight and ruin the flying?
Looking forward to reading the replies!
Cheers,
Replies
Hi Zeppley,
You might consider a couple Blade 200QX's with an antivibration hard mounted Mobius 1080P camera.
They won't float and if it goes down at sea it will be gone, but other than that they are very durable, reasonably cheap and they fly like a dream.
I use a Mobius on my Blade 200QX and it works remarkably well you can definitely get some good footage.
I doubt you can do it any cheaper.
I'd get 2 or 3 Blade 200QXs as well as 2 or 3 Mobius cameras.
Use some foam or Zeal gel to attach the Mobius to the bottom of the 200QX and a rubber band or 2 for security and you are in business. (The $80.00 little Mobius's take remarkably good 1080P video.)
You will also need a Spektrum DX6 or DX7 transmitter.
The Blade 200QX is very high performance but very easy to fly, so great to learn with as well.
Go to my quadcopters are fun sites smaller is better page and take a look.
http://quadcoptersarefun.com/SmallerIsBetter.html
Best regards,
Gary
Heya Gary,
thanks for the advice, am checking out your website!
Any other opinions out there+
Zepply,
My advice would be start flying a quadcopter tomorrow and start learning. Also a DJI Phantom 1 is not really considered to be an expensive aircraft ( at least in my opinion ). Also, in my opinion, when you are flying your quadcopter tomorrow make sure you have the camera you plan on using hanging on it. Don't under estimate the amount of effort and skill it takes to take good video. A lot of the really good stuff you see on the internet doesn't come easy. Good luck and happy flying
Regards,
David R. Boulanger
Hi Zepply,
The marine environment is an incredibly unforgiving one for multicopters, their motors, power systems and electronics.
Aquacopter makes some nice vacuum formed quadcopter shells specifically designed for aquatic use.
They are sealed and provide flotation.
http://www.aquacopters.com/store/c1/Featured_Products.html
However, using them in salt water still poses severe problems.
Although the motors windings are generally insulated, they still have exposed aluminum and metal parts (and most importantly ball bearings) all of which suffer greatly from exposure to saltwater (and salt air for that matter).
It would be best to use the sealed and flotation capability only for emergencies immediately after which the motors were completely flushed with fresh water,dried and their bearings relubricated.
Of course, cameras and gimbals are a whole other problem.
A Gopro in its underwater case is well suited, but the brushless gimbals have the same problems as the exposed drive motors and would need to be treated the same way.
Even with sealed and epoxy coated parts, the motors and gimbal motors ball bearings are not at all well suited to running in a salt water environment and will corrode and wear out much more quickly than normal.
After any direct exposure to salt water they really do need to be completely flushed out with water and or solvent and then relubricated to prolong their life.
Also you should have absolutely no directly exposed wiring contacts of any kind that can be touched by saltwater or salt spray.
This means you should use special marine grade heat shrink on any exposed wiring connections.
I lived in Fort Lauderdale, then Key Largo for many years and now in a Northern California coastal town.
You cannot overestimate the corrosive and shorting capabilities of salt water or salt air.
Best regards,
Gary