Mavic Pro: giving my travel photography and adventure videos a big-budget

Drones are incredible tools for capturing images & video in a totally different perspective. With the new DJI Mavic Pro, we finally have a drone that’s easy to travel with too!

To enjoy your trip with the Mavic, here are some tips and tricks to fly it.

DJI Mavic Tips & Tricks

Press Record!

As stupid as this sounds, when I first started flying drones, I’d forget to start recording video. Maybe it was because I was so excited to fly the thing, or because I was mesmerized by the beautiful scenes it was showing me. Remember to hit record and capture that beauty!

Full Screen View

The tiny Mavic Pro controller is pretty slick, displaying flight details like speed, altitude, distance, and battery level. This allows you to switch your phone into full-screen mode (swipe up for IOS), removing the information overlay so you can concentrate on framing your shots.

Slow & Steady Movements

Racing around at 40mph in sport mode is fun as hell, but doesn’t make for great video footage. The best drone videos are smooth and steady. Small input changes can have a big effect — you don’t need to jam down on the control sticks full throttle. Plus, you can always speed things up later with editing software too.

Return To Home

It took me a while to realize the benefits of this feature. Why engage return to home when I can fly back myself? Well, the software is much more efficient than humans are. It takes the shortest path back, flying at optimal speed, saving you precious battery power. If you really want to land yourself, you can cancel it at the last minute and take control.

Catch Landing

If I’m attempting to fly from uneven ground (rocks, tall grass, sand) I’ll generally launch the Mavic from my camera backpack, and catch-land it in my hand. However I do not recommend catch-landing a drone until you have a LOT of experience flying in all kinds of situations/weather. It can be dangerous if it goes wrong.

Recovering After A Crash

Everyone crashes their drone eventually. Everyone. I’ve crashed 2 times now. If you do crash your drone, the best way to get it back is using the GPS information stored on the DJI GO App. Click on the map, zoom into where the last signal was sent from, then head over and start searching. It’s crazy how accurate it is.

Facebook Live

Did you know you can broadcast live video from your Mavic Pro to Facebook & YouTube? The video feed comes from the drone, while the audio comes from your phone. This lets you tell a story, or describe what you’re seeing, as you fly the drone live. It’s possible with a strong 3G signal, but wifi and 4G connections work best.

With the DJI Mavic Pro, you can fit all your camera gear into a single airplane carry-on bag. It’s also far easier to bring your drone hiking in the mountains, snowboarding, on a boat, or on other kinds of adventures.

Not only is it much smaller and lighter than earlier drones, it’s still just as fast, stable, and easy to fly too.

The convenience of the Mavic’s super portable design means I’m more likely to take my drone with me — giving my travel photography and adventure videos a big-budget WOW factor that was previously only possible from an actual helicopter.

While traveling with a drone is probably overkill for most people, if you make your living with photography or video (or want to eventually), nothing can compete with the DJI Mavic Pro for its combination of power & portability.

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What sets DJI Phantom 4 and Yuneec Typhoon H apart?

With all of the core specifications being similar such as flight time, 4K camera, obstacle avoidance,what sets DJI Phantom 4 and Yuneec Typhoon H apart?

Currently the Phantom 4 wins because of its lower price (when you include the realsense module on the Yuneec Typhoon H). Although the obstacle avoidance system is not perfect (especially with small objects like smaller tree branches), the fact that it also allows for visual object tracking makes it easier to record professional looking videos with ease by keeping your subject in shot as you fly around (most of the time). However if you prefer to film yourself doing stuff from the drone, then the Yuneec Typhoon H follow me functionality is better when using the wizard wand as it still relies on GPS to track you.

The key feature of these two flagship drones of 2016 is the fact that they include object avoidance / anti collision technology. This is a game changer as it takes the safety factor of flying your drone to the next level. This means that when you are flying and your drone detects that it is approaching an obstacle in front of it like a person, tree, or a building, the autopilot will take over and stop your quadcopter, preventing a crash.

Both the Phantom 4 and Yuneec Typhoon H have the ability for obstacle avoidance to prevent you crashing. Assuming you upgrade to the realsense module on your Typhoon H, the performance should be similar as I don’t think the basic ultrasonic sensor will be very useful for smaller obstacles like poles. So what sets the two apart?

For starter the price, when you add the realsense module the overall unit price will be more than the Phantom 4. That said the key thing here is that because the typhoon as a 360 degree gimbal it means that for obstacle avoidance it’s much more useful. If you are flying your Phantom backwards, it’s got no way of detecting an obstacle. If flying the Typhoon you can fly it forwards to the realsense module will detect obstacle, but you can turn the camera gimbal to face backwards allowing you to look backwards without needing to worry about crashing into something.

So there you have it, I tried to keep things brief so you get the basic idea.Which do you prefer the Phantom 4 or Typhoon H and why? Or do you prefer neither?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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An up and a down side of Yuneec Typhoon H

Yuneec Typhoon H,the flagship of Yuneec drone.In this article,we here analyse the up and a down side of the drone.

The first thing you notice about Yuneec Typhoon H is its size. The six arms can fold down for easy storage, but it’s a lot more fun to have this sitting around like a giant flying face-hugger waiting to unleash havoc.

The Yuneec Typhoon H also has obstacle avoidance and a fairly robust landing system. When it gets too close to a tree or building, the drone will tend to move away from the obstacle.

The good

The Yuneec Typhoon H is amazingly easy to fly. Getting it up into the air is as simple as pressing a button and the controls are unique if a little odd in that, when set in their default configuration, forward is always forward for the drone. In other words, if you’re facing North and push the left stick forward the drone will fly north. If you turn to face East and you press forward, the Yuneec drone will fly East. It’s an odd experience.

The Yuneec Typhoon H controller looks complex at first but there’s not much to worry about when you’re taking the drone through its paces. In short, you’re basically dealing with a powerful drone with a powerful internal computer and you practically can’t crash it unless you’re reckless.

The Bad

The obvious worst thing about this Yuneec Typhoon H is the price. At $1,200 you could get a few Parrot drones or an old Phantom 4. However, the features and power of this Yuneec Typhoon H drone make it well worth a look if you’re in the market for a mobile camera platform.

I’d also worry a bit about the camera and gimbal.The entire enclosure is made of plastic and it cannot survive a direct hit with the ground unscathed. Luckily the big landing gear bears most of the weight when the Yuneec Typhoon H comes down too fast but a direct hit on the camera with a tree branch or overhang can cause some major damage. It’s easy enough to replace the pieces but it’s a bit frustrating.

I’m also slightly concerned about Yuneec drone support. Yuneec is a smaller company in California and I’d be concerned about follow-up support if your drone goes into the drink. I didn’t have trouble getting a new landing gear after a crash, though, so they’re definitely doing their best to be responsive.

 

 

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Better to avoid Intel RealSense add-on for Yuneec Typhoon H?

Early buyers of Yuneec Typhoon H face a choice.

How will the Intel RealSense collision avoidance system be added-on to Yuneec Typhoon H models bought earlier this year without the unit? That’s a big question and one that raises issues of cost, reliability and warranty coverage.

These concerns started earlier this year as Yuneec forum threads exploded with questions on the new Yuneec Typhoon H models.

“I’m confused, is the Typhoon H available with the Intel crash avoidance? Just on the site and the H that is there doesn’t mention this,” wrote Vicki Felmlee in March

Her question was answered by Mr. Burns, another Yuneec Typhoon H user.

“Early models will not have the intel system fitted. It will be a bolt on after purchase or you will be able to buy complete, but neither will be available until June.”

That June date has come and gone with the latest news in August suggesting problems fitting the unit on the Yuneec Typhoon H. Yuneec has had well-documented production glitches for the Typhoon H series that have been also linked to a growing backlog of warranty repairs for the Yuneec Q500 4K. The Typhoon series evolution from the RC quadcopter Q500 models stands out for its six-blade or hexacopter offering at twice the price – nearly $1,300.

Yuneec launched the Q500+ in 2015 and the Yuneec Q500 4K quickly followed running at $899. The big leap in price for the Yuneec Typhoon H raised eyebrows, especially when a comparison of the DJI Phantom 4 vs the Yuneec Typhoon H is done. The DJI Phantom series is more stable in flight while awaiting controller commands, thanks to Lightbridge 2 proprietary technology that enables fast, smooth and reliable downlinks over a longer range.

But for the Yuneec Typhoon H the main add-ons from the Q500 4K outside of the extra two flying rotors was a 360-degree rotatable gimbal and a front-facing ultrasonic module. Not bad to have, but the lower cost DJI Phantom 4 can already rotate the drone body 360 degrees while airborne.

That brings us back to the Intel RealSense feature for the Yuneec Typhoon H – a technology used on laptops and sometimes worn atop helmets by bikers during races – but still not widely field tested in drones. It’s possible however that Yuneec may bite the bullet and at least let early Yuneec Typhoon H owners get access, especially since DJI is already ahead of the game as the DJI Phantom 4 comes standard with their version of collision avoidance.

It seems Yuneec has missed other opportunities with the Yuneec Typhoon H, including with the backpack as feedback from distributors and customers that getting the cover over the hard-shell version takes a few days of stretching and that placing the foam into the carrier means to get a sequence exactly correct of inserting both foam pieces (with, or without drone) before permanently attaching the top foam piece.

Afterwards, buyers are advised to carefully zip the pack closed, and allow it to sit for 1-3 days to properly stretch.

 

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Meet the Yuneec H920 plus

Drone manufacturer Yuneec has presented the multicopter Tornado H920 Plus, which is aimed at professional and commercial markets.

The six rotor arms that protrude from the carbon-fiber chassis are easily detached for portability; likewise, the carbon fiber propellers can be quickly attached and removed for storing the drone between shoots. Once airborne, the Yuneec H920 Plus will stay aloft for twice as long as its smaller cousin, the Yuneec Breeze, giving drone pilot 24 minutes of flight time on a single charge.

Yuneec worked in tandem with Panasonic to develop the CG04 interchangeable-lens compact Micro Four Thirds-format camera that’s designed for use with the hexacopter. Utilizing a 16MP CMOS sensor, the camera is slated to pump out still images or 4K video at 30 fps.

While it will ship with an Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 14–42mm f/3.5–5.6 EZ lens, you’ll also be able to two other optics to suit your needs. The other lenses, a 12mm f.2 and 45mm f/1.8, also from Olympus should provide an array of options for still and video shooters alike looking to glean more professional-looking results from their drone.

A three-axis gimbal, which will also work a number of other Yuneec cameras (including a thermal one), promises to provide for smooth shooting in windy conditions.

Control of the drone itself has been upgrade from a mere smartphone app to a dedicated remote called ST16 Ground Station, which integrates a transmitter, manual flight controls, and a 7-inch 720p screen to show real-time flight footage from the hexacopter’s camera. The Ground Stations runs off a variant of the Android operating system and will also provide the array of automated selfie and “hero shot” flying features that drone pilots have become accustomed to.

Features of the Yuneec H920 Plus

• Waypoint programming
• Curve Cable Cam
• Follow Me and Watch Me
• Journey
• POI and Orbit Me
• ST16 remote control system with Intel Quadcore processor
• HD image transmission
• Modern flight controller
• Increased and stabilized range for the image signal
• Quick Release Propeller as standard

Technical specifications

• Flight time: 20 min
• Diagonal length without rotor blades: 920 mm
• Diameter of propeller / rotor: 440 mm
• Batteries: 6S 4000 mAh 8C LiPo
• Charger: 2x 100W AC-DC
• Transmitter: 16 channels, 2.4 GHz with 5.8 GHz video downlink (included)
• Maximum altitude (absolute altitude): 4000 meters (above sea level)
• Maximum relative airfield: 122 meters
• Maximum rotational speed: 100 ° / s
• Maximum rotation angle: 35 ° Maximum
• Flight speed: 70km / h radio control
• Frequency band: 2.4GHz
• Operating temperature: 10º to 50º C

Remote control

• Operating system: Android
• Number of channels: 16
• Range Control signal: Up to 1.6 km
• Video resolution: HD 720p
• Videolink frequency band: 5.8 GHz
• WiFi range of video transmission: up to 1.6 km
• Flight system Telemetry data on display (OSD): Yes
• LCD screen size: 7 inch
• Vibration and Audio feedback: Yes
• Built-in LiPo battery: 3.6 V 8700 mAh 31.32 Wh Li-Ion

 

 

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New GoPro Karma review

Three months after cutting off the wings of his Karma drone, GoPro offers it again for sale, in limited quantities to begin with.

Originally the Karma went on sale 23 October 2016, but was quickly recalled due to reports of batteries disconnecting in the air and causing complete power loss. GoPro says the issues are fixed and the Karma drone is now back on sale at GoPro.com and some US retailers as of 1 February.

If you’re not in the US, you’ll have to wait a little longer: the GoPro Karma will be officially re-released in “international markets in Spring”. There’s no exact date, but as soon as we have more information we’ll update.

The new GoPro Karma drone costs £719 / US$799, and comes without an in-built camera. If you want to buy the GoPro Karma together with a camera as a bundle, you can get it with a GoPro Session for US$999 or the new GoPro Hero5 Black for US$1,099.

We had expected the Karma to be priced competitively as GoPro is late to the party, and chief rival DJI already has a low-cost drone – the Mavic Pro – which has a stabilised camera which you can buy for just $999 on DJI Store.

From the photos, you can see that GoPro has thought carefully about how to make the Karma convenient. Everything you need – apart from the camera – is included in the box.

You get a backpack into which fits the fold-up drone, the controller (which has a built-in screen), the handheld grip, a battery and charger.

The 3-axis gimbal can be swapped between the drone and the Grip handle so you can get stabilised handheld shots. Plus, the Grip can be mounted to vehicles and even your body thanks to a new range of mounts.

The GoPro Karma uses brushless motors and screw-on self-tightening propellers. It takes a proprietary Li-Po battery with a capacity of 5100mAh and GoPro says it’s good for up to 20 minutes of flight time. It takes an hour to recharge, while the controller takes 2.5 hours and the Grip 2 hours. Only one of the Grip or Controller can be charged at the same time from the battery charger.

The remote controller of GoPro Karma looks a bit like a video game controller. It can be controlled with two joysticks, plus a take-off/land button. There’s also a built-in touchscreen, so you don’t need to plug in your smartphone or tablet. You can however pair the remote with a smartphone, so you can concentrate on flying while a buddy works the camera.

Finally, the Karma is also said to be repairable, with replaceable arms and propellors. Users can also specify “no-fly zones” to keep their new drone out of trouble.

Here are the drone’s key specs:

Maximum Speed	35 mph (15 m/s)
Maximum Distance	3280ft (1000m)
Maximum Flight Altitude	14,500ft (4,500m)
Maximum Wind Resistance	22mph (10m/s)
Operating Frequency	2.4GHz
Dimensions (Opened/No Propellers)	Length: 12in (303mm)
	Width: 16.2in (411mm)
	Height: 4.6in (117mm)
Dimensions (Folded/Transport)	Length: 14.4in (365.2mm)
	Width: 8.8in (224.3mm)
	Height: 3.5in (89.9mm)
Propeller Length	10in (25.4cm)
Weight	35.5oz (1006g)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Hover Camera quadcopter drone is more than a drone to selfies!

The Chinese start-up Zero Zero Robotics has unveiled its very first model of autonomous Hover Camera quadcopter drone that allows to take pictures from remote and ultra-stable.

The company is located in Beijing, with offices in Hangzhou, Shenzhen and San Francisco. The reason for its establishment in China: “Get closer to suppliers and manufacturers. Much of the R & D work is to know the least seller, the smallest chip …. At Silicon Valley, you have much more limited access to this information than if you are based in China, “said Meng Qiu Wang, one of the founders.

The company was founded in 2014 by two former students of Stanford University. Meng Qiu Wang holds a master’s degree from Carnegie Mellon and a PHD in machine learning from Stanford. Before starting his own business, he started his career as a software engineer at Twitter and then as a Big Data specialist at Alibaba. Tony Zhang is a graduate of Stanford Computer Software.

At the same time it unveiled its very first model of autonomous Hover Camera quadcopter drone, the company raised $ 25 million from multiple investors including IDG, and Chinese GSR Ventures and ZhenFund. It now has close to 80 employees who are actively working on a wide range of consumer robotics products.

Hover Camera quadcopter drone

It is a true jewel of technology. With a 13 million megapixel camera and 4K video recording, the drone is equipped with state-of-the-art technologies that allow it to map its environment in 3D and move in an optimal and fluid way. But the real plus is its tremendous stability of flight. Barely released in the air, the Hover Camera quadcopter drone stabilizes its flight and adopts the best position alone, thanks to a sonar and cameras, which allow him to follow a person and take a 360-degree photo.

So far there’s nothing new. Camera drones that follow their user are out there like Lily Camera, or Hexo +. But it seems that Zero Zero Robotics has more than one trick in his pocket. “Our approach differs from that of Lily Camera or Phantom 4. Lily mostly uses a GPS to follow you, which means you have to wear a device on your wrist,” or a smartphone. As for the Phantom 4, “it works through visual computation, but relies mainly on motion tracking. But we use a system of body recognition and facial “explains the designer of the Hover Camera quadcopter drone.

To do this, the engineers of the start-up have developed in-house algorithms that run on an ultra-compact printed circuit board and operate on the Snapdragon Flight platform. Its quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon processor allows it to run artificial intelligence in a compact yet fast way. Designed in carbon fiber, the Hover Camera weighs only 238 grams (just below the threshold of 250 grams above which drones must be registered in the US Federal Aviation Administration records) and measures 18 cm by 13 cm. If you plan to go to the top speed of selfies, you will have to pay $ 600. It’s already less than the Mavic Pro at $999. You will receive your boom at selfies 2.0 from the summer holidays.

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