Hover Camera buy:Is $599 Too High

The Hover Camera is one of the more unique flying cameras we’ve ever seen, focusing on a durable and portable lightweight design, competitive price, and ease of use through an iPhone app.

Just like Lily and Zano, as the marketing message goes, it’s aiming for the selfie market. Like the others, it has attracted a fair bit of attention from the time it was first unveiled in April.

The official release unit is compact, foldable and weighs only 240 grams. It can recognize a human face and then track it. Hover Camera also supports 360° shooting, throw-and-fly, automatic hovering etc. The drone is priced at $599.

To step back for a second, consumers can buy a Parrot drone or DJI’s Phantom 3S starting. From $499. This new drone-in-a-grill has 10-minute flight, a controllable range of 20m and doesn’t support a remote control, working only through an app. So, is $599 cheap? There are a number of factors to consider.

There are three levels of consumer drone:

• Low-end “selfie drones”(under $400)

Example: Dobby

Features: Focusing on selfies, 4k video, flight time within 10 minutes, electronic image stabilization, limited flight range, controlled by smartphone.

• Consumer drones for aerial imaging (Above $650)

Example：DJI Mavic, DJI Phantom series

Features: Focusing on aerial photography, flight time around 27 minutes, three-axis gimbal, long transmission range, uses remote controller.

• Drones for professional photography (Above $1,500)

Example: DJI Inspire series

Features: Cinematic footage of higher quality, better camera, dual controllers.

There isn’t any mature product between $400-$650 yet. The Hover Camera is trying to wedge itself into this market segment. But, when you lay out its features, side-by-side with rivals, it’s simply too expensive as a “selfie drone.” And then ask yourself these questions:

1. Do we actually need a drone to take selfies?
2. Enclosing propellers with a cover, is that innovation or marketing?
3. Do you want to lower your technical expectations, yet still pay a high price for promised “safety?”

In summary, $599 for the Hover Camera is a bit rich for our blood. Drones with far more features, better cameras – stabilized ones – start $100 below that price point and get steadily better as they creep above it by another $100 or $200. The Hover Camera is cute, but it makes too many compromises and comes in at too high a price.

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Xiaomi Mi Drone 4K: finally on sale from March 3 with many improvements!

Despite the Xiaomi Mi Drone was presented last May in two configurations, one can produce videos in 1080p and 4K in the other, only the first was actually marketed, while the second have simply gone missing.

But then, Xiaomi has announced that the Xiaomi Mi Drone 4K will be listed on March 3 with a price of 2,999 yuan (~$436), whereas the battery for the same will be priced at 499 yuan (~$72).

Of course, as always happens with Xiaomi products, these will not be available directly from us, but you can only buy them in China, on Xiaomi’s own online store, as well as a few other places such as Jingdong Mall and Suning, just to name a couple. Apparently, however, in addition to the best resolution video, the Xiaomi Mi Drone 4K will be released with better software optimization and five major hardware upgrades.

Compared to the old version, in fact, will be present two sets of independent movement of IMU and compass sensors to ensure a better accuracy in the flight data and, in case of failure, to restore stability and the flight safety.

Also the remote control system has been improved, so as to reduce the contact loss and giving the possibility of tracing the position in real time even in case of failure, when it is calculated in real time the power required to return to base. Even in case of lack of charge, then the user will be automatically notified the need to return, also calculating the routes so to avoid the no-fly zone.

The body of the Xiaomi Mi Drone 4K was made with a constructive process of 1.2 mm, has four lithium polymer batteries from 4.35V and 5100 mAh capacity for a total power of 77,52Wh and autonomy up to 26 minutes.

The photo sensor is a Sony backlit 12 megapixels, with a maximum resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels and support for RAW images. Compared to the previous version, Mi drone 4K is equipped with TDMA technology to transmit images with stronger signal and a transmission distance of less than 4 km, compared to 1 km of the old version 1080P.

The Xiaomi Mi Drone 4K, then, is equipped with a self-stabilizing head brushless 3-axis which incorporates a 3-axis gyroscope, a 3-axis accelerometer and a brushless motor to 3 axes, able to perform data acquisition and calculation of compensation up to 2000 times per second, giving the camera a level of stability and remarkable precision.

The feet landing of the drone, then, are foldable, combined with the light weight of the device, making it very well transportable.

 

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Yuneec Typhoon wifi problems reconfirm why Yuneec fails to challenge market leader DJI

Yuneec China has long been striving to offer a formidable challenge to DJI – the largest of all UAV drone manufacturers in the world. Unfortunately, Typhoon wifi problems, along with other issues with the hexacopter, have made pilots deeply disappointed and frustrated. Online forums like dronecompares or yuneecpilots are already swamped with tens of hundreds of complaints from users who say the Typhoon wifi problem is bigger than what Yuneec is willing to admit publicly.

The Typhoon wifi problem has a clear precursor in the way pilots struggle to get their drone airborne – it takes forever to establish the GPS connection and to get the Typhoon wifi going. As a result, the connection of the camera keeps snapping back and forth with the ground and the Typhoon wifi connection is lost intermittently. Pilots have submitted first-hand reports of Typhoon wifi problems where they experienced sudden loss of connection and the recording stopped without any notice.

Having set up waypoints, some pilots would take off and start recording aerial footage and then, all of a sudden, see the Typhoon wifi connection stop working. And they’re not a small number if online reviews are any indication. In comparison, DJI Phantom 4 signal loss instances are far less frequent – the internal wifi card of the DJI machine delivers a much more reliable performance, speaking volumes for DJI’s superior R&D.

One particular Yuneec user even went on to say that she struggled for 15 minutes to simply get the Typhoon wifi connection established – that’s the extent of Typhoon wifi problems. The drone’s owners have since made numerous complaints about the quality of the Typhoon wifi connection. For some, it is just impossible to connect using Typhoon wifi, because the wifi network on their drones simply doesn’t show up on their devices.

Yuneec Typhoon H vs DJI Phantom 4 benchmarking is not only about the Typhoon wifi performance. Even from a basic navigation and tracking point of view, Phantom 4 is a much more superior product. DJI Phantom 4 reviews are all praise for unique features like ActiveTrack and TapFly. Most importantly, inconsistent Typhoon wifi problem and issues with its GPS connection mean that its video downlink is also unreliable. In comparison, DJI offers its highly advanced and proprietary Lightbridge 2 video downlink technology.

Yuneec Typhoon H has a smaller operating range – about a kilometer – against a DJI Phantom 4 comparison, which can be safely controlled from over five kilometres away. One may think the Typhoon wifi problem is a function of how far the drone is from the ground. In fact, Typhoon wifi problems have been reported at a wide variety of ranges – from 30 feet to 500 feet. Considering the extent of Typhoon wifi problems, experts have concluded that DJI’s RC quadcopter is obviously a better machine than the more expensive Typhoon H.

One of the big promises made to the market when Yuneec announced its alliance with Intel was better navigation and safer flights. Unfortunately, the Yuneec Intel partnership has had no impact on the Typhoon wifi outage. Pilots are more frustrated than ever, and market analysts are just negative in their outlook.

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Safe Choices for Smart Drone Flight

The popularity of small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS), more commonly referred to as “drones,” means there are more vehicles sharing US airspace than ever before. It is of prime importance that drone operators make safe flying their priority.

Many drone manufacturers are making safety enhancements to their aircraft, but none more than the industry leader, DJI. DJI has led the charge in aircraft safety, particularly with their sophisticated obstacle avoidance systems. For example, the recently released DJI Phantom 4 Pro has a network of forward, rear, side and downward sensors to enhance safety. The aircraft rapidly calculates the relative speed and distance between the aircraft and objects which helps the operator avoid bumping into obstacles. This nimble aircraft is also able to fly in complex environments while avoiding obstacles in its path.

The Phantom 4 Pro boasts a ‘narrow sensing’ capability enabling the pilot to fly through small spaces with great confidence. Redundant IMU’s and compasses on the aircraft ensure that the data generated during flight is accurately processed. The outcome of these advanced capabilities is a reliable and safe aircraft.

Although DJI is doing everything technically possible to ensure flight safety, drone enthusiasts must also do their part. As Michael Huerta, Administrator of the FAA, previously cautioned at CES, “…safely integrating these new pilots into the national airspace system is one of the FAA’s top priorities in order to protect manned aircraft, to protect people on the ground and of course to protect innovation…”

The ‘Know Before You Fly’ education campaign founded by the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) and the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) in partnership with the FAA, has recommendations for the safe and responsible operation of drones. The recommendations include advising enthusiasts to join a community-oriented flying club such as the AMA. Such organizations offer an opportunity to fly with more experienced pilots in a safe and friendly learning environment. Although there is a fee to join, the benefits far outweigh the cost. Further advice from the safety campaign includes advising drone pilots not to fly higher than 400ft (121.92m) to avoid presenting a hazard to manned aircraft.

In addition, pilots are advised to keep their aircraft in line of sight so that the drone is always visible. The campaign discourages flying the aircraft so far away that the pilot needs to rely on a smartphone or tablet for orientation. A final piece of sage advice is to avoid flying over unprotected people and to remain at least 25ft (7.62m) away from individuals and vulnerable property.

As Huerta explained at CES concerning new drone enthusiasts, “…there are rules and regulations they need to follow and it will also help them to become part of the safety culture that has been deeply embedded in traditional aviation for more than a century…”

Observing the rules from the FAA and ‘Know Before You Fly’ campaign together with using proven, safe aircraft will keep the skies a secure environment for all.

 

 

 

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Drone don’t need regulations?!

Regulation is a contentious issue in any industry and it’s a real juggling act between regulation that enables an industry to thrive or restrictions that will kill an industry even before it has had a chance to flourish.

Below are drone regulations Q&A with Sky-Futures Co-Founder and CEO, James Harrison.

Who’s setting the standards in today’s drone industry?

As the drone industry has matured, the industry sectors themselves have looked to the companies providing the professional services to set the standards. This is a much healthier and more beneficial route. It means that the well respected and safe operators can shape and drive the requirements based on their experience alongside their industry peers.

How can companies help set the standards in their industry?

By focussing on safe and fast adoption through transparent guidance, operators and end users collaborate to agree a standard within each industry sector clearly setting out its own standards and guidance for working which benefits the entire community.

The safety requirements for surveying a mine are different from working offshore on an oil platform, and this is reflected in the difference in the respective risk assessments, method statements and operating procedures. Overall, the more companies working safely and proving the return on investment for drone within each industry sector helps to speed adoption and awareness, the better it is for all businesses involved in the industry

What has Sky-Futures done to help the wider drone industry?

Sky-Futures has worked to establish: industry guidance; internal audited best practice for a drone company; verification for our inspection methodology and outputs; sector specific management and guidance; and training and certification. By doing this we’ve set out a best practice blueprint for companies who want to utilise drones for commercial industrial inspection.

What specific examples can you tell us about?

Lloyd’s Register is a global engineering, technical and business services organisation providing compliance, risk and technical consultancy services.  They have just published their guidance notes for inspections using unmanned aerial systems which were based on our best practice. We provided an inspection of a vessel in Singapore following significant planning with Lloyd’s Register and other industry end users. The results were shared freely with all parties and the benefits discussed and challenged openly. From our side, Steve Moir, our Engineering Manager worked to establish the KPIs for success and oversaw the trials. The goal was to further legitimise and speed up the adoption of drones in the O&G and maritime sectors. Lloyd’s Register published the guidance notes for interested parties to download from their website, so that anyone could access this information from a highly respected and trusted source.

We’ve also worked with the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), to help create an ‘External Specialist Rating’ in the USA that accepts drone inspection as a methodology. Inspection companies using drone for maritime inspections now have a recognised path to follow to achieve ABS approval, and end clients can purchase services with confidence knowing that the inspection technique is approved.

Finally, we worked on industry guidance with Oil and Gas UK, BP, ConocoPhillips, Shell and service providers. The working group produced and agreed on the ‘Operational management standards and guidelines’, which is published by Oil and Gas UK.

What is your final message for those looking to regulate the industry?

Drones don’t need regulations; instead industry needs to set standards and guidance. We are at the beginning of the drone market, so the more professional companies that are involved driving standards and educating the end users, the faster the adoption.

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What Xiaomi Mi drone 4k interests you?

Xiaomi Mi drone was introduced on May 2016 with two variants, the 4K and the 1080p.Now the 1080P is available while the 4K will be on sale on March 3 this year.

Here are 7 cool features of the Xiaomi Mi Drone 4K.

Portability

The Mi Drone is extremely lightweight and modular. The complete drone can be disassembled to fit into a backpack. In fact, Xiaomi will itself offer a backpack for the Mi Drone at a $15.

Camera 

The Xiaomi Mi Drone 4K has an inbuilt camera that consists of 12 megapixels of resolution and a 12.4 megapixel Sony sensor. This ensures that the picture you capture will be of a very high quality. Moreover, the drone is capable of shooting in 4K; thus, providing videos with high resolutions. Though there are many more drones that offer better video resolutions, but the Xiaomi Mi drone 4K will certainly satisfy you with most of your video recording needs. The camera is mounted on motorized three-axis gimbals so that you get amazing images. Moreover, to make traveling easier with your quad, you can remove the cameras and fold the landing gear.

Flight time

With the Xiaomi, you’ll have a flight time of 27 min. However, you can deplete battery life at a much faster rate when using features such as automatic departure and return. Just like a phone, when you push it to a certain limit, you’re going to see battery life diminish. It comes with a 17.4V 5199 mAh rechargeable battery that takes about three and a half hours to charge. Just like most other quads, we recommend buying a backup or two.

Long Range FPV Video Feed

Xiaomi states that the 4K variant provides a control range of up to 2 kilometers with live video. With this, Xiaomi is gonna give all the drone manufacturers a run for their money!

What’s more, the controller of the Mi Drone comes with an attachment for a smartphone which can act as a viewfinder (aka FPV monitor) for your Mi Drone!

Safty

The Xiaomi Mi drone 4K has both GPS and GLONASS for location tracking and maneuvering of the drone. Hovering is a cakewalk due to the onboard location sensors, and it also means that the drone knows at each point where exactly it is flying.

One thing we don’t see on most of the drones, however, is the ability to create a geofence to limit the movement of your drone. If your drone strays beyond that geofence, then it will automatically return to its home base.

Running the drone on low battery triggers its return function, and you will be relieved to find it back safe and sound.

Smarter in-flight

Mi Drone 4K has an auto-pilot feature included along with the easy to use flight controls. It has automatic takeoff and is also capable of landing and returning to you with just a simple command from the handheld controls.

And when you want to capture the right moment, it circles around the object to give you the perfect shots. Flight planning too gets simplified thanks to Xiaomi’s great technology.

Price

Xiaomi has priced the the 4K variant at $460. The price is less than half the prices of the majority of professional drones out there.

 

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Will DJI Phantom 5 be your drone?

What are the typical time frames for versions with DJI? What are the rumors concerning Phantom 5?

We scoured the internet to find all of the rumors, leaks, and allegations that are surrounding the drone that has everybody at the edge of their seats.

Design

The shell of the DJI Phantom 5 will be available in two colors (white and black) this will give it a sporty look and a glossy finish to it. The motors are firmly attached and stand tall while the top of the drone is mounted by a quick release propeller. These are raised in particular, so that the stators can allow the props to get out of the way and so that the brakes can be applied at high speeds.

Another upgrade that you will immediately notice is that to the Gimbal as well as the camera that has been fitted. Why don’t the legs retract? With the legs out of the way you could have a gimbal that rotates 360 degrees, you could put on shorter focal length lenses or you could swap out that lens for one-half of a 360° camera. Maybe the other side of the 360° could snap onto the top of the drone? Anything can happen.

Camera 

The Phantom 5 will have a better camera. The Inspire 2 has a 5K capable camera. We would be surprised if the Phantom 5 doesn’t follow suit with upgraded video processing.

It is capable of taking high-quality images which can also be streamed to the controller live. It is ideal for those who want to use it for surveillance purposes or just for appreciating mother nature and clicking still images of birds, sunsets, etc. The high resolution of the camera ensures that the pictures do not get pixelated, thus allowing you to enjoy them full later on.

It’s also rumored that, the Phantom 5 comes with a removable camera which allows you to replace it, upgrade it or even swap it out with a 360 degree or thermal camera.

The Flight Time

The Phantom 5 will have a longer flight time. The Phantom 4 Pro can fly up to 30 minutes.

The Phantom 5 has been rumored to have a flight time that is up to 30 minutes long on a single charge, but some are saying it can even go up to 33 minutes. Others are claiming that it could even be 40 minutes on a single charge, which makes sense if the rumors of a never before seen battery are actually true.

Others are also saying that when the Phantom 5 is in Sports Mode you can get more than the average 30-minute claim, which doesn’t seem all that true considering Sports Mode usually drains the battery faster. However, these are all rumors, so there isn’t anything too solid yet.

Range

The Phantom 5 will have a longer range. The Phantom 4 Pro has a range of 7000 m. We expect the Phantom 5 to have a range of at least 8000 m, but potentially even up to 10,000 m.

The Features

The Phantom 5 will have front, rear and side cameras to help it avoid obstacles. The side cameras will give the Phantom 5 full 360-degree obstacle avoidance.Top and bottom obstacle avoidance.

It’s rumored to feature a second FPV camera. A second stationary lag-free camera could allow the pilot to fly the drone with an FPV headset while a second cameraman operates the camera and gimbal. The Inspire 2 has this feature so the Phantom could follow suit, but only if they also add retractable legs.

We may even be getting a waterproof drone. How awesome would it be to fly your Phantom at the beach and not have to worry about getting it wet? They might not make all Phantom 5s waterproof, but maybe we can hope for a dual release with a Phantom 5W model that can handle the elements and take off out of the water.

We may also have newer flight modes that are going to be paired with older ones, too. For example, Auto Takeoff and Auto Return, similar to Return to Home, may be coming into play here. We may also see GPS, which has supposedly improved drastically, reliant features, such as TapFly, ActiveTracking, and features that do not need GPS while in Sports Mode. In fact, Sports Mode is rumored to have replaced Flight Mode completely for the purpose of providing 10 additional minutes to flight time, but we can’t be too sure yet.

One of the more popular rumors is when the release date is. Some say that it will be in April, while others are thinking it’s going to be much closer to the holidays. We expect the Phantom 5 will not be around until the second half of the year as there is no need for improvement because the previous newly Phantom 4 Pro are awesome, so why keep going soon?

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