I was having some seriously annoying issues with my DJI Phantom where the batteries would not be recognized AND I was getting an occasional compass issue. This was all before my iOSD was even installed. I thought it was my batteries and sent them back but they did not test out bad. What finally seemed to get everything to work was to simply reinstall the firmware. There is not a new version but maybe they did a stealth release, so if you are having this problem try reinstalling your firmware on your Phantom. All is good now and I have the iOSD installed and functioning. Even with this very annoying issue, I am still really happy with the Phantom and would not hesitate to recommend it as the best aerial photography drone out there currently. I have been pretty excited about the S900 and I am starting to think about buying one for the winter surf season here in Maui. Flying a $3800 hexacopter with a $1000 camera over jaws is a bit intimidating but the footage would be awesome! By the way, theDJI Phantom 2 now comes with a 3 axis gimbal for $979 from Amazon - Shipped! This will make better video than what you see in my vimeo video below because it offers an additional axis of stabilization. A 3 axis gimbal will provide more professional video than a 2 axis gimbal. When my Phantom finally decides to become a submarine, I will be upgrading to a 3 axis gimbal (if I don't get the S900). I have really been enjoying the GoPro Black+ and I would say this is the camera to get ($399 with free shipping from Amazon). I really like filming in the 720 60fps and take a photo every 5 second mode. You always end up with at least a few really cool pictures whenever you fly! The iOSD is a great cheap upgrade for your Phantom and I can say it is worth the $69.99 price tag. I really like having battery voltage and the diamond that marks the home location is going to save my butt at some point in the future. There is not a way to change the unit to operate in feet but I am comfortable with meters so I do not mind. I have also learned a few things about the Phantom from using it briefly. The max descending velocity is around 2 m/s while the max climb is 4+ m/s. Things get a little shaky when you come down too fast and this confirms my feelings that going up is easy but coming down takes forever. I also enjoy the horizon indicator because it gives me an idea of which way the wind is blowing because in Maui, the wind is always blowing! If you want tobuy the iOSD you can get it from Amazon here with free shipping. I am going to start experimenting with self portraits from my little aerial photography platform and might try and do one as our Christmas cards this year. The picture up top is me and my 2 year old. He really loves this stuff. However, I had the goggles on flying around and he snuck up into the cab of my SUV and was probably pressing every button and turning every knob. Maui's Rugged North Shore from Justin Edwards on Vimeo.
Comments
"I am a HUGE fan of your Blog: Drone Above! When I asked if you would be interested in taking photos for my land listing my exceptions were high because I already knew your work. You excelled above and beyond my expectations, not only in what you captured visually and in the quality of the photos and video, but also in your quick delivery and your very concise communication skills. I look forward to utilizing your services in the future and I recommend you to all Realtors on Maui." THANK YOU, Katrina Wilson, Realtor On Maui. Century 21 All Islands - Wailea When I first moved to Maui, I did not initially plan on doing much real estate photography but a realtor contacted me about a lot for sale right down the street from my house and I could not pass up another opportunity to fly along the north shore. The cliffs and crystal clear green water are just stunning and this lot is the perfect subject for aerial photography from a drone. Maybe you will agree that this is possibly the best way to view acreage - maybe even better than being there in person! What a perfect way to show people who might not even be on the islands an idea of how beautiful a property is. Make sure you check out the video at the bottom of the page, and as always if you have any questions or comments please leave them below or contact me directly. Taking pictures from a drone is way better than flying an airplane or helicopter for a number of reasons - It doesn't bother the neighbors, it is safe, you can get significantly closer, and it is so much more affordable! Just look at that crystal clear water! I can hear the waves crashing at my house when the surf is big and I live on the other side of Hana highway. I bet you can hear it all the time from this lot. Off in the distance you can see the west Maui mountain. 30 Hale Pili from Justin Edwards on Vimeo. Today (March 6 2014) I went to Ho'okipa to film because the waves finally were getting good again after being so huge they were closing out and rendering Ho'okipa unsurfable (but very incredible to wave watch). I was fortunate enough to have Ekolu Kalama as my subject again. His style on the stand up board is just unreal. I am getting better at filming surfers, but you can tell that I am still learning because a wave almost ate my Phantom and one time I could not keep up with Ekolu because he was just ripping all over this wave - left, right, up, down - hard to follow in the fatshark video goggles on shore. I trust the Phantom 2 platform enough to get within a few feet of the waves and this is surely going to cost me a drone eventually. The footage is so cool that I am willing to risk it, it is why I own this cool toy isn't it? |
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