DJI Phantom “pilots”

I had to look that up to be sure you weren't talking about the famous fighter jet.
I was first thinking "dam! surveying has been REALLY good to you!!!!!" My 2nd thought was where you gonna find someone to work on it? I imagine you might find some 60 year old av-techs around.
My final thought was "dam!! I wanna go for a ride! Fire the burners and lets go!!"

alas.... and then I looked it up....

> I am seriously considering purchasing a Phantom 2, but before I start WW3 with SWMBO about squandering hard earned bucks on “silly toys” (Her opinion, not mine) I have a couple of questions.
>
> Is there a way to export lat/long from Google earth to the Phantom for waypoints? Is a 3 axis gimble a must have? Do you use your smartphone for FPV? Any other tips tricks or “must knows” are appreciated.
>
> TIA B-)

Well, I have a Phantom one, and it's not a drone in the sense that it has auto-pilot, and can fly a preplanned route. I don't really consider it a drone at all. To me, it's a remote controlled helicopter (although it's a quad-copter). So, I think the answer to first question is "no."

I don't have an r/c gimble. I can only set the camera facing forward, straight down, or somewhere in between, and I can't control it from the ground. It's not really a problem. You can rotate the quad to get a panarama.

And yes, we use my wife's Iphone for real time views. I think there is an app for Android, too.

Purchased my second Phantom 2 yesterday. Will post more info later.

Some Pics from the beach.

Snap shots from the videos.
Waypoints (12 I think) can be added.

Is there a way to export lat/long from Google earth to the Phantom for waypoints? Is a 3 axis gimble a must have? Do you use your smartphone for FPV? Any other tips tricks or “must knows” are appreciated

not sure of the Google earth export (haven't tried).

3 axis is not a must have but I think they stopped making the 2 axis.

I use a dedicated 7" hd monitor for viewing. It is nice because other people always want to watch and you can also step away. Also lightens up the controller. Mine attaches to a standard camcorder tripod I had laying around.
Think about having to have a charge on the phone or of you get a phone call!!

I purchased extra batteries and battery testers and have a backup for everything (except the copter until it arrives).

If using a monitor make sure to get the IOSD-mini (?) so you will have all the data you need (speed, alt., battery level, distance, etc)

Hope this helps. let me know if you have any other questions.

"Hope this helps. let me know if you have any other questions."

It did and I will! great pics Thank you, and TPR too.

Now comes the fun part; capital expense justification/explanation/depreciation to SWMBO as to why this a necessary tool for corporate applications incidental to surveying. 😉

which model did you get? are you using the included camera or a Hero???any extras like the range extender or other accessories?? I am still interested in learning if you are planning on modelling with them and if you tried any "prospective" projects. I think the technology is great and hopefully the FAA gives a green light soon...

Can you take vertical still shots?

Do you mean like this?

Yes, thanks.
Did it require a special gimble?

Mine is a Zen Muse H3-3D Stabilized Camera Gimbal
2D or 3D will work. I have a 3D but it only uses two.
I can look straight out horizontally to straight down vertically (90 degrees total).
The videos are extremely stable even when it is windy.

Thanks, i believe I'm sold.

I know that pier.

We (wife's very large family) have a beach house a few miles to the west. I love Navarre Beach.

Cool action shot of the wave boarder (or what ever you call them).