Bought a DJI Phantom 2 Vision Quadcopter

John Connor

Lifer
Nov 30, 2012
22,757
619
121
On eBay! It comes with the case and everything. Seller has a 100% feedback. I always wanted one of these "pro" drones. And with my manual flight control $60 drone, I wanted to get my feet wet in something better and move up latter on.

Question: It takes a micro SD card up to 32GB. I just bought a 16 GB. Do I really need it or can I feed the video to be recorded on my smartphone?
 

IronWing

No Lifer
Jul 20, 2001
73,486
35,163
136
Does it transmit full quality video or or store the HD video onboard and transmit a low definition version to the phone?
 

Red Squirrel

No Lifer
May 24, 2003
71,127
14,002
126
www.anyf.ca
Nice! Been toying with buying or building a bigger drone myself, I bought a small drone for under $100 just to get my feet wet and I find the range is really poor but can't complain for what I paid for it - it even has a camera that records to SD card. So I may try to mod that one to increase range, or buy/build a better one. Nothing spectacular, but some footage here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UT9TAubP-ZQ

Tons of kit stuff online for building too, basically all the hard work is done for you, you just pick the components and put it together. So might do that at some point. It can be an expensive hobby to get in though. For batteries I'd probably look at 18650 holders and use the cells directly. They are plenty available and fairly universal. I might even do that with my small drone but a single 18650 may be too heavy for it lol.
 

John Connor

Lifer
Nov 30, 2012
22,757
619
121
Nice! Been toying with buying or building a bigger drone myself, I bought a small drone for under $100 just to get my feet wet and I find the range is really poor but can't complain for what I paid for it - it even has a camera that records to SD card. So I may try to mod that one to increase range, or buy/build a better one. Nothing spectacular, but some footage here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UT9TAubP-ZQ

Tons of kit stuff online for building too, basically all the hard work is done for you, you just pick the components and put it together. So might do that at some point. It can be an expensive hobby to get in though. For batteries I'd probably look at 18650 holders and use the cells directly. They are plenty available and fairly universal. I might even do that with my small drone but a single 18650 may be too heavy for it lol.


That's a better drone then I have! Mine does have a cheap low res camera as well, but no sound. Why woould they have sound anyway? LOL All you hear is the blades.

This kid done a really good video on the drone I just bought. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHPND5WxGTE
 

Paratus

Lifer
Jun 4, 2004
17,742
16,055
146
Nice!

Now before you fly please read this:
https://www.faa.gov/uas/getting_started/fly_for_fun/
And remember to register:
https://registermyuas.faa.gov


You are required to "see and avoid" other aircraft so keep an eye out and use a spotter if you plan to fly FPV.

I've had to hastily land before due to a low flying Apache circling my neighborhood park.

Also checkout any local rules. Texas for example has some significant restrictions on drone photography.
 

Red Squirrel

No Lifer
May 24, 2003
71,127
14,002
126
www.anyf.ca
That's a better drone then I have! Mine does have a cheap low res camera as well, but no sound. Why woould they have sound anyway? LOL All you hear is the blades.

This kid done a really good video on the drone I just bought. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHPND5WxGTE

Yeah it's not bad for sure, I can't find the exact one anymore, but it's similar to this: https://www.amazon.ca/Holy-Stone-Qu...d=1475816640&sr=8-4&keywords=holy+stone+drone

Except mine does not have wifi but it looks pretty much the same. The controller is different though.
 

John Connor

Lifer
Nov 30, 2012
22,757
619
121
Nice!

Now before you fly please read this:
https://www.faa.gov/uas/getting_started/fly_for_fun/
And remember to register:
https://registermyuas.faa.gov


You are required to "see and avoid" other aircraft so keep an eye out and use a spotter if you plan to fly FPV.

I've had to hastily land before due to a low flying Apache circling my neighborhood park.

Also checkout any local rules. Texas for example has some significant restrictions on drone photography.


I already know about registering, but I'll check my local and state laws if any exist.
 

Red Squirrel

No Lifer
May 24, 2003
71,127
14,002
126
www.anyf.ca
I was all worried about how strict the laws are before I bought mine but from what I see, they don't really get enforced. Like technically, if I go by the book, I'm not suppose to even fly it in the field in front of my house. You have to be like 200m from any house which would leave a fairly tiny area right in the middle, and can't be close to any living thing (ex: seagulls). But as long as you're not being stupid I imagine you're safe. i don't think they go around policing it, so as long as you don't do anything that will cause someone to call the cops you're probably ok.
 

Aikouka

Lifer
Nov 27, 2001
30,383
912
126
I've always liked the RC vehicles ever since I was a kid. I remember looking them up in the Sears catalog whether they were planes, trains or automobiles! (Actually, boats, but I couldn't ignore the movie reference.) Although, the one thing that shies me away from spending a lot on a fancy quadcopter is public perception. I live near some older people, and I don't want people thinking I'm "spying" with my dastardly "drone". I don't even fly my small units outside, but that's also because I wouldn't be surprised if I accidentally land it in the pool. :p
 

BarkingGhostar

Diamond Member
Nov 20, 2009
8,410
1,617
136
On eBay! It comes with the case and everything. Seller has a 100% feedback. I always wanted one of these "pro" drones. And with my manual flight control $60 drone, I wanted to get my feet wet in something better and move up latter on.

Question: It takes a micro SD card up to 32GB. I just bought a 16 GB. Do I really need it or can I feed the video to be recorded on my smartphone?
Surely this will step up your game on peeping tom antics.