Quadcopters anyone?

I'm lookin at $1300 for the "fly more" bundle. Trying to decide if it's really worth the extra $300. It comes with the battery charging hub, extra props, car charger (i'd buy this), extra battery (I'd buy this too), shoulder bag, battery to power bank adaptor.

I'm thinking I either get the fly more bundle, or buy 2 additional batteries at $90/piece

 

You will need the Fly More bundle and one extra battery. The price will be around $1500 with all of that + a 4 port charging hub. You can charge a battery on the way to the next flight in the car which means you can fly indefinitely all day.

 

Alright alright jeeze. I want so badly to press order, but I've got to buy one more thing to get my dirt bike street legal first, and then I can order the mavic.

 

I will mention one thing about the Fly More bundle. The very first thing you will do is throw the shoulder bag in the closet or trash (whichever you prefer). It is useless. It will fit the controller and drone and that's it. No spare anything. But... that is still the cheapest way to buy all the things you need at a lower price. Just one extra battery and a 4 port charging hub and you're good. No need to buy anything else.

 

Yes, get the fly more. You'll end up needing extra props anyway.

Spark is half the drone for half the price. I've had about 200 hours into the mavic now and I don't feel a lack at all. It's a all around everyday trail scout/dronie/neighborhood flyer. Flies like a drunken mule compared to my inductrixes, but that's a fine tradeoff. Also, doesn't have quite the loiter of my fixed wing pixhawk gear, but.. like golf clubs and guns, different machines for different purposes. The mavic is closer to an 'all around' like a AR or a medium iron.

 

I always love myself a good 7 iron....

 

Lol... who doesn't? Easiest club to hit in the bag.

 

Get out of here! I had TWO $80 drones before this one! I HAVE flight experience! Lol

 

Ya. Well.... fuck you ​

 

I like the Spark. It just has limited range and flight time.

I got a nice hard shelled Vivitar backpack that holds all the Mavic stuff including the multi-charger and extra batteries at Fry's. It makes it easy to carry around. The video is amazing at 4K. Everyone comments on how clear it is. I just need to get out and fly it more. It's been under/over 100* almost every day this month.

 

Well geeze, you guys are making me want to sell the spark and get a mavic

 

I can understand getting the Mavic if you like the look and the folding feature, but for my money, the Phantom 4 is the way. The camera is noticeably better and the damn thing can carry a FLIR camera, which has its own set of benefits.

I had a 3A for about 6 months before I sold it because the technology was just moving so fast. Now that I'm seeing a bit of a slowdown, I may go ahead and get something newer.

Here's a vid I made while I had it. I didn't get it to do this sort of thing, but I compiled some good footage from this one particular outing, so I edited and set it to music.

 

Throwing this out there in case anyone is looking for brand new DJI Inspire.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/dji-inspire-1-v2-drone-4k-camera-or-trade-for-ar15.490640/

 

Adding to what you said about RTH, I think people also need to learn how to fly in ATTI mode and not rely strictly on GPS assisted. We are "Pilots" after all .

 

man that was a lot of pages to go thru! been wanting to get a drone for a while but didn't have the $$ for a real decent one to take pics with so I ended up with the Promark cheapy. got it at Wally-world for $100 so I'm not to concerned with a failure, in case it goes. Of course I ripped the crapping 720P camera off that wasn't working anyways and stuck one of my GoPro pads on there. I've only been able to do a test flight in the front yard with the GoPro on but so far I think it'll work for trail pics.

 

You've got a good little drone that does a lot of things well. As I mentioned before, if you are getting the shots you want then I wouldn't worry about it. "If" however you want something that will do more of what the Spark will do at further ranges and with more features you will eventually pick up a Mavic.

Good video. The main reason I went from a Inspire 1 V2 to a Mavic is the size and portability. There certainly isn't anything wrong with the latest gen Phantoms other than the size. Before I bought the Mavic I considered buying an Inspire 2 but due to the price difference between the Inspire 1 and 2 it just wasn't worth it to me. The Inspire 2 is about the best "consumer" grade craft you can buy at the moment but you're looking at well over $5k just to get into one with everything that you would need. And even then I'd be in the same position as I was with the Inspire 1. Having to set my day around my shots and not the other way around. The ability to set up the Mavic within 2 mins. instead of almost 30mins of set up, preflight, and finding a suitable place to take off from due to the larger footprint of the Inspire was enough to sway me.
The difference in the camera between the Inspire 1 / 2 was not great enough to sway me away from the portability of the Mavic. What little difference there is, is quickly made up in post production where I promise you can not tell what craft was used to get the shot. I record at 2.7k just so I have the option of 60fps. 4k looks great but the difference between the two isn't noticeable especially in post. Add to that 4k is limited to 30fps which if you are not careful with your movements can cause "shutter roll". Same can be said for the Phantom lines. IIRC they use the same sensors. So for a small camera on the Mavic and the ability to balance exposure etc... and set the camera up the way you want it on the fly was a plus.

So the real decision everyone has to make is first: How will you use your drone?

Second: How important is portability to you (I've learned the only good camera is the one you actually use (that even applies to phone cameras) which eliminated the Inspire 2 and Phantom series in my case. Once the Mavic came out the thought of not having to lug around a suitcase full of shit was appealing to me. A drone that fits into my DSLR bag with every accessory was a huge plus to me.

Third: How much are you actually going to use it and how good are you with programs to use in post to create your films (Final Cut Pro or Adobe Premiere Pro etc...)

Totally agree with this statement. I still stand by the use of a cheap "trainer" drone so you can learn how to fly. ATTI mode is exactly the same thing you would be dealing with a small trainer drone without the chance of someone that has never used ATTI mode losing a much more expensive drone.

By doing that you will get no gimbal stabilization and every move you make with it will be abrupt and every input you make will translate into the film. And I can almost promise you, you will get a "jello effect" due to the vibrations coming off the drone.

 

This is exactly what your film would look like with a GoPro attached with no gimbal assist.

 

Yup. Buying a mavic. Was gonna wait but might just pull the trigger. That's what credit cards are for, right?

 

It's only money and you will be happy with the purchase. Win win.

 

Liesssss..pics or it didn't happen