Drones..........

[CanonChrissy]

Has anyone got one and are they easy to use?

[Phil]

How freaky is that??? Mine arrived today, never flown one before so I guess I'll let you know tomorrow how easy they are... or not 

[CanonChrissy]

U using a go pro? Did u pay much?

[Phil]

Yuneec Q500 4K

[CanonChrissy]

Omg I thought the 4k was the price! Haha

[colinb]

I looked at one thinking I might be able to set up a small business but decided against it due to insurance, regulations and the increasing 'anti-drone' public awareness.

 

[Black Pearl]

A THOUSAND POUNDS!!!!!!!!!

I'm guessing you've a dastardly scheme to make some money from it?

[CanonChrissy]

Is a grand a lot for a boys toy BP? I paid that for my big lens, hubby paid that for a bike. I suppose it depends on your income, lifestyle and your 'fun budget'. And of course good old interest free credit!

[Black Pearl]

It isn't a lot of money for a hobby but thats where I get  stuck with the idea of a drone. I've thought about one a few times but keep thinking that once you've played with it half a dozen times, flown it around your local landmarks etc then it will sit in the garage gathering dust. Now to be fair you could say that about a large number of hobby purchases (like a bike) but that brings us back to the price...

[Guest Ron]

_{Anyone considering one should google and read CAA (Civil Avation Authority) rules and guidelines.}

_{A lot of people don't realise but it is illegal to operate a drone over any built up areas. Anyone using one for commercial purposes of any kind needs permission from the CAA or face prosecution.}

_{The authorities are becoming ever more concerned about them, in the wrong hands or in a mishap they are dangerous.}

[Phil]

I've read all the info, watched hundreds of videos, so I'm well aware of the rules and regs. In the hands of a yob they can be an extremely dangerous tool and in such cases are well deserving of the bad press, the Yuneec Q500 is a professional bit of kit and not a toy.

I've wanted a quadcopter since they first started to appear but not taken the plunge until my son said he fancied giving it a go. With his girlfriend they have dogs and take part in Flyball (they're actually racing at Crufts this weekend), unlike the DJI series which is extortionately expensive, the Yuneec comes with everything you need to fly right out of the box, including 2 batteries and a SteadyGrip which enables you to detach the camera and gimble from the aircraft and use it handheld, at 120FPS is perfect for filming jumping dogs.

I'm just seeing Jodie off to school then I'm out for my very first flight, watch this space 

[Guest Ron]

Good luck Phil, I think you may find it very easy to fly as yours as you say is a "proper" one not a toy. I have flown one as a mate operates one commercially as part of his business.

Ron

[Phil]

Thanks Ron 

BP, I agree totally about the usability long term, but I'm a man, since when did we let logic and common sense stand in the way of our gadgets? 
A plan? Me? Don't be daft.

[CanonChrissy]

They are quite noisy and annoying. There we were sunbathing in Tenerife and one was hovering above the beach.....I grabbed a towel to cover my body......its a temple you know haha.

[Phil]

1 minute ago, CanonChrissy said:

I grabbed a towel to cover my body......its a temple you know haha.

Much like mine I guess 

As I'm lead to believe the Yuneec is a slightly larger drone than most with longer props that spin slower, making it quieter, we'll see.

[CanonChrissy]

Does their name come from the noise they make??????? I noticed they used one on Robson Green''s Northumberland last night. But they did make sure there was no noise.

Edited March 8, 2016 by CanonChrissy

[Black Pearl]

If you can hover outside the neighbours bedroom window (you know the one - her with the really big temples) undiscovered then its quiet enough. Just PM me the resulting video 

[CanonChrissy]

BP...........you are bad

[Phil]

6 minutes ago, Black Pearl said:

If you can hover outside the neighbours bedroom window...

Haha, 'er-indoors is against 'em for that very reason, I'm sure she sees me as some kind of perv! As if 

[Black Pearl]

[Phil]

6 minutes ago, Judy said:

.. and all you wanted it for was to swoop over that petrol station to get different views

Am I that predictable? 

[Korky]

If you could keep away from Manchester Airport in early April I'd appreciate it.

Also, let me know when you get fed up with it and you're considering eBay. One of my neighbours - Mrs McGinty - is said to walk around her garden in the buff in the summer months. Nothing pervy here, she's 81, I'm just thinking there might be a blackmail aspect as her son is a psychiatrist.

Korky  

[Clicker]

4 minutes ago, Korky said:

If you could keep away from Manchester Airport in early April I'd appreciate it.

 

Korky  

... And  May and September ..... 

[Korky]

23 minutes ago, Clicker said:

... And  May and September ..... 

You been having a beaky in my diary?

Korky

[ChrisLumix]

Just a note of warning : on the lunchtime news there was an item about how birds of prey are being trained to recognise and take out drones...