New Waterproof Drone With Camera that follows you!

[socaldmax]

Originally Posted by LTDsailing

Wow - that looks very cool! Would love to have something like that to shoot video of a boat on the water. I wonder how it would do with the winds down here? Might give it some trouble!

Yes, it probably would have problems with strong winds, just like all of them would. These definitely aren't all weather craft!

[PuttingDoctor]

I bought my "drone" about 4 years ago as an experiment. Got enough batteries to fly more than the short life of a single battery especially with camera on.

I've been thinking that one of the better uses of the little flyer would be for inspecting rigging. It sure won't fix anything but would allow more frequent eyeballing of what's up there.

The state of the UAV industry makes marine application of video and still photo a good use. There's a wide distrust of those flying UAV's in areas where manned aircraft fly and where personal privacy issues abound.

You don't have to wait for a year to buy one... now it may not be waterproof but having command of where it will fly and what it will shoot is key for me. There are some models with push button hover, and auto return.

Oh, and they're ready for delivery right now.

[maytrix]

Originally Posted by socaldmax

Yes, it probably would have problems with strong winds, just like all of them would. These definitely aren't all weather craft!

I have the original Phantom quad copter and it does fine in the winds. I've flown it multiple times in the BVI in pretty strong winds and it did fine. There's clearly a limit and it does reduce battery life but I was surprised at how well it flew in high winds.

It isn't water proof, but it isn't that hard to keep it out of the water - when flying from a boat, rather than trying to land on the boat, you simply have someone grab it in flight.

[Ray Perry]

It needs to transmit the picture via wifi to my laptop. I could then use it when navigating to an anchorage in Great Barrier Reef waters. I usually travel single handed and this would be the greatest thing since sliced bread.

Ray Perry Cooktown FNQ

[thebootlegger]

Very very cool!

[Browning]

Is this thread sponsored by NSA?

Other than this, the usual challenges of balancing the flying craft - e.g. at the start moment - seem not to be ovecome.

[hamburking]

Originally Posted by indimini

Cool concept, but according to their website, it has a max altitude of 50' above head (assuming that means above puck location), so probably not useful around most sailboats.

50 feet is a legal issue. If you go over 50 feet you need all sorts of permits, flight plans, licenses, etc. Under 50 feet and its good to go. Kind of like bikes vs cars on the road.

[hamburking]

Originally Posted by Browning

Is this thread sponsored by NSA?

Other than this, the usual challenges of balancing the flying craft - e.g. at the start moment - seem not to be ovecome.

Not sure what you are referring to...you toss it, and it goes. They made it super easy to launch, and the landing looks foolproof too.

I want one. I think the price is fair. Can't wait.

[Canibul]

Originally Posted by socaldmax

Did you not see the drone in the video? How do you video something that doesn't exist?

A whole bunch of tech sites have already written reviews on it, CNET, Yahoo, DPReview, a few others. We better warn them that they were hallucinating!

Do yourself a favor. Research the Kickstarter Pocket Drone program. It had all those things you mention, and more. I first heard about them on Gizmag. I'd already done two other Kickstarter things ( PrintrBot 3D printer and LEAP motion controller) so I went for it. Took me and 1200 other people a year to find out we'd been ripped off.

Wanna buy a Pocket Drone? Watch their video, I'm sure you'll want one. I mean, a video is proof, right?

NO more kickstarter deals for me. I'll wait until I can see what I am buying.

[Canibul]

Originally Posted by hamburking

50 feet is a legal issue. If you go over 50 feet you need all sorts of permits, flight plans, licenses, etc. Under 50 feet and its good to go. Kind of like bikes vs cars on the road.

Bull.

[roverhi]

This water proof drone I believe is available now. The original gimble mount for a GoPro camera was not a water proof, however. Believe they are working on water proofing the gimble mount but don't know how far along they are.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=yEzesXgNwEI

[Canibul]

yep, the mariner has been around for a while. I think there is a waterproof two axis gimbal now.

[indimini]

Originally posted by Hamburking

50 feet is a legal issue. If you go over 50 feet you need all sorts of permits, flight plans, licenses, etc. Under 50 feet and its good to go. Kind of like bikes vs cars on the road.

My understanding is that these types of drones, like all model aircraft are limited to Class "G" airspace - namely a max of 700 above ground level. Proposed FAA regulations reference an altitude limit of 500 feet and max speed of 100 mph. In all cases the operator is required to avoid flight paths of full size aircraft.

[Mirage Gecko]

I love gadgets and this would be like other drones and choppers that is fantastic in defined areas and for personal use.
Have not experienced it here fortunately yet but around anchorages and other people I would find that invasive and like someone else has cleverly stated "Pull"
But then again I think reality TV and arsebook should be banned too

[socaldmax]

Originally Posted by Browning

Is this thread sponsored by NSA?

Other than this, the usual challenges of balancing the flying craft - e.g. at the start moment - seem not to be ovecome.

Watch the video. They just throw it.