Technology which may be of interest.

[FilBrown]

Originally Posted by tomfl

I have one as well. Sad to say I have had problems with it. The battery and wires from the battery are very close to the electronics that control it making it drift and somewhat hard to fly. I may put some copper foil around the wires to see if this helps. If you look at the inside of the Splashdrone (and the Mariner which is basically the first generation Splashdrone) there is very little room. Things can get hot in addition to electrical interference. The inside of the QuadH2o and HexH2o are much bigger in addition to having a fan and head sink fins.

One reason I like the inspire is how easy it is to fly and take pix/vids at the same time. Also recommend you get some type of simulator to play on before putting the real thing in the air.

Hi TomFl, that might be an idea. I haven't come across interference problems (well non that I've noticed)
Been playing with all the quad copter apps on computer and smart phone.
Also been collecting a range of other drones to play with before crashing the real thing. Some of those little micro drones are surprisingly controllable while giving the cat something stalk!

[Bertie68]

Originally Posted by FilBrown

I'm trying to figure out a camera mount which could be hauled up the mast or be fitted permanently up there. Its obviously going to need some kind of gymbal system to stay level and it seems the only way to get a mechanical gymbal is to make one. I have a few ideas but if anyone has suggestions the more the merrier!

I think this would be by far the most practical solution. Nowadays, you can find almost any kind of CCTV cameras and mountings, like these.. Well, remote control units could be a bit bulky for a boat, and a lot of wiring would be needed, but otherwise, those cameras are weatherproof and really rugged. Also, cleaning would be difficult to say the least if they are out of reach...

[Terra Nova]

You shouldn't need to complicate this with a gimbal. Use a wide angle lens.

[sailorboy53]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

But radio net this morning guy days he has found a drone under his boat.

In 10 feet of water.



Better take flying lessons unless you wanna lose $700...

You must be in St Martin then LOL

[alansmith]

I think the landing of drones on the White House lawn freaked out many upper level managers of security for the President. I am sure laws are already in place for prosecution. It is what it is, don't you think?

Then you have Google deliveries via drones...It could get quite complex. I can see, from one side of the coin, why things had to change.

[a64pilot]

How does making all small model aircraft be registered, stop someone from using one stupidly?
It doesn't, what it does I believe is no make it easier to prosecute them.
I don't believe anyone has delivered anything by "drone" yet.
In the 1930's mail was going to be delivered by rocket, I think Amazon deliveries by drone are as likely, we will see.

[a64pilot]

Little plastic drones pale in comparison to this don't you think? Do you remember this?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1974_W...opter_incident

Or this?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_Byck

[FilBrown]

A wide angle lens isn't enough when you put a camera up a mast.
The slightest movement of the boat is amplified at the top of the mast 40+ feet up. There are electronic gymbals but with power supplies and mounts this starts to get heavy
A GoPro in a small mechanical gymbal wouldn't weigh a great deal.
I wonder how much of the sea bed can be seen from a masthead camera? Just wondering if it would be any good in tight situations. Might need a polarised lens in there for that.
On the subject of cameras, anyone tried mounting a camera underwater either through hull or otherwise?

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[a64pilot]

I've seen on this forum several excellent pictures, from a Gopro on a kite.

[RNW]

Originally Posted by Terra Nova

More freedoms lost to bigger government.

Or after all the fuss about privacy,security and safety issues from hundreds of people over the last few years maybe it's a balanced response to the safe and responsible use of a new potent technology ?

[Terra Nova]

Originally Posted by RNW

Or after all the fuss about privacy,security and safety issues from hundreds of people over the last few years maybe it's a balanced response to the safe and responsible use of a new potent technology ?

From the government? Ya, right!

[RNW]

The alternative is to do nothing or let a professional organization try to step in. Good luck with that.
If the id/license numbers concept works with cars,boats,large planes then this idea sounds as good as any.
One issue is the misuse of arial video. It's much easier to inspect moored boats or backyards for valuable goods by remote inspection.

[patprice]

Are there not privacy issues with these gadgets?
Can they peep through your ports or check out the foredeck for topless sun tanners.
Do'nt want to appear negative but lots of issues here to resolve.

[RNW]

Originally Posted by patprice

Are there not privacy issues with these gadgets?
Can they peep through your ports or check out the foredeck for topless sun tanners.
Do'nt want to appear negative but lots of issues here to resolve.

Of COURSE there are LOTS of issues! That's why I said 'one' issue is security.
Air safety is also a huge issue.
That's why there are heaps of complaints to date and therefore the government has to be involved.
People could get all Republican about unnecessary government involvement, but the hard facts are that this technology will impact the public in many ways,so a sensible monitoring system makes a lot of sense

[tomfl]

Originally Posted by patprice

Are there not privacy issues with these gadgets?
Can they peep through your ports or check out the foredeck for topless sun tanners.
Do'nt want to appear negative but lots of issues here to resolve.

Unless you are a much better pilot than I am you will not be able to peep through ports. Not sure how much cruising you have done but quite frankly most of the "topless sun tanners" I have seen in anchorages don't merit checking out; in fact I usually go out of my way to not check them out.

Most of the cameras I have seen on RC platforms are similar in image quality to a cell phone. Once you get 50 feet away you are not able to ID the person in the FOV. In fact it is not all that easy to ID them even if you are closer. Getting close enough to ID someone risks hitting all those silly ropes and wires attached to the big stick in the middle of the boat. Not to mention an angry sailor with a boat hook trying to swat the RC platform.

Not sure there are issues to be resolved.

On the other hand I still don't understand why there is not more interests in ROVs. They work underwater and allow you to see what it looks like there.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43Vkc3ae95I

There is also the ability to produce maps showing where the channels are. Here is an example of what you can do with off the shelf open source freeware and a ROV using something like a GoPro

https://openexplorer.com/expedition/fiskardogreece2015/