Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips
While not quite as gruesome as it sounds, this video shows what could happen from a drone impacting humans in a sort of “worst case scenario” crash.
Below is the normal speed video that puts the super slow motion clip above in a little better context. [Read more…]
I’ve been flying Yuneec’s Q500 Typhoon 4K quadcopter for several months. It is the total package from what you want and expect from a drone for the serious consumer. I’m a huge fan and all-aboard the Yuneec train.
I was introduced to Yuneec in April 2015 at NAB and got the chance to try out the Q500 series last fall. This review is long overdue but the recent price drops across the Typhoon line make them more attractive than ever and have nudged me to spread the word about this great little drone.
The flight and image capture experience is very similar to what you get from a DJI Phantom series drone. The biggest and most important difference for me is the included ST10+ transmitter from Yuneec. [Read more…]
The Yuneec Typhoon H hexacopter with 4K camera and 3-axis gimbal with 360-degree pan is now available for pre-order. [Read more…]
DJI announced its new Phantom 4 drone today with some powerful new features. It is a culmination of so many of the features we have seen in tech demos in recent years. The big new feature is obstacle avoidance, which looks like an effective and solid implementation. [Read more…]
B&H has the DJI Phantom 2 v2.0 drone and Zenmuse H4-3D Gimbal for $399 as its Deal Zone deal for today only. Check it out while it lasts here at B&H Photo.
Along with big price drops on the other Phantom 3 drones, the Phantom 3 Professional version has dropped in price down to $999 (was $1259). The Phantom 3 Professional features a 4K camera on a 3-axis gimbal with 12MP still image capture. It transmits 720p HD video for app-based monitoring, offers auto-takeoff and auto return home with up to 23 minutes flight time. Check it out here at B&H Photo.
B&H has the 3DR Solo drone with 3-axis gimbal for GoPro cameras for $999 (reg. $1399). Check it out here at B&H Photo.
The FAA has issued a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) that prohibits drone operation within a 32-mile radius of the stadium in Santa Clara, California. The TFR takes effect at 2PM and lasts until 11:59PM Sunday, February 7. [Read more…]
B&H has the 3DR Solo quadcopter for $1199 (reg. $1399) right now and includes a free $200 gift card. Check it out while it lasts here at B&H Photo.
Drones are literally everywhere. As I drove through my neighborhood a few days ago, I saw a teenager flying what looked to be a DJI Phantom in his front yard and just a couple dozen feet from my car as I passed by. Drones have gone from a very niche and expensive hobby interest toward a mainstream consumer and commercial success. And it’s only just begun.
The storylines continue to focus on the FAA’s regulations and the public’s restrictions as the technology is far out-pacing the legal and regulatory guidelines. While there is a loose framework for registration in place for the general public and their personal use of drones, legitimate technological restrictions are hardly competent to keep a drone from either accidentally or intentionally causing a major catastrophe.
As it stands now, we are still living in the wild west of the drone tech boom. Just about anyone can fly a drone just about anywhere – regardless of whether there are regulatory restrictions in place or not. The FAA is woefully undermanned to address all of the reported violations and local law enforcement remains untrained on the regulations and/or completely lack jurisdiction to enforce those regulations.
This is all a recipe for disaster. [Read more…]