Recent content by 777Ben

I used one of the Flir Tau's a few years back (on a fixed wing for the Navy SEALs). Probably not the "2". I believe they have both digital and analog outputs. I used the analog output with a video Tx (same thing, but that one was on 1.2G). Worked fine. Make sure the Tau's analog output is...

It's a mini Inspire. It would certainly make a good backup to the Inspire. Use it for the shots that don't need a 360 degree gimbal. I never would have bothered with a Phantom….until now. Lightbridge made the difference here. The better camera was certainly required. The Phantom 3 is a game...

I assume you need an FPV camera. The analog video Tx is only good for about 600 lines of resolution, so that pretty much caps the video quality (that's why DJI came out with the Lighbridge system).

Immersion 5.8G 600mW. I've used lots of transmitters and now I just use these. FatShark also has a camera that has a connector for the Immersion Tx Ditch the stock antenna and get a Cloverleaf or Mushroom antenna. Google Circular Wireless and IB Crazy (RCGroups) Inspire is 2.4G so no RF issues.

Risk goes up exponentially the farther out you go. And that goes double for MR's and Heli's (non fixed-wing). Even things you don't think about, like a headwind at altitude on the way back, can cause an "unplanned landing." Fixed wing is much better if your goal is just to go far. But if you...

That's why it's the last choice. But it's still a tool in your toolbox in case you need it someday. One can never have too many tools :) Ben

Canada is a lot easier to deal with. Flew "drones" for a major movie production in the summer of 2013 and the movie studio got the permits, so I don't know all the details. But it didn't appear to be a big deal. The FAA has their proposal out now and it appears you won't need a pilots license...

I haven't read all the posts, so I'm sorry if this is redundant. Keep in mind that whatever charger you're using also needs to monitor all 6 of the cells and keep them all within a couple hundredths of a volt. Yes, in a pinch you can fast charge without balancing the cells. But when the job is...

Keep in mind that most multi rotor pilots are not experienced R/C pilots. While many are good photographers, their total model aircraft experience is measured in months and they lack the situational awareness that a long time modeler has. And that extends not only to flying ability, but to...

You don't really "catch" it. You hover it at 6 ft, then walk under it and grab hold of it and kill the motors. There are a few reasons this might be required. The terrain might be too rough land on, or too dirty/dusty. The easiest way to ruin your equipment is to FOD (foreign object damage) it...