Video link: https://vimeo.com/99186886
PLEASE READ. BUYER BEWARE!!!
Recently, I flew from Portland, OR to Iceland to shoot aerial glacier footage with the new DJI Phantom 2 Vision +. To my shock, when I arrived in Iceland I discovered that the Pro hard case I purchased from Aerial Media Pros, to protect the Phantom, had compressed more than an inch, due to the air pressure from the flight. Upon opening the case - once the air vacuum released, I found that the case lid had put direct pressure on top of the copter, rubbed the logo off and the steel tilt axis on the gimbal was snapped off, making the copter useless and ruining my ability to shoot any footage. I must add, when they shipped me the case and copter at purchase time, I opened the lid to find that the mount for the radio extender was snapped off, Clearly, the case had flexed and crushed the mount before. I called Aerial Media Pros to ask for a replacement, but I never received a response.
In Iceland, upon discovering the gimbal was broken, I immediately contacted Aerial Media Pros to ask for a replacement. I had a 5 hour window to get a new copter on the next flight to Iceland so I pressed the manager for a decision. He told me he would look into it and call right back, but he never did. I was finally able to reach him 5 hours later at the end of their Friday business day and he refused to send me the replacement, claiming that this damage was my fault and I was the exception. Needless to say, I was not able to get the new copter = no footage. Uncool, right?
I have flown around the world with Pelican cases and camera gear many times and I have never experienced this pressurization and subsequent damage issue. I believe AEP is selling a faulty case that does not protect the copter as described, but instead allows flex and a vacuum to form, which causes direct contact with the outer case surface, thereby allowing any external jarring action to be transferred directly to the copter. This is very likely how the tilt axis was broken.
Upon my return to the states, I paid for the phantom to be shipped back with me. When I landed in Portland, I found that the case was once again crushed, as shown in this video shot at PDX. On the return leg home I stowed the prop guards and manual inside the case as well, which didn't make contact with the foam or lid when closed, yet I found them smashed against the foam and copter upon opening. Again, this case is clearly not of a professional grade and I hold AMP responsible for selling me an untested case with substandard quality to protect the copter. Needless to say, I am very disappointed at the loss of the time, footage opportunity, trip expense, shipping costs and the cost of the copter itself.
I will now be asking DJI to repair the helicopter. The $2500 I spent with AMP has been met with a cold shoulder and poor customer service. I highly recommend avoiding this case and not purchasing anything from AMP. They do not support their customer or their products, which lacks integrity and accountability.
PLEASE READ. BUYER BEWARE!!!
Recently, I flew from Portland, OR to Iceland to shoot aerial glacier footage with the new DJI Phantom 2 Vision +. To my shock, when I arrived in Iceland I discovered that the Pro hard case I purchased from Aerial Media Pros, to protect the Phantom, had compressed more than an inch, due to the air pressure from the flight. Upon opening the case - once the air vacuum released, I found that the case lid had put direct pressure on top of the copter, rubbed the logo off and the steel tilt axis on the gimbal was snapped off, making the copter useless and ruining my ability to shoot any footage. I must add, when they shipped me the case and copter at purchase time, I opened the lid to find that the mount for the radio extender was snapped off, Clearly, the case had flexed and crushed the mount before. I called Aerial Media Pros to ask for a replacement, but I never received a response.
In Iceland, upon discovering the gimbal was broken, I immediately contacted Aerial Media Pros to ask for a replacement. I had a 5 hour window to get a new copter on the next flight to Iceland so I pressed the manager for a decision. He told me he would look into it and call right back, but he never did. I was finally able to reach him 5 hours later at the end of their Friday business day and he refused to send me the replacement, claiming that this damage was my fault and I was the exception. Needless to say, I was not able to get the new copter = no footage. Uncool, right?
I have flown around the world with Pelican cases and camera gear many times and I have never experienced this pressurization and subsequent damage issue. I believe AEP is selling a faulty case that does not protect the copter as described, but instead allows flex and a vacuum to form, which causes direct contact with the outer case surface, thereby allowing any external jarring action to be transferred directly to the copter. This is very likely how the tilt axis was broken.
Upon my return to the states, I paid for the phantom to be shipped back with me. When I landed in Portland, I found that the case was once again crushed, as shown in this video shot at PDX. On the return leg home I stowed the prop guards and manual inside the case as well, which didn't make contact with the foam or lid when closed, yet I found them smashed against the foam and copter upon opening. Again, this case is clearly not of a professional grade and I hold AMP responsible for selling me an untested case with substandard quality to protect the copter. Needless to say, I am very disappointed at the loss of the time, footage opportunity, trip expense, shipping costs and the cost of the copter itself.
I will now be asking DJI to repair the helicopter. The $2500 I spent with AMP has been met with a cold shoulder and poor customer service. I highly recommend avoiding this case and not purchasing anything from AMP. They do not support their customer or their products, which lacks integrity and accountability.
