Phantom 2 Vision Plus

[swtc]

I am dying to see, if DJI keeps the 5.8 ghz Tx on the new vision, or scrap the concept all together?

***I'd love it if if somehow incorporated Lightbridge, a dumbed-down version or not. On the other hand, I wouldn't expect a $1500 add on (lightbridge) to be popped into a stock model for a while (until it gets cheap). Seems to me the product I'd really like to buy would be a P2 with a good gimbal, with a stock-incorporated Lightbridge FPV, no fuss right out of the box. But that's going to be a year or two until that type of thing is sub-$2500, I assume.

Anyway, I'm a lurker here, just starting to research/get into UAVs and learning to make my first purchase - I don't know too much about frequencies and all that smart-kid stuff yet, but saw that the VISION+ has the following specs: Can you tell anything from this if the VISION+ is going to be 2.4 or 5.8?

I included another new DJI product (the RE700 range extender, not part of the VISION+, a totally separate product) for comparison in the attached pic, shows freqs. Dunno if the VISION+ uses the RE700 in the same way the original VISION uses the RE500...

 

[tizzl10]

it would be nice if the new camera had a mic to capture audio.

 

[MonsieurAnon]

I am a bit sceptical about a new camera. I have this theory that DJI probably thought they were going to give us a good camera with the P2V but when it came down to it they could not make a good one. It takes a lot of expertise to make a good camera, even the gopro with their huge R&D budget is not that good.

You're absolutely correct about how difficult it is to produce a good quality camera. While I was researching a better camera to put on my Phantom I couldn't find a single large sensor DIY part, I assume because the companies that are capable of producing those protect the hardware. In fact, from the looks of the FC-200 internals they used one of the largest sensors that you can readily buy in this fashion. A hobbyist with a Raspberry pi, Sony mini-camera & a small wifi add on could produce the exact same result without too much trouble.

Another example is to look at the trouble that Samsung, and to a lesser degree, Sony, have had in catching up to the leaders in the field. The ISO rating on their cameras, as well as the quality of their lenses are still a crucial 5-20% behind despite the obvious scale of their efforts.

From what I can gather, the Sony RX100 comes closest to a low end DSLR in terms of quality whilst also being light weight so my preference would be for DJI to provide a gimballed platform and some way of providing FPV using an existing camera from a specialist manufacturer.

The RX100 has a 1" sensor and weighs in at 240g. The lightest gimbals that work with the <100g FC-200 / GoPro3 are around 150g and would probably struggle if modified for such a large camera. But I actually think it's possible ... you're just not going to fly for a long time per battery or be able to move fast.

Larger sensor cameras are actually possible on a Phantom. Not only is there a video on youtube of someone hefting up a full frame DSLR, albeit with great difficulty, but I've personally put a Samsung NX-1100 ~450g including battery & 3d printed mounting into the sky. Performance was unsatisfactory; but from tomorrow onwards I'll be printing improved mounting to overcome those issues.

And the NX-1100 isn't even the lightest APS-C camera, nor the best. It's just much cheaper than the Sony NEX-5 or A-5000.

Putting any camera in this class on a gimbal is probably impractical, but if your aim is high quality photos, or photogrammetry then they're what you'll want!

 

[Scottrod]

I could see the future being a setup for a universal gimbal with multiple mounts that has an HDMI connector into an FPV setup. I think like I said if DJI sticks to what they do best (Multi-rotors) and let's the camera manufacturers handle the camera that would be the best way to go in the future.

But that said...I still love my Vision! I would kill for 1080P FPV though.

 

[Venom93corba]

In all honesty I can see them keeping the FC200. I wouldn't say it's crappy by any means. I've got some good shots and video with it. I just can't believe they abandon it so quick when it does the job. Gimbal? Definitely. I can easily see them adding a gimbal because that's what it needs the most.

Phantom 2 Vision, Ragecams 5.4 flat lens, Rotorpixel gimbal (on order #384)

 

[OI Photography]

From what I can gather, the Sony RX100 comes closest to a low end DSLR in terms of quality whilst also being light weight so my preference would be for DJI to provide a gimballed platform and some way of providing FPV using an existing camera from a specialist manufacturer.

It really surprises me that DJI has left that gimbal mid-market wide open. They've covered the go-pro user, and the full DSLR user, but have nothing for the pre-DSLR user (mirrorless compacts with 1" and similar sensors). They already have a platform (550) that would be perfect for it even if they don't try to shoehorn it on a Phantom, so where's the Zenmuse to fit that segment? I know they have the Z15 for the NEX5/7, but it's kind of overkill for that class of cameras and I don't see why they can't have a more efficient gimbal package closer to the H3-2D/H3-3D setup. At least something for the RX100 :roll:

 

[MonsieurAnon]

It's definitely on my list of things to try; converting a goPro gimbal for use with a larger / heavier camera.

 

[Pull_Up]

I am dying to see, if DJI keeps the 5.8 ghz Tx on the new vision, or scrap the concept all together?

***I'd love it if if somehow incorporated Lightbridge, a dumbed-down version or not. On the other hand, I wouldn't expect a $1500 add on (lightbridge) to be popped into a stock model for a while (until it gets cheap). Seems to me the product I'd really like to buy would be a P2 with a good gimbal, with a stock-incorporated Lightbridge FPV, no fuss right out of the box. But that's going to be a year or two until that type of thing is sub-$2500, I assume.

Anyway, I'm a lurker here, just starting to research/get into UAVs and learning to make my first purchase - I don't know too much about frequencies and all that smart-kid stuff yet, but saw that the VISION+ has the following specs: Can you tell anything from this if the VISION+ is going to be 2.4 or 5.8?

I included another new DJI product (the RE700 range extender, not part of the VISION+, a totally separate product) for comparison in the attached pic, shows freqs. Dunno if the VISION+ uses the RE700 in the same way the original VISION uses the RE500...

Hello. If they are still using a "range extender" then that's effectively a boosted WiFi repeater so it's going to be 2.4. Their use of a smartphone app over WiFi to bring all-in-one telemetry, FPV and shutter control etc is the killer feature of the Vision so that's going to stay the same I'm sure. And if they are still using WiFi then it will still be 5.8 for control. Basically other than a boosted range extender I think the only change to the system will be what's hanging off the bottom between the skids (gimbal and maybe camera) from the leak we saw on the dealer site...

 

[pault]

If you keep an eye on the non-Vision forum you will see in the next day or two what a lot of us thought we were getting with the Vision, namely decent quality images. There is a professional photographer over there (Peter Evans) who has just taken delivery of an outfit that gives FPV with the RX100. He really rates the little Sony camera and it will be really interesting to see the results.

I know many are happy with the FC200 but to me it seems such a pity that people spend a lot of money on gimbals/filters etc and then spend time editing their footage and all the while the actual quality does not stand up to being viewed on a decent monitor. The images/footage is great as a documentary if that is what you want but will never be breathtaking and have that wow factor.

 

[styloblanc]

Hello. If they are still using a "range extender" then that's effectively a boosted WiFi repeater so it's going to be 2.4. Their use of a smartphone app over WiFi to bring all-in-one telemetry, FPV and shutter control etc is the killer feature of the Vision so that's going to stay the same I'm sure. And if they are still using WiFi then it will still be 5.8 for control. Basically other than a boosted range extender I think the only change to the system will be what's hanging off the bottom between the skids (gimbal and maybe camera) from the leak we saw on the dealer site...

I also think the major modifications will be a 3d gimbal, extended range and maybe a Gopro BE+ camera quality.
We'll know very soon, i guess

 

[gunslinger]

From what I've read/heard all I'm expecting is extended range and a 2D gimbal. A 3D gimbal would be a nice option, or even better yet the ability to upgrade the 2D to a 3D.

In the meantime, I'll continue to do what DJI customers do best... Wait... :roll: :roll: :lol:

-slinger

 

[pault]

..... .

In the meantime, I'll continue to do what DJI customers do best... Wait... :roll: :roll: :lol:

-slinger

I got my Vision on a whim - read about it on Pocket Lint and then 3 days later I made my maiden flight

For those who were early adopters of the P2V and who read the announcement of its release, how long was the wait from announcement to actually being available ? I suppose what I am trying to say is that assuming the announcment is made at the end of this week at the show how long will be the likely wait ?

 

[gunslinger]

..... .

In the meantime, I'll continue to do what DJI customers do best... Wait... :roll: :roll: :lol:

-slinger

I got my Vision on a whim - read about it on Pocket Lint and then 3 days later I made my maiden flight

For those who were early adopters of the P2V and who read the announcement of its release, how long was the wait from announcement to actually being available ? I suppose what I am trying to say is that assuming the announcment is made at the end of this week at the show how long will be the likely wait ?

If I could accurately guess the actual ship date of anything DJI announces, I'd be in a league with Nostradamus... :roll: :lol:

 

[pault]

If I could accurately guess the actual ship date of anything DJI announces, I'd be in a league with Nostradamus... :roll: :lol:

Surely they cannot be as bad as Rotorpixel .....

Edit: actually, on a serious note, I have always found that the Chinese are quite good at delivering product soon after the announcement but this is a fast moving marketplace and presumambly they want a slice of the gimbal action that has been pinched from under their noses so it may be a spoiling action to make people think twice before ordering a gimbal.

 

[Pull_Up]

There were delays with the Vision. It was preannounced quite early because it was the first of the "next gen" phantoms and pioneered the smart battery and new props as well as the integrated camera, etc.

Some of us launch day customers might possibly think it was rushed out for Christmas given some of the issues that needed quick firmware fixes to cover bad hardware design/manufacture. I'd rather they did a Rotorpixel and only put it out for a mass release when they are sure it's right, to be honest. Let's just say even if it turns out to offer DSLR quality with a 5 axis gimbal and 1 hour flight times at $300 I'm going to wait a month or two post release...

 

[AllanVB]

There were delays with the Vision. It was preannounced quite early because it was the first of the "next gen" phantoms and pioneered the smart battery and new props as well as the integrated camera, etc.

Some of us launch day customers might possibly think it was rushed out for Christmas given some of the issues that needed quick firmware fixes to cover bad hardware design/manufacture. I'd rather they did a Rotorpixel and only put it out for a mass release when they are sure it's right, to be honest. Let's just say even if it turns out to offer DSLR quality with a 5 axis gimbal and 1 hour flight times at $300 I'm going to wait a month or two post release...

I wonder if there is a pre order list? I am ready to pay for it right now! ya right!

 

[shaun27]

well my p2v as gone back to be look at after a crash (not my fault) if it as gone for a long time and if I talk to my wife very nicely (creep) and who knows may be just may be.
I wonder if this it the big news that DJI as been talking about this month

 

[gunslinger]

There were delays with the Vision. It was preannounced quite early because it was the first of the "next gen" phantoms and pioneered the smart battery and new props as well as the integrated camera, etc.

Some of us launch day customers might possibly think it was rushed out for Christmas given some of the issues that needed quick firmware fixes to cover bad hardware design/manufacture. I'd rather they did a Rotorpixel and only put it out for a mass release when they are sure it's right, to be honest. Let's just say even if it turns out to offer DSLR quality with a 5 axis gimbal and 1 hour flight times at $300 I'm going to wait a month or two post release...

Can't blame you. I'm a bit of a deer in the headlights re: picking up a gimbal. I'm totally sold on the RotorPixel quality and I really think Keri is close to ramping up production. But... Here comes DJI with their own. Or they're just giving us a sniff of what's to come to keep us from buying third party, as pault said...

I'm still pretty happy with my P2V and I think I'll stick with it a bit longer. If DJI announces the new P2V+ in a few weeks, you can take it to the bank that it won't be released any time soon. I thought of selling my P2V and buying the P2V+, but when the new one IS finally released, the value of the old one hits the crapper.

I'll probably wait for the new one to reach maturity and pick it up the week before the P3V comes out... :roll: :roll: :roll:

I'll just keep the P2V for more kamikaze type missions...

-slinger

 

[Xcopter]

OK, so maybe the new P2V+ has a better camera, has a 3-axis gimbal, can fly with ground station capabilities and able to fly further. So what else could be missing??

Well, with all the gizmos we'd like on our quadcopters which creates heavier payloads and reducing our flight times, perhaps DJI are taking their brilliant battery one step further and adding a BloomEnergy fuel cel to the P2V+!! :lol: :lol:

For those of you that hasn't heard of this technology from BloomEnergy check this out: http://youtu.be/o-YqN9hK3Ik.

They've designed fuel cels that converts air into electricity!! A single disc of approx. 100x100mmx2mm produces about 25watts of power. Surely one such disc would hardly weigh anything and with that amount of power you'd get a quad capable of flying with a descent payload for as long as the motors and ESCs are able to run!! Why not chuck an air/ oil cooling system on board to keep them in check then you could program your quad to track and film your entire safari trip from the air!! Oh yes, then you'd override the program and fly in for a closer look at a pack of lions feasting on their recent kill. :lol: :lol:

It's good to dream!!

 

[mr_3_0_5]

Is this a preorder for it ?
http://rpinnovationssg.wix.com/rpinnova ... ravel-case