Question for those of you who hand catch:

[John Locke]

Love that grab vs. catch - right smart thinkin' thar.

what do you mean?

What he means is "catching" implies the drone is moving, like catching a ball. "Grabbing" implies the drone is still, in a hover, which is the correct way to retrieve a drone by hand. NEVER catch a moving drone, that increases risk.

 

[FlashBuddy]

First of all the motors are definitely not at full speed when it's in a hover, during the grab. And slightly raising the drone after grabbing slow the motors and the drone quickly settles down as you give the left stick full down to turn off motors in 3 seconds.

IMO, if the drone can't handle a gentle hand grab completion of flight, there's no way the landing gear is going to survive landing on the ground, constant impact on a surface without much cushion, especially auto landing. Implying that holding the drone by one leg is excessive stress is ridiculous, no different than taking the drone out of the case and holding by one leg. Where does it state one leg handling is not recommended? That would be funny.

What's that? 5-10 lbs pull? I'm surprised it doesn't rip the leg right off the Phantom, not to mention the kind of injury the operator may sustain. Sprained/dislocated writs, elbow and or shoulder! Then there is being sliced to ribbons by those props, don't forget that.

 

[John Locke]

What's that? 5-10 lbs pull? I'm surprised it doesn't rip the leg right off the Phantom, not to mention the kind of injury the operator may sustain. Sprained/dislocated writs, elbow and or shoulder! Then there is being sliced to ribbons by those props, don't forget that.

It's a bit off topic, but the P4P can only lift about 3lbs max, and that's pushing it. Funny, ripping the leg off? Lets get real.

 

[FlashBuddy]

It's a bit off topic, but the P4P can only lift about 3lbs max, and that's pushing it. Funny, ripping the leg off? Lets get real.

That thar is ur tongue in cheek humor.

 

[zeldon50]

Nobody should ever follow @gingerbloke's advice IMO. Never hand catch in ATTI, simply because it will drift uncontrollably 90% of the time, without stick intervention. P2V's are pre-LIGHTBRIDGE, using Wifi, unreliable, which is why @gingerbloke doesn't trust them. Lightbridge drones (which includes P3A) are way more reliable and trustworthy.

1. Hoover the craft in P mode with props above your head about 5' away. Sensors can be on, no problem.
2. Watch it a few seconds to insure it's stable, in a steady hover.
3. Take your fingers OFF the RC sticks till after you have a good grasp of the landing gear.
4. Walk over to the hovering craft and grab the landing gear with your RIGHT hand.
5. With a firm grip of the landing gear, HOLD IT IN PLACE while you pull left stick full down using left hand, then wait three seconds for motors turn off, while holding in place.
6. After motors turn off, lower the drone and turn off the battery.

Never try to catch a moving drone. That's a good way to end up in ER.

As you said...
Do not pull down or to the side on the drone, as it will try to maintain its position (because of it's GPS lock) and you can and will introduce stress cracks if you do. I speak from experience.