Hi all! I am a brand new member here on the board and a complete Phantom newbie (Quadcopter of any kind, actually). I am making this post in the hopes of helping someone out there in making the decision to jump into this AWESOME world!
My background: I am a 40 something Midwesterner and a self proclaimed computer geek. I have always been fascinated with new tech and have been watching the "Drone" scene for some time. I am not the type to jump right in....I research and surf the net for hours before making a decision on an item like this. If you are like me, you probably found this post while doing your research. Well, my friend, read on!
I basically knew nothing about these machines when I started. I had flown (and crashed) other types of RC Aerial vehicles (copters, planes, etc) but never a quadcopter. So, needless to say, my fear was that I would spend a bunch of money on this thing and then I would crash it horrendously, losing my entire investment. I started researching the Parrot AR 2.0. Thought it was priced right ($300) and had a FPV camera built in. I also liked the foam frame that can be attached to save the props in a collision. But, after putting in some time learning about what it has and does, I began looking for other alternatives. I looked at the Phantom FC40, The Phantom 2 Vision and the Vision plus. I looked at some options to "build it yourself" including kits and buying parts to build from the ground up. In the end, I opted for the Phantom 2 Vision with an extra battery and prop guards. I bought it at the local Hobbytown USA store and with tax it was $971.
The reasons I selected this model over any others I looked at:
Putting it together and preparing it to fly was a snap. Well, almost. When you get yours home, know that you have to go to the DJI website to get the DJI Phantom Assistant software, the RC assistant software, and the Windows drivers. Don't forget a copy of the manual which is not included in the box. You will also want to download the app on your mobile phone (iphone or android). This is the easy to use, AWESOME Ground control. You will fly in "first person" and you can program the UAV to fly itself! The Phantom Assist will allow you to connect the UAV to the computer via USB to do many things, firmware updates being one. The RC assistant software will allow you to connect the controller to the computer to calibrate the sticks. I somehow messed this up and used the assistance of people here to help me fix it (See the thread here)! Once I had it updated and calibrated, it was time to FLY!
I was still EXTREMELY nervous about actually flying this $1000 machine! I used the training guide to get started. It was AMAZINGLY easy! I had the machine up in the air in seconds, was able to move it back and forth with ease. I could not believe how easy it is to fly! Within the first battery burn (25 min or so on a COLD Wisconsin night!), I was feeling like a pro. I slapped the second battery in and went higher and faster! By the time I had burned my second battery, I had been up 350 feet and had sent it down the street a couple of blocks, all while watching the action on my mounted phone! I had nearly perfect landings right from the start! To be completely honest, however, you do need to give yourself enough room to work (room for error and recovery). I had a slight issue in my living room (sorry, honey!
) and lost a prop in an altercation with a tree (pilot error). Thanks to DJI for including some extra props in the box!
The photos and video from this machine are absolutely breathtaking. I am not a professional photographer, so for me, the quality is FANTASTIC! I don't need anything more.
Bottom line: If you are trying to decide whether or not to "take the plunge"....DO IT! You will not regret it for one second. I love my DJI Phantom 2 Vision, and I am sure you will love whatever UAV you decide on!
Happy Flying!
My background: I am a 40 something Midwesterner and a self proclaimed computer geek. I have always been fascinated with new tech and have been watching the "Drone" scene for some time. I am not the type to jump right in....I research and surf the net for hours before making a decision on an item like this. If you are like me, you probably found this post while doing your research. Well, my friend, read on!
I basically knew nothing about these machines when I started. I had flown (and crashed) other types of RC Aerial vehicles (copters, planes, etc) but never a quadcopter. So, needless to say, my fear was that I would spend a bunch of money on this thing and then I would crash it horrendously, losing my entire investment. I started researching the Parrot AR 2.0. Thought it was priced right ($300) and had a FPV camera built in. I also liked the foam frame that can be attached to save the props in a collision. But, after putting in some time learning about what it has and does, I began looking for other alternatives. I looked at the Phantom FC40, The Phantom 2 Vision and the Vision plus. I looked at some options to "build it yourself" including kits and buying parts to build from the ground up. In the end, I opted for the Phantom 2 Vision with an extra battery and prop guards. I bought it at the local Hobbytown USA store and with tax it was $971.
The reasons I selected this model over any others I looked at:
- 1. Battery life - I wanted to fly for 20-25 minutes at a time.
2. Camera - I felt the camera would be great for my new "hobby". I don't need a $1,000 camera on a $1500 rig.
3. Ease of use - from everything that I had read, this thing was going to be pretty easy to use.
4. Construction - I felt that the overall construction was strong enough to take some of the inevitable beating I could foresee. :lol:
Putting it together and preparing it to fly was a snap. Well, almost. When you get yours home, know that you have to go to the DJI website to get the DJI Phantom Assistant software, the RC assistant software, and the Windows drivers. Don't forget a copy of the manual which is not included in the box. You will also want to download the app on your mobile phone (iphone or android). This is the easy to use, AWESOME Ground control. You will fly in "first person" and you can program the UAV to fly itself! The Phantom Assist will allow you to connect the UAV to the computer via USB to do many things, firmware updates being one. The RC assistant software will allow you to connect the controller to the computer to calibrate the sticks. I somehow messed this up and used the assistance of people here to help me fix it (See the thread here)! Once I had it updated and calibrated, it was time to FLY!
I was still EXTREMELY nervous about actually flying this $1000 machine! I used the training guide to get started. It was AMAZINGLY easy! I had the machine up in the air in seconds, was able to move it back and forth with ease. I could not believe how easy it is to fly! Within the first battery burn (25 min or so on a COLD Wisconsin night!), I was feeling like a pro. I slapped the second battery in and went higher and faster! By the time I had burned my second battery, I had been up 350 feet and had sent it down the street a couple of blocks, all while watching the action on my mounted phone! I had nearly perfect landings right from the start! To be completely honest, however, you do need to give yourself enough room to work (room for error and recovery). I had a slight issue in my living room (sorry, honey!
) and lost a prop in an altercation with a tree (pilot error). Thanks to DJI for including some extra props in the box!The photos and video from this machine are absolutely breathtaking. I am not a professional photographer, so for me, the quality is FANTASTIC! I don't need anything more.
Bottom line: If you are trying to decide whether or not to "take the plunge"....DO IT! You will not regret it for one second. I love my DJI Phantom 2 Vision, and I am sure you will love whatever UAV you decide on!
Happy Flying!
