DJI Phantom 3 UAV/Drone

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flynkiwi

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#195772 3-May-2016 13:17

Been looking at getting a drone for video/photography and a bit of fun flying.

I like the Phantom 3 4k version. Its on sale on Amazon at the moment at $549 USD. It retails here for about $1600NZD so looks to be a bit of a savings getting it through Amazon and YouShop even after the $220NZ tax and duty and $50NZ Delivery

Just wondering if anyone has used the Phantom and your thoughts?

I don't think I could justify the $1600 with the Financial controller but I could get away with under a $1000. Just got to weigh up the risk of after sale support I guess?

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#1546003 3-May-2016 13:33

A mate had the previous version to that one I think - was a DJI Phantom with an iPad mini attached to the controller. I was utterly blown away with how easy it was to fly, hover, and manoeuvre. And the pictures from it were just incredible. The range is amazing and the build quality seems very good as well. I was very smitten but just couldn't justify $1600 + iPad Mini just for a fancy toy!

wasabi2k

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#1546028 3-May-2016 13:40

Start a hobby business taking drone video/photos:

Win Win Win!

surfisup1000

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#1546074 3-May-2016 14:46

If your calcs are correct, looks like a good deal. My guess on landed cost is around $1200 tho... remember you will be up for GST and over $100 in import fees alone.

Even then, still a good deal .

But, you need a law degree to figure out where you are allowed to fly these things.

Jaxson

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#1546099 3-May-2016 15:17

surfisup1000:

But, you need a law degree to figure out where you are allowed to fly these things.

Yep, general airport locations are off limits, and you need local council permission now for public parks from memory.

When these first came into play, the local council had no idea they were required to issue permits etc.

https://www.airshare.co.nz/

flynkiwi

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#1546100 3-May-2016 15:17

Thanks for the feedback. Would be great to do some work taking Photo/Video for people for a little bit of extra income although I would think that market is already saturated with people doing the same.

I have been looking at the laws for a while and think I will be fine. As long as you have the permission of the property owner you are all good and keep below 400foot. Auckland parks are deemed consent from what I understand as long as you operate safely. Think if you use common sense (Although common sense doesn't seem that common anymore)

Used the 'Whats my duty calc' so duty and GST is

Original cost 549.00 USD

NZ value @0.68 exchange rate 807.35 NZD

Duty @0.05 rate 40.37 NZD

GST @0.15 rate 127.16 NZD

Sub total 167.53 NZD

Entry fees* 49.24 NZD

Amount due 216.77 NZD

Youshop estimate. $77

So just about $1100

I think its a good deal...now to convince the wife we 'need' this lol.

scuwp

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#1546120 3-May-2016 16:00

Had a look at one of these for my son (cough, cough). Decided against it where we live as it would be a logistical nightmare. When flying in parks you have to have council consent, AND consent of any nearby residents that you may fly over/near. Put in the too hard bin.

Don't forget in your due diligence that you wont have any CGA cover if anything goes wrong. Also may pay to look carefully into what warranty support you can get here.

That said I have seen the DJI Phantom 3 in action with an ipod touch (I think) on the controller. - incredible piece of kit without doubt, and damn fast!

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#1546123 3-May-2016 16:04

Note there are extra rules/certifications for commercial use, if you decide to go down that path.

If it was too easy, everybody would be doing it ;-)

People often mistake me for an adult because of my age.

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surfisup1000

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#1546230 3-May-2016 17:53

Some guy was using his to film a forest fire down near chch and they prosecuted him for causing a danger to passing aircraft. But, he didn't look close to me. But, they just say the whole general area is closed when there is a nearby emergency situation perhaps?

Personally, I think they've gone over the top with rules and regulations on these.

I'd love one.... $1100 is pretty good, amazon will give you decent service if something goes wrong, I'd think.

driller2000

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#1546270 3-May-2016 19:58

I fly a cheaper uav ie. Cheerson CX20 - with a SJ4000 camera on it and it is loads of fun.

The Phantom is a superior uav - but it is approx 2 - 3 times more expensive.

I also fly a 250 series beginner racing quad ie. Emax Nighthawk Pro 280 which is even more fun - given it can do over 90 km/h and esp so when flown FPV ie. with goggles :)

As for where you can fly - that airshare link is useful in terms of regulations that apply across NZ.

Local rules will also apply - but fortunately for me Auckland Council allows park flying - as long as you follow their rules as well - which all look fair enough to me:

http://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/EN/parksfacilities/sportrecreation/Pages/drones.aspx

So yeah - I reckon go for it as it is loads of fun - just watch out though - it is addictive, as i started with a 1 x $50 toy and now have 4 uav's in total and am eyeing up another one :)

Oh yeah - sites like Banggood and Gearbest can offer some really good deals for such things - as longs as you deal with the slow shipping.

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#1546443 4-May-2016 08:02

scuwp:

When flying in parks you have to have council consent, AND consent of any nearby residents that you may fly over/near. Put in the too hard bin.

Ahead of a better law coming into place, Auckland Council have provisionally approved flying UAVs up to a certain weight/class (inlcuding the Phantom) in public, council-owned parks and areas.

There are some rules re: flying over property (i.e can't without consent) and some basic safety rules about distance from other people etc, but it is perfectly workable.

There are a couple of places specifically prohibted - Botanical Gardens, Zoo etc but this is sensible stuff.

http://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/EN/parksfacilities/sportrecreation/Pages/drones.aspx

I am not sure what rules are in place for other regions..?

flynkiwi

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#1546445 4-May-2016 08:06

I started out looking into Quads when I saw a TV news clip on the 250 Quad racing. Peaked my interest but the more I looked into it the more I realised it could be a constant upgrade cycle and lots of $ to keep competitive.

So started to look at something more casual for the quads. The X380 looked like a reasonably priced one (about $220US) but after following an owners Facebook group it became apparent that to get good video and photos out of it then you needed to invest in a good aftermarket gimbal, camera etc so the cost started to creep up to once you added the extras to be around the DJI Phantom 3 anyway.

Think I would get a ready made solution that is proven to work that gives great quality video and pics and DJI seems to be the one that everyone puts as example that others aspire too. Seem some amazing footage and pics taken from Phantoms.

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#1546449 4-May-2016 08:17

You can get the standard (non 4k) Phantom 3 from PB for under $1k - http://www.pbtech.co.nz/index.php?z=p&p=TOYDJI1100&name=DJI-Phantom-3-Standard-with-Gimbal-stabilised-12-M

You will still get 2.7k video and the same quality stills and mechanically and functionally it is the same drone body.

Unless you are desperate for 4k I would consider the above - less money (important if you are not an experienced drone pilot!) and fewer worries about damage/losses in transit and handling any warranty or RMA issues.

Stu

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#1546452 4-May-2016 08:28

As above, unless you need 4K I'd stick with the Standard. Despite the 4K being the same colour scheme as the Pro, it's just a Standard with an upgraded camera.

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flynkiwi

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#1546522 4-May-2016 11:05

Thanks for the advice everyone.

Yes I have been looking closely in the Standard vs 4k. There is also a change in the remote and also some additional sensors for indoor flying. I cant see myself doing too much inside flying however.

Most opinion is that 4k is around future proofing yourself. Definitely some things to mull over.

surfisup1000

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#1546530 4-May-2016 11:30

Just did a quick check on the rules in tauranga....basically you cannot fly drones in most of tauranga/mt maunganui. Papamoa looks OK.

https://app.airshare.co.nz/app/apps/airspaceMap/

Auckland looks rather restricted too, according to the above map. East (st heliers)/West (new lynn) auckland are ok for drones, but not much else. Cornwall park fits in a narrow gap between nofly zones so maybe ok there? Although, if Auck is like tauranga the council has banned drones from many popular parks/sports fields completely.

[edit] maybe i am wrong -- while tauranga council says you cannot fly at all in controlled areas...auckland council says you can fly them but at low levels and close to you.

eg, tga council says..."All of Tauranga sits below a controlled airspace. This means that if you want to fly anything in that airspace, you need permission from Air Traffic Control - See more at: https://www.tauranga.govt.nz/facilities/parks-reserves/flying-drones-uavs.aspx#sthash.Zf8EoqhE.dpuf"

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