Drone Review: 10th Anniversary Promotion – DJI 4K Phantom 3

The brand new DJI Phantom 3 4k is set to become extremely popular among aerial photographers and filmmakers looking for good 4k drones for sale at a low price. It has the same basic feature set as the Phantom 3 Professional but for a much lower price. It’s also the only one of the Phantom drones Canada with 4k capabilities, besides the DJI Phantom 3 Professional. It has nearly all the features and functionality of the Phantom 3 Professional. However, DJI did have to cut back on some features in order to justify the far lower price of the Phantom 3 4k.

Features and Pricing

10th Anniversary Promotion Phantom 3 4K (b)

The DJI Phantom 3 4k is available at a normal price of $999. Which is more than $200 less than the cost of a brand new Phantom 3 Professional. However, during the DJI Tenth Anniversary Promotion, the DJI Phantom 3 4k is available for only $799, which is an additional $200 off of the original price!

The Phantom 3 4k offers an intuitive set of controls and a plethora of automatic safety and stability enhancement features. As well as the capability to capture 4k video at up to 30 frames per second and 12 megapixel still images. The camera itself has a high-quality lens with a 94-degree field of view.

The Phantom 3 4k’s battery allows it to fly for extended periods of time, giving it up to 25 minutes of flight time on a single charge. The pilot can also view the current battery level via the companion app that can be installed on their mobile device.

The 4k also includes all of the same automatic flight capabilities as the Professional. However, the 4k isn’t without its downsides. Unlike the Phantom 3 Pro, the Phantom 3 4k uses a 2.4GHz WiFi controller for video downlink with a maximum range of only 1.2 kilometers, whereas the Professional uses DJI’s advanced Lightbridge technology, which is more reliable and has a maximum range of 5 kilometers.

Conclusions

The DJI Phantom 3 4k UAV is an amazing quadcopter and has most of the features of the Phantom 3 Professional for over $200 less, and during the current DJI Tenth Anniversary Promotion, the price is discounted an additional $200! The 4k also has the same smart features as the Phantom 3 Pro. The only real difference between the two is that the 4k’s transmission range is less than a quarter of the Professional’s. For its price, the 4k is probably the best 4k drone available. With all the features of a professional drone for a far lower cost.

Drone Review: DJI Inspire 1 Raw

The DJI Inspire 1 is a high-quality, ready-to-fly UAV quadcopter designed to capture in superb 4K-resolution video. A second optional controller can be connected to allow for one user to pilot the drone while the other operates the camera. Its camera is detachable, granting it the potential for future upgrades, and unlike most other drones, it’s also compatible with a handheld camera mount which allows it to be used separately from the drone.

Specifications and Pricing

Unlike the fixed landing gear designs found on most earlier drones, the Inspire 1 includes a retractable arm system where the underside of every prop motor possesses a foot that supports it when landing once the arms are lowered. While in flight, the arms lift upwards to provide an unobstructed 360-degree view for the camera, while a 3-axis gimbal keeps it steady during recording.

Like many other multi-rotor systems, the Inspire 1 uses a GPS-based stabilization system that allows the drone to hold a balanced position even with wind interference. Once the signal is lost, or at the press of a button, the drone will return to the home position. It also features the “Follow Me” and “Watch Me” features, as well as being able to focus on a set point, while optionally rotating around it. With these features the drone is easy to fly and operate, making it exceptionally user-friendly.

A full-featured mobile app allows you to take complete control over the drone, everything from the manual camera controls to auto takeoff and landing, as well as flight telemetry, and more in future updates.

The drone has a standard TB47 18-minute battery, that can be upgraded to a TB48 for 22 minutes of battery life per charge.

The standard price for the drone and a controller is around $2,500. With other optional items such as a second controller, the price can go up to nearly $3,000.

Conclusion

There are a number of modern drones for sale on the market, and this is one of the premier choices for professional drone users. It’s equipped with several innovative features that make it well worth the price, and it’s easy enough to fly and control for anyone to operate it smoothly.

http://www.dji.com/product/inspire-1-pro-and-raw

Drone Review: Introducing the DJI Inspire 1 Pro

When it comes to quad-copter Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, DJI makes some of the best intermediate and beginner drones. DJI’s UAVs come packed with handy features that are intuitive and require no prior build knowledge, and the Inspire 1 Pro is no exception. The Inspire 1 Pro comes with a new camera system that gives it an edge and props up its price point. Prices for the Inspire 1 Pro typically rage from $4,500 to $6,000. Here is a quick review of the DJI Inspire 1 Pro drone.

Design

The Inspire 1 Pro is white, big in size and has a similar shape to a fighter jet. It comes with retractable carbon fiber arms that rest in a lowered position when it is on the ground. The UAV also comes with a specially designed aerodynamic air-frame and 360-degree shooting that improves its performance. The Inspire 1 Pro also comes ready-to-fly out of the box and includes a radio controller. So no significant assembly is required. Overall, the drone weighs in at 6.5 pounds and is 18 inches wide.

Specifications:

Camera

The new camera system on the Inspire 1 Pro is a Micro Four Thirds CMOS sensor that includes 4K image capture; it’s called a 4K MFT camera for short, though it is capable of capturing both 4K and HD video. One of the best attributes of the new camera system is an interchangeable option. This means that drone users have the ability to change the lens on the camera remotely using either the Focus Controller or the DJI Go App.

See for yourself:

 

Capabilities

The Inspire 1 Pro comes with great capabilities that are impressive, even for higher-end drones. The UAV can fly up to 50 mph and up to 15,000 feet high; it can even fly in sub-zero temperatures. Users also have a choice between two “intelligent flight batteries.” One battery is a 4500mAh unit that allows for 18 minutes of fight time. The other battery, a 5700mAh unit, is larger and allows for 22 minutes of flight time.

Other

DJI’s Inspire 1 Pro comes with other impressive specs, such as the app-based control software that allows for auto-landing and takeoff. There is also a manual mode to control settings like exposure on the camera. Furthermore, the transmitter can be customized to the user. This makes flying the Inspire 1 Pro very comfortable.

Conclusion and Rating

For beginners and intermediate users, the Inspire 1 Pro gets five out of five stars. For more professional users, the drone gets four out of five stars. Even though the Inspire 1 Pro has the word ‘pro’ in its name, it still has some room for improvement for cinematographer professionals; however, it’s still one of the best drones for sale on the market.

Swiss Army Knives Up Above: How Drones are Altering Modern Surveillance

While originally developed for military operations, the use of drones for domestic purposes is quickly becoming widespread. Initially used for reconnaissance missions and eventually fitted for remote airstrikes, researchers have developed more affordable technologies, making drones, also known as UAVs (Unmanned Air Vehicles) more and more popular for private, personal, and commercial use. UAVs have permanently shaped the landscape of modern surveillance and are continuing to pave the way for remote observation.

 

Eye Drones

An Eye in the Sky

The most obvious benefit of drone usage is, like a CCTV camera, they provide vision of an area without someone physically being there. Unlike a camera, however, they are not limited to one position. A camera has blind spots. Its field of view is limited by its position and angle. A UAV, however, is mobile. It can navigate, patrol, and even follow subjects. As technology develops, drones are increasingly being able to take these actions independently without the use of remote control. Eventually, UAVs will no longer need human input and will complete tasks autonomously.
Nooks and Crannies

UAVs also are reshaping surveillance through their maneuverability. These mechanical miracles are being built smaller and smaller; some are even able to fit in the palm of your hand and are no taller than a loonie. Their small size allows them to navigate and survey locations otherwise inaccessible by cameras and people and provide recorded and live feeds of these areas.
More Bang for the Buck

In some instances, drones equipped with cameras may be more cost-efficient for surveillance than a set of stationary cameras or in more mobile cases, a helicopter. The maneuverability that a UAV confers means they can cover more vision; one UAV may be able to view what four or five stationary cameras can keep an eye on. Furthermore, UAVs are not only less expensive to operate than a helicopter but are significantly less expensive to maintain.

Drone Police
Everything But the Kitchen Sink

Perhaps the most significant way in which UAVs are changing surveillance today is their versatility. Different UAVs are able to be equipped with incredibly advanced high-definition cameras, thermal and night vision, 3D-mapping programs, alarm systems, stun-guns, weaponry, and even supply drops. UAVs can be fitted to perform multiple tasks in addition to operating as lookouts. Their mobility compounded with their adaptability means that drones are (and will continue to) take the place of humans in otherwise dangerous and potentially fatal activities, including search-and-rescue missions, firefighting, hurricane monitoring, and more.

Can Drones Replace Human Security Guards

Drone technology has advanced significantly in recent years. New applications are being found for drone technology every year. Some are talking about using a drone to replace humans for security. Here are a few points to consider when it comes to using drones to replace human security guards.

Monitoring and Surveillance Capabilities

One of the ways a drone might replace a human security guard is by performing regular monitoring and surveillance. A flying drone is capable of hovering and moving quietly all around a property for hours without getting tired. The device can also be fitted with a variety of different sensors for detecting heat or other signatures not visible to the human eye. This can greatly increase the ability to detect intruders or environmental hazards like fires.

Limited Response Options

A major disadvantage that comes with using drones is the limited response capabilities. A drone simply cannot do much once a threat or intruder is detected. Fitting weapons on a drone is not really an option since it is not legal outside of the military. A drone can simply report what is happening. Human security guards are capable of thinking fast, subduing intruders or taking any other appropriate actions.

Better Mobility

dronA drone has much better mobility than a human security guard does. A flying drone is capable of hovering, rising up dozens of feet into the air and maneuvering over any type of terrain. A drone can fly through narrow spaces. Some are even capable of moving much faster than a human can. This could allow drones to replace human guards in industrial and hazardous environments.

Human Senses Are Sometimes More Effective

A real issue that comes with using a drone as a sole means of security is that human senses are often more effective than a simple camera. Human security guards are capable of assessing a variety of sensory information quickly to determine whether something is wrong or whether someone is a threat. Humans can use hearing, vision and tactile sensations to gain a level of awareness of the environment that is not possible with a drone. Human guards are superior especially in crowded settings.

Acting as a Deterrent

Something to consider is that a large number of people do not fully understand drone technology. A way that a drone could replace a human security guard is by acting as a deterrent. Someone who sees a drone patrolling a property might be immediately deterred from committing a crime or trespassing because the capabilities of the technology are not fully known. This can stop crime before it occurs.

Human Operators Are Still Needed

BThe final reality about why a drone might never replace a human security guard is that someone needs to operate the device. Drones are not fully automated at the moment. The technology to have a fully autonomous drone will not be available for some time. Additionally, there would be major liability issues with an autonomous flying device. There will always be a need for a human to be monitoring and controlling any drone.

 

Photo Credits:

www.dronemedia.com

www.elecfreaks.com

http://media2.govtech.com/images/770*1000/quadcopter+drone.jpg