DJI Inspire 2 and 5k camera

[PonoBill]

Flew my inspire 2 today. I'm having some challenges getting a tablet to work right. I don't have my iPad with me, but I did a bunch of experimenting last night with Diane's iPad, and it was plug n' play. Piece of cake. But I decided to get a cheaper Android tablet since they generally have GPS standard (iPads don't in the wireless-only config). Turns out the Android stuff has all kinds of problems. I got a Samsung Galaxy Tab A, but getting the controller to talk to it is hopeless. Lots of pages on the web of people going nuts getting this to work.

So I guess I'll buy another damned iPad with mobile connection that I won't use.

As far as the Inspire 2 goes, it's pretty fricken' amazing. A drone that feels like a high-end camera. Everything is click, snick, snap--beautifully machine parts, locking together. Flies great. You really don't need piloting skills to manage this thing, it's much more about camera knowledge.

A lot of new stuff to learn. The control system feels like it's from somewhere in 2030. The documentation is 1965.

[Admin]

Me too, Bill.  This thing is outrageous. 

So far I have the bird (we call it that in the drone community), the controller and the camera/gimbal.  The SSD's, Xtra batteries, extra lenses are all yet to come.  So, no RAW or ProRes video yet and limited to the stock lens.  That is actually a good thing.  There is plenty to figure out in just committing to the navigation of the basic controls and settings.

I haven't been this mesmerized by a gadget since my Commodore 64.

They made me name mine in the software to unlock it.  I initially went with something boring but after the first outing I was compelled to change it.  Hola, Robusto.

[PonoBill]

Yeah, that's what I got as well. Well, that and a nice scarf??!!?? I'm pretty amazed at the stock lens. That's good stuff. I'm looking forward to seeing what video looks like on my 5K monitor.

What did you use for a tablet? I hate the thought of buying another iPad, especially paying an extra $200 for GPS.

[Admin]

Yeah, that's what I got as well. Well, that and a nice scarf??!!?? I'm pretty amazed at the stock lens. That's good stuff. I'm looking forward to seeing what video looks like on my 5K monitor.

What did you use for a tablet? I hate the thought of buying another iPad, especially paying an extra $200 for GPS.

I have an iPad Air 2.  No hiccups so far.  As far as the video we are going to be bitrate limited (hard to compare 100 Mbps to 4.2Gbps) until our extra hardware arrives but at least we get RAW 12 bit still images.  Those look beautiful and you can really shove them around.

As far as the camera check this out:

[GOTWAVZ]

You guys are killing me, I got the Phantom 4 yesterday:(

That inspire 2 looks amazing. Question; what SD card are you using with 4K and 5K filming? I'm assuming your using imovie on your mac for editing?

I'll start with this one and if it goes well, wait till the Inspire 3 comes out

I cant wait until we get some swell and film my son and my other son who is in crew and i can never see him.

[SaMoSUP]

Damn you guys!!! I had my eye on the Yuneec Tornado H920 now I have to look into the DJI I2. I'm also looking into getting a VR rig, GoPro Omni. My ultimate set up would have a bird flying a VR rig.

Do you guys have the X5S or X4S?

[Admin]

You guys are killing me, I got the Phantom 4 yesterday:(

That inspire 2 looks amazing. Question; what SD card are you using with 4K and 5K filming? I'm assuming your using imovie on your mac for editing?

The Phantom is brilliant.  The stuff coming off of them is mind-blowing. 

We both have the 5XS.  For now we are using SD cards because the SSD's have not shipped yet.  We can record mp4 and mp5 at a max of 100Mbps to the SD card at up to 4K.  When the SSD's arrive (next month) that opens up ProRes and RAW at up to 5.2 K at up to 4 Gbps.  That blows my mind.    Plus, interchangable lenses open up a lot of possibilities for surf without having to be right on top of the lineup.  I picked up the 25 and 45 (50 and 90 in 35 mm terms).  I am using Premiere CC 2017 for editing (and likely After Effects for the RAW conversions).

This is the SD card I went with: SanDisk Extreme 64GB microSDXC UHS-3 Card

So stoked! ...and just to prove that I am not the most geeked out dude on the planet...

[digger71]

For those working on a lower budget, especially if you already have a GoPro, Best Buy has the 3DR Solo with Gimbal and extra battery for $299 right now
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/3dr-solo-drone-black/5351035.p?skuId=5351035

Will be on your own for support going forward with 3DR getting out of the market, but for $300 it seems like a pretty sweet setup.

[JakeSupNC]

Bill,

I use an ipad mini 2 wifi only for my phantom pro. You don't need the tablet or mobile for the gps. I got mine used from eBay for 150 bucks.

[PonoBill]

That's a great price for a Solo! Very capable drone in the "fly it mostly yourself" category. The market is changing fast, going from DIY to semi-DIY with lots of people doing open source dev, to mostly private dev with serious money being spent at the leading edge. DJI pioneered the market, and in an unusual display of market savvy and engineering brilliance, has just trumped the living shit out of everyone else. Kind of hard to believe in a technology-rich field, where companies usually leapfrog each other, but DJI is pulling the Intel vs, everyone play.

I flew my Inspire 2 quite a bit today. Battery life with the 5S camera mounted (heavy) is remarkable. I was at 20 minutes and still had 18 percent. WTF??  Sport mode is spooky--the damned thing is way too fast. If it didn't have excellent altitude hold It would have been a big hole in the ground and a kit. Given what it weighs and the speed, some care is required. I'm leaving mine in P-mode for forever, unless I have good reason to chase down a car or a sportbike. Nice that you can turn off the mode options in software.

I'm extremely impressed with the control capabilities. Rock solid.

[blueplanetsurf]

Sweet, the Inspire 2 looks like a amazing piece of technology.  I'm looking forward to what you guys can do with it!

[surfcowboy]

I finally started looking at drones. Living where I do and working in tech I realized that I don't need to buy a drone, I just need to learn how not to crash a drone when I borrow it.

I literally am working my way up, started with a $25 micro and am ruling my living room. I can totally see why they say to learn on these. They are way less auto and require a lot more babysitting. But clearly addictive.

I agree on leaving them in "easy" mode as well, I can't imagine how fast an Inspire or Phantom could get away from you. Let the computer help you out, if you can.

I too, expect some good footage outta you guys.

[PonoBill]

Bill,

I use an ipad mini 2 wifi only for my phantom pro. You don't need the tablet or mobile for the gps. I got mine used from eBay for 150 bucks.

Actually, for a couple of the features, you need GPS on the tablet, or you need to add a GPS to a tablet that doesn't have one. Specifically, the "follow me" feature and the ability to change your location and have the "go home" feature find your new location. Not a huge deal to not have those features, but I don't want to be limited by my choice of tablet after spending a nutty amount of money.

[Admin]

Bill, which flight modes have you tried?  The falling snow here has me grounded (hah!) and it is damn near killing me.  Gave me time to work through the video/photo side, though.  Very cool and amazingly complete but not at all conventional or intuitive.

[Admin]

Learning to fly and getting used to the camera particulars.  I still haven't received most of my kit so this is standard h.264 MP4 recording.  You can watch it in 4K however.  This is ungraded, straight out of the camera.