FabSwingers.com forum: Drones

By *LCC OP Couple
over a year ago

Cambridge

I'm thinking about getting a Phantom 3 Standard, has anyone got one, are they good? Are they worth it or does the novelty wear off pretty quickly?

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"I'm thinking about getting a Phantom 3 Standard, has anyone got one, are they good? Are they worth it or does the novelty wear off pretty quickly? "

Who are you after spying on?

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By *LCC OP Couple
over a year ago

Cambridge

"I'm thinking about getting a Phantom 3 Standard, has anyone got one, are they good? Are they worth it or does the novelty wear off pretty quickly?

Who are you after spying on?

Well we have a couple of holidays coming up this year, Turkey and Burma, so I thought it would be good to shoot some video

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

It's a novelty thing unless you're big into aerial photography and similar activities. I've used one for overhead shots of wedding venues I've worked at and overhead group shots. The cameras are just getting better and better.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

A friends of mine has a drone....it's around £600 to buy, not sure of the model etc.

But it's awesome and has some serious range.

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By *LCC OP Couple
over a year ago

Cambridge

"It's a novelty thing unless you're big into aerial photography and similar activities. I've used one for overhead shots of wedding venues I've worked at and overhead group shots. The cameras are just getting better and better. "

Well I have a background in photography, rather than videography, but am interested in learning new skills.

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By *inky Biscuit DunkerMan
over a year ago

Gloucestershire

I got that very model at Christmas.

It's an amazing piece of kit but scares the crap out of me when flying very high or for great distances. The GPS works a treat though. It's just a case having full confidence in it. I'm really into my photography which was one of the main reasons for getting it.

Novelty earring off? Not yet but the weather recently doesn't help

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By *irtyGirlWoman
over a year ago

Edinburgh

"I'm thinking about getting a Phantom 3 Standard, has anyone got one, are they good? Are they worth it or does the novelty wear off pretty quickly?

Who are you after spying on?

Well we have a couple of holidays coming up this year, Turkey and Burma, so I thought it would be good to shoot some video "

Check if you're allowed before you even think about taking it abroad. We had a work event in Spain last year and you need a pilots licence.

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By *radleywigginsMan
over a year ago

northwest

Got one stuck in a tree once.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"I'm thinking about getting a Phantom 3 Standard, has anyone got one, are they good? Are they worth it or does the novelty wear off pretty quickly?

Who are you after spying on?

Well we have a couple of holidays coming up this year, Turkey and Burma, so I thought it would be good to shoot some video

Check if you're allowed before you even think about taking it abroad. We had a work event in Spain last year and you need a pilots licence.

That's quite strict....I doubt it's big enough to sit on tho

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By *LCC OP Couple
over a year ago

Cambridge

"I'm thinking about getting a Phantom 3 Standard, has anyone got one, are they good? Are they worth it or does the novelty wear off pretty quickly?

Who are you after spying on?

Well we have a couple of holidays coming up this year, Turkey and Burma, so I thought it would be good to shoot some video

Check if you're allowed before you even think about taking it abroad. We had a work event in Spain last year and you need a pilots licence.

Good point

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By *layfullsamMan
over a year ago

Solihull

"I'm thinking about getting a Phantom 3 Standard, has anyone got one, are they good? Are they worth it or does the novelty wear off pretty quickly?

Who are you after spying on?

Well we have a couple of holidays coming up this year, Turkey and Burma, so I thought it would be good to shoot some video "

You might be shot down if you fly it in the wrong place in Turkey and Burma and or get arrested

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By *yrdwomanWoman
over a year ago

Putting the 'cum' in Eboracum

"I'm thinking about getting a Phantom 3 Standard, has anyone got one, are they good? Are they worth it or does the novelty wear off pretty quickly?

Who are you after spying on?

Well we have a couple of holidays coming up this year, Turkey and Burma, so I thought it would be good to shoot some video

Check if you're allowed before you even think about taking it abroad. We had a work event in Spain last year and you need a pilots licence.

You need a licence to fly a drone seriously here too.

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By *LCC OP Couple
over a year ago

Cambridge

"I got that very model at Christmas.

Novelty earring off? Not yet but the weather recently doesn't help"

Do you wish you had got the advanced or the pro model, or are you happy with the standard?

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By *callycatMan
over a year ago

Mid Wales

Is it legal to shoot them down if they fly over your land?

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By *inky Biscuit DunkerMan
over a year ago

Gloucestershire

"I got that very model at Christmas.

Novelty earring off? Not yet but the weather recently doesn't help

Do you wish you had got the advanced or the pro model, or are you happy with the standard? "

For my beginner needs it's more than adequate. Unless you're really going to take it seriosuly I can't see any need to upgrade. The Standard is just over £400 which is damn good value I think

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By *LCC OP Couple
over a year ago

Cambridge

"Is it legal to shoot them down if they fly over your land?"

Is it legal to shoot planes or helicopters that fly over your land?

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By *inchyorksMan
over a year ago

huddersfield

I have a phantom but its an oldish one with a go pro attached, great for video work which i have made some professional promotional films for customers web sites and youtube, expensive just to be used a few times a year though, plus you have to be careful where you use them,

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By *irtyGirlWoman
over a year ago

Edinburgh

"I'm thinking about getting a Phantom 3 Standard, has anyone got one, are they good? Are they worth it or does the novelty wear off pretty quickly?

Who are you after spying on?

Well we have a couple of holidays coming up this year, Turkey and Burma, so I thought it would be good to shoot some video

Check if you're allowed before you even think about taking it abroad. We had a work event in Spain last year and you need a pilots licence.

You need a licence to fly a drone seriously here too. "

Yeah I thought it had changed here too... I did wonder if it had to be a certain size or something. I have a professional guy I use for our stuff and he's in the middle of getting his pilots licence.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

[Removed by poster at 05/02/17 19:59:06]

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Tell ya what is brilliant, I tried the pro model and had a pair of VR goggles linked to the tablet that I was using to control. Now that's a fun way to fly one. The camera on it is amazing but way out of my price range for now.

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By *callycatMan
over a year ago

Mid Wales

"Is it legal to shoot them down if they fly over your land?

Is it legal to shoot planes or helicopters that fly over your land? "

No, but planes and helicopters contain people. Drones usually have cameras so I'm asking if there is any redress against invasion of privacy if one was hovering outside your upstairs bedroom window for instance?

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By *layfullsamMan
over a year ago

Solihull

I would guess it depends where you live, edge of a town and police could charge you with discharging a shotgun in a public area.

Farmhouse in the middle of nowhere possibly the owner of the drone could try to get the cost of the drone from you

It's a bit of a minefield at the moment

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By *aughtycouplesexCouple
over a year ago

swadlincote

I have a Phantom 3 Pro and love it. The image quality is very good for a 12Mp sensor and shooting in 1080p at 60Fps gives better video quality than 4K at 24Fps.

The Standard is, in my opinion not massively different to the Pro other than the way it sends back video feed for first person flying and that it doesn't shoot 4K (but it does do 2.7K if memory serves me well).

Bear in mind we are limited to direct line of sight in the UK so around 400 metres for most people and 120 metres height limit. The Standard is capable of performing to these ranges if the area does not suffer with crowded WiFi signals etc but can be susceptible to interference. It doesn't affect the control of the drone but you can and will lose video feed from time to time.

The Advanced and Pro versions do not use WiFi to transmit video and instead use a separate frequency so video is more stable and range is massive (about 3 miles) but this flying distance is illegal anyway due to the CAA Air Navigation Order.

You can ringfence your Phantom to start off with by setting beginner mode which limits the distance and height and is great to start off with. You will soon unlock this and start flying in Attitude mode which allows the Phantom to fly faster and smoother than GPS mode.

I'm beginning to bore myself now so I will leave it at that.

Long and short of it is that the Standard is great but consider the Advanced if your budget allows.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

We have a phantom 4, as previous post CAA rules / guidelines should be followed, if used commercially you have to pass a CAA test...for basic pilots...have taken ours into the county side and taken it a mile away and also have lost connection with the copter, but it returns to base. There is much fuss regarding drones at the moment, I've had one above my house at about 40 ft ( not mine, it was an inspire 1) complained to the neighbour flying it, and I'm now due in court on a public order offence enough said. The weather, wind and rain do play a big part in when and where you can fly, so can loose interest when we cannot fly...and they are expensive, and if your not using it you will not get value for money, but other than that they are FAB

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By *inky-MinxWoman
over a year ago

Grantham

I'd be really surprised if you'd get away with that in Burma

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By *LCC OP Couple
over a year ago

Cambridge

"I'd be really surprised if you'd get away with that in Burma

Have you spent much time there?

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By *oachman 9CoolMan
over a year ago

derby

"I'd be really surprised if you'd get away with that in Burma

Have you spent much time there? "
Something to remember in burma and such places the military will take no

Bu**shit and press every charge there is (if they have to) you need to be very careful in such places I,ve not spent anytime there but the tv and perhaps google is your friend there, they don,t have colour tv and the like in their cells all I,m saying is just be careful..

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By *layfullsamMan
over a year ago

Solihull

"I'd be really surprised if you'd get away with that in Burma

Have you spent much time there? "

I spent 3 months there and obviously it's up to you what you do but all I'd say is a, I doubt they would let you take a drone in and b, if someone takes offence to what you're doing you won't be told off you're likely to go missing and be found with a machete in you.

They don't mess about and the area is very unstable and a high risk area for terrorism.

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By *unandbuckCouple
over a year ago

Sheffield

It'll make a change to droning on in the politics forum.....

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By *ust RachelTV/TS
over a year ago

Horsham

Just make sure you are aware of any regulations regarding using them, as there seems to be more regulations being implanted in this country about using them.

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By *ust RachelTV/TS
over a year ago

Horsham

"I'm thinking about getting a Phantom 3 Standard, has anyone got one, are they good? Are they worth it or does the novelty wear off pretty quickly?

Who are you after spying on?

Well we have a couple of holidays coming up this year, Turkey and Burma, so I thought it would be good to shoot some video

Check if you're allowed before you even think about taking it abroad. We had a work event in Spain last year and you need a pilots licence.

That's quite strict....I doubt it's big enough to sit on tho

Too many idiots using them now, they have to be strict.

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By *oodmessMan
over a year ago

yumsville

Had one buzz me a few times while I was out with my dog just yesterday. He's just getting over a serious operation so didn't need the distraction of something swooping at us every few minutes. They are very loud and I can't say he liked it much.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I found this, hope it helps

At the moment, there is nothing to stop you going and buying a drone and taking it out flying, as long as the drone weighs less than 20kg and you are not using it for commercial reasons.

However, you must avoid flying it within 150 metres of a congested area and 50 metres of a person, vessel, vehicle or structure not under the control of the pilot.

"That’s probably going to be fine if you’re flying the drone in your back garden, but if you’re in a park, for example, you need to be very careful about making sure you’re not flying it within 50 metres of other people who are in the park," said Sally Annereau, data protection analyst at law firm Taylor Wessing

You will also need to fly the aircraft "within sight". This means you can’t go above 400 feet in altitude or further than 500 metres horizontally. If you want to exceed that, you need to seek explicit permission from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I have to say the thought of owning a drone is starting to waver for me now after reading this

Using a drone to record images of other people without their consent, as this could be construed as a breach of the Data Protection Act, or of the CCTV code of practice, which was recently extended to include public use of drones where they are collecting information about individuals

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By *LCC OP Couple
over a year ago

Cambridge

"It'll make a change to droning on in the politics forum.....

What a surprise, yet another thread where you ignore the original post and instead start on personal attacks

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By *unandbuckCouple
over a year ago

Sheffield

"It'll make a change to droning on in the politics forum.....

What a surprise, yet another thread where you ignore the original post and instead start on personal attacks

It's called humour.

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By *LCC OP Couple
over a year ago

Cambridge

"I'd be really surprised if you'd get away with that in Burma

Have you spent much time there?

They don't mess about and the area is very unstable and a high risk area for terrorism."

Hardly, the last Brit killed in Burma was sadly murdered by another Brit.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I have a P3S and love it. I also have a PPL (lapsed) so am well aware of the risks, and airlaw, and made a modest living out of photography for a time so know the rules there too.

But I absolutely love flying it - I can get some really great photos that I'd never be able to get without it.

It's the old case of being sensible; aware of your surroundings, not putting anyone else at risk etc.

Ping me if you want to see some of the images from mine - for £450 I think it's an absolutely fantastic investment.

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By *uicy jonesMan
over a year ago

near a big hill in s/ shropshire NOT in

Personally I think they should be banned from the public using them

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By *LCC OP Couple
over a year ago

Cambridge

"I have a P3S and love it. I also have a PPL (lapsed) so am well aware of the risks, and airlaw, and made a modest living out of photography for a time so know the rules there too.

But I absolutely love flying it - I can get some really great photos that I'd never be able to get without it.

It's the old case of being sensible; aware of your surroundings, not putting anyone else at risk etc.

Ping me if you want to see some of the images from mine - for £450 I think it's an absolutely fantastic investment. "

Thanks, I think I will take a punt on one.

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By *layfullsamMan
over a year ago

Solihull

[Removed by poster at 10/02/17 09:35:08]

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By *LCC OP Couple
over a year ago

Cambridge

"[Removed by poster at 10/02/17 09:35:08]"

I agree

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By *iss_Samantha_LovecockTV/TS
over a year ago

bmth /poole sometimes blandford

yes i bought one in may ..its fun but tbh its been sat in the box for a few months .. only u can decide if your gonna use it enough.its nice to have and i will use it again tho ..in fact weather permitting will be taking it out tomorrow ..so an expensive toy if u dont use it enough .. but worth the money if u like taking photos

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By *inky-MinxWoman
over a year ago

Grantham

"I'd be really surprised if you'd get away with that in Burma

Have you spent much time there? "

I haven't but I know people who do and it's not all sweetness and light over there

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By *inky-MinxWoman
over a year ago

Grantham

"I'd be really surprised if you'd get away with that in Burma

Have you spent much time there?

They don't mess about and the area is very unstable and a high risk area for terrorism.

Hardly, the last Brit killed in Burma was sadly murdered by another Brit."

You have all the facts? I mean the Burmese told you all the truth?

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By *iss_Samantha_LovecockTV/TS
over a year ago

bmth /poole sometimes blandford

You need a licence to fly a drone seriously here too. "

for commercial gain ..yes u do

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Is it legal to shoot them down if they fly over your land?"

Beats the hell out of clay pigeons

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By *LCC OP Couple
over a year ago

Cambridge

"I'd be really surprised if you'd get away with that in Burma

Have you spent much time there?

I haven't but I know people who do and it's not all sweetness and light over there

I think I have a fair understanding of what goes on

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By *rAndMrsStagCouple
over a year ago

Southport

I dont know if anyone has mentioned it but you cant fly with the batteries theyre to volatile

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By *LCC OP Couple
over a year ago

Cambridge

"I dont know if anyone has mentioned it but you cant fly with the batteries theyre to volatile "

From what I can find online you just need to take the batteries in your hand luggage, but I would be interested to hear from anyone who has taken them on holiday.

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By *lue NarwhalMan
over a year ago

Iceland, but Aldi is closer..

Laws and rules vary...

Turkey may be a little risky flying a drone, before you know it, you'll be in prison being accused of spying on government/police/strategic facilities.

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By *unandbuckCouple
over a year ago

Sheffield

"I dont know if anyone has mentioned it but you cant fly with the batteries theyre to volatile

From what I can find online you just need to take the batteries in your hand luggage, but I would be interested to hear from anyone who has taken them on holiday. "

Hand luggage is also restricted. We had to hand in a lithium battery pack from hand luggage. It is limited by mAh or watthour rating of the batteries. There are limits published online.

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By *ussiesCouple
over a year ago

gwent

Phantom 3 pro,

Unbelievable bit of kit, just wish I had waited a few weeks, the price just plummeted when the 4 came out, and dji are still advancing, so holding back until the price on the Inspire drops,

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

save the bees

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By *LCC OP Couple
over a year ago

Cambridge

"Phantom 3 pro,

Unbelievable bit of kit, just wish I had waited a few weeks, the price just plummeted when the 4 came out, and dji are still advancing, so holding back until the price on the Inspire drops, "

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By *inky-MinxWoman
over a year ago

Grantham

"I'd be really surprised if you'd get away with that in Burma

Have you spent much time there?

I haven't but I know people who do and it's not all sweetness and light over there

I think I have a fair understanding of what goes on

Of course, silly me

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By *LCC OP Couple
over a year ago

Cambridge

"I'd be really surprised if you'd get away with that in Burma

Have you spent much time there?

I haven't but I know people who do and it's not all sweetness and light over there

I think I have a fair understanding of what goes on

Of course, silly me

Well my wife is Burmese so we do know quite a bit about it.

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By *layfullsamMan
over a year ago

Solihull

"I'd be really surprised if you'd get away with that in Burma

Have you spent much time there?

I haven't but I know people who do and it's not all sweetness and light over there

I think I have a fair understanding of what goes on

Of course, silly me

Well my wife is Burmese so we do know quite a bit about it."

Your wife is stunning

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By *thwalescplCouple
over a year ago

brecon

I'm tempted to upgrade my very cheap, very basic drone, as I love flying it.

Jayne couldn't think what to buy me for xmas, until I mentioned being curious about drones, so a quick look online and a punt at £60, and I have a Syma X5SW-1.

Its only about a foot square in size, and in anything but a very gentle breeze its a handful, but its a fantastic intro into flying one. Its got a good camera that works on Bluetooth, linked to my phone, which I can use as a real-time feed, as well as taking pics and video and although its limited on range, its perfect for an amateur who just wants something to take pics and video for personal use.

The only real drawback is that, unlike more expensive drones, if this one gets away from me, it doesn't have a "homing" capability.

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By *LCC OP Couple
over a year ago

Cambridge

"I'm tempted to upgrade my very cheap, very basic drone, as I love flying it.

Jayne couldn't think what to buy me for xmas, until I mentioned being curious about drones, so a quick look online and a punt at £60, and I have a Syma X5SW-1.

The only real drawback is that, unlike more expensive drones, if this one gets away from me, it doesn't have a "homing" capability."

I imagine that drone footage of walking in the Brecons, especially Pen Y Fan would look amazing, but some fairly harsh winds up there would probably throw most drones all over the place.

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By *ussiesCouple
over a year ago

gwent

I've got two nano drones, great fun, again a light breeze and they're gone haha, but flying them is harder than any big ones,

Maplins have quite a few affordable drones these days, so it all depends on your budget and needs,

I still carry my dji pro with me though.

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By *thwalescplCouple
over a year ago

brecon

"I'm tempted to upgrade my very cheap, very basic drone, as I love flying it.

Jayne couldn't think what to buy me for xmas, until I mentioned being curious about drones, so a quick look online and a punt at £60, and I have a Syma X5SW-1.

The only real drawback is that, unlike more expensive drones, if this one gets away from me, it doesn't have a "homing" capability.

I imagine that drone footage of walking in the Brecons, especially Pen Y Fan would look amazing, but some fairly harsh winds up there would probably throw most drones all over the place."

I have 5 batteries but they only last about 10-15 minutes each, and that depends on how much you are doing with it, so something like the Beacons would have to be done in bits, bottom, middle and top... and on a windless day too lol.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Is it legal to shoot them down if they fly over your land?

Is it legal to shoot planes or helicopters that fly over your land?

If what you shoot them down with is legal to be fired on your land then it is probably just an accident that the drone got in the way of the projectile

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By *iss_Samantha_LovecockTV/TS
over a year ago

bmth /poole sometimes blandford

thinking of selling mine so make me an offer if u want a used one ..still under warranty

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

These are he rules for using a drone.

By the sounds of it people are already breaking the rules.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) sets the rules on drones in the UK under what is called an air navigation order.

An unmanned aircraft must never be flown beyond the normal unaided "line of sight" of the person operating it - this is generally measured as 500m (1,640ft)horizontally or 400ft (122m) vertically

An unmanned aircraft fitted with a camera must always be flown at least 50m (164ft) distance away from a person, vehicle, building or structure

An unmanned aircraft fitted with a camera must not be flown within 150m (492ft) of a congested area or large group of people, such as a sporting event or concert

For commercial purposes, operators must have permission to fly a drone from the CAA

In the US, the Federal Aviation Administration bans the flying of unmanned aircraft, including hobby drones, above 400ft.

The FAA also states that, if they are to be used within five miles of an airport, its air traffic control tower should be notified in advance. They should not weigh more than 55lbs (25kg).

The European Aviation Safety Agency is developing EU-wide safety standards, which it says will be as high as those for manned aircraft.

Recent evidence suggests the rules are being flouted in the UK either because people are unaware or are wilfully ignoring them. Videos uploaded to YouTube show them being operated above London, Nottingham, Liverpool FC's Anfield stadium and towns including Margate and Broadstairs in Kent.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"I have a Phantom 3 Pro and love it. The image quality is very good for a 12Mp sensor and shooting in 1080p at 60Fps gives better video quality than 4K at 24Fps.

I'm beginning to bore myself now so I will leave it at that.

Long and short of it is that the Standard is great but consider the Advanced if your budget allows.

Breaching the air navigation order has a 5 year jail sentace attached to it.

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