Accupro
Member
I received an AR Drone for Christmas as a toy but with the idea that it might lead to the possibility of doing my roof inspections for residential real estate using a drone. I realize we have this FAA issue at the moment in the US to overcome, if used for commercial purposes!
I tried the AR for this purpose and ordered a couple of options to help, specifically a mod to tilt the camera at different angles (manually) and some bearings in lieu of bushings to minimize the jello. Typically when I do the inspection report I include photos, not video and I found a free app for the iPad that would allow me to pull photos, crop, etc. from the video stream I took from the AR. So things were kinda looking up as the quality of the photos from the HD video feed from the AR was pretty good.
So I realize that I will need to see really good detail as I fly over the roof and then maybe go over and get closer to the roof to get the photo I want. Problem is you really can't see/focus on the iPad image in direct sunlight which would be typical for me. So I thought I could add goggles in lieu of the iPad image. I also added a WiFi range extender as I was running into losing the bird from time-to-time even when fairly close. The range extender helped and would probably give me enough range for a typical residential inspection but I was starting to get pixelization of the video feed at the property extremes.
Anyway I kinda got bit by the bug and thought this is stupid if your going to go for this you really need a real ship and RC control to get better range and quality video. So I have been searching around the web for awhile and found this forum and really like the audience and the timely help everyone is willing to give and also a more domestic US flavor. Also read Bart's entire thread on the DJI 450/550 and loved it. I am fairly good with my hands and the kit and resulting build does not scare me and I think I have all the tools required, soldering skills, etc.
So I'm kinda thinking a 6 motor 550 as I will need a gimble and camera setup but I have a few questions:
Any suggestions or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
I tried the AR for this purpose and ordered a couple of options to help, specifically a mod to tilt the camera at different angles (manually) and some bearings in lieu of bushings to minimize the jello. Typically when I do the inspection report I include photos, not video and I found a free app for the iPad that would allow me to pull photos, crop, etc. from the video stream I took from the AR. So things were kinda looking up as the quality of the photos from the HD video feed from the AR was pretty good.
So I realize that I will need to see really good detail as I fly over the roof and then maybe go over and get closer to the roof to get the photo I want. Problem is you really can't see/focus on the iPad image in direct sunlight which would be typical for me. So I thought I could add goggles in lieu of the iPad image. I also added a WiFi range extender as I was running into losing the bird from time-to-time even when fairly close. The range extender helped and would probably give me enough range for a typical residential inspection but I was starting to get pixelization of the video feed at the property extremes.
Anyway I kinda got bit by the bug and thought this is stupid if your going to go for this you really need a real ship and RC control to get better range and quality video. So I have been searching around the web for awhile and found this forum and really like the audience and the timely help everyone is willing to give and also a more domestic US flavor. Also read Bart's entire thread on the DJI 450/550 and loved it. I am fairly good with my hands and the kit and resulting build does not scare me and I think I have all the tools required, soldering skills, etc.
So I'm kinda thinking a 6 motor 550 as I will need a gimble and camera setup but I have a few questions:
- Are there more obvious frames to use instead of the DJI's for aerial photography? I see one option is using a folding frame to allow you to pack the bird or at least get it into a smaller footprint for traveling.
- I have seen some cameras that zoom which I think would be the way to go for my application but what options exist that would allow you to control zoom remotely?
- I see 9 channel FC's but would it be difficult to find more like 12 channels. I'm assuming I need a minimum of like 7 or 8 to get all the benefits of the NAZA but I would also want to control a tilt servo and zoom? Is this sometimes a function of using three transmitters/receivers?
- Anyone have any recommendations for goggles? The Vuzix HD 1200's are pretty new for $500 and look like that might be the ticket http://www.vuzix.com/consumer/products_wrap_1200dx/
Any suggestions or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.