Recent content by Blue Baron

If I plan for it, I go close to 8km per trip. Farest away was 3.9 km distance across a valley in the Alps. I had to return because of battery fear, not reach. FCC and circular antenna. Hint: if you don't use Sport mode on return, at least push the throttle in RTH mode. Makes the drone return...

I see birds flying not far away from my drone. So far, never tried to mess with it though. Note: my Spark is painted in yellow/black Hornet camouflage ...

Autel seems to gain traction again. There are at least two successful and cooperating companies for commercial drones in Munich, “Ascending Technologies” (now part of Intel) and “Quantum Systems” (a partner of Autel Robotics). Autel does have a research facility in Munich too (Ismaning). The 3D...

The opposite is true. Even with obstacle avoidance on (or off), RTH from farther than 100 meters away will ALWAYS be with obstacle avoidance OFF! This is because the aircraft will return home at a speed of 10m/s and it then can't avoid obstacles. With obstacle avoidance on while RTH, it would...

In the garden, I take off from a table. I am now confident it will always precision-land back onto that table (+/- 30 cm) every time I properly take off (10m straight up). As I fly standing away on a roof with magnetic interferences, that’s now the safest mode of operation for me.

There is an Italian company modding the Spark to weight 299g, but WITH prop guards! This way, it can be used in Italy where otherwise, drones would be prohibited.

Why so much confusion about antenna output? Just read the spec: 2.4/5.8 GHz, Aircraft;Remote [dBm]: Spark FCC: 25/27; 26/28 Air FCC: 28/31; 26/30 Spark CE: 18/14; 18/14 Air CE: 19/14; 18/14 As you can see, there is a 1 dBm advantage on the aircraft side at 2.4 GHz in CE mode, and a 2-4 dBm...

The rumors say the Mavic Air had project name "unicorn". Seeing that a Mavic Pro II is close to launch (2 months ahead, I would say), I think DJI should have called the Air "Spark Pro". Esp. the lack of Ocusync, the accompanying limitation in Support for Goggles, and reduction in range, flight...

I believe one reason why DJI isn't promoting hand launch with the Air is blade speed. Being heavier, there must be more risk to cut fingers than with the Spark. I already got fongers into Spark blades (twice actually) and I am glad it did only hurt, but no injzry to fingers :)

Watch the start of the video. IMHO, a rather good vision of what’s to come in drone technology. And what it may mean for all of us ... (sorry if posted already)

Can we please stop using Italian in an English-speaking forum? Thanks.

Full throttle sports mode. Consumes about 1% per 100m travelled horizontally.

The Spark is actually quieter than a Mavic (Air, Pro or Platinum) if you don’t measure it from close. At 100-200m distance, it becomes inaudible, dependent on direction of wind, reflection and other factors. So, it depends on which animals you are looking for ...

I guess an antenna mod for the Spark should be possible. But I don’t think it makes any sense. With an antenna mod and a good directional antenna on the RC, and leaving the craft in FCC mode, the video feed remains strong as far as you can fly out in sports mode (3-4 km). So what to gain? This...

Both questions (props and RC) are absolutely valid. I guess we’ll know as soon as somebody actually tries it out. The MA props are same size but must be optimized for faster rotation generating more thrust. They could be subpar for a Spark, even if mounting fits.