Light weight Spark

[Mrmund]

I'm working on a project and I need to modify a Spark to under 250 grams. I'm having a surprisingly hard time finding any info about how to go about it. I found some information about an Italian company doing lightweight mods but it seems they don't do them anymore. Someone in the Mavic forum mentioned making a custom battery cell (by far the heaviest single part of the drone) and modifying the drone's battery parameters in the developer settings but I'm not really sure where to start.
Any suggestions or info would be greatly appreciated

 

[JoostGT3]

If you head over to the Mavicpilots forum, there are quite some people heavily modifying those (think drilling of holes in the legs to remove unneeded material). Maybe they can be of help?

 

[Andre Levite]

Ryze makes a lightweight Spark...

It's called the Tello!

 

[Rosco]

Why don't the law allow every drone under 1Kg have less restrictions?

 

[Andre Levite]

The FAA determined that grams over 250 grams pose a potential impact threat to commercial and passenger aircraft, hence the requirement to register them.

As technology advances and small drones become more capable government will certainly lower the weight restriction further -- they are already citing privacy concerns and ability to weaponize off the shelf consumer drones.

 

[Mrmund]

Ryze makes a lightweight Spark...

It's called the Tello!

View attachment 7844

Thanks Andre, I have a Tello. Thing is I need the gimbal and the camera quality of the Spark. I love my Tello but the fixed camera angle and the poor low light quality just won't work for what I'm doing

 

[Mrmund]

If you head over to the Mavicpilots forum, there are quite some people heavily modifying those (think drilling of holes in the legs to remove unneeded material). Maybe they can be of help?

Thanks JootsGT3,

I've reached out to Thunderdrones over there but he doesn't quite know where I should look either

 

[Rob S]

Recensione kit alleggerimento 300gr. drone DJI Spark di Droni Sport - DronEzine

 

[Brojon]

You might look into custom 3D printed body parts. You could skeletonize the body and use plastic screening to keep junk out. Always bear in mind that it will reduce structural integrity (but increase flight time). You hit something it's likely a goner.