I know that GearBest deals are a license to click the Cold button, but for a Drone with realtime WiFi video, headless mode, one-key automatic return and one-key take off and landing, this seems a very good price!
Brand: JXD
Item No.: 509W
Age: 14+
Copter Size: 30 x 30 x 11cm
Charging Time: About 70min
Charging Way: USB Charging
Flying Time: 8 - 10min
Frequency: 2.4GHz
Gyro: Built-in 6 Axis Gyro
Camera: 720P
Control Distance: About 100m
Copter Battery: 3.7V 600mA Lipo Built-in Battery
Control Battery: 6 x 1.5V AA Battery ( Not Included )
Functions: Up / Down, Turn Left / Right, Forward / Backward, Left / Right Sideward Flight, Headless Mode, 3D Rollover, One Key Automatic Return, Film and Shoot, Atmospheric Pressure Sensitive Height Hold, with Light, WIFI FPV, One Key Taking Off / Landing
Top comments
pete_l to xZEDx
16 Jun 1610#6
Which still exceeds the attention span of most people who will fly it.
technodai
16 Jun 167#28
You sound like fun! Tell me, do you throw the neighbouring children's footballs back over the fence after you've punctured them with your purpose made spike or do you keep them as a trophy?
jaydeeuk1
16 Jun 167#12
RC control is 2.4ghz, wifi is on 2.4ghz - awful design. Don't expect any decent range or interference free flying - the 400ft limit is in no danger of being breached.
Will only be suitable for flying inside, and lag from FPV will make it near impossible, especially if it has a narrow lens.
In other words, get something like a syma x5 or x8c/g and add a proper 5.8 camera or don't bother with the camera at all
Took my chroma out the other day around valley where our office is. Had some local come out moaning saying you need a licence and its scaring his dogs 100m away and threatened to call the police. I said please do, we're not flying commercially, we're flying over 50m away not above buildings or people and if he knew his Pythagoras then he'd know it was closer to 150m, plus the 50m limit has an exception for take off and landing. If he'd have asked us nicely if we minded moving down a bit we would have.
Also is the height limit 1) 400ft above sea level, 2) 400ft above take off point, or 3) 400ft from the ground beneath the quad?
So, if:
1) - if you take off from a hill 401ft, then you're flying illegally
2) - if take off point if 2000ft up, then you can fly 2400ft?
3) - if its 400ft from directly over a quad, if you launch from a 401ft hill with a vertical drop, fly over the ridge, you're flying illegally, or if you follow a hill that goes from 0ft above sea level to 500ft, then you can fly 400ft to 900ft?
chapchap
16 Jun 166#1
Dronecode here...
When you fly a drone in the UK it is your responsibility to be aware of the rules that are in place to keep everyone safe.
Follow these simple steps to make sure you are flying safely and legally.
Make sure you can see your drone at all times and don't fly higher than 400 feet
Always keep your drone away from aircraft, helicopters, airports and airfields
Use your common sense and fly safely; you could be prosecuted if you don't.
Drones fitted with cameras must not be flown:
within 50 metres of people, vehicles, buildings or structures
over congested areas or large gatherings such as concerts and sports events
All comments (98)
chapchap
16 Jun 166#1
Dronecode here...
When you fly a drone in the UK it is your responsibility to be aware of the rules that are in place to keep everyone safe.
Follow these simple steps to make sure you are flying safely and legally.
Make sure you can see your drone at all times and don't fly higher than 400 feet
Always keep your drone away from aircraft, helicopters, airports and airfields
Use your common sense and fly safely; you could be prosecuted if you don't.
Drones fitted with cameras must not be flown:
within 50 metres of people, vehicles, buildings or structures
over congested areas or large gatherings such as concerts and sports events
If it's actually 'wifi' video, it won't be very good for actually flying with - for the moment you still need analouge to be useful to fly with as digital introduces too much lag.
Roph
16 Jun 16#10
That's for a 509G, this deal is for a 509W
F4STFORW4RD
16 Jun 162#11
Headless mode sounds quite appropriate for some of the muppets that I have seen flying these things :stuck_out_tongue:
jaydeeuk1
16 Jun 167#12
RC control is 2.4ghz, wifi is on 2.4ghz - awful design. Don't expect any decent range or interference free flying - the 400ft limit is in no danger of being breached.
Will only be suitable for flying inside, and lag from FPV will make it near impossible, especially if it has a narrow lens.
In other words, get something like a syma x5 or x8c/g and add a proper 5.8 camera or don't bother with the camera at all
Took my chroma out the other day around valley where our office is. Had some local come out moaning saying you need a licence and its scaring his dogs 100m away and threatened to call the police. I said please do, we're not flying commercially, we're flying over 50m away not above buildings or people and if he knew his Pythagoras then he'd know it was closer to 150m, plus the 50m limit has an exception for take off and landing. If he'd have asked us nicely if we minded moving down a bit we would have.
Also is the height limit 1) 400ft above sea level, 2) 400ft above take off point, or 3) 400ft from the ground beneath the quad?
So, if:
1) - if you take off from a hill 401ft, then you're flying illegally
2) - if take off point if 2000ft up, then you can fly 2400ft?
3) - if its 400ft from directly over a quad, if you launch from a 401ft hill with a vertical drop, fly over the ridge, you're flying illegally, or if you follow a hill that goes from 0ft above sea level to 500ft, then you can fly 400ft to 900ft?
reddragon105 to jaydeeuk1
16 Jun 161#19
Pretty sure it's 400ft above the ground - i.e. relative flying height as opposed to sea level altitude. In the list of regulations I read that one is listed under the not flying it out of your line of sight one - as in the CAA define 400ft as your vertical line of sight, assuming that you can't see it properly if it's higher than that.
The laws and regulations really need to be clarified for these things - obviously it's primarily common sense but then you do get people like your 'friend' there who think that they're illegal unless you're qualified (as in have passed a test and got a license like a driving license) and a permit, whereas in actual fact there is no license available at all, anyone can just fly them, and permits are only required if you want to fly near a building you don't own and/or if, as you said, you're doing commercial work.
No, there isn't really anywhere in London that would fit the regulations - in any street you're going to be close to buildings you don't own and there will be people around. You'd have to go to a large park at a very quiet time of day, but it would have to be somewhere where you had good enough visibility to see anyone that came along so that you could land or keep it away from them. A friend of mine in London has one and he took it up to Hampstead Heath to try it out but I don't think he's flown it anywhere else in the city. Obviously some people have got drone footage of London but I'm sure it was all done with due care and consideration for others. There's always a risk so you're best off flying them either in the middle of nowhere or somewhere where you've got permission and everyone in the area is aware that there is a drone flying around.
andrewt1
16 Jun 161#13
Realistically, will this take clear aerial pictures?
I was suprised how decent it was.For the price i did not expect it to even fly the video quality is fine stills are not so great it goes high to.If you looking to a cheap done to test the water i can recommend this enough.
FRZ
16 Jun 161#16
So this cant be flown in London or surrounding towns?
wenttoabetterplace to FRZ
16 Jun 16#17
I saw a similar one being flown in Camberwell. People were fascinated by it (no one complained).
jaydeeuk1 to FRZ
16 Jun 161#18
Technically no, if you live in a terrace house and fly inside or in the back garden, then you're going down unless you're house is 100m sq and you only fly in the exact middle of the room. Expect a SWAT team.
Realistically... the motorway speed limit is 70, I can't remember the last time I drove that slow. As long as you aren't flying over school children or taking pictures of the neighbour in the shower then you'll be fine. I imagine the hobby will just be banned at some point
chapchap
16 Jun 16#20
Yes- notice I deleted my comment?
wenttoabetterplace
16 Jun 16#21
I see you have now deleted the comment, yes. But I guess you didn't read the reviews before posting the original comment...
So my question was valid at the time :wink:
leeparsons
16 Jun 16#22
How does this compare to the DM007 RC Quadcopter 6 Axis Gyro Explorer UFO?
The sooner someone starts making surface to air missiles to take out these buzzy little f'rs the better. Having said that you'd probably down this with an air gun pretty quickly...
Hondo
16 Jun 162#25
Hellloooooo Beautiful breasts of my neighbour ....how did you get in my drone video ..ahem.......:confused:
frakison
16 Jun 16#26
I'd hit the paragliders first, much more annoying! :smiley:
andysubaru
16 Jun 16#27
Its 400ft above the take off point
Also 2.4ghz is fine for control, I regularly have mine out to 500m away and 400ft up.
technodai
16 Jun 167#28
You sound like fun! Tell me, do you throw the neighbouring children's footballs back over the fence after you've punctured them with your purpose made spike or do you keep them as a trophy?
scorez
16 Jun 16#29
I want to try a drone, but I think if I buy cheap crap to test the waters, it'll just put me off.
mubashar
16 Jun 16#30
I was wanting to get a DJI Phantom 3 Standard. But can't justify £350 odd. This will do nicely until the Phantom drops price more significantly.
BenderRodriguez
16 Jun 16#31
So it's perfectly legal to bring a video camera to the streets and record everybody, but I can't do the same with a drone.
chapchap
16 Jun 161#32
Then why not delete your comments so no one gets misled?
slimy31
16 Jun 161#33
I did that with a remote control helicopter. It wasn't even cheap crap (mid range Walkera), but it was horrible enough to avoid them ever since.
vladdy
16 Jun 16#34
Ordered one, but something tells me I will be sorry :smiley:
TBC15
16 Jun 161#35
I think if your video camera had 8 knives attached it would also break some law.
jaydeeuk1
16 Jun 16#36
2.4 is great for control, but not paired with 2.4 WiFi! try and fly a dji phantom with a gopro with with WiFi enabled and see what happens after 200m. My point is about interference. Fixed wing fly with much lower frequencies, 1.2 video and 433 or 900 RC
andysubaru
16 Jun 16#37
Apologies, I didn't notice the thing actually transmits the video over wifi, I thought you were talking about 2.4ghz control in general. That really is a stupid set up
bigdeal66
16 Jun 16#38
And if you put it on a 50 foot tripod overlooking bedroom windows people might get a little peeved....
leeparsons
16 Jun 161#39
Someones got anger issues there. Or are they going to catch you doing something you shouldnt be?
No more giving sweets outside of the school for you then. As your covers is blown now. lol
Gavin01
16 Jun 16#40
Anyone buying beware you do need very calm days ..... Slight wind and they are gone
Clunton
16 Jun 16#41
Anyone know what the picture is like on this?
I want one exclusively for filming aerial shots.
Doesn't have to be stunning quality, just not ****
richb3012
16 Jun 16#42
Save yourself the grief and just save for the Phantom. I made the same mistake, bought a cheap one and was bored with it in a couple of days.
Then went out with a mate who had a Phantom 3, and I was sold, bought a Phantom the next day. The two items are so far apart, it's unreal. Don't think you will get anywhere near a Phantom in terms of technology or ease of use with one of these cheap drones.
DARKSABER
16 Jun 162#43
Well it will look amateurish as there's no stabilized gimble to keep the camera steady, that's just one of a number of reason why the DJI drones are so popular.
I have the DJI standard phantom 3 which shoots 2.7K video and its always steady no matter how i fly it,it can also handle a very strong wind too.It also has a flight time of 25mins but it all comes at a price of £400 but it's worth it.
Amazon UK had the P3 advanced for £627, friend bought one on monday. Amazon Germany have the pro 4k model for £720.
The blade chroma BNF is £200 now, it's what I fly, makes a cracking camera platform if you already have a decent action cam and spektrum radio.
jaydeeuk1
16 Jun 16#45
Apparently the 400ft limit only applies to 7kg+ craft.
a2tmfk
16 Jun 16#46
bad bad BAD experiences with this company. avoid like the plague.
oynedy
16 Jun 163#47
It's actually 400ft above ground level (legal) although the drone (DJI at least) doesn't give you actual height above ground, only the height above your take off point. The 400ft rule is to provide separation from aircraft as they are not allowed below 500ft except for the purposes of take off and landing. I fly both.
BungalowBill
16 Jun 16#48
I've ordered 30 times from GearBest. I had a problem with one item (battery that wouldn't charge) and they gave me a credit to buy a replacement. So, I would say they were ok. What was your issue?
Balfington
16 Jun 161#49
Yup. Your video camera won't slice people to shreds if you lose control of it or crack their heads open if there's a technical failure. It'll just clatter to the pavement.
Carrie.F
16 Jun 16#50
If you do not know - you should not be flying! its 400 ft from drone to ground, the drone's altitude. simplez.
jaydeeuk1
16 Jun 162#51
Actually, the 400ft limit does not apply to craft under 7kg, take it you didn't know that either.
Carrie.F
16 Jun 16#52
never flown any RC toy.
Biggunspaul
16 Jun 161#53
You can fly a drone near people and buildings as long as it doesn't have a camera,yet you have to be a certain distance away if it does have a camera fitted.
The last time I looked,a camera fitted to a drone doesn't mean it's going to cause you anymore harm than one without a camera.
From what I can make out,the rules have been put in place so people can't fly above concerts and sports events and so on and record footage,in other words they don't like you doing it as your getting away with buying a ticket to such an event.The safety aspect is just a smoke screen as if it were an issue then all drones would be banned from flying near people.
It amazes me just how much drone footage there is on to programs these days,yet you can't tell me they have asked permission off every single person if it's OK to film them.
ThatTechGuy
16 Jun 16#54
Omg look at that drone... Calm down its a plastic bag.
falcon65
17 Jun 161#55
Buy a Syma x5 or x8. Both are cheap, easy to learn with plenty of cheap parts and take some hammer.
falcon65
17 Jun 161#56
Ive got a Phantom 3 and some cheap quadcopters. The cheaper toy type can be great for learning to fly and just having some fun racing around the sky with your mates. You will crash and have to buy spares as you hone your skills. When I fly the Phantom its used more for filming but I spend more time looking at my tablet on the transmitter than looking at the Phantom in flight. Both type of quadcopters can be good for what they are aimed at.
wild_quinine
17 Jun 161#57
Yeah, because I'm a lot more comfortable hanging around a bunch of twerps with their air guns.
leeparsons
17 Jun 16#58
So is this much better than the DM007?
smelladeal
17 Jun 16#59
Cant wait for a major manufacturer to make a "good cheap" one, like 100 quid but does the bizniz. :wink: Maybe Xiaomi or Lenovo.....or Aldi :smirk:
prash_2k
17 Jun 16#60
I'm sure i fly kites higher than that
danielUK84
17 Jun 16#61
£450 new, bit cheaper from lesser retailers. £360 cex grade A. Believe me its worth every penny, i bought one this week. The footage it takes is simply stunning. Its so easy to fly too, range is limited to about 400m max in an urban park environment, but i cant afford the advanced or pro version, the range on those is better.
Ive since used bangood for a case and battery, the case has already arrived, im very happy with them too. The one listed here is a more of a toy entry level thing. Good for practise, but the phantom is so easy to fly you dont really need to practise.
vorney23
17 Jun 16#62
Thinking of ordering one myself but never flown one before are these easy to get used to stable in slight wind as we are in England after all and never really get a wind free day.
wenttoabetterplace
17 Jun 16#63
The rules aren't in place to stop people getting a free ticket to events.
They are in place to protect our rights to privacy. & of course, when it comes to sports events etc, any kind or mechanical failure on a large drone will give the operator very little opportunity to land safely.
So yes, the rules are about safety and privacy. Fine by me
andreasuk
17 Jun 16#64
20x more expensive
stevenfeeney
17 Jun 16#65
Makes zero sense.
8 knives is perfectly allowed.
Public photography is perfectly allowed.
8 knives with camera is banned...
:smirk:
Bigga
17 Jun 16#66
Assuming your drone is less than 7kg if you're not flying commercially the CAA Advice is 400ft from the Pilot or less, sufficient to avoid collisions with other aircraft, buildings etc. If you are flying commercially then it is 400ft above the surface.
GW61
17 Jun 16#67
Once again, completely inappropriate use of the word 'like'.
jouster
17 Jun 16#68
Every piece of drone footage you seen on tv or film will have been captured by someone with a PFAW (permission for aerial work) That is FACT. any form of commercial work (which would include televised video) requires a PFAW or it is illegal and operators can be fined/penalised. The CAA make that very clear in their rules and regs.
With regards to permission from people around you, no you don't NEED their permission, in the same way you don't NEED permission to film people playing in a country park. What you do NEED is common sense.
Don't take off or land near groups of people that are not in your control (or that aren't aware of what you are doing or understand what can happen). In fact as groups of people get bigger (I think the number is 50) then you cannot fly near/above them as if your drone were to drop out of the sky it could obviously seriously injure them or worse.
Also flying in congested areas is against the law and you can be arrested for it, whether it would go further than that is debatable but if you rock up in you local town to fly I'm pretty sure you'd be reprimanded regardless if it has a camera or not.
Most of this is common sense. I fly my Phantom 3 Pro all the time mostly for still pictures and I've never had any complaints but I also stay well within the law/rules. My link below will give you an idea of what you can do but as you'll see I'm rarely above anything other than a handful of people who are all aware of what I'm doing.
I believe it's actually 500 metres horizontally but 120 m (400ft) in height above the operator. But that changes with commercial flying for which greater heights and distance can be gained from the CAA on a case by case basis.
Biggunspaul
17 Jun 16#71
Explain how a drone this size poses more of a physical danger to people because it has a camera over one that doesn't ?
Also how is a drone invading your privacy at say a football match as the average consumer drone can't zoom in the camera,yet someone can stand next to you at the same event with a camera a record video of you.and you'd be happy with that ?
IMO a drone with a live camera feed is far more safe than one without,as I'd rather fly near buildings or people with the ability to be able to see what's going on if I were say a couple of hundred meters away.
jouster
17 Jun 161#72
Insurance is NOT a requirement unless you are performing aerial work although by joining something like the British Model Aircraft club would give you insurance cover.
Biggunspaul
17 Jun 161#73
I fly a phantom 3 myself and I also have never had any complaints off people,if anything the thing attracts people as I'm always being asked questions and there normally is a small crowd gathered by the time I'm bringing it in land.
jouster
17 Jun 16#74
It's not just about privacy although that does
Come into it. You can't fly within 50 metres of buildings for privacy reasons (although I agree even my P3P camera from 50 metres can't see tiny details although the pictures look great). The main reason though is that at that distance a failure in the part of the drone could seriously injure someone and as ALL quads have no redundancy, there is no way to avoid incident if the quad were to have a single rotor failure.
jouster
17 Jun 161#75
Totally agree. Just yesterday when out I had lots of people come up and and they are generally interested and when they see what the pictures look like they are amazed.
Biggunspaul
17 Jun 163#76
I find it's the older generation (OAP's) that are really amazed by them.
A few months ago i had an older couple come up to me and asked questions and I showed them the live feed of themselves from above,they were blown away,it was like they had just seen the moon landings again lol
nanuek
17 Jun 16#77
If I go out onto the streets then it would be unreasonable to expect to have privacy and I act accordingly, trousers and all. If I am coming out of the shower in my own home then it is reasonable to expect a certain level of privacy. The laws in place are just an attempt to codify a common level of civility, as is the case for pretty much the entire legal framework. Pointing out that laws do not exactly match the complexity and nuances of human behaviour and are therefore an imperfect abstraction is neither original nor interesting.
Biggunspaul
17 Jun 16#78
You think a lot of yourself if you think you got something so special that someone would want to film you getting out the shower lol :wink:
BenderRodriguez
17 Jun 16#79
It would also be reasonable to assume that anyone can see you from their window across the street, that's why bathrooms have frosted windows. :smiley:
nanuek
17 Jun 16#80
Yes, but people would be understandably miffed if technology existed to "unscramble" the diffused light from bathroom windows and peer in. If it existed I would hope that some thought would be given to whether it would be appropriate to legislate its use, ideally after I have made my millions from it. My point is that the rules have to attempt to capture some consensus on likely usage, public perception, shared expectations and enforceability. The 50m rule seems pragmatic to me and certainly better than none at all.
PS: My last post ended with a general whinge, not directed at you. Sorry.
colin912
17 Jun 16#81
colin912
17 Jun 16#82
Always do over 70 on the motorway, huh? Typical **** motorist that doesn't understand a thing called a speed limit. Suggest you become an advanced driver (£149, which includes all lessons and examination fee - go to the IAM Roadsmart website). Use your own car. One lesson a week at a time that is suitable to yourself (infinite number of lesson for that price). Perhaps then you will keep to speed limits and stop being a wally and a danger to other road users!
colin912
17 Jun 16#83
takkischitt
17 Jun 16#84
Cheers for the info. Can you link me to some decent, budget drones which would be worth considering? By budget, I mean £30-40... I know budget to some people may be £500 lol
uksnapper
17 Jun 16#85
If you want to fly a drone as a business,and it wont be one of these little chaps,you do need to go on a course and pass an exam to get a licence.
SK_
17 Jun 16#86
You're in the same budget as me - just looking for something to play with. As much as it would be great top have the capability of amazing aerial photos, I wouldn't use a better one such as a Phantom enough to justify the cost.
The drone the OP looks ok - I watched this review https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQvm1gPdi28 and it flies about 60m away, but loses the first person view about 30m away. Still not that much of a problem as I believe you are required to remain in sight of it at all times.
For a bit of fun this seems perfect. If you want something just to fly above you and take a photo of you then I'd personally buy a drone without a camera and just stick my GoPro on it (would need to ensure it could lift the additional weight without the motors overheating)
jaydeeuk1
17 Jun 161#87
As mentioned earlier, the syma x5 series are ok, can be upgraded with syma fpv kit.
My first quad was a hubsan x4, I still use it now. The 107c with HD camera is good (don't go for the new models with altitude hold, they're not as good), the 107d is a good mini fpv quad.
I then bought a syma x8C, in preparation for my blade chroma I now have. The x8c is capable of lifting a gopro, some have added a gimbal even and using 11.1v
takkischitt
17 Jun 16#88
Thanks for the info folks, that's something to go on. I think, by the looks of it, anything around that price range has pretty poor camera capabilities.
Biggunspaul
17 Jun 162#89
One thing that separates the more expensive drones and the cheap ones when it comes to video is the more expensive ones use a gimbal to stabilise the camera,giving you silky smooth video,where as the cheap ones look like a drunk on a Friday night.
andysfast
17 Jun 16#90
And you ALWAYS ALWAYS drive at 30 mph in a 30mph zone and NEVER NEVER exceed it because its against the law.
richb3012
17 Jun 16#91
And 30 x better
leeparsons
21 Jun 16#92
All these experts, and non have compared it to, the question I previously ask about. If this was any better than the DM007
BungalowBill
21 Jun 16#93
I have the DM007 plus a lot of spares which I've never used because the thing bounces and is well built, very easy to crash and pick up and fly again. It doesn't hover particularly stable, doesn't have a take off and landing button, and the camera is meh, so I would say this is better.
leeparsons
29 Jun 16#94
How big is this in comparison tho?
OB1
29 Jun 161#95
Nobody has mentioned the WLToys V686G, which in my experience is pretty nice, good FPV and really good 720p video (for the price). Here's a look at it:
I was just throwing it in the mix as people were discussing a wide range of more expensive quads and looking for one with decent FPV and HD video, which the V686G has.
mubashar
30 Jun 16#98
Just received delivery. Any recommended installation and usage guides?
Opening post
Brand: JXD
Item No.: 509W
Age: 14+
Copter Size: 30 x 30 x 11cm
Charging Time: About 70min
Charging Way: USB Charging
Flying Time: 8 - 10min
Frequency: 2.4GHz
Gyro: Built-in 6 Axis Gyro
Camera: 720P
Control Distance: About 100m
Copter Battery: 3.7V 600mA Lipo Built-in Battery
Control Battery: 6 x 1.5V AA Battery ( Not Included )
Functions: Up / Down, Turn Left / Right, Forward / Backward, Left / Right Sideward Flight, Headless Mode, 3D Rollover, One Key Automatic Return, Film and Shoot, Atmospheric Pressure Sensitive Height Hold, with Light, WIFI FPV, One Key Taking Off / Landing
Top comments
Will only be suitable for flying inside, and lag from FPV will make it near impossible, especially if it has a narrow lens.
In other words, get something like a syma x5 or x8c/g and add a proper 5.8 camera or don't bother with the camera at all
Took my chroma out the other day around valley where our office is. Had some local come out moaning saying you need a licence and its scaring his dogs 100m away and threatened to call the police. I said please do, we're not flying commercially, we're flying over 50m away not above buildings or people and if he knew his Pythagoras then he'd know it was closer to 150m, plus the 50m limit has an exception for take off and landing. If he'd have asked us nicely if we minded moving down a bit we would have.
Also is the height limit 1) 400ft above sea level, 2) 400ft above take off point, or 3) 400ft from the ground beneath the quad?
So, if:
1) - if you take off from a hill 401ft, then you're flying illegally
2) - if take off point if 2000ft up, then you can fly 2400ft?
3) - if its 400ft from directly over a quad, if you launch from a 401ft hill with a vertical drop, fly over the ridge, you're flying illegally, or if you follow a hill that goes from 0ft above sea level to 500ft, then you can fly 400ft to 900ft?
When you fly a drone in the UK it is your responsibility to be aware of the rules that are in place to keep everyone safe.
Follow these simple steps to make sure you are flying safely and legally.
Make sure you can see your drone at all times and don't fly higher than 400 feet
Always keep your drone away from aircraft, helicopters, airports and airfields
Use your common sense and fly safely; you could be prosecuted if you don't.
Drones fitted with cameras must not be flown:
within 50 metres of people, vehicles, buildings or structures
over congested areas or large gatherings such as concerts and sports events
All comments (98)
When you fly a drone in the UK it is your responsibility to be aware of the rules that are in place to keep everyone safe.
Follow these simple steps to make sure you are flying safely and legally.
Make sure you can see your drone at all times and don't fly higher than 400 feet
Always keep your drone away from aircraft, helicopters, airports and airfields
Use your common sense and fly safely; you could be prosecuted if you don't.
Drones fitted with cameras must not be flown:
within 50 metres of people, vehicles, buildings or structures
over congested areas or large gatherings such as concerts and sports events
http://www.gearbest.com/rc-quadcopter-parts/pp_279073.html
They look like paid reviews to me (and to one of the other reviewers!)
Will only be suitable for flying inside, and lag from FPV will make it near impossible, especially if it has a narrow lens.
In other words, get something like a syma x5 or x8c/g and add a proper 5.8 camera or don't bother with the camera at all
Took my chroma out the other day around valley where our office is. Had some local come out moaning saying you need a licence and its scaring his dogs 100m away and threatened to call the police. I said please do, we're not flying commercially, we're flying over 50m away not above buildings or people and if he knew his Pythagoras then he'd know it was closer to 150m, plus the 50m limit has an exception for take off and landing. If he'd have asked us nicely if we minded moving down a bit we would have.
Also is the height limit 1) 400ft above sea level, 2) 400ft above take off point, or 3) 400ft from the ground beneath the quad?
So, if:
1) - if you take off from a hill 401ft, then you're flying illegally
2) - if take off point if 2000ft up, then you can fly 2400ft?
3) - if its 400ft from directly over a quad, if you launch from a 401ft hill with a vertical drop, fly over the ridge, you're flying illegally, or if you follow a hill that goes from 0ft above sea level to 500ft, then you can fly 400ft to 900ft?
The laws and regulations really need to be clarified for these things - obviously it's primarily common sense but then you do get people like your 'friend' there who think that they're illegal unless you're qualified (as in have passed a test and got a license like a driving license) and a permit, whereas in actual fact there is no license available at all, anyone can just fly them, and permits are only required if you want to fly near a building you don't own and/or if, as you said, you're doing commercial work.
No, there isn't really anywhere in London that would fit the regulations - in any street you're going to be close to buildings you don't own and there will be people around. You'd have to go to a large park at a very quiet time of day, but it would have to be somewhere where you had good enough visibility to see anyone that came along so that you could land or keep it away from them. A friend of mine in London has one and he took it up to Hampstead Heath to try it out but I don't think he's flown it anywhere else in the city. Obviously some people have got drone footage of London but I'm sure it was all done with due care and consideration for others. There's always a risk so you're best off flying them either in the middle of nowhere or somewhere where you've got permission and everyone in the area is aware that there is a drone flying around.
Realistically... the motorway speed limit is 70, I can't remember the last time I drove that slow. As long as you aren't flying over school children or taking pictures of the neighbour in the shower then you'll be fine. I imagine the hobby will just be banned at some point
So my question was valid at the time :wink:
Yip some dubious reviews there,looks like somebody has been paid :smile:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/pdp/profile/AN6RCJH2Y0KX9/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_pdp?ie=UTF8
Also 2.4ghz is fine for control, I regularly have mine out to 500m away and 400ft up.
No more giving sweets outside of the school for you then. As your covers is blown now. lol
I want one exclusively for filming aerial shots.
Doesn't have to be stunning quality, just not ****
Then went out with a mate who had a Phantom 3, and I was sold, bought a Phantom the next day. The two items are so far apart, it's unreal. Don't think you will get anywhere near a Phantom in terms of technology or ease of use with one of these cheap drones.
I have the DJI standard phantom 3 which shoots 2.7K video and its always steady no matter how i fly it,it can also handle a very strong wind too.It also has a flight time of 25mins but it all comes at a price of £400 but it's worth it.
https://youtu.be/wQo7JQaa21U
The blade chroma BNF is £200 now, it's what I fly, makes a cracking camera platform if you already have a decent action cam and spektrum radio.
The last time I looked,a camera fitted to a drone doesn't mean it's going to cause you anymore harm than one without a camera.
From what I can make out,the rules have been put in place so people can't fly above concerts and sports events and so on and record footage,in other words they don't like you doing it as your getting away with buying a ticket to such an event.The safety aspect is just a smoke screen as if it were an issue then all drones would be banned from flying near people.
It amazes me just how much drone footage there is on to programs these days,yet you can't tell me they have asked permission off every single person if it's OK to film them.
Ive since used bangood for a case and battery, the case has already arrived, im very happy with them too. The one listed here is a more of a toy entry level thing. Good for practise, but the phantom is so easy to fly you dont really need to practise.
They are in place to protect our rights to privacy. & of course, when it comes to sports events etc, any kind or mechanical failure on a large drone will give the operator very little opportunity to land safely.
So yes, the rules are about safety and privacy. Fine by me
8 knives is perfectly allowed.
Public photography is perfectly allowed.
8 knives with camera is banned...
:smirk:
With regards to permission from people around you, no you don't NEED their permission, in the same way you don't NEED permission to film people playing in a country park. What you do NEED is common sense.
Don't take off or land near groups of people that are not in your control (or that aren't aware of what you are doing or understand what can happen). In fact as groups of people get bigger (I think the number is 50) then you cannot fly near/above them as if your drone were to drop out of the sky it could obviously seriously injure them or worse.
Also flying in congested areas is against the law and you can be arrested for it, whether it would go further than that is debatable but if you rock up in you local town to fly I'm pretty sure you'd be reprimanded regardless if it has a camera or not.
Most of this is common sense. I fly my Phantom 3 Pro all the time mostly for still pictures and I've never had any complaints but I also stay well within the law/rules. My link below will give you an idea of what you can do but as you'll see I'm rarely above anything other than a handful of people who are all aware of what I'm doing.
https://www.facebook.com/skypix2015/posts/465262020336167
Also how is a drone invading your privacy at say a football match as the average consumer drone can't zoom in the camera,yet someone can stand next to you at the same event with a camera a record video of you.and you'd be happy with that ?
IMO a drone with a live camera feed is far more safe than one without,as I'd rather fly near buildings or people with the ability to be able to see what's going on if I were say a couple of hundred meters away.
Come into it. You can't fly within 50 metres of buildings for privacy reasons (although I agree even my P3P camera from 50 metres can't see tiny details although the pictures look great). The main reason though is that at that distance a failure in the part of the drone could seriously injure someone and as ALL quads have no redundancy, there is no way to avoid incident if the quad were to have a single rotor failure.
A few months ago i had an older couple come up to me and asked questions and I showed them the live feed of themselves from above,they were blown away,it was like they had just seen the moon landings again lol
PS: My last post ended with a general whinge, not directed at you. Sorry.
The drone the OP looks ok - I watched this review https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQvm1gPdi28 and it flies about 60m away, but loses the first person view about 30m away. Still not that much of a problem as I believe you are required to remain in sight of it at all times.
For a bit of fun this seems perfect. If you want something just to fly above you and take a photo of you then I'd personally buy a drone without a camera and just stick my GoPro on it (would need to ensure it could lift the additional weight without the motors overheating)
My first quad was a hubsan x4, I still use it now. The 107c with HD camera is good (don't go for the new models with altitude hold, they're not as good), the 107d is a good mini fpv quad.
I then bought a syma x8C, in preparation for my blade chroma I now have. The x8c is capable of lifting a gopro, some have added a gimbal even and using 11.1v
Thanks for the info folks, that's something to go on. I think, by the looks of it, anything around that price range has pretty poor camera capabilities.
http://www.incompletegeek.co.uk/wltoys-v686g/
I was just throwing it in the mix as people were discussing a wide range of more expensive quads and looking for one with decent FPV and HD video, which the V686G has.