Spyke

Made my first drone video with some actual effort in it!

Hello folks, I have very recently gotten my first serious drone, an used DJI Mini 4K purchased from a friend.

I've taken it out for a couple of flights and made some pics and videos, but this one is the first one where I actually tried to do something with some actual effort and I'm pretty proud of it so I wanted to share.

It ain't much but it's honest work.

P.S.: it's also available on PeerTube! It will load slowly tho, be warned.

View original on sh.itjust.works
8

Talon as my first tiny whoop?

I had previously looked at getting a BetaFPV Air75. It’s out of stock at my store right now so I am looking a bit further into what I want.

What I want to do: move on from sim, first indoors, then outdoors. I am not really into acrobatics or racing. My (first) goal is really to comfortably cruising around and taking pics/video on the farm.

Now I came across these cinewhoops and I am thinking that might be a good one to start with. Right now best deal and available is the Talon:

https://www.hglrc.com/products/hglrc-talon-2-inch-cinewhoop-analog-hd-fpv-drone

I watched/read several reviews and it seems to be a good beginner option that sits between sturdy tiny whoop (incl indoors flying) and filming outdoors eventually. Price is right in my range too! It can also carry a GoPro which I have.

Now there are two options available: VTX 800mW analog or Power kit (no vtx)

I don’t think I’ll like analog and eventually opt for something like the DJI O3?!

Can I mount that later if I go with the power kit? Really in the beginning I won’t even film. I want to practice flying. But I would love it if I could add a camera (go pro or dji) later. Is that what the power kit if for?

Does anybody know?

View original on lemmy.ca
2

BetaFPV Air75

I am flying sim (liftoff) right now and I just want a small/cheap drone to practice indoors (and eventually outdoors). Goal is to be skilled enough to fly and take pics and videos on a farm. No racing, tricks etc.

I see the original Air75 is now discontinued/out of stock. The new one comes in three types: champion, racing and freestyle.

Which version do I get?

View original on lemmy.ca
6
drones·DRONESbysobchak

FCC Bans Foreign-Made Drones and Key Parts Over U.S. National Security Risks

cross-posted from: https://programming.dev/post/42842134

"UAS and UAS critical components must be produced in the United States," the FCC said. "This will reduce the risk of direct UAS attacks and disruptions, unauthorized surveillance, sensitive data exfiltration, and other UAS threats to the homeland."

"UAS and UAS critical components, including data transmission devices, communications systems, flight controllers, ground control stations, controllers, navigation systems, batteries, smart batteries, and motors produced in a foreign country, could enable persistent surveillance, data exfiltration, and destructive operations over U.S. territory."

FCC Bans Foreign-Made Drones and Key Parts Over U.S. National Security Riskshttps://thehackernews.com/2025/12/fcc-bans-foreign-made-drones-and-key.htmlOpen linkView original on programming.dev
12

Passed my US FAA part 107 test today!

I'm new to drone ownership, unless you count the cheap Holy Stone drone I bought years ago for under $100. (I was very disappointed in the photo quality, plus it was hard to fly, so I never did much with it.) I recently bought a DJI Air 3s, to use with my new job as a real estate photographer.

Today I took the part 107 exam and I passed with a 95% score! There were questions about flying at night, which I had missed while studying - I knew it twilight drone use, but not night time. I think I missed the question about what foreign drones can be registered in the US, but.... How does that help me fly safely? Some of those questions are there "just because", not because they actually help ensure the pilot is flying safely.

I've only flown the drone twice, just haven't had much time to do much, but I need to practice so I can get certified with the real estate company and add that service to my offerings. But it's easy to fly, I've found. Just have to get over my fear of wrecking it.

Anyone else doing pro work? I'm interested to hear what people are doing with them.

View original on lemmy.world
10

Controller question

Totally clueless I must say but I am reading a bit and here is what I want to do:

I want to learn how to fly before even looking into buying a drone. As far as I understand there are several good simulators on Steam and I figured I start there. Very reasonably priced too.

I need a controller. Sounds like a Radiomaster pocket ELRS is the way to go? I am a little fuzzy on if/how this connects to a computer (Mac mini) and if that also later can be used with a (some?) drone?!

Can somebody confirm this for me please?

View original on lemmy.ca
6
drones·DRONESbyAda

Insta 360 is planning a drone release!

I just discovered that Insta 360 is apparently going to release two drones sometime this year! I've been ranting to anyone that will listen about how much potential there is for 360 video on a drone, and my surprise that it's not really an option, and apparently someone heard my rants :P

Anyway, I'm a bit excited and can't wait to get my hands on them!

View original on friend.blahaj.zone
8
drones·DRONESbyAda

FYI for using DJI RAW files in Darktable

If you use Darktable for your image editing, and you have tried using a recent DJI drone, you'll have found that Darktable can't open DNG files from these drones.

However, there is a way around it! You can use the Adobe DNG Converter (which runs fine in WINE), and re-save your DNG file to be compatible with Camera RAW 13.2. After this, it will work fine in Darktable.

The notable exception to this is the Mini 4 Pro, which isn't compatible for an entirely different reason that this approach doesn't fix

View original on piefed.blahaj.zone
4