Ready for spring and summer

[Highlander]

Just got me a fix flew down to San Fran met up with Geoff "Beene" & Leon went for 5 days of hard sailing & hard drinkin on Leon,s 38FT Catalina & of coarse I assumed the bar keeper role !

J

[sailboatmike]

Well I got my new fold up drone a couple of weeks ago, I purchased a DM107S which is exactly the same as the SG700

As a brief review, it was a bit painful to get used to and I had a few issues that have been sorted by software upgrades of the control app.

The first issue I had was that when the app was running I couldn't control the drone with the controller (since been sorted in the latest app upgrade)
The second was there was no SD card slot, which the spec said the camera had, so it records back to the phone which isn't optimal but hey the drone was only around $35US so maybe I was expecting to much for those few bucks.

I must say the optical positioning is great, sure its not GPS steady but its pretty good (lets remember the price) and the height hold is sensational.

The camera is 720p and not the greatest but takes nice pics, i do get a bit of noise on the video (lines) even with the motors off but its serviceable and its not for professional grade photography or videography, so it nice.

If you want to fly off the App, turn the speed rate up to 60% minimum, I run at 100% as the controls are slow from the app, but at 100% on the app its about the same as 30% on the controller.

Battery life is around 7 or 8 minutes, which is fine, spare batteries are only around $8US ea, I just ordered a couple more

Overall its no DJI or even AOSENMA but its a great little unit to learn with, lots of fun to fly with a reasonable camera and the best part is at $35US its excellent value for money. You could easily take it in its box on the boat for safe keeping the box is about 12" (300mm) x 9" (225mm) x 2" (50mm)

https://www.tomtop.com/p-rm9372-4.html or https://www.tomtop.com/p-rm9081-3.html


A quick pic I took last week just playing in the street

[Sumner]

Well I got my new fold up drone a couple of weeks ago, I purchased a DM107S .........Battery life is around 7 or 8 minutes, which is fine, spare batteries are only around $8US ea, I just ordered a couple more..........

I like my 107S except for one thing. I can't find a place to get extra batteries from. I can find them in China where I got the copter from (Tomtop) and another place but they say they can't ship them to the USA?? I ordered some others from a comparable looking copter but they don't quite fit. Do you have a link for the ones you found?

I got hooked on this and also bought an Altair AA818 Hornet for about 3 times the money but have 3 batteries for it. Mixed results with it so far. At home in Blanding with the camera attached (hangs from the bottom) after about 7-8 minutes the copter will descend hit the ground and take right off if it doesn't tip over. Without the camera it will do fine for about its longer flight time of about 13-15 minutes on a battery. Right now we are in Phoenix staying with a friend who badly broke her leg and here it fly's fine with the camera on for close to the longer flight time. I'm thinking that it is struggling with the extra weight at home where we are at 6,000 feet in elevation. The company said I could return it but I think it is what it is. It has been a good flyer here at the lower elevation. Maybe at home in the thinner air I've found its ceiling hauling the battery around?

I also just ordered a 8807HD-G Drone ....

https://www.ebay.com/itm/New-8807HD-G-D ... SwoFZatd-9

... and extra batteries after seeing this review....

https://youtu.be/s9V2Gp4N_NA

... and this one ...

https://youtu.be/Z3Hn9PKutIk

Some other reviews aren't so kind. When I ordered it I screwed up and still had our address at the boatyard in Fl in PayPal so it was going there but I think they have the address right now for the copter and batteries.

I got the Altair as I wanted it for video but now am more interested in just flying and the 107 and hopefully the new one are good at that.

Here are two videos I shot with the Altair here in Phoenix ...

https://youtu.be/i7zAjDNQfCg

https://youtu.be/Y9hrynFIKo8

Here is a video with the cheaper 107 at home (6,000 ft) when leaning how to fly it....

https://youtu.be/qutPCzx7AV8

... not a bad camera for a sub $50 copter and it actually has two cameras as far as I can tell but don't have video from the down facing one yet. I really like this copter but wish I could find more batteries for it ,

Sumner

============================
1300 miles to the Bahamas and back -- 2015

The MacGregor 26-S

The Endeavour 37

Trips to Utah, Wyoming, Idaho, Canada, Florida

Mac-Venture Links

[sailboatmike]

Well I got my new fold up drone a couple of weeks ago, I purchased a DM107S .........Battery life is around 7 or 8 minutes, which is fine, spare batteries are only around $8US ea, I just ordered a couple more..........

I like my 107S except for one thing. I can't find a place to get extra batteries from. I can find them in China where I got the copter from (Tomtop) and another place but they say they can't ship them to the USA?? I ordered some others from a comparable looking copter but they don't quite fit. Do you have a link for the ones you found?

The SG700 and the DM107S are the same unit with different names

One Battery
Here you go https://www.gearbest.com/rc-quadcopter- ... 21970.html
https://www.ebay.com/itm/for-SG700-107S ... x#shpCntId
2 batteries
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/2X-SG700-Ba ... SwMkha~C5P
5 Batteries
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/5X-SG700-Ba ... Swllpa~DDh

[sailboatmike]

I also just ordered a 8807HD-G Drone ....

Ohh no you have caught the bug

You might struggle with the 8807 a bit as it wont be as stable as the 107S due to not having optical positioning, basically it will go where it wants and you have to work to hold it in place.

These things are great for the few $$$

I suggest a Hubsan H216A X4 DESIRE PRO its the next step up and has GPS which holds the drone more stable, it also allows follow me, circle point modes and return home all for around $120US. These are getting really good reviews on YouTube

[Ixneigh]

My boat was droned yesterday at anchor. I heard it, and opened the hatch to see it. It was about 20 off my bow. Big fancy one. I waved. Nearest land was 1/4 mile away. I didnt mind but it did kind of hang around too long. Like, maybe a few minutes, then fly somewhere else.

Ix