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Well, I managed to download the software, the firmware updates, connect to the drone and actually fly it for a bit.

Pretty windy out so I didn't get too adventurous. Did some drills suggested for new fliers, take off, climb to eyeball height, fly in a square - out, right, back, left, back to starting point. Two ways to do that: The drone will actually fly sideways or you can rotate it so that the front (camera end) is always pointing forward. Second way is a bit confusing as the controls are oriented to the camera as "forward" so they vary depending on which way the drone is pointed.

Auto-hover if you let go of the controls, automatic return-to-home if you press a button or if the remote loses contact with the drone. Auto correction for crosswinds up to a certain point. It was getting blown around a little as the gusts were over it's threshold, but not really bad at all.

Landing it on the "helipad" using manual controls was a challenge due to the winds and my effed up depth perception. More practice on a calm day will help that.

Pictures worked out well, tho I need to take them from a higher altitude to get a better field of view. Another project for a calmer day.

All-in-all, I'm pretty tickled.

Sounds like fun and I'll bet you enjoyed it.

Got some better pix of the roof this morning as the winds were calm.

I can see that I'm going to be looking for excuses to fly this thing...

Sure looks like a useful toy…uh, I mean tool!

This Summer's Big Project is to rip out and reseed the South half of the front lawn. I've been meaning to do it for a couple of years, but this year the skunks have absolutely destroyed it digging up grubs. That and the fact that it was 90% weeds, plus a HUGE berm of road sand had it looking like hell.
This is a sample of the grub/skunk damage. 50% or more of the "lawn" looks like this.
I've started by rototilling from the road in to get rid of the years of built-up road sand. I'll eventually till and strip the entire South half.
The dirt/sand/debris I'm removing is being used to fill low spots and holes in what used to be a pasture. As long as it will grow something I can cut down with the mower and has roots to hold the soil in place, I'm good with that. I might throw a little grass seed on it if I have any left after reseeding the lawn.

Once I get all the crap scraped off it, I'll bring in a few yards of fresh loam, hit it with some lime and fertilizer and reseed it with Kentucky Fescue.

Then bitch about having to mow it twice a week next Summer.

(And yes, all the pix were taken with the drone...)

Wow Paul, what a fantastic toy. I love the photos!

Anyway to mount rockets or guns on that thing?

Gene

GeneMO wrote: ↑Mon May 01, 2023 8:38 am Anyway to mount rockets or guns on that thing?

Gene

Hmmmmmm. Pretty sure it'd haul a pretty good payload of Cherry Bombs...

Patria wrote: ↑Mon May 01, 2023 8:32 am Wow Paul, what a fantastic toy. I love the photos!

It IS fun! I have an idea it could be a money pit tho, looking at accessories.

Took this a couple of days ago:
Taken from directly above my house looking South East. That's the harbor, then the Gulf of Maine (aka the Atlantic Ocean).

I didn't realize that you lived so close to the beach. You could run over for a dip purt near anytime you want.

Of course, being as you are so close to the Arctic Circle, it might be a tad nipply certain times of the year.