KAP (kite aerial photography) ideas and a cool video

[Kermit]

I’m trying to summon @dgreen1991. Don, are you around? He’s .*THE MAN* when it comes to KAP.

 

[RussC]

After looking at the non-ginbal videos I'd much rather go the gimbal, albeit more expensive route. Haven't been through the system analysis to determine weights, capabilities, and kite requirements, but I think a gimbal system, for me, is a requirement.

Agreed. but a decent gimbal by itself is pushing $300.00 . then add a camera for another $300.00. etc etc......... which is why I'm hoping to just hang a $300.oo drone that already has both of those things, as well as FPV and remote control, etc., under the kite for higher wind days.
https://www.amazon.com/Monitor-Quad...de-20&linkId=2194d0e9477348d3b774b7841ab32651

 

[Meriachee]

You're probably going to have a hard time, @RussC getting a $300 drone that will be able to move fast enough, for long enough, with the downlink you need to see what you're doing and a gimbal with a decent camera. Not saying it can't be done, but it's a pretty low price point.

 

[RussC]

You're probably going to have a hard time, @RussC getting a $300 drone that will be able to move fast enough, for long enough, with the downlink you need to see what you're doing and a gimbal with a decent camera. Not saying it can't be done, but it's a pretty low price point.

Nothing ventured..... . I've ordered the UpAir One drone linked above in post #22 already, so we shall see . take a look and see what you think. It's often described as a Phantom 3 knock off. don't know I'd go that far, but it does use the same motors and props as the P3.

 

[Meriachee]

Not gonna say anything bad about it, it could be an order of magnitude better than what you're using now.

 

[RussC]

Not gonna say anything bad about it, it could be an order of magnitude better than what you're using now.

 

[Brian D]

Nothing ventured..... . I've ordered the UpAir One drone linked above in post #22 already, so we shall see . take a look and see what you think. It's often described as a Phantom 3 knock off. don't know I'd go that far, but it does use the same motors and props as the P3.

Just make sure you get the biggest (power wise) battery that the drone will hold. Most of these drones with stock batteries last about 10 minutes or so.

 

[jssailem]

10 minutes seems like such a short time window. Guess it is enough as you only use what, 30seconds after you edit the footage.
Are the batteries removable packs like the electrical drills?

 

[AndyVS]

My son has been having fun with KAP for a number of years and has some great pictures. He flew his kite/camera from my boat a couple of years ago on Lake Michigan.


He has moved up to a weather balloon with two cameras , GPS & a few other tidbits. He has hundreds of pictures from his first flight. Note the altitude is in meters.

I don't think I'll be able to make out my boat from up there.

 

[Ron20324]

...I don't think I'll be able to make out my boat from up there.

Like the sheriff said, "You've gotta get a bigger boat".

 

[jssailem]

Wow. That’s up in the BlackBird SR71 country. Has he ever recovered one of his data packages?

 

[RussC]

Are the batteries removable packs like the electrical drills?

Oh ya. I also ordered a spare battery for mine along with a spare set of props, micro SD cards, etc .
It just dawned on me that I need to pick up a small 12v to 110v inverter also, so I can recharge onboard.

 

[AndyVS]

He has flown the balloon once and did recover the package. He lives in the UK and he has been talking about this for some time. I was ho-hum about it till I saw the first stunning images. Here is a link for more info about the project.

 

[Meriachee]

It just dawned on me that I need to pick up a small 12v to 110v inverter also, so I can recharge onboard

Is the charger usb?

 

[RussC]

Is the charger usb?

Just by looking at the photos online it appears that the charger supplied has a 110 power cord.

 

[Meriachee]

That’s what’s great about the Mavic. Charge from the boat!

 

[RussC]

That’s what’s great about the Mavic. Charge from the boat!

$15.oo inverter ordered

 

[RussC]

That's not a kite reel....
THIS is a kite reel :

 

[agprice22]

DJI Phantom 3 used on Craigslist... $250. it will fly 20 minutes, shoot HD video, and fly 25 mph. Those are conservative numbers. I had one. DJI makes excellent drones.

 

[Meriachee]

Yeah, but, does it fit in a small case, with three batteries and literally everything you could think you need and charge via a USB plug.
I’ve never flown the Mavic in “sport” mode, and doubt that I ever will, but what I read suggests it could easily keep up with any of our boats.