Drone Users Advice Needed

[ToddW850]

Bought the GoPro Karma 2 days ago. Loved everything about what I saw. However I can't get the thing off the ground because I'm in a No Fly Zone.

I pulled up the Air Map app and it shows a blue shaded area covering 3 counties where I am and even going into the Gulf. The Karma remote shows this same area, but in red. I live near Eglin AFB and I'm guessing that's why but people here fly drones ALL the time. Maybe not the Karma?

Guy at Best Buy said he knows the other drones will fly here and Karma had SOME restrictions, but not THIS big. He also mentioned GoPro maybe working on an update to loosen the restriction a bit? Does that even sound right?

My question is to @Ronnie and other experts, is there a way I can fly this here? Or do I need to return it? I don't need to fly it high but need to fly it around properties here for my wife's real estate. I've held it indoors so it can't find the GPS. The motors will turn but it blocks me again as I make it outside. Pretty frustrating.

I've attached pics of the app and the controller. And why would other drones fly where Karma doesn't?

 

[Ronnie]

short of someone hacking the firmware or getting permission with a license maybe you can find a drone that wont restrict you from flying maybe the phantom 3 standard, same generation yuncee and some of the smaller drones by parrot.

I feel what your frustration, after a mandatory update there is a no fly zone two houses down from mine, so the drone hits an imaginary wall if its in the air same is true of some on water footage.

 

[ToddW850]

Dang @Ronnie. I just don't understand this huge area by me the Karma won't fly but others will.

 

[spatty99]

Here is a screenshot of the flight restrictions using the DJI Mavic on their flight software. It looks like there are some huge areas requiring authorization.

 

[ToddW850]

Thanks @spatty99 . Looks like I could still fly the Mavic here though. Unlike the Karma.

I downloaded the B4UFLY app and they don't have it near like NFZ like Air Map does. Looks like Karma copied Air Map.

Here's the kicker. Air Map shows the area in blue, but GoPro put it in Red. Why?

 

[MrWizard]

Just recently purchased the dji Mavic Pro, and unlike yours I can fly in NFZ's. The software DOES say that I'm in a NFZ and will try to deny takeoff but it can be overriden.
I simply contact the local airport tower, advise them of my flight plans (typically a 2 minute call) and go about my flight.

I would caution you that if you're attempting to use your Drone for any kind of commercial use, you want to be licensed AND insured. Just a heavy suggestion. Especially since there could come a day when your Drone malfunctions causing damage...but I'm not the Drone police so do as you will.

Enjoy flying, I love mine!!

I'm attaching a picture of a local landmark shot using my Mavic... Curious if anyone knows where it is! No Google'ing! Lol

 

[0627Devildog]

My lakehouse is in a NoFly zone on my Mavic Pro due to the proximity to a local airstrip. However, the controller give me an option to override and "accept responsibility" after checking 2 boxes, and tapping accept.

 

[Ronnie]

@ToddW850 , if you can live with much shorter flight times you can get into a DJI spark with remote for about $700. The spark is much better than the karma in my opinion (more reliable connection, positioning systems and tuning options). It doesn't look too me like GoPro is going to give Karma users the option to accept the risks of flying in a no fly zone like DJI does for its customers.

 

[Bluewater272]

Mavic (and other DJI products) will let you waive through most no-fly zones, except the 'real ones', around military installations, international airports, Washington DC, etc. Also, if you're truly using it for marketable photos, I'd recommend against the GoPro anyway, you'll get significantly better quality out of the Mavic or Phantom lines. Spark's too much of an expensive toy to be worth its price.

 

[Ronnie]

I like the spark for its advanced flight modes/preprogrammed routes. The phantom and Mavic have some but not all of them and it's price with controller is comparable to that of the karma without a camera. If you bought the karma with the camera you'd spend about the same money as the Mavic without the extra batteries (flymore package). The spark without a remote is very limited speed and distance wise but at $500 you get what you pay for.

 

[Bluewater272]

Pretty sure the Mavic just got a bunch of the new Spark modes in yesterday's firmware release. I haven't updated yet to try them out.

 

[ToddW850]

Thanks for all the replies and information. As much as I wanted to have the GoPro Karma, I returned it for the DJI Mavic Pro. Finally got a good bit of flying time today where my Karma refused me. Hope to be up to @Ronnie level before to long haha

 

[Ronnie]

@ToddW850 , thanks for the compliment but I hope that you surpass me where flying and videography are concerned. I just haven't had time to fly on or off the water and seem to have even less time to produce videos.

Although the Mavic is a little more expensive than the karma with a camera and about the same price with it, I think you will be much happier with the Mavic. Lots of flight time, supports two satellite systems, killer camera, increasing number of flight modes, true follow me/controller mode, etc. one of the spark's latest firmware upgrade added the ability to take 3 different types of panoramic pics and record in best sure mode (the Mavic has a gesture mode but many have either forgotten or don't care about it as it's rarely mentioned in YouTube videos). I'd be surprised if the Mavic does not have the same advanced flight modes do the same in the future if it doesn't already. I learn a lot about the Mavic by watching YouTube videos. Good stuff, mostly, especially if you run into flight related problems when flying over water or if you experience camera problems ever and/or need to calibrate the imu or compass.

 

[Bluewater272]

One thing to remember about the mavic looking at your photos, you have to focus it unlike many other drones. Just tap on the screen to focus on a subject.

 

[spatty99]

To add to the learning curve, the Litchi app is amazing for shooting smooth preplanned videos. Most of the flight modes are comparable (or worse) to the DJI app, but the waypoint mode is incredible. You give it a multipoint flight route and tell it where to look, pan, transition, speed, elevation, etc. (easier than it sounds), and it does it all on its own. Really powerful and no more jerky manual camera movements, easy to look professional using it.

 

[ToddW850]

Awesome and thanks again for all the pointers.

The pics above were actually screenshots of my play back video.

Took the boat out today and got some flying time. I'm really liking the Mavic. Still trying to sort through all the options.

 

[2kwik4u]

I know nothing about drones, and have nothing productive to add to the thread......BUT....WOW, that water looks awesome. Pretty lucky to be able to boat in that all the time. Color my jealous!!

 

[buckbuck]

Me too. That looks like carefully maintained pool water.

 

[ToddW850]

@2kwik4u and @buckbuck trust me, I count my blessings to live and boat here everyday.