(Part 2) Top products from r/DJISpark

Return to home is a nightmare for newbs. Use at your peril!

Buy extra batteries (I have 5 in total, 3-4 is ideal). For the same price as one more battery, buy a RAVPower charger that use can charge your phone, your batteries, and your remote with (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B019IFIJW8/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1).

I bought a cheap hard case, which holds 6 batteries, the Spark, the controller, plus the RAVPower and extra props (under $30, and I toss it in my backpack if I go out on a trail where you look like a weirdo carrying a little suitcase, lol).https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B072QWG49K/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I bought a landing pad, was not sure I needed it, but glad I got it. I live in a sandy area (beach, plus sandy trails in the woods), so this is a must. $14: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XQP7MHQ/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Watch for interference from your phone bluetooth, and if you have an iOS watch, that can cause issues too.

BUY the insurance from DJI. Day one, 5th flight in, the Spark started drifting in ATTI mode (google it!). Basically it was acting erratically, and I was flying around 5-7' off the ground, and it was headed into a street. I used the RTH (return to home) button, and it kept drifting, until it was under a large tree. Then, it rose up to the return to home height, chopping its way through the tree, until it did not, and crashed. may you have better luck!

Image wise, be aware that the Spark tends to blow out extreme highlights (surf foam, sand, etc.). The lack of RAW sucks, but you can always underexpose a bit. There is a AEB feature though that is super easy to enable, it basically takes 3 exposures (metered, + one stop, - one stop). Even if you don't merge the three, you will at least have your pick of the three.

For post work, on iOS I use SnapSeed the most. It basically works like the desktop NIK imaging suite works. Great program! (and I clean up stuff professionally) For Desktop post still work, I use Luminar & Aurora for HDR (and the NIK suite).

The Spark is a great first drone, you will have a blast! cheers.

I'd be careful adding any additional weight on, even 10g will take the flight time down a fair bit.

This one is £15 - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Kingwon-Quadcopter-Helicopter-Easy-fold-Accessories/dp/B01N2XPX8K/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1497973375&sr=8-3&keywords=drone+landing+pad

Does the job perfectly and the Spark loves it!

Polar pro case
Fits 2 extra and slimmer than the original case

Controller joystick guard
You can probably find a cheaper one.

Gimbal guard Extra protection while in the bag.

Phone Hood

Power Bank

This is my set up if I'm going outdoor. They don't take up that much space so. You can fit it in any size of backpack you want.

Hydration backack
The quality is ok for the price. I dont use the bladder when I have my spark inside.

there isnt really anything out there yet but the best thing right now would be to use this https://www.amazon.ca/StarTech-com-Micro-Adapter-Male-Female/dp/B00BFYH11Q/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1498772280&sr=8-8&keywords=male+micro+usb+to+female+usb and then go to a short lightning https://www.amazon.ca/Certified-HomeSpot-centimeters-Lightning-compatible/dp/B00MO0IL32/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1498772172&sr=8-2&keywords=5+inch+lightning+cable

You may be best off just buying an inverter that connects to the car power socket and has a standard wall outlet on it

Something like this: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01KT26D68/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1523839867&sr=8-3&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=car+inverter&dpPl=1&dpID=518lk0a4PRL&ref=plSrch

I have a 10,000 mah pack and it only charges a spark battery 1 time. And takes hours. The Spark supports the Quickcharge 3.0, so getting a power bank with that will reduce charge times. Like this one:

https://www.amazon.com/AUKEY-30000mAh-Portable-Charger-Nintendo/dp/B01F8IRIN0/ref=sr_1_20?s=wireless&ie=UTF8&qid=1524670565&sr=1-20&keywords=quick+charge+3.0+power+bank

I use This cable, bought it from Best Buy haven't had any connection issues. Although I'm using iPhone

Haven't tried one yet but have been looking a lot at things like this.
https://www.amazon.com/Hooshion-Controller-Sunshade-Smartphone-Accessories/dp/B01N2Y92B2/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1500211190&sr=8-3&keywords=mavic+sun+hood

im guessing something like this with a usb-micro usb adapter

The hubsan x4 was my first quad. I learned so much on it. And they are cheaper than ever now. If you are new to flying and just got or are thinking about getting a spark or even a more expensive drone, I HIGHLY recommend grabbing an x4 and learning the ins and outs of quad control on something that won't break your heart when you break it. We all scrapped our knees when learning to walk. Learning to fly is no different.

Hubsan X4 (H107L) 4 Channel 2.4GHz RC Quadcopter, Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IZC6C8E/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_.jg6AbAFEV9W0

This is what I have.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01COOQIKU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_FFaHzbR4SNK5D

I plug in the white cable that came with the spark into that adapter,and the other end into the controller. The type C end go's into my phone.

Here:

Lowepro ViewPoint BP250 - A Multi-Purpose Backpack for DJI Mavic Pro/Mavic Pro Platinum, DJI Spark, 360 Fly or GoPro Action Cameras https://www.amazon.com/dp/B014CKVZWU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_AQCZCb9N9T30N

It's a Anemometer aka Wind Speed Meter
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00KYL3VNS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_7jd2CbVBDK0N4

We've had this discussion on this Sub previously and after some back and forth and testing, we discovered that you need to have a micro-USB OTG cable. It seems that the OTG cables for USB-C only intend for the Phone side (USB-C) to be the host instead of the controller side. So most likely you will need a micro-USB to USB-A OTG cable followed by a USB-A to USB-C cable.

I use the following two things:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B015GZOHKW/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01809N39W/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Lexar microSD To Lightning Lesegerät - LRWMLBEU https://www.amazon.de/dp/B012PKZ10G

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B074PMMSQR

Using an iPad Mini 3 along with this

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N7RFDBA

Basically, i used a 1/4"-20 D-Ring screwed into the camera tripod mount hole, something like this (can't remember where i got the one i have):

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00Z41O916

The rest was zip ties; one snuggly around the drone, one through the d-ring, strong and light nylon cord, and a small carabiner to hold everything together and make it easy to attach it detach while the drone is hovering closely.

In the video, my camera was laying in the grass when the drone took off (i don't recommend this, could drag and damage camera) but at the end, i detached it before landing.

Lexar microSD To Lightning Reader - LRWMLBNL https://www.amazon.com/dp/B012PKYVT8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_c5eYzbGBM8CEJ

This thing seriously is a game changer. No more keeping your Spark on just to offload images/video. Just eject the card, throw it into the reader, and then connect to the phone to use the Lexar app to pick and choose which ones you want to download to your camera roll.

No, i have the old mico-usb. I'm not sure if it's a usb-c issue. I am using the otg connector that came with my phone (this one). i plug that otg connector into the remote and then the micro-usb end into the phone.