(Part 3) Top products from r/dji

I went to Iceland this past February and took my Mavic Pro. Some tips I have for you are:

• Keep your batteries warm! The color temperature can really kill your battery life, or prevent the drone from turning on if the batteries are too cold. I put some of these hand warmers (https://www.amazon.com/HotHands-Hand-Warmers-Odorless-Activated/dp/B0007ZF4OA/ref=sr_1_3?s=outdoor-recreation&ie=UTF8&qid=1536981832&sr=1-3&keywords=hand+warmers) into a sock and placed them next to my batteries in my backpack. They did wonders to keep things just warm enough to maintain charge, but didn't make me worried at all that the heat would damage the batteries or anything else in the bag.
  
• Be careful of the wind! The wind in Iceland can be super unpredictable, especially as you move over steep drops or cliffs. I saw someone lose their Phantom when they flew it up over a ledge (we were standing below a cliff). My best guess is the wind gust above the cliff was much stronger and took the drone in the opposite direction from where we were standing. He tried to throw it into sport mode (I think) and fly it back, but the wind was too strong up over the cliffside.
  
• Be prepared to bring your drone back from flight at a moments notice. Again, the weather is unpredictable and can change in minutes. I arrived at a landmark and it was bright/sunny with barely a cloud in sight. I took the drone up and no joke, ten minutes later it was full on snowing with sleet and the entire sky above me was overcast. Just be aware and be ready to bring the drone back when things change. In Iceland they say if you don't like the weather, wait 10 minutes. This is 100% true of my experience in the winter.
  
• Be respectful to others. Icelanders are SUCH nice people. If there's a no drone sign I'd really encourage you to respectfully keep the drone in your bag and just enjoy the amazing scenery.

>The gimble, it appears to be VERY fragile, should I be concerned when making tight banking moves, and should I always keep the gimble lock on when transporting the drone?

-Yes, always lock it in while transporting. I feel like all it would take is one good drop or catching it on something while storing it and it could rip a cable or part off.

>I saw someone had a DJI app that showed them their flight time, like a data logger thing, it showed them their 'level' etc., (assuming its based on their stats), I can't seem to see this info anywhere within my app though?

• http://forum.dji.com/thread-8216-1-1.html
  
• http://forum.dji.com/thread-38789-1-1.html
  
  >What cases, other than the official DJI one, are you guys using?
  
  
• I am highly considering this one, but still need to make sure all the measurements line up. It looks like it would hold everything from a fly more package: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CF5OHZ2/
  
  >Photo settings, again anyone have a good combination for these?
  
  
• I've had great results with stock settings. All editing would be post, anyway.
  
  
  Going from a discovery to a Mavic, how ya like that left stick? LOL That's the hardest thing for me to get used to is not always controlling the throttle.
  

I use a Think Tank Photo Airport Helipak. It is definitely one of the more expensive options, but I love being able to carry my P3P, GoPros + Accessories, DSLR + Extra Lens, etc.

It also works as a carry-on, so it is great for traveling with your equipment.

I just snagged this a few weeks ago, taking it to Mexico next week: https://www.amazon.com/Lowepro-ViewPoint-BP250-Multi-Purpose-Backpack/dp/B014CKVZWU/ref=sr_1_3

It is pretty fuckin awesome. Mavic fits great in the smaller bag, with two batteries and controller in there. Can also take my laptop and kindle, and random other work stuff. I now have my Mavic with me at all times!

I bought a Mavic 2 Pro about 2 months ago and most recently took it to Scotland in this https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00ND21KS8?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_pd_title. I took it as carry on along with my camera, it’s very comfortable and keeps everything secure.

I bought the Fly More Kit which I recommend since you get two more batteries and the car charging cord for the batteries. In Scotland I would fly the drone and then drive while recharging the battery. I never swapped between more than two batteries at a time. I purchased two additional batteries with gift cards for a total of five batteries.

I often just run with a set of ND filters. I hardly use anything other than ND 16 on sunny days. ND 8 seldom on cloudy days. And in extreme sunshine, ND 32 but I also use that seldom. Better to underexpose your shot than overexpose with a wonky shutter speed. You can recover more detail in post that way and makes color grading easier. I don't use any color filters or polarizing ones either. I can achieve most of that in post anyway.

I pretty much leave this attached 90% of the time I fly.

No, it isn't, and here's why:

This is $6, weighs less than a gram, has no moving parts to break and is smaller than a stick of gum. Much like the HDD shown, it too requires a laptop or desktop to be useful. This is handy.

This is $179, which is more than the DJI unit, but it has a built in card reader AND a battery so you can use it in the field AND wifi so you don't even need to dig out a cable when you get home. That is handy.

If you want a 2tb external drive, here ya go - It's $70 (almost half off the DJI price), save yourself some time and just write DJI on with a sharpie.

That battery outputs only at 5v. You're going to want a battery that can output more power if you use other devices that require that for charging.

https://www.amazon.com/MAXOAK-50000mAh-Portable-External-Notebook/dp/B00YP823NA/

a similar alternative is something like this with the car charger
https://www.amazon.com/UHURU-38000mAh-Charger-Phantom3-Inverter/dp/B01J7PZPXU

http://store.dji.com/product/mavic-car-charger

Just to note though - batteries this large are extremely heavy. They're fine for something like car camping but if you're a backpacker counting ounces, it'll be pretty tough.

I'm actually pretty happy with this one:
Koozam NEW DJI Phantom 3 HardCase (Black) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QMBORJQ/ref=cm_sw_r_other_awd_m7VLwbGRFP075

I didn't want to pull the props and I didn't want to spend $200.

Caught it on sale for $99 before Christmas.

I have this case for my P3P and I LOVE it:

http://www.amazon.com/Seahorse-SE920FPL-OR-Protective-Equipment/dp/B00LLNJY34?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s02

https://www.amazon.com/Read-This-Want-Great-Photographs-ebook/dp/B00KS1QM0S

This will cover the basics and is a good read.

Edit: Get the physical copy, it's a good looking coffee table book.

Ape in Large. Mavic fits fine with front props removed. Comes with an inside case which works well for the controller. Also tried 3 Case Logic cases, this one below seems to work well.


Ape Case ACLC12 Zippered Adjustable or Attachable Large Case for Lenses (Black/Yellow)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009GA6CH0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_1Xiyyb2Z89MPH


Case Logic KAC-101 Kontrast Action-Cam Case (Black)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OZLQ0BS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_jZiyybXVGMMW9


Will try to get photos in the next couple of days.

http://www.amazon.com/Alpha-Pack-Backpack-Phantom-DronePacks/dp/B00KLU50MM

I have this one, super happy with it. Has tons of room and plenty of protection for the phantom. Also a comfy backpack

I'm going to try these: https://www.amazon.com/UGREEN-Adapter-Female-Samsung-Android/dp/B00N9S9Z0G based on the article https://unlimitedrone.com/2017/08/14/best-accessories-spark-2/

I just have one of these. The mavic charger is rated at 50w so you could get a much smaller one. You can just run it off your car.

I went for

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00WQTLB0G/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

$73.99

This -> Blackmagic Design Video Assist HDMI/6G-SDI Recorder https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00WRB0ZOG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_mNvwzb2ZAV7FJ

Really? Did you look for them?

Genuine DJI Phantom 1 Body Shell Frame Part #08(ship from California) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LAX4V6A/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_GrdMAbQ09ZJRS

https://www.amazon.com/DJI-Phantom-Hardshell-Backpack-CP-PT-000239/dp/B00ZWY68I2/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1480150190&sr=8-5&keywords=dji+hard+case

I use this backpack. Or my bigger bag if I'm travelling with all my cameras. Or my disc golf bag if i'm on the course.