(Part 2) Top products from r/djiphantom

The first blades I linked, the self tightening ones are very close. However slightly different. More to the point they aren't made by DJI. You can get either type really (DJI or 3rd party) but I've had great luck with the MayTech blades. The DJI ones are labeled as 9" and the MayTech ones are labeled as 9.4", they may be different sizes in which case you'd not want to mix them. If I were you I'd just grab about 4 pairs (2 full sets) or more of 9"+ blades (either self-tightening or normal with prop nuts). If you get prop nuts now you can get cheaper blades more easily and have more options later.

While the ones I've linked I've had good luck with I'd urge caution when buying generic blades from cheapo unknown brands. Some of them are really good and some of them can come extremely imbalanced. If they come imbalanced your quad will vibrate harder putting the internals under greater stress, making your video blurry or shaky and reducing thrust efficiency mitigating battery life.

If you're going to try out different blades a Prop Balancer would be a good investment. Basically you clamp the propeller on to it and its super low friction bar will cause the heavy blades to hang lower. You take it off the stand and use a fine grain sand paper (I prefer a sanding sponge) to slowly remove material from the heavier side. Then put it back on, weigh it and repeat until it basically has no side heavier than another. There are a lot of tutorials on YouTube about this.

Just the yesterday when I was taking off a strong gust pushed my Phantom over and my carbon fiber blades ground against the concrete leaving ugly frayed rough edges unbalancing the blades and causing increased wind resistance at the tip. When I got back home I sanded out the rough edges and re-balanced them. They aren't perfect anymore but they are close and I've extended their usable life. Once you've got some substantial pits in your blades or they are super-imbalanced it's time to replace them.

Lume Cubes are delightful little flashlights, but they have a relatively few use cases on a drone. I say "relatively few" because the light source still has to be somewhat close to the subject to receive enough illumination. You can see some demonstrations in this video.

If you're looking to do photography from your drone at night, I don't think Lume Cubes will do much for you. The photos will probably look rather lame. However, if you're looking to do some photography using a handheld camera with your drone as a lighting device, you could get some use out of Lume Cubes.

I purchased a couple Lume Cubes to put on a mount with a GoPro Session camera. I then suspend this mount from a drone, fly it far out over the ocean at night, and drop it off so that it floats about 2 feet under the surface of the water until the lights run out of battery. I will then be able to reel the mount into shore using a fishing pole. Unfortunately I haven't had a chance to use this setup yet, but the idea is that any neat nighttime ocean creatures hanging out in the water column will be attracted to the light and I could capture them on video. I suspect that I'd be able to see little squids.

If you're looking for an accessory for making night flights safer, I strongly recommend looking at this product over Lume Cubes. These little LED lights are insanely bright. If you turn them on while looking straight at them, you'll have rainbow blotches in your vision for a long while. They are definitely visible for at least 3 nautical miles. Despite their phenomenal brightness, the battery lasts for well over an hour and they weigh almost nothing. They are absolutely perfect for drones. I give the lights five stars.

I got one of these as an interim solution; http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B001SFK84O?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s01
it's just a fraction too small to fit a P2 with the props on but tbh, it only takes a few seconds to set up/break it down. At just over £60 this case is durable, waterproof and well worth it. The downside is that the pick & pluck foam just won't cut it long term with daily usage, but overall I'm relatively happy with it considering the outlay. Hope this helps...

Blackmagic Display, iOSD, & Immersion is the setup i'm working with and i'ts been great so far. Here's everything I bought for mine.

I'm sure someone here will probably be able to point out something better, but i'm happy.

• https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FKZZQQS/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
  
• https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BW7HS00/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1
  
  
• https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LGCYHWI/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s03?ie=UTF8&psc=1
  
• https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LDX65OS/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
  
• https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GLJ7UVQ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1
  
• https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EYYX9NS/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The location of more open fields.

1. Set-up was not bad, but it took me awhile to find a nice way of toting everything around.
   
   
2. With the Phantom, at first it was just trying to keep in mind all of the procedures and 'what-to-do-ifs' it's quite a lot to take in at first. Flying smoothly in general took practice. I learned to fly on a very tiny Estes Proto X and crashed it about 500 times. It's so small and unstable that it's a really tricky quadrotor to learn on, but it's so lightweight that it can generally take a beating. When i was good at flying it in nice smooth figure-8s, jumping to the Phantom was a piece of cake.
   
   
3. Learning to fly low, and be a better camera-man. Every shot should have a focal point and tell a story. Learning to pan left/right slowly enough took time too. Quick turns are pretty vomit-inducing in video!

I have this one, which seems to be rather popular. It works fine, although I wish it had more support on the sides.

it's possible, but the amount of extra equipment you'd need would outweigh and outprice the cheaper LCD option i mentioned earlier. You can get a 7" lcd on amazon prime for like <$25 like this http://amzn.com/B007SLDF7O and hook it up to the boscam reciever. Power everything with a 3s lipo.

I got some straps like these at the hardware store and fastened my case to a pack frame like this one. It's decently comfortable.

If you have a GoPro4 you might want the one with the H4-3D ... They are almost the same, but the GoPro4 has a slightly different balance on the gimbal and some cut out for a new side button on the GoPro4. You can reconfigure the H3-3D in software to compensate for the balance, but might need to put in a shim to prevent the side button from being hit. Some people have no issue with GP4 on the H3 gimbal, others do. Some people don't mind tinkering ... other's want turnkey simplicity.

http://www.amazon.com/DJI-Phantom-Quadcopter-Bundle-Zenmuse/dp/B00SHUEPBK/

Other than that for time delay photography or basic video, you are set.

Only if you also want a live preview feed to frame your shots will you need to do anything else. If not, just turn on the camera, take it up in the air and point it at your subject.

For live SD preview:

• You'll need a monitor
  
• 32Ch Generic - http://www.amazon.com/FlySight-Black-Pearl-Diversity-Integrated/dp/B00KR69WHY/
  
• 7ch ImmersionRC - http://www.amazon.com/FlySight-Diversity-Monitor-Integrated-Battery/dp/B00LGCYHWI/
  
• Video Transmitter
  
  • 32ch Generic - http://www.amazon.com/AUTO-VOX-Boscam-600mw-Wireless-Transmitter/dp/B00L31LI0Q/
    
• 7ch ImmersionRC - http://www.amazon.com/Immersion-600mw-5-8-GHz-Transmitter/dp/B00BW7HS00/
  
• Optional but recomended if you are going through the trouble... On Screen Display module that overlays important info such as battery and GPS status on the video feed.
  
• DJI iOSD Mini - http://www.amazon.com/DJI-iOSD-Mini-Real-Time-Information/dp/B00FKZZQQS/
  
• Might also need a monitor mount - http://www.amazon.com/Hobbypower-Monitor-Bracket-Support-Transmitter/dp/B00JFU47O6/
  
• Likely want upgraded cloverleaf antennas.
  
  Technically ... Due to the power of those video transmitters, you'll also want to get yourself an entry level HAM radio license if you are operating this in the US.
  
  For live HD preview ... Buy yourself an Inspire 1. The cost of the included HD stream system alone ($1400 DJI Lightbridge) makes the Inspire 1 a better buy then adding it a Phantom 2. Crazy, but that's the state of live HD wireless feeds right now.

I highly recommend this as its lightweight and very subtle. Not obvious at all that you have a drone, which I appreciate. However, you would have to remove the props.

Atomik RC Universal Drone Backpack Case Fits: 200/250/350/DJI Phantom/FPV Quadcopters https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00W536W9I/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_0NrHxbY1DC2N4

I'm wondering if something like this would be of help to not have to solder?

Phantom 2 FPV Hub

Manual for it

I just did this over the weekend with my racer quad and might do this with my P3P. You'll want some good protection. I picked up a 4' x 2' sheet of something called Kaizen foam from a local Rockler. You can also get it at fastcap.com for about $23 USD.

I used an old assault pack I used in Iraq (lot of memories with that bag) and it would be he same with a camping pack. Cut the foam to fit in the bag, stack it as deep as you need to go, outline, and cut with a razor blade. I could throw this bag down the stairs and everything would be fine.

Since the bag was about $80 new (back in 2006, mind you) and the foam was $23, I'm cheaper than most dedicated packs and it's a lot less noticeable.

I have roughly $1000 just in backpacks (mostly camera bags, but also drone stuff). After doing this, I doubt I'll go back to a "phantom bag" or "camera bag".

Pics for the curious: here

Edit: couldn't find an exact version of my bag, but this one is extremely close: Sandpiper of California Bugout Backpack (ACU Camo, 22x15.5x8-Inch) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004NX43IU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awd_Z9-9wb6Q376VV

https://www.amazon.com/Parabolic-Advanced-Controller-Transmitter-Extender/dp/B017IP2P98/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1496172696&sr=8-4&keywords=phantom+3+signal+reflectors

You don't need the gold one. This one is more expensive than the $10 one, but that one only comes with one piece. You might save money with aluminum but I haven't tried that so I'm not sure

And if portability is a concern look at the atomic backpack. Got this for my advanced and it's incredibly portable and looks like your carrying a bag around for school while protecting your drone

https://www.amazon.com/Atomik-RC-Universal-Drone-Backpack/dp/B00W536W9I

Love the idea, but head's up...

> Please note that this is sold as a single piece. 4 are needed to make a complete set.

@ 15.50 a piece, you're looking at $62 for a set. DJI's are currently going for $19 for a full set. Screwing them on isn't THAT inconveient for 3x price IMO.

http://www.amazon.com/DJI-Part28-Phantom-Series-9-Inch/dp/B00I4N7KBW/

I use this. It's extremely durable and keeps the quad safe inside.

I have this, it's just copper plates that go over the antennas. They definitely work, so I'm sure one you have to install like that would work even better.

The only issue I face with mine is if I try to fly straight above myself the signal gets bad as the range extenders are trying to push the signal straight out. I did a test flight with them the other day and flew 3200 feet away with zero signal loss according to my logs. Looking at my other logs where I didn't even fly half that distance I would get signal loss in the same area without the range extender.

not really, the built in FPV on the vision is crap, and the camera isn't that great, you made the right choice setting up your own rig and getting a go pro that you can actually use without your phantom. this is the monitor and i have it wired up to this battery pack. I spent about 170 total and have 3x the range and better quality than a vision or vision+

You were able to get a DJI Phantom 2 for $450?

edit: I found it link You realized this was a used phantom, right OP?

Or for $10 [on Amazon] (http://amzn.com/B00EYYX9NS)

http://www.amazon.com/UAV-Bits-Phantom-Reinforcement-Plates/dp/B013CAOM1W

I have this guy, love it: https://smile.amazon.com/Case-Club-Waterproof-Phantom-Propellers/dp/B01D96K6DW/

If you think this is a one-time-purchase then you are dead wrong. You will crash, it is a matter of when and how. If you beat the odds, then good for you, you'll then want to buy upgrades. Save up and get a Phantom 2 with H3-3D and a GoPro 3+... If you can't afford that, just get a Hubsan X4 $40 and learn to fly and save money.

Here is the kit I bought. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00I08F7UM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I would not mind using the provided camera and not the gopro. Just lost on how to route the IOSD in the mix.

Personally if I were you, I'd ditch the prop guards and replace them with the prop arm reinforcement plates. I cracked my the shell of my drone and the replacement was about 60 bucks. The reinforcement plates are not compatible with the prop guards but they will help keep the bottom part of the shell from being damaged in a crash. The two parts of the shell are EXTREMELY hard to get apart. Personally I am just not a fan of the prop guards, they seem to have a pretty noticeable effect of the flight of the drone.

I'd also consider getting one of the gamble guards, it is just a little bar that goes between the landing gear.

http://www.amazon.com/UAV-Bits-Phantom-Reinforcement-Plates/dp/B013CAOM1W

http://www.amazon.com/SKYREAT-Gimbal-Phantom-Protects-Camera/dp/B00ZGADDVW/ref=pd_bxgy_21_img_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=0X0HJCWRTRWPMBR28XRN

Those props you linked to, are these the same ones minus the colored screw in the center? Obviously very green just got my phantom last week and I was looking to get some extra props as we broke one of the first flight.

Get a cheap small quadcopter to practice / crash / practice. Learning to fly well is the best way to prevent damage to your phantom. Also, learn to fly well in atti mode (no GPS help)

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00IZC6C8E/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1417370608&sr=8-1


http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00D3IN11Q/ref=mp_s_a_1_fkmr0_1?qid=1417370779&sr=8-1-fkmr0&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70

Some people feel that the propeller protectors ( http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00BS4KUCK/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1417371068&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SY200_QL40 ) can cause vortex ring state and could cause a crash. ( DJI Phantom 2 - Prop Guards explained. - Also T…: http://youtu.be/4LcnVgbxdiI ) I personally fly with out them. It saves weight and makes you fly more cautiously.

***Download and read this 50 page manual!... Read it twice!! Everything you need to know about the Phantom2 V+
https://www.dropbox.com/s/bi24lrdja4ler29/DJI%20Phantom%20Vision%20Summary%20Guide.pdf?dl=0

Watch phantom crash YouTube videos and figure out why they crashed, learn from it.