What's the best Drone for boating?

ttmott

ttmott

PhD in OCD
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TECHNICAL Contributor
Apr 3, 2012
8,127
Space Coast Florida
Boat Info
2006 52 Sedan Bridge
Engines
Cummins QSM11
We are always looking for great spots to spear fish, catch conch and lobster, and general snorkeling in the Bahamas and Keys. So I'm looking for a drone to do "recon" around the island we are anchored at for the best locations. I'm looking at the DJI Mavic Air drone but to be honest, it's all new territory for me and I've never piloted a drone. So, your help and input would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks, Tom
 
I had an entry model Yuneek Breeze4k... had... it was great till decided to plunge into Gulf of Mexico!

Just received a DJI Mavic 2 Pro with Goggles RE bundle. Had to wait to today to receive a new phone to operate. Added the DJI insurance... Will be using for my business as well.

You get what you pay for.... get extra batteries for flight time... piloting not too hard, go slow at first... hard part is launching and landing from boat!! I plan on learning the hand catch and release...
 
I have owned several DJI Phantoms, and now, I have the 4 Pro. I feel it's the best for the following reasons--where there are no cell towers, I can fly it more than five miles away (though never wise to lose sight of it, for long), batteries last for nearly a 25 minutes of flight, it has obstacle detection in every direction but "up", it's relatively easy to learn to fly, since the hover feature and it's GPS system are sophisticated, the company has pretty good support, it's fairly durable, it can fly in 30 mph winds, with not much trouble, the cameras are 12megapixel and 4k video, the screen is very bright, which is important for sunny days on the water. for the under $1500 market, i don't think there's any competition for this unit.
 
Although the phantoms are excellent drones I feel they are geared more for an experienced or commercial “photographer” etc. I have a mavic pro for a year now and believe this would be a stable more affordable entry drone for what you want. It has obstacle avoidance as well as being very stable in 20 mph winds and I have sent it 2 plus miles away.
I finally sent it out over the water during the summer and feel it is so solid I’m not worried about it any longer.
Have taken it on vacation to Turks and Caicos and went out over the ocean for amazing beach videos.
27 mins flight time and a 4 mile range buy extra batts
I highly recommend paying for the DJI refresh program when you purchase (don’t ask)
Of course the video/photos are excellent quality.
I love this drone...
One advantage the phantoms have is the landing gear which makes a hand landing /take off easier from a boat.
 
yes, you should buy the mavic.
 
For a first time buyer I would look at the DJI Spark. Very close in size and performance to a Mavic, but half the money. Look for a flymore combo with whatever model you choose, it will have the extra battery and accessories included , same features and flight program, just doesn't have a 4K video camera. Spark camera is 12 mgpixel w/1080 video, no 4K.

go to you tube and search for Dji mavic vs. Dji spark.

I have been flying drones over ten years.
 
Good data - thanks!
Sublimetime - I'm targeting the Mavic Air (but still open) as it ends up being the same cost as the Spark when you add the controller to the Spark and the Air has a greater 4km maximum range and the camera is superior which I'll probably find useful on the islands. At least that was my take-away from the YouTube videos.

One thing I forgot to ask is what smart-device is best to pair the drone controller with; I'm more tethered to Apple products BTW.
 
I use an iPad mini. Download the DJI go4 app or litchi app and your good to go. Let us know which drone you end up with
 
one thing no matter which drone u get …. PRACTICE LANDING !!!!!!!

Retrieving a drone with wind and current NOT FUN … Im pretty damn good but when the low battery starts beeping , u start to sweat and the pucker affect kicks in... Just an FYI !

Rob
 
Robski97 said:
one thing no matter which drone u get …. PRACTICE LANDING !!!!!!!

Retrieving a drone with wind and current NOT FUN … Im pretty damn good but when the low battery starts beeping , u start to sweat and the pucker affect kicks in... Just an FYI !

Rob
Click to expand...


Rob, do you hand catch yours? with my Breeze, i would launch/land on bow deck.. that was sketchy.. plan on practicing hand with the M2P
 
ttmott said:
Where do you guys keep your boats?
Click to expand...

They aren’t a problem at my dock, but they’re becoming a PIA at a local anchoring spot. As long as you don’t have the range to annoy us in Zack’s Bay on Long Island you’re good.
 
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Anchorages are my favorite places to fly.
They’re full of beautiful boats
 
ttmott, be careful in the Bahamas now with the drone. You have to get an import permit (imagine that, more fees.)

There have been reports that drones have been confiscated without the permit.
 
Get 'em while they are still legal! I can see this hobby going down in flames in our lifetimes. If you look at some of the features being added to the DJI drones to control where/how they fly I think you'll agree that future flight restrictions are a foregone conclusion. The newest rigs will already refuse to turn on if they sense they are close to an airport. I think some will automatically land if you go within the boundary of an airport.

There are a lot of restrictions, and more coming, like not being legal to fly drones over people, fly within 5 miles of an airport without notifying them, fly in the dark, fly over national parks, fly beyond line-of-site....etc and so on. I assume there is almost zero enforcement of this....but still.

I imagine you'll eventually have to have liability insurance for drones in the US. Especially if you've taken steps to get licensed and make money with the drone (maybe that's already a thing?).


If you turn on all of the layers in the map below you can see all the clutter out there. Kinda interesting.

https://faa.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=9c2e4406710048e19806ebf6a06754ad
 
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