I have viewed a plethora of kayaking videos over the years but this particular one was absolutely superb! This is the video (as well as your other videos) that I would use to introduce a friend into kayaking. Every aspect of this little production excelled.
Thanks so much for your comment and great feedback. We love kayaking and sharing these and hope to inspire others. Port Townsend is one of our favorites!
Can you launch and receive your drone on return to your kayak while you are paddling? I guess what I am asking, (trying to be a little clearer...) is does your drone's homing feature depend on a fixed GPS identified spot so you would have to remain in the exact spot you launched it from in order for you to receive it on its return, or does the drone identify with and return to the handheld controller, such that you can be in motion and the drone will simply follow and return to you wherever you are? Also, if you do launch and return your drone from your kayak, can you just simply reach up and grab it on its return without risk or fear of the rotors whacking your fingers?
Thanks for your comment. Most drone flights we do are from land (it's much safer). I don't recommend flying from the water, but if you are going to try it here is some of what we have learned to help make things safer. Occasionally we do fly from the kayak, only with extremely calm conditions with low / no wind, calm water, no significant currents, and generally while floating, and sometimes while paddling if the drone is in follow or active track mode. If we fly from water we are near land for safety. As you mentioned, drones "return to home" mode generally return to the GPS point of launch, but my Mavic (and I think most have this) has an option to return to the current GPS location of the pilot. That said, I generally don't use / rely on this feature, but more sight of the drone, the controller map, and the controller view that the drone is seeing to get the drone back to the current position of the kayak. I generally return with 30%+ battery power remaining so there is plenty of time for landing. I do hand launch and catch when flying from my kayak, but strongly caution if you are trying this to get research and very good at doing it safely on land in a sitting down position before you attempt with kayak. Many of the newer smaller drones are purpose made with features for hand launch / land, but you will have to see whether this is feasible with your drone. Hope that helps. Be safe.
I have viewed a plethora of kayaking videos over the years but this particular one was absolutely superb! This is the video (as well as your other videos) that I would use to introduce a friend into kayaking. Every aspect of this little production excelled.
Thanks so much for your comment and great feedback. We love kayaking and sharing these and hope to inspire others. Port Townsend is one of our favorites!
I love all of your videos! I especially enjoy now that you are adding commentary and tips!!
Thanks for you comment and great feedback.
I had to watch at 12:52 twice to make sure I actually saw the cars and bicyclist going in reverse. ha
😎
Can you launch and receive your drone on return to your kayak while you are paddling? I guess what I am asking, (trying to be a little clearer...) is does your drone's homing feature depend on a fixed GPS identified spot so you would have to remain in the exact spot you launched it from in order for you to receive it on its return, or does the drone identify with and return to the handheld controller, such that you can be in motion and the drone will simply follow and return to you wherever you are? Also, if you do launch and return your drone from your kayak, can you just simply reach up and grab it on its return without risk or fear of the rotors whacking your fingers?
Thanks for your comment. Most drone flights we do are from land (it's much safer). I don't recommend flying from the water, but if you are going to try it here is some of what we have learned to help make things safer. Occasionally we do fly from the kayak, only with extremely calm conditions with low / no wind, calm water, no significant currents, and generally while floating, and sometimes while paddling if the drone is in follow or active track mode. If we fly from water we are near land for safety. As you mentioned, drones "return to home" mode generally return to the GPS point of launch, but my Mavic (and I think most have this) has an option to return to the current GPS location of the pilot. That said, I generally don't use / rely on this feature, but more sight of the drone, the controller map, and the controller view that the drone is seeing to get the drone back to the current position of the kayak. I generally return with 30%+ battery power remaining so there is plenty of time for landing. I do hand launch and catch when flying from my kayak, but strongly caution if you are trying this to get research and very good at doing it safely on land in a sitting down position before you attempt with kayak. Many of the newer smaller drones are purpose made with features for hand launch / land, but you will have to see whether this is feasible with your drone. Hope that helps. Be safe.