Drone

[Aldaron]

Bummer. But hey, you got a new camera! I've been eyeballing the Phantom Vision 2 after seeing this and your Flaming Gorge trip reports and hearing about it from @langutah. In addition to the obvious draws, it might be good for business by getting aerial shots of properties. Pretty tough to pony up $1200 though...

I didn't want to hijack the Winds trip report:

Free $150 battery right now:

http://dronesetc.com/

I also saw this:

http://www.airdroids.com/

But an article in Outside this month pretty well convinced me that I don't think drones have a place in the wilderness, so I don't think I want the small drone.

 

[Artemus]

They are NOT drones, Keith! too many negative connotations. If we get a few more owners here I will start an aerial photos thread...

 

[Nick]

Maybe starting an aerial photos thread might inspire a few more owners.

 

[Aldaron]

They are NOT drones, Keith! too many negative connotations.

Like the Pocket Drone? Or the Phantom from Drones, Etc?

 

[Artemus]

Maybe starting an aerial photos thread might inspire a few more owners.

Maybe. Eyes wide open for a new thread.

 

[Artemus]

Like the Pocket Drone? Or the Phantom from Drones, Etc?

Nope. I prefer "Unmanned Aerial Vehicle" or "Semi-Automated Aerial Camera Platform"

 

[Bob]

Still the same, flys low, mechanical, radio control. Word play. Unless used for emergency they should be banned.... first one buzzes me its it's last flight.

 

[Nick]

I deleted the 'drone hunting' post from the aerial shots thread. If you guys want to debate whether these things are good or bad, that's cool, but not in a thread that is intended to encourage people to share photos. This would be a more appropriate thread for that.

 

[Bob]

 

[Artemus]

Interesting news this week.

Looks like I have lost the battle to call these aircraft "Unmanned, GPS-Stabilized, Aerial Camera Platforms" instead of Drones with all the attendant negative connotations.... SIgh.

The FAA awarded the first commercial licenses for drones to a few film-makers. Serious restrictions attached including that the operator has a private pilot's license. This, I am sure, is just the first step in what will be flood of licenses or the complete opening up to almost all commercial use.
http://online.wsj.com/articles/faa-set-to-approve-filmmaking-drones-1411667976