As someone who isn't a fan of drones, I appreciate you taking the time to address the concerns surrounding them and informing us what you do to ensure those around you aren't disturbed. The fact that you use yours to scout terrain for skiing is a really interesting use case that I hadn't considered. Hope you're getting better snow than I am Tom. P.S. I just got myself a S-Bound 98, Xplore binding, & Alfa Free setup based on your recommendations. Hope to be skiing it soon!
I hope you get some snow soon. I've used my drone a lot in December, but I know that my use will drop off quickly as it adds a lot of complexity to my ski outings. All of the skiing segments in this video were on the SB 98's with either the Free's or the Vistas. They are a great combo, especially for soft snow. Thanks for tuning in and for posting feedback.
Love your videos as always! I came to learn more about XCD but it’s cool to see you exploring the technology landscape as well. Keep up the great work!
Thanks for this useful info, description of drone use and xc skiing. Does a personal, non-commercial user need a permit to fly in the BTNF? Love to see more drone footage.. I like yr use of scoping out snow/ trail conditions
The rules and requirements for drones are complex as there are many different use cases. The drone that I'm flying weighs under 250 grams and I am a non-commercial user, so my requirements differ from those flying heavier drones. There are areas in the BTNF that are off limits to drones, but most multi-use areas are not restricted, and can be flown, as long as the pilot follows the rules outlined by the FAA (in the US). Here is a link to the Forest Service guidance on the use of drones in the National Forests www.fs.usda.gov/visit/know-before-you-go/recreational-drone-tips#:~:text=UAS%20must%20be%20flown%20below,from%20congressionally%20designated%20wilderness%20areas. And here is a link to the FAA as a starting point to understand their rules www.faa.gov/uas/getting_started
I'm starting to fully understand why you were complaining about the buttons on the RC 2 controller. The video on/off button, and photo button, are right on the corners of the box, and very sensitive, so it is all too easy to hit them by mistake when setting down or picking up the controller, tucking it under a jacket, or whatever. I keep the controller hanging around my neck, rather than packing it, but still have this problem. Several times now I've set up a shot with active track or autopilot, done my thing, gone home thinking I have some great footage...and then discovered that I accidentally turned off video recording after the first 10 seconds. I've resorted to gluing a strip of metal over the video button. The programmable buttons on the bottom of the controller have been less of a problem for me, so I haven't tried to make a protector for them, as you described. I have to use one of them for autopilot, and I've set the other to turn the strobe light on, which doesn't do much harm if it is done accidentally.
Great idea on setting one of the bottom buttons to the strobe. I have mine set to no action. I really wish that they had a physical slider switch which would disable all the buttons and the touch screen but still leave the controller in an on state. That would make it easy to slip in a pocket when using the active track feature. Thanks for tuning in and for posting your drone experience.
Hello, Tom! DJI mini 4 has optical sensors on sides of the drone and it will better obstacles avoidance during parallel tracking. Nice video, good luck!
It’s like you have an obedient little pet at your service. The drone almost even seemed cute when it crashed into the tree and came shivering out of the snow. What did you name him?
I haven't named the drone, but it does deserve one. It is easy to become emotionally attached. I recently watched a RU-vid video on this very subject ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-pneWJNizDCc.html
@@williamabenejr8516 I’ve thought about trying to put the camera on Gaulois since he’s already programmed to follow me down every slope, but that’s probably just asking to lose my iPhone.
Really interesting video, Tom. It was helpful to see how the drone follows you downhill weaving through the trees and when it crashed the process you used to find it. I'm in Vermont and we're having a terrible ski season this year.
I'm glad you enjoyed the video. We are off to a poor snow season this year as well. The good news is that there is snow in the forecast for my area and I have my fingers crossed. Thanks for tuning in and for posting feedback.
I'm in Atlantic Canada. On Dec. 31 we had 3 inches of snow. That's it. I'ts gonna melt (again) because of the 1-day-each-week meltdown with rain. Weird 'winter'.
