NEO Tracking and flying in tight spaces

[Chrislaf]

I just got back from a walk in the woods with my son that I often take to one of my flying locations. I usually do not use my Mini 3 Pro for any tracking shots but today I wanted to test it out with Active Track with the drone in front of us to see if it would be suitable for this purpose. The trail we walked on had lots of foliage that is still on the trees so at many points it was like walking through a tunnel of foliage.

I had the drone set to Bypass and Failsafe set to Hover. For the most part it seemed to do ok until it was in a complex environment that had foliage in close proximity on both sides and on top. I had to stop the tracking a few times so that it would not hit the foliage and at one point it actually did clip some leaves but recovered and continued on. I thought that it would have plummeted to the ground but was ok. I found myself constantly ready on the controller to stop the tracking. This is not what I want to be doing. I want to enjoy the walk and not worry about the drone too much.

Sure a Mini 4 Pro might be a bit better but this is one of the big reasons I am interested in the NEO - set it and forget it, and if it bumps into foliage I know it is well protected.

One other big reason is flying the NEO in tight spaces (no goggles) with the controller. On our walk we pass a beautiful little stream but it is completely covered in thick foliage and small branches from the sides and above. I have always wanted to fly my Mini 3 Pro in there but never did because it would definitely crash but with the NEO, this would be possible due to its props being full protected. If I did crash or loose it, I wouldn't be out a lot of $$.

I am now heavily leaning toward the FMC.

Chris

 

[Neo Avata]

Chris, we have plenty of creeks around here and my plan is to fly up them to explore, as the sides are all jungle like grown up and grows together in some places making a green tunnel of sorts. Water just knee deep or ankle deep in spots. Having a video to view of that will be fun. Thought about using my Avata 2 but the loss cost exceeds the risk factor. Risk vs Reward,not worth it but I’ll risk the Neo no problem. Also seen a Neo sink on video and then fly ok 2 hours later.

 

[Chrislaf]

That sounds a lot like some of the creeks I would like to explore. I have watched a few videos of people flying over water and they had trouble. They were tracking themselves in a kayak and only using the phone so not really a good comparison, but the problems over water is worrisome.

Chris

 

[NEO 317]

we have plenty of creeks around here and my plan is to fly up them to explore,

I've flown my SPARK up and down creeks in the past much like you described with success.

Be aware of the "Invisible Strings of Death" ( old fishing line ) that may dangle from the branches.

 

[Neo Avata]

I've flown my SPARK up and down creeks in the past much like you described with success.

Be aware of the "Invisible Strings of Death" ( old fishing line ) that may dangle from the branches.

These creeks I’m looking at are never fished, too jungly and not feasible. Trees across the water bank to bank that have fallen and I’ll fly under some of those. I was thinking of following the river near here with my air 3, a low and slow video but remembered all the times I seen fishing line or a trot line stretched across the river when kayaking and sometimes they were 10’ or higher from the flooding that raised them up. Along the shore drop lines are common around here, so any lower overhanging branches are a bad idea to fly under. I’m in the boonies here with Licking River approximately 465 yards away and down the hill. Many tributaries to explore.

 

[Chrislaf]

If the NEO is able to fly low over small streams and creeks it would be great. The videos I watched of people using it over water were with the phone as a controller and there were problems.

I am wondering if using the controller, it will be more stable following a kayak and flying low over water. I’m still trying to find a good video that shows this. I had my old Spark follow me in a kayak and it worked fine until I brought it in to try to hand catch it. It didn’t want to come close, so I had to get out in a shallow area and catch it.

In areas where there might be hanging fishing line, I think the completely enclosed props my reduce the chance of entanglement.

Chris

 

[Neo Avata]

I plan on using the goggles 3 and RC 2 when I’m exploring and I too think the enclosed props and extra small size will make it a good one. I don’t think the motion controller would be a good idea over water at close spaces, and the drone should track fine with a joystick controller over water. This is all a guess on my part and solid testing will be done in October.

 

[Chrislaf]

I plan on using the goggles 3 and RC 2 when I’m exploring and I too think the enclosed props and extra small size will make it a good one. I don’t think the motion controller would be a good idea over water at close spaces, and the drone should track fine with a joystick controller over water. This is all a guess on my part and solid testing will be done in October.

I don’t have any FPV gear and don’t plan on buying any unless a cheaper solution is eventually available. I would just use the N3 controller.

Chris

 

[Neo Avata]

I like flying the air 3 and avata 2 with the goggles 3, also the avata 2 is definitely my favorite drone due to the goggles and motion controller and how versatile it is. You missing out if you ain’t tried the FPV. Also remember you get what you pay for. Get the best goggles you can for the best experience.

 

[Droning on and on...]

If you all still haven't done some creek cruising before I get mine in a few weeks I'll do some runs around here with goggles and post the video.

 

[GFields]

Awesome to hear. I am anxious to experiment with mine. It should be here in a few days now.

 

[Chrislaf]

After a couple of quick flights yesterday with the NEO tracking me along a bush trail, I am pleased with how well it does this. I had read and watched videos indicating that the tracking followed the path you take and yesterday it did just that. I also love the wide FOV that the lens has as it is perfect for this type of flying.

When the weather gets better, I will try flying along the forest floor and see how it does and possibly along the side or near a stream.

Chris