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DJI to drop support for some Phantom drones from the end of September

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DJI has announced that as of September 30th, 2022, they will no longer be providing maintenance or technical support for their Phantom 2 (2.4G) and Phantom 3 4K drone models or their accessories. It’s not much of a surprise, given that DJI hasn’t manufactured these products since 2017 and drone technology has come a long way, but there are still a lot of Phantom 2 and Phantom 3 models out there still flying.

Naturally, DJI is suggesting that users of the Phantom 2 and Phantom 3 drones update their kit to a more modern drone. They don’t specifically say a new DJI drone and don’t mention any specific models but obviously, they want you to buy more because that’s what businesses do. But drone technology has come a long way since the days of the Phantom 2 and 3.

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ParaZero launches new reusable “SafeAir” parachute for DJI Phantom and Mavic Pro drones

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Founded in 2012, ParaZero specialises in the development of parachute systems for both manned and unmanned vehicles. And we’ve shown you some of their drone parachute technology a couple of years ago being tested on a 3DR Solo. Since then, ParaZero has gone on to produce a range of “SafeAir” parachutes for larger drone models, like the DJI Matrice 600 series.

Now, though, they’re looking at a more mainstream audience, offering new SafeAir parachutes for DJI’s very popular Mavic Pro and Phantom series drones. The biggest benefit of this new model is that in the event the chute needs to be used, it can be repacked by the end user, and reused in the future.

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Leaked photos of DJI Phantom 5 suggest waterproofing and interchangeable lenses

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If you were wondering what may be in store for the new DJI Phantom 5, here is a hint of what may be coming soon. While those photos are not confirmed (DUH!!), we have a good reason to believe that OsitaLV, the Twitter user who shared the photos is spot on and is not spoofing.

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This couple uses a Phantom 4 Pro to quickly dry their laundry

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While you can use a drone to take shots and videos (either from the sky or from the ground), there are some alternative uses for it as well. Lauri and Anni Vuohensilta, the couple you may know from the Hydraulic Press Channel, used their DJI Phantom Pro 4 to dry the laundry.

On their other channel Beyond the Press, they published a video demonstrating how the airflow from the hovering DJI Phantom Pro 4 dries the laundry. In the end, they even tape wet boxers to the drone – but it turns out not to be the best idea.

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Improve your aerial footage by learning your drone’s intelligent flight modes

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Shooting quality aerial video is the main reason that most people get a drone like the DJI Phantom 4 Pro. So, when your footage doesn’t look that great, it’s a bit of a disappointment. Often, though, the problem is simply down to not understanding how your drone works, and the different flight modes it offers.

In this video, drone enthusiast Billy Kyle takes us to drone flight school to teach us all about the twelve intelligent flight modes offered by the Phantom 4 Pro. If you have a Phantom 4, Mavic Pro or earlier drone, it’s still worth having a watch. Even though all of the flight modes might not be available to you, the ones you do have access to are probably mentioned. It also serves as a good reference for what it can do if you’re considering buying, too.

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NASA simulates DJI Phantom airflow to improve quadcopter design

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NASA has used computer models to simulate airflow for decades. It lets them test to see how aircraft will react to drag, friction and countless other forces. All important factors when it comes to designing the next generation of vehicles. At NASA’S Ames Research Center in Silicon Valley, the technique was recently used to check out the airflow around quadcopters. Specifically, the DJI Phantom 3.

Unlike NASA’s typical rocket powered aircraft, quadcopters rely on four spinning motors with propellers to generate thrust. This thrust needs to generate enough lift to raise both the quadcopter and its payload (perhaps a gimbal and camera) off the ground. The simulations show just how complex the air motions are from the propellers, due to interactions with the X-shaped frame during flight.

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They didn’t expect this wedding crasher to be a drone – Now the guests are suing the groom

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With drones becoming more and more popular at weddings, it was only a matter of time before an accident happened. Although it’s not the photographer or video guy to blame for this one. Apparently it’s the groom’s fault. The Boston Herald reports that New Hampshire man, Barry Billcliff had just married his new bride when he decided to fly his drone during the reception.

Two guests at the August wedding, Kelly Eaton and Kneena Ellis, have now filed a negligence lawsuit against both the groom and Searles Castle Event Management, Inc. where the incident took place. Eaton says that the drone broke her nose and orbital bone and left her with concussion when the drone struck her head. Ellis is also claiming a concussion as well as lacerations from blades hitting her head.

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Satlapse Uses High Flying Drones For Bird’s Eye Timelapses

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Here is something we have not seen drone’s do yet. A timelapse. Photographer Jamie Brightmore used a “GPS enhanced” DJI Phantom 2 to put a GoPro Hero 4 at a constant position in the sky and take timelapse sequences from a constant position. He calls this project SATLAPSE. While this is an experimental project, he results are quite interesting.

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Photographer Crafts the Best Birth Announcement Video with Drone in Backyard

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We’re always seeing new and creative ways that parents are using to inform friends and loved ones of a new addition to the family.  But, I don’t think anyone does it quite like Dirk Dallas.  Dirk, a photographer and drone enthusiast with a flair for the dramatic (in only the best sense of the term), created a very memorable birth announcement for their third daughter using a drone in the backyard.

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This Is What 5 Years of ‘Collecting’ GoPro Gear Look Like

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Gear comes and gear goes. Or rather gear comes and gear accumulates. Photographer Mitch Bergsma have been shooting with a Gopro for 5 years and as one of his main tools of work, he had to fit it, mount it, strap it, elevate it and submerge it into various places.

Having using a GoPro for five years means that you get to accumulate lots of mounts and cases for lots of different GoPro cameras and if in addition to that you don’t let go of the old gear, you get a full blanket of gear (sorry had to).

So to celebrate this 5 years anniversary, Mitch got a DJI Phantom 2 in the air to take an aerial of all his GoPro gear. And there is a lot of it….

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