Anyone concerned about drones in the future?

[Brian]

I get it. The autopilots you can get in everyday aircraft are pretty sweet these days. However, I think those hobbyists sound uninformed when they call their Phantom, Iris or whatever they have that flies autonomously a drone. Its a UAV. Calling them drones is like calling semi-auto rifles assault rifles.

Yep, I don't disagree. I don't think any hobbyists are happy with that name, because of the negative perception, but they seem to be losing that battle (much like the "assault weapon" tag).

[twitchyfinger]

Yeah a friend of mine who's a photographer got me hooked on these toys. He has a DJI phantom 2 in which he attaches his go pro to to take Ariel photography in Alaska. So I went out and bought a $40 Hubsan X4, a cash rebuild kit, a whole mess of replacement blades and a bunch of spare batteries so I could learn how to fly. I'm not so much interested in the Ariel photography but I do really want to fly one of those super fast FPV racing quadcopter. But before I go and spend a grand on one I have to l earn to fly first. I can tell you though the little 3 inch X4 is a blast to fly and not to difficult to learn. Until like Brian said you get it flipped around backwards and then things get funky pretty fast!

[RCCrawler]

Specifically smaller drones able to be operated by a single individual. We already have surveillance cameras operating 24/7 in major metro areas, are drones next? And then they'll spread to the patrolling the suburbs. And then they'll be allowed to hover 50' over your house for reasons involving "public safety". And there will be laws enacted to protect drones. They will be the eyes and ears of some group of people in the future. Too much tinfoil this early in the evening?

I own several DJI Phantoms with cameras on them, I have already used mine for situations you talk about working directly for a local police department. Several things that I have used them for with the police were getting good overhead photos and video of a pedestrian/vehicle fatal accident scene. These photos when given to the accident investigator she was blown away and said they would be invaluable and that she was able to pickup things in the photos that she didn't even see in person on the scene. I also used the quadcopter to film an entire high risk no knock raid by the swat team. I was setup several blocks away and popped it up in the air just minutes before they deployed, the swat team loved the video and will be using it for training purposes in the future, a lot of them said that even though they knew it would be there they didn't even notice it at all until I brought it right down to the top of the house.

Have you ever seen one live? I bought one a few months back, and they are definitely not fit for good, discrete surveillance yet. They are loud, batteries don't last very long, and most of them don't have cameras good enough to really "spy" on someone that well.

LIke I said in the ops I was involved with many of the officers didn't even notice it at all, the battery lasted long enough to cover most of the event, and I did a quick battery change and was right back up in the air.

[Brian]

Yeah a friend of mine who's a photographer got me hooked on these toys. He has a DJI phantom 2 in which he attaches his go pro to to take Ariel photography in Alaska. So I went out and bought a $40 Hubsan X4, a cash rebuild kit, a whole mess of replacement blades and a bunch of spare batteries so I could learn how to fly. I'm not so much interested in the Ariel photography but I do really want to fly one of those super fast FPV racing quadcopter. But before I go and spend a grand on one I have to l earn to fly first. I can tell you though the little 3 inch X4 is a blast to fly and not to difficult to learn. Until like Brian said you get it flipped around backwards and then things get funky pretty fast!

I also bought an X4 before I got a Phantom. If you can fly the X4 well enough, it will feel like the phantom is flying itself. I still fly both.

[Chad4000]

all good points here..

and yeah, Im worried about all of it. I like my privacy.

[asmo]

I, for one, welcome our new flying autonomous electronic overlords.

[KestrelBike]

I, for one, welcome our new flying autonomous electronic overlords.

Except when they bring my quarter pounder with pickles! I said no picklessss!!!!!

[Aloha_Shooter]

I am less concerned about government drones than I am an aerial version of Google's StreetView van. Google does far more to invade our privacy than any three-letter agency except possibly the IRS.

[Dave_L]

I want a drone so I can make cool videos at the range.

^Yup. You could make some really fun videos with one at the range. That's why I want one.

[CO Hugh]

The concern will be obama's kill list and drones. He will probably troll social media for enemies.

I think one thing they will be used for (the predator style, not toys) is for fishing and hunting enforcement. They will be able to cruise over the mountains checking numerous hunters in little time compared to horseback or foot. Will they then starting writing tickets for stupid stuff, like you din't tag the animal within 10 mins or silly minor offenses.