DJI S900 - pretty affordable, good capability UAV for carrying small cameras

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Dan Kanes

DVXuser Sponsor
I feel like this is the GH4 of UAVs - sure you can go cheaper and end up with a picture, but there is a lot of fiddling. You can go high end, and be deeply invested in having a professional tool and bear the risk of burden and expense that goes with it, but this seems like something that would appeal to a lot of people who seek to make very good quality Aerial Video without busting the bank.


I looked at building a copter to carry a small camera, and then I looked at some already built copters.


What I found out is - I don't have time to build a scratchbuilt kit.


I don't want to spend a huge fortune on a ready to fly ship that won't even necessarily be tuned right.


Then I saw this today - the S900. Definitely not dirt cheap, but seems like a really good piece of kit for putting a camera aloft, and fairly priced as well.


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Seems relatively affordable, likely extremely stable, and looks really great.


My only real critique is the camera specific gimbals - but I know that it is modular in the sense that you can use a third party gimbal if you want to.


can't wait to get my hands on one.
 
I know it can carry a larger camera like a gh4, yet is there a significant stability advantage also over the cheaper phantom 2 with gimbal?

I've been wanting an R/C multi rotor craft for about a decade. Years ago, the multi rotor dragonflyer was about the cheapest at ~$2500.
Times are sure tempting now to get one due to the advancement of action cams and affordable options.
Now lots of people are into it.
In 2002 we were in the vast minority shooting cool things with lipstick cams and such but now thanks to gopro, even the local tv station has an action pov cam. Haha.
 
But this is not a ready to fly price.

So are we looking at something like double the listed price?
 
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David W. Jones said:
But this is not a ready to fly price.

So are we looking at something like double the listed price?
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From what I have heard - these guys will build it for you free if you buy it from them:

http://www.troybuiltmodels.com/blog/2014/08/01/new-dji-s900-spreading-wings-hexacopter/

you would need to add an RC radio or two like a Futaba.

If you are Just beginning, never flown anything before at all - I would highly recommend honing your skills on a Phantom 2 with go Pro gimbal H3-3D or with a phantom vision+ - which has a camera not quite as good as hero 3+ go pros, but serviceable and makes learning and practicing a breeze.

after you have some good flying time under your belt, spring for a big boy like this.

If you just want to practice flying without a camera at first, a phantom 1 or phantom FC40 can be had for under $500 easily, and are very user friendly.

I'm considering starting a fly club in the LA area and teaching flight for fun.

other good dji dealers include :

dronefly
aerial media pros
1uas
intelligent uas
i think the Troy built build for free option is pretty insane and cool.
 
Yes I've flown.

I just didn't see radios, light bridge, monitor, batteries, charger and the like so I figured double with everything.
 
Just be careful out there guys. Multis are getting better and better but as a result pilot skillsets are sometimes considered to be less important by many new to the platforms. I started out flying helis years ago but multis made things considerably less stressful. It's still important to be confident in your flying skills and have a safety plan in case something goes wrong. Also, of course, don't fly in restricted areas (very close to airports) and please, please, PLEASE....keep them under 400' AGL.

This is not directed towards experienced guys, but rather, new guys starting out with multis.
 
R Hudson said:
Just be careful out there guys. Multis are getting better and better but as a result pilot skillsets are sometimes considered to be less important by many new to the platforms. I started out flying helis years ago but multis made things considerably less stressful. It's still important to be confident in your flying skills and have a safety plan in case something goes wrong. Also, of course, don't fly in restricted areas (very close to airports) and please, please, PLEASE....keep them under 400' AGL.

This is not directed towards experienced guys, but rather, new guys starting out with multis.
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Good points, and I can't agree more.

if you are new to aerial cinematography - now is a good time to start learning, and this is not a good first timer craft. Start with something small like a phantom, build your skills and grow. Definitely have to have a respect for the safety and consideration involved in responsible flight before you go big.

I would say this is a good craft for those who have some serious practice under their belt and want to move up.
 
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