Feds charge drone pilot after MLB stadium no-fly violation
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Drones help map Puerto Rico’s coastal heritage
Drones help map Puerto Rico’s coastal heritage. Indigenous sites along Puerto Rico’s coast dating back thousands of years are being mapped by U.S.-based scientists using drones. The researchers hope to identify which historic sites are most vulnerable before hurricanes and rising sea levels linked to climate change destroy a large chunk of the island’s history. Over the last two years, we have seen more and more researchers turn to drones to help them with their archeological research.
Skydio 2’s first batch is now shipping and we see how it’s made
Public Perception: Drone deliveries only supported by 23% in the UK
A new IMechE poll has found that only 23% of adults living in the United Kingdom support deliveries by drones. This was highlighted in a report titled: Public Perception: Drones. The surprisingly low level of support comes from concerns that include package theft and accidents.
AUVSI webinar on unmanned systems industry outlook
AUVSI to host a webinar on unmanned systems industry outlook. Industry experts look at what’s ahead next year in innovation, research, testing, and deployment.
Parrot SDK Partner Program for its popular ANAFI drone platform
Parrot announces the new SDK Partner Program for its popular ANAFI drone platform. Kittyhawk to bring its Air Control Drone Fleet Management Platform to ANAFI users in 2020.
French postal service uses drones to deliver parcels to remote Alpine villages
The French Postal Service has started to use drones to deliver parcels to remote Alpine villages. A subsidiary of La Poste, DPD states that delivering packages by drone is more reliable, quicker, and safer than driving a van up a narrow mountain road in the winter when these roads are often icy or blocked by snow.
DJI Mavic Mini DIY Creative Kit shows off your creative side
The DJI Mavic Mini is the latest drone to come from DJI to join the famous Mavic line. The Mavic Mini’s low price tag means beginners and younger pilots will be flying for the first time, and what better way to fly than with a customizable drone. The DJI Mavic Mini DIY Creative Kit is the perfect addition adding a unique and fully custom look to your Mavic Mini.
Lock-in exclusive up to $160 discounts on Autel EVO and Swellpro Spry+ Drones
Wellbots is continuing its streak of recent exclusive offers for 9to5Toys readers with a Cyber Monday discount on the Autel Robotics EVO Quadcopter at $929 shipped when code 9TO5AUTEL has been applied at checkout. Currently you’ll pay $999 at Amazon, with today’s offer coming within $30 of the best price we’ve tracked this year. Wellbots sweetens the pot even further though by only collecting sales tax at the time of purchase for New York shoppers. Drone cinematographers will certainly appreciate the EVO Quadcopter’s 4K60 video recording capabilities, but other notable features here include a 4.4-mile range, and GPS as well as GLONASS positioning. Plus, once you’re done flying, it can also fold into a more compact package for convenient transportation. Rated 4.8/5 stars from over 110 pilots and you can check out our hands-on coverage of the drone for a closer look. More below.
Drones for hospice – one last flight to remember
Here’s a new service that drones can help provide. Drone for hospice, one last flight to remember. At first glance, this may come across as a crazy idea but in a way it makes sense. Drones can capture beautiful aerial footage of locations that are meaningful to people and that they may want to see one last time. Tom and Ashley Davis realized this need and are now offing such drone flights through their non-profit organization, The Flight To Remember Foundation.
Drone U Black Friday – 40% off online courses incl. Part 107, Mapping and Business
As I’m sure most of our readers know by now, DroneDJ has been working together with the Drone U. One of the things that have come out of our partnership are out weekly news podcasts that you can find here. Today, The Drone U has launched its largest sales event ever. The Drone U Black Friday Promotion with discounts of up to 40% on their online training courses that include things like Part 107, Mapping and general drone business practices. Check out the details below, but hurry up as they will only last for another 9 hours or so as of the publication of this article.
DJI Mavic 2 Pro beats Black Friday pricing with our exclusive deals from $1,249
Wellbots has been on a roll this week with exclusive offers for 9to5Toys readers, and now the retailer is back with discounts on the DJI Mavic 2 Pro Quadcopter. Applying code ABANDONEDCART30 at checkout brings the drone down to $1,349 shipped from its regular $1,729 price tag, beating other Black Friday prices by $30. Add on the Smart Controller for an extra $400. Using the aforementioned code also allows you to score the certified refurbished DJI Mavic 2 Pro for $1,249. That’s $130 off the refurbished going rate and the best we’ve tracked in months. Covered by Wellbots’ refurbished warranty policy. Mavic 2 Pro pairs a 31-minute flight time with enhanced omnidirectional obstacle sensing and more. Plus, a 20MP 4K camera and gimbal system upgrade your aerial photography game. Rated 4.9/5 stars from over 500 customers and you can head over to DroneDJ for extra details.
DJI Mavic Mini versus the DJI Mavic Air – Which one to buy [video]
In this video, two of DJI’s smallest drones go head-to-head: the DJI Mavic Mini (DJI, Amazon) versus the DJI Mavic Air (DJI, Amazon). Definitely worth watching as the outcome may surprise you. And especially, if you’re considering getting one of these drones during this Black Friday and Cyber Monday weekend.
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DJI FPV System added to DJI Black Friday Deals
Right before the start of Thanksgiving, the Chinese drone maker added the DJI FPV System to their DJI Black Friday Deals. The new HD DJI FPV Fly More Combo has been discounted from $929 to $799. The DJI FPV Experience Combo sells now for $699 instead of the normal price of $819.
DJI Black Friday deals and holiday promotions 2019 – Mavic 2 Pro for $1,379, more
Every year DJI runs a number of special promotions as we get near the Holiday Shopping Season and this year is no different. Earlier this month, DJI announced their 2019 DJI Black Friday deals and holiday promotions with discounts for products such as the DJI Mavic 2 Pro for $1,379, and deals on DJI’s Osmo Pocket, Osmo Action, Osmo Mobile 3, Ronin S, Ronin SC, and the Ryze Tello. The Black Friday sale will run from today (November 24, 2019), to December 4, 2019, and the holiday promotion will run from December 13, 2019, until January 1, 2020. See below for all the details!
Update: DJI added the DJI FPV System to their DJI Black Friday Deals. The new HD DJI FPV Fly More Combo has been discounted from $929 to $799. The DJI FPV Experience Combo sells now for $699 instead of the normal price of $819.
Best drones you can buy on Amazon today – Buyers guide
Amazon is littered with cheap drones. Here’s a list of what we think are the best drones that are available on Amazon today. They include all-time favorites such as the DJI Mavic 2 Pro, DJI Mavic 2 Zoom, DJI Mavic Air, DJI Mavic Mini, Parrot Anafi, Autel Evo, and even the Ryze Tello. Check it out below, before or after you have had your Thanksgiving dinner.
Become a drone pilot before Black Friday with these quadcopter deals from $90
Potensic is currently discounting a selection of its drones via the brand’s Amazon storefront when applying item specific codes. One of the more notable price drops today is on the Potensic D85 FPV GPS Drone for $119.99 shipped when code MJJXZO73 is applied at checkout. Usually selling for $240, today’s offer is good for a 50% savings, is $25 under our previous mention, and a new all-time low. With an onboard 2K camera, this drone is an affordable route to take for getting started with aerial photography and the like. It sports built-in GPS capabilities, a 20-minute flight time, and more to assist in elevating your piloting skills. Rated 4.6/5 stars from over 285 customers. Head below for more from $90.
Autel Evo 2 release date January 2020 – Official Announcement at CES
The specs of Autel’s new drone are mind-boggling and they got many drone pilots very, very excited. We’ve even heard that when the specifications became public, they caused a bit of an earthquake at the DJI consumer drone division. Now, of course, the most urgent question on everybody’s mind is when will we be able to get our hands on one. Well, we have some good news for you. You won’t have to wait long as the Autel Evo 2 will be released in January of 2020 and the official announcement will take place at CES. Expect the Evo 2 to be available soon thereafter at retailers such as DroneNerds, B&H, Adorama, BestBuy, and Amazon.
Ambarella processor inside Mavic Mini raises expectations DJI Mavic 3 Pro
In a group on Facebook dedicated to the new DJI Mavic Mini (from DJI or Amazon), photos were shared that show the inside of the latest mini-drone from DJI. Now seeing the inside of this little aircraft is interesting for sure as it shows the length to which DJI went to bring the weight down to 249 grams. However, these photos also contain a clue. One of the photos shows an Ambarella processor inside the Mavic Mini and that is indeed very promising for the DJI Mavic 3 Pro, the successor to the very popular Mavic 2 Pro that is expected to be released in January 2020.
The article has been updated with new photos showing the processors inside the DJI Mavic Mini and the DJI Mavic 2 Pro.
See inside DJI Mavic Mini remote controller and the drone
Not long ago at all, we reported on this video in which a DJI Mavic Mini (from DJI or Amazon) was taken apart. However, the good people from RC Geeks in the UK took things one step further and let us see inside the DJI Mavic Mini remote controller and let us examine some of the chipsets and processors being used in this mini drone.
Eachine LAL5 – This is an FPV beast that records 4K video
The Eachine LAL5 is one of the most unique looking drones I’ve ever flown. Its huge shiny gold motors, bright purple bumpers, and its dual-lens camera are all eye-catchers. But it isn’t just the way that this thing looks that is interesting. It has some features that make it truly one of a kind. You can connect to the LAL5 via Bluetooth on your phone to tune it. It will record 4K flight footage. This beast can fly on a 6S battery. Good luck finding this combination of features on a drone at a better price. The best part might be that the LAL5 is part of Banggood’s Black Friday Deals and you can pick one up for only $194.
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DJI FPV — Is it worth the hype? Is it worth the cost?
The new DJI digital FPV system is an absolute game-changer for anyone interested in drone racing or flying acro. The crystal-clear video is light years better than the absolute best analog system on the market. But is it worth the hefty price tag? The DJI Black Friday Sale just dropped the prices on their goggle kits by $130.
While the DJI Digital FPV Fly More package still isn’t cheap, starting at $779, it is a significant savings from the original $929. Should you invest in DJI or should you stick with analog? What about people looking to break into the FPV hobby? Should they consider DJI?
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Finally, DJI is facing some serious competition from Autel Robotics and Skydio
With Skydio shipping the first orders of their autonomous Skydio 2 drone and yesterday’s news from Autel Robotics and their new Autel Evo 2 drone, it seems that DJI is finally facing some serious competition. According to a person familiar with the situation, the sudden and serious competition from Autel has hit the DJI consumer division “like an earthquake”. It left many DJI employees shaking their heads as they had no idea that the Autel Evo 2 was coming.
Autel Evo 2 specs – drone with 8K, 6K with 1-inch sensor, and thermal options
Today through industry insiders and an FCC filing we learn about the new and surprising specs of the upcoming Autel Evo 2 drone. This new foldable drone from Autel Robotics is a real monster and it will feature user-changeable gimbal modules that offer you the choice of an 8K video camera, a 6K video camera with a 1-inch sensor, or a dual-sensor gimbal with an infrared camera and an 8K video camera. And if that wasn’t enough to get your attention, it will fly for 35 minutes!
Save up to $700 on Geneinno Titan Underwater Drones with our exclusive code
Wellbots has teamed up with us to offer 9to5Toys readers an exclusive discount on the Geneinno Titan Underwater Drone. After applying code 9TO5UNDERWATER at checkout, you’ll be able to bring home the 100-meter version for $2,139 shipped. That’s $660 off the going rate and the lowest we’ve tracked by $160. Alternatively, the 150-meter version can be yours at $700 off when using the aforementioned code. Geneinno Titan lets you film and explore subaqueous terrain. It comes armed with a built-in camera that’s capable of capturing 8MP photos and recording at 4K. You’ll also be able to stream live video to its controller for remote navigation. Plus, two 1500-lumen lights are included for illuminating the drone’s surroundings and its built-in battery keeps you underwater for four hours at a time. Rated 4.6/5 stars.