My P4P Plus just arrived. After watching some videos, it looks like this camera will need a really flat surface to take off and land or I might damage gimbal. What do people use for landing pads? I know they sell folding pads on Amazon, but are thise really necessary? What else works as well to protect camera/drone from ground, sand etc? Thanks!

Just launch off the case since you'll probably have it with you most of the time.

The issue I've seen is with the gimbal's minimal ground clearance combined with the start-up motions.  Grass or even thickish carpet gets in the way. My temporary solution is to fire up the drone on the case.

The issue I've seen is with the gimbal's minimal ground clearance combined with the start-up motions.  Grass or even thickish carpet gets in the way. My temporary solution is to fire up the drone on the case. Even with the gimbal pointing straight down landing is much less problematic than startup.

these might help.

https://www.polarprofilters.com/ ... variant=18720037957

https://www.polarprofilters.com/collections/phantom-4-accessories/products/dji-phantom-4-gimbal-guard?variant=18650772997

I would just do a hand catch for landing if you're near rough terrain.

Whenever I am flying from uneven or unclean surfaces (rocks or sand, grassy land, mud or snow) I have been using a simple DIY disk cut out of rigid foam (about 37 cm or 14 1/2 inches in diameter). It's waterproof, light (but heavy enough to stay in place in the wind), and clips on to my backpack. You can start with a larger diameter and reduce as your skills improve. See the attached photo.
Have fun and good flying!

Simple DIY drone pad

used some wood and paint:

I liked this style, for it's portability and ease of use...

RedHotPoker

Nylon chopping board cut in half and it fits in the case just nice $2

I just use a cover from one of the plastic totes.

the video reflector/landing product up there for the mavic would still be an issue in uneven terrain. if you set that down on lumpy grass, dirt, etc,  that will protrude  and "push up" the nylon. better to have something solid/rigid