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MAVIC FLOATS???
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18908 43 2016-12-23
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canadianairborn
lvl.4

Canada
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Not sure if these have already been posted. What are your thoughts? Stability? Effectiveness? Weight? Extra Security?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/DJI-Mavic-pro-SNOW-WATER-MOD-protector-WHITE-DRONE-ON-WATER-OR-SNOW-landing-/232153339477?hash=item360d6ad655:g:G3IAAOSwEzxYVDzQ
2016-12-23
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DJI-Thor
Administrator
Flight distance : 13602 ft
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It's like bringing your own parachute whenever you board a plane.  1.It's a burden to carry around.    2. It most likely won't work.  
2016-12-23
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trance728-
First Officer
Flight distance : 298048 ft
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United States
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I watched a video of them landing the Mavic with those. It worked in that sense if your intention was to land on water, but anything faster of a decent and the Mavic would get soaked.

They're just styrofoam balls, you can buy them at a craft store for a lot less money.
2016-12-23
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canadianairborn
lvl.4

Canada
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trance728- Posted at 2016-12-24 11:45
I watched a video of them landing the Mavic with those. It worked in that sense if your intention was to land on water, but anything faster of a decent and the Mavic would get soaked.

They're just styrofoam balls, you can buy them at a craft store for a lot less money.

Fair enough. That's kinda what I was thinking too.
Thanks for the reply. Have a good Christmas
2016-12-23
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Andrew Hohlfeld
lvl.1

United States
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Good idea in concept, but if the drone decided to fall from the sky into a body of water at a high altitude those foam 'balls' would probably act as sails and flip the Mavic upside down anyways.
2016-12-25
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zach5150
lvl.3
Flight distance : 225148 ft
Germany
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I'd still consider using these or something similar since DJI Care now covers water damage. If I crash in the water, at least I can recover the Mavic and get it replaced. If I crash in water without them and it sinks....no Mavic. No replacement.
2016-12-25
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devGOD
lvl.4
Flight distance : 200577 ft
United States
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trance728- Posted at 2016-12-23 22:45
I watched a video of them landing the Mavic with those. It worked in that sense if your intention was to land on water, but anything faster of a decent and the Mavic would get soaked.

They're just styrofoam balls, you can buy them at a craft store for a lot less money.

true but DJI Refresh now covers water damage, so a nose dive into the water means new/repaired drone if you can recover it. this gives you a change to recover the drone. i'd paint it orange so that you can be found easier
2016-12-25
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canadianairborn
lvl.4

Canada
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Maybe instead of huge foam balls attached to the legs, just a couple sausage size floats attached to the side of the frame so that it doesn't sink in the event of a crash landing in water. Like mentioned before, as long as you recover it, refresh will replace it. I'm thinking of that super buoyant foam that's used on those little orange boating key chains; that might work, at least for the first year while you have an active care refresh plan.  
2016-12-25
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Free Bird
lvl.4

Canada
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You can buy leg extenders cheap from Aliexpress. That is what they have attached to the styrofoam balls on your eBay website. I do agree when flying over water they will prevent the Mavic from ending up in Davey Jones Locker. I live on an Island so I really like the idea of sticking a floating device onto the legs.


https://www.aliexpress.com/item/ ... 13010608.0.0.OUtAbi
2016-12-25
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Free Bird
lvl.4

Canada
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devGOD Posted at 2016-12-25 15:24
true but DJI Refresh now covers water damage, so a nose dive into the water means new/repaired drone if you can recover it. this gives you a change to recover the drone. i'd paint it orange so that you can be found easier

i'd paint it orange so that you can be found easier

Styrofoam melts if you spray paint it.
2016-12-25
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gburns53
lvl.1
United States
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Best foam - Search things like "low density closed cell foam'. Used on bait rigs and water noodles.

Here's a good place to buy premade foam to build your own floats:
Float foam


I bought some 2inch grey foam tubes.

I think there's potential to do a quick-strap emergency pontoon float design that attaches to the body. I'd prefer a more subtle design for flying over water, one that will make it recoverable and protect some of the electronics... but I'm not building something meant for water landing, only a fail safe if the worst occurs.
2016-12-27
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trance728-
First Officer
Flight distance : 298048 ft
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I'm not so sure those things would necessarily stay on in the event of a crash in water.
2016-12-27
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OzGJxrzCTxLn
New

United States
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what are your thoughts on something like this:  https://www.amazon.com/GetterBac ... erback+rod+recovery

With the same intent of just recovery and being covered by DJI Refresh.  
2017-1-12
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SJT

United Kingdom
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OzGJxrzCTxLn Posted at 2017-1-12 09:27
what are your thoughts on something like this:  https://www.amazon.com/GetterBack-Recovery-System-Velcro-Yellow/dp/B00GIYIU8Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1484242032&sr=8-1&keywords=getterback+rod+recovery

With the same intent of just recovery and being covered by DJI Refresh.

Or something like this.

Will float anything up to 1 kg.
2017-1-12
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fansdf07a849
lvl.1

United States
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I purchased the ball floats, tested their floatation ability in a swimming pool and tested their affect on wind/aerodynamics in gusty winds. They worked well so far and are designed quite well for easy installment and removal.  I don't expect them to be able to deal with most offshore waves but, for inshore waters without boat wakes, they should function well in ordinary landings . . . those which might occur softly due to malfunctions on Home Return, etc.  Hard landings, etc. . . at least it will keep it afloat making return under Care Refresh a possibility.  I like the fact that they weigh so little and do not drastically impede on normal flight patterns.  Just saying.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/DJI-Mavi ... :g:G3IAAOSwEzxYVDzQ

My test flight video can be found here:  
2017-1-14
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Angelo26
Second Officer
Flight distance : 799718 ft
Austria
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Genious ! Thanks for posting ! Already ordered
2017-1-14
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Angelo26
Second Officer
Flight distance : 799718 ft
Austria
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DJI-Thor Posted at 2016-12-23 19:33
It's like bringing your own parachute whenever you board a plane.  1.It's a burden to carry around.    2. It most likely won't work.

Either You didn´t read and watch carefully or You are an ignorant ..............  

1. Watch video on Youtube (of course it works flawless and is out of reach of downward vision system and landing protection sensors)

2. It weighs 10 grams (probably made of polystyrol or ping-pong-ball)

3. Just read the many posts when Mavics got lost on the sea/lakes. At least it will float and can be found again.

4. It´s THE solution for boaters/sailors/surfers to T/O & T/D away from the shore.

5. It´s THE solution for me to take footage in deep-snow and not fearing to detsry the Mavic if grabbing her out of the air might not be possible .................
2017-1-14
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thehippoz
Captain
Flight distance : 23 ft
United States
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Too much to carry imo. Outside what the drone was made for, its compact size. I would consider this on a bigger drone where your lugging it around (maybe a blow up design).

To the deep snow- you can always catch the drone. I don't see a situation where you can't catch it. In Litchi you can have the homepoint stick to your rc automatic too.
2017-1-14
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SteelheadChaser
lvl.1

Canada
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I use active track/follow me out on the Great Lakes in a kayak. I have a channel on youtube that I make vids for. For me this is the best thing ever. I have tried and tested these and they work flawlessly.

When I launch offshore in a yak it registers the launch spot as home. RTH on a moving yak is not a thing. Even return to controller is difficult. With these on no matter where it lands I can retrieve it.... even offshore. It can take moving currents and a decent amount of water chop and roll.... With that being said obviously use common sense. I'm in a yak on the Great Lakes. I won't go out in winds more than 15KMH (In Canada)

It does slow it slightly but I'm on a yak with a trolling motor. I can't notice a difference at that speed. Those foam balls do seem to muffle the sound slightly.

They do have a use. For me these are the cats meow!
2017-2-23
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onlytwo
lvl.1

France
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I just try (for the first time on this forum) how to upload photo ans video on this topic
These are my DIY landing gear   :all 's easily "quick plug" and not exceeded more 800grs (Regulation in FRANCE)

The first is landing gear :


snow landing gear :


and water floating gear :








and this is the video


Possible on the water  but don't think this for emergency solution (why not !!!), just for fun on the water
The first time with floatable gear  I don't know how about his behavior so... caution  (on the  frozen water !!!



and after :
2017-2-23
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onlytwo
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France
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onlytwo Posted at 2017-2-23 10:50
I just try (for the first time on this forum) how to upload photo ans video on this topic
These are my DIY landing gear   :all 's easily "quick plug" and not exceeded more 800grs (Regulation in FRANCE)

http://img15.hostingpics.net/pics/407684DIYlandinggear4.jpg

http://img15.hostingpics.net/pic ... DIYlandinggear6.jpg


http://img15.hostingpics.net/pics/612410DIYlandinggear6.jpg

http://img15.hostingpics.net/pics/923257DIYlandinggear7.jpg


http://img15.hostingpics.net/pics/735012DIYlandinggear3.jpg


http://img15.hostingpics.net/pics/261779DIYlandinggear2.jpg
2017-2-23
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thehippoz
Captain
Flight distance : 23 ft
United States
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onlytwo Posted at 2017-2-23 10:59
http://img15.hostingpics.net/pics/407684DIYlandinggear4.jpg

http://img15.hostingpics.net/pics/205457DIYlandinggear5.jpghttp://img15.hostingpics.net/pics/612410DIYlandinggear6.jpg

The snow skis are nice looking
2017-2-23
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GTMonster
Flight distance : 291555 ft
United Kingdom
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SJT Posted at 2017-1-12 10:52
Or something like this.

Will float anything up to 1 kg.

I think that I'd rather be pro-active rather than re-active. You have to sink the quad to float it with one of those. At least with floats you have a far better chance of landing and saving time and effort spent returning the quad.
2017-5-15
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Pa1nter
New
Flight distance : 417612 ft
Australia
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2017-6-12
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Nikon 1
Second Officer
United States
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Very clever and great DIY write up.

Thanks and Good Flying & Floating!
2017-6-12
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GV007
lvl.1
Belgium
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We made two floats based on source parts designed by Noel (see thingiverse).
We added an extra support and made two floats for it but the total weight is 229 grams.
When we take off the Mavic starts to go up slowly like it is compensating for the weight.
We can not control the lifting and it is difficult to land.
Is it possible to solve this by changing the settings of the Mavic?

https://www.thingiverse.com/make:349862

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2384156
2017-6-14
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RCNJ
Second Officer
Flight distance : 114665 ft
France
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looks good, but also looks like you will have big white balls showing up in videos
2017-6-14
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DanD1
New

United States
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how about automatic inflatable P.F.D.?
2017-6-27
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Rodger Marjama
lvl.4
United States
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I have to ask.  Why risk your expensive mavic trying to land on or take off of water?  Isn't there a piece of dry ground to do that on?  Just wondering.

-Rodger
2017-6-27
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DanD1
New

United States
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Automatic inflater website.

http://www.halkeyroberts.com/pro ... anual-inflator.aspx
2017-6-27
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DanD1
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United States
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OzGJxrzCTxLn Posted at 2017-1-12 09:27
what are your thoughts on something like this:  https://www.amazon.com/GetterBack-Recovery-System-Velcro-Yellow/dp/B00GIYIU8Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1484242032&sr=8-1&keywords=getterback+rod+recovery

With the same intent of just recovery and being covered by DJI Refresh.

That sounds like the way to go. Thanks.
2017-6-27
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Helmar Joe Joha
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United States
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Back in the day, I used to use arrows and wiffel balls to help stabilize the helicopter.
What some of those guys are charging for leg extenders and foam balls from the dollar store is plain Nuts..
2017-11-4
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StudentPaul
lvl.1
Flight distance : 51617 ft
United States
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Pa1nter Posted at 2017-6-12 17:13
https://youtu.be/YUESi-tdVNc

Thank you for the DIY tip.
I want the "floats" for flying in snow.
2017-11-24
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T714
lvl.1
United States
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i may try on the DIY version..
2018-1-9
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A CW
Captain
Flight distance : 13838848 ft
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DJI-Thor Posted at 2016-12-23 19:33
It's like bringing your own parachute whenever you board a plane.  1.It's a burden to carry around.    2. It most likely won't work.

Perfect response LOL
2018-1-9
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martin joãoo
Second Officer
Flight distance : 945105 ft
Luxembourg
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Great DIY.
I plan to take videos and pictures of rowers on a river, will have to come up with the biggest possible footprint as wave protection.
2018-1-9
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Bekaru Tree
Captain
Flight distance : 15513100 ft
South Africa
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After my first crash (i had prop guards on - i broke my camera and some props) and consequent repairs it occured to me that increasing my flight experiance an improving my skill is the best way to reduce risk of damage or loss of my drone. The beginner phase of the first few months are high risk that unexpected things will happen. As a hobyist you may benefit from them but like trainer wheels or prop guards you will soon enough stop using them. As a profesional you should really not need them - your skill at flying and experaince of safe flying parameters (wind, battery life, relative altitudes etc) should be good enough to reduce radically the risk of crashing at all. Only perhaps as a 'survivor hunter' where you may be prepared to send your drone on a one way flight (maybe searching for people from a capsided boat or avalanche survivors) and hope you can recover it later.
2018-1-10
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Blue-Bird
Flight distance : 53743 ft
United States
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Don't Buy these , DJI Mavic pro Foldable WATER MOD protector Yellow EDITION DRONE COMPACT Travel, They havent figured out how to connect the front of the bracket.
2018-1-11
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Blue-Bird
Flight distance : 53743 ft
United States
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https://www.ebay.com/itm/DJI-Mav ... hash=item36268a9ce0
2018-1-11
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Blue-Bird
Flight distance : 53743 ft
United States
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I had to make this brass attachment in order to mount the frame.
They had plastic nubs that broke on first use trying to attach the frame, works now though.

2018-1-15
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