Slowly Getting the Hang of Manual Flying Now!

A J

Taken this morning with the Avata 2. Going lower, faster and closer with a bit of diving! Still no crashes!

fichek

Some visible progress there without pushing it and risking it, well done, this is what responsible acro learning looks like. One thing I'd focus on is trying to get the muscle memory for turning with both sticks, you seem to be applying yaw (left stick) without roll (right stick) sometimes which makes the drone angle towards the outside of the turn. Think of it like a bike - you don't just turn the handlebars, you also lean into the turn to keep it on track and not fall off

A J

fichek Posted at 5-17 06:02
Some visible progress there without pushing it and risking it, well done, this is what responsible acro learning looks like. One thing I'd focus on is trying to get the muscle memory for turning with both sticks, you seem to be applying yaw (left stick) without roll (right stick) sometimes which makes the drone angle towards the outside of the turn. Think of it like a bike - you don't just turn the handlebars, you also lean into the turn to keep it on track and not fall off

Thanks for the tip - combined turning is tricky for sure - been trying to do it faster - I got better the more I attempted it but still need to perfect balancing both sticks.
Forgot to say - the lanyard was very comfortable too - didn't feel like I was wearing anything around my neck and helped to control the sticks better!

The Saint

QQ, I normally fly using thumbs method, do I need to learn pinch for manual?

A J

The Saint Posted at 5-17 09:16
QQ, I normally fly using thumbs method, do I need to learn pinch for manual?

I use thumbs - it's advisable to use pinch but it really boils down to personal preference.

fichek

The Saint Posted at 5-17 09:16
QQ, I normally fly using thumbs method, do I need to learn pinch for manual?

There's some bias towards pinching for cinematic or smoother freestyle flying, and towards pinching for racing or hard core flippy-floppy freestyle (don't google "sbang" if you're prone to motion sickness

), but I personally know people who are major exceptions to those "rules" so just fly whichever way is more comfortable.

I personally pinch, but I've made custom sticks for my FPVRC2 with pincher-specific stick ends because the stock ones aren't very grippy from the sides:

Also made them a few mm longer which helps with precision. Used some M2 screws (15 or 18 mm iirc), a couple M2 to M4 adapters, and some M4-threaded stick ends.

fichek

A J Posted at 5-17 06:44
Forgot to say - the lanyard was very comfortable too - didn't feel like I was wearing anything around my neck and helped to control the sticks better!

Good to know, I'll probably be getting one of those when I need a few more things from across the pond to make the trip worth it

Until then my lanyard for 13 year olds will do

A J

fichek Posted at 5-17 10:44
Good to know, I'll probably be getting one of those when I need a few more things from across the pond to make the trip worth it Until then my lanyard for 13 year olds will do

Hahahaha - you can give it to your son when he comes of age lol

Blériot53

The video quality looks smooth and steady too.

fichek

A J Posted at 5-17 11:00
Hahahaha - you can give it to your son when he comes of age lol

I think even he has outgrown it already

Suren

Nice flying mate, looks like I need to get 1 as well

DowntownRDB

I'm definitely seeing improvement already. Stay motivated and keep up the practice sessions AJ.

A J

Blériot53 Posted at 5-17 11:09
The video quality looks smooth and steady too.

The drone uses rocksteady3.0 EIS which helps to stabilise the footage. It's not this smooth looking at the unstabilised footage from the goggles.

A J

fichek Posted at 5-17 11:12
I think even he has outgrown it already

A J

Suren Posted at 5-17 12:38
Nice flying mate, looks like I need to get 1 as well

Do it mate - it's great fun once you get your head around the basics. The Avata 2 is definitely the one to get to learn flying FPV.

A J

DowntownRDB Posted at 5-17 14:46
I'm definitely seeing improvement already. Stay motivated and keep up the practice sessions AJ.

Cheers Rich! It's all starting to click now - the outside of the jigsaw has been framed! Just 10,000 pieces left lol

DAFlys

Keeping it smooth there AJ.

A J

DAFlys Posted at 5-17 21:58
Keeping it smooth there AJ.

Thanks DA. Getting there. Feel my confidence in flight has gone up a notch and manifested itself in the video! The thought of skimming over trees at 50mph in acro mode was unthinkable just a week ago. While not shown in the vid my flips have improved and end on the horizon now having slowed my rates,

Blériot53

A J Posted at 5-17 21:33
The drone uses rocksteady3.0 EIS which helps to stabilise the footage. It's not this smooth looking at the unstabilised footage from the goggles.

The Action 2 lanyard camera has Rocksteady, and Horizonsteady. But you can't use both at once.
I guess Horizonsteady would be redundant for FPV

A J

Blériot53 Posted at 5-17 23:32
The Action 2 lanyard camera has Rocksteady, and Horizonsteady. But you can't use both at once.
I guess Horizonsteady would be redundant for FPV

It also has horizonsteady - makes the footage look like it was taken with a GPS drone. I've never used it though.

Blériot53

A J Posted at 5-18 00:45
It also has horizonsteady - makes the footage look like it was taken with a GPS drone. I've never used it though.

I would have thought that to be defeating the object of FPV flying, but I guess it's another feature to have.

A J

Blériot53 Posted at 5-18 00:48
I would have thought that to be defeating the object of FPV flying, but I guess it's another feature to have.

Same as taking photos with it mate - I think they add these features on to broaden the appeal to a wider customer base to enhance potential sales and it is nice to have options but those features are not why I bought this FPV drone.

Blériot53

A J Posted at 5-18 00:55
Same as taking photos with it mate - I think they add these features on to broaden the appeal to a wider customer base to enhance potential sales and it is nice to have options but those features are not why I bought this FPV drone.

No. I see your enthusiasm growing, for the eyeballs-out speed manoeuvres

A J

Blériot53 Posted at 5-18 01:00
No. I see your enthusiasm growing, for the eyeballs-out speed manoeuvres

It is a unique feeling flying FPV I have to say. I normally get a bit bored flying a new drone after the first month but this Avata 2 is very addicting.

Blériot53

A J Posted at 5-18 01:07
It is a unique feeling flying FPV I have to say. I normally get a bit bored flying a new drone after the first month but this Avata 2 is very addicting.

Hope you enjoy it for a long time - at least until the Avata3 looms on the horizon

A J

Blériot53 Posted at 5-18 01:08
Hope you enjoy it for a long time - at least until the Avata3 looms on the horizon

I hope so too mate - it wasn't cheap, especially with all the extras! I don't think we'll see an Avata 3 until the end of 2025 at the earliest (based on the wait between the first 2 models).

Blériot53

A J Posted at 5-18 01:11
I hope so too mate - it wasn't cheap, especially with all the extras! I don't think we'll see an Avata 3 until the end of 2025 at the earliest (based on the wait between the first 2 models).

I've had some great use from the Mini3Pro, but I may move to the Mini4Pro towards the end of this year - unless the 5 is out by then

A J

Blériot53 Posted at 5-18 01:19
I've had some great use from the Mini3Pro, but I may move to the Mini4Pro towards the end of this year - unless the 5 is out by then

I would wait for the 5 if I were you. I can see that coming soon and that will be an even bigger upgrade over the 4 (or at least the 4 pro will price drop).

Blériot53

A J Posted at 5-18 01:24
I would wait for the 5 if I were you. I can see that coming soon and that will be an even bigger upgrade over the 4 (or at least the 4 pro will price drop).

I have a birthday towards the end of the year, so it may coincide with that - or Xmas

First Newquay clip is live on YT now. And I've posted a link on the forum.

A J

Blériot53 Posted at 5-18 01:30
I have a birthday towards the end of the year, so it may coincide with that - or Xmas
First Newquay clip is live on YT now. And I've posted a link on the forum.

Cool - I'll check it out!
Always nice to mark a big celebration with a new drone!

fichek

Mini series is in such a weird place at the moment, I don't think there was ever a worse time to decide which Mini to buy. Hopefully they clean it up soon and we're left with 2, max 3 models. Pro, normal and budget (and hopefully with a less confusing naming scheme than, "4 Pro, "4" and "4K"

). But seeing as it's DJI, they'll probably go in the other direction and add a Mini 4 Zoom

Blériot53

A J Posted at 5-18 02:36
Cool - I'll check it out!
Always nice to mark a big celebration with a new drone!

A J

fichek Posted at 5-18 02:44
Mini series is in such a weird place at the moment, I don't think there was ever a worse time to decide which Mini to buy. Hopefully they clean it up soon and we're left with 2, max 3 models. Pro, normal and budget (and hopefully with a less confusing naming scheme than, "4 Pro, "4" and "4K" ). But seeing as it's DJI, they'll probably go in the other direction and add a Mini 4 Zoom

The Mini series does seem a little milked to put it mildly. I'm pleased I chose the Avata 2 over the Mini 4 Pro - it was very 50/50 at one point and I was under orders to only buy one! No regrets! If I do buy another drone down the line then I think it will be a Mini just for the fact I can fly it practically anywhere!

fichek

A J Posted at 5-18 02:55
The Mini series does seem a little milked to put it mildly. I'm pleased I chose the Avata 2 over the Mini 4 Pro - it was very 50/50 at one point and I was under orders to only buy one! No regrets! If I do buy another drone down the line then I think it will be a Mini just for the fact I can fly it practically anywhere!

With Avata 2 having same camera sensor as Mini 4 Pro and being so much more fun to fly, I'd recommend it over the mini to almost* everyone.

* There's a few people who I think really need the omnidirectional sensors of Mini 4 Pro

DowntownRDB

A J Posted at 5-17 21:36
Cheers Rich! It's all starting to click now - the outside of the jigsaw has been framed! Just 10,000 pieces left lol

Nice analogy AJ. It's always nice to see the progress you are making.

A J

fichek Posted at 5-18 03:21
With Avata 2 having same camera sensor as Mini 4 Pro and being so much more fun to fly, I'd recommend it over the mini to almost* everyone.

* There's a few people who I think really need the omnidirectional sensors of Mini 4 Pro

For sure - absolutely no regrets in my decision. I realised that within 5 minutes my maiden flight!

A J

DowntownRDB Posted at 5-18 03:28
Nice analogy AJ. It's always nice to see the progress you are making.

9,999 to go now!

DowntownRDB

A J Posted at 5-18 08:59
9,999 to go now!

I think you are overestimating. Much less than that for you.

A J

DowntownRDB Posted at 5-19 06:26
I think you are overestimating. Much less than that for you.

Fair enough - 9,990 now! Nah, I'll be flying again tomorrow! Hope you had a nice weekend Rich

DowntownRDB

A J Posted at 5-19 13:03
Fair enough - 9,990 now! Nah, I'll be flying again tomorrow! Hope you had a nice weekend Rich

Thanks AJ. I opted for a lazy weekend. I did get in one dive but other than that I just lounged around my boat resting. Sunday I BBQ'd some nice baby back ribs that I marinated for over 24 hours. Very tasty but you don't get a lot of meat off of ribs.