I was out practicing videos tracking my boat today. For some reason the landing pad that I was planning to use was missing when I first needed it. It must have sailed out of the boat when I was gong fast out the channel, even though it was still folded and in it's bag. Oh well. Anyway, it was not very rough and I was pretty sure I could avoid having to hand catch it this time. So...while attempting to bring the MA2 down into the cockpit of the boat to land, the drone slipped toward the "captains" seat. I was not about to let that damage happen. I love the boat more than drone or fingers ;-). So....I jambed my fingers down from the top in an attempt to stop it. I stopped it. Well, it hurt like crazy for a little while and, because I take Plavix (blood thinner), it bled quite a bit...but it was still worth it. In retrospect, I would do it again, it really was not that bad as you can see in the photos. Nothing is going to rip up the upholstery in my boat ;-) And, by the way, no apparent damage to the props either.

thanx god. still not really bad.

One of the short clips, but only partially in tracking mode. Some of the full tracking tests produced weird results (more to follow later). Boat was going 40 MPH, a bit slower than it's max of 55 MPH. The MA2 forward stick was pegged. Crappy editor.


Edit: I just want to try both youtube and vimeo to compare them, sorry for the busywork.





Looks like vimeo is the clear winner. Better video and no popup ads.

Nice chase. Footage looks good.

Woe Posted at 7-15 20:18
Nice chase. Footage looks good.

Thanks, but I need a lot more practice at it. And I have to get someone to drive the boat. It is extremely difficult to operate both at the same time.

GaryDoug Posted at 7-15 20:22
Thanks, but I need a lot more practice at it. And I have to get someone to drive the boat. It is extremely difficult to operate both at the same time.

Wait! You were driving the boat?

Woe Posted at 7-15 20:44
Wait! You were driving the boat?

Yep, it was a real bitch too ;-)

Hello there GaryDoug. I am sorry to read and to know that your fingers got stuck and was cut by the propellers of your DJI Mavic Air 2 and thank you for sharing these information with. In addition, thank you for posting the said cool video on post #3. Please stay safe always and thank you for your support.

Ouch.
Had that myself on my first hand catch....

GaryDoug Posted at 7-15 20:57
Yep, it was a real bitch too ;-)

Some say men can't multitask well

I took the tip off my pinky with a small racing drone when it powered up unexpectedly. It probably would have not been too bad, but the prop broke leaving a razor sharp edge. Glad you only suffered minor cuts.

Ouch - thats gotta hurt - glad no real harm done though and you made the right choice protecting the boat.

GaryDoug Posted at 7-15 20:13
One of the short clips, but only partially in tracking mode. Some of the full tracking tests produced weird results (more to follow later). Boat was going 40 MPH, a bit slower than it's max of 55 MPH. The MA2 forward stick was pegged. Crappy editor.

https://youtu.be/GrPtTZ-C16Y

Great footage too

GaryDoug Posted at 7-15 20:13
One of the short clips, but only partially in tracking mode. Some of the full tracking tests produced weird results (more to follow later). Boat was going 40 MPH, a bit slower than it's max of 55 MPH. The MA2 forward stick was pegged. Crappy editor.

https://youtu.be/GrPtTZ-C16Y

These props are quite large, rigid ...and dangerous, scary situation! I see props in top right corner in footage, was the gimball centered?

Ouch,  Ive done that once open the M2P but luckily it didn't break the skin, hurt a lot though.

GaryDoug Posted at 7-15 20:57
Yep, it was a real bitch too ;-)

That's some skills

Ouch, close call with a blackened finger nail.

Would an Alum stick work for you?

GaryDoug Posted at 7-15 20:13
One of the short clips, but only partially in tracking mode. Some of the full tracking tests produced weird results (more to follow later). Boat was going 40 MPH, a bit slower than it's max of 55 MPH. The MA2 forward stick was pegged. Crappy editor.

cool video!  controlling 2 toys at the same time !!  

cheers
JJB

GaryDoug Posted at 7-15 20:57
Yep, it was a real bitch too ;-)

Lovely footage tho...

Montfrooij Posted at 7-15 23:35
Some say men can't multitask well

Why men (or women) shouldn't...

The above video of the boating incident has been discussed in huge detail on the boating forums I frequent. There are many opinions about it but the main problem is that the approaching boat rides very high in front and the captain cannot see what is in front unless he/she is standing. This operator was seated at the time in addition to being inattentive.

If you think about it, there would have been a real benefit to have had a camera up high and pointed ahead to allow the captain to see what is not only directly in front but also to the front sides a bit. I wonder what kind of device could be used for that ;-)

HedgeTrimmer Posted at 7-16 07:57
Why men (or women) shouldn't...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOzhaiKv_Zg

Gheghegheghe.
I won't try that at home.
Or on a lake for that sake.

GaryDoug Posted at 7-16 08:17
The above video of the boating incident has been discussed in huge detail on the boating forums I frequent. There are many opinions about it but the main problem is that the approaching boat rides very high in front and the captain cannot see what is in front unless he/she is standing. This operator was seated at the time in addition to being inattentive.

If you think about it, there would have been a real benefit to have had a camera up high and pointed ahead to allow the captain to see what is not only directly in front but also to the front sides a bit. I wonder what kind of device could be used for that ;-)

"This operator was seated at the time in addition to being inattentive."

The point I was trying to make.  
Next time, I'll focus on finding a better video.  Little busy this time flying drone, driving down highway, and talkin on cell.  

PS: Bummer about those fingers.  Hope props weren't damaged too!

For next time

I also recently tried my hand at boat/drone navigation.  Not that hard but landing gets tricking in a tight space fighting wind and current.

I'll bet that with my "old" P3A with those hard props, the damage would have been much worse!  Glad to know, actually, that the props will make welts but barely break the skin.  

GaryDoug Posted at 7-15 20:13
One of the short clips, but only partially in tracking mode. Some of the full tracking tests produced weird results (more to follow later). Boat was going 40 MPH, a bit slower than it's max of 55 MPH. The MA2 forward stick was pegged. Crappy editor.

https://youtu.be/GrPtTZ-C16Y

You got your MA2 to go 40 mph?  I can not get mine to go over 26 mph.  Something is wrong with mine...

bob37 Posted at 7-16 16:14
You got your MA2 to go 40 mph?  I can not get mine to go over 26 mph.  Something is wrong with mine...

Mine is usually in sport mode, up to about 43 MPH in the logs depending on the wind direction. Normal mode is slower.

Today I switch to sport mode for the first time.  I was at 250 feet, so not danger. I hit 43 mph!  So cool!  I am so unacquainted to this new bird.  239 flights with my P3A but this MA2 is amazing.  I flew 1.5 miles away and a total of nearly 3 miles in one flight!