This is kind of a love letter to my Spark, who's been at my side, and over my head, for almost five years. I bought a fly more combo second hand for $550 CDN when it was $850 new (so I'm afraid DJI hasn't made much off me). It had been used once and was like brand new. Now it's covered in battle scars but still flies like a trooper.

It's out of date now by drone standards but still has a lot to offer, and it's tough as nails. It has crashed too many times to count and was dropped on a concrete floor and the only damage has been to the props. I've been through too many of those to count, too. It has flown in light rain and (relatively) high winds and at minus 15 C, and has always come back with video. It has been worth every dollar I spent on it.

So this is for you, ol' buddy. Thanks for the memories.

(It's been five years, not three as I mistakenly thought until after I uploaded the video.)

Great video and amazing captures no mater if the drone is considered out of date.

enikdem Posted at 1-28 08:03
Great video and amazing captures no mater if the drone is considered out of date.

Thanks. Yes, drones don't regress when newer ones come out. Mine still does everything that I was excited about it doing when I bought it.

A few bumps along the way, but it has given you some great memories. Nice compilation.

My son won't part with his and even refuses the free upgrade to newer drone (i.e. I offered to pay).
only trouble he's had is losing a filter somewhere here

Blériot53 Posted at 1-28 13:36
A few bumps along the way, but it has given you some great memories. Nice compilation.

Thanks. The bumps have all been worth it, including a couple of scars on my fingers.

sky wombat Posted at 1-28 17:52
My son won't part with his and even refuses the free upgrade to newer drone (i.e. I offered to pay).
only trouble he's had is losing a filter somewhere here

If he ever does move up in the drone world, can I have his batteries?

Prairie Chicken Posted at 1-28 18:02
If he ever does move up in the drone world, can I have his batteries?

strange you should say that as he came within a gnat's er whisker of picking some up the other day. in the end the bloke decided he'd keep the spark.

Prairie Chicken Posted at 1-28 18:01
Thanks.  The bumps have all been worth it, including a couple of scars on my fingers.

Was that due to hand-catching the drone?  I've trimmed a couple of fingernails doing that, but nothing more drastic.

Nicely done.    

Love the shot of the misty ship. The pilot is war more important than the drone. Good sound with the train and the machines. Gorgeous sunsets shot above the lake. Love the crash as well. Very brave last take (or did you reverse it?)

Lovely compilation!   The Spark has really held up well for you.  

sky wombat Posted at 1-28 18:07
strange you should say that as he came within a gnat's er whisker of picking some up the other day. in the end the bloke decided he'd keep the spark.

Smart lad!

Blériot53 Posted at 1-29 00:02
Was that due to hand-catching the drone?  I've trimmed a couple of fingernails doing that, but nothing more drastic.

I do hand catch a lot but these were from two attempted emergency rescues, once when it landed in a puddle and once in slushy snow. Turns out you can't quite fit your fingers between the spinning props, no matter how often you try.

DAFlys Posted at 1-29 01:14
Nicely done.

Thanks.

Prairie Chicken Posted at 1-29 05:03
I do hand catch a lot but these were from two attempted emergency rescues, once when it landed in a puddle and once in slushy snow. Turns out you can't quite fit your fingers between the spinning props, no matter how often you try.

Never a good idea -but as you say, in the heat of a panicky moment......

Depp Posted at 1-29 03:37
Love the shot of the misty ship. The pilot is war more important than the drone. Good sound with the train and the machines. Gorgeous sunsets shot above the lake. Love the crash as well. Very brave last take (or did you reverse it?)

Thanks for that. I spent a fair amount of time on the sound. I think it adds to the experience. You guessed it on the last shot. It's reversed.

DowntownRDB Posted at 1-29 04:48
Lovely compilation!   The Spark has really held up well for you.

Thanks. It's been a rugged, dependable little beast.

Prairie Chicken Posted at 1-29 05:04
Thanks.

You're very welcome.

Blériot53 Posted at 1-29 05:09
Never a good idea -but as you say, in the heat of a panicky moment......

It's like a parent who disregards their own safety to save their child.

Or it's just dumb.

Prairie Chicken Posted at 1-29 06:05
It's like a parent who disregards their own safety to save their child.

Or it's just dumb.

Prairie Chicken Posted at 1-29 05:20
Thanks. It's been a rugged, dependable little beast.

You're very welcome.  

Just don't ever run out of batteries for the Spark as they seem to be getting harder to find.

DowntownRDB Posted at 1-29 07:49
You're very welcome.  

Just don't ever run out of batteries for the Spark as they seem to be getting harder to find.

I'm tempted to hoard batteries for it but it's going to die probably sooner than later at this point, and if it does I'd hate to be stuck with all those batteries. The four I have are still going strong, knock on wood.

Outstanding, amazing the batteries have lasted so long!

ScottArt Posted at 1-29 09:57
Outstanding, amazing the batteries have lasted so long!

Thanks. Lucky with the batteries so far.

Prairie Chicken Posted at 1-29 09:30
I'm tempted to hoard batteries for it but it's going to die probably sooner than later at this point, and if it does I'd hate to be stuck with all those batteries. The four I have are still going strong, knock on wood.

Sounds like you have a good plan in place.  Hopefully, it will last another 4-5 years.

DowntownRDB Posted at 1-30 05:23
Sounds like you have a good plan in place.  Hopefully, it will last another 4-5 years.

I won't mind upgrading when it finally dies or the batteries run out, whichever comes first. It's not like I don't want 10-bit colour and more flying time but for now, the Spark's video quality is sufficient for me (and is excellent for a crop sensor).

But yeah, a few more years before I have to fork out a few thousand dollars would be nice.

Prairie Chicken Posted at 1-30 11:42
I won't mind upgrading when it finally dies or the batteries run out, whichever comes first. It's not like I don't want 10-bit colour and more flying time but for now, the Spark's video quality is sufficient for me (and is excellent for a crop sensor).

But yeah, a few more years before I have to fork out a few thousand dollars would be nice.

By then who knows what drone technology will have advanced to.  Hold out for as long as you can as these toys are not cheap.  

DowntownRDB Posted at 1-30 14:19
By then who knows what drone technology will have advanced to.  Hold out for as long as you can as these toys are not cheap.

Yeah, they aren't getting any cheaper but they're getting better. The money I don't spend on more batteries can go towards an upgrade when I need it (and it helps make a case to my wife: "It's like paying hundreds of dollars less. I can't pass up a bargain like that.")  

Prairie Chicken Posted at 1-30 20:30
Yeah, they aren't getting any cheaper but they're getting better. The money I don't spend on more batteries can go towards an upgrade when I need it (and it helps make a case to my wife: "It's like paying hundreds of dollars less. I can't pass up a bargain like that.")

    Nice plan.

DowntownRDB Posted at 1-31 04:15
Nice plan.

Here's hoping.

Very well made!

Prairie Chicken Posted at 1-31 06:12
Here's hoping.

I'm betting it will work out for the best.  

Montfrooij Posted at 1-31 23:41
Very well made!

Thanks, but are you just saying that because there are trains in it?

DowntownRDB Posted at 2-1 05:55
I'm betting it will work out for the best.

I have no reason to think it won't, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed just in case.

Prairie Chicken Posted at 2-1 08:04
Thanks, but are you just saying that because there are trains in it?

You're welcome.
Ssssst. Don't ruin the compliment

Montfrooij Posted at 2-1 08:08
You're welcome.
Ssssst. Don't ruin the compliment

Compliment still appreciated.

Prairie Chicken Posted at 2-1 08:06
I have no reason to think it won't, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed just in case.

Keeping fingers crossed is always a good idea.  

Prairie Chicken Posted at 2-1 11:23
Compliment still appreciated.

DowntownRDB Posted at 2-1 11:52
Keeping fingers crossed is always a good idea.

Especially when my wife needs convincing that spending $3,000 on a drone makes perfect sense.

Her expected reaction --------->