Can you use your drone while snowing.

Would you fly your quad in the rain?  I would say not recommended.  I wouldn't fly mine if it was snowing.  JMO

nrgwise Posted at 2016-1-22 10:52
Would you fly your quad in the rain?  I would say not recommended.  I wouldn't fly mine if it was sn ...

imo?
i have flown in the snow before but i sint reccomend it and i would not do it again

In my experience, if theres even ONE snow flake or drop of water in the air it lands on the lens.
So why bother?

I'm sure its not good and could cause a crash if too much moisture got inside.
But I did see a video on the news last night of a Phantom that flew all around in a snow storm and it looked pretty cool.

I sometimes fly in fog and snow using tape to cover the ventilations holes on the of my phantom 3A. Ok it is a risk, but photos are amasing.  No problems what so ever.

It seems like you could...  I wouldn't fly mine, but I've seen some pretty good footage...

You people have large " STONES" apparently . I'll be darned if I'm putting $1400.00 clams up in the air in anything but a bright sunny day .... LOL

flocko Posted at 2016-1-22 20:15
You people have large " STONES" apparently . I'll be darned if I'm putting $1400.00 clams up in the  ...

Yeah, in their heads.

It would mess up the lens. I flew mine shortly after it snowed.. and this is the result:

My Foremark Reservoir Video DJI Post

Not recommended.

I flew it in the snow, no issues...kept the lens down at about 45 degrees....only had up there for a few minutes but it was fine.

e2pilot Posted at 2016-1-24 19:57
I flew it in the snow, no issues...kept the lens down at about 45 degrees....only had up there for a ...

Next week it will be doing an impersonation of a $1400 paper weight

Some people are proper daft. As soon as the snow hits the warm bird it would turn to water which could easily seep into the bird. Even by covering the vents it can still get into the motors...

P3_Nutz Posted at 2016-1-25 08:30
Some people are proper daft. As soon as the snow hits the warm bird it would turn to water which cou ...

Water should not bother the motors, there is no exposed electrical connections in them and the bearing is sealed.

Just like full sized aircraft, it all depends on the temperature, humidity, the condition of the falling snow, speed, etc.  Flying in dry snow like we get here most of the time wouldn't hurt a thing.  Flying in wet slushy snow is another story.  Flying in fog can cause problems very quickly.  It only took one minute for my lens to be covered with moisture when I went up to the base of fog over my house.  On the way down with the camera looking straight down, I also noticed water dripping off of the legs.  Once in the fog was enough.  However, I'm sure fog flying will also depend on several environmental characteristics.

Casey Neistat flew his Phantom 3 in blizzard like conditions while making this video. I probably wouldn't though. I don't make as much as he does.

Personally, yes; although you probably shouldn't. Anything for the shot!

Aardvark Posted at 2016-1-24 15:24
Next week it will be doing an impersonation of a $1400 paper weight

I will gladly admit that snow CAN cause issues, however, being a pilot for over 30 years, I also am well aware of both the hazards and the imagined hazards of snow.  This was a very dry show and the drone itself was bone dry when it landed.  Sleet, freezing rain, or slushy snow is a different story and I wouldn't imagine taking it out in that.

I would guess it would void any warrantee.  But it could sure make for some cool photos/videos.

You can use it in any weather, question is, should you...a tiny bit of moisture/fog will likely not hurt it as i have been out several times with absolutely no ill side effects after a year, though never in a rain or snow...it is not the short term but more likely the long term pain you might end up with wondering why things start going intermittent....keep in mind several have literally had their Phantoms submerged only to regain flight after drying out...question is, how long before the real problems or rust shows up...According to Neil Young..."Rust Never Sleeps"....

Flying in one of those storms where it rains reptiles like frogs and fish would probably be a bad idea,  but amazing video.  Be sure and post if you do get this kind of rain.