Flying a Drone in the Rain // Crazy or Worth the Risk?

Рет қаралды 12,635

Күн бұрын

Пікірлер: 81

@DroneFilmGuide Ай бұрын

Some great comments and anecdotes below from people with actual experience of flying in hostile weather and very often with an actual need to do so. Keep them coming!

@gtmanu Ай бұрын

The point of analysis in this video is incorrect. The problem is not if the rain "damages the photographs", the real problem is if any drop of water or humidity that may enter the drone does not cause corrosion over time. That is the real point, and therefore, FLYING IN THE RAIN IS NOT RECOMMENDED. Greetings from Buenos Aires, Argentina.

@klausito7714 Ай бұрын

Flying in the rain also keeps your skin smooth and moist. That's probably why you are looking younger and younger each year. It has always been a pleasure following your channel. Best wishes from Germany.

@DroneFilmGuide Ай бұрын

Ha! Thank you! "Younger and younger" is a stretch but I'll take it!!

@rocasfosilesyminerales 2 күн бұрын

Ñeeeeee…

@midlifeadventuretravels Ай бұрын

I had an incident in Iceland last month where my little DJI neo wouldn’t land on my hand, tried to grab it and it sent it in a spin and straight into a fast flowing river! By the time i ran down off the bridge and got into a position where i could use my monopod to scoop the fully submerged neo from the underwater rock it had wedged itself in the poor little drone had been submerged for around 5 mins. Was a recovery mission to then make a claim on DJI protect but thought I may as well take off the battery and place it on the heater when back at hotel - to my utter amazement it is fine! No issues with either drone or battery! Little Neo is indestructible! Would not want the same to happen to my Mini 4 Pro mind!

@DroneFilmGuide Ай бұрын

Great story! Glad you recovered it!

@patrickwalsh2086 Ай бұрын

What a story! It just shows how well made dji products really are!😀

@photoangelov Ай бұрын

DJI should start making their drones water-resistant with proper IP ratings. They should also make clip-on hoods for the camera modules, that'll protect from rain and reduce lens flares. That said, right now, I'd only consider flying in the rain *only* if you can afford to lose the drone. It may still work immediately after that, but if water has gotten inside, it can cause corrosion and failure in the very near future.

@TheXone7 Ай бұрын

Drones with IP rating would be 10-20% more expensive, so it's surely not a priority for DJI unless there is a competition with IP rating. Anything over the lens is degrading the quality and a high quality clear glass filter may cost 50 USD so also not in interest of DJI.

@photoangelov Ай бұрын

@@TheXone7 I didn't say anything about a lens filter, just e lens hood, that every normal camera lens has. Otherwise, yes, it will be a little more expensive, but it will be absolutely worth it for flying with confidence in snowing conditions, for example.

@ronaldwilson9525 Ай бұрын

Glad to see this with YOUR drone. No chance I’m doing this with MY drone. Great job!

@RobertEFuller Ай бұрын

I crashed a Mavic two in the sea the next day I snorkelled out to retrieve it & found it in 1.5m under the water I washed it in fresh water 💦 Dried it off for 2 months and yes you have guessed it ! New battery in and it flew again 😅 The camera was a bit damaged but it worked I have flown in rain snow and cold conditions in Antarctica These DJI drones are incredible, but I wouldn’t recommend flying in rain unless you’re able to replace your drone or have a spare

@DroneFilmGuide Ай бұрын

Wow, what a channel you have! And the perfect example of how not flying in hostile conditions could be more costly than putting the drone at risk. Thanks for sharing your experience.

@erikdendress Ай бұрын

I recently flew for the first time in both snow and rain...I had always been very concerned about it, but thankfully no issues - in fact, the drones perspective in the snow was quite cool!

@RonaldBrown59 Ай бұрын

I never fly in the rain, at least not on purpose. But I do realize it can be done, especially when you take precautions, like the ones you went over in the video. I do mostly real estate work, and those realtors want good light, not dark skies. If your shooting time sensitive news events, I understand the need to go up in the rain and get the shot. Great video, thanks for sharing.

@DesignGuyCA Ай бұрын

I have always shied away from flying in rain. You make some excellent points, and the tips for keeping the lens clean during flight are gold. Thanks!

@thailand-theroadslesstrave6580 Ай бұрын

I really enjoy your channel and the courtesy that you showed me by responding to a query / comment that I once made. I live in Thailand and I once quipped to a friend “In Manchester you do not have real rain, just the occasional free sample”. When it rains here it comes from above, front, back and below. If I ever win the lottery I will fly an old drone in a monsoon and share the results ! Great channel.

@lynnB3159 Ай бұрын

Bought an air 3 mainly to look around my sheep . I have flown in 50 mph winds and torential rain , the air 3 has not missed a beat . Only once could I not fly because of strong winds . I cant compliment this drone enough .

@EarthReflection 28 күн бұрын

Thanks for these great tips! I will also try to use my Mini 3 in the rain to bring different content

@DroneFilmGuide 26 күн бұрын

Not a recommendation a such but just some advice based on actual experience that if you get caught in the rain then it's not the end of the world! Have fun!

@frankinblackpool Ай бұрын

I live in a marine environment which has killed three Panasonic cameras chasing storms along the prom. GH4, GH5 and G9M2. My GH6 survived with some corrosion. I know that flying my drone on a damp breezy day on the prom is a game of Russian Roulette where the electronics will never recover from. Just landing on wet sand gives me palpitations. Just the thought of a corroded battery gives me the shivers. Flying in the rain is just not worth the effort for me. Where there is rain, there is always wind. I also flew my original mini 1 just before Storm Ciara hit town. That did not end well. Three broken limbs, swollen battery and knackered gimbal.

@philipwright7186 Ай бұрын

I have to say, my tendency would be to read the manufacturers guidance and follow that. If the product hasn't been designed to get wet then you could be introducing problems that aren't immediately obvious. It might drop out the sky next week when it's hovering over a crowd in the warm sunshine.

@blackmamba6938 Ай бұрын

The only drone they made that was waterproof was the DJI Spark. They never stated it was waterproof, but it was and it was a tank. My friend lost it in a river. It was submerged underwater for 2 days until she finally recovered it. Then she let it dry off and the thing flew as if nothing ever happened. That thing was indestructible. DJI doesn't make drones like this anymore. I had my DJI Mini submerged underwater for just 10 minutes after I flew into a branch and the thing was toast.

@andybg1972 Ай бұрын

been in Scotland 8 times on holiday.....and risking it in rain is very normal. Wind is biggest danger.

@johnpftd Ай бұрын

Thanks for this Stewart. Its kinda like back in my running days when we lived in England..... I don't mind so much getting caught in the rain, pretty harmless, but I don't fancy starting in the rain. I appreciated your assessment of this predicament.

@robbinsdrones Ай бұрын

I haven't flown in the rain/snow yet...yet. This makes it seem more possible than I would have thought. Snow seems like it might be fun to try, not sure of when/why I would want or need to fly in the rain versus waiting. Great content, thanks for the show!

@Drone.vision Ай бұрын

Great video guys enjoyed that , lots of useful information! I have personally flown a few times in the rain and I’m pretty heavy rain too, I have one drone that I take out in the rain , don’t use them all for rainy days though! Brilliant , have a great Christmas! 🎄🙂

@DroneFilmGuide 26 күн бұрын

Appreciate that, thank you!!

@Drone.vision 26 күн бұрын

@ you’re welcome 🙂

@richardcrouch356 Ай бұрын

this is an interesting subject, i personally won't fly in rain unless I'm already out there and it rains then sport mode to get it back, but seeing this video might steer me to staying up there a bit longer thank you.

@teaminfiniti8013 Ай бұрын

Love flying in the rain

@TheXone7 Ай бұрын

Ok. Worst idea ever to be honest. The water gets where it should not be. That drone may work for 5 flights, but later on may get and probably will get bricked.

@blackmamba6938 Ай бұрын

I'm flying it in snow and rain because it looks cool on the camera. I have DJI care so I'm not concerned if it suddenly stops working from some rain.

@Inspirewithdrones3342 Ай бұрын

I’ve done it before during a commercial real estate shoot in LA. I was flying with my Mavic 3. I felt like the drone functioned very well. What I did immediately was dry the drone off as soon as I brought it down.

@Inspirewithdrones3342 Ай бұрын

I wouldn’t recommend flying in the rain if it’s significantly pouring down. I wouldn’t fly just because, but if I’m getting paid, then just make sure you have a good insurance policy for your drone in case you need to replace it.

@parrotheadstx Ай бұрын

Such an excellent video. The perspective in snow and rain is amazing.

@robcarnaroli269 Ай бұрын

Typically the motors are an inductive brushless design so no exposed brushes or commutator to worry about. They have to be made from enameled wire too so the don't short once wound. The only spot for trouble would be where the 3 leads solder to the coils depending on how well the manufacturer build them.

@AdroneZ1480 Ай бұрын

The first time I flew my Mini 4 Pro in light rain the camera got corrupted. The colors started to change on half of the screen randomly and I had to send it back for repair.

@sjsobol1 Ай бұрын

In the US you need to have VLOS on your drone when flying (unless you have an exemption). Flying in rain or fog will reduce how far away you can legally fly your drone.

@JollyDeacs11 7 күн бұрын

With what I paid for my Mini Pro 4, I would never, ever fly it in the rain. I have enough stress and problems in my life and do not want to introduce anymore additional ones. Oh goodness, I'll wait for the itsy bitsy spider to come out and I'll know it's ok to shoot again.

@247SH Ай бұрын

Great test! Humidity, mountain mist, fog, etc all cause moisture so it's impossible to keep flying machines 100% dry. Looks like you're at Glen Nevis. I must go there again soon. My last visit was with my Mini 2.

@sjm.photos Ай бұрын

flown my mini 3 pro and mini 4 pro in rain and snow never had an issue infact the first day i got the mini 4 pro i did a video about it and it in the rain as it chucked it down when i was out for its first flight lol

@alun7006 Ай бұрын

There is at least one company making rain protection add-ons for DJI drones. I keep meaning to buy a set.

@psoon04286 Ай бұрын

I’m not too worried about the motors, they are a brushless design similar to the ones used in RC cars that can wade through mud and water. Of concern are the circuit board, the sensors and most importantly, the camera lens. Videos and photos don’t look good with water drops smeared all over

@peteryoas Ай бұрын

Apparently dji uses the same motors on the their drones that are used for RC boats.

@peteryoas Ай бұрын

Also, doing pipeline inspections we use rainx on the camera lens to have the water run off the lens to not ruin a video or picture. You can definitely use that in this scenario

@DroneFilmGuide Ай бұрын

Rapidly Googling 'rainx'...great tip, thanks for sharing!

@JoopWeerd Ай бұрын

The best tip: do not fly in the rain!

@QSDigitalVideo Ай бұрын

Bet Alina loves assisting on your sodden shoots. 😅

@aaronmurgatroyd5810 Ай бұрын

I wonder if you could apply some rain-x to the lens so any water does run off….?

@FPV-TV419 Ай бұрын

The motors dont actually get hot on the dji consumer drones. They are also technically water proof. They will work under water.

@wildone106 Ай бұрын

Flown my Mavic 3 in pouring rain for work. No issues.

@limitlesssteamlab Ай бұрын

friend, rain does not harm motors because these visible wires are insulated with a layer of epoxy

@iainstewart1466 Ай бұрын

Get DJI engineers design windscreen wipers for camera lenses

@barryp351 22 күн бұрын

What software do you recommend for drone video and picture editing

@HikeFly22 Ай бұрын

Awesome

@bobsnyder287 Ай бұрын

In the USA you can buy a rain suit for your drone

@RaptorFlyer3D Ай бұрын

Before flying in the rain in the UK, probably best to check the fundamentals of the law, the drone IP rating and your insurance policy. Knowing a drone isn’t spec’d to fly in rain will not be insured if you fly in the rain. Also if it crashes or malfunctions and causes injury / damage to others the Court would see you have flown it out of its specified weather conditions. Try and explain that to the judge… Also if you’re a commercial operator why wouldn’t you have prevailing weather conditions factored into your T&C’s to cover this?? Just because it can fly in the rain doesn’t mean you should. Fly safe, fly happy.

@aswinchan1600 Ай бұрын

good idea but not good for drone health, what would you expect to see unless it was created specifically for rescue.

@patrickwalsh2086 Ай бұрын

Seriously, drones and rain don’t mix! 🤨😁

@coalakida Ай бұрын

Get A Wet Suit from Phantomrain and you can fly everday in the Pouring Rain.

@Needafollower Ай бұрын

Flying in the rain isn’t too bad! I didn’t keep the battery warm last winter before a flight and it took off lasted about 3 seconds then dropped out off the side of a Munro! RIP mavic 2 pro

@DroneFilmGuide 26 күн бұрын

Wow, I've never experienced that but certainly have always followed old advice about trying to keep batteries warm in such situations. Hover the drone for a bit to let it heat up and keep an eye on the battery temp data in the app. Sorry you had to find out the hard way!

@jcrums Ай бұрын

Wouldn't reccomend. My drone stopped responding to remote inputs and the gimbal started to malfunction. Totally ruined my trip to Mauritius as it stopped working when I needed it the most.

@simoncanfer5030 Ай бұрын

RC controller says Indoor use only, not much waterproofing in DJI products!!

@mickeytheviewmoo Ай бұрын

Wonder if anyone has tried using rain/water repellent on the lens or even a filter.

@jesusgjchuza6491 Ай бұрын

Very nice

@sandroguaita 17 күн бұрын

Why ? whats the reazon to fly in the rain ? no excuses plis...

@alanmurray5236 Ай бұрын

This is an completely wrong concept to attempt to promote. This is extremely risky and potentially will cause your drone to fail in the future. My advice is to not do this. The consequences could be catastrophic, dangerous and harmful.