Aerial Quad Copter Inspections

WARNING !!!

I sent my DJI Phantom 2 Vision Quad Copter to DJI in California over a 2 weeks ago and it arrived in their place last Tuesday according to my tracking #. So I called them (DJI) last night and the response was that they have a room full of incoming shipments that have yet to be received/logged into their system. With that she also mentioned that she feels that they are still on a 4 week turn around.

This may be a good reason if you are going to make a quad copter an every inspection feature that you have more than 1 unit to count on !!!

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 07/02/2014 05:51 PM EDT

GREAT NEWS !!!!

Just signed agreement for 20 gas station roof inspections $$$$ each. The thing that put me ahead of the other bids was providing FREE aerial photos of the properties.

The client was surprised when he was looking at the sample reports and mine was the only report with IR & aerial photos.

Keven what kind of home inspection software are you using to post the aerial photographs?

Keven do you, or can you, get insurance for these quad copters? I have insurance in the case of theft for a few more expensive toosl, radon machines, etc., but didn't know if this is something you have looked into. I could call my insurance company but they are closed today and I'm ready to order!

Yes my quad copter is insured along with all my tools I carry with me.

I use HomeGauge. I've been using HomeGauge for over 15 years and LOVE IT !!!! Remember software is a basic engine and once you get it its time to start doing your personal mods to it ...

Oh my word. I want one!!

So, how / why did yours crash, and does it cost an arm and leg to fix?

It's called a Fly-Away and apparently it happens too often as you can find it in posts of the Phantom 2 Vision forum. there are many things that the manufacturer doesn't tell you like you need to continuously update the firmware to make sure you have the latest version and even then that might not save you from having a fly away. It has now been at the manufacturer for about 4 weeks and I'm hoping that whatever updates they do to it fixes this issue.

Keven I got my quad copter last Friday and used it on two inspections today. Awesome aerial footage and pictures to upload for the client. It creates a ton of wow factor. However, you mentioned earlier that you don't use it for commercial purposes. I had a well inspection guy, (I'm sure an expert in quad copters

) tell me they were not approved by the FCC (don't know if he meant FAA) since they involved aerial photographs. I don't really care what he thinks and will keep doing them as I see an opportunity, but wondered if you have run into that since you do a bunch of them. I'm thinking that the "tool' approach would be fine, but I would like to be able to directly make money off it and not just indirectly. Any thoughts about that? I got some leads from my insurance agent today that says his claims adjusters would like something like that. Would that delve into a legal problem?

At this point just ignore everything you hear on that topic. Nobody knows what to do about these things...think Facebook and social media in the early days. It's the Wild West right now and if you get nailed and end up in court over it you will be famous. Best thing that could possibly happen to you.

How much practice did you need before actually using it during the inspection? What is the learning curve on how to properly operate one of these?

To those insuring your tools, who is your contact for a quote. I inquired here a year ago but they had a policy minimum of like $1200 a year on inland marine coverage and wasn't worth it whatsoever.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 07/29/2014 07:56 AM EDT

DJI - My Phantom 2 Vision is on its way back from getting fixed.

It appears the main issue is that the quad copter needs to be continuously updated. To avoid communication issues in Fly Aways !

Hopefully I'll have it back by the end of the week.

Fly aways? Wow. That's nuts!

I was definitely looking into a Phantom Pro Visiion plus, then I found a local realtor who is using one on his listings to market the property. He set me up with a local business that sells, services them here in Minnesota. Sooo, I'm putting my order in now and will be up and running soon.