has anybody used a drone to film their layout while the trains are moving ? If so, which drone did you use and how difficult was it to control indoors?
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Check online, quite a bit of info on mini-drones. A fellow I know used one recently to get some pix of a flea market, and it was the size of a smart phone, pictures were excellent. Only problem is stability in wind, which would not be an issue inside your home.
Unless you have high ceilings, I'd think a selfie stick could achieve nearly the same results.
I have several types of aerial drones I use for training, and I tried flying my smallest one with non-GPS altitude stability over the layout to see if I could take videos. I don't have high ceiling, and it blew everything over not glued down. Maybe one of the new micro drones might work.
From Ron above:
I don't have high ceiling, and it blew everything over not glued down.
That was my thought as well - the downwash would likely play havoc with everything!
@Bruce Feldman posted:has anybody used a drone to film their layout while the trains are moving ? If so, which drone did you use and how difficult was it to control indoors?
Well, my few experiments with drones or other self-powered flying objects have all ended badly. The combination of high-velocity air and limited space is a predicate to disaster! As has been suggested, a selfie stick (ideally one with mechanical or electronic image stabilization) is the more conventional solution.
I've also been intrigued with the possibility of creating a home-brew version of the "eye in the sky" wire-controlled cameras used in football games and other sporting events. Four computer-controlled motors, one on each wire, could position the camera anywhere in the 3D space over the layout, and motorized gimbals might be directed to point the camera in any direction. ISTM four stepper motors could be controlled by a joystick and an arduino or other small computer to move a gimbaled camera anywhere desired over the layout, potentially following the rolling stock around the layout as you suggested. Oh, well, some day . . . 
Seems like you've got way too much time on your hands. :-)
Not something I would want to try. Too many things could go wrong, if you want an aerial view stand on a stool or chair..
Marty
@Mannyrock posted:Seems like you've got way too much time on your hands. :-)
Well, not really, or I would have tried to build one already! 🤪
@martind posted:Not something I would want to try. Too many things could go wrong, if you want an aerial view stand on a stool or chair..
Marty
Do you know how many people are killed or injured each year standing on a stool or chair? 😳
DJI Mini-2. Didn’t hit the wall this time.
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Wow John, that's amazing flying! Great looking layout!
See, it can be done...kudos John. Now try and get some overhead pacing shots, that should hone your piloting skills.
Nice flying, John! And a good looking layout to boot!
Chris
LVHR
