GoPro Karma Drone Arrives

**Scream And Fly** · 06-11-2017, 02:59 AM

I had a package arrive a few days ago that contained this - a GoPro Karma drone. The Karma had been sent for evaluation to see how it copes with the kind of photography I do for Scream And Fly events, with a requisite article to follow. It includes a Hero 5 Black camera and the stabilized 'Karma Grip', which I think would probably end up being more useful than the drone itself.

Those of you that are into this kind of technology will remember that the GoPro Karma was recalled almost immediately after launch because of a battery fault that was causing them to lose power and crash. Well this is the 2017 version, with the issue resolved, and it now has a Hero 5 Black camera rather than the Hero 4 camera that the first version had. So, we'll see how this does.

I had made the decision to add more video content to S&F this year, and aerial cinematography would be central to that. The Karma does not have some of the advanced sensored-autonomous features that the DJI units have, but the stabilized, removable grip will be just as important for the work I do as the drone itself.

I just hope I don't crash this into the water.

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**FUJIMO** · 06-11-2017, 09:45 AM

Ssswwweet!

**mjw930** · 06-11-2017, 09:58 AM

I picked up a Yuneec Typhoon last summer with the Hero 4 mount but haven't been able to find the time or the space to learn how to fly it. The problem with the Hero4 in this application is no waterproof housing so I'm loath to try it out on the water until I've mastered flying it.

looking forward to your work with this one.

**Dave Strong** · 06-11-2017, 11:44 AM

Better get a custom Lifeline made.

Dave

**Scream And Fly** · 06-11-2017, 06:28 PM

Originally Posted by mjw930

I picked up a Yuneec Typhoon last summer with the Hero 4 mount but haven't been able to find the time or the space to learn how to fly it. The problem with the Hero4 in this application is no waterproof housing so I'm loath to try it out on the water until I've mastered flying it.

looking forward to your work with this one.

I understand how you feel. The way I look at it, it's the same with my other camera gear - there's always a risk I'll drop something in the water when I'm in a boat, but if I want the good shot, I have to take the risk. I know the Yuneec Typhoons are very good drones. If you ever need help with flying it, let me know and I will be happy to help. I've been flying RC helicopters for a long time, and the transition from helis to drone flying is extremely easy.

Originally Posted by Dave Strong

Better get a custom Lifeline made.

Dave

If you mean flotation for the drone, that is actually a pretty good idea! Somebody actually makes a deployable parachute for drones that experience a power failure. The drone itself is not waterproof but the camera is at least. Some form of flotation just in case of a crash over water would actually be a good idea!

**flabum1017** · 06-11-2017, 08:22 PM

You could try corrosion block on the drone

**outasite** · 06-11-2017, 09:23 PM

I've heard the hero five is good for 30ft without case.

**Scream And Fly** · 06-12-2017, 01:37 AM

Originally Posted by outasite

I've heard the hero five is good for 30ft without case.

That's true - no more case and it can handle 33 feet underwater. I was using it today and it's impressive. The touch screen works well and the video quality is very incredible for such a small device. The GoPro has come a long way from the Hero 2 I have been using for years. I also have a Hero Session, which I like because it's so small, and the video quality is good, but not as good as the Hero 5.

My only concern is that since the camera no longer uses a case, there is nothing to protect the lens from damage, and there does not seem to be any easy way to replace the lens if damaged. I know with the Session you can unbolt the lens and replace it but I think with the Hero 5 that might entail swapping the camera case half. I'm not sure though.

The stabilized grip is what I like the most - even more than the drone itself. That's something that I see myself using quite a bit. Interestingly, while the GoPro advertising shows people on mountain bikes with the grip mounted to their helmets and chest, there's a warning that comes with the manual that states that you should not expose the grip to any vibrations. What good is a sports device like this if it cannot handle vibrations?

**cutwater** · 06-12-2017, 07:23 AM

Greg, I look forward to hearing how you like the Karma and seeing how it performs. I've been using a Phantom 3 Pro for two years, while good, it is not without it's quirks. Looking to upgrade to a Phantom 4 Pro for the better camera some time this year.

I have a Hero5 and wanted a gimbal for it to, but didn't want to change flight systems from DJI, so I went with the Removu S1. The interesting things about this unit is that it's rain / splash proof and the gimbal itself disconnects from the hand grip and can be mounted using any GoPro style mounts.

I had the opportunity to try it out at the Romp. I mounted it on my Shadow 21's side rear grab rails to get footage of the motor, wake and spray. In the configuration as pictured below, I the wind would over power the gimbal at over 50 mph. Also, likely due to solid motor mounts, the camera picks up engine vibration that the gimbal can't compensate for. Very jittery.

I tried it a second time farther aft with the camera hanging inboard of the grab rails, the wind wasn't an issue. Still jittery.

Third try was mounted most of the way forward on the bow hand rail facing the cockpit. Still jittery, but it was impressive that the gimbal did a good job with the side to side rocking of the boat and the porpoising over waves.

Last night I scrubbed one video file through Premiere Pro applying the warp stabilizer and the preliminary results with default settings were pretty good, really helped but did not eliminate the jitters. Will work on that more this week and post some results.

**mr fun** · 06-12-2017, 10:57 AM

here you go kids,,, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sqOsRgqrm0

**mr fun** · 06-13-2017, 06:49 PM

wow, after 90+ views, no comments? I think this thing ends all fears of over water drone videoing. fun out

**mr fun** · 06-13-2017, 08:44 PM

now were up to over a hundred views, fun out

**home made tunnel** · 06-13-2017, 10:42 PM

Lots of practice!!! Get some "seat-time" lol. Good luck with it !

**cutwater** · 06-14-2017, 05:42 AM

Originally Posted by mr fun

here you go kids,,, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sqOsRgqrm0

Interesting idea, just got the chance to check it out. Wonder how the gimbal and motors will hold up with repeated salt water use.

**Forkin' Crazy** · 06-14-2017, 03:15 PM

I like GoPro, but their website leaves a lot to be desired. Seems they don't believe in having a specs page. You have to sift through it and I still couldn't find a camera weight.

Been looking at the Yuneec Typhoon H. It seems to be better than the GoPro in many ways. It is faster, flies longer, has the specs for the camera, can fly with a dead motor, plus it has collision avoidance. Plus, as per their website, it is only 100 bucks more... So I guess that makes my mind up. Now I have to decide whether to upgrade to the Intel RealSense for another $300.

Just watched a video on RealSense. Pretty cool stuff, but they say it will be available later as an add on.