Just so everyone is clear a the Mini 2 does NOT weigh 249g. The weight can actually vary from drone to drone. The average weight is 241 grams. Mine weighs 237.4 grams! The LumeCube weighs 9.8 grams, so this combo is actually 247.2g. I used a more accurate scale tonight. But that means the Ulanzi would also keep me under 250g. Still wouldn’t get it though.
Can you do a video on Mini 2 battery care and usage please? I'm seeing stuff on forums that say that you should not discharge below 20% and recharge to 60% for storage and only fully charge to 100% immediately before flying. It would be nice to know what an expert thinks.
I have the Ulanzi and I agree it’s a bit of a softer lighting. They do have a newer version out, But I haven’t purchased it though. I find that the Easy Light RC navigation lights are so much brighter than the Ulanzi DR-1. The Easy Lights are much better sized for the DJI Mini drones. I have few videos uploaded showing the Easy Lights. I mainly fly during civil twilight to capture the colorful sunsets.
@@tonysutton6559 as per battery manufacturers of Li-ion batteries they should be storage charged to 3.7 to 3.8v per cell. Mini is 2 cell. But DJI normally with older drones have protection built in and they sell discharge when sitting. 8.4v is fully charged 5v is absolute dead but dji tries to make u land by 6v. Storage charge would be 7.6v . Multimeter will show u voltage. But I wouldn't worry dji design these idiot proof. Mine always seem to discharge sitting for a week. Down to 75 to 80%
I'll subscribe if you answer a question no one will. As a recreational flyer, can I ascend 400ft over a structure or do I need my pt107? Digging your videos. Thanks.
I'm a Long haul truck driver and I fly a lot during the day when I get to my deliveries so friends and family can see where I go each day and I fly at night so they get an idea of what a big truck stop looks like at night and the surrounding area. And I go to all 48 states so it's not like they see the same thing over and over LOL
@@KullieKennedydrbogo there's nothing wrong with that! I live on four acres in Tennessee kind of deep in the woods and there's a lake not far from me. And I kind of fly over boaters in the summertime while they're on the lake and they have no idea where that drone is coming from. And I don't mean I'm flying right over them so let's keep it in perspective. But they know a drone is around
One other safety suggestion / hint about night flying. Scout out the area during daylight so you can spot any power lines, guy wires, tall trees, etc. Your anti-collision functions on the drone will not work at night. You'll be able to crash into trees, tall bushes, whatever if you don't what's around you. That's part of the training that I went through for the night time flying for a part 107 pilot.
Dusk is my favorite time to fly. I love my Firehouse strobe on my Mini. Since I live in the country it makes it easy for me to fly to the limits of the drone and still see it.
Great video, I am about to take the test for my Part 107 this Tuesday so its good to know that I won't need a waiver to fly at night. My night flights are usually to catch the ending of sunsets and mainly around Christmas time, I like to fly neighborhoods and get houses decorated at night.
Great alternative is firehouse technology XL (brightest strobe available) with arm mounts from aerial pixel. I love mine. mind you in Australia we aren’t allowed to fly at night. I’ve watched someone I know do it though and I found an sd card of someone who looked light they had done it too.
Russ, My main reason for flying at night is it is dark. I tried flying in the dark during the day, but it wasn't dark. Now I am not so much in the dark since your very informative video here. All kidding aside, Thanks for the Info.. Be well and stay safe, bf
I have the mavic mini and fly recreational, for now. I just signed up for a part 107 class. Currently I purchased anti collision lights for my Mavic but its not for flying at night. I use them in the day time since at times my mavic mini blends in with the sky. The lights help me visually reacquire my done after looking back up from my screen.
I haven't flown at night yet but have the lume cube for when I decide to. I'm just extremely interested in the footage I can get on my mavic 2 air. On a side note I'm taking my part 107 test tomorrow thanks to you, I'm nervous but have been studying for a few weeks and feel confident.
@@MrJayjoe32 congrats. Im studying for mine. Whats a good study guide? I got asa prepware. Seems good. Were u able to schedule for an online part 107 test?
@@JoshuaCussins I watched Tony and Chelsea Northrup's video, Altitude University has a free online course with quizzes and tests that I took daily, and I watched all of the drone coaches videos (they're very dry and the speaker is monotone so you really need to keep your focus) and I did a little bit of reading in the study guide. I scheduled my test online but you still have to go take it in person.
@@JoshuaCussins the one piece of advice I got that I wished I wouldn't have blown off is to bring a magnifying glass to read the section chats. Do yourself a favor and bring one.
Your videos are simply common sense and to the point. Thanks very much. Flying at night provides an opportunity to capture night time city scapes (from a distance) that look awesome!
I was under the impression and told by the FSDO in my area after a neighbor complaint that the only requirements for flying at night were that I must maintain VLOS and know the orientation of the drone which can be done (at shorter distances of course) with stock lighting. I have also researched this extensively and have never seen a requirement for recreational fliers to have additional lighting.
As a private pilot & drone pilot and someone involved with my local fire department, I highly recommend it as a safety feature to make yourself more visible to other aircraft. One of our guys works for a medical helicopter company and he's got plenty of stories about them barely missing drones at night and how hard they are to see, even with night vision on. Just spend the $40 so airplanes/helicopters can see you
@@airborneace @Alien Drones Hey do you know of a drone that has decent night vision and decent range. Around 400-600 usd? Also I need it to do well near range so like within 50-100 feet up to be able to identify someone.
I have been reluctant to fly for my fire department at night because I did not posses a day light waver. Our department is in it's infancy stage of a drone program. I have recomended getting a C.O.A. and we may very well go that route. However after I take the new FAA CE course I will fly at night and help to further the drone program.
I bought the lumecube to put on my Air 2 after your review. I use it anytime I fly for the additional safety. I live by a small lake and I find it very peaceful to take off right at sunset and fly around because it looks cool and most of the birds have bed down for the evening. Very few people to bug me. But there’s always an element of what if it goes down, so I don’t let it get to far down range. Thanks again for another great show!!!!!!
I live up in the mountains where there's no street lights, or really any real noise pollution and just up over this Ridgeline from me is the view of the entire valley below. All the cities littered across the landscape.
I have no problems with what you say about the Ulanzi. All things being equal, probably spot on. I do run one Ulanzi on each side of my Air 2, one red, one green, with a Firehouse white on top. Might even put one Firehouse facing forwards and another facing to the rear. Can you have too many strobes? Hey, more useful than having neon lights on the undercarriage of cars right? I love going straight up over my house and getting a hyper lapse of stuff. I've even got Atlanta airport, 30 miles NW of me and can see the approaches and departures on the hyperlapses. Interestingly, there's *a lot* of stuff you only see when you pull the video off the card that you didn't notice during the flight.
Another vote for Firehouse. I love Lumecube products (I use an LCD mini daily next to my web cam) but the Firehouse XL just seems much more substantial than the Lubecume strobe. Now I need to find a side-by-side comparison. (I also like that the Firehouse has an audible alarm if the drone goes down.) I fly at night for photography. Same reason I fly during the day.
Great video!! I have and love Lume Cube products but your video made me, or rather Alexa, laugh!! When you were asking YOUR Alexa questions - MY Alexa was mirroring the conversation!!
Surprised you didn't cover the Firehouse Arc V! I bought the Ulanzi first then realized the Firehouse is way brighter and more visible. I mounted the Firehouse on top for manned aircraft visibility, then the Ulanzi on the rear bottom for pilot/observer visibility.
Now look for the RCGeek 1000 lumens strobe on Amazon for$14. I have it and the Arc V and the RCGeek strobe is brighter even though Firehouse has 5 strobe lights and RCGeek has only one strobe light.
Great information Russ, and thanks for heads up on upcoming changes in the night flying rules. I purchased the LumeCube Strobe almost a year ago, and have been pretty happy with it. Except that I had an issue with the 3M locking system, the strip that you put on your drone didn't stick properly, and I tried to contact LumeCube and they would never respond to me. So their customer support is almost non-existant if have a problem, buyer beware. I've never owned the Ulanzi light.
I fly at Night as a commercial 107 pilot with the 107.29 wavier because I get gorgeous aerial night photography with my Mavic 2 Pro that I sell to Getty Images sometimes ✌🏼stay safe everyone
Thanks for the review. I'm flying at night to take a nighttime city / highway hyperlapse. Going to lay out the path during the day, then come back at night and do it again.
Just ordered the Lume cube strobe thru your link. Thank you for the helpful info! I have been trying to figure out the best method of anti-collision lighting for some time. Have a good day!
If we`re limited to flying at 400ft (as in the UK) what do we need anti-collision lights for..?? If there`s a plane at that height, I`m guessing it`s in trouble already..!! And, if you see a flashing light that size at night, you got f***ing good eyesight and how would you separate that tiny light from the rest of the "light" pollution, street lights, tall structures, window reflections form tall structures, other vehicles, etc...?? And, if it`s that dark where you`e flying how much useful footage would you get..?? It all seems a wee bit pointless... -_- Russ, your channel is brilliant, my go-to channel for anything DJI and other tech... I have a Mavic Pro 2 and been learning a shedload of stuff..!!! Big love from the UK...!!!!
I am new here and watched your video for the first time. I enjoyed watching it very much that I would want to watch more. So I sub. Thank you for sharing all the info.
Geeze you guys are lucky. Here in Australia under CASA regulations there is no exceptions for hobby fliers to fly at night. If you hold your RePL (part 107) and are operating under a companies ReOC you can apply for a night time wavier, but otherwise it fly during daylight hours +/- 30 minutes before or after sunset/sunrise
I fly at night primarily to record astronomical phenomena (such as the moon, planets, meteors, etc.). I use a Firehouse Technology 2x white Cree LED strobe on one drone, a DroMight White Anti Collision Drone Strobe Light on another drone, and a (cough, sputter, sound of a toliet flushing) Ulanzi DR-01 RGW Drone Strobe Light on a third drone. The Ulanzi is set for red LED strobing because the warm white color piddles me off.
The best part of your review here was to ask all of us 'why do we fly at night'. I'm sure there are a lot of commercial reasons. I did fly when the Moon, Jupiter, and Mars were supposed to be in alignment. I'm on top of a small 'mountain' (2600 feet) - with pretty much no light interference. But I am so new I did not know hot to set up the proper camera properties, so I missed it. Because of the trees here I had to take it up a ways, but just vertical. No flight paths around where I live. But still, it was a thrill to chase the shot. I also know I should not have done it. I won't do that again now that I am understanding more of the legal side. Still, your question begs for answers. I gave you mine.
I have flown at night mostly for fireworks but I might want to do some urban architecture now that I am certified. I feel much more confident with the Mini Ii than I did with the Mavic Air. Almost no comparison. Great video as always, Russ!
I want to fly at night to capture near by cityscapes. Not sure that is a word but it sounds cool. Plan to sell them on my website with options for stretched canvas and framed prints.
I use the LumeCube on my Mimi2 and love it. Alot of people I see in drone Facebook groups don't care though. They'll spead the money for the drone but then want to be cheapskates on like a good anti-collision light. Or just flat out don't care if their drone is over the weight limit because (cops or FAA aren't roaming around with a weight scale). The point I'm trying to make though is I fly responsibly but there's a large segment of people who still wanna not follow the rules and want to do stupid stuff which results in the responsible Pilots dealing with more rules and regulations
It would be nice if there was a time delay before the strobing starts. Once you acquire your night vision it is compromised when you turn this on. The red would be best to mitigate your night vision loss, the delayed strobe would still be nice. Or better yet, have one you could turn off and on from the controller so it would not interfere with videos or photos. Hmmm.......
My main NightFlight interest would be Hyperlapse / long shutter photo and video. That would be worth staying up past my bedtime. Other events like fireworks, Christmas Parade, Full moon-landscape, City Skyline and so on. However, I'd take easy, very easy no daredevil crap. Sensors DONT work at night. Might be a good Idea to plan flight during daylight and set way points and bring a VO. Maybe I'll use my wife as a unwilling VO I'll have to be tricky by taking her out on a date or something. She like Italian food.
I just like flying at night. I've always worked night shift. So it's similar to a duck to water... Scenario.. It's a time better suited for me! I honestly didn't know about the light rules explained here. Just assumed bright + visible at length.. I have already purchased lights. They have white constant, white flash, red and blue strobe with the white light constant in the center and or flashing white light center.. I can see it soo far away and I have one for each arm. In rear of the drone! Attached with rubber. Wrap around like stylev straps. Now I got another one, it was for a bike I think initially. red and blue strobe brighter alone then the other ones mentioned.. It's even brighter and also it was way more expensive. But the street signs on the ground are lighting up everywhere. It's a neat and sometimes too much when it's happening. I'll comment back with the names of what they are and who makes them. The names escape me and don't want to lose everything I just typed. Side note! Love the channel by the way. Best one I've landed on for my Mavic Air 2. As well as do much more information! Thanks for all you do!. Your integrity as well as your passion? Shine through brighter than the lights in this video! There's no doubt that you are a person who is genuine with all you do and say here. Despite sponsorship. You are true to the viewer not the money! To me..? There's nothing more important than someone who is genuine! Keep up the good work. Truly loving the channel. 👍🏻
You missed the point. You should always purchase two of these devices. The second is for the ground crew to be identifiable from the air. Or a backup when the first one is broken.
I am Part 107 Certified, but even before I was I loved flying at night. It's like controlling a little spaceship, lol. I can see my drone from a mile away. And I also like freaking people out! haha. Now that I have my Part 107 I would love to do some city hyperlapses.
Nice video. I fly at night occasionally to get some industrial night scene photography. This light has gone on my wish list. Tech Drone Media recommend your channel.
I didn't realize that this was the law of the land already and I think it's great. Maybe so Summer Holiday or family stuff. Might get a video of Main St with its lights but I'm no pro so just fun stuff. I'll use 2 Lime Cubes on my Mavic just to keep track of it for myself.
Flying at night for various security/law enforcement purposes. The night time uses for emergency response, emergency management and crime interdiction cover so many situations it's impossible to list them out.
First off, Just want to say, I appreciate the content of this and other various videos that you've put out and I've watched, Thank You.... I will be new to Drone flying soon, just recently purchased a DJI Mini 3 Pro, and expected delivery Jan 13th, 2023...... I also plan on taking a Part107 course and test this month as well, just to be covered in case of..... Just out of curiosity, since I've been researching UAV lighting, Where exactly does the light need to be placed at on the Drone? I've seen another user place his on both sides, rear, and top..... your other video showed top placement.... Where is the official light placement location designated on a Drone? Thanks again, and YES I'm a subscriber of your channel
Why do I want to fly at night? I have the Mini2 and with the lume cube light on there I can see my drone further away at night than I can during the day. I will fly a certain area in the daylight and get heights and any other possible obstructions put to memory, than fly it again at night. Thanks for all the great videos.
Hi, I have multiple Firehouse strobes on my MA2. White Red, Green so I have VLOS at all times and know which way it is moving. I like the Strobe/Pulse mode to see easier during the daylight hours. I want some sunset afterglow photos from an altitude over the lake with mountains in the background. the purple glow under the clouds is amazing on the ground or in the air.
I have flown my Mavic Pro with lights I got at Home Depot. One strobes white or red. The other 2 are flashlights that I clip to the legs . Rules don't say you can't have more lights than just one strobe. Note these lights I use are heavier and I can see it's time to upgrade.
I don't know which strobes you got at HD, but a likely problem with your strobes is they likely are not rated to be visible from 3SM at night, which would mean they aren't legal for flying a drone at night.
As always very informative. I've been looking at the Firehouse tech. strobe. I have not flown at night yet but will this spring to see what the hype is all about.
Not flying really at night…but at Dusk. You don’t need polarization filter for over reflection sun etc… And the buty of it the light give you totally another dimension.
I have a Lume strobe and generally love it, but my biggest complaint about it is that it's too easy for it to accidentally activate and drain its battery inside my bag (the fly more bag that came with my Mavic Air 2). I really wish it had a toggle switch or a button that required a firm press as opposed to the way it currently activates
I wouldn't trust the resolution fo that scale, at least put it into grams mode. I'm surprised you didn't mention firehouse technologies, they also make very bright strobes, I should put mine on the scale and weight it. One last thing I find really useful for night flying (which I do all the time from my house) is putting some red flashing bicycle lights on the ground around your landing area. From up high they're easily spotted because nothing elses on the ground really blinks and provide a great reference if you need to see precisely where to land. I suppose in a lit area it wouldn't be as big a deal.
I had heard the mini 2 was 238grams. Not sure how or why it’s weight would differ other than the scales used to weigh it. However I think this is another quality video from you . Factual without going OTT on superlatives like some do. Keep up the excellent work ... you seem to be hitting the right subjects , for me anyway.
Why do I fly at night? I use my old DJI Phantom 3 Pro with Lume Cubes attached to light subjects at night for nighttime photography. Oh, I also use the Lume Cube strobe.
I have an Ulanzi on my mini 2 it’s working pretty good but to each his own, I like flying at night because well if your flying in the city it’s a beautiful capture all the lights and after you capture you edit and add that Pop to the colors it’s Awesomeness and it just looks cool 😎 have a great weekend PeaceLove&GodBless (“
I want to fly at night to be able to capture some photos of several spectacular items in my area. They consist of some huge waterfalls 212ft high that are lit up at night to a bridge that is almost 500ft high and spanning canyon walls over a quarter mile apart that is also lit by lightning at night.
Night flying is the only option for people with full time jobs plus night is always calm and very less wind. It’s beautiful to see the lights at night from above. Night flying is addictive 😂
I have no urge to fly at night. Did you know Canada Geese often fly at night. Often hear the flocks honking at night on the way to the bay. I guess because they don't have strobes, they honk. Lol
I have the Firehouse strobe light on my drone. Works great another great video. I like to ask I cant fine the Free Drone Training by the FAA can you supply a link please.
Thanks for the info !!! I don't fly too often at night, mostly returning after filming a sunset. Definitely going to pick one up, I assume you can put the mounting 3m hook tape on all my drones and just switch the cube around
Yup I agree with other comments firehousetechnology is the way to go.. super bright I have about 5 arcs lights on my mp1 and the lume cube 2.0 has headlights.. but there pretty heavy so flight time isn’t that great!
Russ, I know this is off topic, but did you hear back from MAS about the new blades for MA2 causing the shaking issues? Have not seen any updates from you and they have never responded to my emails. Thanks and great video.. I use the cube on top and firehouse on rear legs ,, one red and one green,, makes it easy to keep track.
Thanks for the video, btw you triggered my Alexa and my Alexa was quicker with an answer than yours 😄 I watch your videos on a 60” screen with surround sound. Alexa is always listening.
Just so everyone is clear a the Mini 2 does NOT weigh 249g. The weight can actually vary from drone to drone. The average weight is 241 grams. Mine weighs 237.4 grams! The LumeCube weighs 9.8 grams, so this combo is actually 247.2g. I used a more accurate scale tonight. But that means the Ulanzi would also keep me under 250g. Still wouldn’t get it though.
Nice 👍
Can you do a video on Mini 2 battery care and usage please? I'm seeing stuff on forums that say that you should not discharge below 20% and recharge to 60% for storage and only fully charge to 100% immediately before flying. It would be nice to know what an expert thinks.
I have the Ulanzi and I agree it’s a bit of a softer lighting. They do have a newer version out, But I haven’t purchased it though. I find that the Easy Light RC navigation lights are so much brighter than the Ulanzi DR-1. The Easy Lights are much better sized for the DJI Mini drones. I have few videos uploaded showing the Easy Lights. I mainly fly during civil twilight to capture the colorful sunsets.
@@tonysutton6559 as per battery manufacturers of Li-ion batteries they should be storage charged to 3.7 to 3.8v per cell. Mini is 2 cell. But DJI normally with older drones have protection built in and they sell discharge when sitting.
8.4v is fully charged 5v is absolute dead but dji tries to make u land by 6v. Storage charge would be 7.6v . Multimeter will show u voltage. But I wouldn't worry dji design these idiot proof. Mine always seem to discharge sitting for a week. Down to 75 to 80%
I'll subscribe if you answer a question no one will. As a recreational flyer, can I ascend 400ft over a structure or do I need my pt107? Digging your videos. Thanks.
I'm a Long haul truck driver and I fly a lot during the day when I get to my deliveries so friends and family can see where I go each day and I fly at night so they get an idea of what a big truck stop looks like at night and the surrounding area. And I go to all 48 states so it's not like they see the same thing over and over LOL
Just got out of trucking after 10 years! You should upload those! People would love that brotha.
Wow. I bet your videos make great viewing! Imagine this. I spend hours viewing videos of just my neighborhood! Lol
@@KullieKennedydrbogo there's nothing wrong with that! I live on four acres in Tennessee kind of deep in the woods and there's a lake not far from me. And I kind of fly over boaters in the summertime while they're on the lake and they have no idea where that drone is coming from. And I don't mean I'm flying right over them so let's keep it in perspective. But they know a drone is around
Maines got the one rest stop with the drone course on the roof
Just purchased the Lumecube. I flew my drone last 4th of July over my house to see all the fireworks from the neighbors. Awesome show from 300 feet.
Love to fly at night mini 2 because when you fly out over water and look back at city lights it makes for some great pictures.
My mini 2 wont take off at night and I cant see anything when it does how you doin that?
U have to start in low light condition and take off
One other safety suggestion / hint about night flying. Scout out the area during daylight so you can spot any power lines, guy wires, tall trees, etc. Your anti-collision functions on the drone will not work at night. You'll be able to crash into trees, tall bushes, whatever if you don't what's around you. That's part of the training that I went through for the night time flying for a part 107 pilot.
Thanks for sharing. I like flying at night because the drone lights look neat, and its much easier to fly line of sight!
Dusk is my favorite time to fly. I love my Firehouse strobe on my Mini. Since I live in the country it makes it easy for me to fly to the limits of the drone and still see it.
Great video, I am about to take the test for my Part 107 this Tuesday so its good to know that I won't need a waiver to fly at night. My night flights are usually to catch the ending of sunsets and mainly around Christmas time, I like to fly neighborhoods and get houses decorated at night.
Great alternative is firehouse technology XL (brightest strobe available) with arm mounts from aerial pixel. I love mine.
mind you in Australia we aren’t allowed to fly at night. I’ve watched someone I know do it though and I found an sd card of someone who looked light they had done it too.
Russ,
My main reason for flying at night is it is dark. I tried flying in the dark during the day, but it wasn't dark. Now I am not so much in the dark since your very informative video here. All kidding aside, Thanks for the Info..
Be well and stay safe,
bf
I have the mavic mini and fly recreational, for now. I just signed up for a part 107 class. Currently I purchased anti collision lights for my Mavic but its not for flying at night. I use them in the day time since at times my mavic mini blends in with the sky. The lights help me visually reacquire my done after looking back up from my screen.
I live in a coastal area of the UK, and the illuminations & landmarks at night give beautiful cinematic images and movies.
I haven't flown at night yet but have the lume cube for when I decide to. I'm just extremely interested in the footage I can get on my mavic 2 air. On a side note I'm taking my part 107 test tomorrow thanks to you, I'm nervous but have been studying for a few weeks and feel confident.
I passed with an 87%!
@@MrJayjoe32 awesome! Congratz and welcome to the club!
@@MrJayjoe32 congrats. Im studying for mine. Whats a good study guide? I got asa prepware. Seems good. Were u able to schedule for an online part 107 test?
@@JoshuaCussins I watched Tony and Chelsea Northrup's video, Altitude University has a free online course with quizzes and tests that I took daily, and I watched all of the drone coaches videos (they're very dry and the speaker is monotone so you really need to keep your focus) and I did a little bit of reading in the study guide. I scheduled my test online but you still have to go take it in person.
@@JoshuaCussins the one piece of advice I got that I wished I wouldn't have blown off is to bring a magnifying glass to read the section chats. Do yourself a favor and bring one.
Your videos are simply common sense and to the point. Thanks very much. Flying at night provides an opportunity to capture night time city scapes (from a distance) that look awesome!
I was under the impression and told by the FSDO in my area after a neighbor complaint that the only requirements for flying at night were that I must maintain VLOS and know the orientation of the drone which can be done (at shorter distances of course) with stock lighting. I have also researched this extensively and have never seen a requirement for recreational fliers to have additional lighting.
As a private pilot & drone pilot and someone involved with my local fire department, I highly recommend it as a safety feature to make yourself more visible to other aircraft. One of our guys works for a medical helicopter company and he's got plenty of stories about them barely missing drones at night and how hard they are to see, even with night vision on. Just spend the $40 so airplanes/helicopters can see you
@@airborneace @Alien Drones Hey do you know of a drone that has decent night vision and decent range. Around 400-600 usd? Also I need it to do well near range so like within 50-100 feet up to be able to identify someone.
I have been reluctant to fly for my fire department at night because I did not posses a day light waver. Our department is in it's infancy stage of a drone program. I have recomended getting a C.O.A. and we may very well go that route. However after I take the new FAA CE course I will fly at night and help to further the drone program.
I enjoy flying at night, love the look of the lights of the city, super cool perspective from above
I bought the lumecube to put on my Air 2 after your review. I use it anytime I fly for the additional safety. I live by a small lake and I find it very peaceful to take off right at sunset and fly around because it looks cool and most of the birds have bed down for the evening. Very few people to bug me. But there’s always an element of what if it goes down, so I don’t let it get to far down range. Thanks again for another great show!!!!!!
ruclips.net/video/m8ngVPq7OBg/видео.html - More DJI Mini Lights
Always informative with up-to-date information regarding FAA regulations which I love! Thanks man!
I'm going to have to throw the Firehouse Technology ARC III's into the mix! Give those a try.
I live up in the mountains where there's no street lights, or really any real noise pollution and just up over this Ridgeline from me is the view of the entire valley below. All the cities littered across the landscape.
I have no problems with what you say about the Ulanzi. All things being equal, probably spot on. I do run one Ulanzi on each side of my Air 2, one red, one green, with a Firehouse white on top. Might even put one Firehouse facing forwards and another facing to the rear. Can you have too many strobes? Hey, more useful than having neon lights on the undercarriage of cars right? I love going straight up over my house and getting a hyper lapse of stuff. I've even got Atlanta airport, 30 miles NW of me and can see the approaches and departures on the hyperlapses. Interestingly, there's *a lot* of stuff you only see when you pull the video off the card that you didn't notice during the flight.
Reason to fly at night-panoramic views with natural and or artificial lighting. The bomb !!
Another vote for Firehouse. I love Lumecube products (I use an LCD mini daily next to my web cam) but the Firehouse XL just seems much more substantial than the Lubecume strobe. Now I need to find a side-by-side comparison. (I also like that the Firehouse has an audible alarm if the drone goes down.)
I fly at night for photography. Same reason I fly during the day.
Great video!! I have and love Lume Cube products but your video made me, or rather Alexa, laugh!! When you were asking YOUR Alexa questions - MY Alexa was mirroring the conversation!!
Surprised you didn't cover the Firehouse Arc V! I bought the Ulanzi first then realized the Firehouse is way brighter and more visible. I mounted the Firehouse on top for manned aircraft visibility, then the Ulanzi on the rear bottom for pilot/observer visibility.
Now look for the RCGeek 1000 lumens strobe on Amazon for$14. I have it and the Arc V and the RCGeek strobe is brighter even though Firehouse has 5 strobe lights and RCGeek has only one strobe light.
Crazy attention to detail. Thank you!
I feel more at peace flying at night plus it's a lot quieter. Very relaxing!!
i plan to get some footage of the fireworks on the 4th. I'm going with the lumecube. Thanks for all the info.
Great information Russ, and thanks for heads up on upcoming changes in the night flying rules. I purchased the LumeCube Strobe almost a year ago, and have been pretty happy with it. Except that I had an issue with the 3M locking system, the strip that you put on your drone didn't stick properly, and I tried to contact LumeCube and they would never respond to me. So their customer support is almost non-existant if have a problem, buyer beware. I've never owned the Ulanzi light.
I fly at Night as a commercial 107 pilot with the 107.29 wavier because I get gorgeous aerial night photography with my Mavic 2 Pro that I sell to Getty Images sometimes ✌🏼stay safe everyone
Thanks for the review. I'm flying at night to take a nighttime city / highway hyperlapse. Going to lay out the path during the day, then come back at night and do it again.
Just ordered the Lume cube strobe thru your link. Thank you for the helpful info! I have been trying to figure out the best method of anti-collision lighting for some time. Have a good day!
If we`re limited to flying at 400ft (as in the UK) what do we need anti-collision lights for..?? If there`s a plane at that height, I`m guessing it`s in trouble already..!! And, if you see a flashing light that size at night, you got f***ing good eyesight and how would you separate that tiny light from the rest of the "light" pollution, street lights, tall structures, window reflections form tall structures, other vehicles, etc...?? And, if it`s that dark where you`e flying how much useful footage would you get..?? It all seems a wee bit pointless... -_-
Russ, your channel is brilliant, my go-to channel for anything DJI and other tech... I have a Mavic Pro 2 and been learning a shedload of stuff..!!! Big love from the UK...!!!!
I have the DJI mini 2 and just got the Firehouse strobe. I really like the 1000 lumens brightness on this strobe.
Wow!! I had no idea that you cant fly without the strobe at night. I just got the mini and thought that the strobe was enough. Thanks for sharing.
I bought one an I use it during the day any thing to be seen an a safer pic works in my mind thank you..
I am new here and watched your video for the first time. I enjoyed watching it very much that I would want to watch more. So I sub. Thank you for sharing all the info.
I fly at night for long exposure photographs. Great video, I was wondering which one to get and you answered it for me. Thanks so much!
The Lume Cube is a great light. I think the best for our applications...
Guys use dual lock, get 2 different sizes, they have the best hold if you’re ever worried about the Velcro holding your light
Geeze you guys are lucky. Here in Australia under CASA regulations there is no exceptions for hobby fliers to fly at night. If you hold your RePL (part 107) and are operating under a companies ReOC you can apply for a night time wavier, but otherwise it fly during daylight hours +/- 30 minutes before or after sunset/sunrise
I fly at night primarily to record astronomical phenomena (such as the moon, planets, meteors, etc.).
I use a Firehouse Technology 2x white Cree LED strobe on one drone, a DroMight White Anti Collision Drone Strobe Light on another drone, and a (cough, sputter, sound of a toliet flushing) Ulanzi DR-01 RGW Drone Strobe Light on a third drone. The Ulanzi is set for red LED strobing because the warm white color piddles me off.
The best part of your review here was to ask all of us 'why do we fly at night'. I'm sure there are a lot of commercial reasons. I did fly when the Moon, Jupiter, and Mars were supposed to be in alignment. I'm on top of a small 'mountain' (2600 feet) - with pretty much no light interference. But I am so new I did not know hot to set up the proper camera properties, so I missed it. Because of the trees here I had to take it up a ways, but just vertical. No flight paths around where I live. But still, it was a thrill to chase the shot. I also know I should not have done it. I won't do that again now that I am understanding more of the legal side. Still, your question begs for answers. I gave you mine.
You just had to summon "She Who Must Not Be Named", didn't you. Sent my Echoes into an evil loop.
I have flown at night mostly for fireworks but I might want to do some urban architecture now that I am certified. I feel much more confident with the Mini Ii than I did with the Mavic Air. Almost no comparison. Great video as always, Russ!
I want to fly at night to capture near by cityscapes. Not sure that is a word but it sounds cool. Plan to sell them on my website with options for stretched canvas and framed prints.
I use the LumeCube on my Mimi2 and love it. Alot of people I see in drone Facebook groups don't care though. They'll spead the money for the drone but then want to be cheapskates on like a good anti-collision light. Or just flat out don't care if their drone is over the weight limit because (cops or FAA aren't roaming around with a weight scale). The point I'm trying to make though is I fly responsibly but there's a large segment of people who still wanna not follow the rules and want to do stupid stuff which results in the responsible Pilots dealing with more rules and regulations
It would be nice if there was a time delay before the strobing starts. Once you acquire your night vision it is compromised when you turn this on. The red would be best to mitigate your night vision loss, the delayed strobe would still be nice. Or better yet, have one you could turn off and on from the controller so it would not interfere with videos or photos. Hmmm.......
My main NightFlight interest would be Hyperlapse / long shutter photo and video. That would be worth staying up past my bedtime. Other events like fireworks, Christmas Parade, Full moon-landscape, City Skyline and so on. However, I'd take easy, very easy no daredevil crap. Sensors DONT work at night. Might be a good Idea to plan flight during daylight and set way points and bring a VO. Maybe I'll use my wife as a unwilling VO I'll have to be tricky by taking her out on a date or something. She like Italian food.
I just like flying at night. I've always worked night shift. So it's similar to a duck to water... Scenario.. It's a time better suited for me! I honestly didn't know about the light rules explained here. Just assumed bright + visible at length.. I have already purchased lights. They have white constant, white flash, red and blue strobe with the white light constant in the center and or flashing white light center.. I can see it soo far away and I have one for each arm. In rear of the drone! Attached with rubber. Wrap around like stylev straps. Now I got another one, it was for a bike I think initially. red and blue strobe brighter alone then the other ones mentioned.. It's even brighter and also it was way more expensive. But the street signs on the ground are lighting up everywhere. It's a neat and sometimes too much when it's happening. I'll comment back with the names of what they are and who makes them. The names escape me and don't want to lose everything I just typed. Side note! Love the channel by the way. Best one I've landed on for my Mavic Air 2. As well as do much more information! Thanks for all you do!. Your integrity as well as your passion? Shine through brighter than the lights in this video! There's no doubt that you are a person who is genuine with all you do and say here. Despite sponsorship. You are true to the viewer not the money! To me..? There's nothing more important than someone who is genuine! Keep up the good work. Truly loving the channel. 👍🏻
I’m very pleased with my 1000 lumen Firehouse strobes. I run one in the top and one on each side of my MA2.
Thanks again .... Mini 2 does very mine weighs in at 238.5g & my wife's is 241.1 ..
Good Show, I fly at night during sundown over the water. The colors are great. Also, I do use the Lume Cube.
nice!
You missed the point. You should always purchase two of these devices. The second is for the ground crew to be identifiable from the air. Or a backup when the first one is broken.
Yes sir! Just did a video on the Firehouse strobe...wish I had your mad RUclips skills...😎😎
Heading out to your channel JP1970 to take a look. It seems like a good strobe and its been in my wish list for a while at Amazon.
Does that strobe light add too much weight and put the Mini 2 over the 250g mark?
I am Part 107 Certified, but even before I was I loved flying at night. It's like controlling a little spaceship, lol. I can see my drone from a mile away. And I also like freaking people out! haha. Now that I have my Part 107 I would love to do some city hyperlapses.
Nice video. I fly at night occasionally to get some industrial night scene photography. This light has gone on my wish list. Tech Drone Media recommend your channel.
I didn't realize that this was the law of the land already and I think it's great. Maybe so Summer Holiday or family stuff. Might get a video of Main St with its lights but I'm no pro so just fun stuff. I'll use 2 Lime Cubes on my Mavic just to keep track of it for myself.
Flying at night for various security/law enforcement purposes. The night time uses for emergency response, emergency management and crime interdiction cover so many situations it's impossible to list them out.
I have and am satisfied with the Firehouse. 👍
First off, Just want to say, I appreciate the content of this and other various videos that you've put out and I've watched, Thank You.... I will be new to Drone flying soon, just recently purchased a DJI Mini 3 Pro, and expected delivery Jan 13th, 2023...... I also plan on taking a Part107 course and test this month as well, just to be covered in case of..... Just out of curiosity, since I've been researching UAV lighting, Where exactly does the light need to be placed at on the Drone? I've seen another user place his on both sides, rear, and top..... your other video showed top placement.... Where is the official light placement location designated on a Drone? Thanks again, and YES I'm a subscriber of your channel
Why do I want to fly at night? I have the Mini2 and with the lume cube light on there I can see my drone further away at night than I can during the day. I will fly a certain area in the daylight and get heights and any other possible obstructions put to memory, than fly it again at night. Thanks for all the great videos.
Hi, I have multiple Firehouse strobes on my MA2. White Red, Green so I have VLOS at all times and know which way it is moving. I like the Strobe/Pulse mode to see easier during the daylight hours. I want some sunset afterglow photos from an altitude over the lake with mountains in the background. the purple glow under the clouds is amazing on the ground or in the air.
Great video. My Alexa is also now doing the conversions, LOL
I have flown my Mavic Pro with lights I got at Home Depot. One strobes white or red. The other 2 are flashlights that I clip to the legs . Rules don't say you can't have more lights than just one strobe. Note these lights I use are heavier and I can see it's time to upgrade.
I don't know which strobes you got at HD, but a likely problem with your strobes is they likely are not rated to be visible from 3SM at night, which would mean they aren't legal for flying a drone at night.
You do a very nice job with your video’s.
As always very informative. I've been looking at the Firehouse tech. strobe. I have not flown at night yet but will this spring to see what the hype is all about.
i just ordered one!
Always enjoy your content, Thanks!
The position on top of the drone the lum cub maybe covers the GPS signal inside the drone you must be sure where you installed it
Not flying really at night…but at Dusk. You don’t need polarization filter for over reflection sun etc… And the buty of it the light give you totally another dimension.
I have a Lume strobe and generally love it, but my biggest complaint about it is that it's too easy for it to accidentally activate and drain its battery inside my bag (the fly more bag that came with my Mavic Air 2). I really wish it had a toggle switch or a button that required a firm press as opposed to the way it currently activates
Thanks for the lume cube info. The last time I tried to order it was a 2 month back order.
I wouldn't trust the resolution fo that scale, at least put it into grams mode. I'm surprised you didn't mention firehouse technologies, they also make very bright strobes, I should put mine on the scale and weight it. One last thing I find really useful for night flying (which I do all the time from my house) is putting some red flashing bicycle lights on the ground around your landing area. From up high they're easily spotted because nothing elses on the ground really blinks and provide a great reference if you need to see precisely where to land. I suppose in a lit area it wouldn't be as big a deal.
I had heard the mini 2 was 238grams. Not sure how or why it’s weight would differ other than the scales used to weigh it. However I think this is another quality video from you . Factual without going OTT on superlatives like some do.
Keep up the excellent work ... you seem to be hitting the right subjects , for me anyway.
I have flown at night one time and the video of the town lights look awesome.
Got a Firehouse Arc II mounted in a 3D printed mount underneath on the belly of my Mini. A total of 9.2 grams.
I am 107 flying at night to shoot road construction projects such as new asphalt on freeways, which only paves at night.
Great channel 👌🏼 subscribed!
I want to shoot some pictures of friday night football games! Thank you for the good information!
Why do I fly at night? I use my old DJI Phantom 3 Pro with Lume Cubes attached to light subjects at night for nighttime photography. Oh, I also use the Lume Cube strobe.
Great video and helpful info
You made my Alexa answer your questions. LOL
Yes everyone, I KNOW ABOUT THE FIREHOUSE! I may order one to check it out myself. Thank you for the comments.
Thanks for the heads up!
You may want to PIN this comment LOL
Firehouse LED lighting is amazing! super bright
You can just reply back to the person instead of adding it into the comment section
@@phantomjosh2148 Much more efficient than replying to 300 comments/day.
51 Drones that was a Great Video on the Strobes ! Thanks for the Nice Video !
The Firehouse Arc V is 1000 lumens and easily visible for 3 SM. They also come with actual test data. Highly recommended.
i ordered one
Great info! Thanks.
Russ have you checked out the Firehouse Technology ARC V light. We have it and love it, reasonable, very bright! We fly for LE!
i just ordered one!
I have an Ulanzi on my mini 2 it’s working pretty good but to each his own, I like flying at night because well if your flying in the city it’s a beautiful capture all the lights and after you capture you edit and add that Pop to the colors it’s Awesomeness and it just looks cool 😎 have a great weekend PeaceLove&GodBless (“
I want to fly at night to be able to capture some photos of several spectacular items in my area. They consist of some huge waterfalls 212ft high that are lit up at night to a bridge that is almost 500ft high and spanning canyon walls over a quarter mile apart that is also lit by lightning at night.
Night flying is the only option for people with full time jobs plus night is always calm and very less wind. It’s beautiful to see the lights at night from above. Night flying is addictive 😂
I have no urge to fly at night. Did you know Canada Geese often fly at night. Often hear the flocks honking at night on the way to the bay. I guess because they don't have strobes, they honk. Lol
I have gotten some great pictures at night of both the moon and the city lights
I got mines a few weeks ago. But I don't think I'm gonna fly at night. But it's still good to have.
I have the Firehouse strobe light on my drone. Works great another great video. I like to ask I cant fine the Free Drone Training by the FAA can you supply a link please.
Thanks for the info !!! I don't fly too often at night, mostly returning after filming a sunset. Definitely going to pick one up, I assume you can put the mounting 3m hook tape on all my drones and just switch the cube around
I'm new at this but flying after dark would be great to capture animated Christmas lights. I have both, the Mavic Mini as well as the Mavic Air 2.
You as a recreational pilot can fly at night right now.
I am flying at night to light up objects that I'm photographing (from the ground) with my DSLR.
What kind of light (not the strobe) do you have on your drone to light up the objects?
I’m using the luma light.
Yup I agree with other comments firehousetechnology is the way to go.. super bright I have about 5 arcs lights on my mp1 and the lume cube 2.0 has headlights.. but there pretty heavy so flight time isn’t that great!
Russ, I know this is off topic, but did you hear back from MAS about the new blades for MA2 causing the shaking issues?
Have not seen any updates from you and they have never responded to my emails.
Thanks and great video.. I use the cube on top and firehouse on rear legs ,, one red and one green,, makes it easy to keep track.
I just got a new set yesterday. I will try them when the weather improves and make a follow upvid
Thanks for the video, btw you triggered my Alexa and my Alexa was quicker with an answer than yours 😄 I watch your videos on a 60” screen with surround sound. Alexa is always listening.
Lol