DJI Phantom 3 Retractable Landing Gear

What is the point?

I have not seen the landing gear in a single shot yet, and this just puts your camera/gimbal at risk when flying/landing especially the gear does not work right.
 
As cool as retractable landing gear make the phaantom look, the landing gear has yet to get in any video shot of mine. Plus as spankybear and steelgator pointed out you risk potential mechanical failure with the gear not coming back down for landing causing gimbal/camera issue as well as more weight to the drone.
 
When the gear is up the antennas are now reoriented in a horizontal plane and possibly shadowed by the fuselage.
This will reduce range, possibly significantly.

Then the compass relocation requires you to remove it from it's protective housing.

In terms of utility... this is for 'wow' factor at best.
 
Agree with all the above and remember that as soon as you open up your P3 any warranty will be out of the window. I think the money would be better spent on extra battery, ND Filters, Tracker etc.
 
Cost/function doesn't justify the added weight, power draw, and compass concerns...for me anyway.
 
Thanks for the input. I have send my lAnding gear a few times while filming polocross. Some time I had to move fast. Not sure if I'm going to make it a regular thing so I'll hold off for a bit or maybe get another P3P and have one with and one without .
 
Hey if you want to do it and have the money. I think it would be cool. If you do please post pictures.. in flight and sitting..
 
When the gear is up the antennas are now reoriented in a horizontal plane and possibly shadowed by the fuselage.
This will reduce range, possibly significantly.

Then the compass relocation requires you to remove it from it's protective housing.

In terms of utility... this is for 'wow' factor at best.

Agree on all counts and definitely will have reduced range due to reorientation of antennas.. just the same way pointing the antennas on your RC horizontal rather than vertical.. unless they have a fix for this? Seems like a waste of money.
 
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I haven't seen any difference in range on my P3 pro and I've taken it over 2 miles (stock).....I got it because it looks cool as hell and its my wannabe Inspire 1.....lol....here is a quick video of the legs retracting
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Thanks Jeff.

Definately counter-intuative re the impact on radio range.
 
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I haven't seen any difference in range on my P3 pro and I've taken it over 2 miles (stock).....I got it because it looks cool as hell and its my wannabe Inspire 1.....lol....here is a quick video of the legs retracting
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How do the gear react on RTH-- do they lower automatically?
 
It doesn't affect the gears at all with RTH. The gears are controlled through the P•A•F switch. Switch it twice to retract up and once to retract down.
What if you loose connection and RTH is initiated and then battery is too low to make it back -- looks like it might use the camera for landing gear if you cant connect and lower the gear.
 
What if you loose connection and RTH is initiated and then battery is too low to make it back -- looks like it might use the camera for landing gear if you cant connect and lower the gear.
Just make sure you really keep an eye on your battery level. The lowest battery level I'v gotten mines was a little over 15%. I usually catch the P3 when I land and I've tried catching it while the landing gears were up. Wasn't that hard just as long as it's not too windy and you have to be EXTREMELY careful to catch it where the elbow bends. I've practiced it a few times just for the what if moments. Gotta be ready because electronics fail sooner than later! :)
 
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nice mod man, i think youre about to get alot of people in trouble with their significant others. me included. thats definiely one of the more heavily modded p3' that i've seen out
 
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