Just got back from a trip to Cozumel with my Phantom. Have enjoyed the purchase of my Switch Blade carbon fiber camera guard and inertia/gimbal guard from Fastsmiles. The simplicity of design of the inertia guard is pure genius. However, I have a couple criticisms of the Switch Blade that could be improved.
Improvements Needed.
1. The rubber grommets need to be lengthened so that there is some clearance between the Phantom's landing gear and the carbon fiber camera guard. The problem is that when you mount the camera guard inside of the Phantom's landing gear as you should, it creates a few millimeters of space and tension of the Switch Blade front landing gear which leverages the cut-out's that are supposed to hold it in place over the rubber feet of the Phantom's landing gear out beyond those rubber feet. When flying in gusty beach wind, the Switch Blade's plastic landing gear would sometimes swing into camera view and photo bomb the video or photo. Biggest Gripe.
2. The rubber grommets need to be lengthened because the tolerances are too tight and can work the landing gear out of the holes of the carbon fiber camera guard which secures the Switch Blade's landing gear and allows it to fold in/out of use. After a couple flights of packing/unpacking my Phantom and folding out the Switch Blade's landing gear before flying, one of the legs came off in my hand. Again, because of the leverage issue mentioned above in paragraph "1.", the tension it creates can pull the thicker rubber cap through the carbon fiber hole after a few times of folding the landing gear in/out for flight. Just be aware of it and check the tops of the grommet caps to insure that they are not pulling through the holes in the landing gear legs or carbon fiber camera guard before flying. Pushing the Switch Blade landing gear up into the carbon fiber and twisting will insure the top cap is flush and secure. You don't want to lose a leg while your flying!!
Great Features:
1. Looks!! The carbon fiber camera guard is bad *** and high tech looking. In fact,, I wish I could turn my Phantom's case into a carbon fiber match! The clear plastic legs rotate in for transport and worked well with a Phantom backpack while easily rotating out before flying to offer additional stability for the Phantom. It looks cool to swing the legs out before flying and it really gives it much more stability when taking off from a table in a beach side wind.
2. Function! It mounts securely between the Phantom's inside plastic landing gear using 4 included zip ties. It definitely provides a more ridged and stronger landing gear while also providing a barrier against foreign objects coming directly up and into the camera in the event of crash. It can't completely extend across the width of the Phantom's landing gear or it would block the camera view, however, it covers the greatest portion with a portion removed center camera so that the Vision+'s camera can record without obstruction at 90 degree angles. The Camera Guard is never seen in any of my photos or video.
3. Pease of Mind. I'm not going to crash my Phantom to see if the Switch Blade camera guard and Inertia/Gimbal guard work. However, I can tell you that bits do give me a piece of mind that should the unthinkable happen, I've given my Vision+'s camera and gimbal the best chance they can have to survive without damage. The quality of the materials and work that has gone into their fabrication and design is obviously the work of an enthusiast who understands the Vision+ camera's operational range and potential for damage due to crash.
I highly recommend the Switch Blade carbon fiber camera guard and the Inertia/Gimbal guard. Its apparent it was made by someone who loves to fly his Vision+ and knows how to protect it's cool camera & gimbal.
