Hello Dan,
I will try to answer your questions:
1) gimbal fragile:
A) p2v ( very strong gimbal, survives crashes well,
But only 1axis, up-down, you use the phantom for side-side
Motion. Very high quality camera, takes beautiful stills and
Video. You only loose rotation or roll capability. You get superman
Like video ( as if YOU were actually flying ) I like the effect.
B) P2V+ ( extremely fragile gimbal ) but remember, it is a FINELY
TUNED piece of equipment. It does not hold up well in a crash. The camera
Is very high quality, more mega-pixels the non plus model. Beautiful stills,
And awesome video, SUPER STABLE, I've been shooting video, and thought the
FPV froze up ( cause it was sooooo still ) come to find out it was just super stable,
You have to see to appreciate! I cannot even describe it! Gimbel is also
Upgradeable! ( coming soon ).
C) P2 w/ HD-2d or HD-3d gimbals. Again anytime you have a finely tuned PRECISE
unit like these, they will be very fragile, and not fare well in a crash
Or hard landing! These use GO-pro cameras, but are very stable like the plus above!
Really it is up to you, get whatever catches your eye! ( whatever model you like best )
NOW THE GOOD NEWS:
You CAN remove the gimbals, learn to fly the craft, then when satisfied
With your piloting skills, re attatch the gimbal, and learn FPV!
This can be done with ALL models!
2) replacing gimbal!
Super simple, to replace, the problem lies within the COST.
P2V camera assembly $250 and up
P2V+ camera assembly $700
HD gimbals ( 2d-3d ) $300-$360
So again, remove, learn, replace!
3) I answered this question above ( difference )
4) as of now NO you cannot put a P2V+ camera assembly on a P2V!
( maybe in the future )
However, there are several gimbal options ( aftermarket: drone expert, taco, rotopixel, ect! )
That use stock camera, and you can use a HD-2d or HD-3d on the phantom vision
If you have the newer MC ( phantom main circuit board ) a few members here have done
This and it works! ( I personally have not tried, but I'm sure a member here would be more than
Happy to help you with it! ) but I do know it works!
5) I will finish by saying this:
Sit down and figure out what you want to do with your phantom?
Do you want to fly for fun?
Or
Do you want to get SERIOUS about photography, or videography?
If it is only for fun, and you have little interest in photography, or other,
Than the vision is for you!
If you want to be serious about your video, and pictures, editing, ect!
I think the plus is for you!
I have a P2V,
I'm so happy with it, I LOVE to fly and shoot video, pics.
I've been doodling with editing, sound, ect in my videos!
Now that I'm a decent pilot, and can keep my bird under control
I'm getting into videography, more and more. So I'm saving for a plus!
But I assure you the vision WILL still be Flown A LOT!
I want to use the PLUS for family events, vacation, things like that,
Where I need good quality, stable shots! But the p2v will always come as
Backup support!
Don't worry about fly-a-ways, they are rare, and mostly user error. Just buy a tracking
Unit and attach to phantom, that way if it does ever happen, you can still find it!
I have well over 200 flights under my belt, with NO ISSUES, NO FLY-A-WAYS, NO CRASHES,
Did have 1 hard landing ( my fault ) it has been great, always there when I need it to be!
Also, you might want to invest in a flytrex unit for it, it is a cool feature!
Take care, Fly safe!
