Dust and dirt takeoff and landing

[Rabber]

I have been flying my Mav 2 in the desert. Dust and dirt is collecting in the arm joints as well as the gimble. Recommended way to clean?

 

[Phantomrain.org]

I have been flying my Mav 2 in the desert. Dust and dirt is collecting in the arm joints as well as the gimble. Recommended way to clean?

We just use a damp wash cloth , and you might consider getting a Mavic 2 Wet Suit to keep all the Sand / stones and dirt out of the drone , because even with the cleaning your only getting the surface dust .

Landing pads can work on take off but not so much the landings, the Wet Suits are designed to handle Sand / Salt / stones and Pollen and dirt from not only getting into the drone but the prop motors. They only weigh 0.2 ounces but offer a ton of benefits.

Phantomrain.org
Gear to fly your Mavic 2 in the Rain.

 

[MARK (LI)]

If you don't have a compressor at home ...get some of that canned air at STAPLES for blowing off computer keyboards

 

[Gagey52]

I used canned air to clean the drones, especially the motors
Regards

 

[ckoerner]

I find a portable landing pad to be helpful in these conditions as well.

 

[MARK (LI)]

I never bothered with a landing pad with my Phantom ....the props are pretty high on that...with the Mini 2 if you land in tall grass, the prop acts like a weed wacker...I'm saving up for one of those round pads with an H on it ...in the meantime I just use a piece of an old welcome mat

 

[old man mavic]

@Rabber i use a Air puffer ,canned Air is ok as well, if you get Bug Splatter then a wet wipe followed by kitchen towel is a good way to remove it, dont allow the dust and debris to build up in the motors even more so in the gimbal ones as you will get error messages if the gimbal motors cant move freely ,just make cleaning part of your after flight routine and if its dusty either hand launch /land if you are able ,or as others have suggested get a landing /take off pad

 

[A.O.]

I agree with the landing pad, where I fly it is all sand and the pad keeps the props from stirring the sand up , I bought one of these

Amazon.com: Hoodman HDLP3 Drone Landing Pad Launch Accessory 3 Foot Diameter Fits DJI Phantom Size Smaller RC Quadcopter: Toys & Games

Amazon.com: Hoodman HDLP3 Drone Landing Pad Launch Accessory 3 Foot Diameter Fits DJI Phantom Size Smaller RC Quadcopter: Toys & Games

www.amazon.com

Works good and with the weighted outer ring it does not need stakes to keep it in place.

 

[Dale D]

I have been flying my Mav 2 in the desert. Dust and dirt is collecting in the arm joints as well as the gimble. Recommended way to clean?

Whenever possible I try to take off from my "H" orange folding and collapsible landing pad. I especially use it for grass, weeds, sand, or any other surface liable to to interfere with the blades. On irregular landing surfaces such as a rocky shoreline, I try to level the landing pad with objects like my unused battery or nearby stones. For landing, I try to hand catch it when the landing surface is dangerously impossible. See example in attached photo where it was impossible to find a level surface for a take off. On surfaces like these, I am forced to hand launch and land.

 

[DavidT_ NZ]

I never bothered with a landing pad with my Phantom ....the props are pretty high on that...with the Mini 2 if you land in tall grass, the prop acts like a weed wacker...I'm saving up for one of those round pads with an H on it ...in the meantime I just use a piece of an old welcome mat

The round “H” pads are excellent as they curl up into a smaller size and fit in a pouch that can be placed in a backpack. If needing wider ground cover consider also adding a folded heavier weight painter’s plastic drop sheet. The props can blow dust up off quite a large area. Also, pro camera shops sell lens brushes with soft air bellows that can help to remove dust off delicate parts of the drone.

 

[Flycaster]

I would try a vacuum cleaner with a tiny nozzle made/attached first. You will probably have to "choke it down" to about a 1/4" diameter.
Better to try to suck out the dust/dirt first, rather than blowing it in even deeper....

 

[GFields]

I always use a landing pad in these conditions.

 

[Mike49]

Amazon.com: VCUTECH Drone Landing Pad Pro Fast-Fold Double-Sided Waterproof 20 inch(50cm) Compatible with DJI Mavic Air 2, Mavic Mini 2, Mavic 2 Pro/Zoom, DJI FPV, Drone Accessories(Black): Toys & Games

Amazon.com: VCUTECH Drone Landing Pad Pro Fast-Fold Double-Sided Waterproof 20 inch(50cm) Compatible with DJI Mavic Air 2, Mavic Mini 2, Mavic 2 Pro/Zoom, DJI FPV, Drone Accessories(Black): Toys & Games

www.amazon.com

This is the one I use.

 

[A.O.]

Amazon.com: VCUTECH Drone Landing Pad Pro Fast-Fold Double-Sided Waterproof 20 inch(50cm) Compatible with DJI Mavic Air 2, Mavic Mini 2, Mavic 2 Pro/Zoom, DJI FPV, Drone Accessories(Black): Toys & Games

Amazon.com: VCUTECH Drone Landing Pad Pro Fast-Fold Double-Sided Waterproof 20 inch(50cm) Compatible with DJI Mavic Air 2, Mavic Mini 2, Mavic 2 Pro/Zoom, DJI FPV, Drone Accessories(Black): Toys & Games

www.amazon.com

This is the one I use.

How is it on a windy day?

 

[Mike49]

How is it on a windy day?

I have tent stakes I use if needed.

 

[A.O.]

I have tent stakes I use if needed.

And if you are on hard ground?

 

[tlswift58]

I agree with the landing pad, where I fly it is all sand and the pad keeps the props from stirring the sand up , I bought one of these

Amazon.com: Hoodman HDLP3 Drone Landing Pad Launch Accessory 3 Foot Diameter Fits DJI Phantom Size Smaller RC Quadcopter: Toys & Games

Amazon.com: Hoodman HDLP3 Drone Landing Pad Launch Accessory 3 Foot Diameter Fits DJI Phantom Size Smaller RC Quadcopter: Toys & Games

www.amazon.com

Works good and with the weighted outer ring it does not need stakes to keep it in place.

I got a landing pad with my FlyMore package from B&H. Think it is still in the wrapper.

 

[MiragePro]

The landing pads are really cheap on Ebay, $12.95. I also live in the desert, and yes they do blow a lot of sand and dirt. This pad works great on all my DJI drones. With my GoPro Karma, I use a large piece of cardboard.

Drone Day&Night Landing Pad Launch Helipad For DJI Mavic Pro/Zoom Drone Parking | eBay

Compatible Models: DJI Mavic 2 Pro/Zoom,DJI Mavic pro, DJI Mavic Air. Application of different occasions, Highlight the location of the Helipad. ,DJI Phantom 2/ 3/ 4 Pro, DJI Spark,Parrot drones,Syma drones, Hubsan.

www.ebay.com

 

[Mike49]

And if you are on hard ground?

I can usually find a spot to launch from. If the ground is hard I would think you wouldn't have to worry about dust too much.

 

[MARK (LI)]

Whenever possible I try to take off from my "H" orange folding and collapsible landing pad. I especially use it for grass, weeds, sand, or any other surface liable to to interfere with the blades. On irregular landing surfaces such as a rocky shoreline, I try to level the landing pad with objects like my unused battery or nearby stones. For landing, I try to hand catch it when the landing surface is dangerously impossible. See example in attached photo where it was impossible to find a level surface for a take off. On surfaces like these, I am forced to hand launch and land. View attachment 129614

I think you just wanted to show off the picture you got...That is beautiful...where is that?