why are gimbal guards transparent?

impetus_maximus · Sep 15, 2018

it's obviously bad to keep a gimbal guard on when powering up, or flying. why would DJI make them transparent? they should be striped black, and safety yellow in my opinion.

your thoughts?
cheers

ac0j · Sep 15, 2018

I wondered that too. I think it is clear because thats what they have, or they want the drone sitting in a display case to like like it does when in use. so to hide it cosmetically. (doesnt really work, its clear, not invisible)

Bob in Savannah · Sep 15, 2018

Maybe because it's the cheapest possible option? I dunno..

impetus_maximus · Sep 15, 2018

i would think an opaque plastic would be cheaper than transparent.

well, when i get my Mavic 2 pro, it's getting covered in safety tape.
i may even put a flag on it.

AeroJ · Sep 15, 2018

Yeah, gotta be to show off the cameras I would have thought...

impetus_maximus · Sep 15, 2018

AeroJ said:
Yeah, gotta be to show off the cameras I would have thought...

i have to admit, when i saw the Mavic Pro flying with one in a promo video it looked pretty awesome.
then i learned how wrong it is to do that.

Former Member · Sep 15, 2018

impetus_maximus said:
Why are gimbal guards transparent? It's obviously bad to keep a gimbal guard on when powering up, or flying. why would DJI make them transparent? they should be striped black, and safety yellow in my opinion.

It depends which gimbal guard (lock) you are referring to. The Spark has none, the Air has a tinted gimbal lock and no gimbal bubble, the MP has an opaque gimbal lock and a clear gimbal bubble. The M2 series has a tinted lock.

In my personal experience, when I was first starting out with a Phantom, I could have had a neon sign on my gimbal lock and still forgotten to take it off. The Mavic Pros lock is easy to forget to take off because it's at the bottom, under the bubble. Some people attach a pennant or other reminder to remove it before flight. Flying with the MP gimbal bubble on wont hurt the gimbal, but flying with the lock on will.

DJI does give you a warning in DJI Go to remove your gimbal clamp if it detects gimbal movement is restricted.

impetus_maximus · Sep 15, 2018

this is why pre-flight check lists are SO important.

Former Member · Sep 15, 2018

impetus_maximus said:
this is why pre-flight check lists are SO important.

Couldnt agree more. If general and commercial aviation pilots use one before every flight, we should too Thumbswayup

ac0j · Sep 15, 2018

Thunderdrones said:
It depends which gimbal guard (lock) you are referring to. The Spark has none, the Air has a tinted gimbal lock and no gimbal bubble, the MP has an opaque gimbal lock and a clear gimbal bubble. The M2 series has a tinted lock.

In my personal experience, when I was first starting out with a Phantom, I could have had a neon sign on my gimbal lock and still forgotten to take it off. The Mavic Pros lock is easy to forget to take off because it's at the bottom, under the bubble. Some people attach a pennant or other reminder to remove it before flight. Flying with the MP gimbal bubble on wont hurt the gimbal, but flying with the lock on will.

DJI does give you a warning in DJI Go to remove your gimbal clamp if it detects gimbal movement is restricted.

My MP came with a clear lock that is the same as the bubble, but the lock appears a little frosted. I am not sure that isnt from all the times its been removed and replaced?

Former Member · Sep 16, 2018

ac0j said:
My MP came with a clear lock that is the same as the bubble, but the lock appears a little frosted. I am not sure that isnt from all the times its been removed and replaced?

Frosted is a good word for it. It's not as clear as the bubble, but also isnt tinted.

KennyJr · Sep 16, 2018

My wife is into crafting so I cut a 2" piece of red ribbon, put a glue dot on the end and attached it to the gimbal lock. As soon as I pull it out of the case that bright red ribbon stands out against the dark gray Mavic.