Product Reviews
Jason O'Flaherty
Tracking Camera Gear with Apple AirTags

The effectiveness of Apple AirTags in safeguarding camera gear against loss or theft is put to the test. Through real-world experimentation of their functionality, discover how these tags assist in tracking down missing equipment. Finally, the potential security implications of these tags for user privacy are examined.

Tracking Camera Gear with Apple AirTags
Recording Gear
Jason O'Flaherty
Angelbird / Kondor Blue CFexpress B Recording ...

The new CFexpress type B Recorder with Magsafe by Angelbird and Kondor Blue is great for recording from your iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, but how does it compare against the competition as a Card Reader? It’s rated for 20 Gb/s, but can it hit those numbers?

Angelbird / Kondor Blue CFexpress B Recording Module
Astrophotography, Video Tutorial
Jason O'Flaherty
Star Trails Tutorial

Learn how to make the heavens spin using this fun and easy technique!

Star Trails Tutorial
Recording Gear
Jason O'Flaherty
Best Camera for Running

When you want to record yourself running, what camera should you use? I take a look at a GoPro, a 360 camera, a Gimbal, and a Phone to find out which is best.

Best Camera for Running

DJI

Repairs to a DJI Mavic Air Drone

Old Water Damaged Drone

This story starts back in January 2018 when I fell through the ice.  I was carrying my old drone on my back when I went into the water. The batteries took on a lot of water and haven't worked exactly right ever since. 

I figured after 2 years with the old drone, given the crazy advancements in safety, size and performance and the fact that my Old 3DR Solo drone was no longer supported by the company and the software was getting buggier with every OS Release, it was time to make the switch to DJI.

I picked up a DJI Mavic Air and what a difference. It's so small.  The app is amazing, the sensors work great and it's quieter. Anyone who complains about drones now being "loud" haven't had a drone 2 years ago from a different company.

Well, I was out in South Dakota recently and was standing way up on top of one of the Needles in the Needles District. It was hard enough to keep my balance, let alone fly my drone.  The one thing I keep forgetting about my Mavic Air is that there are no sensors on the side of it. The front, back and bottom sensors work so well that I just assume it will be able to save itself from all of my bad flying.

Flying the wrong direction

Well, due to my concetration on maintaining my balance, I wasn't able to "get into the direction" the drone was flying and pressed the stick the wrong way on several instances until I actually slammed it into a rock.  

The drone tried to save itself (it's done it before when I ran into a tree), but wasn't able to and it fell about 50 feet.  The damage was pretty extreme, breaking an entire leg in half.  Fortunately, I had sprung for the DJI Refresh Care insurance. 

With the Refresh Care, you get 2 claims in the first year paying $69 for the first claim and $99 for the second one.  After the second claim, you're out of luck. If you don't use both claims in the first year, you can pay to extend that claim one more year.

The funny thing is, then sent me a different drone that had the opposite side repaired on it.  I damaged the left side and they sent me a drone with repair stickers on the right side on the same parts. Funny coincidence I guess. 

Check out the video for the crash and a test montage video at the end.