Brightness, visibility, hoods

Calhoun Ranger · Feb 22, 2017

One of my recurring irritations is flying on a bright day and not being able to read the screen on my smartphone. I have a Samsung Note 4, flying a P3P, with a stock sun hood.

What are some of the "tips and tricks" you use for screen visibility? I saw a military drone operator on a TV special who used a hood that extended about 18 inches between his face and the screen he was using. I am tempted to build my own extended hood if I can't find anything better . . . any ideas welcome!

msinger · Feb 22, 2017

Calhoun Ranger said:
What are some of the "tips and tricks" you use for screen visibility?

Fly in the shade. Nothing beats it.

Calhoun Ranger said:
I saw a military drone operator on a TV special who used a hood that extended about 18 inches between his face and the screen he was using.

It sounds like you're talking about something like the Hoodman. You can find some other sun shades/hoods here.

dwallersv · Feb 22, 2017

Hoods/shades are one of the more common accessories that RC pilots purchase. There are many threads discussing different brands and models, with recommendations, arguments, all the usual.

Just search the forum... you'll find plenty to answer all your questions.

42FrankZ · Feb 22, 2017

Calhoun Ranger said:
One of my recurring irritations is flying on a bright day and not being able to read the screen on my smartphone. I have a Samsung Note 4, flying a P3P, with a stock sun hood.

What are some of the "tips and tricks" you use for screen visibility? I saw a military drone operator on a TV special who used a hood that extended about 18 inches between his face and the screen he was using. I am tempted to build my own extended hood if I can't find anything better . . . any ideas welcome!

On the Note 4 you should set the brightness to auto if you are going to be in the sun, it has an overdrive mode that way that is pretty bright. When I had mine it was plenty bright that way.

sky cooter · Feb 22, 2017

I custom-made my own for my P4. Lightweight but ridged cardboard core>piece of .040 aluminum bonded to back to receive iPad Mini 2 and still fit RC tablet clamp)> cut openings to fit lightning cable, etc. and for tablet clamp to work to hold everything secure>after I was happy with size and angles I used hot glue and covered total inside with craft felt to soften/absorb light (left large [6" x 6"] opening in bottom to pass lanyard through and see RC on/off and RTH buttons)>covered outside with rustic-looking light canvas, again hot glue>voila I'm happy with it. The total unit feels a little heavy than without it but not bad; lanyard compensates. I can still see reflection of my handsome mug on the screen (can't get away from that), but that's it. Guess I should have included progressive photos but they're still in my camera. Maybe sometime later.

DocDiggler · Feb 22, 2017

I usually look for some natural shade like trees but I also got 1 of those
Very comfortable even got a stubbi holder

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tevek · Feb 22, 2017

DocDiggler said:
I usually look for some natural shade like trees but I also got 1 of those
Very comfortable even got a stubbi holder

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That's what I'm talking about! Where did you get that?

DocDiggler · Feb 22, 2017

Hi Tevek
Ebay I think they are on sale atm they come in different colors mine is actually green blends in nicely with nature

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DocDiggler · Feb 22, 2017

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tevek · Feb 22, 2017

DocDiggler said:
Hi Tevek
Ebay I think they are on sale atm they come in different colors mine is actually green blends in nicely with nature

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On to it right now. Cheers.

Sky Wombat · Feb 22, 2017

If you look at sky pixel.com there's a guy called 杨一尘 YiChe. He throws a coat on top of his head and over the drone screen. Looks weird but guess it's cheap

Sky Wombat · Feb 25, 2017

tevek said:
On to it right now. Cheers.

Gee Doc, you could have gone the whole hog & got an esky as well [emoji39]
Actually not a bad find.

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zeldon50 · Feb 25, 2017

Sky Wombat said:
If you look at sky pixel.com there's a guy called 杨一尘 YiChe. He throws a coat on top of his head and over the drone screen. Looks weird but guess it's cheap

Exactly... remember the guys who used to shoot FILM with view cameras? They used a focusing cloth over their heads and the camera itself to block out glare. (I know I'm dating myself, but I used to use one!)
zeldon50

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42FrankZ · Feb 25, 2017

zeldon50 said:
Exactly... remember the guys who used to shoot FILM with view cameras? They used a focusing cloth over their heads and the camera itself to block out glare. (I know I'm dating myself, but I used to use one!)
zeldon50

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They weren't required to keep line of sight...

Rob1962 · Feb 25, 2017

Try and Check out a GREAT shade Google the Hoodman.

Sagebrush · Feb 25, 2017

Rob1962 said:
Try and Check out a GREAT shade Google the Hoodman.

I don't fly without my Hoodman. Problem is solved.

SB

Sky Wombat · Feb 25, 2017

42FrankZ said:
They weren't required to keep line of sight...

um at the risk of being a pedantic pr*&^% 42Frank actually they were. Oh dear some of us are REALLY showing our age now. I'll just get my walking frame and toddle off into the distance...