News — DJI

By Diane Shearer

If you’re looking for gift ideas for the ultimate gadget enthusiast in your life then Action Gear is the place to go. We have chosen our top 15 Christmas gift ideas that we think will be right up your alley. Now you can see exactly what you can get your hands on in our store this Christmas.

1. REACH FOR THE SKY

DJI PHANTOM 3 SERIES

Reach for the sky and capture professional-quality footage from a new perspective with the DJI Phantom 3 range. This intelligent flying camera is easy to fly and engineered to let everyone take to the sky. With its crystal-clear camera and real-time HD video display you can create footage fit for the screen. 

 

2. TAKE IT TO THE TRAIL

SUUNTO AMBIT 3 WITH FREE POWERTRAVELLER



The Suunto Ambit 3 is your ideal companion when you go off the beaten path. The built in GPS and compass and its incredible battery life will keep you exploring the wilderness on foot or bike for hours. For a limited time get a free PowerTraveller solar charger with your Ambit 3.

3. BE A HERO

RED BULL GOPRO HERO 4 BUNDLE


The GoPro Hero4 range of action cameras are without doubt the best you can buy. With 3 models to fit your needs and budget, the Hero4 is your ideal adventure partner The GoPro Hero 4 makes it easy to capture and share your world through your eyes. HERO 4 helps you capture photos and videos that make you look like just that: a HERO. For a limited time, we are offereing a FREE 32GB Samsung Evo MicroSD Card as well as a Red Bull 4 Pack with every GoPro Hero4 Bundle.

 

4. TON O' FUN

HUBSAN X4


Small enough to fit in the palm of your hand but comes with a ton of fun. This is a perfect toy for flying around the house, practicing your skills or having fun with friends.

5. NO POWER? NO PROBLEM!

RED-E RS70 SOLAR POWERBANK


Whether you are trying to keep in touch with your mates while on a hiking trip or just being caught during load shedding. The 7000mAh powerbank can be charged directly from a wall socket or through the built in solar panel and can charge your iphone over 2.5 times.

6. MUSIC TO YOUR EARS

OUTDOOR TECH ORCAS WIRELESS


The Orcas wireless earphone are music to an active persons ears! Completely wireless, sweat proof and so light you will forget you have them.

 

7. THE CAMERA THAT DOESNT LIE

TOMTOM BANDIT BASE PACK


Now you can instantly share a video to your friends while still in the midst of adventure. Simply shaking your smartphone device will create an instant edit of the video you've recorded. Sensors in the camera pick up and tag the big moments like maximum speed, jumps and tricks. The Bandit can shoot up to 4K at 15fps and take 16mpx photos.

8. ALL IN ONE

OUTDOORTECH BUCKSHOT PRO



Everything you need in the palm of your hands. The Buckshot Pro is a wireless speaker, flashlight, strobe light, camp-light, and powerbank. Yeah, that's impressive!

 

9.MOTION WITHOUT BLUR, ACTION WITHOUT SHAKES

DJI OSMO


The DJI Osmo helps you record videos like never before. Whether standing still for a stationary timelapse or moving through the world for a hyperlapse, you can create smooth videos easily with this stabiliser and gimble. Imagine motion without blur and Action without shakes! The Osmo can shoot up to 4K at 30fps and take 12mpx photos.

10. HIGHLIGHT THE NIGHT

EXTREME LIGHTS XPH HEADLAMP


The Extreme light XPH Headlamp offers unprecedented freedom for nocturnal thrill-seekers. If you like surfing after sunset, riding at midnight and trail running at night the remarkable little device will highlight the night. This versatile Headlamp uses a rechargeable Li-ion battery or 3 AAA batteries. The 670 Lumen torch will last 2.5 hours using the built in battery, ensuring that you never run out of juice in the wild.

11. SEVEN HEAVEN

RED-E 7 PORT USB CHARGING HUB


Never run out of power with the Red-E 7 port USB charging hub. It is a must have power adapter for any tech savvy adventurer. It enables you to charge all of your USB devices at once through one wall socket.

12. NEW PB?

BLACKBURN ATOM SL BIKE COMPUTER

The Blackburn computer is perfect for the cyclist that wants to know how far and how fast they’ve gone. The Blackburn computer will help you get your new personal best.

 

13. EASY RIDE

EZ WHEELS BALANCE WHEEL


Balance Wheels are the latest craze to take over the internet! These easy to ride 'hoverboards' can get you from A to B in style, with almost no effort. The EZ wheels has a maximum speed of 10km/h and a range of 15km. Riding this mini segway is simple, just lean in the direction you want to go. These boards have been used in many different situations, such as personal transportation, by photographers for stabilization and smooth shots, for shopping, warehouse staff, or just as a toy.

14. YOUR TRAVEL COMPANION

SENA SMH5-FM RADIO DUAL UNIT

Share music or a conversation while on your breakfast run with the Sena SMH5-FM Radio Dual Unit. It is a Bluetooth stereo headset with a Bluetooth intercom and built in FM turner for motorcyclists. The SMH5-FM allows you to call handsfree on your Bluetooth mobile phone, listen to music or instructions from your GPS wirelessly.

 

15. UNDER, OVER

GODOME HOUSING


With this dome housing, getting the elusive under over shot has never been easier. The GoDome Housing used a 160mm Dome, made from the highest quality acrylic, this massive dome pushes the waterline away from the lens, creating a space that allows you to capture the split in the water line with unbelievable ease.

By Warrick Kernes

Flying cameras seem like something out of the movie Back to the Future but the future has now arrived as Drones are now readily available and they will make your life easier on the farm.

We have already seen Drones being used practically by South African farmers for various reasons such as aerial game counts, crop assessments, monitoring irrigation pipes, perimeter fence checks, looking for trespassers, searching for game to hunt and even to see what the children are up to. We know of a group of farmers in the Northern Cape who have turned to this new technology to assess their crop fields and in doing so they’ve changed a previously tedious task into a breeze. They have set up their Drone to fly to predetermined GPS coordinates to check respective crops so in the morning all they need to do is turn it on and send it off, 20 minutes later the drone returns and lands itself back on the patio and they can now watch the video back on their tablet to see how each of their crop fields are doing. These GPS way-points can be set up as you like to assess fences, kraals, staff villages or whatever you choose. The Drone will fly to the pre-set point and can even be set to a particular height and to point the camera the way you want.

In another situation we helped a farmer who desperately needed to capture and relocate his three black rhinos. These animals had come to know the sound of vehicles and helicopters and disappeared into the thicket before they could be located however the sound of the Drone was not threatening to them so we were able to fly the camera in a grid until we located the animals and could radio to the chopper and vet to fly in. As the animal heard the heli rotors in the distance it darted for cover but we followed its position easily just meters above the tree tops and we could then direct the vet into position to dart the animal.

 

The world’s leading commercial Drone company is DJI with their most popular range being the Phantom 3 Drones which come with a built in camera and GPS receiver. The included remote holds your phone or tablet to show a live view of what the camera is seeing while it is up in the air. Controlling the Drone is surprisingly simple especially because you can fly in GPS mode which means that even if you let go of all the controls the Drone will hold its position in the sky and not move until signaled to. The intelligent battery will last up to 25 minutes and will automatically return home and land where it took off from if it calculates that its battery power is too low. The distance at which you can control the Drone is an incredible 2km from the remote controller but if you are flying by way-points the distance can be much further as it can fly at speeds of up to 56km/h.

Taking aerial photos and videos is now easier than ever before with these types of Drones. Mapping your land and looking for lost animals couldn’t be easier than it is with a Drone but this is really just the beginning of how Drones will be adopted in the farming industry. We have already seen tests being carried out for Drones which will automatically perform your required crop dusting and will determine how much pesticide to spread over an area by factoring the type of crop, the predicted precipitation and even the wind. Spreading of new seed will be an easy function for Drones in the future and we’re also fairly close to having commercially available Drones fitted with thermal imaging cameras which can scan your land continuously and alert you of any trespassers on the property. It will SMS you a picture of the person with the exact time and coordinates and if you send the command it will follow the person until you arrive. Further down the road we expect to see that these Drones will be fitted with solar power so that they will only need to return to land once every few weeks for simple maintenance.

While this futuristic view of what Drones may become seems like far off science fiction, so did the idea of flying cameras – but this is now reality and instead of dismissing this new technology we can embrace it and use it to our advantage.

For use on a farm it is recommended to buy extra batteries, spare propellers and a protective case. This can all be found at a terrific deal price on the Action Gear website in the deal called the Farmers Drone Bundle. If you would like to find out more contact Action Gear (tel: 011 781 1323 / email: sales@actiongear.co.za).

Written By Brad Edwards AKA Fuzz

Action sports team Teton Gravity Research captures their skill as they ski and snowboard across scenic Utah. All shots made possible by the flexibility and rugged durability of the DJI Ronin, the world’s premiere handheld camera stabilization gimbal. Teton Gravity Research (TGR) is an action sports media company founded in 1996 by brothers Steve and Todd Jones, as well as friends Dirk Collins and Corey Gavitt. The friends launched the company to create products that came from the perspective of athletes, showcased youth culture, and fueled the progression taking place in action sports. TGR works closely with top athletes to create multimedia content, products, and events that capture and celebrate the passion and enthusiasm of action sports. TGR has produced 32 award-winning action sports films rooted in skiing, snowboarding and surfing, and numerous original television broadcast series. TGR is a leader in the production of action sports films with environmental messages. The company is a key partner to organizations such as the Surfrider Foundation, Protect Our Winters, and 1% For The Planet. 

We think they've definitely got the right idea! Check them out - http://www.tetongravity.com/ - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teton_Gravity_Research

Check Action Gear's DJI Range, and and get the a drone perspective of your own.

Written By Elzette

We like taking things to the next level and you can imagine our excitement when we started selling the DJI Phantom quadcopter in 2013. The fact that this little gadget could take footage to new heights and lower production costs really got us on board. Sales across the nation rapidly increased in 2014 and before long – those little eyes in the sky weren’t all that unusual.

But the quadcopter situation in South Africa has been getting a lot of attention, especially from the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA). 

What is a Quadcopter or drone?

Also classified as UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles), drones or quadcopters are aircraft that fly without a pilot and can be controlled remotely by someone on the ground. Strap a GoPro or other camera to it and you have the capability of capturing some amazing aerial footage – without taking to the sky yourself. With the introduction of the Zenmuse 3D Gimbal, the DJI Phantom quadcopter even has the capability to allow remote control of roll, pitch angling. The sky is the limit! Or is it?

 

Model aircraft policy for drones in South Africa

Despite the ban which was announced in the beginning of June (which is only applicable to commercial and not personal use) , we have seen a 200% increase in sales over the past few weeks The biggest we've seen yet! But it seems the SACAA has come back stating it is NOT illegal and NOT banned (yet).

The SACAA states: “Currently there are no regulations in place to enable and regulate operations of UAS in South African civil airspace. In accordance with the Civil Aviation Act, 2009 (Act No. 13, of 2009).

The SACAA would once more like to reiterate that currently there are no guidelines or regulations that can help define and as such regulate the use of unmanned aircraft systems. This is a concern that the organisation is working towards addressing as soon as possible. Further, the SACAA has made an undertaking to have an interim guidance document as a provisional solution to enable restricted operational approval of UAS on a case-by-case basis until regulations are in place. It is envisaged that the interim document will be completed before 31 March 2015, or sooner.

 

The interim document in question will address most of the issues that have been raised not only in south Africa, but are under consideration globally, for instance by the ICAO UASSG, and other international bodies. The SACAA is part of this ICAO Work Group.

In the meantime, the Regulator appeals to all stakeholders to err on the side of caution rather than risk unintended aviation disasters. Notwithstanding, we remain receptive to ideas that would contribute to the rapid development of a widely accepted regulatory framework.”

Related: Benefits of Selecting Action Gear as your Drone Partner

Action Gear SA is dedicated to providing our customers with the best service possible. We will continue to strive to make Action Gear SA your first choice for the best products, lightning fast shipping and superior customer service. We’ve partnered with world leaders in technology and security to provide you with an easy to use, fully interactive and secure on-line shopping experience. Shop with us today and see the Action Gear SA difference.

1. Satisfaction Guaranteed:

We back up all purchases with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. Our generous 30 day return policy combined with our fantastic customer service ensures that you will be completely satisfied. Every product sold in our store comes with a full manufacturer's warranty in addition to the 100% Satisfaction Guarantee.

2. Superior Product Knowledge:

Its not easy spending your well earned money so always make sure you getting the right advice from the right people. At Action Gear SA we pride ourselves on our superior product knowledge. Simply said, WE ARE YOUR GO TO GUYS!! We will make sure you are kitted out exactly as you need, making sure you have the best outdoor experience!!

3. Best Deal Guarantee

There is much more to getting the best deal than just the lowest price. Action Gear SA is proud to have the industry's largest Customer Service Team along with competitive pricing and Free Shipping. If you find a better deal from an authorized reseller, let us know and we'll do everything to match or beat it.

4. Supporting South African Businesses

Action Gear SA are proud to be working in our home country and to be contributing to our country's economy. We hope that you will help to support South African businesses by sourcing your outdoor equipment within SA.

5. Courier Shipping

All of your orders will be sent out by courier and you can choose to upgrade your shipping to a Next Working-Day courier service when checking out.

6. Wide Product Selection

We offer a selection of the industry's finest products available at the best prices. We are also frequently adding more of the leading brands. Use our easy-to-use site navigation or our powerful product search to quickly find what you need. If you cannot find something in our store, let us know and we'll help you locate it. We have tested pretty much every outdoor product out there and you can rest assured that only good quality outdoor equipment which meet our high standards are available through our website.

7. Full 12 Month Manufacturers Warranty

All of our cameras are supported by full manufacturer’s warranties that extend for 12 months.

8. Secure Shopping

Action Gear SA is a completely safe environment to purchase within. Our store features the latest Secure Sockets Layer technology (SSL) Encryption, to provide credit card security and keep your personal information safe by encrypting all the information before it is sent over the internet. This is the most widely used data encryption system for e-commerce transactions. There are two ways to confirm that your connection is secure:

Look for a locked padlock icon in your shopping cart as you check out.
The letters "https" (rather than "http") located in the URL address window at the top of your browser also indicate that you are using a secure browser.
Action Gear SA also cares about your privacy and will protect it. We will not share your information with third parties.

9. Personalized Service

Use us as your resource to help you make the most out of your buying experience. Our staff at Action Gear SA have years of experience and knowledge of these products to help you with any questions. Contact us and we will reply immediately or soon thereafter!

10. Great Customer Service

We go the extra mile to ensure your complete satisfaction. Our knowledgeable staff are available via e-mail, telephone and online chat to ensure the ultimate quality in customer relations. In 2015 we won the eCommerce Award for Best Customer Service in the industry! 

11. Liberal Return Policy

Not happy with the order you received? No problem! We have an easy process for facilitating exchanges and returns, and we do not charge restocking fees if you return your purchase in the same condition we sent it to you. Our policies are in place to ensure that the customer is 100% Satisfied.

12. We are easy to reach

Help and advice is only a quick e-mail or phone call away. We keep you updated after you place an order with us. You may call us or use our Easy Contact Form to get questions answered fast. And you can easily track your order every step of the way with our e-mail alerts.

13. Authorized Dealer

Action Gear SA is a trusted distribution partner for all the brands that we sell. We only sell genuine brand name products with 100% Authentic Manufacturer's Warranties. We never sell grey market products and stand behind all of the products we offer.

14. Simple Secure Checkout

Our fully featured store has the simplest checkout process around with many payment options. Just add to your cart and order. Simple as that. Want to order over the phone? Just give us a call! Our service is fast and secure, and most orders ship the same day from our Johannesburg-based stocking warehouse.

15. Repairs

All repairs will be handled by our product specialists. If you a customer of ours and experiencing a problem with your product within the first 6 months of purchase, we’ll happily have your product collected using our efficient courier service. Within 7 working days we’ll have your product delivered back to you working 100%.

*Please note, repairs and replacement product procedures are in accordance to the South African CPA Act and manufactures warranties.