DJI S900

DJI S900

Micro air vehicle maker DJI has announced a new drone aerial system that you can get around 18 minutes of flight time with, and it only takes 5 minutes to assemble. It's called Spreading Wings S900. Described as a stable, lightweight, and compact frame that consists of motors, propellers, and carbon fiber arms, enabling you to transport cameras and other goods across the sky, the Spreading Wings S900 comes with a 12,000 mAh battery and can carry anything up to 8.2kg. Although you can test its limits all you want, the aircraft is apparently best used on a breezeless day, hovering at a height of 2 meters, with a payload of 6.8kg. "The DJI Spreading Wings S900 has a lightweight, highly portable frame that enables creators to take it anywhere and capture content like never before," explained DJI through a promo video description. "Built with our most advanced technology, the S900 combines power and durability for on-the-go professionals who expect the most out of their equipment." In other words, DJI's new system is ideal for drone aerial photography. DJI is in fact popular among photographers and tech geeks alike. It known for the Phantom line of quadcopters, for instance, which is intended for aerial photography and consists of two-blade rotors, landing gear, and Wi-Fi for video transmission. Similarly, the company's Spreading Wings line is a series of hexacopters that consists of landing gear and a pair of skids. The Spreading Wings S900 notably also features a removable upper center board, sparkproof plug, support for wide-range shooting angles, retractable landing gear, compatabilty wth Zenmuse Gimbals, a new power distribution system, reduced vibrations, and an improved arm design. According to DJI, each arm has an 8-degree inversion and a 3-degree inclination, making the aircraft "more stable when rolling and pitching, yet more flexible when rotating." You can learn more about Spreading Wings S900 in the video above. DJI hasn't announced availability or pricing details at this time, but we've contacted the company for more information and hope to update soon.

click and dragLightweight, Strong and StableThe S900’s arms and landing gear are made of sturdy carbon fiber, greatly reducing weight while increasing stability and strength. This enables a long flight time without sacrificing performance.72-hourflight testClick to play videoHighly Portable, Easy to CarryWith arms that fold in to save space, the S900 is built to be taken wherever you need to go. Then when you want to fly, it can be ready to go in just a few minutes. Never before has a professional hexacoptor been so portable and easy to transport.Ready to Fly IN5 MinsFolding Arms for Convenient TransportNew Power Distribution SystemA redesigned, rebuilt power distribution system improves safety and reliability. Gold-plated metal bearings with a unique screw design secure the power cords, ensuring cables will not come loose during flight and allowing easy setup.Removable Upper Center BoardThe upper center board can be removed, allowing easy access to install your flight controller and IMU, and giving you a convenient way to setup the power distribution system. Even installation of your main controller, iOSD, Lightbridge, or any other accessories is faster and easier than ever before. This new center board structure is perfectly compatible with the DJI WKM and A2 flight controllers.Sparkproof PlugPrevent short circuits and easily plug in your power supply with the AS150 sparkproof plug.A2 & WooKong-MFlight ControllerDJI Lightbridge2.4G HD Video DownlinkZENMUSE Z15-GH43-axis GimbaliOSDOn Screen DisplayFlight Time18 MinutesTakeoff WeightMaximum: 8.2kgProfessional QualityWeighing just 3.3kg, the S900 has a maximum takeoff weight of 8.2kg. This means you can easily carry most cameras and gimbals. Used with a 6S 12000mAh battery, it can fly for up to 18 minutes*.*Maximum flight time is tested on a breezeless day with a payload of 6.8kg, hovering at a height of 2 meters.Wide Range of Shooting AnglesRetractable landing gear and a special low gimbal mounting bracket gives you an extremely wide range of possible shooting angles and camera motions.click and dragRetractable Landing GearCompatible with Zenmuse GimbalsDJI’s Zenmuse camera gimbals are known for their stability, providing smooth footage capture in even the most difficult of conditions. The S900 fully supports the Zenmuse Z15, GH3, GH4, and BMPCC gimbals.Reduced Vibrations, Clearer FootageThe S900’s gimbal bracket is separated from the main frame by specifically designed dampers. This significantly reduces high-frequency vibrations and makes your shots clearer and sharper.Greater PowerA 40A electronic speed controller (ESC), our fastest available, is built in to each arm. The 4114 pro motors, high performance 1552 folding propellers, and V-type mixer design combine to give each arm of the S900 a maximum thrust of 2.5Kg.Our latest motor adopts a single wire stator design, offering improved heat dissipation, better performance, and a tidier, more reliable system.Innovative Arm DesignEach arm is designed with an 8° inversion and a 3° inclination, making the aircraft more stable when rolling and pitching, yet more flexible when rotating.

DJI's Phantom 2 Vision+ is a great introduction to aerial video -- we know from personal experience -- but it won't be long before you're jonesing for more power. If you really want to dominate the skies (or, y'know, use a bigger camera etc.) then DJI's new Spreading Wings S900 Hexacopter is more like it. In DJI's family of pro-level drones, the S900 flies neatly between the S1000 and S800 with a max load weight of 5kg and 18 minutes of fly time to cram with epic sweeps -- just don't do them here. It works with DJI's own Zenmuse Z15, GH3, GH4, and BMPCC gimbles, so particularly good news for Lumix GH3/GH4 and Black Magic Pocket Cinema Camera owners. If you set on hanging with the pros, then expect to pay out like them, too. The Spreading Wings S900 will thin your money clip to the tune of $3,800, but that's small change for a big fish like you, right? However, if moths are the only thing flying around your wallet, then enjoy vicariously via the video after the break.

The DJI Spreading Wings S900 is designed for professional aerial photographers and cinematographers. Its lightweight, compact design makes it easy to take anywhere and create amazing aerials on the go. Equipped with our most advanced motors and electronic speed controllers, a sturdy carbon fiber frame, and a brand new power distribution system, the S900 gives you the power, strength and stability you need to create amazing footage. DJI Spreading Wings S900: Create Anywhere (2 min 44 sec) Lightweight, Strong and Stable The S900

"The DJI Spreading Wings S900 has a lightweight, highly portable frame that enables creators to take it anywhere and capture content like never before," explained DJI through a promo video description. "Built with our most advanced technology, the S900 combines power and durability for on-the-go professionals who expect the most out of their equipment."

The S900 comes equipped with a wicked good gimbal. If you decide to configure your S900 for a two-man operation — one flying, and one controlling the gimbal — you’ll be in heaven. The gimbal operator can control pan, tilt and roll, the shutter release, and even aperture. The gimbal contains contacts within the main hub — not wires dangling down to the camera — so the pan can swivel 360 degrees repeatedly without tangling up. You can also lock the camera in a direction, so no matter what the S900 does, the camera stays locked on target. The gimbal is also hung low enough so you don’t get props invading your frame or casting shadows on the lens as you would on a Phantom.

Bibliography

DJI S900 Owners Thread . (1970). Retrieved on November 22, 2015, from http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2218276.

DJI S900 Review | Videomaker.com. (1970). Retrieved on November 22, 2015, from http://www.videomaker.com/article/17745-dji-s900-review.

DJI's latest pro. (1970). Retrieved on November 22, 2015, from http://www.engadget.com/2014/08/04/djis-s900/.

New DJI Spreading Wings S900 drone can carry a baby . (1970). Retrieved on November 22, 2015, from http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/130235-new-dji-spreading-wings-s900-drone-can-carry-a-baby.

Spreading Wings S900 . (1970). Retrieved on November 22, 2015, from http://www.dji.com/product/spreading-wings-s900/feature.