1 files changed, 39 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/wired/old/published/phantom-3-review.txt b/wired/old/published/phantom-3-review.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0d5dcd2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/wired/old/published/phantom-3-review.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,39 @@
+It wasn't the first, but DJI's Phantom series of drones are well on their way to ruling the skies. Stop to talk with a drone pilot at your local park and there's a really good chance they'll be using one of DJI's Phantom quadcopters. 
+
+There's a good reason for the Phantom's popularity, they're relatively cheap, simple to operate and produce great images and videos. And that's never been more true than with the recently launched Phantom 3. 
+
+The Phantom 3 doesn't look much different than its predecessor, but while outward appearances may be the same, make no mistake, this is not a minor update, this is a game changer. 
+
+On the surface the Phantom 3's specs don't look like a major update. There are two versions available -- the Phantom 3 Professional, which can do 4K video, and the Phantom 3 Advanced, which only offers 1080p video, but is otherwise the same. I went with the 4K model, but aside from the comments about video quality, everything below applies to the Advanced as well.
+
+The Phantom 3 Professional's 4K video shoots at either 23, 24 or 30 fps, which eliminates the advantage of using a GoPro in most cases. That means you can have your live view and your 4K video. There are also a few new tricks in the camera, like streaming 720p video direct to YouTube -- which could have a huge impact on how journalists cover events and breaking news. The camera also no longer uses a fisheye lens, which means that live streaming video will actually be watchable without nearly as much editing. Did I mention the range has been improved? Those journalists (or rescue workers) can now be over a mile from the scene and still flying comfortably.
+
+The Phantom 3 is also much quicker to get set up and in the air. The lightbridge makes the tedious task of connecting to wifi obsolete. You do still have to  calibrate the compass, but once that's done you're good to go.
+
+Those updates and some of the other small things -- especially the lightbridge connector instead of wifi, which means you get an HD live view on your device -- are all welcome, but none of them hold a candle to the real reason the Phantom 3 blows earlier models out of the water: improved flight stabilization.
+
+While drones are fun to fly on their own, let's face it, they're really flying cameras and nothing kills that perfect swooping beach video like some jittery, jerky, nausea-inducing footage as the drone pilot struggles with the controls. Just search YouTube for copious examples. The jitteriness is understandable of course. As anyone who's flown a Phantom can attest, there's a learning curve to flying drones. 
+
+The new flight stabilizations tools in the Phantom 3 radically simplify that curve though. The increased power and more precise control makes flying the Phantom 3 an entirely different experience -- it's easier to fly, more responsive to controls and, thanks to the HD live feed, you won't be squinting at pixelated images trying to figure out where you are.
+
+The stabilization features are a huge help when shooting that new 4K video as well. Flying still takes practice, but those smooth, floating shots are easier than ever to get. The Phantom 3 is capable of producing the quality of videos normally associated with far more expensive drones with DSLRs mounted.
+
+At a few hundred feet up the stabilization is nice and will help your video results, but where it really shines is low to the ground and indoors.
+
+Which is not to say the Phantom 3 is perfect. While the stabilization is radically better than the Phantom 2, flying indoors in cramped quarters is still difficult. The ground sensors make indoor flight possible, but in my testing the Phantom 3 still often drifts a few feet and if you're in a small space that might well mean flying into a wall. The problem is that the props produce a lot of wind, so it has to fight its own air currents. The larger the space the less of a factor this will be. Auditoriums and larger spaces like concert halls or wedding chapels (all likely candidates for professional photographers, once the FAA updates its regulations regarding commercial use of drones) will be much easier to film than the tight quarters inside the average house..
+
+Still, you *can* fly it inside and that's a step up from the Phantom 2, which was very, very difficult to control indoors. 
+
+The flight controller has been completely overhauled and may actually be the best thing about the Phantom 3 (and no, regrettably it won't work with your Phantom 2, nor will the batteries). 
+
+The dual joysticks remain unchanged, but there are now dedicated buttons for taking images and video, tilting the camera and even calling the Phantom 3 home all without moving your fingers from the flight controls. There's also a dial to control camera settings, a switch to change flight modes, a playback button for checking out your images and video and two customizable buttons you can assign a variety of functions.
+
+It's no longer necessary to look down at the app screen and tap just to take a picture or start recording video. Though if you do prefer to fly from first person point of view you'll not only love the HD video feed, you'll also be happy to learn that there's a brand new DJI flight app for Android and iOS. The new app is much nicer and, when combined with the camera setting dial, much easier to adjust your settings while in flight.
+
+Unfortunately, as nice as the camera in the Professional version is, it's still tied to the drone. You won't be throwing out your GoPro in favor of an all in one, which seems a little short-sighted. If the rumors are to be believed, GoPro is looking to get into the drone business. For now at least DJI seems to have no interest in getting into the camera business.
+
+Still, despite a few quibbles, there's much to love here and most of what was off-putting about the previous versions -- lack of stabilization, sharp learning curve and missing 4K video -- have been solved here. 
+
+Wired: Much easier to fly, produces higher quality, stabler video results. Improved controller makes flying and shooting easier.
+
+Tired: Indoor flight is still difficult, camera gimbal doesn't swivel and the camera still isn't removable/stand alone.