I'm a relatively new drone pilot, having started flying in December 2020, and prefer to have a launch/landing pad to operate from versus rough-fielding it. Like many people, I tried to make do with cheaper/inferior designs, but the wind and terrain made that dicey at best. After reading reviews, and doing some research, I decided to order the Hoodman 3-foot landing pad.
Cons:
1) It can be a bit fiddly to get back into the carrying bag. (Hoodman has a video showing the technique linked on their site.)
2) The shoulder strap could be a bit better. Add another 8-10" in length and possibly some sort of coating to keep it from sliding off the shoulder. (Note: I'm 6'4" tall so the strap length is likely to be fine for the average sized user.)
Pros:
1) Exceedingly easy to set up. Pull it out of the bag and literally toss it on the ground.
2) Stays put in the wind. The weighted perimeter keeps it from blowing around without having to stake it in place.
3) Water-resistant. Keeps your drone off the damp grass and doesn't soak up the moisture like some of the folding designs do.
4) Highly visible from altitude. The safety orange, and the size, make it quite easy to see from a distance, especially from the drone's camera perspective.
5) Compact in the carry case. Small enough to keep in the back of my car so I don't forget and leave it at home.
6) Quality materials and thoughtful design. Unlike a few other pads I looked at, you can see and feel the quality and tell that the designers put some thought into this instead of just building a "me too" copy of other's designs in a race to the lowest price.
This is probably the best accessory I've purchased for my drone so far. I'm not comfortable with launching from, and landing in, my hand, so the 3' Hoodman Landing Pad allows me to fly from locations that I normally wouldn't due to moisture, tall grass, and sand/dirt/dust. I ended-up getting the 3' version (versus the 2') for the extra weight and the larger "target". I fly a DJI Mavic Air 2 and there is plenty of space on the pad so you don't need to venture towards the edges and take a chance of clipping grass with the props or pulling dirt/dust into the motors.
| Brand | Hoodman |
|---|---|
| Model Name | 3 Ft Pad |
| Age Range (Description) | Adult |
| Color | Orange |
| Control Type | Remote Control |
| Battery Cell Composition | Zinc |
| Are Batteries Included | No |
| Rechargeable Battery Included | No |
| Product Dimensions | 36"L x 36"W x 0.4"H |
| Manufacturer | Hoodman |
| Item Weight | 4.54 pounds |
| Item model number | D120262 |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Manufacturer Part Number | HDLP3 |
