Having found that my fingers are not nimble enough to hand launch my mini 4 pro, I need to make something similar to this.
I don’t want it attached though, just need it to support the drone during take-off.
Has anyone seen the thing anywhere?
If not, I will be trying to do it with my handheld scanner to get the drone profile. From past endeavours, I don’t manage this quickly.
If you are only using it to launch and not as a catch handle then maybe a different design might help.
Have you considered something like a plasterers hawk?
https://www.screwfix.com/p/essentials-plastic-plasterers-hawk-13-x-13-/353pr
Essentially a hand held flat surface for takeoff. Or, looking for something more portable, a handle and an X shape the same dimensions that the legs of the drone occupy, maybe with little lips to locate the legs more securely.
If you are looking to catch as well carch handles may be more convenient
That is a cracking idea @macspite , and well within my abilities. I already have a handle that i made for something else, so half way there.
X-frame is especially ideal because of my strobe holding thing already in place.
I’ll post a pic when done.
Hope you don’t mind me hijacking this thread (it is related, it’s hand catching). I first started with my mini 2se and found it surprisingly easy, but I struggle with the mini 4 pro. Sometimes it comes to my hand without issue and other times (mostly) it just hovers about 18” above my outstretched hand staring at me! I tried it facing away but just as stubborn.
Also sometimes launch from roof of car, did yesterday nr beach, came back wouldn’t land, I’ve had this issue before and usually after sometime it reluctantly lands, I thought it must be the shine off the paint, but at moment it’s pretty grubby so didn’t think I’d have a problem, so tried hand wouldn’t do that either so eventually gave up and landed on ground which I didn’t want to due to all the sand.
And I thought the dog was stubborn.
It will do if you have obstacle avoidance switched on and your hand is moving ever so slightly. Stick it in sports mode and the OA automatically switches off.
I rarely have OA on and and my drone lands on my hand with no issues.
Cheers i thought that might be the issue, if I switch to sport mode will it land at normal pace or suddenly dart at my hand, I normally have it in cine (I forget to switch to normal when coming home, I’ve only used sport mode once, trying to avoid a gang of seagulls).
Another possibility would be to make a small circular platform, that the drone would sit on. You could use a stiff plastic plate and glue a handle to the base. similar to the Plasterers hawk mentioned by @macspite. Or…have a look at this
Justin Bainbridge has excellent advice on hand launching/catching.
Thanks for the suggestion @Nikonitis . It is around 140mm between the front legs, so it would be quite a large platform. Plus, my drone bottom is not flat when my strobe is attached, so likely a little too wobbly for me.
I will post a picture in the next day or so of how it ends up, after printing.
The video makes it look so simple! I tried hand launching it yesterday, and have the damaged finger tip to prove it 
I am an in-car flyer, and so hand launching right-handed out the window or door is my aim. But that all went to cock yesterday, hence my need to print something which doesn’t bleed…
Catching it? Well, after reading on here I gave that a go in my wheelchair on the drive. In S mode, but it still popped up a little bit. I did not persevere.
I have launched from off the car roof several times, and landed it once too.
But I generally land close to the car door, and retrieve it with my grabber stick. I must get a landing pad though.
I am going to have to stick at it on my drive until I can do it.
They’re great for precision landing, however do need anchor it down, I’d thought of using neobidium magnets on roof of car however, don’t want to damage paint work. It may be an old car but is in very good nick. If not anchored the drones prop wash blows it away.
Would these not through the compass out ?
Probably.
Some landing pads have loops around the edge for pegs to hold them down. Probably best in soil or sand rather than a car roof but you could use the loops for tie downs, either to a roof rack or through slightly opened windows.
A soft sheet between roof and landing pad might be an idea too.
I want to use a landing pad for the ground next to the car door.
The roof is one of those glass ones (panorama?) which is great for watching it take off. My new cree strobe is bright though.
Does it open? Would be great for a Thunderbirds moment.
Thunderbirds are go. Cue music.
I am pleased its fixed, I’d forget to close it on landing
I hear you. Initially, it feels a bit risky, but with practise you’ll master it. I lightly clipped a finger once, as well. Never again! It can be a really useful and liberating way to launch and capture, especially if you’re in an awkward place, perhaps with long grass or no level surface.
