18. Taking Flight with the GoPro Karma Drone

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In this chapter, you’ll learn about the GoPro Karma drone. Here’s what’s covered:

Image An introduction to the GoPro Karma drone

Image The stuff that’s included with the drone (and what’s not included)

Image A preview of what it’s like to pilot a Karma drone

You already know that GoPro cameras are designed to take photos or shoot video just about anywhere—on land, underwater, or from the air. In fact, some of the most visually spectacular GoPro video footage you’ll find on YouTube was taken when a GoPro camera was mounted to the cockpit of a private airplane, a hot air balloon, hang glider, or to the body (or helmet) of a skydiver.

Well, if you’re not that adventurous, but you still want to capture some awesome shots from a mid-air, bird’s-eye point of view, consider keeping your feet on the ground and investing in a GoPro Karma drone. In the past few years, drone piloting has become a popular hobby, and a handful of drones are available that allow a GoPro camera to be mounted directly on the drone to capture aerial photos or HD video. However, only one drone was developed by GoPro and is actually designed specifically to accommodate a GoPro HERO5 Black camera, and it’s called the Karma.

HERO5 Session Compatibility Is Also Available

Initially, when GoPro introduced the Karma drone, it supported the HERO5 Black camera exclusively. In Spring 2017, however, GoPro introduced compatibility with the HERO5 Session and several older GoPro camera models.

It’s Not All Good: Karma Experienced Some Technical Difficulties

After a lot of media attention and much anticipation from GoPro enthusiasts, the Karma drone was introduced in October 2016. Shortly thereafter, however, a few early adopters experienced a technical issue related to power loss with their drone. This problem caused GoPro to temporarily pull the drone from the retail market. After fixing the issue, Karma was rereleased in late-February 2017.

In a press release issued on February 1, 2017 by GoPro, Nick Woodman, the company’s founder and CEO is quoted as saying, “Karma is the ultimate aerial, handheld and wearable stabilization solution for the GoPro community.... As the consumer drone market continues to grow, Karma delivers the most versatile solution at a very accessible price.... To clarify, this Karma is the same Karma that launched last year—to the naked eye. If you break the construction down, you’d see that we’ve redesigned the battery latch. A small change that led to a huge improvement.”

To watch an ever-growing series of free tutorial videos produced by GoPro, including a collection of videos about the Karma drone that show it in action, be sure to subscribe to the GoPro Tutorials YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/user/GoProTutorials), which is separate from the official GoPro channel on YouTube (www.youtube.com/gopro).

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For example, the GoPro: Meet Karma video (www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYyhuMcHhik) offers a visually stunning, 87-second visual preview of the Karma drone in action.

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>>>Go Further: Facts About the Karma Drone

The Karma drone flies at a maximum speed of 35 mph and can reach an altitude of up to 10,500 feet. Its flight range is 9,840 feet. When open, the drone itself measures 12” × 16.2” × 6.2”, but it folds up for easy transport to 14.4” × 8.8” × 2.5”. It weighs 35.5 ounces, without a required GoPro HERO camera attached. The average flight time per battery charge is up to 20 minutes, but the rechargeable battery for the Karma Controller lasts up to four hours, so in between back-to-back flights, you can quickly replace the drone’s rechargeable battery.

Recharging the Karma drone’s battery takes about one hour (using the supplied charger), whereas recharging the Karma Controller’s battery takes 2.5 hours, and recharging the Karma Grip takes two hours.

What You’ll Need to Take Flight

GoPro offers the Karma drone in several configurations. Priced at $1099.00, the complete package comes bundled with the Karma drone and HERO5 Black camera. If you already own a HERO5 Black camera, the Karma drone alone is priced at $799.99. You can also purchase this Karma drone– only package, in addition to a camera harness (sold separately, starting in Spring, 2017), to attach a HERO5 Session, HERO4 Black, or HERO4 Silver camera to the drone.

A GoPro Camera Is Required

In order to fly the Karma drone, one of the compatible GoPro HERO cameras must be mounted to it. In other words, a GoPro HERO camera is required. It’s not an optional accessory like it would be for other drone models from third parties.

Whether you purchase the Karma drone that comes with the HERO5 Black, or the package that allows you to connect the GoPro camera you already own, here’s what’s included with the drone:

• The Karma Controller—Use this handheld device, which looks a lot like a video game controller with a built-in LCD touchscreen, to pilot the drone from the ground and remotely control your GoPro camera.

• The Karma Drone—This is the actual drone, which folds up to become portable and easily transportable.

• The Karma Stabilizer and Karma Harness (for HERO5 Black)—The Karma Stabilizer allows you to shoot video from the drone that’s incredibly smooth, especially when the drone is in motion. (The Karma Stabilizer also connects to the Karma Grip, which allows it to be used as a handheld mount.) Also sold separately for $299.99, the Karma Grip includes the Karma Stabilizer, and is used as a handheld mount to keep the camera steady when it’s in motion and shooting HD video.

More About the Karma Grip

The Karma Grip that comes bundled with the Karma drone (and is also sold separately) can be used as a handheld stabilizer when shooting video. However, when you’re piloting the drone, the Karma Grip must be mounted onto the drone to help you capture smoother HD video. The Karma Mount, which is used to connect the HERO5 Black camera to the Karma Stabilizer that connects the Karma Stabilizer securely to the Karma drone, is included.

The harnesses needed to mount other GoPro camera models are sold separately for $29.99 from GoPro’s website (www.gopro.com).

• The Karma Battery and Charger—The battery is used to power the Karma drone in flight, and the charger is used to recharge the interchangeable battery. Keep in mind that the HERO5 Black’s camera battery must also be charged separately.

• The Karma Grip—This is the handle that’s used in conjunction with the Karma Stabilizer and Karma Mount to shoot ultra-steady and smooth video when holding the camera in your hands, as opposed to mounting it on the Karma drone. The Karma Grip, Karma Mount, and Karma Stabilizer come with the drone but are also sold separately as a bundle for $299.99.

• The Karma Mounting Ring—This mounting ring allows the Karma Grip to be securely connected to and used with several other GoPro body mounts, as well as the GoPro Seeker backpack (sold separately for $169.99).

• The Karma Case—This is a portable but sturdy travel and storage case for the Karma drone and its accessories.

• Propellers—The six propellers attach to the drone and are interchangeable and replaceable. Additional propellers are sold separately in packages of four.

GoPro promotes Karma as being a complete system, meaning that you can use the supplied equipment to shoot aerial photography and videography, and then take advantage of the Karma Grip and stabilizer to capture equally smooth and vivid video with the camera mounted to you or your equipment, or while holding the Karma Grip in your hands. In other words, the core equipment transitions from providing the tools needed for shooting in the air to shooting on the ground with very little setup time in between. This gives you tremendous flexibility when making creative decisions and for capturing professional-quality video content from a variety of different perspectives.

>>>Go Further: Optional Karma Accessories

In addition to what’s included with the Karma drone, optional accessories are available from GoPro to enhance your piloting experience. These accessories include the Karma Grip Extension Cable, the Seeker backpack, additional Karma drone rechargeable batteries, and color-coded replacement propellers.

Various other drone parts—such as Karma arms and landing gear—that can easily be replaced if damaged are sold separately. See GoPro’s website for pricing and details.

The Karma Controller includes a screen that serves as a real-time viewfinder for piloting the drone and for shooting photos or video with the connected GoPro camera. However, GoPro also offers the separate GoPro Passenger mobile app, which allows anyone to “ride along” with the drone while someone else pilots it. This free mobile app is available for iOS and Android devices.

In addition to a GoPro Care plan for your HERO5 Black camera ($79.00 for two years), there’s also a two-year coverage plan for the Karma drone ($149.00), which covers accidental damage. A $199.00 GoPro Care plan covers both the Karma drone and the HERO5 Black camera for two years. For more information about this optional, but highly recommended, coverage, visit http://shop.gopro.com/goprocare.

What It’s Like Being a Karma Pilot

GoPro has designed its drone for GoPro camera enthusiasts, not experienced drone pilots. As a result, Karma has less of a learning curve associated with it, and it offers built-in functionality that makes the drone easier and more intuitive to fly (compared to its competition).

Of course, it’s designed to allow you to pilot the drone and simultaneously capture stunning photos or video using the functionality of your GoPro camera. While you remain on the ground, Karma allows you to capture the view from overhead, without having to lug around a lot of large and heavy equipment. Everything you need can easily be carried within the supplied case or the optional Seeker backpack.

The GoPro Stabilizer and Karma Mount easily disconnect from the drone. Then, you can use the supplied Karma Grip to transform the GoPro Stabilizer into a handheld device for shooting extremely smooth and stable video while you’re holding or wearing your camera. If you opt to combine aerial shots with handheld shots from the ground, there will be visual continuity in your footage. This makes editing easier.

When piloting the Karma, you’re able to capture your life and adventures from an aerial point of view. The Karma Controller serves as the main connection point between you and your drone. It offers one-button take off and landing, and a single Return to Launch button to keep the piloting tasks simple. This allows you to focus on aerial photography and videography during each flight.

The Karma Controller’s embedded screen serves as a remote viewfinder for piloting the drone; at the same time, it gives you full remote control over the GoPro HERO camera that’s mounted to it. The interactive menus take the guesswork out of setting up the Karma during pre-flight, piloting the drone while it’s in the air, helping you safely land the drone, and making sure you capture the photos and/or video you desire.

>>>Go Further: Learn from the Flight Simulator

The Karma Controller’s built-in flight simulator allows you to practice flying your drone without having to use the drone itself. This feature helps you quickly master the piloting skills necessary for successful flights, without risking your equipment.

So, especially if you’re a first-time drone pilot, take full advantage of these free, built-in flight-training tools, and make sure you understand how your GoPro camera operates on the ground before you attempt to remotely control it while it’s in the air.

Prior to your flights, understand the hierarchy of the camera modes, shooting modes, and related settings, and know which camera features and functions you want to use. Knowing how to use your GoPro camera enables you to focus on and enjoy flying the drone without having to concern yourself about whether or not the camera itself is set up correctly for each aerial shooting situation you encounter.

While the Karma is still in flight, you can preview your photos or video footage on the Karma Controller’s screen to make sure you’ve captured the desired content before landing. During the time you’re reviewing your content, the Karma automatically hovers in place. The main thing you need to concern yourself with is available flight time based on battery life.

Pay Attention to Laws Governing Drones

The more popular drone piloting becomes, the more attention governments and law enforcement are paying to this hobby. As a result, local governments and state and federal lawmakers are passing new laws about where drones can be flown, what altitudes they can be flown at, and whether or not they can be flown in specific public areas. For example, you’re typically not allowed to fly a drone over (or near) a stadium, arena, government building, or any airport.

Before investing a lot of money into a drone, determine how and where you’ll use it, and make sure it’s permissible.

It’s Not All Good: A License May Be Required

Check with local government officials to determine if a local license for your drone is required prior to flying it for the first time and to find out what local rules apply.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) within the United States requires all drones weighing between 0.55 and 55 pounds to be registered. To do this, visit https://registermyuas.faa.gov, or call (877) 396-4636, Monday through Friday, between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. (EST). A one-time $5.00 registration fee applies.

The FAA also publishes information online pertaining to piloting drones, which are also known as UAS (Unmanned Aircraft Systems). Visit https://www.faa.gov/uas.

GoPro-Compatible Drone Options

In addition to GoPro’s own Karma drone, there are a handful of third-party companies that offer drones with specialized mounts, harnesses, and/or gimbals designed for the various GoPro camera models. Some of these companies include

• 3DR (https://3dr.com)

• Blade (www.bladehelis.com)

• DJI (www.dji.com)

• Parrot (https://www.parrot.com)

• Yuneec (www.yuneec.com/en_US/home.html)

With new drone models being introduced virtually every month, the easiest way to discover what’s currently available and make sure you’re evaluating the latest, most affordable, and/or most advanced drone systems available is to enter the phrase Drones for HERO5 Black or Drones for HERO5 Session in the Search field of your favorite search engine or Amazon.com.

Some of the features and functions you want to evaluate as you compare drone models include

• Average flight time per battery charge

• Cost and availability of replacement parts

• Ease of use

• Flight range

• Optional equipment needed to securely connect a GoPro camera

• Options for piloting the drone and simultaneously remotely controlling the GoPro camera

• Portability and setup time

• Pricing

It’s Not All Good: Check for GoPro Compatibility

Several drone companies that offer optional harnesses, mounts, and/or gimbals for their drones support only older GoPro camera models, so if you already have a GoPro HERO5 Black or HERO5 Session, for example, make sure the drone you choose offers the compatible hardware for securely connecting and remotely controlling the camera.

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