Guides

By Mike Carey

With drones only increasing in popularity, the need for rules and regulations has arrived to ensure the safety of both the public and drone pilots. Some would think that the current news and media coverage of the need of these regulations, and how they would negatively affect drone pilots, would hamper the purchase and popularity of drones in South Africa. The opposite had shown to be true as drones and media produced with them has become even more popular locally.

The new drone regulations that will be effective from 1 July 2015 have actually been seen as a big win for hobby drone users. If pilots are open with their intended use of these drones, and they are used for private enjoyment, it seems that pilots may still get to use their new ‘toys’ without excessive red tape.


The new drone regulations actually allow hobby RPAS (Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems) a lot more freedom than hobby model aircraft. Here is a simple breakdown of what you need to know.

Under the new Regulations Hobby Drone Pilots:

• Do not need an RPL (Remote Pilots Licence).
• Do not need to register their RPAS aircraft.
• Do not need an aviation medical.
• Can fly RPAS up to 7kg weight.
• Can fly at night (previous not allowed for any rc aircraft).
• Can fly up to the height of the highest object in 300m of the drone (up to a max of 400 feet).
• Can fly up to 500m away from the pilot, while maintaining direct line of sight (RVLOS).
• Need to keep more than 50m from people.
• Need to keep more than 50m from roads.
• Need to keep more than 50m from buildings.
• Need to keep more than 10km from an aerodrome (airport or airstrip).
• May not fly in No Fly Zones.

If you currently fly your drone for commercial use and generate income through the use of flying your drone for film or any other trade, then it is advised that pilots go ahead and comply with the regulations that the CAA are imposing on drones and their pilots. Getting the right credentials for the use of your drone would definitely be advised.

Some Drone Operators Already Have Achieved the Following:

• Restricted Radio Licence (also known as Restricted Certificate of Radiotelephony - Aeronautical). Online theory exam at CAA as well as a practical exam with a certified examiner.
• Aviation Medical Certificate (class 4 or 2, or self assessment depending on your operation).
• English Language Proficiency Certificate.
• RPL pilot training (practical and theory training for RPAS as per regs).
• Prepared documents to be ready to submit as soon as it is possible to do so (see below).
• RPAS Flight Manual.
• RPAS Maintenance program (manufacturer).
• RPAS technical description.
• Operations Manual (operator).
• SMS (as per regs).
• QMS (as per regs).
• Field Operations Manual.
• Criminal record checks of all staff.

After the draft regulations are adopted, drone operators will be able to progress further.

Not Yet Possible to Achieve:

• RPL - Remote Pilot Licence. Will be a single online exam at CAA.
• RPA registration (will be a registration number starting with ZT...)
• ROC (RPAS Operating Certificate).
• RLA (RPA Letter of Approval).
• Permission for Aerial Work from Air Services Council.

We are still waiting to find out exactly who will undertake the process of allowing the public to get their RPL (Remote Pilot Licence), and that we will not be restricted by these licence requirements until such a time that they have formally implemented these processes. Until these are put in place, I would state that your drone is a hobby, used for personal enjoyment and that no income will come from the flight in question.

I hope this information has helped in the understanding of the new rules and regulations, we are still going to need to wait until the processes are in place and until they can confirm that the RPL and all the other necessary questions everyone wants to know are laid out in black and white. I believe we will only be receiving the answers to these questions around the end of June. We will keep you posted. Subscribe to our newsletter and ensure that you are kept up-to-date.

Fly safely and understand that the general public is aware of the rules being imposed so stay cautious and be considerate of those around you.

Happy flying.

If you have any further questions you are welcome to mail us at, info@actiongear.co.za

Written By Douw-Steyn Lessing

Today's post is all about learning how to shoot amazing long exposure photos with your GoPro camera. We'll start off with a quick intro into what long-exposure photography is, and then we'll get into the fun stuff - shooting your own photos and impressing your mates with those new found skills. With the GoPro it's simple and straight forward, but these tips and tricks will definitely help get you started! Remember 2015 is your year for adventure, so go outside and get involved!

#adventure2015 #getinvolved

What is long exposure photography?

Long-exposure photography or time-exposure photography involves using a long-duration shutter speed to sharply capture the stationary elements of images while blurring, smearing, or obscuring the moving elements. Long-exposure photography captures one element that conventional photography does not, time. The paths of bright moving objects become clearly visible. Clouds form broad bands, head and tail lights of cars become bright streaks, stars form trails in the sky and water smooths over. Only bright objects will form visible trails, however, dark objects usually disappear. Boats during daytime long exposures will disappear, but will form bright trails from their lights at night. (Wiki)

Night Lapse with the GoPro Hero 4

Examples of Night Photo

This is very easy to do with the new Hero 4 cameras. The two modes, Night Photo and Night Lapse both allow you to change the shutter speed. The slower the shutter speed, the more light and movement you can capture into one photo when you’re in Night Photo mode. If you're wanting to create a timelapse switch to Night Lapse mode.

Let’s start on shooting one photo with an exposure time of 10 seconds.

1. 1 - Change your shutter speed to 10 seconds.

2. 2 - Put the GoPro on Night Mode

3. 3 - Go to somewhere really dark and take a flashlight with you

4. 4 - Place the GoPro on a counter, or use a mount,  press the shoot button and start swinging around the flashlight 

Make sure you shine the flashlight in the direction of the GoPro’s lens.

If you still have the ancestor model, don’t worry. Someone made a “hack” file that allows GoPro Hero 3 Black and 3+ users to capture photos at a maximum exposure time of 8 seconds. 

Here are some examples I shot with my 3+ Black at 8 Sec exposure:

I placed thin steel wool in a whisk with a rope attached to the whisk, set the steel wool on fire and started swinging the rope.

Here is a link to the hacked file with a guide on how to use it.

Please email me at douwsteyn1994@gmail.com if you have any queries about long exposure photography or anything about the GoPro cameras.

I hope you've enjoyed getting to know your GoPro a little more intimately!

#adventure2015 #getinvolved

Written By Douw-Steyn Lessing

Time-lapse videos are simple and a great way to practice using your gear. "Time-lapse photography is a technique whereby the frequency at which film frames are captured (the frame rate) is much lower than that used to view the sequence. When played at normal speed, time appears to be moving faster and thus lapsing. For example, an image of a scene may be captured once every second, then played back at 30 frames per second; the result is an apparent 30 times speed increase. Time-lapse photography can be considered the opposite of high speed photography or slow motion." Wiki.

Here are 2 great examples of time-lapse videos.

Suikerbos bushveld time lapse with GoPro Hero 3+ black

Victoria West Timelapse 720 HD

Keep reading to get a break-down of how to do your own time-lapse video, with Douw-Steyn Lessing!

Good day fellow adventurers

Today I’m going to take you through the basics of making a Time Lapse with your GoPro.

When you see a video of the sun rising in 30 seconds, it’s most probably a Time Lapse video.

A Time Lapse video shows you life the eyes don’t catch – it’s truly amazing.

Let’s get to it!

Here are the different GoPro icons you'll see.

1. Switch on your GoPro and press Power/Mode until you get to Settings.

2. Go inside settings and press mode until you find the Time Lapse Settings.

3. All you need to choose here is the interval at which the GoPro will take photos.

4. Press mode until you’re on the 5sec option and select.

5. Exit the settings and go on Time Lapse mode!

For the Time Lapse video you’ll be shooting clouds, sunrises, sunsets or thunder storms.

Mount your GoPro somewhere steady, press the shutter (top button) and leave it for an hour or two.

That was the difficult part.

Below is a video of how to edit your photos into a Time Lapse video with the GoPro Studio which can be downloaded on the GoPro website for free

This is this the basics of a Time Lapse video and there’s so much more you can achieve once you know your GoPro better and start playing with all the effect in the GoPro Studio.

To get the most out of your Time Lapse videos I’d recommend the following:

• Shoot with either the 3+ Black or the new Hero 4 Models for best resolution.

• Buy a tripod for your GoPro that’s available on Action Gear.

• Practice makes perfect. Keep on shooting!

#GetoutStayout   #GetInvolved

Action Gear is not merely an online shop but offers product expert advice and support on the use and enhancement of outdoor tech products.

Talk to us!

How do I buy something on www.actiongear.co.za?

There are 3 ways to purchase with Action Gear. Firstly on the website where you can add any product to your shopping cart after which you can then check out, put your details in the required fields and pay either with your credit card or an EFT.  Please email your proof of payment to pop@actiongear.co.za when paying via EFT. 

The second method is to call one of the sales executives on 011 781 1323 who will gladly assist in taking your order.  If you would like to pay by credit card then we will email you a secure link to our payment gateway, alternatively we can send you a quote in order for you to process an EFT payment. Please email your proof of payment to the sales executive who sent you the quotation.  

The third method is by chatting to a sales executive on the live chat feature where we will help you with your order and complete it by sending you a quotation or guiding you through the process of ordering on the website.

We accept Visa and Mastercard credit and debit cards for payment. We are also partnered with Discovery to accept Discovery Miles as payment. 

Are my credit card details safe?

Yes.  No credit card details are saved and no one will see what your credit card details are. If we take a credit card payment over the phone it is done through our secure backend and the details are not saved or written down at all. We offer 100% security for your online transactions, by using a 128-bit encrypted secure server. We have not had a single case of online credit card fraud reported to us, and this will continue to be the case.

Do I have to register an account and set up a password? 

No, there is no necessity to do so as you can check out as a guest.The advantage however of setting up an account is that you can save items to your cart and it will still be there when you log in again. You also won't have to input all your delivery details each time if you have an account. 

How long will my order take to arrive?

On each product page it shows whether the item is kept in our Randburg offices or in our warehouse. If it is in Randburg then delivery is within 1 - 3 days but if it is kept in our warehouse then please allow 5 days for delivery. 

Once your order has been paid for it will take a day to be delivered if you live in a major city and it will take 2 days if you live outside a major city in a more remote location. If you order and pay for your products before 15h, your package will be dispatched the same day. For unusually heavy items, delivery may take an extra day or so, so please contact us if you have an urgent order in such cases.

Once you have created an order your details will be securely stored so we can contact you about your delivery if need be. If you need something by guaranteed next day delivery then please select this option when in the checkout process or contact us.

Action Gear delivers door to door!

Can I collect my order?

We offer FREE courier delivery on orders over R999. If you have selected to collect your order instead of having it delivered, you are able to collect your parcel from our office address listed on our contact page. Please take note of the following when doing so:

What should I bring when collecting my parcel? 
Please have your order number ready and bring your ID along. 

When can I collect my parcel? 
Please note that your order needs to be completed before collection can take place. You'll need to wait for our confirmation that the order is ready for collection :) 

What are the collection times? 
Collections only take place from Mon - Fri as per the working hours specified above. 
If you have any other questions please feel free to give us a call :)

What is the complaint procedure?

Action Gear takes its relationships with customers very seriously, and we expend a great deal of effort ensuring that we keep you happy. We aim to reply to emails within one working day of receipt, whether they're enquiries or, heaven forbid, complaints. If email is too impersonal, we encourage you to phone us where our customer support team will gladly be of assistance. All your feedback is appreciated.

Can I return a product?

We believe that you will be 100% satisfied with your product, but occasionally you may need to return an item. You can cancel your order and return it to us within 30 days of the purchase date if it is in its original condition, completely unused, and suitable for resale. You will be responsible for the item or items until they reach us, and we suggest that you use a secure delivery method (which requires a signature upon delivery).

Refunds are made within a week of an order being cancelled and the goods having been returned to us along with the original receipt.

In the case of faulty goods we guarantee all items for a period of 12 months from the purchase date. Our warranty covers all manufacturing defects and does not cover faults arising from poor/improper use. Goods found to be faulty can only be exchanged for the same product and cannot be refunded.

As for normal returns, you must contact us by email or phone before returning any goods, so we can give you a specific returns number.

Is there a warranty on the products?

All our products carry a 1 year warranty, except batteries.

You don’t have what I want, now what?

 If we do not have what you are looking for then you can call a sales rep who will do everything they can to try and source what you are looking for a find a substitute to be able to satisfy your need.

What do I do if the item is out of stock?

 Stock is updated continuaslly and the website will indicate whether something is out of stock or not. If your item is not in stock, we will back order for you. You will always be emailed with the option to cancel your order if you would rather not wait.

Who do I contact if I need assistance with my purchase?

You can contact one of the Action Gear reps either, Mike, Eric, David or Warrick who will be able to help you with any queries regarding your purchase: 011 781 1323

How do I know my purchase has gone through?

Once you have paid for your order either through the website or with one of the sales reps you will receive an email to confirm that your order has been placed and we will either call you to let you know when you will receive it or email you the confirmation details of your order.

When are you open?

Our office hours are 8 -17h Monday to Thursday and 8 – 16h on Fridays, but our website never sleeps and you’re more than welcome to shop around as freely as you wish when you wish. Our team is unfortunately not available over weekends but you can give us a ring if you would like to make a special arrangement to come through to our shop in Randburg on a Saturday.

Where can I send my videos to be shared?

We love sharing our customers’ content, please feel free to share any footage you may have taken and would like to share with our community to Bernice van der Westhuizen at bernice@actiongear.co.za

How do I become an ambassador?

Ambassadors are those people who live our lifestyle and would like to help us position our brand in the outdoor arena. Please contact David Davies at david@actiongear.co.za if you would like to apply.

Written By Thato

Experiencing our beautiful country via road tripping is a breath taking experience not many South African get to have. With vast sea like valleys, long winding dirt roads or the odd looking mountains tops, South Africa has some of the world’s best scenic routes. Now if you add the element of open motor bikes and a few biking club buddies, you have yourself a road trip worthy of ‘Harley Davison Club’ status.

But Harleys aside, there are a few things you will need to do before you can get out to hit the open road.

Remember that unlike a car, motorbikes have limited storage space. You will have to decide exactly what you want to take and what you will need. Good questions to ask yourself are, how long will I be gone? Where do I indent to go? What type of accommodation will I make use of? How many people are coming with me?

Baggage

Unless you are a proud owner of a touring bike, you will probably need to have a set of saddle bags (and backpacks don’t count) or a tank bag to carry your stuff in. You can choose the option of hard case or soft case bags. Hard cased bags offer much better weather protection but are harder to install. A good option is the ATG Overlander, which is 100% waterproof and durable but is also light weight and foldable.

How many people are coming with you?

Have a list of the people who are coming with you. This will help you keep track of all the participants and will also help you add fun activities for a larger group of people to do. Add a section with everybody’s connected details and details of people to contact in case of an emergency.

Check your bike

Next you will need to do an inspection of your bike. The Motorcycle Safety Foundation recommends the T CLOCS guidelines.

• Tires – Make sure that your tires are properly inflated by using your air pressure metre or one made available at a filling station.

• Controls – Make sure that your clutch and brake cables are working.
• Lights – Check that your headlights, taillights and indicator lights work correctly.
• Oil – Check your oil and cooling fluid.
• Chassis – ensure that your frame, chain, suspension and fasteners are all in working condition.
• Stands – Make sure that your bikes stand is not cracked or bent and that the springs work correctly.

Communication

Being able to speak to your fellow riders is a great way to add an extra fun element to your trip. A biker to biker communication headset will help you quickly relay details to your co- riders. A good option is The Cardo G9, which allows you to connect and speak to up to 9 other riders (4 rider, cross-communication). Another one is the Scala Rider Q3 which also has built in FM radio and GPS audio out.

Packing

Packing all the right items without over stocking can be tricky. A good idea is to make use a good touring suit that can keep you comfortable during your rides. Pack a good selection of thin clothes rather than heavy, bulky clothes. Its far better to stop and add layers of clothes than to sweat through what would otherwise be a fun, scenic route ride.

When packing your saddle bag, remember to but heavier, more solid items at the bottom, with lighter items at the top. Roll your clothes instead of stacking them to save space.

Because you’re riding in a group, comparing packing lists to see if you have duplicate items that you can save space on. If your traveling will your ‘special someone’ ask yourself questions like, can we share toothpaste or shampoo?

Be sure to pack energy drinks and snack bars in case you find yourself far from any store during your trip.

Action Tip! : Zip lock bag also offer you an excellent way of organising smaller items in your sable bag.

Ride using a full faced helmet. Not only because they more protection and safety but they also offer more protection against rain and cold winds. A well ventilated helmet will also give you some comfort in warm weather too.

Though it's tempting to hit the open road and simply follow your nose, don't forget that you're more vulnerable to the elements, fatigue, and potentially serious injury on a motorcycle. Prepare yourself with clothing appropriate for the weather. Plan a route and, if you don't have a portable GPS system, do whatever it takes not to get lost, even if it means taping directions to the top of your fuel tank.