Could gimble cover cause damage?

Stevan · Jan 1, 2018

Just purchased a gimble cover and sun shield from Amazon. I've noticed they have little latches that hook onto something inside the spark, I understand these keep it in place but do do you think they could cause any damage?

Thanks guys!

Zookeeper · Jan 1, 2018

It's plastic latching on plastic so should not cause any damage in my opinion..

aviscomi · Jan 1, 2018

I use a gimble cover on my Spark while storing it and all is fine

Stevan · Jan 1, 2018

Thanks for your replies. Yeah I've seen loads of people with them on, I was just concerned that taking it on and off might eventually cause damage to whatever it is latching on to.

aviscomi · Jan 1, 2018

Here's what I'm using. Keep in mind that its only meant for storage, not flying:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073JLSJ8B/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Stevan · Jan 1, 2018

That's the same one I bought, the above photograph was the sun shield.

aviscomi · Jan 1, 2018

Stevan said:
That's the same one I bought, the above photograph was the sun shield.

My bad...not a fan of the sun-shields, tried 1 on my Mavic and in some instances it would get in the way of the picture/video.

Stevan · Jan 1, 2018

Hhhmmm... Never thought about that, haven't even tried it yet but for the few pounds it cost thought it would be worth a shot.

Kanehi · Jan 9, 2018

The gimbal protector latches to the Spark's landing feet for security

RAK · Jan 9, 2018

this is what i bought and this works great. I had the smoked gray plastic one and it broke the first time I used it. I dont think you will break this one. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B074NWMGJP/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

markt0830 · Jan 10, 2018

I agree with everyone here in regards to using the sunshade as protection during traveling etc. But I purchased a sunshade via Amazon and it actually cause the gimbal to over exert itself somehow. So fly with caution if you fly with is on.

Pappy · Jan 10, 2018

The gimbal protector I purchased doesn't use any hooks to attach, friction fit around the front sensor is used to hold it in place. Works great and is unobtrusive enough to not interfere when I put it in the foam cutout for the third party case I purchased.

Gimbal protector - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073XL14MY/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Hard Case - DORO Cases Hard Case with Custom Foam for DJI D0907-6-SPARK B&H

Stevan · Jan 11, 2018

Pappy said:
The gimbal protector I purchased doesn't use any hooks to attach, friction fit around the front sensor is used to hold it in place.

Gimbal protector - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073XL14MY/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

That's the same one I have, you can see the "hook" in the first photo in your link.

Just got a new one. More or less the same except it extends a little further back to cover the downward facing sensors. Was only £1.47 as well.

New Sensor Gimbal Camera Protector Guard Lock Cover Hood Cap For DJI Spark Drone | eBay

Spark4Me · Mar 11, 2018

Stevan said:
Just purchased a gimble cover and sun shield from Amazon. I've noticed they have little latches that hook onto something inside the spark, I understand these keep it in place but do do you think they could cause any damage?

Thanks guys!

Absolutely they could cause damage!

While they protect the gimbal and camera during transport, they absolutely MUST be removed before the the power is turned ON, not just before flight. The reason is that when the drone powers up, it moves as part of initialization. The cover keeps the gimbal from moving, but the motors are trying to move it, which means stress on the internals. Unfortunately, DJI seems to have no protection which would power down, if an obstruction is detected.

Note that the Spark manual says nothing about gimbal covers/locks. On the Mavic Air, which comes from the factory with a protective cover, there is a sticker right on the cover, which tells you to remove

Pe11e · Mar 11, 2018

Well I bought two sunshades for gimbal, and BOTH of them are complete design fail. The gimbal will hit the sunshade when drone tilts to the side, you will see gimbal overload warning. Aside the warning, you could damage the gimbal motor. I use one sunshade to protect the gimbal when the Spark is in the bag. Oh yes, in sport mode, full speed forward, sunshade will cover 50% or more of the image, again because drone tilts.
Bought this third one few days ago, it seems like a good choice because the housing itself is wider, hopefully no contact with the gimbal.

Bad ones:
Sunnylife Camera Lens Hood Sunshade Protective Cover For DJI Spark

This one is AWFUL, gimbal couldn't even tilt 25-30 degrees:
Camera Lens Hood Sunshade Protective Cover For DJI Spark

And this one is hopefully good:
Camera Lens Hood Sunshade Anti-Glare Camera Gimbal protector Cover Cap for DJI Spark