Lets talk about drones

Lots of good info already here. I'll just add my experience. I have a DJI mini 2 drone that I bought used. Takes me about 10 minutes to set up if the batteries are charged. I can fly 4 to 5 mi away with it. The pictures and video it takes are equivalent to a good cell phone camera. And it's a lot of fun just to fly. For what you want it for, which is flying out in the boonies, I would definitely get one and try it out. I don't think people get that upset when the drone flies over them, it's when they're hovering in one place above them that upsets them. And rightfully so.
 
WAIT WAIT WAIT ? There are topless women sunbathing in the woods!? That’s it…I’m getting a bigger drone! ?
 
Well, looks like this discussion went off into the weeds. [MENTION=12888]huntindog[/MENTION] my impression was that you were just going to go scope out campsites.

If the video below is like what you're thinking, send me a message & we'll talk.
Good luck with what you get!! :thumb:

 
Last edited:
I have a Mavic Pro which I've used a few times. Last time I tried to use it, it had sat for close to a year. Batteries were dead and could not bring them back. Didn't know this was a problem. Found out you have to charge the batteries even if you don't use them. If you get one, you need to factor this issue in.
 
To not break the bank, try this. https://store.potensic.com/products/atom

It will do most of what you are looking for and it does a pretty decent job in lite wind. Amazon has a kit that includes three batteries, charger and carry case/bag. The upshot is it doesn't have a restriction where it won't take off when in a restricted zone. Downside is it doesn't have collision avoidance. But has a lot of features the others have costing more money.

Disclaimer: I am am in no way implying to use a drone in a restricted zone. Have I done so? Yes, in my back yard but not over about 10 feet with a 8 foot fence. I live pretty close to a class C airport and I'm in the red zone of said airport.

I do have my TRUST certificate but have no desire to go part 107.

Like you, I wanted something decent where I can shoot videos and photos when we camp out in the boonies and, to scout areas since we have a trailer and unhitching is a pain to just have a look over the hill. Setup is pretty quick. Calibrate the drone, acquire satellites and you're off to flying in a few minutes.
 
As a "drone guy" a couple of things to remember; cheap drones are not good (hard to fly) and good drones arent cheap.
FAA says 400ft in altitude and line of sight
you don't have to have your FAA license unless you want to make $$
 
As a "drone guy" a couple of things to remember; cheap drones are not good (hard to fly) and good drones arent cheap.
FAA says 400ft in altitude and line of sight
you don't have to have your FAA license unless you want to make $$

I’d agree with this. The good DJI drones are super easy to use and for the most part, they’ll keep you out of trouble. I’m a pilot so getting the 107 was pretty simple, but have never used it. In fact we take the drone on all the long trips we do and it seems anytime I’d like to pull it out, I’m somewhere I can’t use it. Kind of annoying but I get it. They’re annoying and people think you’re spying on them. I mostly use it now to inspect my roof after Texas storms. Fun little piece of technology when you can use them.
 
I’ve been contemplating getting a DJI Mini 2 SE.
Any thoughts on it? I’m on a budget and don’t need all the bells and whistles of a Mini 3.
TIA.
Rich
 
I’ve been contemplating getting a DJI Mini 2 SE.
Any thoughts on it?
I think you'd have fun with it. I got my Mavic Air 2 refurbished and it was basically new. I also got the "fly more" option with extra batteries. That was good for me since I fly in remote areas and don't always have the ability to recharge nearby.
 
I’d agree with this. The good DJI drones are super easy to use and for the most part, they’ll keep you out of trouble. I’m a pilot so getting the 107 was pretty simple, but have never used it. In fact we take the drone on all the long trips we do and it seems anytime I’d like to pull it out, I’m somewhere I can’t use it. Kind of annoying but I get it. They’re annoying and people think you’re spying on them. I mostly use it now to inspect my roof after Texas storms. Fun little piece of technology when you can use them.

My oldest boy got me interested in this today - looking at DJIs it's interesting that the range on some of the Minis is up to 28Km and 40 minute flight time. My boy knows the FAA instructor here though I'm not sure I would use it for any commercial reason. It's a 15 hour course and test and not very expensive.
 
Drone limitations

As my signature states we are committed boondockers. With as large as our momentum is, we have to be careful about going down just any dirt road. We have several sites that we like to camp in, that if they were occupied when we arrived would leave us in a bad stituation as far as getting turned around. What we have been doing is dropping a quad off, to go check it out before towing the Momentum in. then radioing thhe status back to the rig. This works well.
Recently we were dicussing getting a camera drone for this.
We know less than nothing about them. I figure there has to be people here that have knowledge in this area.
TIA

I know this is late in coming (I'm behind on my reading) but before you buy a drone for something like this look carefully at the new rules and regulations. In Colorado in particular we do most of our camping in the mountains. Drones are now restricted to a 10,000' maximum altitude. This is hard coded into the controller. It's pretty comical to launch your drone and have it get just above head height and announce that it's reached max altitude.
 
I know this is late in coming (I'm behind on my reading) but before you buy a drone for something like this look carefully at the new rules and regulations. In Colorado in particular we do most of our camping in the mountains. Drones are now restricted to a 10,000' maximum altitude. This is hard coded into the controller. It's pretty comical to launch your drone and have it get just above head height and announce that it's reached max altitude.

Good info. I have never camped in Colorado,,yet. not too many places where this would limit us, so a drone purchase is still in the future. Had some unexpected major expenses come up, so it has been pushed back...They will probably be better and cheaper by next year anyway.
 
Drones are now restricted to a 10,000' maximum altitude. This is hard coded into the controller. It's pretty comical to launch your drone and have it get just above head height and announce that it's reached max altitude.

Where did you hear that?
I understand DJI Fly has a warning if you're launching >10k feet MSL, but it's not a FAA restriction nor a hard coded geofence. It's (just) a performance based warning.
If you know different, please post it up.
 

Try RV LIFE Pro Free for 7 Days

  • New Ad-Free experience on this RV LIFE Community.
  • Plan the best RV Safe travel with RV LIFE Trip Wizard.
  • Navigate with our RV Safe GPS mobile app.
  • and much more...
Try RV LIFE Pro Today
Back
Top Bottom