Drones anyone?

[Jessie]

I've been considering a drone to watch over some acreage for poachers and just for fun.
Has any one else used one? Are they worth the expense? Or more trouble than what they're worth?

 

[Onomea]

I think Faulkner had a thread on his using them for aerial photography. Probably find it with the search function.

 

[Faulkner]

I have a SOLO 3DR interfaced with a gimbal mounted GoPro that I've had about a year and I really like it. I use it exclusively for aerial photography. Many of them are way more capable than some people think, mine has a lot more range in unobstructed areas than I ever thought it would.

I've used mine around the homestead and farm, done some wildlife photography, taken it on a couple of kayaking trips, and used it to scope out some deer hunting woods on the other side of a creek that was too deep to ford. I've used it to eyeball some property I was thinking about purchasing and I took it to a co-worker's outdoor wedding and videoed it from a birds eye view.

Funny thing is I've probably demonstrated it to potential drone buyers as much as I've used it for anything, I should probably try to get a commission on the things. I get people all the time say, "hey, I heard you got a drone. I'd like to see how yours works to see if I really want one." My daughter-in-law's grandfather bought one after seeing mine so he could check on his cows without ever leaving his back porch.

Mine is more of an expensive big boy toy. My growing concern, though, is just like some nutcases who use guns inappropriately, there are too many people using them inappropriately that's going to cause a lot of government restrictions going forward. For example, there is a difference between photographing wildlife with a drone and harassing wildlife with a drone, some people either don't know the difference or can't resist the urge to land their drone on the eagles nest to get a close up on the chicks.

I think I've posted this picture before but here's a shot I took from my drone of a summer thunderstorm as it was moving through.

 

[Salty RI]

I like taking pictures of lightning, you were lucky to get that from a drone, nice picture.

 

[Tom S.]

I have given it some thought. If I lived in the country, I'd have one by now, but here in a subdivision, I know it would spoke some of my neighbors. For long term surveillance though, you can tether one to a power supply so it doesn't have to rely on batteries, and position it high enough that the noise is not a factor.

Have fun!!

 

[Jessie]

Thanks everyone. I have a lot of learning to do.
I need to figure out if it would be money well spent or one of those great ideas that ends up sitting in a closet.
I've noticed that some even have audio capability.
Wouldn't the prop noise drown out all audio? Or is meant to be used after landing somewhere?

And Faulkner, that's some good resolution you have. Is that typical or do you have an upgraded camera on board?
Would a 1080 dpi be as good?

 

[RSanch111]

Don't buy the drone made by Gopro. They were recalled for having a tendency to fall out of the sky without warning....

 

[Ballistic147]

Any drone or R/C aircraft that weigh more than .55lbs now has to be registered with the FAA in order to fly legally. Basically, you register and they give you a number that has to be fixed on any R/C aircraft you own. Get caught without being registered and there can be a very hefty fine.

There are a lot of drones out there now that are relatively easy to fly and capable of taking excellent quality video. For a complete newbie, I would highly recommend finding an experienced RC pilot to help you out at least with the first few flights. This will make the learning curve much easier and most likely cheaper too. I preferred planes and found them much more challenging than drones.

At one point I was very into the hobby however the FAA registration made me rethink that hobby. Ended up selling off all my large stuff and now only have a couple that are under the .55lbs weight limit.

 

[vonn]

Interesting topic that looks like it is going to cost me! I need another hobby that I don't have time for. Sure looks like it might be fun.

 

[Faulkner]

There are a lot of drones out there now that are relatively easy to fly and capable of taking excellent quality video. For a complete newbie, I would highly recommend finding an experienced RC pilot to help you out at least with the first few flights. This will make the learning curve much easier and most likely cheaper too. I preferred planes and found them much more challenging than drones.

My drone came with a link to awesome interactive on-line flight training. I was a complete newbie to drones and the on-line training walked me through power up, Wi-Fi interface, basic take off and landing, and then on to more advanced maneuvers.

 

[Faulkner]

lots of people are jumping on $1000+ rigs lately.
let me tell you what I know about multirotors
about the very best you can flog out of them is about a half hour run time.
Actual real world is closer to 10 minutes.
the DJI Phantom is more or less the gold standard of the flying camera flavor. It has a distinct flaw in its design.
that flaw is that the camera is multi-tasked.
Not only is it used to capture all that beautiful aerial photography, its also "Your eyes NOT on the road".
Despite its object avoidance tech, this multi role camera results in X shaped tree ornaments.
The DJI Inspire is a much better setup in this regard in that it has two cameras. one for flyin' and one for spyin' and encourages two users.
It is also a much more expensive setup.

Stepping away from the overpriced solutions into DIY .... this stuff is NOT that hard.
NAZE32 control board, motors and ESC's are at the core of any multi be it a tiny 110 indoor racer or a massive 3meter axial hexcopter.
you will still see an absolute maximum run time of about 30 minutes and a 10 to 15 typical. it's very hard to bust out of these limitations. you have no idea just how strictly the laws of physics are enforced.

However, the DIY route means you will have motors, ESC's, and most importantly a radio ...might I suggest the FrSky Taranis plus ... for its L9R transmit option and endless versatility.
this means you can stumble over to flitetest.com and download free plans for a good number of fixed wing aircraft you can assemble for about $4.00.
in this way, you are able to greatly exceed the run time issues of a multirotor by relying on a wing capable of at least some gliding.
I got an hour and twenty minutes out of the Flitetest explorer design and could have gone longer, but I kinda got sick of flying it.
add cameras and it could function much like a personal U2 quite easily.
The arrow is a fast building easy flying race wing well worth the effort.
The FT 3D design is another miracle machine
if you have enough land to watch over, you have a lot of unused airspace waiting to make you smile

I actually do get 25 - 35 minutes of flight time with my 3DR. I have spare batteries that I can change out and have it back airborne in about 30 seconds.

 

[rwsmith]

And they are affordable.....

Interesting topic that looks like it is going to cost me! I need another hobby that I don't have time for. Sure looks like it might be fun.

...but after I flew it I'd have to eat it.