Playing with a drone.

[Mike SC Hunter]

Would be nice to see whats in the other food plots when deer hunting..........Or flushing doves from the other end of the field.
If it does go down is there a homing device to find it?

 

[olfart]

Would be nice to see whats in the other food plots when deer hunting..........Or flushing doves from the other end of the field.
If it does go down is there a homing device to find it?

My DJI shows the drone's coordinates during the entire flight, so if it goes down, just go to the last coordinates and look for it.

One thing about the 'Return to Home' function that you need to watch out for is the return to home altitude. I set mine at 150' to clear all known obstacles in my vicinity. However, if the drone is lower than that and flies under something (like trees, a bridge, or anything else) and loses signal, it will immediately attempt to go straight up to its designated RTH altitude. That can be problematic, especially if you lose sight of the drone while flying. (Law says you MUST keep it physically in sight while flying).

 

[65-2x2]

Will the "circling feature" also circle a moving object?

 

[TX-Dennis]

I think it depends on the drone. A friend has one that has a "follow me" setting. You can put it up and start walking, running, or riding. It will follow wherever you go filming you the whole way. Sorry, I do not remember the brand.

 

[HardToHandle]

A Chinese company, DJI, makes the most advanced and affordable drones on the market today…. Unfortunately, with the uncertainty of tariffs and possible legislation aimed at importing Chinese made drones (developed and being pushed by a US drone company, DJI drones are in very short supply.

Yah, there’s nothing unfortunate about banning DJI drones.

There’s reasons why the Dept of Defense banned DJI (since 2017) and the rest of the federal agencies are supposed to have removed all DJIs from service. That ban is not because (1) people don’t like the Chinese or (2) some US company did some lobbying.

Any US state/local government agency using DJI a drones are willingly ignorant. There’s well established Blue UAS program, where cleared UAS aren’t channeling all their data to the People’s Republic of China - https://www.diu.mil/blue-uas-cleared-list

Along the same line, look what the U.S. Dept. Of Agriculture did today, forcing the China owned companies from owning US farmland- https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5390178-usda-bans-foreign-farmland-purchase/

 

[Bugkiller99]

The more I watch Kevin's (wood714) drone footage the more I want one.

Yea, that’s what I need. Another expensive hobby.

 

[Tom S.]

Yah, there’s nothing unfortunate about banning DJI drones.

There’s reasons why the Dept of Defense banned DJI (since 2017) and the rest of the federal agencies are supposed to have removed all DJIs from service. That ban is not because (1) people don’t like the Chinese or (2) some US company did some lobbying.

Any US state/local government agency using DJI a drones are willingly ignorant. There’s well established Blue UAS program, where cleared UAS aren’t channeling all their data to the People’s Republic of China - https://www.diu.mil/blue-uas-cleared-list

Along the same line, look what the U.S. Dept. Of Agriculture did today, forcing the China owned companies from owning US farmland- https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5390178-usda-bans-foreign-farmland-purchase/

DJI has repeatedly requested the investigation that was ordered over a year ago, to take place. Said investigation would prove or disprove whether their drones pose any security risk, and DJI has stated several times, they welcome the investigation with open arms. Their ban isn't being driven by any facts, it's purely financially driven, again from an American Drone company who can't compete with DJI.

 

[chief38]

That's pretty cool! We have a guy with a drone in our development who charges residents $75 to do a detailed fly over of their home to inspect the roof tiles. This is especially useful as the homeowners 1 year inspection approaches or after a storm or hurricane. The photos and video's he provides are professional quality and are quite useful for the majority of homeowners who are not going up in their roofs to inspect it. BTW, we have a 10 year roof warranty so any broken tiles the drone picks up are supposed to be replaced by he builder.

 

[HardToHandle]

DJI has repeatedly requested the investigation that was ordered over a year ago, to take place. Said investigation would prove or disprove whether their drones pose any security risk, and DJI has stated several times, they welcome the investigation with open arms. Their ban isn't being driven by any facts, it's purely financially driven, again from an American Drone company who can't compete with DJI.

What magic investigation? Who is this phantom company?
There have been lots of investigation, which have prompted pretty drastic U.S. government action.

Factual Information
DOD issued a DJI ban in 2017 across all bases and use cases like the Army Corps of Engineers. Other federal agencies have been restricted from DJI use beginning in 2017.

DJI was added to the U.S. Dept. of Treasury OFAC list as a threat to US national security in 2022 - https://sanctionssearch.ofac.treas.gov/Details.aspx?id=33111.

There’s additional Dept. Of Commerce rulemaking underway that encompasses DJI (so feel free to make comments) - https://www.federalregister.gov/doc...y-and-services-supply-chain-unmanned-aircraft

I have personal knowledge/impact from DJI aiding Russia in the invasion of Ukraine, bricking DJI Aeroscope platforms being used by Ukrainian defenders. Ukrainians died by Russian action actively aided by DJI. https://www.wired.com/story/dji-droneid-operator-location-hacker-tool/

DJI claims in the U.S. are classic Chinese propaganda - claims of racism and xenophobia. I say that with confidence, as I have met with DJI’s corporate PR team, who have spent at least $18 million dollars lobbying Congress, state legislatures and government employees. DJI is trying hard to spread money around, but finding it hard to find politicians to take their donations - https://www.opensecrets.org/federal-lobbying/clients/lobbyists?cycle=2023&id=D000069779.

At the end of the day, Congress makes the law. Federal agencies have the responsibility and mission to disrupt foreign intelligence gathering inside the U.S.

If you have the need-to-know and you represent a government agency in the US, a stop at your state police’s fusion center or local FBI Field Office might be wise.

 

[Tom S.]

Under the 2025 NDAA, and carried over from the 2024 version, I believe, the FAA was supposed to undertake a study of the various drones, basically banning those who did not comply with their standards. To date, this study has not been done, even though it was supposed to be performed within one year. By default, if the study is not done, drones from China will be banned. DJI has repeatedly attempted to get this study done, going so far as to recently launch a 70 plus page "White Paper" attempting to show beyond the shadow of a doubt that their drones comply with any security regulations the US is concerned about. I recommend you listen to this short (12 minute) video describing the measures DJI has put into place to placate any and all security concerns:



Joe Bartlett, who is currently the Director of Federal Policy at Skydio, previously worked as a National Security Advisor to the Congresswoman who introduced HR 2864, Countering CCP Drones. Oddly, Skydio, a US drone manufacturer, was invited to speak to the House on the bill, while DJI was specifically excluded.

While I greatly dislike China and what it's industry has done to ours, this is nothing more than a witch hunt. Many of the drones DJI make are relied upon by multiple agencies across America on local, state and federal level. In most cases, there is no US brand available to stand in, and where there is, the cost difference is substantial. If there is no proof that there is a problem, then look beyond the smoke and mirrors.