Little Quad Lost

pdmike

pdmike

Extremely Popular Member
No, I didn't lose my quad, but I don't INTEND on losing it either, so here comes this thread on finding lost quads.

What is the best device for locating a lost quad? I know they vary. I have an app on my iPhone called FindMyDrone, but it is very hard to figure out how to use it and it requires some pretty good capital outlay - I think they want a continuing, monthly/yearly payment. I don't necessarily mind the expense, but hate apps that are beyond my tech capabilities.

So what do you guys use? What's best? I anticipate doing a lot of flying in the foothill areas of the San Gabriel Valley (suburb of L.A.) where there are large areas of 3-4 foot high brush and chaparral, very thick. If my quad goes down, it isn't going to hurt it too much, but it will be hard to find, depending on how far out it is, of course.

Thoughts/suggestions?
 
I've seen drone builds where they include a loud buzzer that automatically goes off when the failsafe kicks in or when they manually flip a switch on their controller.

I think I've seen where DJI owners have located their lost drones with an app (thought it was the DJI app, but not sure).

Not an expert, but a couple quick things that comes to mind are:
Tile: https://www.thetileapp.com/en-us/lost-drone-tracker It works on bluetooth, so your range is in the 100'-200' neighborhood.
GPS tracker. Maybe something like this: https://www.amazon.com/Spy-Tec-Portable-Personal-Vehicle/dp/B00JG8KCLO
 
Well, I went right to work on the Internet, reviewed a number of these bad boys and finally ordered one. Loc8tor. Costs $94 out the door (delivered). Two very small, circular, transmitters that you attach to the quad with two-sided tape. You only need one per quad. They look to be about the size of a 50-cent piece or less. I guess you can use the other one on you wife. Anyway, this one comes highly recommended on the Net. I saw several YouTube demos and it looks good. 400-foot range. You walk in the last-known direction of the downed quad with a hand held remote about the size of your palm. Once you get within range, a beeping begins and lights come on. As you get closer, more and louder beeping and more lights that diminish if you are getting off line. Once you are on top of your lost quad, the hand held remote goes crazy.

In the case of a big-time fly-away, this isn't going to help you much. I guess in that event you would have to hope you could locate the general area using the DJI app and GPS - don't know; not an expert on fly-aways and hope I never have to become one.

Best thing to do, of course, is never lose your quad but, if you do .....

Positives - you replace the battery, it is not rechargeable. Claims a battery life of one year. Also, no monthly or yearly contract fees. One-time only price. This is because it is a totally self contained locator, not dependent on GPS data.

Negative - long delivery time. It comes from the U.K. Up to 14 business days, which translates into approximately 5 years. Just kidding - but it's going to be almost a month before the sucker shows up on my doorstep. When I get it, I will (of course) test it out with a game of hide-the-quad, and let y'all know how it worked for me.
 
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Well, I won't be able to give it to you until mid-March, so don't hold your breath(s). But we'll get her done!
 
Well I lost my first drone that I got as a present on Christmas from the wife. I talked about it on another thread. I said from now on I would put a label on my quads with my phone number.
Well it happened again with the drone I bought to replace the lost one. I had my number on it. It flew away Thursday afternoon. Saturday I got a call from a guy two blocks away and he had my drone. He said he found it on its feet, landed perfectly. It was 20’feet away from a pond. It worked perfectly. I have him a small reward, which he kindly tried to refuse, but I insisted.
 
Fly high said:
Well I lost my first drone that I got as a present on Christmas from the wife. I talked about it on another thread. I said from now on I would put a label on my quads with my phone number.
Well it happened again with the drone I bought to replace the lost one. I had my number on it. It flew away Thursday afternoon. Saturday I got a call from a guy two blocks away and he had my drone. He said he found it on its feet, landed perfectly. It was 20’feet away from a pond. It worked perfectly. I have him a small reward, which he kindly tried to refuse, but I insisted.
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The first thing I did was put my name and three phone numbers (home, work, cell) on my drone as well as my FAA registration number. Very important to do that.
 
your fingerprints & DNA :eek: on it aswell

If I had to apply a number it would be etched but covered with tape. That's the only way. I don't want someone spying my numbers unless it warrants it.
 
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