Drones for spotting

[J.d. Popkes]

Who’s got first hand knowledge on this?

Is there a drone that I can fly out to my target, land, leave the video rolling or take pics, and transmit back to me in real time? I figured since it isn’t hovering the whole time, just the camera running, maybe it’d last an hour or two? Please advise, thanks!!!

 

[TAJ45]

I have thought of that app for a drone for quite a while.
My thought was to park it well out of the way then have it go to a coordinate, broadcast then back to the landing spot...
Anyone?

 

[C.E.Smith043]

Who’s got first hand knowledge on this?

Is there a drone that I can fly out to my target, land, leave the video rolling or take pics, and transmit back to me in real time? I figured since it isn’t hovering the whole time, just the camera running, maybe it’d last an hour or two? Please advise, thanks!!!

How far are u thinking?
Technically it will work but I don't want to say it would be the best idea. If you are shooting at multiple targets at different distances, then it would be worth it. But if just a single target then a "target cam" is probably best.

 

[J.d. Popkes]

How far are u thinking?

600yds/1500yds

 

[C.E.Smith043]

600yds/1500yds

It would work for that. Just keep in mind with most drones today, flight time will be about 2/3rds of what is advertised

 

[J.d. Popkes]

It would work for that. Just keep in mind with most drones today, flight time will be about 2/3rds of what is advertised

Which one? Can I set it up at my target and have it just sit there and send live video, then maybe go to a different target and do the same, and the battery will last?

 

[Jason Boersma]

Which one? Can I set it up at my target and have it just sit there and send live video, then maybe go to a different target and do the same, and the battery will last?

Doing it that way will make the battery last longer. I’ve had drones before and I will get one this winter and I’m going to have to try your idea myself.

 

[Preacher]

DJI is a pretty good one, and it will do exactly what your thinking of...

 

[TheOtherZilla]

Or you could buy one of those taget monitoring systems that allows you to see hits in real time. I have BullsEye thing and it's great. Connects to my phone or pad.

 

[6BRA]

Ive had a DJI mini for 6 years..I've flown it in the dark over a mile away at night. If not flying and just parked you should get 45 minutes or better. 30 min while flying. Video is very good. Should work better than any target cam for video quality.

 

[charlie b]

Range and camera quality are things to look for. Some of the cheaper ones don't have much range and cameras can be too wide an angle.

 

[Capt. Oblivious]

You can set the DJI to hover close enough to your target to see what's going on, im sure you can land it to I just never tried it.

This was the image of a ladder at 800y if I remember correctly

 

[NF1E]

I have had a DJI Mavic pro Platinum for years that can do exactly that at any shootable range. Using a 60 or 80 x scope negates the need for anything else on my 300 yd range. Whatta Hobby!

 

[hoz53]

Who’s got first hand knowledge on this?

Is there a drone that I can fly out to my target, land, leave the video rolling or take pics, and transmit back to me in real time? I figured since it isn’t hovering the whole time, just the camera running, maybe it’d last an hour or two? Please advise, thanks!!!

i think it would be fun for you to bring it out to the trap/skeet range—- lol

 

[karrarararararar]

Or you could buy one of those taget monitoring systems that allows you to see hits in real time. I have BullsEye thing and it's great. Connects to my phone or pad.

This is what I'd do honestly. One thing that hasn't been mentioned is legally a drone needs to be flown withing visual range. Is the user still going to be able to see it (without binos, spotting scope, etc) at the intended distances?

 

[J.d. Popkes]

This is what I'd do honestly. One thing that hasn't been mentioned is legally a drone needs to be flown withing visual range. Is the user still going to be able to see it (without binos, spotting scope, etc) at the intended distances?

It’ll be okay…..

 

[J.d. Popkes]

I have had a DJI Mavic pro Platinum for years that can do exactly that at any shootable range. Using a 60 or 80 x scope negates the need for anything else on my 300 yd range. Whatta Hobby!

How long can it stay parked sending live video? Would it be better to just buzz it back to where im shooting and top off the battery every so often ?

Yeah, if the light is right I can see my holes at 600 but not reliably and not past 600.

 

[Canuckienns]

Range Camera. Long shot.

 

[NF1E]

How long can it stay parked sending live video? Would it be better to just buzz it back to where im shooting and top off the battery every so often ?

Yeah, if the light is right I can see my holes at 600 but not reliably and not past 600.

Haven't timed how long. I just tried it a couple of years ago and it worked. My range sessions are usually only about 30 minutes and with it parked near the target filming, there was 50% battery left when it returned. There are plenty of video cameras that could be mounted out there, but where I only shoot 50-300 yds I don't need any. Whatta Hobby!

 

[JEFFPPC]

I have a buddy who has done this for several years.