Drone Suggestions

[campin]

I’m boondocking soon with all kinds of time on my hands. …surveying potential campsites and secluded areas would be cool! Can you suggest a drone (brand, model) that has a decent camera and fly time? Thnx!

[TxLoser]

Any of the DJI drones are good. I picked up a Mavic Pro 2 a couple years back. Pretty impressive what it can do. Be warned though, it seems there’s more places you can’t use a drone than can.

[Route 66 Traveler]

National Parks for starters. Plus, now you need to be licensed by the FAA. Go to their website and look up the Drone Zone.


https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sour...jYH_rAWwH2nVJ6

[RPR]

Once licensed with the FAA always carry the FAA registration with you when flying the drone. If and when it goes down on private property you have the license to prove right of ownership.

[TWP723]

DJI Mavic Mini is a nice drone. I have an older Advance version with a 4K cam. It does very well and I believe you can get them fairly cheap now.

[Docsouce]

I have a RUKO F-11 folding drone. Comes with 2 batteries (20 to 30 minutes flying time each) and a nice carrying case. As mentioned depending on the size its supposed to be registered with the FAA before flying. I also check AIRMAPS and B4UFLY apps. For any flight restrictions in the area. Often I try to find a nice spot for an extended lunch break in an unrestricted flight area and give it a whirl. You can find some really cool stuff.

[Yooper906]

Originally Posted by Route 66 Traveler

National Parks for starters. Plus, now you need to be licensed by the FAA. Go to their website and look up the Drone Zone.

My wife and watched a young fellow get arrested for this at Zion national park in September. What would have been some kind of a ticket turned into an arrest. He was pretty combative when asked to return the drone back to where he was. He was saying he was in his rights, the park rangers had a different opinion. On the way back to our campsite I mentioned I didn't know drones were illegal in the park. She said as usual, you never read the literature they gave us when entering the park. She's right.

[CAG]

DJI and to stress again it is no longer a drone free for all out there. There are many places you cannot operate, licensing requirements and you best have good insurance to cover damage, including a fire from a battery exploding.

Get some professional training.

[TWP723]

Drones are registered with the FAA. There is no license required or needed to fly recreational in the US unless you desire it. If you plan on making money (inspections etc.), you'll need a Part 107 exemption to do so. The drone will not operate until it's registered with the FAA. The app you fly with asks for the registration number that's designated to you by the FAA in the registering process. Then and only then will it let you "boot up" the drone.

[CAG]

Originally Posted by TWP723

Drones are registered with the FAA. There is no license required or needed to fly recreational in the US unless you desire it. If you plan on making money (inspections etc.), you'll need a Part 107 exemption to do so. The drone will not operate until it's registered with the FAA. The app you fly with asks for the registration number that's designated to you by the FAA in the registering process. Then and only then will it let you "boot up" the drone.

Sorry, when I said license, I was referring to registering.

In most drone circles it is referred to as a license. Whether correct or not.

Some of us own drones manufactured prior to the registering process and use software that does not stop use without registering. We still are registered.

[craigav]

My DJI drone and software doesn't care about registrations in regards to allowing me to fly the drone.

While they (FAA) do not call it a license, the FAA did impose a "Safety Test" requirement for all recreational drone pilots. You are supposed to take the test and keep a copy of the certificate for passing the test whenever you fly your drone. I took the test and it was simple. ~CA

https://www.trustfaa.com/

[Rustynuts]

Also DJI now makes one that is under the weight requirement that you don’t even have to register if you don’t want to.

[TWP723]

Originally Posted by CAG

Sorry, when I said license, I was referring to registering.

In most drone circles it is referred to as a license. Whether correct or not.

Some of us own drones manufactured prior to the registering process and use software that does not stop use without registering. We still are registered.

Yea, I know I needed to log in to the FAA site, enter the numbers on the sticker on my drone to register it. Then insert the SIM card into the drone to boot it up. That's why most big drone manufacturers are making under 0.55 lb drones now. They don't need registered.

[CAG]

Originally Posted by TWP723

Yea, I know I needed to log in to the FAA site, enter the numbers on the sticker on my drone to register it. Then insert the SIM card into the drone to boot it up. That's why most big drone manufacturers are making under 0.55 lb drones now. They don't need registered.

That sucks! Not the under .55 but the other. Doesn't matter with me anyway because I had to do about the same thing for my planes too.

[campin]

Originally Posted by Rustynuts

Also DJI now makes one that is under the weight requirement that you don’t even have to register if you don’t want to.

This interests me otherwise it’s more trouble than it’s worth. I’ve no desire to buzz nearby campers or wildlife…just want to survey roads and potential campsites for dispersed camping rather than hitch/unhitch multiple times. That’ll get old quick!

Great info about rules and regs!

[Victoanch]

I would suggest to invest a bit more under 500 for DJI Mini 2 for a better experience for flying, and aerial photography/videography. If drone flying turns out to something you are not suited for, then selling the Mini 2 will be much easier than being left with a pile of useless plastic.