Exactly - you also usually have a rough idea where it went down. This cheap, lightweight device will really help. Of course it won't find your drone for you if the only thing you have to go is what continent you were on when it went down. But if you know the rough area then walking around for a few minutes with the app open on your phone will save a lot of climbing through hedges, etc.
I have one of these and think it's great. I hadn't attached it with velcro though - I like your idea and am stealing it.
Visualkaos Posted at 2017-7-27 08:57
I guess you would use find my drone on the app to get a close proximity and then get a pinpoint location with the tile?
i was thinking something like if your drone disconnected from the rc and flew off causing the "find my drone" function to be useless!
StarFishUK Posted at 2017-7-27 09:01
Exactly - you also usually have a rough idea where it went down. This cheap, lightweight device will really help. Of course it won't find your drone for you if the only thing you have to go is what continent you were on when it went down. But if you know the rough area then walking around for a few minutes with the app open on your phone will save a lot of climbing through hedges, etc.
I have one of these and think it's great. I hadn't attached it with velcro though - I like your idea and am stealing it.
Totally, also I noticed that the flight logs when downloaded have more info than what the find my drone function has in the app. Made it a little easier for me to get close.
fansabf44cfe Posted at 2017-7-27 09:22
Totally, also I noticed that the flight logs when downloaded have more info than what the find my drone function has in the app. Made it a little easier for me to get close.
but if the phone or RC disconnected then the flight logs will stop recording and if it flies off then you wont be able to track it like that.
All around you hear in the "internet" that spark connection brakes because of bluetooth , and you came up with an idea to stick a bluethoot to its belly :]
My opinion on this :
Remove the "thing" from your Spark and you wont have to be searching for it in the future, otherwise it's asking for trouble :]
Thor1 Posted at 2017-7-27 09:36
but if the phone or RC disconnected then the flight logs will stop recording and if it flies off then you wont be able to track it like that.
I'm not sure slinging a bluetooth device on the belly of the spark is a good idea , its been pretty widely known that one of the issues with the spark is bluetooth interference.
I've seen this RF tracker reviewed and it sounds like it has a decent range https://loc8tor.com
The problem with GPS trackers is that they require a mobile signal and where I fly there is none so it wouldn't work, this however should work and should not need recharging every few days.
I had mine attached like yours (with hot glue) but noticed that I was getting poor GPS reception. When I saw the Spark without the case on I realized that the GPS receiver is almost directly underneath where you (and I) have mounted the Tile. I think the idea of placing it on the bottom, attached to the battery with velcro, is a good idea - the battery will shield the drone and as it is underneath is less likely to cause a problem with GPS reception. Just my thoughts....
You may need also to do a compass calibration if your putting this on your spark, because if it contains any metal it's likely to change the parameters of your compass.
StarFishUK Posted at 2017-7-29 08:55
I had mine attached like yours (with hot glue) but noticed that I was getting poor GPS reception. When I saw the Spark without the case on I realized that the GPS receiver is almost directly underneath where you (and I) have mounted the Tile. I think the idea of placing it on the bottom, attached to the battery with velcro, is a good idea - the battery will shield the drone and as it is underneath is less likely to cause a problem with GPS reception. Just my thoughts....
attaching it above will definitely cause GPS issues; aka blocking the sensor. Attaching it to the battery sounds like a better solution. My concern would be Bluetooth interference or other.
Probably an overkill for the Spark, but for the more expensive drones Whistle 3 (pet GPS tracker) might be an option. ~$80 + $7 per month give you real GPS locations.
What about aircraft stability with an attached tracker? I can imagine the center of gravity of the AC changes causing difficulties for that AC to remain stable. Is this supported/authorised (warranty) by DJI?
I am using Nut Find3 Bluetooth tracking device. Its range is 150 Foot and the battery is replaceable. The design of the Nut Find 3 focuses on loss prevention, so you never lose your items in the first place
headshot9 Posted at 2017-10-15 11:09
Probably an overkill for the Spark, but for the more expensive drones Whistle 3 (pet GPS tracker) might be an option. ~$80 + $7 per month give you real GPS locations.
Wow, I know this is an old thread, but I just saw it and am going to make a video on how I use the Whistle Go Explore on my P3 Pro. I have been using one on my Dog for years, and never thought to put it on my drone. In tracking mode it will "Ping" the device every 15 seconds. It works off of 4G AT&T Cell towers and GPS. It will track you in Google Maps and over lay the device on the maps as well. The battery life is supposed to be about 20 days in Monitoring mode. The location is accurate to within about 10 feet. It has a little light that you can turn on in the app. It stores the Drone's route in the Smartphone. It also comes with a little Velcro strap so you can attach it to one of the Drone legs. I just posted a video on Youtube on how I use it on my dog. But at the end of the video I attached it to the Drone. Go have a look.