Has anyone used Bluetooth/Gps keyfinders on their quadcopters to track?

tml4191 · Oct 25, 2016

Particulary this>>>

If found within 100ft, this thing can apparently track down the location. I mean if a quadcopter get's d/c, then the pilot usually knows the area of its last location, so isn't this a useful alternative to the $150+ cellular full service GPS out there? Plus, it's lightweight.

I have yet to get one, but this seems favourable. If anyone has any experience with these type of keyfinders, what is your opinion?

Edit: This seems promising:
Findster Duo - The 1st GPS Pet Tracker Free of Monthly Fees!

They said it can track within 2 miles, so that's some legit proximity.

tevek · Oct 25, 2016

tml4191 said:
Particulary this>>>

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If found within 100ft, this thing can apparently track down the location. I mean if a quadcopter get's d/c, then the pilot usually knows the area of its last location, so isn't this a useful alternative to the $150+ cellular full service GPS out there? Plus, it's lightweight.

I have yet to get one, but this seems favourable. If anyone has any experience with these type of keyfinders, what is your opinion?

Not having seen these units before, I checked to see how they work. Bluetooth with a yearly 're charge' to keep it up and running. I have looked at similar devices with a similar range and am looking for alternatives to the more expensive Trakimo units that are popping up on drones over in Australia. The problem that I have is the limited range and often lack of cellular service in the area where i live that are pushing me towards a GPS supported device. My local drone supplier is testing a few alternatives to the Trakimo type of transmitters and reckons that if successful, will be retailing them for AUD$65. If they prove to be a winner, i'll post the results up on here to share.

phantomgaz5 · Oct 25, 2016

tevek said:
Not having seen these units before, I checked to see how they work. Bluetooth with a yearly 're charge' to keep it up and running. I have looked at similar devices with a similar range and am looking for alternatives to the more expensive Trakimo units that are popping up on drones over in Australia. The problem that I have is the limited range and often lack of cellular service in the area where i live that are pushing me towards a GPS supported device. My local drone supplier is testing a few alternatives to the Trakimo type of transmitters and reckons that if successful, will be retailing them for AUD$65. If they prove to be a winner, i'll post the results up on here to share.[/QUOT

Please do post the results. Im down in Melbourne and would love something like that. Cheers

BTW I do have a "tile" on my Pro. Dosant seem to affect performance at all and luckily I haven't needed it yet.

phantomgaz5 · Oct 25, 2016

Please do post the results. Im down in Melbourne and would love something like that. $65 isnt to steep.Cheers

BTW I do have a "tile" on my Pro. Dosant seem to affect performance at all and luckily I haven't needed it yet!

tml4191 · Oct 25, 2016

Edit: Check: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/findster-the-gps-tracker-free-of-monthly-fees-dogs-kids

no annual fee, and about 100 usd...tracks within 2miles...more than enough to get near a lost drone.

tcope · Oct 25, 2016

tml4191 said:
Edit: Check: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/findster-the-gps-tracker-free-of-monthly-fees-dogs-kids

no annual fee, and about 100 usd...tracks within 2miles...more than enough to get near a lost drone.

First, do you realize that you are linking to a funding campaign that was over 2 years ago? So that has long since been dead.

Here is a new product they are releasing:

Findster Duo - The 1st GPS Pet Tracker Free of Monthly Fees!

Current cost is about $100.

tml4191 · Oct 25, 2016

tcope said:
First, do you realize that you are linking to a funding campaign that was over 2 years ago? So that has long since been dead.

Here is a new product they are releasing:

Findster Duo - The 1st GPS Pet Tracker Free of Monthly Fees!

Current cost is about $100.

Thanks for the correction. I must have copy/pasted the wrong web address while I was looking at the company's other product.

GeoffJ · Oct 25, 2016

I'm interested in this topic (I'm also in Melbourne Vic). 100 feet is really nothing however, just within your backyard.
If you crashed in a forest some distance from home, it might be quite difficult to get within 100 feet, depending upon if you had lost contact or not. I think the Marco Polo would be a much better option but also a lot dearer and hard to get shipped to Australia. I hadn't seen the Findster Duo, will research it.
Having said that however, the more I fly my P4, the less I feel the need for one of these things.

GeoffJ · Oct 25, 2016

The Findster Duo is dependent upon an internet connection so it's no good if you're out in the bush with no cellular service. There's also a lot of baggage which comes with it about time to walk your dog, and rewards for keeping it alive etc., which you might be able to shut down in it's settings.
I think the Marco Polo is still the most useful drone tracker, totally self contained, with a range of several kilometers.

The Springs · Oct 26, 2016

Dropped my Advanced into a one of our wheat crops,green and thick (not me)
A tracker with a range of kms wouldn't have helped I think.
It was only 70m away from me .I searched for ages .In the end I did a quick start stop and heard it 1.5 m from me .

GeoffJ · Oct 26, 2016

Well it'll take you straight to it. Whether you're 70m away, or 2km away.
Also, I think some of them will make the transmitter beep when you get really close so you can hear it too.