Track that Drone

OI Photography · Feb 3, 2014

FWIW, I went ahead and got the Garmin GTU 10 to use for now. Works great so far, it's accurate to ~15ft while sitting on my workbench in the den.

I was under the impression that the AT&T network used would be shuttered in about a year from now, however I found this on the site when setting everything up:

"The connected services provider for your GTU 10, AT&T Wireless, has determined to cease operations of its 2G network by approximately Jan. 1, 2017. Unfortunately, due to the AT&T Wireless network circumstances, the third-party services necessary to support the network connectivity operations of your GTU 10 unit will be impacted. As AT&T Wireless disclosed they plan to fully discontinue service on the 2G wireless networks by approximately Jan. 1, 2017. At this time, there is no viable alternative of such services; therefore, after such date your GTU10 unit will no longer be operational. We apologize for the inconvenience."

kamkilla · Feb 3, 2014

LeoS said:
Jebus said:

I'm looking at getting a Blutracker (https://www.sticknfind.com/blutracker.aspx). I see that it looks like they're finally going to get released in February.

They only have a 2500ft range - but I would think that should be enough to wander in the general direction that your Phantom took off and you should be able to find it. The plus side with this device - no monthly fees!

Click to expand...

Be aware that since bluetooth 4 is a point to point (low powered to boot), it may get its signal blocked very easily if there are objects between you and the drone. It's bound to be surrounded by trees, bushes, rocks, earth, or whatnot if a drone crashes, all of which can block the signal and drastically reduce its 2500' range (which is already quite optimistic it seems).

kamkilla said:

Just a question... Has anyone actually had a flyaway and used their GPS tracker?

Click to expand...

I haven't heard of one.. I personally think that a big percentage of flyaways are avoidable, in the sense that they're due to the user's unfamiliarity or unpreparedness of using the Quad optimally (ok, some of these can be blatant 'user error'). So if you're at the point of thinking of installing a tracker on your drone, chances are you've already familiarised yourself with the Phantom and you're already doing the extra steps of precaution.
So you're probably technically-averse enough to use the Phantom optimally... thus you're actually in the low-risk group.

(If there is such a thing).

Nicely said sir... yeah i read up alot about flyaways as i was waiting for my drone to arrive and everyone said to upgrade immediately... and actually i just herd of someone who bought theirs and didn't upgrade it and it flew away.. needless to say research is key.

Noël · Feb 4, 2014

Fi-Li-Fi GPS Drone Locator Systems

Just found this link!
Please note that I did not test this!

Fi-Li-Fi GPS Drone Locator Systems

Fly it, Lose it, Find it.

Quad Innovators have specially designed the Fi-Li-Fi drone locator system to work with not only AR Parrot Drones but any quad copter or model you can imagine! It will not only help you located your quad/drone/model in a hull loss situation but also give you the confidence to fly further and higher away with the peace of mind you have a safety net should the worst happen.

More info @ http://www.quadinnovators.co.uk

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePbNvFkxQqM[/youtube]

NEILS · Feb 4, 2014

Re: Fi-Li-Fi GPS Drone Locator Systems

Noël said:
Just found this link!
Please note that I did not test this!
More info @ http://www.quadinnovators.co.uk

Cheers for that, been looking for a while for the right tracker and after seeing in action and reading the reveiws on I-drone i've just purchased one so will let you know what its like, looks small enough to may be fit inside the shell and charge socket on the shell, wont know till it arrives

theSelf · Feb 4, 2014

Re: Fi-Li-Fi GPS Drone Locator Systems

Noël said:
Just found this link!
Please note that I did not test this!

Fi-Li-Fi GPS Drone Locator Systems

Fly it, Lose it, Find it.

Quad Innovators have specially designed the Fi-Li-Fi drone locator system to work with not only AR Parrot Drones but any quad copter or model you can imagine! It will not only help you located your quad/drone/model in a hull loss situation but also give you the confidence to fly further and higher away with the peace of mind you have a safety net should the worst happen.

Click to expand...

More info @ http://www.quadinnovators.co.uk

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePbNvFkxQqM[/youtube]

shame it doesn't work in the US..

Noël · Feb 4, 2014

Re: Fi-Li-Fi GPS Drone Locator Systems

theSelf said:
Removed all the EXTRA quoting as it is really not necessary!

shame it doesn't work in the US..

Why does it not work in the US? Do you people not have mobile (GSM) phones???

Joking....
It does work in the US
http://www.quadinnovators.co.uk/guides/ ... edback.pdf

gpauk · Feb 4, 2014

Not sure what it offers over a TK 102 type tracker... It's a lot more expensive.

LeoS · Feb 4, 2014

gpauk said:
Not sure what it offers over a TK 102 type tracker... It's a lot more expensive.

One thing it HASN'T got over tk102b is a plastic casing.. which makes it lighter. We need a mod for tk102b to strip the case, yet retain ability to swap batteries in\out easily and securely...

Noël · Feb 5, 2014

LeoS said:
We need a mod for tk102b to strip the case, yet retain ability to swap batteries in\out easily and securely...

As I used to sell the TK102B's I still had some here.
So.. I've just striped one and the total weight of a stripped TK102B with original battery is 42 grams.

Battery is: 17 grams
Stripped TK102B is: 25 grams

I think that a few grams can be save with another 3.7 volt battery.

I do not use trackers, but I think that it can easily be adapted for (internal?) use in a Phantom.

Noël · Feb 5, 2014

Hmmm... Looking at the pictures of the "Fi-Li-Fi GPS Drone Locator Systems", and the just opened the TK102B the PCB does look a lot the same!
I think that the inside of the "Fi-Li-Fi GPS Drone Locator Systems" and the TK102B are exactly the same!
@NEILS. Can you still cancel your order?

LeoS · Feb 5, 2014

The current 5-6 days of standby on default battery is overkill for rc-only use.

The default BL-5B battery is 760mah at 17gr.

Found this one at 7gr, 300mah:

http://www.all-battery.com/tenergypolym ... 541-0.aspx

Need to solder some connectors and find suitable charger for it.

Or maybe this one, comes with JST connector:

http://www.componentshop.co.uk/200mah-3 ... ector.html

Noël · Feb 5, 2014

Just for fun I've also ordered some 3.7 volt lipos (and connectors).
I'm also planning to remove some extra stuff on the PCB to see how light I can make it.

Lets see if I can keep this thing under 30 grams.

Will report back when I have more info.

theSelf · Feb 5, 2014

Noël said:
LeoS said:

We need a mod for tk102b to strip the case, yet retain ability to swap batteries in\out easily and securely...

Click to expand...

As I used to sell the TK102B's I still had some here.
So.. I've just striped one and the total weight of a stripped TK102B with original battery is 42 grams.

Battery is: 17 grams
Stripped TK102B is: 25 grams

I think that a few grams can be save with another 3.7 volt battery.

I do not use trackers, but I think that it can easily be adapted for (internal?) use in a Phantom.

how would you protect it from shorting out with the components exposed?

Noël · Feb 5, 2014

Duck tape?
Antistatic bag?
Isolation tape?
Heat shrink?
....
....

theSelf · Feb 5, 2014

Noël said:
Duck tape?
Antistatic bag?
Isolation tape?
Heat shrink?
....
....

what about heat shrink?

also those of you in this thread who are satisfied with their TK102 or TK102b could you kindly share a link to the place where you purchased it please as I understand there are a few vendors selling 'duds' and want to avoid those ideally

I did find these links but do not know if any of you purchased from these specific places..:

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_ ... Ck%3Atk102

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Mini-Realti ... 25853ef283

http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/170947034177?lpid=82

http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/281097035248?lpid=82

thanks in advance!

LeoS · Feb 5, 2014

This is where I purchased mine, but seller is still away until the 13th:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 1149284995

I saw a couple of other sellers with hundreds of sold units that maintains 99.9x% feedback, they should be okay too.

AlTiTuDe06 · Feb 5, 2014

Got mine here and it works great
http://m.ebay.com/itm/131088424485?&txnId=893940642003

NEILS · Feb 5, 2014

Noël said:
Hmmm... Looking at the pictures of the "Fi-Li-Fi GPS Drone Locator Systems", and the just opened the TK102B the PCB does look a lot the same!
I think that the inside of the "Fi-Li-Fi GPS Drone Locator Systems" and the TK102B are exactly the same!
@NEILS. Can you still cancel your order?

:lol: :lol: :lol: Thats what i get for rushing in, no i'll not cancel, an expensive mistake if it is the same and totally my own fault, when it turns up i'll post some pics of the pcb to see if it is the same, the funny thing is when i watched the video it did cross my mind could it be a stripped down tracker, what drew me to buy was all the comments about the after sales support people were getting, never mind you live and learn :lol:

Skipholiday · Feb 5, 2014

Sears for $28.01 they charge tax and shipping. Total $34.52 http://bit.ly/1brMOaw

theSelf said:
also those of you in this thread who are satisfied with their TK102 or TK102b could you kindly share a link to the place where you purchased it please as I understand there are a few vendors selling 'duds' and want to avoid those ideally
I did find these links but do not know if any of you purchased from these specific places..:thanks in advance!

Skipholiday · Feb 5, 2014

Noël said:
Hmmm... Looking at the pictures of the "Fi-Li-Fi GPS Drone Locator Systems", and the just opened the TK102B the PCB does look a lot the same!
I think that the inside of the "Fi-Li-Fi GPS Drone Locator Systems" and the TK102B are exactly the same!
@NEILS. Can you still cancel your order?

they appear very similar, seems they added the cover for protection and to show there logo.