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Posted: 4/24/2026 10:28:30 PM EDT
| Looking for something to incorporate into a small SHTF unit of friends of ISR duty. I was looking at the DJI Neo, but am not sure if the range will be enough. According to youtube vides I have seen, you can get around a mile out and back, or about 18 mins of flight time, depending on the weather. |
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You gotta be at some serious altitude to get a 1 mile or 1.5 mile range. My suggestion, learn how to fly fpv acro and you can do just about Anything you need Attached File |
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Originally Posted By inGobwetrust: So what brand and model would work for this purpose that would also be fairly quiet for scouting an area up ahead? Ok sorry. You’re looking for a quiet scouting drone. Something like the DJI Flip would be a good solution. If you buy one make sure the controller has a screen. The camera can flip 90degrees and look down for a satellite like view. I hate non FPV drones because the controls really mess me up but this drone is pretty slick  
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Im trying the concept with a $40 one. So far I think it has merit. Except i suck. Attached File The cheap one is so light that the wind blows it around like crazy They're really hard to fly around trees |
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Originally Posted By 03RN: Im trying the concept with a $40 one. So far I think it has merit. Except i suck. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/433221/1000004467_jpg-3752184.JPG The cheap one is so light that the wind blows it around like crazy They're really hard to fly around trees The more expensive ones regardless of weight really don't move unless it's a hard gust and even then they do a good job auto adjusting for stabilization You will be blown away if you get a $400 unit for example |
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I have a potensic Atom 2 that is great for the price. I use old IPad for the display. I also have a DJI Mini 5 pro with display controller. And I just got some Rayneo glasses to use for FPV with them. Id love to get the Avata 360. The neo 2 battery life sucks or Id have got it. All of those mentioned would be great for scouting. I am starting to look at true FPV drones but they are tiny and cameras may not be as powerful as say the Mini 5 pro. The DJI Lido X or the better of the two has LIDAR obstacle avoidance. |
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The American preparedness communing seems to be way behind on the whole drone deployment front. Just watching what is going on in the Kraine I think we are years behind. I really wish we had a group that was pushing that front here. Teaching on YT how to build, deploy different types of drones for different purposes. I have yet to see a fiber tethered drone video "how to" from someone state side. Yeah it would make a mess but if you can build it and fly it 300 yards id say one would have a pretty good grasp on the concept and deployment of it. And maybe someone is doing that. I just have not seen it. |
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Originally Posted By swampfoxoutdoors: The American preparedness communing seems to be way behind on the whole drone deployment front. Just watching what is going on in the Kraine I think we are years behind. I really wish we had a group that was pushing that front here. Teaching on YT how to build, deploy different types of drones for different purposes. I have yet to see a fiber tethered drone video "how to" from someone state side. Yeah it would make a mess but if you can build it and fly it 300 yards id say one would have a pretty good grasp on the concept and deployment of it. And maybe someone is doing that. I just have not seen it. Why not start it yourself? Get the ball rolling. Start posting on here and on youtube and such. And the mess made as mentioned above is probably why people don't do that here. It's also probably expensive. |
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Shoot id love too. But my business and work keeps me busy. And it would be the blind leading the blind. Would rather learn from Subject matter experts. I do watch alot of RC YT videos. Those guys have fun. Flite Test Peter Sripol (arfcom member) RC Test Flight |
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I bought a FIMI X8 Mini V2 (DJI Mavic Mini clone) for a few reasons... 0. It gets away from DJI ecosystem so it can't geofence block me from use 1. It still has all the basics (folds small, GPS position hold, vision position hold, stabilized camera, etc) 2. It was less than 249g, and charges via USB-C so I can charge in the field via solar 3. It can provide GPS coordinates of whatever it's hovering over 4. It can be used with the controller, or with just the phone over wifi The fourth one was important for me because this is a rare feature nowadays. A drone isn't useful if you don't have it with you, and most of the time I don't plan on flying. Since the controller is often pretty bulky even when the drone itself is compact, I find I bring the drone a lot more often if I don't necessarily need the controller to fly it. Naturally if I do plan on flying it or might need it, I'll also bring the controller. Now range is radically limited if I'm not using the controller, as in maybe 50 yards versus a few km, but it's enough to get up above trees and have a peek around, get a lead-line over a tree branch, loft a meshcore repeater, that sort of thing. |
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Originally Posted By caduckgunner: Looking for something to incorporate into a small SHTF unit of friends of ISR duty. I secretly did this. We had a trip planned to Costa Rica last summer, renting a 4x4 with tent/camping gear, and kind of "overlanded" on our own planned tour. It was great! So, she was watching all the great online videos and drone footage. I got her a DJI Mini 4 with controller (extra batteries and accessories). She researched the hell out of it, flew it all over and used it down in CR. It's not something you just grab and start flying, so it takes some practice and repeated uses to learn the capabilities. The better half got slapped with cancer and will have chemo for the next few months (should kick caner's ass by August). She has treatment next week and it knocks her out for the week (no work), so I'll try and get her mind off it by flying the drone some... For ISR, it's perfect and a major force-multiplier for the basic civilian SHTF/minuteman/home-defense/property patrolling situations. ROCK6 |
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants" - Thomas Jefferson
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Originally Posted By AbleArcher: https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/188236/1000021960-3752954.jpg https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/188236/1000021961-3752956.jpg https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/188236/1000021962-3752957.jpg https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/188236/1000021963-3752958.jpg I've got a mavic mini. What bags are those? |
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I have the DJI mini. When I flew it off the side of the mountain, I made it several miles. This was line of site - nothing between me and the drone but air and bugs. I flew it so far, I was worried I might never get it back. I could just barely see the little guy off in the distance. When I fly it around neighborhoods with lots of houses and 120ft tall pine trees everywhere, I can barely make it 1 mile before the connection starts to break up. I was really getting worried about never seeing it again, there, too. But it starts to auto-home. When it brings itself back into range, the controller and app pick it back up and I can control it again. I would not try to keep the drone in any sort of SHTF kit. The batteries do not stay charged for me. Even with my drone sitting in its little case and 4 fully charged batteries. When I come back to it months later, all the batteries are about dead. The controller does hold a charge. |
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Originally Posted By ROCK6: I secretly did this. We had a trip planned to Costa Rica last summer, renting a 4x4 with tent/camping gear, and kind of "overlanded" on our own planned tour. It was great! So, she was watching all the great online videos and drone footage. I got her a DJI Mini 4 with controller (extra batteries and accessories). She researched the hell out of it, flew it all over and used it down in CR. It's not something you just grab and start flying, so it takes some practice and repeated uses to learn the capabilities. The better half got slapped with cancer and will have chemo for the next few months (should kick caner's ass by August). She has treatment next week and it knocks her out for the week (no work), so I'll try and get her mind off it by flying the drone some... For ISR, it's perfect and a major force-multiplier for the basic civilian SHTF/minuteman/home-defense/property patrolling situations. ROCK6 Originally Posted By ROCK6: Originally Posted By caduckgunner: Looking for something to incorporate into a small SHTF unit of friends of ISR duty. I secretly did this. We had a trip planned to Costa Rica last summer, renting a 4x4 with tent/camping gear, and kind of "overlanded" on our own planned tour. It was great! So, she was watching all the great online videos and drone footage. I got her a DJI Mini 4 with controller (extra batteries and accessories). She researched the hell out of it, flew it all over and used it down in CR. It's not something you just grab and start flying, so it takes some practice and repeated uses to learn the capabilities. The better half got slapped with cancer and will have chemo for the next few months (should kick caner's ass by August). She has treatment next week and it knocks her out for the week (no work), so I'll try and get her mind off it by flying the drone some... For ISR, it's perfect and a major force-multiplier for the basic civilian SHTF/minuteman/home-defense/property patrolling situations. ROCK6 Prayers sent |
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Originally Posted By Greenspan: The more expensive ones regardless of weight really don't move unless it's a hard gust and even then they do a good job auto adjusting for stabilization You will be blown away if you get a $400 unit for example Originally Posted By Greenspan: Originally Posted By 03RN: Im trying the concept with a $40 one. So far I think it has merit. Except i suck. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/433221/1000004467_jpg-3752184.JPG The cheap one is so light that the wind blows it around like crazy They're really hard to fly around trees The more expensive ones regardless of weight really don't move unless it's a hard gust and even then they do a good job auto adjusting for stabilization You will be blown away if you get a $400 unit for example I think if thats the case it would help immensely. Finding a field like the one above is not the norm around here. My other concern would be launching it while in the woods. 80% of the woods I spend time in is to heavily wooded to get the drone above tree line. I think it would be a huge force multiplier but maybe keep it in a vehicle. Its just to niche to keep on me. Now out in AZ, IA, etc absolutely. It would probably be used a lot more. |
Do Good
Be Dangerous
Live Free
Be Dangerous
Live Free
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Originally Posted By giantpune: I have the DJI mini. When I flew it off the side of the mountain, I made it several miles. This was line of site - nothing between me and the drone but air and bugs. I flew it so far, I was worried I might never get it back. I could just barely see the little guy off in the distance. When I fly it around neighborhoods with lots of houses and 120ft tall pine trees everywhere, I can barely make it 1 mile before the connection starts to break up. I was really getting worried about never seeing it again, there, too. But it starts to auto-home. When it brings itself back into range, the controller and app pick it back up and I can control it again. I would not try to keep the drone in any sort of SHTF kit. The batteries do not stay charged for me. Even with my drone sitting in its little case and 4 fully charged batteries. When I come back to it months later, all the batteries are about dead. The controller does hold a charge. Set a monthly reminder on your phone to charge your drone batteries? |
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This is an 8" so not 'small' but has gimbal mounted thermal and night vision cameras. I built it for search and rescue ops but it can pull double duty. More info here Attached File |
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Originally Posted By 03RN: Prayers sent Thanks Bro, it's manageable and she's determined not to let it slow her down too much. There are actually benefits to the shitty situation (VA benefits), but your personal health is priceless. ROCK6 |
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants" - Thomas Jefferson
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We have a neo2 and it's a neat little toy but it's basically a vlogging camera that follows you around. Range and camera are pretty limited. Get a dji mini. Folded up with a wool sock around it it will fit in most canteen pouches. The controller needs a little bigger pouch if you want padded. Get the arm clips and don't lose the gimble protector. For the controller Get a flip down sunshade cover thing off Amazon and a screen protector. They're really quite durable as long as you don't abuse them. We've dragged our minis over countless miles and flight hours and never had a hiccup. |
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Not to rain on parades here but regarding DJI products, be aware of what you’re getting into. They’re banned from releasing any new products in the US going forward, so their support of existing products is very much in question. We have several DJI drones where I work (yes I have the license), and 8 or 9 months ago, even before that ban, manufacturer support was almost non existent. People were shipping their drones out-of-country for warranty repairs and then getting hit with massive tariff bills via UPS or Fedex. I don’t think that is happening anymore, but it was for a while. We actually still have an open repair request for a mavic pro, and they never arranged for shipping like they said they would over the phone. Attempted repair by a local independent electronics repair shop was unsuccessful, there’s a lot of things DJI locks third parties out of software-wise. We have a Matrice, one of the $10k+ packages, and fly it on eggshells because if anything breaks, it’s basically a 10k paperweight. If you’re ok with this, by all means, get a cheap DJI mini and enjoy it, they’re reliable and usually don’t have problems unless you crash it or get it wet. But spare parts will increasingly get harder to come by as time passes and support from the manufacturer, in the US anyway, is all but nonexistent. I have an original model Mavic of my own, it is still useful but if I were looking to get another one, I’d try hard to stay away from DJI at this point. |
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Originally Posted By caduckgunner: Anyone have any experience with this drone? https://www.costco.com/p/-/potensic-atom-2-4k-drone-bundle-with-128gb-microsd-card-remote-lanyard-and-2-spare-propeller-kits/4000364046?DM_PersistentCookieCreated=true&langId=-1 It was my second choice when researching non dji drones, they work fine from what I read. I bought an autel nano+ instead of the atom, but you cant get em anymore so get the atom if you really want or need to avoid dji. I needed to avoid dji as I live like 2 miles from a small airport and dji has my house right on the edge of a no fly zone. |
"I am gonna laugh my ass off looking out the air vent of the box car watching some of you shot in the head in a ditch when you finally realize it's time to resist." stolen from RR_broccoli
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Originally Posted By StaccatoC2: It was my second choice when researching non dji drones, they work fine from what I read. I bought an autel nano+ instead of the atom, but you cant get em anymore so get the atom if you really want or need to avoid dji. I needed to avoid dji as I live like 2 miles from a small airport and dji has my house right on the edge of a no fly zone. Nevermind, I found it. What term do I need to google to see if I live in areas where DJI prevents you from flying? |
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Originally Posted By caduckgunner: Nevermind, I found it. What term do I need to google to see if I live in areas where DJI prevents you from flying? https://fly-safe.dji.com/nfz/nfz-query FAA’s B4UFLY |
"I am gonna laugh my ass off looking out the air vent of the box car watching some of you shot in the head in a ditch when you finally realize it's time to resist." stolen from RR_broccoli
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