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Posted: 8/19/2017 4:27:29 PM EDT
[#1]
Quoted:
I dont own a drone but cant help but think they could be handy say surveying property from a distance or getting a nice 360 degree view of the area around you. what do you guys think? Damn right! We're thinking abt it... 
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Posted: 8/19/2017 4:34:04 PM EDT
[#2]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Damn right! We're thinking abt it... 
What would be ideal? one that "beams" a video back to your phone as real time as possible? Id guess something as small as possible too to keep it from being noticed. |
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Posted: 8/19/2017 4:38:53 PM EDT
[#3]
Good for recon. If you're clever and resourceful, you could arm them and use them as guided weapons systems in their own right.
Your cell nanospot or wifi will violate emcon and give you away. If S truly HTF, you'll need to power and recharge them and their control devices... |
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Posted: 8/19/2017 4:43:55 PM EDT
[#4]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Good for recon. If you're clever and resourceful, you could arm them and use them as guided weapons systems in their own right. Your cell nanospot or wifi will violate emcon and give you away. If S truly HTF, you'll need to power and recharge them and their control devices...
im thinking about trying to see potential danger spots up the road or surveying your property quickly. |
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Posted: 8/19/2017 5:00:12 PM EDT
[#5]
Good for carrying a paracord traveller over top of a high tree limb to haul up an antenna.
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Posted: 8/19/2017 5:09:39 PM EDT
[#6]
Try the aerial footage thread in the hobby subforum...
You will get an idea of what can be capable. You could build a long range FPV plank that cruises at 60-80mph and cover several miles on one pack with a 10-15 minute flight time. Or build an FPV duration wing that could stay up for over half an hour with multiple cameras. Could run an a DJI flying tripod as well with 15-20 minute flight times. Or could have an fpv racer that you could chase down a car with and fly it right through the window at 50-70mph... Yeah lots of options. |
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Posted: 8/19/2017 7:05:39 PM EDT
[#7]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Try the aerial footage thread in the hobby subforum... You will get an idea of what can be capable. You could build a long range FPV plank that cruises at 60-80mph and cover several miles on one pack with a 10-15 minute flight time. Or build an FPV duration wing that could stay up for over half an hour with multiple cameras. Could run an a DJI flying tripod as well with 15-20 minute flight times. Or could have an fpv racer that you could chase down a car with and fly it right through the window at 50-70mph... Yeah lots of options. |
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Posted: 8/19/2017 7:15:08 PM EDT
[#8]
In a few years they'll be even more capable than they are now.
They're just barely out of their infancy technology wise. Imagine one flying a user defined pattern with a thermal camera and it can detect differences in the view from the last pass around. Imagine mounting a semi-automatic pistol on one. |
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Posted: 8/19/2017 7:34:30 PM EDT
[#9]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
In a few years they'll be even more capable than they are now. They're just barely out of their infancy technology wise. Imagine one flying a user defined pattern with a thermal camera and it can detect differences in the view from the last pass around. Imagine mounting a semi-automatic pistol on one. Or worse you goto fly and everywhere has been deemed a nofly zone. Some of these devices are too smart for their own good. Learning to fly by seat of the pants and not rely on auto pilot is highly recommended. |
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Posted: 8/19/2017 7:40:51 PM EDT
[#10]
I use my dji mavic to look for trespassers already.
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Posted: 8/19/2017 8:31:15 PM EDT
[#11]
As I mentioned, Im really uneducated on it.
Something that needs updated via the internet to work right is probably not ideal. |
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Posted: 8/19/2017 8:37:04 PM EDT
[#12]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
go on....
What would be ideal? one that "beams" a video back to your phone as real time as possible? Id guess something as small as possible too to keep it from being noticed. ...not interested in 'cell phone' control, We have good line of sight. |
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Posted: 8/19/2017 8:51:50 PM EDT
[#13]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
A small wx proof automatic shelter/hangar for one on top of the barn, automatic recharge, control link antenna on the roof, access to the controls and display from the LAN... ...not interested in 'cell phone' control, We have good line of sight.
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Posted: 8/19/2017 9:31:24 PM EDT
[#14]
I called the police on an intrusion alarm at a closed large building just the other day, the police showed up with a drone, equipped with a thermal camera. It made quick work of finding the bad guys on the roof of the building.
I want one with a thermal camera. |
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Posted: 8/19/2017 11:37:17 PM EDT
[#15]
It really depends on what you want to do with the drone. If it's just hop up and take a look around, a 3DR solo would work fine for that. DJI less so. I've got 2 different ones that carry GoPros. The hexacopter has a 3-axis stabilized gimbal that can be pointed under the control of either an R/C receiver or the autopilot. That one also has an analog 5.8Ghz video downlink. The IRIS+ unit has a 2-axis gimbal and still takes pretty decent video. But, it doesn't transmit that down in real-time like the other one does.
If you're wanting to surveil the perimeter of anything of any size at all, you need a fixed-wing for that. There are hand-launched versions that can stay in the air for 45 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the arm strength of the launcher.  The Pixhawk ecosystem allows a great deal of flexibility in terms of the types of missions that can be performed. And, if you do it right, there are multiple methods of control that can be used. Redundancy in links is a good thing. Bigly.
For really long missions, look at the Albatross by Applied Aero (I think) and the Skywalker X8. Both are bigger birds that can carry a decent payload and a large battery set. You can find the Albatross at the robotshop.com and the Skywalker X8 from HobbyKing. For IR, if that's what you need, look at the SEEK IR camera that can be attached to an android smart fone. That's by far the least expensive approach to decent rez IR imagery, particularly compared to the spendy FLIR cameras. |
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Posted: 8/19/2017 11:47:40 PM EDT
[#16]
OST
I've been interested in this topic for a number of reasons for some time. I've got a buddy into it who talks about guys with drones that can follow gps waypoints for like 5 miles & back but when he starts talking about it he might as well be speaking Arabic. |
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Posted: 8/20/2017 12:31:40 PM EDT
[#17]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I use my dji mavic to look for trespassers already. My biggest fear is that the hobby will get funneled into "fly zones". You already can't use a drone in National Parks, how soon before city or county ordinances win a court battle to ban drone-use? As soon as some enterprising terrorist successfully uses a AVBIED (aerial-vehicle-borne improvised explosive device), which they are already doing in some countries, drones will go the way of NFA at worst, or heavily regulated at the least. ROCK6 |
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Posted: 8/20/2017 5:27:30 PM EDT
[#18]
I want one but it will be a while before I am ready.
I did talk to a local pilot and was talking about how his communicates with someone so as to follow local restrictions??? Does this mean if SHTF and comms go down that the drone won't fly? |
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Posted: 8/20/2017 5:37:10 PM EDT
[#19]
So power isn't a problem, but what about the need for internet on some of these? I've seen some that require your smart phone to use them.
Assuming power to run most anything isn't a problem, about 50 acres to zoom around on, mostly flat, how would you set up one of the drones with IR camera to run WITHOUT needing Internet or smart phone, i.e, SHTF? |
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Posted: 8/20/2017 6:49:28 PM EDT
[#20]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I want one but it will be a while before I am ready. I did talk to a local pilot and was talking about how his communicates with someone so as to follow local restrictions??? Does this mean if SHTF and comms go down that the drone won't fly? |
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Posted: 8/20/2017 7:16:44 PM EDT
[#21]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
OST I've been interested in this topic for a number of reasons for some time. I've got a buddy into it who talks about guys with drones that can follow gps waypoints for like 5 miles & back but when he starts talking about it he might as well be speaking Arabic. |
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Posted: 8/20/2017 7:20:54 PM EDT
[#22]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
This is what I've been looking at as well. I see a lot of value, but it really depends on what you want as there are some exceptional ones on the market with superb video, longer fly-times, better distance, bigger payloads, etc. My intent was just some basic patrolling around our property. On a smaller tactical level, you can really avoid an ambush just by doing short-range aerial-recon. Having that type of platform for intel is priceless. The only issue is realism when it comes to flight time, which isn't much for many of the smaller and lighter battery operated choices. My biggest fear is that the hobby will get funneled into "fly zones". You already can't use a drone in National Parks, how soon before city or county ordinances win a court battle to ban drone-use? As soon as some enterprising terrorist successfully uses a AVBIED (aerial-vehicle-borne improvised explosive device), which they are already doing in some countries, drones will go the way of NFA at worst, or heavily regulated at the least. ROCK6 Im mostly thinking of using it on my own property or as I said some shtf scenario. |
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Posted: 8/20/2017 7:35:17 PM EDT
[#23]
In my mind i envision quicker missions, fly up, look around and back down.
or maybe, peek around a corner or look a few streets ahead. Gopro use would be epic if used for a hobby. But Im not sure having to review the footage separately would be ideal for what I was thinking. Maybe something pretty compact and durable that you could toss in a get home bag or keep in the truck. |
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Posted: 8/20/2017 7:52:26 PM EDT
[#24]
lots of hits on youtube
This guy seems to have a quality channel:  Drones for SHTF and Prepping: Force Multiplier |
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Posted: 8/20/2017 8:37:46 PM EDT
[#25]
To me SHTF means no power and no re-charging capabilities.
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Posted: 8/20/2017 8:57:26 PM EDT
[#26]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
To me SHTF means no power and no re-charging capabilities. 
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Posted: 8/20/2017 9:55:53 PM EDT
[#27]
No it will be a target! Easy to hit with 7# also take power from other things that need power to live!
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Posted: 8/20/2017 10:06:26 PM EDT
[#28]
Paint it sky blue and use it at altitude.
I am in BFE and like the idea of sending it out to reconnoiter as it takes me a full day to check the perimeter and then it leaves the cabin unprotected. The more I think about it I really need one and 5 spares in case no one makes it home and I am on my own. |
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Posted: 8/20/2017 10:13:59 PM EDT
[#29]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
To me SHTF means no power and no re-charging capabilities. Like during eclipses... |
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Posted: 8/21/2017 8:32:41 AM EDT
[#30]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
To me SHTF means no power and no re-charging capabilities. 
EMP could knock out many components in our AE system, but some rudimentary backups as well as panels are stored in metal buildings and metal boxes. |
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Posted: 8/21/2017 9:04:41 AM EDT
[#31]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
No it will be a target! Easy to hit with 7# also take power from other things that need power to live! |
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Posted: 8/21/2017 9:19:54 AM EDT
[#32]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
No it will be a target! Easy to hit with 7# also take power from other things that need power to live! |
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Posted: 8/21/2017 12:42:13 PM EDT
[#33]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Shooting a drone only works with crappy drones (that have virtually no range and/or bad optics) and/or ignorant operators that keep them too low. Most medium/high end drones can fly much higher than you can realistically shoot it (often too high for you to easily see or hear it). Meanwhile, with a good camera, they can still see everything they need to or want to. That is also assuming they aren't moving. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
No it will be a target! Easy to hit with 7# also take power from other things that need power to live! Spend some time waterfowl hunting & you'll learn how futile sky blasting is pretty quick. |
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Posted: 8/21/2017 9:51:37 PM EDT
[#34]
If you want to know what is really capable you should check into how ISIS is using drones against coalition forces in Iraq & Syria. They are employing drones very effectively not only to survey, but also drop munitions. Depending on the guidance system being employed it can be VERY difficult to trace the source of the control...
Depending on how you plan to employ a drone it may or may not be effective... |
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Posted: 8/22/2017 10:34:48 AM EDT
[#35]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
If you want to know what is really capable you should check into how ISIS is using drones against coalition forces in Iraq & Syria. They are employing drones very effectively not only to survey, but also drop munitions. Depending on the guidance system being employed it can be VERY difficult to trace the source of the control... Depending on how you plan to employ a drone it may or may not be effective... I think for now most of it is over my head. Are there drones out there that just have "ports" (kinda like a usb port) that one could just plug attachments to and have remote function of the port? example: you could plug in a specific camera IR/thermal, or a pick up claw etc to the port and activate it with the controls. (just on/off/ functionality) I think plug and play would be the next step for these things (maybe its already here I dont know). |
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Posted: 8/22/2017 1:48:48 PM EDT
[#36]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Yeah I think there is likely some very amazing abilities that we have only scratched the surface on. I think for now most of it is over my head. Are there drones out there that just have "ports" (kinda like a usb port) that one could just plug attachments to and have remote function of the port? example: you could plug in a specific camera IR/thermal, or a pick up claw etc to the port and activate it with the controls. (just on/off/ functionality) I think plug and play would be the next step for these things (maybe its already here I dont know). Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
If you want to know what is really capable you should check into how ISIS is using drones against coalition forces in Iraq & Syria. They are employing drones very effectively not only to survey, but also drop munitions. Depending on the guidance system being employed it can be VERY difficult to trace the source of the control... Depending on how you plan to employ a drone it may or may not be effective... I think for now most of it is over my head. Are there drones out there that just have "ports" (kinda like a usb port) that one could just plug attachments to and have remote function of the port? example: you could plug in a specific camera IR/thermal, or a pick up claw etc to the port and activate it with the controls. (just on/off/ functionality) I think plug and play would be the next step for these things (maybe its already here I dont know). |
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Posted: 8/22/2017 3:51:12 PM EDT
[#37]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Yeah I think there is likely some very amazing abilities that we have only scratched the surface on. I think for now most of it is over my head. Are there drones out there that just have "ports" (kinda like a usb port) that one could just plug attachments to and have remote function of the port? example: you could plug in a specific camera IR/thermal, or a pick up claw etc to the port and activate it with the controls. (just on/off/ functionality) I think plug and play would be the next step for these things (maybe its already here I dont know). That being said, they have to be controlling things somehow (dropping functions etc). I don't know if it's "plug & play" or if there is any sort of multi-use outputs, but there is definitely some way to connect the controller brains to auxiliary functions at least on some drones. |
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Posted: 8/23/2017 4:17:04 PM EDT
[#38]
How hard would it be to just make a small hot air balloon with corded cameras, send it up on 500 feet of cord? Even 200 feet would be huge, just have a little Esbit tab or something for heat?
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Posted: 8/25/2017 9:38:25 AM EDT
[#39]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
How hard would it be to just make a small hot air balloon with corded cameras, send it up on 500 feet of cord? Even 200 feet would be huge, just have a little Esbit tab or something for heat? Why not go helium? Buy a small balloon cylinder and you'll be able to fill a smaller helium balloon time and time again without the need for a fuel source or flame source. Fire + high-end optics at a high elevation sounds like a big risk to kill your cameras. The actual downside to it is that it's much less discreet than a drone. Drones are small and not very visible. Despite the noise they make, a drone, at higher altitude can go completely unnoticed. It takes a MUCH larger balloon to carry the same payload, but a balloon can loiter forever as long as it doesn't have a leak or need maintenance. The P in PTID stands for Persistent IIRC. |
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Posted: 8/26/2017 6:51:56 PM EDT
[#40]
Have security cams around the house? It is one thing to have a dog bark, it is a whole nothing thing to have tape of everything that occurs when you are and are not at home.
My dogs have a few different barks, evil bunny rabbit in the yard is easy. Neighbor's cat loafing on some scrap wood. Dog coming close to our yard. Some person walking the road, person crossed street to get as far from us as possible. Person or truck in yard, come check this out. The balloon option is certainly something to consider but the drone is as well. Use em both would be my opinion. As far as shtf and power, last big campout we had in this area someone brought a relative. Relative expected classes on cave man tech. Instead we pulled out coolers and chairs and luxuries. |
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Posted: 8/26/2017 6:58:08 PM EDT
[#41]
Quote HistoryQuoted:.
My biggest fear is that the hobby will get funneled into "fly zones". You already can't use a drone in National Parks, how soon before city or county ordinances win a court battle to ban drone-use? As soon as some enterprising terrorist successfully uses a AVBIED (aerial-vehicle-borne improvised explosive device), which they are already doing in some countries, drones will go the way of NFA at worst, or heavily regulated at the least. ROCK6 I have no return to home, I could use that kind of flight controller with GPS if I wanted, but there is know terms of use EULA type crap. If you move to a HAM band you can change out to 433mhz or 915mhz on my control link and get some RETARDED flight distance performance out of my controller. On regular 2.4ghz I can already get around 400 yards in an semi urban envionment. On 2.4ghz your are or or less locked to 5.8ghz for video link but you can still get some range out of it, just not much for penetration, diversity receiver with circular polarized antennas is pretty much a must. |
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Posted: 8/26/2017 7:12:13 PM EDT
[#42]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
No it will be a target! Easy to hit with 7# also take power from other things that need power to live! This is me just cruising around and having some casual fun. Imagine, under a survival genre concept, if I flew it with a bit more hostile intent. On my control/video link I can pretty much fly the entire perimeter of that park from where I am flying on the back of my truck. I can fly through much more confined spaces as well. At 120 amps and 16 volts it will hit 55-65mph. On a 25.2 volt system it will do 65-75mph or more. |
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Posted: 8/26/2017 7:35:48 PM EDT
[#43]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
go on....
What would be ideal? one that "beams" a video back to your phone as real time as possible? Id guess something as small as possible too to keep it from being noticed. |
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Posted: 8/27/2017 3:20:54 AM EDT
[#44]
I installed a "drop kit" on my Phantom 4. The 4 can lift about a 1.5 lbs safely. The trigger uses the switch under the remote control that turns the lights off and on. A photo switch is taped to it and when the light turns on, it triggers a rc servo that pulls a pin and drops a payload. I have it configured to carry water bottles, ifak and a small paracord mount for hoisting and dropping j pole antennas. I also built a very bright led light set up for SAR. All these extra weight items do shorten batt life.
http://www.gimbal-guard.com/phantom-4-pro I also have three different sizes of claw grapples made out of carbon fiber. Much harder to use than I originally thought. It takes a good hand and lots of experience. Here is the large, it is almost too heavy to search with, if you know were your going, it will work. It will lift another drone. not for long though, I get overspeed warnings after a minute of flying loaded. It will work if your quick and have a plan. http://www.ebay.com/itm/8-Extra-Large-Mantis-Claw-Drone-Recovery-Hook-Grabber-System-G10-Kit-/262736131076?epid=17003410852&hash=item3d2c4b3404:g:LZcAAOSw-0xYOg8o |
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Posted: 8/27/2017 1:17:50 PM EDT
[#45]
I like the helium balloon option and would like the ability to run it up at night and watch to light sources etc. just bring it in before it becomes a beacon to draw attention.
I have seen tethered drones but they are pricey. |
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Posted: 8/27/2017 2:38:27 PM EDT
[#46]
Even cheap nightvision should pick up light sources well. Thermal would be interesting as well.
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Posted: 8/27/2017 2:56:23 PM EDT
[#47]
Little commercial drones were used to spot for artillery during the Ukraine-v-Russia conflict a little while ago.
It may not be what you had in mind, but I'd imagine from the perspective of some Ukrainians the stuff was hitting the fan. |
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Posted: 8/28/2017 2:22:18 PM EDT
[#48]
i think its an excellent idea for survival however they can be shot down very easily and they are noisy. I can hear drones from quite a distance if its pretty quiet which i imagine
in a survival situation it will be. if they some how ever design a drone that is noiseless, the applications are limitless. |
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Posted: 8/28/2017 7:10:17 PM EDT
[#49]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
i think its an excellent idea for survival however they can be shot down very easily and they are noisy. I can hear drones from quite a distance if its pretty quiet which i imagine in a survival situation it will be. if they some how ever design a drone that is noiseless, the applications are limitless. When my Mavic Pro is that high you can barely see it or hear it. If it was painted grey I bet it would nearly impossible to see. |
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Posted: 8/28/2017 10:39:29 PM EDT
[#50]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
You honestly believe you can shoot down something the size or a beer can at 400 feet? When my Mavic Pro is that high you can barely see it or hear it. If it was painted grey I bet it would nearly impossible to see. |
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