Has anyone purchased a drone and used it for spotting targets at 1000+ ? Most of the DJI drones say 2-5 mile range depending on model, and 20-30 min of flight time depending on conditions, so I was thinking pop it out to within 50 feet of the target and stick it in hover mode while you shoot a few strings. Having never owned one, what I was hoping is that I could hook it up to my ipad and use it to spot while im shooting steel or paper, seeing as how the bullet flight time should give me enough time to look over at the ipad and see the impact. Unlike my old shooting spot and state where I had stationary targets I left out at 700, 800, 1000 and 1600m, as well as almost always having a spotter, I dont have any of that here and will either have to drive out and place targets, or use the membership ranges with paper targets. I figured on the days where I go early and not many are there, this would be a ton easier than walking out to 1000 and checking groups.
Lets talk Drones!
- Thread starter Fenix Mike
- Start date
Hi,
You will get longer shooting times if you just land the drone in the vicinity of the target but keep camera system and gimble working. Will increase battery life.
Completely dependent on shooting terrain of course.
Sincerely,
Theis
You will get longer shooting times if you just land the drone in the vicinity of the target but keep camera system and gimble working. Will increase battery life.
Completely dependent on shooting terrain of course.
Sincerely,
Theis
Buddy of mine has the DJI Mavic 2 Enterprise Dual. Uses it mostly for business inspecting solar Panels, some power supply stuff etc. Has thermal/day camera that operate at same time.
We used it last week to locate a coyote kill. Just as a test as he wants to use it for game recovery. We also took a few pics of a friends house (they want a framed Ariel view of house to hang on wall) and those pics were very clear.
Only downside if you intend to set down is you want to make sure you don’t have grass etc taller than the drone. Or it turns into a weed eater. But it does sense where it’s landing and won’t/shouldn’t land in an area that compromises it. We tried to land in a alfalfa field that was about 4” high. Had to lay a shooting mat out or the drone wouldn’t land. I’m sure you can override that but you wouldn’t want to unless your sure it’s clear below.
It did move fairly quickly and I’m certain you could get 15 minutes of shooting time in even if you fly down, hover, fly back
I’m thinking of getting one myself just for game recovery.
Couple pics from that night
I’m sure you could lay it on the ground as you suggested I have no idea if it records but I’m assuming it does. You could record the shot if not quick enough or terrain doesn’t allow you to spot the impact. Could always look into a long range camera system designed for shooting as well if your going to the target before and after shooting anyways. I’ve used those on fclass shoots and they work alright. Battery lasted the whole session and fed directly to our phones and iPads.
The drone would probably have better images. If your shooting into an area that not accessible the drone would definitely be a better option
We used it last week to locate a coyote kill. Just as a test as he wants to use it for game recovery. We also took a few pics of a friends house (they want a framed Ariel view of house to hang on wall) and those pics were very clear.
Only downside if you intend to set down is you want to make sure you don’t have grass etc taller than the drone. Or it turns into a weed eater. But it does sense where it’s landing and won’t/shouldn’t land in an area that compromises it. We tried to land in a alfalfa field that was about 4” high. Had to lay a shooting mat out or the drone wouldn’t land. I’m sure you can override that but you wouldn’t want to unless your sure it’s clear below.
It did move fairly quickly and I’m certain you could get 15 minutes of shooting time in even if you fly down, hover, fly back
I’m thinking of getting one myself just for game recovery.
Couple pics from that night
I’m sure you could lay it on the ground as you suggested I have no idea if it records but I’m assuming it does. You could record the shot if not quick enough or terrain doesn’t allow you to spot the impact. Could always look into a long range camera system designed for shooting as well if your going to the target before and after shooting anyways. I’ve used those on fclass shoots and they work alright. Battery lasted the whole session and fed directly to our phones and iPads.
The drone would probably have better images. If your shooting into an area that not accessible the drone would definitely be a better option
Last edited:
The two big ranges here are private and require memberships, so there isn’t a range master or anyone there other than members, which when I’d go, it would be quiet. I wouldn’t take it to the public range, I’m sure it would get shot out of the sky.
Awesome! The dji drones fly about 40 mph so it should only be a minute tops to get to any target I’m shooting. Steel I’d just listen for hits, but I just think I’d get tired real quick of paper at 1k and having to run out and look for holes.
If your shooting someplace that you have to walk to 1,000 yards vs driving than hands down this drone will pay for itself in no time. If nothing else just factoring in your time spent walking when you could be shooting etc
Now if you can drive and set up a camera than those work great for shooting paper. Senses the shot, then gives you the pic before and after impact. I think the one our team had is Bulleye Camera System
Now if you can drive and set up a camera than those work great for shooting paper. Senses the shot, then gives you the pic before and after impact. I think the one our team had is Bulleye Camera System
I've had the DJI Mavic Pro since they first came out. They are very capable drones, compact, solid flyers, with exceptional cameras. As said park it near the target if there's an acceptable landing area and zoom the camera in. In obstacle avoidance mode they still fly 25-28mph so commuting to the target is pretty quick. Amazing technology for such a low price IMO.
My wife works with the guy that developed the Bullseye Camera System, they are good..... but not nearly as much fun as the drone.
My wife works with the guy that developed the Bullseye Camera System, they are good..... but not nearly as much fun as the drone.
The range is decent size, but from what I understand, its rare that there are a ton of people out there at any given time, so id hope that if it was me and 1-2 others on a 50 yard wide range that they could keep their rounds away from my target. Its basically self service with a key card and shoot at your own risk, so pending a random bad luck flyer doesnt tag the drone, it should be safe.I've had the DJI Mavic Pro since they first came out. They are very capable drones, compact, solid flyers, with exceptional cameras. As said park it near the target if there's an acceptable landing area and zoom the camera in. In obstacle avoidance mode they still fly 25-28mph so commuting to the target is pretty quick. Amazing technology for such a low price IMO.
My wife works with the guy that developed the Bullseye Camera System, they are good..... but not nearly as much fun as the drone.
I take it your referring to the Bulleye Target Cam, the one we use was around $700-$800. There’s several models I believe. Ours is older technology compared to what’s out there now. Ours would sense the shot than you would click to show the shot and it would give you a pic before and after the shot. So back and forth bullet hole, no bullet hole, bullet hole etc. Really challenging to do when there’s flys around your target!
I don’t think real time video was an option.
If you have the money and even have other uses for the drone than that’s the way I would go. The optics quality on the drone was way higher than the Bulleye we use. Not to mention if you have several targets you can fly or adjust the camera from your shooting position. The Bulleye cam is built in a plastic ammo can. Set it up and if you want to move it you go reset it by hand
Ah that sounds like more of a pain. I will just watch for a sale on drones
PM me and let me know... I dont know a ton about these and I am just starting my research, but the consensus seems to point to DJI. I was going to get the Pro 2 for the extended battery and range, then my ADD kicked in and started looking at aftermarket rotors and the lighter model that still does 2.2 miles and costs 1/3 as much.I have a mavic pro platinum I’ve used to fly out to around 1500 yards and spot targets.
Pretty easy to do if the terrain allows.
I’ll make you a deal on it if you’re in the market
I'd also add it will be hard to see hits on the small screens, the 4k/8k video will be fantastic after you upload etc. But real time in bright light would be ok for confirming steel hits, but seeing paper groups?
The landing and if you could zoom, maybe.
The landing and if you could zoom, maybe.
I already have the ipad, that was my hopes was to be able to just set it up next to me and see the groups. I finally made it to the ABQ range and zero'd all my guns, so next step is to pick a day and go explore the BLM land to find a safe spot with a back stop that doesnt cross any two tracks or roads. Only issue is I shoot everything suppressed, and most guys on quads or bikes dont look where they are going. I had a GREAT spot in phoenix that wasnt suitable for OHV, so I didnt have to worry about traffic out to 2000m. It was a real pain dragging steel out there on a two wheel dolly, but I left it out there knowing not many will want to drag a 40 lb target back to the road. Been out there for 11 years now and counting
Similar threads
