Any reasonable priced drones that can go 40 miles?

[AnchorageAk]

Yes I know reasonable is a relative term. Sitting here trying not to spend any money on drones. At least for the day. Was thinking about how nice it would be, in my old age, to fly a drone to our cabin from my wheel chair, stroller, etc. For $10k I might think about it. Some thing tells me my wife wouldn't think about it. LOL. It is 40 miles over water. I know the government has all the good toys, but will there be a toy like that in our future? Just asking about the cost, technology, and the future. Not legal, moral, what my neighbor might thing, or if the nurse might rat me out for having a 10 foot drone under my bed.

 

[Mark The Droner]

I think some day a drone will be able to do that, yes. Hell, there's a guy on this site who flew his Phantom almost 20 miles away...

Flytrex - Quadcopter and Multirotor Pilots Network

 

[Uncle Stumpy]

I think some day a drone will be able to do that, yes. Hell, there's a guy on this site who flew his Phantom almost 20 miles away...

Flytrex - Quadcopter and Multirotor Pilots Network

How did he do that? A controller the size of a small car and a giant battery. 20 miles?

 

[Mark The Droner]

How did he do that? A controller the size of a small car and a giant battery. 20 miles?

Yes.

Haha. Plus you have to be smart, you have to know how to fly and you have to have nerves of steel. And you have to be willing to risk losing your AC (he didn't lose it on this run).

Click on the "19.4" in the link and you'll see a map and if you scroll down you'll see details on his antenna and battery.

 

[Uncle Stumpy]

Yes.

Haha. Plus you have to be smart, you have to know how to fly and you have to have nerves of steel. And you have to be willing to risk losing your AC (he didn't lose it on this run).

Click on the "19.4" in the link and you'll see a map and if you scroll down you'll see details on his antenna and battery.

I will thank you. If true that is amazing

 

[Mark The Droner]

Oh, it's definitely true.

 

[Uncle Stumpy]

Oh, it's definitely true.

Oh, it's definitely true.

Why not? 10 years ago these drones would have been stuff from Star Wars

 

[chatikib]

A very nice development! Under what circumstances can you get the most out of your drone? As for example, what is the best temperature and at what height do you get the best performance from your battery?

Btw, there is already a solution for 60 km, have a look at 60 KM long range Antenna

 

[Uncle Stumpy]

Oh, it's definitely true.

Ok, my next question is why would anybody WANT to fly their drone 20 miles? Just to do it? What is the point? Drive your car 20 miles and then fly. I guess I am just old fashioned! LOL

 

[Chrisedge]

My friends company has a drone that could do 60miles, but you are just limited by the radio at that point.

FlightWave Aero | FlightWave Aero

 

[Uncle Stumpy]

My friends company has a drone that could do 60miles, but you are just limited by the radio at that point.

FlightWave Aero | FlightWave Aero

Man that is bordering on military.

 

[Chrisedge]

Man that is bordering on military.

We went and filmed some flying footage this week, its an incredible device. The tilting motors are killer and this thing moves.

Edited to add

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=1860866664243837

 

[AnchorageAk]

A very nice development! Under what circumstances can you get the most out of your drone? As for example, what is the best temperature and at what height do you get the best performance from your battery?

Btw, there is already a solution for 60 km, have a look at 60 KM long range Antenna

So that plugs into the controller?

 

[Mark The Droner]

Ok, my next question is why would anybody WANT to fly their drone 20 miles? Just to do it? What is the point? ...

Same reason we climb towers and jump off bridges. It's fun.

 

[Mark The Droner]

So that plugs into the controller?

You'd have to modify the controller. It's not that difficult.

 

[AnchorageAk]

You'd have to modify the controller. It's not that difficult.

You change out the connectors the antennas go into? We do things because it is a challenge. Like trying to get a really big bear up close, or land an airplane on a 400 foot strip.. I believe there is all ways away, but maybe not practical. If you screw up there is usually a price to pay for it.

 

[Mark The Droner]

You open up the controller, disconnect the ufl cable from the transmitter, remove the stock antenna and cable, and replace it with a cable that is friendly to antenna or amp hot-swapping. It's a very routine mod.

 

[AnchorageAk]

I had the Maxx amp kit installed on one of my controller. I follow what your saying.

 

[Brockrock]

A very nice development! Under what circumstances can you get the most out of your drone? As for example, what is the best temperature and at what height do you get the best performance from your battery?

Btw, there is already a solution for 60 km, have a look at 60 KM long range Antenna

No spicific height really - other than keep it legal where you fly - but wind is a factor. Typically, wind speed is lower at lower altitudes, so it often makes sense to head out into a headwind at a low altitude and head back a bit higher. For the Phantom 4 series, you will get the most distance at about 30 MPH.

 

[chatikib]

So that plugs into the controller?

If you believe the Chinese reseller then 'yes'. But I don't dare to bet on.