Ever since I started flying my UAV, one of my biggest fears is having it sail out of bounds, straight into a jungle, and me never finding it again. As a consumer, I want to get my money’s worth by pushing it to the limit, but I’m also worried I might lose it along the way.
Thankfully, I’ve found a simple solution to both these concerns.
A tracking tool is a good insurance policy for your gadget because it gives you a precise location of where it landed. This data is instantly sent to a handheld navigation device that instructs you where to go. Best of all, it’s completely independent to your copter’s battery so it can still be used even when your bird is out of juice.
However, with so many models out there, finding out that fits your needs can be a challenge. That is why in this article, I want to help you by enumerating the best and sturdiest options according to my experience. These aren’t just affordable and easy to understand, but also an efficient way how to find a lost drone.
Spy Tec STI GL300 Mini Portable GPS Tracker
The STI GL300, weighing only two ounces and three inches in length, is a pint-sized option you can take wherever you go.
It provides you with the ability to track your loved ones, cars, and other important personal belongings through Google maps or other similar programs on the Internet.
You can even sync this with your tablet or mobile phone for more convenient use and to receive updates on the dot.
Another cool feature about this is you can set geographical boundaries for your subjects. This means that you are notified anytime they wander out of the prescribed area. For your drone, you can regulate a 200-meter or so radius to minimize instances of it flying away. Basically, it works like an invisible barrier that reminds you every time you’ve gone too far or strayed away.
Finally, this gadget uses a standard double-A battery as a power source so it can be used for as long as two weeks without replacement. You won’t need to worry about constantly charging it or worrying that it runs out of life.
PROS
- Incredibly affordable
- Provides you with real-time reports
- Ability to customize updates
- Light and easy to carry around
- Great warranty package
- Receive notifications via SMS or email
CONS
- Does not come with its own screen monitor
- You always have to be connected to the Internet
Trackimo TRKM-002 GPS Tracker
If compact tools are what you’re into, the TRKM-002 should be right up your alley. It’s slightly more expensive than the GL300 and has a shorter battery life, but overall it’s just as effective in pinpointing your target’s exact position.
All you need to do is link it to your handheld gadget through a customized application and access the map.
There, you’ll be able to monitor anybody and anything you attach the tracking device to.
Aside from knowing their current whereabouts, you’ll also see where they’ve been, at what time, and even alerted when they went beyond the prescribed area. You’ll even be able to set speed limits, which is a great for cars or UAVs, and see when they’ve exceeded it.
Lastly, it comes with its own SOS button so whenever triggered, a message is instantly sent with a time and location of your subject. This is a useful security feature that allows you to act instantly when something strange is occurring.
PROS
- Convenient mobility
- Free one-year service warranty
- Capability to review past reports
- Real-time notifications
- Reasonably priced
CONS
- Several bugs with the app
- Limited fencing limit
Marco Polo Tracker
For those looking for a more cutting-edge model — one that won’t require you to have cellular data at all times – then the Marco Polo tracker could be a suitable option.
It comes with a miniature tag, which you can attach to any type of drone, and a monitor that easily tracks its precise positioning.
All you need to do is activate the tracking mode and follow the directions.
Also, unlike other tracers that utilize radio frequency and have unstable connections, the MPT only transmits a signal when you command it to. This is a great strategy to preserve the overall network quality and save you precious battery life as well. You’ll be able to use the monitor for as long as 30 days and the tag transceiver for over two weeks without problems.
While this may look intimidating at first, it’s actually incredibly user-friendly. It comes with very little fluff qualities and just focuses on finding where your UAV is.
PROS
- Long battery life
- Ergonomically designed despite the bulk
- Easy to use
- No need for Internet or GPS signals
- Ideal for remote areas
CONS
- More expensive than usual
- Only has basic functions
- Limited to a 2-mile radius
Post Purchase Considerations
After buying a drone tracker that you like, here are some additional tips that should help you make it work more efficiently and extend its life.
1. Constantly Check on Batteries
To avoid any untoward incidents, never leave the house when your tracker’s power source is less than 100{ea2cf71a94ac0ec497812eb0b7c2bc33f9b74ebf28048bb730380b7f1d9c4acc}. Make sure to allow at least eight to ten hours of charging time prior to your drone flying escapades. Also, constantly monitor its life as you are using it so you won’t be caught off-guard.
2. Do Several Trials
Before flying your UAV, I would advise you to test the tracking system first. Try asking a friend to hold the tag and see if the tracer is accurate. For those using an application or online program, inspect whether it’s running fine. Otherwise, you might encounter problems when it matters most.
3. Update Software
Of course, be sure that the software is always up to date! If you notice the app constantly lagging, it could be a sign that it needs to be upgraded. Should the problem persist, try looking for a version that’s up to speed with your phone or tablet.
4. Conduct Monthly Checkups
Whether it’s working fine or not, it would be a good habit to have it checked at your local service center every month. This way, you get ahead of potential issues and ensure that your gadget is running just as the day you first bought it.
Conclusion:
Having a tracker system and knowing exactly how to find a lost drone is a great insurance policy when you fly. It allows you to push your device to its limits, while also making sure that it is kept safe. After all, these gadgets do not come cheap and as consumers and we should do our best to preserve their value.
Hopefully, this article on how to find a lost drone was able to help you in one way or another.
If you’d like to know more about how this setup works, try watching this short video.