GPS tracker

TDoodle · Jan 24, 2016

Hey,
does anyone attach a GPS tracker to their phantom?
Something like Trackimo?
If you are flying it somewhere and it decides to go on an unexpected downfall, out of your line of sight, and then you can find it easily?
….
and as I'm typing this, I'm wondering, can you do that with the DJI app?

msinger · Jan 24, 2016

I use a Trackimo. It's easy to setup and works well as long as you have good cell coverage where you're located.

dirtybum · Jan 24, 2016

Always fly w/ tracker the only 2 outa 10 birds of mine that went down i didnt recover because those two didnt have tracker

TDoodle · Jan 24, 2016

Can you (someone) attach a picture on how you attached your Trackimo to the drone? Please?
Does it affect flying?
Is there other good trackers other than Trackimo?

msinger · Jan 24, 2016

You can attach it to the landing gear with a plastic zip tie. Or, buy a 3D printed mount -- like this one:

Shado101 · Jan 24, 2016

Quick, dirty and effective!

Frankc · Jan 24, 2016

Shado101 said:
Quick, dirty and effective!

View attachment 41658 View attachment 41659

what make is that please?

Shado101 · Jan 24, 2016

Frankc said:
what make is that please?

TK-109
Discussion here: Inexpensive GPS tracking alternatives | DJI Phantom Forum

Works perfectly, $40.00 upfront cost, $40.00 p/y cell service cost through H20.

MikeyOnline · May 18, 2016

I was considering something like the Marco Polo but at $200 I have to ask, how likely is it that you'll have a flyaway that goes so far that you lose signal with the DJI Go app? Aren't most downed AC the result of hitting a tree limb or losing a prop? I would think in 90% or more of cases, DJI Go is going to show you exactly where the AC is and you can just walk right up to it. Even if it is out of range, you may be able to reestablish contact by moving in the direction of the flyaway with the Go app open. For me, I look at these "insurance" type things statistically. If there's a 10% chance that on any given failure I may need a tracker, that's worth about 10% of $700. So I'd pay about $70 for a locator/tracker.

Mike

ScatSpeak · May 18, 2016

I use an RF-V16 GPS Tracker (~$40 on Amazon) that works very similarly to the TK-109. I elected to add it to my AT&T plan and pay ~$6/month for the service.

Here's a link about using it that I found helpful: RF-V16 GPS Tracker | Sam's blog

I have mine mounted on the P3A using a holder by GimbalGuard: RFV16 GPS Holder for DJI Phantom 3 by GimbalGuard on Shapeways

It all works great since I only fly in areas where there's 3G coverage anyway.

The Ghost · Jan 14, 2017

I tried using At&t SIM card and can not get my rfv16 to work. It always says offline in app

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Alan Russel · Jan 15, 2017

Had same issue when i first got my RFvi6....you have to send two txt commands 1st..apn,apndata# and the second is your provider actual apn no you might have to google it, then send txt apn,xxxxxxxxx# and you should be good to go.

HWCM · Jan 15, 2017

They are not very good anyway. They are weak at getting a signal, and if you quad crashes and lands with the tracker GPS antenna facing the ground,it won't connect to satellites. The P3 has GPS built into it, the Go App should tell you it's last known location if you crash.

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msinger · Jan 15, 2017

HWCM said:
The P3 has GPS built into it, the Go App should tell you it's last known location if you crash.

True. But, you won't be able to see the Phantom's current location if it disconnects from the remote controller before it crashes/lands. That's where an external tracker comes in handy.

HWCM · Jan 15, 2017

Has anyone that has one actually used it to find a crashed quadcopter. My experience with these trackers are that they are way off,way off. I have tried a couple. I put one one out in my front yard,and the location it sent back to me was always about two blocks away.

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neilshaw1980 · Jan 15, 2017

I use a trackimo GPS tracker on my P3s

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neilshaw1980 · Jan 15, 2017

This is what I bought to hold the tracker

http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/DJI-Phantom...%3Aa265c03b1590a60637835414ffbfb482%7Ciid%3A1

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Alan Russel · Jan 15, 2017

GPS tracker RF-V16 works well and not expensive to buy.

NoBiffBetter · Jan 15, 2017

Alan Russel said:
GPS tracker RF-V16 works well and not expensive to buy.View attachment 73489

Gotta pay a monthly fee?

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The Ghost · Jan 17, 2017

I could never get my rfv16 to work with h2o or att sim card I texted it the commands stated and 100s more nothing. I can't even get it to answer a call. I give up and bought a trackimo . I don't think I'll have any issues with trackimo. IMO rfv16 is Chinese puzzle or maybe I need a different sim card but I'm done.

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