How long should you keep a lost drone?

Neon Euc · Mar 8, 2017

Just wondering.... I seen so many "I found a lost drone post" I was wondering

"How long before you should try and trace the owner before you keep it" ?

A month?

I haven't found one myself but was just curious. Personally I would give it a month and give it to the police after....

Anyone else have any idea?

dan84uk · Mar 8, 2017

id try trace them using the logs myself first, then hand it to the police

tevek · Mar 8, 2017

I'd have a look at the video/pictures on the SD card (if any) and start there. If that doesn't work, take it to the cop shop and probably put a couple of posters up in the local shops.

Airmunn · Mar 8, 2017

This day and age, it should be registered. IF NOT, It's an illegal drone. Ask the local hobby store guys... maybe they have heard someone asking. I've lost a couple over the years... got luck and found them. BEFORE GPS

John Locke · Mar 8, 2017

If you find one, and want to find the owner, put a few signs up on nearby street poles saying DJI DRONE FOUND. A Craigslist ad might help too. It's easy to confirm the owner if they bring their RC. The craft will be linked to the RC. Just have the owner start the motors to prove it's theirs (assuming it's not in pieces).

DanMan32 · Mar 8, 2017

The quad is not illegal, flying it without user FAA registration is, assuming it is not being flown under 107.

With The Birds · Mar 9, 2017

What, like this one?

Deleted member 62848 · Mar 9, 2017

With The Birds said:
What, like this one?
View attachment 78020

Hi just a dumb question mine r all registed does that make me ileagal flyer,,,,,and if i found a drone ,,if was werth some money i would return to post in news or tell cops and they show me prove they own and lost ,,,i give back,,,otherwise parts

With The Birds · Mar 9, 2017

ianzone said:
Hi just a dumb question mine r all registed does that make me ileagal flyer,,,,,and if i found a drone ,,if was werth some money i would return to post in news or tell cops and they show me prove they own and lost ,,,i give back,,,otherwise parts

This one was still powered so we put a note with a mobile number in front of the camera, doubt there was a connection to a controller though. Have made it known to people around we found it. Will drop it at the local cop shop by end of week, time permitting.

Deleted member 62848 · Mar 9, 2017

With The Birds said:
This one was still powered so we put a note with a mobile number in front of the camera, doubt there was a connection to a controller though. Have made it known to people around we found it. Will drop it at the local cop shop by end of week, time permitting.

I like the note on the cam idea,,,

i would b on my knees if i lost one of mine,,expensive over here

Loz · Mar 9, 2017

Airmunn said:
This day and age, it should be registered. IF NOT, It's an illegal drone...

Not universally true - that's only in USA [emoji6], not here for example..

With The Birds · Mar 9, 2017

Loz said:
Not universally true - that's only in USA [emoji6], not here for example..

Registration may come, in the meantime I have my mobile number plastered on mine with permanent marker.

Loz · Mar 9, 2017

I do too, with a Sticker though, in case I sell bird.

KongWerks · Mar 9, 2017

I would make a reasonable attempt to find the owner and if no luck after 2 weeks or so I would keep it.

Dropping it off at a police station is a waste of time (in my opinion) for me and the police. It ends up at a police auction after they have stored it for a year (waste of taxpayer dollars).

If you haven't marked it with some sort of contact information I assume you consider it a throwaway toy.

Sounds harsh but being honest.

Limp Gimble · Mar 9, 2017

I lost a beebop2 cost 500 bucks, no one turned it in no signs nothing, I know where it went down and I pretty much know who has it. I drive by with my controller on and when it hits I will take control and head it back home, if he fights me on control, I won't say what I will do. But it's gonna hurt...

dronesky · Mar 9, 2017

With The Birds said:
What, like this one?
View attachment 78020

Is it silver color? If so that should make it easy to identify

THA · Mar 9, 2017

Limp Gimble said:
I lost a beebop2 cost 500 bucks, no one turned it in no signs nothing, I know where it went down and I pretty much know who has it. I drive by with my controller on and when it hits I will take control and head it back home, if he fights me on control, I won't say what I will do. But it's gonna hurt...

For him to fly it, wouldn't he have to pair it with another controller and then it would not respond to your original one

jbrown630 · Mar 10, 2017

As stated in another forum - If it's a DJI drone you can contact DJI with the serial # and they can get a hold of the original owner. If it's been sold and not re-registered with DJI then the current owner will have to rely on the original purchaser forwarding the info about the found drone.