Question

[OhioS1000RR]

So a while ago one of my family members found a Phantom 3. I have exhausted all my resources trying to find the owner including pulling the serial number as well as looking at the data gathered from the drone, I can't find anything of substance that will lead me to the owner. So with that said I have decided I am probably going to keep it and learn how to fly it. Is there a way to find out if the drone is still in working condition without buying a new controller?

Thanks,
OhioS1000RR

 

[GrammatonxXXxCleric]

No. You'll need a controller to see. What model? Standard, advanced, professional?

 

[OhioS1000RR]

Its a Standard.

 

[GrammatonxXXxCleric]

Were the props undamaged? Was it upright when found? Was it dirty? Does the camera look intact and rotate freely?

 

[nwcove]

you just need to find someone nearby with a p3s that is willing to let you bind their controller to the bird for a test

 

[OhioS1000RR]

Were the props undamaged? Was it upright when found? Was it dirty? Does the camera look intact and rotate freely?

It looks brand new still.

 

[tevek]

I guess if there is nothing on the microSD card to offer up any clues as to the owner of the 'found' drone, you are limited to doing a physical inspection of the drone, see if the battery turns on and the unit does the camera initialisation. Maybe there is a drone hobby shop nearby that you can drop into so that they can link a controller to it to see of it is worth keeping. Unless you can find a cheap controller and charger on eBay or similar, you are pretty limited in your options.

 

[OhioS1000RR]

I guess if there is nothing on the microSD card to offer up any clues as to the owner of the 'found' drone, you are limited to doing a physical inspection of the drone, see if the battery turns on and the unit does the camera initialisation. Maybe there is a drone hobby shop nearby that you can drop into so that they can link a controller to it to see of it is worth keeping. Unless you can find a cheap controller and charger on eBay or similar, you are pretty limited in your options.

If I stole a drone I certainly wouldn't be willing to post the serial number and look at footage to try to attempt to find the owner. Theres quite a few drones that have been found heck theres a sub section for that.

 

[OhioS1000RR]

Did I miss something? Who said anything about you stealing it?

I just kind of took "Found" as a snarky remark. If I'm wrong please forgive me.

 

[Pharm]

I just kind of took "Found" as a snarky remark. If I'm wrong please forgive me.

Yes, I didn't see that until after I asked. I deleted my post. I can understand how you could have taken it that way. Whether or not Tevek meant it that way, I don't know.

 

[tevek]

If I stole a drone I certainly wouldn't be willing to post the serial number and look at footage to try to attempt to find the owner. Theres quite a few drones that have been found heck theres a sub section for that.

Slow down a bit, I certainly wasn't suggesting you stole anything. I highlighted the word 'found' as part of my OCD syntax obsession.
I was merely offering up a simple suggestion to determine if the drone is serviceable and then decide if you want to put money into the unit.

 

[Older_Man]

You could watch the lost and found section in the newspaper to see if the owner will post it.He might even offer a nice reward to get it back.

 

[GrammatonxXXxCleric]

Given the limited range of that model, the owner must not be too far away unless he/she traveled to the location you found it in.

 

[GrammatonxXXxCleric]

If you get it paired with a controller and install (cough) DJI go, you'll be able to see the name the original owner gave it.

 

[OhioS1000RR]

You could watch the lost and found section in the newspaper to see if the owner will post it.He might even offer a nice reward to get it back.

Our news paper doesn't have a lost and found section, I just checked but that was something I didn't think of.

 

[OhioS1000RR]

Given the limited range of that model, the owner must not be too far away unless he/she traveled to the location you found it in.

Its a pretty populated area with 4 neighborhoods, I have attempted everything besides going door to door.

 

[GrammatonxXXxCleric]

You're right.... say hello to your new little friend..... (Why I print my FAA and tele # on it)....

 

[Philltayl]

Given the limited range of that model, the owner must not be too far away unless he/she traveled to the location you found it in.

The P3S range is only limited by the battery power. If you get a 'fly away' it will continue till it runs out of power...

 

[GrammatonxXXxCleric]

The P3S range is limited by the WIFI range. Battery power is another issue. Fly away's can be considered, but usually lost P3S is attributed to lost video feed and following panic followed by "Oh well, it was good while it lasted"....

 

[GrammatonxXXxCleric]

I imagine the internal files contain enough information that if looked at would point directly to the initial take off point ( Owners patio or front yard).......