Racinbob 12,012 #1 Posted September 7 (edited) I've been pondering about getting a low end drone just to play around with. Here's a typical example of the level I'm looking at. There are about 4 gazillion similar units out there but this will give you an idea of what I'm looking at. Amazon.com: Drone with Camera for Adults 4K, Upgraded 4.5inch LCD RC Screen, GPS 2-Axis Gimbal Quadcopter Brushless Motor, Auto Return, Follow Me, Waypoint Fly, Optical Flow, Visual Tracking,60 Mins Flight, Foldable 5G Transmission FPV Quadcopter for Beginners : Toys & Games My biggest problem is that the vast majority of them require a phone to be used as the monitor. Ummm, yes, I have a phone but we have very limited use of it unless we are within range of our wi-fi router. That's not going to cut it as I want to walk out back and still be able to use it. One of the units like the one posted has a built in monitor. Problem solved I say to myself. But then I watch a video of one of the options. They mumble something about hooking up a cell phone to get full use of it. There's no one around here that can give me a straight answer so it's time I tap into the best source of information on the internet. The drone I linked to may not be the one with the video I'm referring to but I figure it's a good example. So how about it guys. Is it possible for a unit similar to the one posted going to allow me to fly it around the property, take some pictures and let this old man play without needing a cell phone? Edited September 7 by Racinbob 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 67,355 #2 Posted September 7 That looks like a great starter pack Bob! My drone is a DJI Pro4 Mini and has lots of bells and whistles and I still managed to bust it up pretty bad. DJI is more expensive, but their customer care is amazing. You mentioned the phone for controller. Sometimes I wish my phone was incorporated into my controller for easier video and picture storage. It’s challenging to get the footage from the controller to the video editing device for me. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Racinbob 12,012 #3 Posted September 7 I actually looked at the DJI but this is just a toy and I's sure I won't go beyond that. I used to have a blast flying (and crashing) RC planes but that was years ago. The idea of riding out back and launch a drone off the hood of a tractor just seems like fun. I just don't want to get something that I can't really play with cuz the phones are crud here. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wallfish 18,387 #4 Posted September 7 Would something like a WiFi repeater help for your options if using a cell phone is better? Plug it in outside with an extension cord or on an outdoor outlet whenever you fly. https://www.amazon.com/Extender-15000sq-ft-Wireless-Internet-Amplifier/dp/B0FM28YHPK/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=2JQ41KO99J6JG&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.No_KhmuFdLTVM77VK6AW-kIu2SQT6qmqPKG0HSv4x509Ks_eCCatVfBT-7aQfssQ-bmgG50zuNTdxqLsc3IJTVfEz5PrQpSP3oKDy4c1Y5nxQM4uZVDTt4zefVDy7P0xuD5mAKqfowyjrO3y__Ij1E7vZj788osk0qAEnxCG8VOL1mPTTazxMnmY5s2wjAwVLd_v0iILgRWMmrWM_hlnvr6ZTIdvvJ5sximR3dmWvo4.416nEzZEAGtvedEX5Qu_atxv7YKgTZA6Td07wpYPsnI&dib_tag=se&keywords=wireless%2Brepeater%2Bwifi&qid=1757249542&sprefix=wireless%2Brepeater%2Caps%2C124&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Racinbob 12,012 #5 Posted September 7 2 hours ago, wallfish said: Would something like a WiFi repeater help for your options if using a cell phone is better? Plug it in outside with an extension cord or on an outdoor outlet whenever you fly. https://www.amazon.com/Extender-15000sq-ft-Wireless-Internet-Amplifier/dp/B0FM28YHPK/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=2JQ41KO99J6JG&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.No_KhmuFdLTVM77VK6AW-kIu2SQT6qmqPKG0HSv4x509Ks_eCCatVfBT-7aQfssQ-bmgG50zuNTdxqLsc3IJTVfEz5PrQpSP3oKDy4c1Y5nxQM4uZVDTt4zefVDy7P0xuD5mAKqfowyjrO3y__Ij1E7vZj788osk0qAEnxCG8VOL1mPTTazxMnmY5s2wjAwVLd_v0iILgRWMmrWM_hlnvr6ZTIdvvJ5sximR3dmWvo4.416nEzZEAGtvedEX5Qu_atxv7YKgTZA6Td07wpYPsnI&dib_tag=se&keywords=wireless%2Brepeater%2Bwifi&qid=1757249542&sprefix=wireless%2Brepeater%2Caps%2C124&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1 It might but I'd question the range. I would need 200+ yards to get to my usual 'playground'. I have a little firing range set up. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 44,059 #6 Posted September 7 Kinda related. I can control my train via my phone with a Lionel app and bluetooth. When I first got it I'm running it and trying to control the speed. I ended up getting it running wide open and I couldn't get it to stop! It's flying around the layout and I'm swiping the screen trying to stop it to no avail. Now I start laughing as I have a runaway train headed for Goober Gulch. Finally I come to me senses and turn off the power transformer to the track! I bet I was laughing for a good 2 hours after that! 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 67,355 #7 Posted September 7 @squonk who’s the Goober now? 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
8ntruck 7,995 #8 Posted September 7 4 hours ago, squonk said: Kinda related. I can control my train via my phone with a Lionel app and bluetooth. When I first got it I'm running it and trying to control the speed. I ended up getting it running wide open and I couldn't get it to stop! It's flying around the layout and I'm swiping the screen trying to stop it to no avail. Now I start laughing as I have a runaway train headed for Goober Gulch. Finally I come to me senses and turn off the power transformer to the track! I bet I was laughing for a good 2 hours after that! Can you come up with a new lyrics for 'The Wreck of the Old 97' to immortalized this story? 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wallfish 18,387 #9 Posted September 7 9 hours ago, Pullstart said: My drone is a DJI Pro4 Mini Just popping around online as I was also considering a drone to play with as well. You could unwittingly be spying for the chinese. "The US has not officially banned DJI drones yet, but a ban is looming due to national security concerns, particularly the risk that DJI's drones could collect and transmit sensitive U.S. data to the Chinese government. This concern is driven by the understanding that Chinese technology, like DJI drones, could be exploited for espionage, and is codified in the FY25 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which requires a security review of Chinese-made drones by the end of 2025. If this review is not completed successfully, DJI drones could be added to a government blacklist, preventing their sale and use in the US." 1 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SylvanLakeWH 28,907 #10 Posted September 7 @wallfish sad but sign of the times... Reminds me of a work story about 20 years ago. IT comes around and puts a new keyboard on everyone's computer. Didn't need it, but you know, someone said it was an upgrade. Comes with a floppy disk... what kinda keyboard needs a floppy says me... so I toss it in the trash. About 2 hours later IT flies in and disconnects the keyboard and puts the old one back. Seems a few colleagues did use the floppy and infected the system with a keystroke monitoring virus... the virus scanner did its job but that was 20 years ago... imagine today... 1 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 60,838 #11 Posted September 7 2 hours ago, wallfish said: "The US has not officially banned DJI drones yet, but a ban is looming due to national security concerns, particularly the risk that DJI's drones could collect and transmit sensitive U.S. data to the Chinese government. WOW, good point, we wouldn't want the Chinese government to see @Racinbob's back 40. 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Racinbob 12,012 #12 Posted Monday at 10:38 AM Has anybody actually used a similar drone? I'm curious if there's any limitations to using only the controller monitor and not linking a phone to it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
