Drone view of the neighborhood from last weekend.

dragoneggs · Aug 31, 2015

Garandman said:
Fill me in on your expertise at range design?

As a former Army officer and OIC at tank gunnery ranges (and now NRA-certified instructor), we had to clear a range fan of 50 kilometers. I'm used to looking at every conceivable ballistic outcome. 30.06 maximum range is roughly a mile. I'm pretty sure most people here don't own a mile downrange and still manage to shoot safely.

If there is a single human habitat in the range fan, I want to know about it, even if hitting it would necessitate firing over a ridge, which is the case. This seems like an ideal application for drone use as I can use an app to generate a search pattern almost automatically.

Going off topic but if you are building a range the NRA's "Shooting Range Sourcebook" is the bible. $20 on CD ROM.

Well said.

TomSeller · Aug 31, 2015

dragoneggs said:
Well said.

Can I fire upon your property? You apparently support such activity?

dragoneggs · Aug 31, 2015

TomSeller said:
Can I fire upon your property?

I think you are over reacting to someone that is trying to be careful and understand the risks. Have you been to a gun range before? Our local club has neighbor properties that could be hit if fired at say, a 45deg angle... obviously an accident or carelessness.

TomSeller · Aug 31, 2015

dragoneggs said:
I think you are over reacting to someone that is trying to be careful and understand the risks. Have you been to a gun range before? Our local club has neighbor properties that could be hit if fired at say, a 45deg angle... obviously an accident or carelessness.

Yes I have and there is no grey area. If he wants to shoot onto someone else's or public proerty he is giving up all rights in my book. Your "neighbor properties" would not likely stand up if you kill someone. He needs to purchase his own property or be part of a club that assures they are not endangering the public.

dragoneggs · Aug 31, 2015

TomSeller said:
Yes I have and there is no grey area. If he wants to shoot onto someone else's or public proerty he is giving up all rights in my book. Your "neighbor properties" would not likely stand up if you kill someone. He needs to purchase his own property or be part of a club that assures they are not endangering the public.

With all due respect, I think you are missing the point. He doesn't want or plan to shoot onto someone's else's property. I think he is doing exactly as you suggest... trying to ensure that he is not endangering anyone by mitigating risks as much as possible. Outdoor gun ranges can be a mile or two from residential areas at least in my neck of the woods. Doing some planning on your surroundings makes good sense to me. I surely wouldn't leave it all up to local politicians to say what's best... not to say I wouldn't listen to them but I also wouldn't take their word for layout, etc. and would do my own research.

LD1 · Aug 31, 2015

Why do you keep saying he want to shoot onto someone else's property.

He never said that, and I don't think that is his intent.

What we we do know is
1. He wants to build a range
2 said range will have a ridge to shoot into
3. This ridge will be on his property.
4. He would like to know if anything is beyond the ridge for added safety.

I see nothing wrong so far.

My property is roughly 100yds by 300 yards. I choose to shoot the 100yd direction. The 300yd direction. Is parallel to the road. The 100 yd direction is perpendicular. Behind my property is 1/2 mile of field and 1/2 mile of woods beyond that. I make sure I have a good backstop and all bullets stay on my property. Buy "KNOWING" there is nothing beyond my backstop is an added level of safety and comfort. If there was a house inline with my backstop in that field, I would not shoot that direction regardless and would find elsewhere to do so.

It sounds like he has a good.plan for building a.range, and a suitable ridge to shoot into. But don't want to do it if there is a house or camp just over the knoll.

Garandman · Aug 31, 2015

Most of you understand the term "range fan," and get the point. We are firing into a hill, with a proper backstop, on our own property, just to button up that [off] topic. My primary concern was ricochets from the many rocks here. Many, many rocks. It is our best crop.

The first search project will probably be to help some neighbors find an old graveyard on their property: probably have to wait for the leaves to drop, though.

I'm just about to "pull the trigger"

laughing

on a DFI Phantom 3 Advanced with a spare battery?

1. Not getting the 4K because the datalink is speced for 1080p. Will I miss 4K?

2. I'm assuming a second battery is just about essential.

3. Amazon is a bit cheaper than some of the online camera places that sell them. Any reason to buy elsewhere? DFI support is notorious.

IslandTractor · Aug 31, 2015

I don't know much about drones but I have a lot of experience with Amazon and online camera stores. Except for B+H or Adorama I'd never buy from a camera store over Amazon even if prices were cheaper. Amazon sets the industry standard for customer service and most online camera stores are bottom feeders.

FWIW, I'd get the 1080 version just as you are leaning towards. By the time 4K is practical you'll be in your third or fourth drone.

How long does it take to recharge a battery in the field off 12v?

Garandman · Aug 31, 2015

According to a FAQ, the P3 Pro has a 100W charger and takes 60 minutes to charge the pack. The P3 Advanced has a 57W charger and takes 96 minutes.

The 100W charger is $60, the 57W is $40, and a car charger (currently only available for the Phantom 2) is also $100. I'll be charging from line power or a genset anyway.

DJI Forum|Phantom 3 Advanced & Phantom 3 Professional FAQ

IslandTractor · Aug 31, 2015

Garandman said:
According to a FAQ, the P3 Pro has a 100W charger and takes 60 minutes to charge the pack. The P3 Advanced has a 57W charger and takes 96 minutes.

The 100W charger is $60, the 57W is $40, and a car charger (currently only available for the Phantom 2) is also $100. I'll be charging from line power or a genset anyway.

DJI Forum|Phantom 3 Advanced & Phantom 3 Professional FAQ

At last a good reason to have one of the 900watt HF generators! I would imagine some pickups would have 110v outlets. My CMax Energi 110v outlet puts out 150 watts max.