Drone instead of a spotting scope

[earplug]

$500.00will buy a camera equipped drone with the over a mile range. Uses a smart phone for a control.
Seems like more fun for less cash to spot hits and sight in rifles.
Anyone have some input on feasibility?

[Irving]

Doubt a range will let you use one, but other than that I totally agree.

[buffalobo]

Would be fun until a ricochet or some dickhead takes out the $500 drone.



If you're unarmed, you are a victim

[mb504]

Battery life will be an issue, if you want to spend much time at the range.
Plus the video resolution on the smart phone won't be great.

Might be better to find a battery powered Wi-Fi camera to place looking at the target.

[CS1983]

My main concern would be battery life. I don't see the point except for something like ELR or in conditions where a miss-splash would be unable to be seen. As others have said, a range might have a problem with it and there is the concern of other shooters. I don't see it being an advantage over a good spotter except in limited conditions.

Where it would be an advantage is in a new shooting location to check out the target's rear terrain (especially if LR and terrain prohibits checking on foot/vehicle), checking terrain invisibility lines for presence of persons or other things which shouldn't be shot, and in situations where you show up to a range and there's a vehicle but you cannot see a person (such as at the range in Buena Vista) -- did their vehicle fail to start and they got a lift home or did they walk way far downrange like an idiot? Throw the drone up and check it out.

[Will1776]

Definitely good idea. Get extra batteries to charge before going to the range and you're set. Mostly depends on the range you're shooting at.

[Irving]

If the camera rotates enough, could you just fly it out, then park on the ground to save battery?