Need a cheap way to get a light camcorder 50+ feet into the air

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Dougmeister

Senior member
Sep 15, 2004
568
2
81
We lost a $50 quad-copter in a neighbor's trees last weekend.
We lost sight of it and are not 100% sure which tree is holding our copter captive.
The two trees with the highest probability are each 50' or taller.
Both trees are NOT very "climbable" unless you're a monkey.

I don't know much about weather balloons. I see that I can buy one from eBay or Amazon for probably $10-$20. (I don't want to spend more than $20). I don't know how much it will cost to fill it with helium, though.

PLUS, I don't need it to go thousands of feet into the air.

Assets
-------
30' extension ladder
Binoculars
Older digital video device (records ~50 minutes of video; weighs ~6 oz)
A pretty good kite

Liabilities
-----------
I can't think of any MacGyver-ish contraptions to help me.
I can't easily put 2x4's or broomsticks together to that height.
I can't find anyone locally with another quad-copter with video capabilities.
Don't want to spend more than $10-$20.

Even 20 Mylar helium balloons wouldn't even budge the video recorder I have.

I could try to use my daughter's iPod Touch; it probably weighs a little less, but I'd rather not risk it unless I have no other good option.

The kite could *conceivably* work, but it would be very hard to navigate the camcorder into position, and once it got there, it might bounce around too much.

I am to the point where I am considering buying a 2nd one to do reconnaissance.

Does anyone have any other ideas?
 
D

Dougmeister

Senior member
Sep 15, 2004
568
2
81
IGBT said:
what about a GoPro?? and why are you doing this????
Click to expand...

GoPro would be nice but I don't have one. Might ask if I can borrow one from a buddy.

Why am I doing it? Because I'm a cheapskate and I hate the fact that we "lost" a $50 quadcopter and it's two houses down from me.

Oh, and I'm a tiny bit OCD.

edro said:
Buy another quad copter with onboard camera?
Click to expand...

I'm *this close* to doing that.
 
C

cabri

Diamond Member
Nov 3, 2012
3,616
1
81
So, assuming you find the tree; you still have the issue on getting the copter.
 
Printer Bandit

Printer Bandit

Lifer
Mar 16, 2005
13,856
109
106
pap0043a.jpg
 
zinfamous

zinfamous

No Lifer
Jul 12, 2006
111,857
31,346
146
Dougmeister said:
We lost a $50 quad-copter in a neighbor's trees last weekend.
We lost sight of it and are not 100% sure which tree is holding our copter captive.
The two trees with the highest probability are each 50' or taller.
Both trees are NOT very "climbable" unless you're a monkey.

......

Does anyone have any other ideas?
Click to expand...


^Rent a monkey? You can probably pay him in bananas, cigars, or Mai Tais.
 
SSSnail

SSSnail

Lifer
Nov 29, 2006
17,458
83
86
Oh, didn't realize we're going for comedy options...

Buy a wig, calls the fire department and report lost cat on tree. Describe your cat's make and model once fire fighters get there.
 
ultimatebob

ultimatebob

Lifer
Jul 1, 2001
25,134
2,450
126
You need to find another guy with a better drone (Like a DJI Phantom) with an attached Go Pro camera to help you out.

I bet that there has to be a drone forum out there with people who would love to help get your little drone (Let me guess... a Hubsan X4?) out of a tree.

Seriously, there are YouTube videos of people attaching harnesses to their Phantoms and getting stuff out of trees with them.
 
ctbaars

ctbaars

Golden Member
Nov 4, 2009
1,565
160
106
I tell my daughter to use the KWAG method of getting her soccer ball back.
1. Knock on the neighbors door.
2. Ask to go in the yard and look for it.
3. Wait until they stop laughing at you.
4. Go look for it.
 
C

cabri

Diamond Member
Nov 3, 2012
3,616
1
81
Dougmeister said:
True, true.

But at least I'd be risking my life climbing the correct tree. ;-)

Printer Bandit's post was my favorite reply by far!
Click to expand...


According to you; there are only two trees.

If a male can not climb a tree; turn in your card.

One can always attach climbing gear if you are real concerned about safety.

And more than likely the copter is hung up at a place that you can not reach it without a long flexible pole.

Once you dislodge it ; gravity will eventually work (rinse and repeat) to the point that the copter will hit the ground with enough force that will probably be broken. From your description, the lower limbs are a good 15-20 feet off the ground. The copter will probably be at least another 10-20 feet higher where it is caught. So if it falls through the twigs without snagging; it will have either been tossed around for 10+ feet and/or a straight gravity drop of 15-20 feet or more.

You will not have accomplished anything except to look foolish.

Write it off.
 
ultimatebob

ultimatebob

Lifer
Jul 1, 2001
25,134
2,450
126
cabri said:
According to you; there are only two trees.

If a male can not climb a tree; turn in your card.

One can always attach climbing gear if you are real concerned about safety.

And more than likely the copter is hung up at a place that you can not reach it without a long flexible pole.

Once you dislodge it ; gravity will eventually work (rinse and repeat) to the point that the copter will hit the ground with enough force that will probably be broken. From your description, the lower limbs are a good 15-20 feet off the ground. The copter will probably be at least another 10-20 feet higher where it is caught. So if it falls through the twigs without snagging; it will have either been tossed around for 10+ feet and/or a straight gravity drop of 15-20 feet or more.

You will not have accomplished anything except to look foolish.

Write it off.
Click to expand...

Those little quadcopters are surprisingly sturdy. They arms have breakaway hinges, and they have rubber shock absorbers on the bottom.
 
C

cabri

Diamond Member
Nov 3, 2012
3,616
1
81
ultimatebob said:
Those little quadcopters are surprisingly sturdy. They arms have breakaway hinges, and they have rubber shock absorbers on the bottom.
Click to expand...
Chances are pretty good that it will NOT land straight and level after falling.
 
Last edited:
BurnItDwn

BurnItDwn

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
26,353
1,862
126
call the fire department, claim lost toy high up in the tree, they will use the hook and ladder truck to resecue your drone. They will probably charge you $200-300 for the rescue.
 
D

Dougmeister

Senior member
Sep 15, 2004
568
2
81
ultimatebob said:
You need to find another guy with a better drone (Like a DJI Phantom) with an attached Go Pro camera to help you out.

I bet that there has to be a drone forum out there with people who would love to help get your little drone (Let me guess... a Hubsan X4?) out of a tree.

Seriously, there are YouTube videos of people attaching harnesses to their Phantoms and getting stuff out of trees with them.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the idea. I'm looking for drone forums as soon as I finish typing this.

Almost a Hubsan X4... a Syma X5C-1
 
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