GPS Data Loggers
Base station drone carried (Nano, Micro & Small)
Base station, drone carried Is it just us or does it seem like drones are used for a lot of things these days? A few years back there was a Ted Talk about wildlife research and tracking. Much of the speaker™s ideas were farfetched but using a drone is not at all farfetched. Not anymore.
While there are requirements and restrictions, drone use is a reality. In The United States, you need to register your drone. All drones should be registered with The FAA. Furthermore, if you intend to use it for commercial purposes you must be licensed to do so. One might argue that science is not a commercial purpose but we think the folks at The FAA get the final say on that. It is not difficult to get a drone license. All you have to do is take a class and pass a test. That can all be done online and costs about $100.
Our base stations can easily be drone carried.
You don’t need a fancy, expensive drone either. For under $200 you can purchase a simple drone that will carry the base station aloft for about 15 minutes on a single battery charge.
In order to get the most data download range possible, the base stations can be lifted straight up a few hundred feet. The point of the exercise is to gain elevation above the GPS devices. As a result, you have a better line of sight. That increased line of sight increases the download range. You just control the drone, the base station is automated.
Be sure to have the proper permission to fly in your study area. Finally, if you are within a certain distance of an airport you need to contact ATC (air traffic control). You will learn all of this in your class.
If you would like more information, please feel free to contact us!
Product Comparison
All products come with 24/7 year round support, including holidays!
NANO | MICRO | SMALL | MEDIUM | |
Weight Range | 5g-20g | 6g-50g | 20g-100g | 130g-250g |
Suitable Animals | birds, bats, and other tiny mammals | small lizards, tortoises, turtles, frogs, very small mammals | animals that weight at least 500 grams | foxes, Tasmanian Devils |
Data Recovery Method | UHF Wireless | UHF Wireless | UHF Wireless | Satellite |
Data Transfer Range | up to 30km | up to 50m | up to 30km | global |
Drone Data Downloading | S | S | S | N/A |
Base Station Battery Life | 2 days | 5 days | 2 days | N/A |
Base Station External Power | S | N/A | S | N/A |
Change GPS Schedule in Field | S | S | S | S |
Drop Off | N/A | O | O | O |
VHF Transmitter | O | O | S | S |
Smart GPS | S | S | S | S |
Activity Logger | S | S | S | S |
Factory Sealed | S | S | S | S |
Best in Habitat Type | Open-Light | Any | Any | Any |
GPS Precision Control | S | S | S | S |
Rechargeable | O | O | O | O |
Bluetooth | S | S | S | S |
Temperature Sensor | S | S | S | S |
Accelerometer | S | S | S | S |
Light Sensor | N/A | O | N/A | N/A |
Collar | S | S | S | S |
Backpack | S | S | S | S |
Implant | N/A | S | S | N/A |
Custom Design | S | S | S | S |
DIY Kits Available | S | S | N/A | N/A |
Discount Price Eligible | S | S | S | S |
Refurbishment Available | S | S | S | S |