Alternatives to “Proper” Drone Mats…….

[CJG]

I must have something of a medical condition, as I keep leaving drone mats behind…..

The one I lost this morning was right in front of the car: I must have driven over it…….

Anyway, does anyone have any suggestions as to what I could use as a cheap alternative to a “proper” drone mat?

I have used a carpet mat before, but it was too bulky when rolled to easily fit in rucksack .

I can’t keep buying “proper” mats at c£20 a pop if I keep forgetting them

I had a great day flying this morning - Dawlish and Teignmouth in the UK - and forgetting the mat put a damper on things

 

[DARKSeifer]

A foldable table, but on location with <900g drones hand launch is usually the best alternative.

 

[Yorkshire_Pud]

Car floor mat?
Or the very useful appendages on the end of your arms.
You can't so very well forget the latter but forgetting the former might a problem.

 

[Starz]

I find these on Craigslist quite often. Very little weight and easily carted around.

 

[msinger]

Car floor mat?

That one could get expensive considering the mat loss history thus far

How about a proper mat that's bright orange (like a Hoodman)? That would be tough to miss when packing up at each flying site.

 

[Yorkshire_Pud]

That one could get expensive considering the mat loss history thus far

How about a proper mat that's bright orange (like a Hoodman)? That would be tough to miss when packing up at each flying site.

Better yet tether the mat to your belt or a belt loop. (It works for my keys lol)
The other beauty is don't leave your glasses (reading) on the car roof

 

[PHZ]

Here is a table that I use for commercial work. Harder to leave behind, but no guarantees. Folds in half so easier to transport.
I did not choose the link name. It appears automatically???

Robot or human?

Coincidentally, I have left a couple mats behind , myself. Now I force myself to slow down.

 

[ImpossibleTom]

Put your car keys under the mat?

 

[New England Droning]

This may not help if you are outside the USA but here we have a store called Target and Their store bags are heavy weight and no one can miss the bullseye and if you forget it... You go shopping and get a new one... It rolls up and fits easily in the camera bag. It weighs next to nothing but it is thick plastic. I have only practiced taking off from it or landing on it on a hard surface (my deck). I have 4 nails with washers to hold the corners down in fields or the like. If on rock then I don't know if it would stick around... (Duct Tape?)

 

[a2tomm]

I must have something of a medical condition, as I keep leaving drone mats behind…..

The one I lost this morning was right in front of the car: I must have driven over it…….

Anyway, does anyone have any suggestions as to what I could use as a cheap alternative to a “proper” drone mat?

I have used a carpet mat before, but it was too bulky when rolled to easily fit in rucksack .

I can’t keep buying “proper” mats at c£20 a pop if I keep forgetting them

I had a great day flying this morning - Dawlish and Teignmouth in the UK - and forgetting the mat put a damper on things

I bought 3 of these small landing pad and glued them to 3 foam carpet squares ,one always lives in my car

 

[Starz]

a proper mat that's bright orange

Exactly one of the reasons I use the one I have. Hard to miss the contrasting color.

 

[RichR]

If I'm in my car and flying in an area with long grass or uneven ground then I've often used a car mat. With my Mini 1 I used the FlyMore case - it's big enough to take off and land on. For my Mini 3 Pro I only have a hard case that's a little larger than the drone itself, so that's fine for taking off from but tricky to land on.

I have on occasion just taken off my jacket and spread that on the floor, which works reasonably well I guess with a Mini it doesn't have to be as big an area, so there are more options for things that'll do the job.

 

[New England Droning]

Put your car keys under the mat?

But then he forgets where the car keys are...

 

[mavic3usa]

After you start you car and before you put it into gear, you must do a proper 360 degree walk-around your vehicle, regardless. Get into this habit and you'll be sure to see anything that is in and around and underneath your vehicle and especially items that you have left on the trunk, roof, and/or hood.

 

[umanbean]

But then he forgets where the car keys are...

That would be me

My take-off pad won't fit in a rucksack but thought I would mention it anyway. Often I take off from the top of a plastic 5 gallon bucket with the metal bale (handle) removed/replaced with a rope, and then hand-catch on landing.... it's bright orange, so hard to forget when packing up.

I keep a lot of flight-related gear in the bucket, but no ferrous metals, so it works great for keeping the drone above any tall grass I might need to take off from, and any ferrous rocks on the ground or hidden metal that might be in the ground or concrete, or under asphalt... works good on dusty or muddy ground also

 

[hiflyer201]

After you start you car and before you put it into gear, you must do a proper 360 degree walk-around your vehicle, regardless. Get into this habit and you'll be sure to see anything that is in and around and underneath your vehicle and especially items that you have left on the trunk, roof, and/or hood.

In a perfect world

 

[mobilehomer]

Put a note on you bag - LANDING PAD!!!

 

[Torque]

After you start you car and before you put it into gear, you must do a proper 360 degree walk-around your vehicle, regardless. Get into this habit and you'll be sure to see anything that is in and around and underneath your vehicle and especially items that you have left on the trunk, roof, and/or hood.

I have collected a lot of camping gear over the years because people do not do this when packing up their camp, apparently...

 

[MA2 317]

Often I take off from the top of a plastic 5 gallon bucket

I use to carry my SPARK in an orange bucket and I purchased a resealable lid for the bucket that I used for my landing pad.




Cheapest waterproof case I ever purchased.

 

[Bob in Savannah]

Just toss a piece of cardboard on the ground. How about keeping some old lp record covers in your trunk and you'd be golden.