If you follow @macfawlty suggestions 1-5, add a prop inspection, and a wind assessment your chances of never having to retrieve your drone are extremely high.
How much does your beacon LED weigh?Keep in mind that only 5 grams is 5 grams too much. Adding 1 gram to the Mini will require that you register it. Now, will you get caught if you don't? Most likely not. But if you do, the fines are stiff and if you are a 107, you could, jeopardize your certification.
I'm currently not using location finding on my Mini, but I would like to find a reasonable solution. On my FPV drone, I'm using an extremely loud beeper that is trigger in a crash and/or by my transmitter. It has a built-in battery for long duration and puts out a 105 dB tone.
I do fly with my beacon LED, even in the day. That way if the Mini goes down, it might help in locating it.
The best recovery system I've found is the Marco Polo because it doesn't rely on bluetooth, wifi, cell, or internet. No matter where you are in the world it will work around 2 miles. It's less than an ounce on your drone (I attach it with velcro) and then a hand held trackerI've yet to lose my MM drone (knock on wood) but my environment is heavily wooded and I'm apprehensive about losing it in a tree and not being able to see it.
I'm already in the Tile system and it's helped me.
Has anyone tried a Tile Sticker link on their MM? It's only 5 grams.
/edit - or about the weight of a drone skin
Summary
As of 0430 CDT 10/16/20
Responses - 15, no one has tried it,
Cost of the license? Renewal interval?I use the Communications Specialists 222MHz beacon system. The beacon unit weighs 12g. Requires a ham license.
I've yet to lose my MM drone (knock on wood) but my environment is heavily wooded and I'm apprehensive about losing it in a tree and not being able to see it.
I'm already in the Tile system and it's helped me.
Has anyone tried a Tile Sticker link on their MM? It's only 5 grams.
/edit - or about the weight of a drone skin
Summary
As of 0430 CDT 10/16/20
Responses - 15, no one has tried it,
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