Marking a location

[jfvaren]

Hi. First post in here and awaiting my newly ordered Mavic Pro Platinum. Incidentally it's also my first drone, I'll admit.

I'd like some input from ye seasoned pilots on my task at hand. I'm going to use the drone primarily for scouting and locating oak trees in the local woods. These trees are few and far between here in Norway. Once an oak has been located I want to mark its position. It would be ideal if I could also add some description or rating to each such find, but that's not a must.

Now, I've heard of waypoints and at the moment that seems to be a way to mark my findings, but from what I understand waypoints are not really meant to be used that way. Is there another way that I can use the Mavic to mark locations, preferably annotate them with additional notes and perhaps export those markings to Google Maps or something for later planning?

 

[Keule]

Hi jfvaren,

i could think of following:
Fly your Mavic until you spot an oak tree. Fly direct above the tree. Make a photo pointing down at the tree.
This photo has embedded the exact location in lat/long format. There are tools available to view or extract that information.
Once you have the coordinates, you can put them into Google earth.

Annotation: Once you made a photo of your tree, you can fly around that tree and take a video while you are circling around it (it's called orbit)
While the Mavic fly autonomous, you can make verbal comments to your phone/tablet. There is a function which records audio.

What do you think? Could this work for you?

Regards,
K.

 

[Mr. Salty]

Once you made a photo of your tree, you can fly around that tree and take a video while you are circling around it (it's called orbit)

Good advice overall, except in the Go app this is called Point of Interest, not orbit.

 

[BigAl07]

You "could" use Litchi and fly along. When you see a tree of interest fly over it and create a WayPoint. When you're done name that mission and save it. When you're back at your PC import the mission into Litchi Mission Hub and your WP's will be there on top of the map for you to review.

I do think it would be a good idea to take a pic & video at each one for post flight review.

 

[Keule]

not orbit

Dammnn .. you are right, i was thinking in Autopilot terms ;-)

 

[Keule]

use Litchi and fly along

As the OP states it's his first drone, it might a little to much at the beginning...

For those being interested in a more 'suited' app what the OP wants to perform, look at 'Tag pilot' by "Drones Made Easy"

 

[jfvaren]

Awesome answers! Thanks a bunch, guys

I like the Point of Interest suggestion, because I could make comments hands-free about the tree and transcribe those when I'm back at my workstation.
I'll also be sure to look into the "Tag pilot" app you mentioned, Keule. I've not heard of Litchi either, so I'll be sure to check that out as well.

Now for the most frustrating part: Waiting for the drone to be delivered.

Thanks all!

 

[Xtreme Drone Pilot]

In Litchi, there's an option to show lat/lon on screen. Stop above the tree, take a screenshot.