Getting a drone

[dallascowboys]

I like the idea of these things...but struggle with the real world application once I spent the $1k to get it. I mean sure, I could fly around and look at stuff...but don't you think that would get old after a while? I'm not in the business of making youtube videos for people to look at the river I filmed or the woods....besides, those are already out there.

again, I like these things...but if I think long term, I could see it sitting in the attic after a few uses.

not to mention now you have a bunch of rednecks who are going to be taking shots at it because GOD FORBID I flew over their land....haha....just don't know.

i think it would be pretty cool if you could use it to say scout out public hunting land, Just to see where the most activity is. Only problem would be when others do the same thing lol you would then have to put some rockets on it to shoot theirs down lmao!!

[tvc184]

So long as you don't "incidentally" film any property you don't own. The law is pretty harsh but unenforceable I think.

The pretty harsh law is a Class C misdemeanor or the equivalent of a traffic citation.

[Swooshski]

I think they have their place and uses. Like in a search/rescue situation, natural disasters and things of that nature. As far as commercial use I think they could prove valuable in real estate sales, photography (there used to be guys who would fly over your property in a plane and take a pic of it for you), surveying and some other stuff. But nowadays, and as good as young kids are with electronic gizmos, I can see these things getting into their hands for some questionable uses and some parent being prosecuted for not securing them, just like weapons. If people use them responsibly its ok by me. But really, what are the odds of that happening?

[Gunnyart]

The pretty harsh law is a Class C misdemeanor or the equivalent of a traffic citation.

The penalty isn't harsh the rules are pretty strict.

[tvc184]

The penalty isn't harsh the rules are pretty strict.

Not the way I read them under TX law.

It says it is illegal if you had the "intent" to "conduct surveillance".

It never says that it is illegal to have video or a photo of property other than your own.

A person acts intentionally, or with intent, with respect to the nature of his conduct or to a result of his conduct when it is his conscious objective or desire to engage in the conduct or cause the result.

Since there is no Penal Code definition of surveillance, it goes by the dictionary.

Definitions of Surveillance that I found online:
a watch kept over a person, group, etc., especially over a suspect, prisoner

supervision or superintendence

close observation or supervision maintained over a person, group

Surveillance is the close observation of someone, often in order to catch them in wrongdoing.

All of them deal with a careful or close watch, trying to catch someone, etc. It says nothing of incidentally seeing someone or some thing.

It seems that if the state wanted the state law to say that any photo/video or any private property other than your own was illegal, it could have simply said just that. Look at many of the online videos such as the construction at Kyle Field. How many pieces of private property are seen in them or how many store fronts, roofs, etc. A violation of the law?

I don't think so and I don't think that was the intent. I can assume that there will be future modifications of the law but I don't see how incidental photograph fits the legal requirements of the law of "intent" and to " conduct surveillance". Even "knowing" or "knowingly" under TX law is not a crime under that statute as the only culpable mental state it intentionally.

Your mileage may vary.

[berto]

Getting a drone

The penalty isn't harsh the rules are pretty strict.

I haven't seen any rules

I'm with tv184.

[rjet]

My neighbor is building one. Has been building the planes for quite a while and is now building a 3 blade drone. Got his HAM license a month or so ago so he could take his planes further out. Also has the camera with the goggles you wear that shows gps location. On his first flight last week he got it out to 1.5 miles, pretty cool stuff.

[berto]

The Ham license is for the fpv if I'm not mistaking

[Tx_Wader]

I want one to check activity at my feeders lol...film us fishing see the trout or red nail the topwater bait.

$999.00 plus tax shipped from amazon.com...I want it but I have too many toys lol.

Besides I'm waiting on this to go on sale Saturday so I can snatch it!

http://www.taylorsfirearms.com/cartridge-rifles/1873-lever-action/1873-taylor/1873-taylor-s-trapper-45-lc-18-octagonal-blue-finish-with-case-hardened-frame-walnut-checkered-pistol-grip-model-2013.html

[Gunnyart]

I not trying to argue this I just found the Texas law unnecessarily restrictive to ordinary folks enjoying their hobby.

In case anyone wants to read it for themselves here is a link to the actual bill.

http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/83R/billtext/html/HB00912F.htm

[35remington]

This will be at my house Friday. I can't wait to start playing with it. Gonna bring a whole new dimension to my live Rednecks With Paychecks thread in September

Happy for you. STOP CALLING IT A DRONE.

[berto]

my quadcopter isnt a unmanned aircraft so I dont see how those rules affect me

[Gunnyart]

Sorry if I stirred the pot. I'm OUT.

[lovetohunt]

You can only fly it with line of sight. Not aloud to fly it using the on board camera. And don't forget you have to stay below 500 ft.

[tigerscowboy]

Can't wait to hear about some of y'alls HOAs using them!!!