I 've been flying my Syma X5 between the trees in front of my house and occasionally get it stuc...

[G+_Steve Prior]

I've been flying my Syma X5 between the trees in front of my house and occasionally get it stuck in a tree.  Until now I've always been able to reach it with a pole or thrown soccer ball, but knew the day would come when it was stuck higher and I want to be prepared.  So today I bought a slingshot, then drilled a hole through a super ball and tied fishing line to it.  I tested it just now and was able to shoot a line to the height of the taller trees around without difficulty.  This would be enough to shake the drone free from thinner branches and could be used as a starter line for heavier rope (or a rope saw) for something else.  I started with a golf ball, but that didn't work.

[G+_Steve Prior]

Skip the golf ball for this one, the smaller rubber ball worked better.  If I was going to try anything else it would be a fishing sinker.

[G+_Larry Haas]

I've have had the same problem, smaller trees tho'.  I cut those little hook ends off the prop guards and it falls through the trees a lot better.

[G+_Steve Prior]

I took the prop guards and landing gear off the drone completely, the weight savings actually makes a difference with the X5, but still manage to catch it in a tree every once in a while.

[G+_Eddie Foy]

Been there done that. :)

[G+_Jason Marsh]

This should go without saying, but be careful. The other night I caught a pinecone in the eye while using a 16' pole saw to pick my Syma out of a tree. A scratched/cut cornea is no fun.

 

Also, don't do quad recovery at night, or after a few beers. I just learned these two, as I didn't see the falling debris, and couldn't have predicted it due to alcohol-induced stupidity :)