Top-tier drones today are often limited in range by the signal range that their antennas provide. Aftermarket antennas can make a real difference in the range of your drone and the quality of connection between the drone and your controller. Leading the pack in style and performance is the lineup from Tough Leash. The Chicago-based company provides antennas that support a variety of high-end drones like the DJI Inspire, DJI Phantom, and 3DR Solo. While they don’t brag about range on on the Tough Leash website, DJI Phantom users report ranges extended up to 8 miles as compared to the as-delivered Phantom range of about a 1 mile radius. Note that DJI reports the range of the DJI Phantom 3 Advance and Phantom 4 to be 3.1 miles (5 km), but results vary significantly based on surrounding terrain and obstructions.
One of the coolest aspects of a Tough Leash antenna is the degree of customization that can be applied. The customer has the ability to change the color of different components of the antenna for a dizzying array of more than 100 color combinations. You can sport your antennas with pride knowing that you have a truly unique piece of equipment. All Tough Leash antennas are currently designed and hand-built at their Chicago home base.
Tough Leash has products that are designed to support the commonly used 2.4 GHz range and others that are optimized to transmit at 5.8 GHz. They even have products, like the Long Board pictured below, that support both 2.4 and 5.8 GHz frequencies.
You might be wondering, “Do I need to be able to fly my drone 8 miles?” Well, likely you don’t, but we don’t ask questions about what you do with your drone. We will remind you that the FAA requires drone pilots to maintain visible contact with their drones at all times. Dan Isaacson, owner of Tough Leash, uses his antennas for his own aerial photography business. He notes that when you are on a photoshoot you can’t afford to lose time and money because of a spotty connection to your drone.
“When the quality of my work and the safety of my customers is at stake I don’t make compromises.”
It was Isaacson’s no-compromises philosophy that spurred him to start Tough Leash. He and his fellow professional pilots were unsatisfied with the products and service available for aftermarket antennas. Pilots don’t need to compromise any longer, a better antenna has arrived. Isaacson’s attention to detail is apparent in every aspect of what he does. From his streamlined website, to gorgeous customizable products, all the way down to the quality packaging that they are delivered in – the quality is apparent. While the standard Tough Leash antennas are constructed of high quality copper, they also offer silver wire antennas, the highest conductivity metal known to man!
Isaacson reports that the packaging is actually one of the most commented on aspects of his product. “A top-notch product deserves top-notch packaging. Our customers don’t want to see their high performance antenna delivered in a shotty cardboard box.” Its this kind of attention to detail that makes Tough Leash antennas a top pick of Half Chrome. We recommend you add a Tough Leash antenna to your drone kit today. Tough Leash has industry leading design, quality, and service.
Come back soon for our full test of the signal boosting Tough Leash antenna!
We do not condone intentionally flying your drone outside of visible range, at excessive altitude, or in any other way violating FAA rules in the United States or the rules of location you are flying in. See our disclosures page for more details.
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