Walked into my first hobby shop in years to look around today. Noticed a quad-copter and picked it up to read the stuff on the box. The sales guy came over and we started talking about it, he actually had a display model in the store and showed me how to fly it right there in the shop. I remember matefrio posting a thread on these things last year or so, but did not realize that they had gotten so easy to fly and cheap.
The one I am looking at uses a I-phone, I-pad, or a few of the other pads as a controller, no need to buy a typical remote control box. Uses WiFi to communicate between controller and machine.
It has a 720p high def camera in the nose and takes video as you fly, and you see what it sees on the pad, kinda like a cockpit view.
Runs about 15 minutes on a charge.
Has the capability with the add on flight recorder for you to pre-plan routes it uses GPS to fly.
Takes off and lands on it's own with a press of a button. (with the GPS you can program it to return 'home')
Comes with foam nerf type protectors so you can fly it inside and not break stuff.
Easy to fix the parts if you do break them.
Demonstrated by the fact that I had never flown a helicopter before, extremely user friendly.
Best part, it is only $300.
AR.Drone 2.0. Parrot new wi-fi quadricopter - AR.Drone.com - HD Camera - Parrot
Christmas coming up for those with kids.
The one I am looking at uses a I-phone, I-pad, or a few of the other pads as a controller, no need to buy a typical remote control box. Uses WiFi to communicate between controller and machine.
It has a 720p high def camera in the nose and takes video as you fly, and you see what it sees on the pad, kinda like a cockpit view.
Runs about 15 minutes on a charge.
Has the capability with the add on flight recorder for you to pre-plan routes it uses GPS to fly.
Takes off and lands on it's own with a press of a button. (with the GPS you can program it to return 'home')
Comes with foam nerf type protectors so you can fly it inside and not break stuff.
Easy to fix the parts if you do break them.
Demonstrated by the fact that I had never flown a helicopter before, extremely user friendly.
Best part, it is only $300.
AR.Drone 2.0. Parrot new wi-fi quadricopter - AR.Drone.com - HD Camera - Parrot
Christmas coming up for those with kids.