Anyone using 'drones' (helicopter thing with cams)

[hotspur (Chris)]

Rather amazed when I visited the local battery shop in kingaroy for my regular purchase of bulk AAA batteries for torches.

They have remote helicopters etc etc,I've purchased some for our son's in the past,and they look fun.On this visit,they had these 'drones' like a helicopter,a figure '8' pattern with for props,and a cam in middle and in front,all for less than $400-these are controlled by iphones-sitting on your palm.How on earth they make all these things!!,even direct feed to you tube of footage!

Apparently,these are banned in some U.S states,I am wondering if anyone here uses one?? or plays with one??

The solar panel people use them when quoting on panels to go on houses.So they have a practical application,I was thinking for my dingo trapping they might be useful,sometimes I have traps in remote location and I do not want to taint the area by walking in,would save me some foot work.

So rather intrigued by these things,be interested to hear if any icers using.

thanks Chris

[bloodhound31]

I have been toying with the idea of using one of these for my kayaking exploration trips for some time now, to send a drone to height, scope out the river ahead then bring it back and replay.

[bartman (Bart)]

I cant remember how I got to his video clip, but I believe Ken Crawford is really into this.
I found a video on Vimeo . I dont think he uses the helicopter version, but he flies a plane ( skywalker ??) and a GoPro on the nose. Looks pretty sophisticated as I believe he uses goggles to see what the plane sees in real time.
This clip is called " Sky Walking the Sierras"
http://vimeo.com/48095352

Just found this one in his list of videos....... a very small quad copter! 86grams with cam!
http://vimeo.com/38737856


HTH
Cheers
Bartman