I also have a GoPro camera and the Zenmuse H3-3D gimbal. So I can take some incredible video.
A friend of mine got a DJI Phantom. Pretty sweet.
I got one of the helicopters a few years ago and never did learn to fly it.
The better ones have stabilizing gyroscopes or something and are pretty easy to fly.
Can't justify the cost for a toy though.
Do have a bunch of sugarcane farmland and woods/swamp that it would be a kick to view from it.
Trying to rationalize buying one if the prices come down :)
The small indoor ones have limited stability and are hard to fly.
The DJI phantom has GPS so it will stay in the same location, regardless of wind, without having to touch the controls. I’ve flown one in very windy conditions.
If it loses radio connection it goes to an altitude of 60 feet and returns to its original take-off location by itself.
Many other features and different flight modes, depending on how much you wish to control yourself.
It’s very easy to fly if you take your time and learn in small steps. Very stable.
For real fun google “quadcopter FPV.”
I would never admit anything to you G-man...
later reading
bump
Something that light will be extremely difficult to fly outdoors unless you have ZERO wind. Until you get the hang of it, these microcopters are best flown indoors in large spaces like gymnasiums or warehouses.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30HDdocMyAk This is what I aspire to having for my winter place in the sun... not just the drone but the boats, the water, some good and relaxing times...but seriously, there is some gorgeous footage here.
http://www.hubsan.com/productinfo_11.html Is this you opening up your present?
Picked up the DJI Phantom 2 Vision + and it is a totally different experience.
Click here for a first flight video at our local Veterans' Memorial. With a carrying case and a few extra items you can plan on close to $2,000 - but it is worth it.
I also have a GoPro camera and the Zenmuse H3-3D gimbal. So I can take some incredible video.
Well, I’m happy to report:
1) I’m STILL alive!
2) The drone is also!
If you have any drone dreams, please post away!
For everybody else, I have a few recommendations.
First, read the manual. Then, burn the manual. The manual won’t tell you boot squat about how to fly a drone.
A drone must be flown (as near as I can figure) by feel and touch and response.
Second, GET THE ROTOR PROTECTORS!!
Did I say that loud enuff? GET THE ROTOR PROTECTORS!
That’s because when you are practicing, or learning, you will CONSTANTLY be stopped by the drone bumping into something and then it sits there and just whirs.
I finally after about twenty attempts got it to fly about three feet off the ground and pretty much stay stationary!
Progress!
I will check back often!
My son-in-law got one. It looks like an overgrown butterfly. He tried it a couple of times inside, crashing both times. He was outside a while and I didn’t see what happened but it’s been on the shelf since.
My boys got remote control helicopters this Christmas. They only work indoors due to the type of remote they use. I challenged the boys to try and land on one of the fan blades of the ceiling fan in the living room. Well, they spent hours trying to accomplish Dad’s challenge. One of them finally made it. He took a picture of it on his cell phone as proof.
I have had the Phantom Vision2+ since July.
Great fun, expensive to replace the camera and gimbal after you crash into a tree at high speed, but lesson learned.
I live in Oklahoma City... the wind is 7 mph on the days it doesn’t blow. I’m not sure a drone is made for my part of the country....
My son brought his over for our after the holidays Christmas dinner Saturday. He made it go too high and it crashed. I couldn’t believe that Mr Kitty actual found the drone, with the camera still recording, several blocks away. The video is pretty cool, though.