I know a few forum members are into radio controlled devices. Have any of you spent much time with the RC drones that have attached cameras? I've seen some videos made by these drones, and the unique vantage points from which you can approach a scene really opens up interesting possibilities!

For those who have messed with them: What's a good brand/model? ("good" as in most bang for the buck, not as in most expensive) and what would something like that cost? Preliminary web searches turned up lots of hits under $100, and that isn't what I expected. Could that be the true?

Amazon do loads of rc copters at very reasonable prices. Been fancying the idea myself. Some of them have a range of a 50 meters. I have seen ones with cameras for under 3 figures.

Your first one should be fairly cheap. Not unlike RealBand there is a learning curve and learning will result in crashes.

The difference between RealBand and the Drone is the crashes.

... especially the cost of the crashes ...

I'm thinking of getting one for surf fishing. This is cool.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0VB0J0q13A

Had my first RC copter last summer. It was a small one, only about 6 inches long and lasted me about a month. Since it was a cheap one it didn't last longer because of some of the impacts it took while I learned to fly it outdoors. A slight breeze would take it off course. Needless to say, the whole thing was a very fun experience and at some point, I would like to get a larger one.

I have had two so far. One was about 10 inches long and had a camera. As everyone said it was difficult to fly , and especially outside. It had a camera, but sadly before i could really test that feature it broke the main drive shaft on a hard impact. I also bought a small palm sized one and flew it all around the house it was a lot of fun and lasted about two months before it gave it up due to just two many crashes. Here is a great website to pick up a cheap one or two and learn to fly them. Good prices and quick response. http://www.thinkrc.com/

I suggest a double rotor type first, and then graduate to a single rotor. I am in the mood to try again, and am thinking quad this time.

The biggest issue with any of the electric machines is flying time. Also If you do some research, then look at models that allow the battery to be removed and swapped So you can charge up two or three batteries at a time for more flying time.

+1 there! Nothing sucks like having a 10 minute fly and the battery dying. Spare battery is a must.

I would start with a mini, and learn to fly indoors first. Here is a nice one for a decent price that won't make you cry if you break it. http://www.thinkrc.com/4ch-f106-mini-helicopter-metal-series-gyro-yellow-p-1533.html

Here is one that is a little bigger, and gets a lot of solid reviews. http://www.thinkrc.com/24ghz-4ch-toys-v912-single-rotor-fixed-pitch-helicopter-gyro-p-2471.html

Of course if you want to go nuts check this one out http://www.thinkrc.com/toys-v303-seeker-uav-drone-gps-quadcopter-ready-fly-p-3120.html

I'm looking at this one http://www.thinkrc.com/toys-24ghz-4ch-v959-ufo-quadcopter-gyro-and-camera-p-2617.html

I have been keeping my eye on this market, not sure if I would invest in a cheaper unit yet. The better software adjusts itself whilst it flies using multiple GPS and does not crash as it self-adjusts, I don't think the cheap ones have this feature yet, but its definitely coming, along with further miniaturisation and better battery life.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-30430473

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-30710295

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-30710295

Mainly because of the great rise in interest in what are basically remote controlled flying video camera's, which is what most folks are getting them for anyway, the FAA are beginning to get twitchy and likewise the UK equivalent.
I reckon for outdoor flying there will soon be a requirement for a license and some fairly strict rules about where you can fly. There are already rules in place regarding the flying of model aircraft, especially near air ports or military bases which a lot of folk possibly don't know about.
There was recently an incident where a remote controlled drone of some type or other interfered with the safe landing of an aircraft, so expect the authorities to start reacting.