How I Accidentally Kickstarted the Domestic Drone Boom
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Re: How I Accidentally Kickstarted the Domestic Drone Boom
#2Drones are awesome!
I've currently got the AR Parrot Drone 1.0 and looking to pickup the 2.0 soon, and maybe a hobbyist grade quad-copter later this year or next. They're way too much geeky fun!!
Highly recommend anyone on here who hasn't played with a drone/quad-copter to have a go at it. You won't regret it.
Re: How I Accidentally Kickstarted the Domestic Drone Boom
#3The DIY copter crowd does some pretty sweet stuff (both autonomous and piloted).
Here's a fun video shot by a guy who built a first-person-view Hexacopter: http://vimeo.com/18873955
Re: How I Accidentally Kickstarted the Domestic Drone Boom
#4Drones are awesome! I've currently got the AR Parrot Drone 1.0 and looking to pickup the 2.0 soon, and maybe a hobbyist grade quad-copter later this year or next. They're way too much geeky fun!! Highly recommend anyone on here who hasn't played with a drone/quad-copter to have a go at it. You won't regret it.
I've been thinking about them for a while. What kind of flight time do you get out of a standard quad-copter? 15 minutes? 30 minutes? That's my biggest hesitation...how fun is 15 minutes of flight time?
Re: How I Accidentally Kickstarted the Domestic Drone Boom
#5Drones are awesome! I've currently got the AR Parrot Drone 1.0 and looking to pickup the 2.0 soon, and maybe a hobbyist grade quad-copter later this year or next. They're way too much geeky fun!! Highly recommend anyone on here who hasn't played with a drone/quad-copter to have a go at it. You won't regret it.
I've been thinking about them for a while. What kind of flight time do you get out of a standard quad-copter? 15 minutes? 30 minutes? That's my biggest hesitation...how fun is 15 minutes of flight time?
15 minutes is ridiculously fun, and about average.
My "450" sized quadcopter (4x 10" rotors) gets about 13-15 minutes with about 150g payload on top of the 3.3Ah 3S battery. I carry a GoPro Hero HD camera sans waterproof case combined with a video transmitter and 15 minutes of first-person flying can be quite rewarding and almost tiring at times, especially in exciting environments (between trees, etc.).
I'd strongly recommend picking up a MultiWii board and a cheap transmitter and parts from HobbyKing and trying it out - learning to fly isn't too difficult since they stabilize themselves, and starting out will cost less than $500.
Watch out though - it's addictive!
Re: How I Accidentally Kickstarted the Domestic Drone Boom
#6The DIY copter crowd does some pretty sweet stuff (both autonomous and piloted). Here's a fun video shot by a guy who built a first-person-view Hexacopter: http://vimeo.com/18873955
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hU0_tGHlR7g
All of the RCExplorer videos are awesome, and they're shot with a very low-tech drone (a tricopter with only roll/yaw rate stabilization - just piezo gyros and no attitude stabilization at all).
Re: How I Accidentally Kickstarted the Domestic Drone Boom
#7Drones are awesome! I've currently got the AR Parrot Drone 1.0 and looking to pickup the 2.0 soon, and maybe a hobbyist grade quad-copter later this year or next. They're way too much geeky fun!! Highly recommend anyone on here who hasn't played with a drone/quad-copter to have a go at it. You won't regret it.
I've been thinking about them for a while. What kind of flight time do you get out of a standard quad-copter? 15 minutes? 30 minutes? That's my biggest hesitation...how fun is 15 minutes of flight time?
It's ridiculously fun! I highly suggest at least checking out a friend's quadcopter; you'll want one after the first few seconds of being behind the controls.
I bought my AR 1.0 used, but like-new, for $200 with the factory battery which lasts about 10 minutes or so, as well as a MaxAmps upgraded battery for extended flight time. I get about 20-25 minutes out of the aftermarket battery under normal wind conditions. It's plenty of time to have a lot of fun with, but I'd highly suggest having at least one spare battery to follow-up with for max flight time. On the flip-side, you don't want to run your equipment for too long without giving it some time for cool-down, so it's kinda a silver lining in regards to longevity.
If you're on the fence, I'd say spring for it and go for the AR Drone first, it's a great starting platform for people new to quadcopters and RC flying. If it's something you can see yourself getting more into, then debate pursuing more of a hobby-grade setup as you go.
There are a ton of nuances to the RC hobby alone, flying doesn't make it much easier for newcomers unfortunately. Start with something polished and make your life a lot easier, you'll no doubt be hooked. Either way, it's so worth it!!
Re: How I Accidentally Kickstarted the Domestic Drone Boom
#8"It’s safe to say that drones are the first technology in history where the toy industry and hobbyists are beating the military-industrial complex at its own game."
Oh, really? Mr Limdbergh begs to differ: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Lindbergh
He got some training in the military but he then beats them later.
Technology has been historically been pushed as much by civilian industry as the military, or more. If only you let civilians spend their money and you don't steal all their money in taxes like you do in war times.
Internet and other tech are widely attributed to the military by their supporters but that is not entirely correct. Ethernet and laser all those amazing tech was created by private companies and computer networks were created by enthusiast before DARPA.
Re: How I Accidentally Kickstarted the Domestic Drone Boom
#9Drones are awesome! I've currently got the AR Parrot Drone 1.0 and looking to pickup the 2.0 soon, and maybe a hobbyist grade quad-copter later this year or next. They're way too much geeky fun!! Highly recommend anyone on here who hasn't played with a drone/quad-copter to have a go at it. You won't regret it.
I like the aeroquads. A bit more expensive but way more customizable. Get to dust off your EE skills too.
Re: How I Accidentally Kickstarted the Domestic Drone Boom
#10How loud are these hobby/open source drones? Spy-worthy?