anyone into remote-control helicopters?

[sixstringsteve]

I know, random topic. But I'm slowly saving up for a remote-control helicopter that I can mount a GoPro on for more filming angles. I thought I'd put a feeler out there to see if anyone already has one that we could do some test shots with. Unfortunately the copter I'm looking at costs $800, so it'll be a little while 'till that becomes a reality.

[J Gallo]

I got a cheap one for Xmas and I love the damn thing. Unfortunately, flight time is less than 5 minutes so I'm already thinking of ways to upgrade at some point down the road.

[mackdaddy]

My wife got me one that I can fly using my ipad as the controller. Its a HeloTC. Its pretty cool. its a mini RC copter and only flies for 5 min, but is really fun. I will be flying it at the indoor this weekend. Gonna see how high it will go!

[JAlvey]

Ethan has a few. You can get them to fly longer with a battery upgrade and better charger (plan on about $150-200). the electric ones don't seem to be able to carry much extra weight, I'm not to sure you could get a GoPro in the air on one. You will probably have to go with a nitro/gas engine, in which case you may no longer have the money to keep BMXing and the noise might be a bit much for the indoor track.

[sixstringsteve]

I'm interested in a quad-copter. And it'll definitely have to be electric, I don't want to go with the nitro stuff.

I'm thinking something like this:
http://www.gaui.com.tw/html/shopping_view.asp?sn=1028


I've even seen a few videos of people using this $300 styrofoam quad copter from brookstone. The guys at Brookstone said it wasn't strong enough to carry a GoPro, but I don't think they even knew what a GoPro was.

http://www.brookstone.com/ar-drone-quad ... st|652479p

[b2]

my friend just got one of these:
http://ardrone.parrot.com/parrot-ar-drone/usa/

it has a camera and he has video of it and from it on his Facebook page but the video isn't shared with the world...

[sixstringsteve]

Did he get it from Brookstone? I wasn't thrilled with the video quality of the onboard camera (but for the price it's amazing). Let me know if you ever want to do some field testing with a GoPro. I'd love to see if can handle a gopro hung from the center. How cool could would that be to get aerial shots at a race?

[b2]

Did he get it from Brookstone? I wasn't thrilled with the video quality of the onboard camera (but for the price it's amazing). Let me know if you ever want to do some field testing with a GoPro. I'd love to see if can handle a gopro hung from the center. How cool could would that be to get aerial shots at a race?

not sure, i'll ask. he's supposed to call me back in a minute.

i'll help test, if you're asking me...

[sixstringsteve]

yeah, let's film you brent.

[b2]

yeah, let's film you brent.

yay! i can demonstrate the proper "fall over in the gate" technique!

[Privateer]

Steve, we can use mine....



Oh wait we'll have to wait until the outdoor races start..

I do have a friend who was a RC Pilot for a company in town that used RC Helicopters for film work, let me ask him what he used and liked the best for the sub 1 pound GoPro's

Scott

[sixstringsteve]

So cool. someday I will ride in a chopper. Yeah, let me know what he used and if he felt like it was worth it to use a rc copter.

[b2]

Steve, we can use mine....



Oh wait we'll have to wait until the outdoor races start..

I do have a friend who was a RC Pilot for a company in town that used RC Helicopters for film work, let me ask him what he used and liked the best for the sub 1 pound GoPro's

Scott

I wanna be cameraman when Scott brings his copter out!!!!

[J Gallo]

I remember when I got a ride up in the air from Silver State Helicopters during the SL County Fair to get some great pics of the event. Would love to see something like this happen for the outdoor track, especially during the Nationals.

[Privateer]

I talked to my friend today, and he said most of the RC units will lift the go pro, but to get good video you need to have smooth flight, which comes from bigger units. Though he did say the larger electrics are the way to go not the nitro ones, also a unit to help stabilize the flight of the helicopter. Steve, I'll give you his contact info this weekend out at the track.

I think some aerial shots/video during the nationals would be a great idea, I'll have to work on finding a sponsor to cover the flight costs.