By overwhelming requests for more video from this new Airhogs Micro helicopter (Spinmaster.com, I fly it in different light. This is the first production micro helicopter with a video camera. This tiny flying machine with counter rotating blades and a unique stabilizer system can take 5 minutes of 240 x 320 videos or hundreds of 480 x 640 still pictures. I know this is not the highest quality camera for sure, but for the budding aerial videographer, this is a cool tool.
Like any camera, the less you shake the better the pics. The same goes for this heli. It will teach you to be a smoother pilot to get the smooth pictures. It can be used as a remote controlled camera without flying it also.
Since there is no cyclic steering, this “Elevator Helicopter” is best launched and recovered by hand. The unique trim knob rotates endlessly and does a fine job of trimming the bird and it stays there when you shut it off!
It likes to spin on take off and landing, since a slight amount of forward flight is built in, but like any new flying machine, it will take a few flights of practice to get the feel of it.
It comes with a USB cord, that plugs into the transmitter. The helicopter plugs into the transmitter and gets charged at the same time as you download pictures or video.
About 20 minutes of USB charging gets you about 4-5 minutes of flying, depending on camera usage.
This is a good platform for teaching airborne video basics, heli flying, and creativity. Who knows what this helicopter could spur in a young (or old) person’s mind?
The Hawk Eye is slated to be released in the fall of 2010 along with Air Hogs new video editing website that allows you to edit your videos free.
I like this little helicopter. It looks like an Alien Space Craft from out of Star Trek, and is really fun to fly, video or not.
For the suggested retail price of only $62.95, that seems like a good deal, because I have crashed and whackoed it without any sign of damage and the camera stays running during a mishap, allowing dramatic shots.
Thumbs up to Air Hogs and Spinmaster.
These helis are engineering prototypes. The final version will be improved, I am sure, so
stay tuned.
Thanks kindly for watching, rating, and subscribing.
Dave Herbert
Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) License # 8221
Contest Director and Leader Member
Scientific Division.
Here are some links.
RC-Television
