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Micro-Helicopter Fun

zymano writes "Now this is a cool toy for the office or home! RC microhelicopter here that is flat out cool but not for sale. So small that it can drop a sugar cube into your cup of coffee. It's 100 grams or lighter now. Some gallerys and videos on the page. You can buy one here and here."

201 comments

  1. Once we can get a couple of Mini Sams by Angry+White+Guy · · Score: 5, Funny

    then my micro military will be complete!

    --
    You think that I'm crazy, you should see this guy!
    1. Re:Once we can get a couple of Mini Sams by tangent1900 · · Score: 1

      all i can picture is a squadron of these things blaring 'flight of the valkries' and assaulting the bosses desk.

      ah, bliss....

  2. Man... by gvonk · · Score: 5, Funny


    OK now. Seriously. Whoever wrote that blurb had their RC helicopter drop some seriously fucked-up sugar cubes in their coffee this morning. "It's not for sale" "buy one here" "Some gallerys and videos on the page" "100 grams or lighter now."

    Lay off the acid, please...

    --


    El Karma: excelente(principalmente la suma de moderación hecha a los comentarios de los usuarios)
    1. Re:Man... by troc · · Score: 4, Informative

      Yeah, having had a look, the ultralight one they are talking about cannot be bought (the pixel X thing) and the links are to small helicopters you can buy.

      Which aren't under 100 grams etc etc.

      So the blurb should read "here is a very light helicopter you can't buy and here are some that are a bit heavier but which are for sale" ;)

      Troc

      --
      Troc's dubious podcast and blog: http://www.trocnet.net
    2. Re:Man... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It's not "utilizadores", it's "usuarios" ;) . Utilizadores sound like their abusing you or something :-D

    3. Re:Man... by TopShelf · · Score: 2, Funny
      "Lay off the acid, please..."

      Or at least bring enough to share with the rest of the class.

      --
      Stop by my site where I write about ERP systems & more
    4. Re:Man... by SEWilco · · Score: 5, Funny
      That phrasing "So small that it can drop a sugar cube into your cup of coffee." isn't too great either, as it isn't an indicator of being small.

      Sikorsky makes helicopters that can also drop a sugar cube into your cup of coffee, or can drop an 18-wheeled truck full of sugar into your cup of coffee.

    5. Re:Man... by Hard_Code · · Score: 0, Redundant

      In Soviet Russia, Helicoptor drops YOU!

      --

      It's 10 PM. Do you know if you're un-American?
    6. Re:Man... by UrGeek · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Oh, man! Sikorsky does NOT make a single helicopter that can:

      Land on my kitchen counter and be loaded with a sugar cube, then take off and fly the 11 feet to my coffee table and drop that cube in my cup.

      I don't even think they make one that will fit through my apartment door! Not with the rotors fully deployed.

      Get real!

    7. Re:Man... by deblassc · · Score: 1
    8. Re:Man... by netsharc · · Score: 1

      Shouldn't that be, "YOU drop helicopters!"? Or "Sugar cubes drop helicopters!"? Because here in the non Soviet Russian world, the helicopter is already doing the dropping...

      --
      What time is it/will be over there? Check with my iPhone app!
    9. Re:Man... by hesiod · · Score: 1

      > > "Lay off the acid, please..."
      > Or at least bring enough to share with the rest of the class.

      Yes, I prefer sharing to stopping :)

    10. Re:Man... by SEWilco · · Score: 1

      They make several that can land on your kitchen counter, be loaded with a sugar cube, then drop that cube in your cup -- and you don't have to open your apartment door! However, you will need a new kitchen counter, ceiling, and roof.

  3. I wonder.... by Chris_Stankowitz · · Score: 5, Insightful

    If something like this could be used for making films. The idea being scaled modles of a scene. That would really help out student film projects, giving them something better to work with than plastice models and fishline.

    1. Re:I wonder.... by barryfandango · · Score: 2

      sounds like fun - attach a lightweight, solid state wireless video camera to one of these and it would be endless fun for surveillance! Perhaps with the RF unit connected to a serial port and a video output on the screen you could carry out all sorts of remote missions.

      --
      In all matters of opinion, our adversaries are insane. -Oscar Wilde
    2. Re:I wonder.... by drinkypoo · · Score: 2, Interesting
      These little tiny helicopters are seriously difficult to fly. Of course, all of them are. But should you take the time to master flying them without running them into walls, you will now have to worry about anchoring every little model on your set as the wind to push even a light heli around is not inconsiderable.

      Also, because of the fact that they are lighter and smaller, they will not move anything like a real helicopter. Clever work with models will produce more realistic-looking motion.

      Ultimately, CPU power getting endlessly cheaper should provide the solution to your problem. :P

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
    3. Re:I wonder.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      they've been using RC helicoptors in movies for years, although generally the bigger the RC chopper, the better things will look.

      Have you ever seen a chopper movie where the chopper flies inverted for a short time? yea, that was an RC chopper - real choppers can't do that :-)

    4. Re:I wonder.... by norite · · Score: 2, Informative

      I once saw a military helicopter do a roll once, at an air show...quite a sight that was!!

      --
      -- Fuck Beta
  4. When are companies going to by Angry+White+Guy · · Score: 3, Interesting

    build a USB controller for these things? I'd love to be able to run a network of these things from my pc.

    --
    You think that I'm crazy, you should see this guy!
    1. Re:When are companies going to by jgerman · · Score: 2, Informative

      Go get a USB on a chip, you can pick one up from Digikey. Build a controller.

      --
      I'm the big fish in the big pond bitch.
    2. Re:When are companies going to by prmths · · Score: 0, Funny

      that would be the most awesome thing EVER...
      how 'bout this: run a cron job; every so often have that thing go to the fridge and bring back a bawls :D

      how's the payload on that thing?

    3. Re:When are companies going to by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      One command starts an intracate ballet of whirling metal. Each piece following a predetermined path, creating a battlefield in your office. Man would that annoy the bosses (and your pets).

    4. Re:When are companies going to by msheppard · · Score: 0, Flamebait

      Why should a company do it? Why don't you do it? Companies don't do anything until it's been shown to work. So do it and stop whining.

      M@

      --
      Krispy Cream is people
    5. Re:When are companies going to by cap'n+foolsy · · Score: 5, Funny

      yes, get enough of these things, and buy a few remote controlled tanks as well. put them all in a sandbox and you can have your own mini gulf war :D

      but of course you'll have to buy a few cans of oil to put under the sandbox, just for realism...

      --
      It might look like I'm standing motionless, but I'm actively waiting for my problems to go away
    6. Re:When are companies going to by tramm · · Score: 2
      Angry white guy wrote:
      When are companies going to build a USB controller for these things?
      Rotomotion will sell you an embedded Linux based autopilot that you control with 802.11. It's not USB -- it is even better. Their products are based on the GPLed autopilot.sourceforge.net code and designs.
      --
      -- http://www.swcp.com/~hudson/
    7. Re:When are companies going to by MojoMonkey · · Score: 1

      He was whining?

      Maybe he doesn't have the time/money/equipment/skill/knowledge to do it himself and just would like to play with it. Sounds like a reasonable request to me.

      --

      ----- "Blame the guy who doesn't speak English." -- Homer J. Simpson
    8. Re:When are companies going to by msheppard · · Score: 0, Offtopic

      Upon reflection, he was not whining. I guess it's kind of a projection on myself... I've got a couple projects in mind and never get around to doing them, whining myself that they should get done by someone else.

      M@

      --
      Krispy Cream is people
  5. Can't buy one? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

    I didn't get a chance to read the whole thing, but if you can't buy one, why are there links to buy one?

    1. Re:Can't buy one? by gerf · · Score: 4, Informative

      The first link is to the prototype page, of the guy who designed the first and second versions in his garage. the last two are of the commercial, buyable version. 'nuff said

    2. Re:Can't buy one? by blunte · · Score: 1

      Because the summary is poorly written (*shock, surprise*).

      You can't buy the heli shown on the first link because it's a prototype, but the following two links point to commercially-available small helis.

      --
      .sigs are for post^Hers.
  6. Aha! by termos · · Score: 1, Funny

    Aha! This could explain the sounds coming from my bosses office!

    --
    Note to self: get smarter troll to guard door.
    1. Re:Aha! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      "Aha! This could explain the sounds coming from my bosses office!"
      • What's her name?


  7. RTFA by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    The Pixel's aren't for sale, but some other models are. Geez.

    1. Re:RTFA by muyuubyou · · Score: 1

      Blame it on poor English. "You can get one" means the one aforementioned.

      "You can get similar ones here and here" or "you can get other micro-helicopters here and here", and we could have discussed about the topic for a change...

    2. Re:RTFA by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Why read an article when the description is seriously fucked up? The description is supposed to make us want to read the article. An article with a blown description should be boycotted, not read. Have a little pride. Demand quality.

    3. Re:RTFA by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yeah like your attitude is warranted.

      Why have writeups at all if they're not going to be coherent?

  8. Finally by The-Bus · · Score: 5, Funny

    I've had this model fake volcano/mountain for like six years, and it took until now to find the appropriate mini-Airwolf. Now I just need to order one of these babies, paint it black, and get out my Ernest Borgnine figurine.

    *starts humming Airwolf theme*

    --

    Small potatoes make the steak look bigger.

    1. Re:Finally by gotroot801 · · Score: 4, Funny

      I've had this model fake volcano/mountain for like six years, and it took until now to find the appropriate mini-Airwolf. Now I just need to order one of these babies, paint it black, and get out my Ernest Borgnine figurine.

      ...or just order the Airwolf fuselage halfway down the first order page...

    2. Re:Finally by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Check out the new codex.lu site!

    3. Re:Finally by i_mdiver · · Score: 1

      Too funny... and thanks for putting that theme song into my head for the rest of the day. Now I can get a few of these little babies add some explosives to them, and then see how my Mini-'Airwolf' preforms against my KITT and KARR demolition spectacular! Especially after my modified vehicles are finished! Ain't RC great?

    4. Re:Finally by Lars+T. · · Score: 1

      They already had a hard time fitting Ernest Borgnine into Airwolf, do you have a small enough figurine of him to put into mini-Airwolf?

      --

      Lars T.

      To the guy who modded me down from perfect to terrible Karma - Apple haters still suck

  9. Flying Assassin by zwaffle · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Coupled with a wireless camera link, this would make a perfect recon system for the military or law enforcement. Add a weapon to it,...

    1. Re:Flying Assassin by Loosewire · · Score: 1

      Add a weapon to it,...
      Shhhh or the fbi will take down the helicopter site, your comment and the whole of slasdhot for encouraging terrorists.

      --
      Slashdot - The one stop shop for procrastination
    2. Re:Flying Assassin by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      Add a weapon to it,...

      Like what? a pea shooter? I don't think there is ANY weapon that small, not even on the drawing board.

    3. Re:Flying Assassin by sigep_ohio · · Score: 1, Interesting

      Biological or chemical agents don't need to be large. Some infact need very little(a teaspoon or sugar cube) to be very deadly. A system of several of these helicpoters could be used in large crowded areas to inflict high amounts of damage.

      Also, you could use them as kamakazi type drones. Only a small amount of explosive would be needed for them to drive into a crowd or attack a single individual(assasination) and inflict damage. Of course they would need to be pretty quiet for that.

      --
      Beer Die is the game of champions Learning To walk my own path.
    4. Re:Flying Assassin by Lumpy · · Score: 5, Informative

      You've never flown a RC heliocopter before have you.

      they are insanely difficult to fly weighing 16 pounds and having a 1-2 horsepower gas engine in a light breeze.. this little guy needs to fly in ZERO wind because of it's tiny weight. I am not an expert but after flying a gas powered RC chopper for 5 minutes I was exausted. the experts refuse to fly in anything other than a steady wind that is less than 10 mph gusty is asking for trouble and these things will instantly chase after any passing vehicle without the pilot wanting it to.

      so if your intended target is sitting in a gym WITHOUT the ac running or any fans and won't move away from the attacking toy then your idea will work, otherwise pick a less dramatic deployment mechanisim that attracts less attention and doesnt feel like a poorly written James Bond novel.

      --
      Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
    5. Re:Flying Assassin by sigep_ohio · · Score: 1

      I never said they were good choices for said attack roles. I just said that they could be used for said roles. Of course helicopters are hard to fly, even the big ones that hold people. You don't need to have experience piloting one to understand that. The physics behind the way a helicopter flies air very unstable. But it could still be used for any of the possibilities I imagined.

      --
      Beer Die is the game of champions Learning To walk my own path.
    6. Re:Flying Assassin by fenix+down · · Score: 1

      And Loosewire was shooshing the parent for attracting the FBI...

      Regardless, I really doubt that would work as well as you think. Even with something like sarin, probably the worst that would happen is a panic and a stampede. And Kamakazi? I guess you could burn somebody, maybe blind them, but unless they tried to eat your bomb, it's probably not going to do too much.

      Anyway, better go unlock your doors. Maybe you won't have to replace them.

    7. Re:Flying Assassin by sigep_ohio · · Score: 1

      Thats ok, it would be a nice change to just reading /. all day.

      --
      Beer Die is the game of champions Learning To walk my own path.
    8. Re:Flying Assassin by zwaffle · · Score: 1

      Would it be possible to improve it with an attitude control system (gyro + CPU) and still keep the weight and power need at a minimum? There was a post a while ago about the military developing a mini-drone plane. But the real advantage of a mini helico is the ability to hover and manoeuver in small indoor spaces.

    9. Re:Flying Assassin by GrEp · · Score: 4, Funny

      Couple that with 20 other helos, GPS, and some swarming software. Then the military might buy it. (As long as the enemy doesn't have "BIG FAN" technology). Kind of scary that we are getting close to the technology of Terminator, where robots are on a better footing than man on the battlefield. All we need is that singularity...

      --

      bash-2.04$
      bash-2.04$yes "Don't you hate dialup connections?"| write USERNAME
    10. Re:Flying Assassin by swb · · Score: 1

      I could swear I've read either here or elsewhere that better gyros and CPU assisted flight controls have radically improved the flight characteristics of helicopters.

      It doesn't allow them to defy the laws of physics, but does allow them to be controlled far more easily as the pilot can focus more on the big picture aviation instead of the constant microadjustments.

    11. Re:Flying Assassin by barjam · · Score: 1

      I fly all the time in winds over 10 mph (30 size gas), but you are correct, it really takes a lot out of me when I do it, and it generally isn't as much fun as a calmn day.

      For what it is worth, the trick for flying on a windy is hovering it into the wind when hovering/landing/taking off. Be watchful for wind gusts, these can cause the helicopter to dip/raise suddently, particularly if you are sideways in the wind (the gyro will try to keep you from weathervaning, which will rob horsepower).

      Micro helicopters are much harder to fly, even in absolute calmn. Hummingbird and Piccolo (and helis that size) can be flown outside if the wind is calm, but I suspect that the pixel would have a much harder time.

    12. Re:Flying Assassin by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Couple that with 20 other helos, GPS, and some swarming software. Then the military might buy it. (As long as the enemy doesn't have "BIG FAN" technology). Kind of scary that we are getting close to the technology of Terminator, where robots are on a better footing than man on the battlefield. All we need is that singularity...


      I for one, welcome our cybernetic overlords...

    13. Re:Flying Assassin by Oriumpor · · Score: 1

      there are trim adjusters... and I would say there needs to be some sort of computerized gyro system.... but then again, what sophisticated flight craft do we have that isn't flown by wire anymore?

      The slipstream effect is a bother with a little thing like that tho.

    14. Re:Flying Assassin by daddymac · · Score: 1
      I'm sure the police and military run a lot of 7 minute recon missions. Yup, now as soon as someone comes up with a wireless camera and weapon that weighs less than a sugar cube, we're in business.

      This would prove extremely useful for opressing miniature people.

      --
      If something I said can be interpreted two ways, and one of the ways makes you sad or angry, I meant the other one.
    15. Re:Flying Assassin by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Weapon? The thing weighs 100 grams. A pea shooter, perhaps. "Ow, my eye!"

  10. Aarh! by FrostedWheat · · Score: 5, Funny

    They better be careful or they are gonna decapitate that poor chick!

    1. Re:Aarh! by FrostedWheat · · Score: 2, Funny

      Noooo! It's to late!

    2. Re:Aarh! by trikberg · · Score: 5, Funny

      That's about the worst thing they could have used for size comparison. They should've used something with a standard size, for example a Coke can.

      --
      This post is free (as in cheese in a mousetrap).
    3. Re:Aarh! by realdpk · · Score: 4, Funny

      Or a football field.

    4. Re:Aarh! by cap'n+foolsy · · Score: 1

      i thought our standard measurement for size was the volkswagon beetle?

      --
      It might look like I'm standing motionless, but I'm actively waiting for my problems to go away
    5. Re:Aarh! by Tim+Doran · · Score: 1

      No no no - Library of Congress is the standard measurement.

    6. Re:Aarh! by Gordonjcp · · Score: 1

      Chicks are a pretty standard size, really. About 2.5" - 3" or so, at that age.

    7. Re:Aarh! by QwkHyenA · · Score: 1
      Nonsense! I'm used to placing things on the top of my girlfriend's head. My beer glass fits perfectly on top for example.

      Teeth! Teeth!

      j/k

      --
      LFS. Have you built your system today?
    8. Re:Aarh! by Torqued · · Score: 1

      nonono.. a Volkswagen!

    9. Re:Aarh! by Lord_Dweomer · · Score: 1
      Or a Library of Congress ;)

      --
      Buy Steampunk Clothing Online!
  11. My brain must be in Monday mode again... by Mostly+Monkey · · Score: 1, Redundant

    I could have sworn that the submitter said that the small choppers weren't for sale, and yet ended the comment with links to where I could buy them? Forget the sugar cube, I need a caffeine IV.

    --
    Chika Chik-ah... do-e ow ow.
    1. Re:My brain must be in Monday mode again... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Sounds like someone has a case of the Mondays!

  12. sale? by thanjee · · Score: 1

    So you can't buy the micro-copter, don't worry - my dad has plenty of similar chicks for sale every year, and cheap!

    --
    Saying your OS is the best because more people use it is like saying MacDonalds make the best food
    1. Re:sale? by troc · · Score: 5, Funny

      surely you mean "cheep" :)

      Troc

      --
      Troc's dubious podcast and blog: http://www.trocnet.net
    2. Re:sale? by No+Such+Agency · · Score: 1

      No, his dad's a pimp.

      --
      Freedom: "I won't!"
  13. Check it out.. by Migrant+Programmer · · Score: 1, Funny

    Check out the hot chick on that main page! First the MP3 AK-47 magazine spread, and now this! Keep it up Slashdot boyz!

  14. Re:Huh? by croddy · · Score: 2, Informative

    RTFA. [here] and [here] are similar uhelicopters; the Pixel is a prototype only.

  15. Cool by rf0 · · Score: 0

    Now I can dive bomb my missus out of bed when she refuses to get up in the morning? :)

    Rus

  16. This thing kicks ass by Omkar · · Score: 5, Interesting

    It also reminds me of the opening of MIB - you see an insect, it looks like highly advanced tech. Then it splats onto a windshield. This sort of durability limits battlefied (and many other) apps, right?

    1. Re:This thing kicks ass by Jerf · · Score: 3, Insightful

      The idea is to make them so cheap that you don't care that you loose a couple; taking them all out over any significant area would require a nuke (literally). (Or a nuke-powered EMP device. EMP is cool and it works but it eats energy like nobody's business.)

      Small things are inherently limited in capability, yes, which is one of the reasons the gray-goo fears are unfounded; nanomachines are only invincible ravenous beasts in science-fiction. In reality it would probably be little more then an annoyance, and gray-goo-type nanomachines would be easily destroyed with the simple application of heat, radiation, or nearly anything else. These helicopters will be able to take a far wider range of environmental conditions then microscopic-scale machines, and we still think of the helicopters as fragile...

    2. Re:This thing kicks ass by permaculture · · Score: 1

      You have a point. Then again, trying to hit one of these things would be tough. It's very small.

      --
      Environmentalism is the new Victorianism. Everyone ties on a green corset and pretends we're virtuous.
    3. Re:This thing kicks ass by Lord_Dweomer · · Score: 1
      I believe in either the April or March issue of Wired they had a comic towards the end where the military used TONS of mini robots, there were like, 3 different types. And they were all dropped onto bases where they suspected the evil guys (who looked suspiciously middle-eastern) had bio-chem weapons. The guards there shot some with flame throwers and stomped on the rest, but many made it in, and since they're the size of bugs, they can hide really easily. They all had cameras and would take footage. But here's the kicker, they were ALL controlled by citizens, like a giant MMOFPS kinda deal. Teams would control a single robot, one driving, one using camera etc. If they saw something, they'd hit their alert button, and if enough people in the immediate vicinity did as well, the msg would go through to the military who would then patch in and look at their feed. Very interesting comic, and lets just say that THAT would be a killer app any day of the week. Taking video games to reality is the next step I believe.

      --
      Buy Steampunk Clothing Online!
  17. The Matrix... by Joe+the+Lesser · · Score: 5, Funny

    'Can you fly that thing?'

    'Not yet.'

    *makes phone call*

    'Tank, I need to fly a chick-sized mini-helicopter.'

    *eyes flutter*

    'Let's go.'

    --
    "I only speak the truth"
    Karma: null(Mostly affected by an unassigned variable)
  18. i would love to have one of these by DrWhizBang · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    but i wouldn't buy one from someone that uses java applets for buttons on their web site. Ew!

    Oh, right it's not for sale there. Good, I feel better.

    --
    Schrodinger's cat is either dead or really pissed off...
  19. So small that it can drop a sugar cube... by jaydeekay · · Score: 5, Funny
    Couldn't a Chinnook or a B2 Bomber drop a sugar cube into my coffee?

    I'm not sure this really says much about how small these coptors are.

    1. Re:So small that it can drop a sugar cube... by pacc · · Score: 2, Funny

      The Sugar industry ought to beg for funding to develop laser-guided sugarcubes instead of lobbying for withdrawn funds for WHO

  20. This is hardly new by MikeStammer · · Score: 5, Interesting

    These arent as micro as micro gets in the heli world! They are small, but not as small as home made kits. These birds also are NOT ballsy (is that a word?) enough to hoist around a camera, let alone a weapon. There are helis that can and do do that. Check this out: http://www.mh.ttu.ee/risto/index.htm He hooked a camera and GPS to his logo and posted some video. cool stuff!

    --
    Mike Stammer
    1. Re:This is hardly new by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      There are helis that can and do do that.

      heehee . . . you said "doodoo"

    2. Re:This is hardly new by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      why post a link to a big r/c chopper after complaining about the size of a 36cm bladespan one. of course it can hold a camera and gps, it's as big as i am. cbs has had a chopper hoisting a whole camera crew for i don't know how long. try fitting that kind of stuff on something a foot wide.

  21. You don't need a big gun by simgod · · Score: 2, Interesting

    ... just a toxic needle in a air-compressed tube and you are ready for an assasination...

    1. Re:You don't need a big gun by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Hey, I thought of that first, no fair

  22. Real video games now!! comanche here I come by mnmn · · Score: 4, Funny


    Thats really cool what I just saw. I think my priorities have been reshuffled now, I need to save up for this.

    Then buy a couple with rubber-band missles and do a real lanparty. Better yet small ink canisters to really mess up the opponent on his chair if his copter cant stop yours.

    Or even strap on a teeny camera with a bluetooth transmitter and send it...... places......

    --
    "Give orange me give eat orange me eat orange give me eat orange give me you." -Nim Chimpsky
    1. Re:Real video games now!! comanche here I come by kiwimate · · Score: 1

      Or even strap on a teeny camera with a bluetooth transmitter and send it...... places......

      Oh, please, don't give X10 any more ideas; they're dreadful enough already.

    2. Re:Real video games now!! comanche here I come by ahoehn · · Score: 1

      Often on college campuses with segragated dormitories, the females living on the higher stories don't feel the need to close their blinds.

      Hur Hur.

      --
      Mod my comments down. It'll be fun.
    3. Re:Real video games now!! comanche here I come by ralphclark · · Score: 1
      Or even strap on a teeny camera with a bluetooth transmitter and send it...... places......

      Bluetooth has a VERY limited range. It's for PANs...Personal Area Networks.

      I guess you could send it......places......like...... up your own ass.

  23. Pixel vs obtainable RC helis by g5g5g5 · · Score: 5, Informative

    The Pixel page has been around for some time, and has served as inspiration for many RC enthusiasts to get in to electric helicopters. While the Pixel is not for sale, the Piccolo is a great place to start the hobby.
    http://www.ikarus-modellbau.de/ubbthreads/ postlist .php?Cat=&Board=UBB1
    Here is a bbs for the product.

    1. Re:Pixel vs obtainable RC helis by barjam · · Score: 1

      I would suggest not starting with mini electrics. Either start with a 30 size gas, or spend a lot of time flying the electric helis in Realflight G2.

      The mini electrics are pretty hard to fly compared to the larger helis.

  24. Re:spamdot.org? by PortWineBoy · · Score: 2

    Yea, I have to wonder how long it will be until we see reviews of Mini RC cars. Not that they don't look cool, but I have to believe that nothing touted via spam works...I could be wrong, but then we'd all be B I G G E R.

    --

    this sig deleted by another sig

  25. what about the chick? by heymjo · · Score: 1
    I feel sad for the chick who is clearly being exploited to show off the MH's size.

    Thousands of these chicks die every year around easter after being mistreated horribly by some annoying little brat who just had to have one for Easter. And now this guy used one to demonstrate the size of his microhelicopter that nobody but the military cares about!

    1. Re:what about the chick? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Uhh-- hello? These micro helicopters have NO military purpose. They're used by RC hobbyists- such as myself. They don't have the payload or stability requirements to be useful in anythng other than controlled indoor environs.

      Typical kneejerk liberal crap.

  26. 330ml, 350ml or 500 ml? by DrSkwid · · Score: 1

    that's the beauty of standards

    --
    There are places where the networks are not touching,and there are places where they are-Boeing's Lori Gunter
  27. Be glad by moc.tfosorcimgllib · · Score: 1

    Just be glad they didn't talk about "Coming to work in one this morning".

    BTW, this is a repost, they had these up with Zip-Zaps way back in december.

  28. That Ernest Borgnine Figurine... by nicky_d · · Score: 1

    Keep a look out for old "Black Hole" action figures - including surely the only commercially produced Ernest Borgnine figure in human history. In grey, IIRC, and as unmistakable as you'd imagine. Probably about the right size, judging by some of the 'copter shots.

    Everything's really starting to come together for you, isn't it?

  29. First videos don't work by derbs · · Score: 5, Informative

    The first videos seem to 404. Try this: http://www.planetinternet.be/pixel/clipfp1.avi (8.1mb)

  30. These are common by andrewm · · Score: 3, Informative

    Here's a review of another small one:

    http://rcgroups.com/links/index.php?t=article&ca t= 198&id=4144

    Fits in the palm of one hand.

  31. Danger! Decapitation Risk. by Yorrike · · Score: 2, Funny

    The site proclaims these machines to be small enough to fly inside. . . . wouldn't that be the most dangerous toy ever? It'd be like a tiny flying lawn mower!

    --

    Looks can be deceiving. Or CAN they?

    1. Re:Danger! Decapitation Risk. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      But they weight almost nothing. I've flown a Piccolo into myself a few times, and it's never caused more than a minor bruise. That's been through clothing though, I've never had a direct hit on bare skin. I guess you could poke an eye out if you are really stupid/unlucky, but there just isn't much mass there.

  32. Re:spamdot.org? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
    Yea, I have to wonder how long it will be until we see reviews of Mini RC cars. Not that they don't look cool, but I have to believe that nothing touted via spam works...I could be wrong, but then we'd all be B I G G E R.

    Dude, are you stupid or something? Of course that shit works. If it didn't work then it would be ILLEGAL to advertise it. False advertising! Just because you're too embarrassed to buy penis pills doesn't mean they don't work. Give them a try. Most have a 30 day money-back guarentee. If you don't grow it's FREE! Wouldn't you like to add INCHES to your girth and length? For christ sakes, ask your girlfriend (if you have one). I'm sure she'll admit you're lacking in the fulfillment department. While you're at it, try new extra-strength Testosterol. Testosterol replaces lost testosterone which is the key to a successful sexual experience!!!! DO IT TODAY! TESTOSTEROL AND PENIS PILLS CHANGED MY LIFE!

  33. Bigger than a micro, but 100 g sugar no problem by wwwillem · · Score: 2, Interesting
    If you like to kick it up a notch, check out www.flycam.nl. These machines are app. 2 meter long and can carry an 11 kg payload, so that should be enough for your sugar cubes :-). To get details and specs, click the site-map link.

    I once read somewhere that these helicopters go for a price of 30-40 thousand. Same as a car....

    --
    Browsers shouldn't have a back button!! It's all about going forward...
    1. Re:Bigger than a micro, but 100 g sugar no problem by gol64738 · · Score: 1

      wow kick ass! i'm going to get this for my son instead of a big wheel!

  34. This really ain't news but anyway by NorthDude · · Score: 5, Informative

    If you look carefully, the site as seen its last update 2 years ago.

    Those were hand made, but the guy helped IKarus to design the Eco Piccolo which is really small and comes in a kit form.
    Then, there is also the MS Composite Hornet, which I personally prefer. Those 2 are a lot of fun to fly, but you have to be dedicated to them, because they need a lot of tweeking to get every bit of power from the cells, extra care must also be taken because of their small form. And they are also everything but cheap...
    Anyway, a very geeky hobby that's for sure...

    --


    I'd rather be sailing...
    1. Re:This really ain't news but anyway by telstar · · Score: 2, Funny
      "If you look carefully, the site as seen its last update 2 years ago."
      • Yeah, sadly the site owner has been bleeding out on the floor for the past two years after being decapitated with one of his toy copters... I guess that explains why they're not available for sale.

    2. Re:This really ain't news but anyway by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      MS Composite Hornet

      A MS Helicopter? Gives new meaning to "crashing". ;)

    3. Re:This really ain't news but anyway by NorthDude · · Score: 1

      Those small choper are not very dangerous.
      While they can hurt you a bit, it won't be that bad at all. You wont loose a fingure...
      The .30 or .60 beast are something else tough as those have head speed in the 1500-2000 rpm, and the blades can be quite long to.
      Those can kill! But a piccolo or an hornet would probably not even cut thru the skin...

      --


      I'd rather be sailing...
  35. Tethered, but still great fun... by Boss,+Pointy+Haired · · Score: 3, Informative

    I recently bought one of these - it's a tethered indoor model heli - and some of the best fun you can have with your clothes on. It comes with a computer based sim so you can plug the actual controller into your PC and try and minimise damage to your living room.

    Around £200 in the UK. I now have to redecorate as a result of buying mine.

  36. BROKEN LINK - See here for Snelflight Hoverfly by Boss,+Pointy+Haired · · Score: 4, Informative

    Oooops.

    Snelflight

  37. Sorry, by MondoMor · · Score: 2, Funny

    Even with a gyro keeping the tail steady, it still takes two hands to fly. Even to hover.

    A better way to kick the porn habit is to glue sandpaper to your hands, pillow and realdoll.

  38. One Acronym: by ttsalo · · Score: 0

    CGI.

    --
    If the road to hell is paved with good intentions, where does the road paved with evil intentions lead to?
  39. I prefer the Mini Flying Saucer by nyc_paladin · · Score: 2, Informative

    The mini RC helicopter is good and all but for covert operations you need a mini airship.

    --
    All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing. --Edmund Burke
  40. How hard is helicopter AI control? by Boss,+Pointy+Haired · · Score: 2, Interesting

    How hard would this be to do?

    Flying a model (or real helicopter) for that matter require continuous delicate feedback - far more than flying a fixed wing aircraft.

    Do modern real heli's have auto-pilot? I'm sure they do; but how hard would it be to incorporate the necessary sensors into the model of this size and have controlled by computer?

    1. Re:How hard is helicopter AI control? by thatnerdguy · · Score: 0, Interesting

      if you look here near the bottom you will find a "Headinglock Module" for the helicopter. What it does is memorizes the last direction the copter was flying in, and in case of interference from wind or something it automatically corrects. This allows you to concentrate more on other aspects of flying.

      --
      I saw the Sign, and it opened up my eyes
    2. Re:How hard is helicopter AI control? by AndrewHowe · · Score: 2, Informative

      autopilot.
      You're welcome.

    3. Re:How hard is helicopter AI control? by aberson · · Score: 3, Interesting

      CMU has one called HELI. Supposedly, it was being considered to fly over the Somerset crash site on 9/11 to map out the area, but the authorities decided that if it crashed also, it would just complicate the crash site more. Lots of other places have similar creatures. There's also the Aerial Robotics Competition

  41. (Somewhat) Important Distinction by rgraham · · Score: 1

    The Piccolo, Hummingbird and Hornet are all micros-helicopter and while small, are not as small as the sub-micro like the Helistar (similar to one pictured next to the chick in the story). These smaller machines can be just as expensive to buy as larger gas machines but they are usually less expensive to keep flying since you don't have to always be buying fuel, and parts are less expensive to fix when they crash(if you get one, you will crash it). All these "rotary wing aircraft" are available on HeliHobby, which all though it is experiencing a serious Slashdotting is run by a great guy.

  42. $500 by mao+che+minh · · Score: 4, Insightful
    The entire collection of required parts is a mere $500, imagine, for only $500 you get seven fiendishly action packed minutes of zany flight time! (unless you pay an extra $100 for the better battery, which will buy you 12 minutes)

    I'm sorry, but I could have a lot more fun with $500:

    1. A night out with my girl
    2. A GeForce 4 ti4200
    3. 256MB more RAM
    4. The new issue of Maxim with Tyra Banks on the cover
    5. Jergen's Extra Silky Smooth Antibacterial lotion
    5. An eight ball of white
    6. A better web host because The Effect made my mini-PC-heli fan page go bye-bye

    1. Re:$500 by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      256MB more ram? You must be on crack. Hell, I could get nearly 2 GB easily via pricewatch.com

    2. Re:$500 by barjam · · Score: 1

      After seven minutes of flying an RC helicopter you will want a break. Unlike RC planes, RC helicopters do not fly themselves.

    3. Re:$500 by bhtooefr · · Score: 0

      I think he meant that he could do ALL of that on $500.

  43. A better machine IMHO... by ChrisPaget · · Score: 1

    ...is the Hoverfly from Snelflight. Total flying weight of 70 grams, unlimited flying time, and so robust you can give your mates the controller without worring about the repair bill. I've been flying one of these things for about a year now - hours of fun, especially when it goes to work with me and the guys in the office take turns at trying to kill each other with it... :)

  44. If only I had a beowulf cluster of those... by hellfire · · Score: 1, Funny

    It had to be said!

    --

    "All great wisdom is contained in .signature files"

  45. Re:It never needs to be said, but: by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Mod Parent Down!!!

    It's 3.Profit, not 4!

    What an idiot.

  46. How long before we see flying poison injectors by A55M0NKEY · · Score: 1

    Ala Dune...

    --

    Eat at Joe's.

  47. Oh that's why it felt like the were on acid by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    for all those who want to share the pixel experience

  48. ThinkGeek by Whigh · · Score: 1

    Bet Thinkgeek will have this by the end of next month.

    I mean, they have the smallest R/C Cars, why not Helo's as well?

  49. There are a quite a few ... by burgburgburg · · Score: 2, Funny

    commercially produced Ernest Borgnine figures out there. I personally have in my collection The Wild Bunch Ernest Borgnine, The Posiden Adventure Ernest Borgnine, the Marty Ernest Borgnine. And I'm waiting for delivery of the Single Guy Ernest Borgnine!

    1. Re:There are a quite a few ... by Thud457 · · Score: 1
      You are a sick, sick person.

      Please seek help.

      --

      the preceding comment is my own and in no way reflects the opinion of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

  50. How is this news? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    It's been out for well over a year.

    "News for Nerds. Stuff that matters". Riiiight...

  51. More postings on the obvious by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Look...there are these new devices called "chalkboards" where you can apparently write with this "white chalky substance" and make "words" and other new fangled things.

    Seriously, there is an entire RC industry. They have new products all the time. Planes/Boats/Helicopters.

  52. Similar one, but much cheaper... by Ewan · · Score: 3, Informative

    http://www.wes-technik.de/English/helistar.htm

    only 120grammes, and only 199Euros, which is pretty much $200.

  53. Amazing! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    A first post can be marked "Redundant"

  54. Re:It never needs to be said, but: by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Mod this idiot down! It's '4.profit!', not 3. What an idiot!

  55. heli not for sale..... by grimani · · Score: 1

    but if you just click on these two links....

  56. Air Hogs R/C Sky Patrol by maitas · · Score: 1

    Air Hogs R/C
    Sky Patrol is a much cheaper option...

  57. Wait a second.. by mog · · Score: 4, Funny

    That's not a tiny helicopter - that's a giant chick! Let me be the first to surrender to our new master, this world-eating baby chicken!

  58. nifty, but... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    ...can you make one out of an old 3 1/2 inch floppy?

  59. RC Heli-cam by IsoRashi · · Score: 1

    Shameless plug. My sister's boyfriend is one of the guys who runs this. I've never seen it fly but I've seen the pics they take with it and they're pretty nice. Neatest thing is that he's constantly is working on the helicopter himself. He's a /. reader, so if you're reading, add some info!

    --
    This is not the greatest sig in the world, no. This is just a tribute.
    1. Re:RC Heli-cam by IsoRashi · · Score: 1

      I'm not sure where that site is hosted, so please! Be gentle!

      --
      This is not the greatest sig in the world, no. This is just a tribute.
  60. sounds like a terrorist weapon by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I bet a device like this could be effective in releasing spores into the air, the propeler can help to circulate the spores evenly across a given location.

    1. Re:sounds like a terrorist weapon by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Oh no, the terrorists are out to get you. Everything is a terrorist plot! Won't someone think of the children!

      Pussy.

  61. Impress me by schnitzi · · Score: 4, Funny
    So small that it can drop a sugar cube into your cup of coffee.

    You want to impress me, build a helicopter so small it CAN'T drop a sugar cube into your cup of coffee.

    --



    I object to that article, and to the next reply.
  62. Warning! by IWannaBeAnAC · · Score: 4, Informative
    Think really hard and do some research before you buy an RC helicopter. They are not easy to fly, and it takes a *lot* of practice to even get to the first step of being able to just hover.

    Expect to have frequent, expensive crashes while learning how to fly. You will do save yourself a huge amount of time if you spend a few hours (or even a few minutes) browsing some RC forums before toy buy. eg, http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/index.php is a good start.

    Also, a mini RC helicopter is much harder to fly than a larger, specially designed trainer. Be warned.

    1. Re:Warning! by psyconaut · · Score: 1

      Some would argue that helicopters are relatively hard to fly, period...

      Also, you can add things like heading logic to some brands which make life a bit easier if you're not too good at controlling the tail rotor ;-)

      -psy

    2. Re:Warning! by SpinyNorman · · Score: 1

      What you really want is a gyro auto-stabilized hoverer, like the Draganflyer. Unfortunately it costs ~$800, but one of these days I may succumb... Check out the videos!

    3. Re:Warning! by Cthefuture · · Score: 1

      Uh, most any RC copter these days is auto-stabilized. It's usually an option and not very expensive.

      Although that makes it easier to fly for sure, helicopters are still incredibly difficult to control. And the smaller/lighter ones are almost useless outside because even a tiny breeze or gust of wind will send your little guy zooming to places you didn't intend.

      Tiny electric airplanes are more fun. Still susceptible to wind, but since you're already moving at a good speed it's not nearly as bad. Of course you can't fly those inside quite as easily.

      --
      The ratio of people to cake is too big
    4. Re:Warning! by hoofie · · Score: 1

      I'll second this. These little copters are unusable in anything but zero wind or inside.

      If you want something you can use outside, you are talking about a 5-6 foot rotor span and .35 cu in engine with a rotor speed approaching roughly around 1000 rpm at full whack. If that hits anything it's going to cause a lot of damage/injury/cost - and thats a baby trainer `copter.

      They are VERY difficult to learn to hover, you need literally training wheels until you can take-off, hover, move around and land, even in wind, otherwise you'll be replacing tail booms, rotors, drive shafts etc. etc. all the time. Even with a gyro-stabilised tail rotor (i.e. adjusts to correct heli yaw movement) they are still fiendishly difficult. When I used to fly there was an endless procession of kiddies who would appear for a couple of weeks at the site with their brand new helis, only to seem them get smashed up all of the time.

      Having said all that, if you serious, they are cracking fun !!! (but expensive !)

  63. Hirobo X.R.B Lama by Frederic54 · · Score: 1

    Hirobo is a well known manufacturer of R/C helicopters, one of their model, the X.R.B Lama is a small indoor one, you can see a video of it in action, it seems really great! It works with two counter rotating rotors, and has a cable to get power/signal so it's not true R/C, but still funny, imagine flying over your neighbour's cubicle :o). There is a review at RC Universe.

    --
    "Science will win because it works." - Stephen Hawking
  64. Looks like... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    You could probably afford numbers 1-5a together for $500. 5b is probably skippable, and a better web host is an ongoing cost anyway, not an upfront investment. You'll just be moving your money from one host to the other, so consider it free.

    Oh, and don't get the Ti4200-- the Radeon 9500 Pro is a crazy better deal at roughly the same price.

  65. Size Comparison by Eideteker · · Score: 1
    Sadly, though it's an affordable helicopter for many; as the picture shows, it's too small to pick up chicks.

    What I want is a remote-controlled surveillance roach like the kind Tricky used in the Fifth Element.

    --
    sic
  66. suburban war by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Im going to get a dozen of these things, rig them with bird poop squirters, get a motion detector/locator, and rig the controllers to the algorithm that runs the copters from command & conquer. Neighborhood children beware.

  67. Questions? by bayankaran · · Score: 1

    Did anyone 'imagine a beowulf cluster' of these helicopters? And if they did how did it go?

    Do these helicopters run ogg?

    Ducks! It was not me who posted these questions.

    --
    Tat Tvam Asi
  68. Great! by GregoryD · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Now call me when they are able to make em 1/10th the size and put wireless cameras on em as well. Imagine to be a fly on the wall of a woman's locker room. Oh yeah, soon I can be! woohoo! go technology! I think this male fantasy is driving micro technology and 3d technology as well. sign me up for the beta!

  69. Re:Warning! AGREED! by Superfreaker · · Score: 1

    Flying an RC helicopter is like flying an RC plane while balancing on the head of a pin (or some analogy like that).

    Hell, flying an RC plane is hard enough, don't forget dangerous!

  70. such things should be banned by guest12 · · Score: 1

    what if the evil guys use them for military operations by carrying lethal payloads? what if they mod them using mini jets? shudder! what if they already are ? no. maybe they'd use much smaller flying nano machines.

  71. Imagine... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    A beowulf....

    Oh. Never mind...

  72. A Good Alternative by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Having flown a very nice TSK R/C helicopter for a few years, I have incurred a severe crash which actually bent some of the aluminum frames.

    TSK has been bought out by a company called NHP, and they no longer make TSKs or replacement parts. This is unfortunate since TSK was considdered the Lexus of R/C helicopters. They were very high quality, and very easy to fly.

    Now that I am looking at buying a home, money is tight. I would love another R/C, but I cannot afford a whole helicopter and electronics since my reciever and some servos were totalled as well.

    However, a micro might allow me to not spend a large pile of money, yet still have some fun. I am not a big fan of fixed pitch helicopters, but for indoor flying, it should be okay.

    Also, my cats would love it!!!

  73. sugar cubes or cyanide, your choice (nt) by nxs212 · · Score: 0

    no
    text

  74. Be kind with the man. He has a rough past... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Peruse here, on his page.

    And I quote:
    This is me, in between my parents, who are as fascinated as most are by the little helicopters. They pushed me into modeling when I was 10 years old, whereas none of them had even a clue about how a hobby knife looked like...

    This webpage is a cry for help. The man was driven through the fassion world and now looks like he is 60 year-old grumpah and inside that body is a 10 year-old boy! If anything, we must donante more acid^Hsugar cubes! My seizures^Hprayers are with him...

  75. I OWN a Piccolo Helicopter. And... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

    This was the BEST FUN ive ever had with ANY
    RC gadget. Be WARNED though, ITS INSANELY
    difficult to FLY it. This is about the most
    difficult RC helicopter to fly. Its problem
    areas are at TAKE off and Landing when the
    rotor wash begins to cycle back into the blades.
    With the utmost concentration I could hover it
    withing a 5 foot area, but its ALL OVER that
    5 foot area.. Flight times are about 5 mins.
    Also, the other posters are correct is realistically impossible to fly it outdoors with
    its STOCK configuration. But Ive HAD TONS of fun
    scaring my cats with it indoors. With the piccolo
    helicopter I also experienced the opposite of
    ground effect (Enhanced lift closer to the ground)
    which I called "Ceiling" effect, the closer
    to your ceiling indoors, the higher the chance
    of it sucking itself into the ceiling due to
    suction.

  76. On dropping sugar cubes into coffee... by Lancer · · Score: 1
    "So small that it can drop a sugar cube into your cup of coffee."

    A full-scale CH-53D could do this as well. Of course, instead of trying to maneuver the bird into position to drop one cube into your coffee, it'd probably just dump 6.35e05 cubes of sugar onto and around your cup of coffee, which, while not terribly useful, would look pretty damn cool.

    --
    Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside a dog it's too dark to read. - Groucho Marx
  77. You don't need a mini rc helicopter.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    You don't need a mini rc helicopter to get a sugar cube into your coffee. All you need to do is stick a gps missile guidance system onto the sugar cube itself and fire it from a ground based location miles away!

  78. News? Get with the program! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    The Hornet and Piccolo have been around for years. They both way between 160 and 230 g, without batteries. The housefly (dreamhobbies.com) is smaller but has been around for over a year as well. The Piccolo and Hornet even have collective pitch upgrades, like the big RC helis...

    Now, the latest ultra micro from WES Technic is really a 100 - 130 g machine... You can see it at www.helihobby.com or at homefly.com. There is a review at ezone.com

    All of these have been around for over 6 months. How do I know? I've been flying Piccolos and Hornets for almost 2 years now...

    How about some real news?

    With the latest H.O. LiPoly batteries, I get well over 20 minutes flying, now that's news!

  79. This is not a toy by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

    While I am just beginning to get into RC flying, I can tell you that base on my research, you can't just casually build and fly one around the office as suggested. This is because they are difficult to fly (6 channels of control required)and besides, the people I talked to have stories about getting hit by the moving blades (and nasty scars to prove it). The helicopters presented here maybe small, but they hurt like hell if the blades ever break apart or you are not careful in controling it and ended up hitting someone.

    1. Re:This is not a toy by metachimp · · Score: 1

      I saw a guy with one in Prospect Park. It was airborne for about 5 seconds before it crashed, destroying it. They look hard to control.

      --
      The system has failed you, don't fail yourself. --Billy Bragg
  80. micro heli flight by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

    If you want to get a real small helicopter, check out this:
    http://www.micro-flight.com/HouseFLY.htm

    and if you want loads of info on micro helicopters, check out this:
    http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/forumdisplay .php?s= 9b54eeef9612fa07912c9c99cd665eab&forumid=42

    hope this helps some people get into the hobby!

  81. So small ? by dr.+electron · · Score: 1

    >So small that it can drop a sugar cube into your cup of coffee.

    Size doesn't really matter in dropping a sugar cube into my coffee cup. It's not THAT hard to imagine an Apache helicopter dropping a sugar cube into my cup :-)

    1. Re:So small ? by Fat+Casper · · Score: 1
      Size doesn't really matter in dropping a sugar cube into my coffee cup. It's not THAT hard to imagine an Apache helicopter dropping a sugar cube into my cup :-)

      You've never been under a hovering helicopter before, have you? A Pixel has the advantage of not blowing your cup across the field (or room) before it gets into cube dropping position.

      --
      I spent a year in Iraq looking for WMD and all I found was this lousy sig.
  82. Re:Warning! -- INSIDE INFO -- by Jarth · · Score: 1

    This guy used to be my boss, i saw him fly the thing around the office but not drop sugar cubes. Though i do indeed remember him saying that flying such a microcopter wasn't the easiest thing to do the whole point of his creation was that this one was easier to fly. Greets, J.

    --
    free dom(inion) - free energy - free your mind - whee!
  83. Re:Warning! -- INSIDE INFO -- by IWannaBeAnAC · · Score: 1
    I guess you're referring to the original (not available for sale) RC heli?

    I guess it is plausible that it is relatively easy to fly. The problem is though I bet a bunch of people are going to buy one of the other mini RC helis (that are NOT easy to fly) and be very disappointed when they crash and/or hurt someone on its first flight.

  84. Just don't start the engine. by Stonent1 · · Score: 1

    Otherwise you'll have puree of poulet! (You must have seen the picture first for this to make sense.)

  85. Pretty cool, but I'd believe it's a bitch to fly by ehintz · · Score: 1

    IANAMHP (MHP==Model Heli Pilot). But I am a student helicopter pilot, with 13 hours in the Schweizer CB300. And it's a real bitch to control for the first 3-5 hours, without the CFI I'd have had at the very least some rough landings, and might've damaged an airframe or 2. One gains a lot of respect for Sikorsky and co when realizing he had no CFI to help him out, and flew experimental craft to boot. Impressive. Anyway, I'll betcha these things are even easier to get out of control than the trainers I fly; you can't feel the balance and have to rely entirely on visual cues to get it right. I'd guess somebody starting in this little game would be pretty likely to trash at least one of 'em before getting the skills down.

    --
    ehintz
  86. OFFTOPIC by Alsee · · Score: 1

    Rehi!

    I guess now we know when the discussion gets locked to new posts :D

    -

    --
    - - You can't take something off the Internet! That's like trying to take pee out of a swimming pool.
    1. Re:OFFTOPIC by ralphclark · · Score: 1

      Hello again sir! I have actually posted a link to a reply - but it's not in a story comment thread, it's on my journal page. By all means you may contact me if you can figure out where I am and you feel the urge to have the last word... ;o)

    2. Re:OFFTOPIC by Alsee · · Score: 1

      See reply in your journal.

      You even get to mod my post, hehe.

      -

      --
      - - You can't take something off the Internet! That's like trying to take pee out of a swimming pool.