subject: Parrot AR Drone Users Common Questions [print this page] Worth the money?Yes without a doubtWorth the money?Yes without a doubt. It is lower than the cost of putting a reasonable 450 heli in the air and i think the second-hand price will probably be decent in case i get tired. No regrets on the cost per smile for me personally.
Inadequate range on wifi?I have yet to have the Wifi cut out on me, so it looks a lot better than promoted so far.
Is the camera sluggish?Occasionally yes. Sometimes it is fast and smooth and sometimes it stutters. Not suitable for FPV, add your cam system for that. However the video stream is enjoyable and that is precisely what this bird is about
Easier to fly without camera but looking at it?Indeed I don't know if it is me and my own heli flying habits, but I am mainly watching the AR Drone itself, looking at the display only if I remember it has video on it
Better with a 2.4GHz system?Could well be great to have the choice to fly with a 2.4 transmitter. Still can feel odd controlling by tilting the iPad.
Good in blowing wind?Better than I expected at first. It's kind of bumpy but seems to hold up nicely overall
Better at hovering than moving around?Much better at hovering where there's a clear terrain texture. See those advertising videos with a extremely paterned floor? I suppose that is to get the most effective holding result from the down facing camera. It isn't really as good on grass, wafting within around a foot roughly. Forwards flight appears to be real easy, much better at both than I was expecting.
Breakable?Well yes and no. It's going to break if you drive in to a wall. It just isn't that tough but it is more robust feeling than I feared it could be. I believe it is going to hold up much better than your normal RTF smaller heli. Let's wait and watch the way it stands up.
