About a year ago I wrote an article about the Parrot AR Drone (new at the time) and how it would be fun to fly a GoPro HD on it. The biggest limiting factor at the time was that it operated over a WiFi connection to an iPod touch, iPhone, or iPad. This gave very limited range and if the connection was lost, the unit would go stray.
In the recent months there's been plenty of mods and mounts for these inexpensive AR Drone Quadcopters, including 2.4g Radio Control (no more wifi iphone). The mods allow you to fly the units further and higher. Not a perfect solution, but miles ahead of it's original intent to fly on just Wifi alone. Looks like lots of fun. With the new GoProHD Hero 2 quality should be even better. Vimeo member Chad Johnson has some good information in the video (below).
One of the most important parts you'll need to start (aside from the Drone) is the modified Radio Control kit found below.
Modified AR Drone 2.4g Radio Kit
There's plenty of these Parrot Quadcopters being auctioned over at eBay (click here)
Parrot AR Drone Quadcopter
You can find additional information about which websites with info and camera mounts over at Chad's video page (click here).
Tery Wilson
Any updates on this? I have been hearing too many horror stories about crashes and flyaways with DGI phantoms.
This will be my first copter fr my goPro Hero3+ and have never flown one before
Micah B.
Hey check out the Dji phantom, it flies much better than the AR Drone, you can pick one up on amazon here for a little over $600 with a gopro mount already attached.
https://www.amazon.com/DJI-Phantom-Aerial-Drone-Quadcopter/dp/B00AGOSQI8/
Laura P.
Hy,
I bought an AR Drone Parrot to my boy friend, and he has a GoProHD...
I want to know if he will need some accessory to fix the Gopro on the copter ?
If yes, what is it and where can I find it ?
Thank you for the response ! 🙂
MovieBuff
Any updates on this?
JL Hill
My ardrone 2 won't lift my Gopro 2?
Anyone have some ideas?
Henry
The Wi-Fi BacPac + Wi-Fi Remote Combo Kit + Parrot AR Drone will be interesting combo.
Then you'll be able to see what you're shooting.
Abe
pretty cool, I think after all the modifications it comes out to the same price as getting a Gaui 330X kit.
Emm
Post author@kicap - Don't forget about the GAUI quadcopters. They probably ship overseas httpss://cheesycam.com/gaui-quad-copter-for-gopro/
kicap
Does anyone know where I can get something like sold here: https://www.rchobbyhelicopter.com/store52/agora.cgi?product=Quadcopter_UAV_Kits
that willing to ship overseas?
The above website does not ship anything outside the States.
I am looking to get something that is READY TO FLY with all the accessories required instead of building them from scratch as I am not really good with that.
All the one sold on eBay are half-completed and the description is kinda confusing for me.
Thanks
Jason
wow pretty rad.
On another note, I mix in a lot of quick action shots take from my gopro in witih t2i footage all the time. Should be comparable to your 60D. Like em said, if its unique and cool it will be enough. Especially if its a few seconds
Austin
Hm always wanted to see how this would work but i use to always see terrible footage. This footage looks very good, stable, and useable! Sadly I only have the GoPro HD 1 so not the better quality from the gopro 2 but hey still a nice camera. And my friend just got a job at brokestone that sells these things, looks like its time I get one XD
Emm
Post author@Caroline Carrigan - The new GoProHD video is usable, but I wouldn't say it matches. I think the unique type of footage from a copter will most likely overshadow any resolution differences to the average client.
Caroline Carrigan
How well does the Gopro footage mix with the footage from, say, Canon 60D? This set up would be a great solution for a quick shot in a short that I've always longed to have, but I'd be concerned with matching. Any one have any feedback on that?