Gift for Gadget Guys and Geeks

Do you have one of those hard-to-buy-for guys on your shopping list?  A guy who likes gadgets- or a geek who is never far from his smart phone?  I’ve got a gift idea for you!

The Parrot AR.Drone 2.0

Controlled by a mobile app – available for both iProducts and Android- the drone creates it’s own wifi signal, records video from front or bottom facing cameras, does flips and will scare the bejeezus out of any pets you might have.  It’s a win all the way around!

At $300, it’s not an inexpensive gift, but it is one that will surprise your gadget geek!  And the learning curve will keep him busy for hours!

You can order the Parrot AR.Drone from Verizon Wireless.  Check their compatible devices list to make sure your mobile device supports the app.

Some fun stuff…

Overview:

• The AR.Drone 2.0 is a remote quad copter controlled by your Smart Device
• There are 2 onboard camera’s. The front camera streams 720p high-definition live video to your Smart Device
• Fly, record and share your flight in HD and upload video to YouTube or Picasa
• Absolute Control flight mode
• Flip option enabled for advanced piloting
• Ultrasonic and Pressure Sensors provide intuitive controls
• USB and Wi-Fi flight video record options

Key Features:

• Fly, record and share via your Smart Device
• Social application and media upload with geolocation
• Absolute Control flight mode
• Flip option enabled for advanced piloting
• USB and Wi-Fi record options
• Altitude sensor – you set the limits
• Augmented Reality Gaming

Specifications:
–HD Camera 720p 30fps
–Wide angle lens – 92ins
–1GHz 32 ARM A8 processor
–800MHz video DSP
–1GB DDR2 RAM at 200MHz
–USB 2.0 High Speed Expansion
–Wi-Fi b,g,n
–3 axis gyroscope 2000°/second
–3 axis magnetometer 6° precision
–Pressure Sensor +/- 10 Pa
–Ultrasound sensors
–60fps vertical QVGA camera
–Total weight .83 LBS
–4 brushless motors
–14.5 watt and 28,500RPM
–Low noise Nylatron gears
–Software updatable

Things to note:

While we had hours of fun with this (no kidding!) I do want to point out just a couple of things:

• The indoor flying hull is very delicate- do not use it outside.  (really)
• There is a learning curve to using this.  And no instruction manual.  Take it slow.
• The battery drains quickly (of course it does- 2 cameras, 4 propellers and on-board wifi…  )
• We were loaned the Parrot AR Drone by Verizon Wireless.  We were not compensated for this post, nor do we get to keep this fun toy (which is too bad…  my husband has become very popular at work)