Gender

Male

Location

Patterson, California

About Me:

Hello, I've always been a multi-hobbyist, (but usually had to do it "on the cheap")! When I was a kid, I really wanted to fly RC's, but they were gas powered, relatively expensive, they took a lot of skill to master (and a crash could easily take you out for at least a day). So I got into model rockets. I stayed with that most of my life (adding photography, music, astronomy, HAM radio, audio and video production, computers and microscopy as time went on). Then my wife got me a toy from Target (the Aero Ace jet). I'm not ashamed to admit that I had a lot of fun with it (and it taught me the basics of flying). I quickly moved up to another toy, the Yellow Bee (same idea, no flight control surfaces, but more capable). Then I got a Blade CX, 4-channel Heli. That taught me to use more fine control inputs (and how to make extensive repairs)! :-) Next, I added a mini wireless spy cam on the Heli and the Yellow Bee, down-linked to my camcorder, and MAN… I WAS HOOKED ON VIDEO FLYING! My hometown supports the use of model-class rocketry and electric park flyers in our local sports park, so I moved up a brushless Slow-Stick and a foamy, the Wild Hawk (kind of a cheaper Easy Star), where I developed my stick and rudder skills. I tried the wireless spy-cam on both of them, but they could fly further than the wireless system's ability to maintain a solid signal. So I decided I needed an on-board camcorder... I found that the Wild Hawk would easily carry the inexpensive CVS disposable camcorder (modified for re-use), with just the stock brushed motor and NiMH battery pack. Because it's a pusher plane, unlike the Slow-Stick, there were no issues with the prop or landing gear in front of the camera's field of view. For just $69 on-sale, RTF, I couldn't beat the Wild Hawk's price/performance. But the video resolution on the CVS disposable camcorder was, uh, not great! :-) Then I found the same manufacturer had developed a much better camcorder (in the same relative size and shape), the Flip Ultra series. I've had several Flips now and I'm 100% delighted with their performance. I'm having some of the most fun I've ever had with a hobby (and watching the on-board videos is as much fun as shooting them)! Cheers, Chuck

Hometown:

Patterson, California