The APM-based Quanum line from HobbyKing now has a cool new addition: a FollowMe copter with GPS armband and watch controller. Comes with 4K camera for $450, which is an amazing price (half or a third of the price of the Kickstarter FollowMe drones such as Hexo+ or Airdog).
Easy to use, the FollowMe uses the most up to date technology which not only controls the flying but also takes care of the camera stabilisation and operation, making sure the super sharp 4K action camera keeps you squarely in the frame every second.
Controlled completely by a watch worn by the user, with auto-take off, auto land, auto return to home (launch point), circle shooting mode, hover shooting mode, pan shot mode and of course follow me mode, the FollowMe is as user-friendly as it gets. Once you have put on the watch and the FollowMe Tracker, you just turn it on, select a flight mode, press a button to take off and then you can get on that bike, skateboard or running track with your own personal drone following you and recording all of the action as it happens.
With an almost "launch and forget" capability the FollowMe is the ideal aerial action camera partner for solo action sports videographers. You don't need a second person to operate it and coupled with footage from personal cameras fitted to helmets or equipment, it will add that special dimension to action videos/movies like nothing else can. All your gear is stored in an attractive red carry case.
The FollowMe is the ultimate personal drone for the aspiring videographer who doesn't just want to record the action, they want to be part of it too!
Features:
• Perfect for action sports enthusiasts
• Easy to use
• Single person operation
• Quanum 4k action camera
• Camera operation can be remotely operated by phone App
• Autonomous flying functions
• 5 smart flight modes
• Low battery - Auto Land feature
• Return to Launch Point feature
• Lightweight watch and tracker
• Manual flight control with override available
• Attractive carry case
Specs:
Wheelbase: 410mm
Flying Weight: 1250g (with Battery, camera and gimbal)
Battery: 3S 11.1V 5500mAh LiPoly
Transmitter Range: 60m
Watch Weight: 45g
Tracker Weight: 45g
Camera Specs:
Video Resolution: 4k 25fps, 2.7k 30fps, 1080P 60fps, 720P 120FPS, VGA 240fps.
Lens FOV: 170 degree wide angle
Photosensitive Member: COMS wafer
Supply Voltage: 4.2V Lipoly/USB 5V
Video Format: H.264/MJPG(MP4/MOV)
Image Sensor: Sony 1600 megapixel 1/2.3"
Display Screen: 2" LTPS TFT LC
WiFi: Supported
Dimensions: 59 x 41 x 24.5mm
Weight: 65g
Includes:
1 x Quanum FollowMe Action Camera Drone
1 x Quanum 4K Action Camera
1 x Camera Gimbal
4 x 9450 Self-Tightening Propellers (CW/CCW)
1 x Watch Controller
1 x Tracker
2 x Landing Legs
1 x Charger with power cable (US Plug)
1 x Charger cable
1 x Carry case
Comments
Hi John,
Hypocrisy has never been a problem for Corporations, theirs or ours.
And OG, the Chinese are making a complete mockery of all intellectual property rights for their own benefit.
It is only paid attention too as it impacts Chinese business negatively.
And then as little as possible.
Wow looks impressive. 1250g takeoff weight and 9inch prop is not so small though.
Very nicely fit into such small bag. I need to speed up my project now... :(
@Gary, and the irony is that if and when a Chinese company actually spend the time and money to develop their own IP, then they defend it like rabbit dogs. Just look at DJI for an example close to heart.
What's yours is mine, and what's mine is mine..
FWIW I think there is life in the old APM2.x yet.
At the end of its development life it had to cope with generic code which also catered for 1GHz PC's and redundant sensors, etc. On its own branch the code could be optimised for the APM. It is also more in the spirit of what Ardupilot once was ... part of the Arduino revolution of bring microcontrollers to the masses. The trend now seems to be towards Ardupilot becoming Posix only and increasingly sophisticated and moving fast away from that towards 'professional only" development
But APM/Arduino could (have (be(en) a great tool for learning in schools, though I am waiting for the first
Microbit Flight controller..
https://www.microbit.co.uk/
Unfortunately the current code base wont cut it or that I think
@Gary,
All very good points. I guess though my "disappointment" is that they've released it (assuming it is the APM / 2560) with an already overstretched CPU. Or they have code and features that resemble what our life was like with APM2.5.
It is true though that with stuff like this they are targeting those who are happy with the Phantom - just want it to work and don't care for tinkering.
We have been spoiled over the years with the features and rapid development of the codebase from the devs. I suppose it's understandable that a company like HK will do what they can, as cheaply as they can and as shiny as they can.
I wonder what the hackablity is of this item. If I buy one can I swap out the guts for a pixhawk and keep everything else working? :) A project I see :D
Hi Crispin,
From a customer standpoint, it doesn't really matter whether it is an APM or an XXX.
If it works as advertised and reliable, the percentage of customers who will care or have any real hope of doing anything with that information is vanishingly small.
If it does what they say and is reliable and doesn't "crash a lot" it is a fantastic product for the price.
Whenever they can get away with it, the Chinese do and will continue to totally ignore all regulations, patents, copyrights, trademarks, etc.
Apple products are available from dozens of clone makers in China at a tiny fraction of the Apple price.
Apple has been successful at legally keeping them from being sold here and in "some" other countries.
And that is the best that lawyers up the yingyang Apple can do and similar story with Microsoft.
Personally I think intellectual property rights have been used to remove the rights from the creator and place them in the hands of unscrupulous capitalist thieves, so i am not entirely at odds with China's stance.
I beleive that intellectual property rights on the whole are now a disservice to the people of the world and simply make it easier to exploit them.
Although it will be humorous as Chinese companies start trying to do the same thing in other countries.
We watched Apple trying to claim ownership of a rectangle with rounded corners for the IPhone and Some guy recently trademarked Pi.
I'm probably in violation of that trademark right now.
So Damn the intellectual property rights and full speed ahead.
Best,
Gary
@Laurent, The production cost for a mass produced product like the gopro is not even close to 399€. That price is only reached after all the other costs and overheads and a rather large margin has been added for profits.
Chinese shops on the other hand are very good at not adding so much overhead and use more moderate margins. But they also get there by 'cheating', since they rarely spend money on research and development (or support for that matter). This one is a good example. HK did not make this, they just re-branded it.
I cannot see what the CPU is. If it really is then is it not like buying a 486? I just found out all my pixhawks are essentially bricks soon. If this is APM then why would you?
399€ is the price of a GoPro alone, and here you've got a 1.2Kg quad, big battery, gimbal, remote, trackers and camera for the same price. The price is just incredible!
Has anyone an idea on what explains this? Are all non-chinese consumer drone companies doomed ?
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