Review: Air Hogs Hawk Eye remote control operated video camera
Rating:
Price: £50 ($79.90)
A micro helicopter with a remote control operated video 'spy' camera, it sounds like the ultimate gadget, but unfortunately the Air Hogs Hawk Eye falls short of expectations in more ways than one.
The helicopter itself is extremely difficult to fly. It’s a 2-channel coaxial helicopter, which means it has two main rotors but no tail rotor.
It soars to amazing heights, but comes crashing down every time I try to lower it, bouncing off the ground so many times it’s a wonder its still road worthy.
Falling short of expectations: Air Hogs Hawk Eye remote control video camera
After a frustrating number of attempts, I discover that it’s best launched by hand rather than from a flat platform. But it’s still incredibly difficult to manouevre.
You can’t slow it down at all and it seems to veer straight ahead with a mind of its own, so you have to steer it away from any objects and walls, making it more or less impossible to fly in small rooms.
However, once you’ve got the flying technique figured out, the device is an absolute joy.
The mini flying machine can take 5 minutes of 240 x 320 videos or hundreds of 480 x 640 still pictures, however unsurprisingly the picture quality leaves little to be desired.
There is also a 10 second gap between pushing the button and the picture actually being taken, which means you have to plan photos in advance, not the easiest task in the world!
The device has a button on the controller to take a picture, and a separate toggle to switch the video camera mode on, but bizarrely there is only one LED light - which changes colours - to inform you of which function is in use.
Pictures and video can be downloaded easily by plugging the transmitter into a USB cord. The helicopter plugs into the transmitter and can be charged at the same time. A 20 minute charge will result in around 5 minutes of flying, so bear this in mind before hand.
The gadget is aimed at over 12’s, but to be honest I think anyone that young would have trouble setting it up. Even the battery cover has to be removed with a Phillips screwdriver.
And, also rather annoyingly it requires three AA batteries, meaning that you’ll need to buy a pack of four and will be left with one spare.
On a positive note, the Air Hogs Hawk Eye can be used as a remote controlled camera without ever leaving the ground. But the best thing about it, is that even without the picture and video facility, it’s a great remote control toy that will keep you occupied for hours.
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