By Vula Mthimkhulu
My soft spot for drones can be taken care at any time from this moment by a product called Sky Walker offered by Drone Force.
Tagged as the world’s smallest quadcopter, Sky Walker could be just what I needed to join the fascinating drone world.
The price of R395.00 means that nothing stands between me and the drone purchase. But then the miser in me is delaying the click of the buy button with a question: What’s the catch.
A part of me says this might not be the real thing. If the Sky Walker can fit within the palm of my hand, what can it do against the force of gravity. Will I be able to see it clearly as it soars into the sky? The product promoters say it can perform a 360° Flip. With flying time of approximately 10 minutes and charging time charging time of about 30 min, the Sky Walker is said to have an ability to reach 40 metres flying distance from the remote.
My attraction to drones is partly informed by a professional need. The journalist in me wants to sneak into certain places via an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) armed with a powerful camera.
I do speculate that the clearer pictures of President Jacob Zuma homestead in Nkandla may have been captured by a drone.
Oops I might just be charged for expressing an intention of breaking the law in the making at the Civil Aviation Authority. But then I will gladly face the court if the end justifies the means that defied the interim Civil Aviation Regulations for unmanned aerial systems. I digress!
A drone that can sufficiently fulfill my need will set me back by no less than R20 000. Here, I’m talking good flying machine and camera.
Another part of me says R400 is just about the right price to enter the drone world and upgrade into a bigger machine with some flying experience in a few months.
But then I thought I should put this out there and get some advice from old hands.
I’m no drone expert but the specs sound fitting for the price.
Sky Walker is described as “The world’s smallest quadcopter complete with integrated gyroscope and 360° flip in any direction”
Listed features include:
- 6-Axis Gyro
- 2 Speed levels
- LED lights
- 2.4GHz technology
- Easy charge via USB cable
- Flying time: approx. 10 min
- Charging time: approx. 30 min
- Flying distance from remote: approx. 40m
In The Box?
- SkyWalker Quadcopter
- Remote (batteries not included – 2 x AA batteries needed)
- USB charging cable
- 4 Spare propellers
- Remote joystick levers
Please help me navigate the African skies. Trust me it is for a good cause.
- Vula Mthimkhulu is a freelance writer
- This piece was first published in ujuh.co.za whose publishers can be reached at [email protected]
- Email: [email protected]
