Since the launch of the app store App Store, the developers have created programs, the purpose of which is to expand the possible scopes of iPhone... There was a lot - from a credit card scanner and flashlights, to. It seems that almost with the help of iPhone now you can control almost any device.

iSpy Helicopter Is another device of this kind. In some ways, it resembles the concept of the Parrot AR Drone. iPhone or iPad, a dedicated app and a small transmitter that plugs into the headphone jack on your iOS device - that's all you need to fly your own mini-helicopter.

Hardware component

iSpy Helicopter- a small device measuring 19.5 x 4.3 x 10.6 cm. Such small dimensions allow the toy to be used indoors, for which it is, in essence, intended. The helicopter rises into the air with two pairs of blades, and changes direction with the tail rotor, just like in a real flying machine. Since no one is immune to hard landings or collisions with obstacles, spare blades and a tail rotor have been added to the kit.

At first glance, the helicopter looks quite fragile and delicate, as it consists of a large number of complex and precise parts. However, it is very resistant to sudden knocks and falls. On the left side of the helicopter is a small power switch next to the USB port for charging the battery.

A full charge of the battery lasts almost 45 minutes, and it lasts for 8-10 minutes of continuous flight. This is quite comparable with what other models of the same class offer. Unfortunately, the developers did not provide any battery status indicator in the device.

At the bottom of the toy is a whole set of equipment, including a built-in VGA camera and a slot for microSD cards. The device comes with a 512 MB memory card and a corresponding USB adapter for connecting to a computer.

It should be admitted that the quality of both the photo and the video taken by the camera iSpy Helicopter wants to be better. But what do you want from a 640x480 camera mounted on a vibrating platform? The only drawback is the lack of a microphone built into the helicopter. Except for the camera, otherwise iSpy Helicopter similar to standard toys of this type, with bright LED flight lights.

An example of shooting with an iSpy Helicopter camera

To control the helicopter using iPhone a transmitter is included with the device. This is a rather small and inconspicuous, so to speak, device, about the same thickness and width as iPhone 5... But not only iPhone 5 can work with iSpy Helicopter... All models iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch can be compatible with the toy, as follows from the company information iHelicopters.

Two LEDs on the transmitter indicate the status - power on and charging. The transparent glass on the edge of the transmitter allows the helicopter control signal to pass through.

iSpy Helicopter indoor toy, as it cannot fly in bright sunlight and move far from the transmitter.

Software

To control the helicopter, you need to download the WL Toys app from the App Store. Unfortunately, the program is not optimized for either iPhone 5 nor for Retina displays on other devices. Perhaps this will be fixed by the developers in the near future. However, the app works with iOS 7.

After connecting the transmitter and activating the program, you must select the desired helicopter model on the start screen. All that is still needed to start the flight is to turn on the transmitter power switch in the program. The app offers several basic controls. On the left there is a slider for controlling the speed of rotation of the blades and choosing the flight altitude. On the right is a classic joystick, which is responsible for moving the helicopter back and forth and rotating it around its axis.

There is also the possibility of controlling the aircraft using the smartphone's gyroscope, by tilting the mobile device. There are also several buttons that allow you to activate certain functions - take photos and shoot videos, control the side lights, and others.

Flight

Fly on iSpy Helicopter fun, however, it still needs to be learned. The more “raid”, the more confident the helicopter will “feel in the air”. The main thing is not to be very afraid to break it (it is more worth worrying about your beloved grandmother's vase). This is a pretty strong and resilient machine.

Conclusion

iSpy Helicopter is a very fun gadget and a good way to expand functionality iPhone... If the developers had improved the parameters of the camera and increased the flying ability of the device in open areas, then it would be an excellent "air spy".

Buy iSpy Helicopter at a price of $ 70 on the official website of the company.

The capabilities of mobile platforms have not been fully explored, and our smartphones still present many surprises. For example, using mobile devices from Apple, as well as devices with Android OS, you can easily control a helicopter. True, while a toy.

We got our hands on models under the brand i-helicopter, we will consider their volume in more detail.
A total of four series of toy helicopters are offered, differing from each other in propeller diameter and external design; each series has models in three colors. The chassis of the toy is made of aluminum, which reduces its weight and increases its durability. In case of an accident, the set includes spare parts.

Helicopter control deserves special attention. By downloading from the App Store to his iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch, or devices running Android (for this, the corresponding application is also available in the Android Market), the user gets complete freedom of action over the behavior of a toy helicopter in the air using his device (this is achieved by special technology MOUE MOTION). That is, the helicopter will perform any turns and tilts that you make with the device in your hands.

Synchronization of the helicopter with the device is achieved due to the built-in gyroscope and infrared transmitter, which allows you to control the toy within a radius of up to 8 meters. In addition, a sufficiently powerful searchlight is built into the helicopter, which makes it possible to conduct flights even at night.

The toy itself runs on electric batteries, which can be charged via any USB device (again, the wire is included). A full charge lasts for 5 minutes of flight.

Small demo video:

Here is a short instruction to launch the iHelicopter toy helicopter into the air after you have bought and charged it:

• Download from the App Store, click the "Go" button in it; turn on the helicopter (there is a corresponding button on its body)
• In the program, go to the control panel and connect the infrared transmitter to your iPhone
• Increase the volume of your smartphone to the maximum
• The vertical joystick located on the left side of the control panel (it adjusts the power of rotation of the screw), pull up, but not completely
• Align the trimer (indicator at the bottom of the control panel, is responsible for the balance of the helicopter); during takeoff / landing, the slider should be in the middle

Ready! Now you can control the helicopter using the circular joystick located on the right side of the control panel, or by tilting your iPhone in different directions - yes, the helicopter is controlled using the iPhone's gyroscope :)

We were eager to buy such a toy. And after three weeks of waiting, a package arrived from the iHelicopters.net store. Until the last moment, I did not believe that this colossus would be able to fly under the control of an iPhone. I've read a lot about how Apple gadgets control other gadgets, but until you try it yourself ...

The main control is a small box that plugs into the headphone jack, converting the audio signals to IR.

A special utility from the App Store - Free, [iTunes link] is launched on the iPhone. This is a virtual control panel. At the first launch, we select the model of our helicopter, activate the transmitter and prepare for takeoff.

Even a child will not be difficult to figure out the control keys. After 3-4 accidents, you can quite confidently fly from one room to another without hitting the closet.

When fully refueled, the helicopter can fly for 10 minutes. Two refuelers are required: one for the car (45 minutes to fully charge), the other for the remote control (120 minutes). The power of the remote control is enough for about 15 full-fledged flights around the apartment with crashes and adventures. "Aviation fuel" is supplied through the USB outputs through the wires included in the kit.

Spare blades are also included. For example, I already broke one by crashing into the TV at full speed.

At first, the son was afraid of an unknown flying object and hid in his crib, but then he got used to it and now every evening we arrange joint flights, getting great pleasure.

And in the end, watch that famous video again. Unfortunately, you can't shoot your own video while controlling the helicopter and holding the camera in your hand :)

Another video for half a minute.

The helicopter is sold on the iHelicopter.net website for 60 bucks + delivery to Russia. Awesome gift for the child and yourself :)

Rate it.

Craftsmen have repeatedly demonstrated the capabilities of Googlephones as a remote control for various devices. Indeed, they cope with the tasks of the joystick "with a bang." And no worse than Apple devices, for which there are a huge number of controlled robots and various equipment. Fortunately, manufacturers have recently turned their attention to Android smartphones. For example, radio controlled helicopters not only acquired their own application in the Market, but also appeared on the free market. One of these toys came to our review.

The helicopter delivery from Moscow to Kirov took only four days (including weekends), Russian Post was a pleasant surprise. So, the box is (very light) in hand. Let's unpack!

Inside is the most important thing is a helicopter... Additional and necessary - a device that transmits signals from a smartphone to a toy. That's the whole basic set of the pilot. In case you are not yet ready to call yourself a pilot, there is an instruction book that will tell you about the main points and nuances.

Another must-have in the kit is a charger. On one side there is a regular USB connector, and on the other - a special one, with the help of which the transmitter and the helicopter itself are charged. The charger on the side of the USB connector is equipped with a red LED indicating the end of charging.

By the way, standard chargers of many smartphones are equipped with USB-connectors, so they are suitable for charging, you do not need to have a computer or laptop at hand.

And in case of any breakdowns it is provided set of spare parts from a pair of blades, a rear rotor and other parts, which are probably more correct to call special terms. Let's leave mastering the basics of the position of a flight mechanic for the future, and now let's move on to the most interesting.

Acquaintance

The first impression is that it is surprisingly light. It goes without saying, because each gram will significantly reduce flight time, maneuverability and capabilities, which is why the designers made the helicopter as light as possible. Of the materials, plastic prevails, from which the cabin, blades, gears are made.

Helicopter frame, skis, gear protection and other important elements are made made of metal, which provides sufficient strength with a low weight. By the way, it is worth noting the protection of the main gears, because thanks to it, some of the most vulnerable parts will be safe and will not be damaged in a collision.

But if the helicopter gets “five” for materials and protection, then the build quality can be estimated no more than four. We will not evaluate creaks, gaps and the like, the requirements for the toy will be slightly lower than the requirements for HTC smartphones :). So let's just “run” through the helicopter and stop. on the most obvious cons... Fortunately, there are only two of them. The first is a wobbly tail piece:

Whether it has any purpose or is it just a decorative element is unknown. The backlash does not cause any problems during operation, but is simply present. An attempt to tighten it did not bring any results - the screws had been tightened tightly before that. By the way, not only these, but generally all.

The second complaint is about the signal reception sensor, in the photo above it is located above the on / off switch and the charger socket. As you can see, it is installed crooked... But this minus is purely aesthetic - it does not affect either reception or flight characteristics.

First start

It is difficult to resist the temptation to immediately try the helicopter in action, and why should you deny yourself the pleasure? But first you need to prepare the control panel - our Android smartphone by downloading special application in the Market.

We download, install, select a suitable room, turn on the helicopter itself, install the transmitter in the smartphone, launch the program, select our model - and we get the control panel ready for flight. Are you ready? If yes, then all that remains is to turn on the remote control with the “on / off” toggle switch. Stop! Previously, it would be better to pass the “young pilot course” from the instructions. Which, however, boils down to one page with a description of the controls.

So, before us is the helicopter control panel. The left control knob, which moves up and down, is responsible for the power of the engines, with which you can order the car to fly up or down. The circular joystick on the right is the steering wheel, the main control. Actions “forward” and “backward” move the helicopter in the appropriate direction, and the controls to the left and right rotate the winged machine in the desired direction.

Additional controls are channels, light, trim, MoveMotion function, screen orientation change and on / off.

The channels are designed to launch more than one helicopter at a time. For example, if you decide fly with friends, this will not work on one channel - all control panels will simultaneously transmit a signal to all helicopters, and the behavior in this case is difficult to predict. But if each pair of helicopter-pilot is provided with its own channel, the problem will disappear. There are currently three channels in total.

On the sides of our helicopter are located two LEDs included from the control panel. In the official instructions, they are called performance indicators, and during testing they were used just for this - after switching on and before starting the engines, it is useful to blink a light to make sure that everything is ready for takeoff.

Are there any practical benefits? Perhaps, yes - once the light turned on helped in the search for the helicopter brought under the sofa. But seriously, you won't be able to fly comfortably in the dark with built-in lighting. But if you are a professional and feel the device perfectly, it is not difficult to avoid collisions, there is enough light to notice the wall. But we can hardly talk about a comfortable and interesting flight.

Trimmer is a function for fine tuning the helicopter. If it starts spinning at startup (how fast it doesn't matter), then a couple of taps on the screen can correct the position. But it's better to see once, isn't it? Here is an example of how the trimmer works:

Move Motion - one of the most interesting features remote control. With its help, you can do without a joystick when controlling, and the accelerometer (g-sensor) of an Android smartphone will be responsible for the position of the helicopter in space. That is, commands are given simply by tilting the device in the right direction. For example, like this:

The screen orientation change button simply rotates the image 180 degrees. This is done for your convenience. The signal transmitter is attached to one side of the smartphone and can interfere with your hand when operating. And with this key you can choose the most comfortable position for yourself.

Well, the last control is the launch key. After putting it in the “On” position, the transmitter is turned on, the helicopter tunes in to its frequency and, after a few seconds, is completely ready for takeoff.

First start

We switch the toggle switch to the “on” position, slightly move the power regulator upward, and the winged machine begins to rotate its blades with a characteristic buzz. Let's add a little more power - and the helicopter will slowly lift off the ground, will begin to climb. The main thing now is not to get carried away. And ten centimeters will be enough to get comfortable with the controls.

Then, when you start to “feel” the helicopter a little, you can check the power by flying up and down. Be sure to raise the toy to eye level - at first it is interesting to see the device hovering in the air on its own :)

Have you mastered it? You can try the first maneuvers or even fly from the floor to the table.

Precautions

An experienced pilot of such devices said that the main danger represents a collision with the ceiling, so avoid it in the first place. But falls are the least terrible, so in the event of any emergency situation, we simply reset the power to zero, turn off the engine, and the helicopter falls to the floor.

The design forgives many mistakes for the novice pilot. A collision with objects and walls is fraught with a fall, but, as mentioned above, it is enough to turn off the engine - and nothing terrible will happen.

If you do not have time to do this, the helicopter can roll on the floor along its own chosen trajectory and hook something along the way with the propeller. And this, in turn, is fraught with dents and scratches on the blades:

However, such "combat wounds" do not affect flight characteristics. But all the same, at every serious crash, you raise the helicopter with fears “What if? ..”. Fortunately, the flight never ended in failure, although there were quite serious falls.

And one more precaution - drafts... Due to its low weight, the helicopter is very, very sensitive to air currents. When a window or a window is open, it is sometimes difficult to predict the behavior, the car can independently describe circles or hit objects. Even a small breath is enough to destabilize. For example, it took at least twenty attempts to fly out of the room into the corridor through a narrow doorway. And all because of the half-open window. Therefore, it will be better if you take care of the absence of drafts.

In flight, on the way, you can meet not only various objects, but also people, pets and plants. During testing, the helicopter accidentally encountered everyone on the list. A meeting with a dog turned out to be the least dangerous - the noise and wind look frightening, so it just left the room at the first sounds of the spinning engine.

It is much more difficult for a person to avoid such a meeting (both for me as a pilot and for those around me at the wrong time in the wrong place). But the consequences are not dire. Yes, the sensations are not pleasant, but the pain quickly passes, there are no abrasions or bruises.

Ornamental plants had the worst. Once it was not possible to slow down in time, and the helicopter flew into the windowsill with flowers. Fortunately, we managed to quickly turn off the engine and not turn the toy into a real trimmer.

And the last warning from the instructions is to avoid bright light. This appears to have a negative effect on the signal receiver. But when used indoors, you are unlikely to encounter such a problem.

Compatibility

The helicopter was tested on several devices, which made it possible to find out some information on compatibility. My Motorola Quench XT5 running Android 2.3.7 (firmware based on CyanogenMod) was the first to try to “make friends” with the transmitter, but to no avail. The maximum that was achieved was to start the engine twice for a moment. Apparently, these are the problems of the smartphone itself, since the next ones worked without problems. And among them were representatives Desire line: HTC Desire S (official firmware), HTC Desire (official firmware), HTC Desire (Android 2.3.7, CyanogenMod7.1). Everything worked perfectly for everyone.

Also, tablets iPad (iOS 5 GM) and Acer Iconia Tab running Android 3.2 have tried themselves as a remote control. There were no problems with the first one, but Acer refused to transmit the signal.

So if you decide to buy a helicopter in a store, be sure to take a smartphone and check for compatibility b.

Working hours

Not only the helicopter itself, but also the control panel is equipped with a built-in battery. According to the instructions, the charging time of the transmitter is 1 hour, and the total usage time is twice as long - two hours... This is enough for about ten sorties.

It is impossible to objectively find the average time of one flight on a full charge, since much depends on the flight itself. Performing tricks or passing an “obstacle course” will require a lot more charge than just circling. In different cases, the time was different: 11:04, 11:43, 11:20 ...

But in whatever mode the helicopter was used, the timer never showed less 11 minutes in the air(occasionally with falls). Of course, not as much as we would like, but not bad for its class, considering that many toy helicopters have a claimed battery life of 5-8 minutes.

Charging the battery built into the helicopter takes much longer. In the same way, it is not possible to calculate the exact figure, so let's stop on the middle version - 32 minutes... That is, in half an hour after setting up for charging, your winged machine is again ready for takeoff.

Impressions

The first flights were troublesome as well as pleasure. There was no confidence in the reliability of the structure, therefore, after each crash, the helicopter was examined for damage and breakdowns, and when it approached the wall at a distance of ten centimeters, it sat down to avoid a collision.

After a couple of hours and three good falls, it turned out that helicopter crashes are not scary and you can try more daring and interesting turns. Flights from object to object, from room to room, extreme flights over people, fight against drafts and much, much more!

Since collisions are not terrible for a toy, only end of battery charge... But if the helicopter itself sits down smoothly, gradually losing power to a degree insufficient for take-off, then everything is different with the transmitter. It stops working abruptly, and, having lost the signal, the helicopter simply falls dead. So if you are not sure about the charge level, it is better to avoid flying off the balcony or flying over someone's head.

For the rest, you don't have to worry - the helicopter is easy to fly and the experience of just a few hours allows you to dodge obstacles, stop in time or avoid collisions. And just at this moment the question arises - will you get bored?

Interest in many toys can cool down within a few hours, and monotony will suggest making another decoration for a shelf or desktop out of a helicopter. But in this case it won't happen soon. At least five days is not enough.

With each new flight you improve your skills, you feel the helicopter and its behavior better and better. Respectively, new horizons are opening... There have already been examples above: takeoffs and landings on various objects (from the floor to the table, from the table to the chair), passing doorways (by the way, due to drafts, it is a difficult and exciting activity). Or you can purchase a miniature keychain camera (fortunately, they are not so expensive in Chinese online stores) and turn the helicopter into a spy, or simply view your maneuvers in the first person while charging.

In general, a radio-controlled helicopter is an interesting toy that can give you a lot of pleasant minutes. Smartphone control- rather not the main advantage, but a pleasant addition, the main advantage of which comes down to the Move Motion function, the use of an accelerometer instead of a joystick. And the combination "helicopter + phone" is an excellent option for fans of gadgets who want to "take off".

For the helicopter provided for testing, we would like to thank the official distributor in Russia - the company OOO House of Toys "Maxi Toys".

You can get acquainted with the entire model range, which currently consists of four helicopters, as well as learn more about models and dealers, on the official website.

It wouldn't be worth writing about him, but the nuance in the form of a control panel from your own phone pushes you.

Before that, I had the simplest helicopters. As you understand, this helicopter is not quite the simplest one. That is, according to the classification of biologists, it is no longer an amoeba. Not yet vertebrate, but not an amoeba, exactly.

Includes spare blades, screwdriver, charging cord, receiver.

This helicopter, as it should be in aviation, is not the fastest aircraft, it flew to me for three months. I have already managed to get a refund, and I have already forgotten about it, like oppachki! PR pulled up and gave birth to a box about which I had already forgotten. The box turned out to be so crumpled that there was no doubt that everything in it had perished, torn into atoms. It was all the more surprising, pardon the tautology, the surprise when a completely unwrinkled helicopter fell out of this already large box.

So what's the nuance, ask? What, so to speak, is the difference from most models? Yes, there is such a nuance. This is that there is no remote control included. How not? Yes, that's it! For the remote control here is your smartphone. At first I also doubted, I thought our Asian brothers were cheating. But no. All to be honest.

Here is just one moment, tekskat. I was looking for a prog to run, like Indiana Jones that ark. I tried about seven, I guess, until I found the one with which everything works.

This program is for Android, but there is also an iPod. On the left, a receiver is plugged into the phone, which transmits a signal to the helicopter.

Charges only from USB, there is no charging from the network. Moreover, both the helicopter and the receiver are charged, in turn.

Inside, everything is usually - gears, toggle switch on / off ...

The difference from other models, in my opinion, is very significant - it is the tail rotor, which turns on when you need to turn the thread where. Thanks to him, the turning / turning radius is minimal.

Well, standard light bulbs. This is if you suddenly wake up at night and want to fly.

Well what can I say - the toy is quite itself, inexpensive, nimble. The charge is enough for the stated seven minutes. It takes some skill to master control from the phone, but once you gain this skill, you can quite finely plant the helicopter between the ears of a sleeping kote

By the way Kote. Kote was very interested in this shaitan-apparatus, already several times the furious animal tried to claw the helicopter in flight, but by that time the pilot had already acquired the piloting skill and, with the help of the tail rotor, deftly escaped the evil monster. The monster was offended and went to the floor. The pilot relaxed and made a fatal mistake - he landed the helicopter next to the rookery of the beast. The beast lazily opened her eyes and instantly grabbed the rotorcraft by the tail.

But nothing happened. Since the helicopter could not be broken at the post office, then the jaw of some kind of cat, he doesn’t care what a butterscotch clothespin.