[KeyLimePi]

This was really the only thing that came out of CES that got me a little interested. Parrot's AR. Drone; a little four-prop, self-righting copter you control with your iPhone. This little thing has a lot of tech, so I'm sure it will carry a heavy price. Probably more than I should pay for the 20 minutes or so I'l play with it in a month. But somehow I love the idea of being able to buzz around and see what it sees through my iPod.

[Wiskedjak]

Not crazy in the least!

[cjrivera]

I want that thing, too.
But I know the price is going to be steep when it first comes out.

[subego]

I want one, but I just know I'd use it to buzz the dog.

[Cold Warrior]

I wonder if it can carry any weight or be modded for an external wifi antenna to improve range. GPS with iPhone app-based route/flight path programming would be cool too.

[Mrjinglesusa]

Get it while you can! Now available for preorder from Brookstone: $299

AR Drone by Parrot Now Available at Brookstone!

Ships 9/3/2010.

My order has been placed.

[el chupacabra]

I wonder if you can attach a little gun to it.

[iMOTOR]

Am I the only person that read the title and thought this might be a UAV with an AR-15 built in?

[ort888]

No. I want one too. I'm sure as hell not paying $300 for it, but I want one.

I would pay $150 if it works well in the real world.

[design219]

Man, I could see all kinds of mischief happening with this thing.

I want one too.

[ort888]

Yeah how much noise does it make? This thing could be a peeping tom's dream come true. What is the range?

I can't wait to see what the crazy modder community does with this thing.

[Mrjinglesusa]

Originally Posted by ort888 

Yeah how much noise does it make? This thing could be a peeping tom's dream come true. What is the range?

I can't wait to see what the crazy modder community does with this thing.

From videos I've seen, it's relatively quiet considering it's running four blades.

Range has yet to be confirmed in real world tests, but is theoretically as far as the built-in Wi-Fi can remain connected to the iPhone/iPad/iTouch it is connected to. If it loses connection, it commences to hover until connection is reestablished. If it doesn't reconnect in a certain amount of time, it will land itself.

Fully charged battery is said to last for 12 minutes of flight time.

[Mrjinglesusa]

Originally Posted by ort888 

No. I want one too. I'm sure as hell not paying $300 for it, but I want one.

I would pay $150 if it works well in the real world.

When you consider the technology packed into this thing, I don't think $300 is unreasonable at all.

[ort888]

I recently touched on this in another thread...

I agree that $300 is a reasonable price for such a thing... especially since it's brand new and surely is not being produced in huge numbers. I do not think it's over priced at all.

However, this thing is not worth $300 to me.

[andi*pandi]

Bringing spying on the neighbors to a whole new level.

(cool)

[design219]

I wonder what the military version costs?

[ort888]

Blarg

[The Final Dakar]

12 minutes? Hope you have fast hands.

[ARDroneGuy]

I purchased the AR.Drone by Parrot from Brookstone and it was delivered yesterday. I opened the box, read the manual, charged the battery and then gave the AR.Drone a 10 minute test flight. I thought it was a cool gizmo but didn't warrant the cost so I decided to return the item. This is when the problems started. I had purchased the AR.Drone on my iPhone from the Brookstone website where there is no disclaimer that open items cannot be returned to the Brookstone store so I didn't think this would be any different than any other item purchased from Brookstone and took it in to return. This is when they told me that they would not accept open boxed AR.Drone returns and that I had to contact Parrot to get a refund and provided me with the following information to return the item.

# RETURNS AND WARRANTY:
# Unopened and unused AR.Drones can be returned to Brookstone in accordance with Brookstone’s normal return policy which can be found in Brookstone stores, at Gift Ideas, Smart Solutions, Unique Gifts for Him & Her at Brookstone, or on the reverse of your sales receipt or shipping collate.
# Any returns of opened, damaged, or used AR.Drones must be handled directly through Parrot. Please call Parrot directly at 1-877-9PARROT (1-877-972-7768) for full details. Parrot’s return policy is as follows:
You must follow this return procedure:
1. You must call Parrot customer service at 1-877-9PARROT (1-877-972-7768) with serial number and proof of purchase.
2. All opened, damaged, or used product are to be returned directly to Parrot for replacement or repair.
3. You are responsible for the cost of shipping the AR.Drone back to Parrot (at the address specified after calling Parrot at 1-877-9PARROT

I contacted Parrot at the above mentioned number that Brookstone provided me with and I was told that Parrot does not handle refunds of the AR.Drone and that I would have to contact Brookstone to get a refund. So I went back to the Brookstone store and called the same number with the Brookstone manager on the phone so I could get her and Parrot on the phone at the same time. They both said the other was responsible for the refund. They both are trying to contact their upper management to see who is responsible for this refund while me the customer is stuck with a very poor customer service experience.

I am documenting the process here Parrot AR Drone from Brookstone Review

[imitchellg5]

Sorry to hear of your difficulties, but let's be honest here: The AR.Drone is a niché product, and customer service is going to be no different.

[design219]

Originally Posted by ARDroneGuy 

I charged the battery and then gave the AR.Drone a 10 minute test flight. I thought it was a cool gizmo but didn't warrant the cost so I decided to return the item.

So you wanted to just rent it? For free? I'm sorry, but what did you expect it to do that it didn't?

imitchellg5 is exactly right, it's a niché product. it's not like a pair of shoes what were the wrong size. And it sounds like it worked as advertised.

I know it's annoying when anyone has customer service issues, but I don't think it's right to expect a refund of a non-defective product like this.

[Shaddim]

Huh, I missed this earlier. In for one, I'll let you know what I think when it gets here.

[Mrjinglesusa]

Mine is scheduled for delivery tomorrow. Review to come...

[RAILhead]

That's pretty freakin' cool, but I just don't get what you do with it for 12 minutes. Just hover around the house?

[reader50]

Chase the cat? Use the camera to spy on neighbors? Dive bomb the dog that frequently visits your lawn? Safe way to get the money off the roof during a heist? Two minutes and I had 4 reasons already.

[torsoboy]

Originally Posted by ARDroneGuy 

I purchased the AR.Drone by Parrot from Brookstone and it was delivered yesterday.
[snip]
I am documenting the process here Parrot AR Drone from Brookstone Review

The link doesn't take you to an active blog. Did you give up on this project/gripe?

[design219]

Originally Posted by reader50 

get the money off the roof

It would be interesting to know how much weight it could lift. The thought of stealing something with this things is fascinating.

[Mrjinglesusa]

Initial thoughts:

1) This thing is VERY light

2) A lot louder than I expected

3) Difficult to control - with practice, should (hopefully) get easier

4) Will be fun to play with but I can see the novelty wearing off quickly

I expect you will see quite a few of these on EBay in the near future. It's fun, but not long-term fun. Overall, pretty cool demonstration of technology at a decent price-point but I just don't see this holding my attention for a long time.

[ShortcutToMoncton]

You should try to return it

[Mrjinglesusa]

Originally Posted by ShortcutToMoncton 

You should try to return it

LOL.

Problem is, I actually read return policies BEFORE I buy something so I know that Brookstone only accepts returns of NEW, UNOPENED items. I checked, there is no "rental" option.

[RAILhead]

Originally Posted by Mrjinglesusa 

Initial thoughts:
4) Will be fun to play with but I can see the novelty wearing off quickly

This is what I meant when I said I don't see what I'm supposed to do with it for 12 minutes.

[Shaddim]

Mine came in and I've been buzzing the cats and my neighbor with it. It's fun but the battery life isn't that great. I'm gonna take it downtown this week and mess with the office buildings.

[brassplayersrock²]

Just be careful which office buildings you buzz. Someone could call it in.

[design219]

I wonder what would happen if you tried to fly one across the White House lawn?

[imitchellg5]

In this country? You'd be questioned by the SS, held for a few hours, and maybe let go if the Internet found out about it.

[brassplayersrock²]

Let it go little brother.