Hello - It's Tello - Part One

There's a special on this Tello drone this week at Camera Electronic - if you go over to the website catalog or the specials you'll see it. I had a notification shoot through my email - oddly enough after I had taken one home to report on it. Please note: I did not fly it round the Little Studio - While I quite like R/C model aircraft, cars, and boats, I do not have any of the necessary apps on my mobile phone to control this drone. I suspect that my eyesight these days is more of a close-range facility and this little drone could move out of my controlled airspace very quickly. Doesn't stop me from observing several things about it, though... a. The whole device is exceedingly light. 87 grams. This, in a flyable aircraft that carries a video camera, is astounding. b. It is self-contained - you pop the battery in and charge it with an accessory cable from a computer battery. Flight time is said to be about 13 minutes. c. It takes video to several standards. Not all of them will be broadcast quality but they will be most rewarding for the amateur. d. The propellers are not so big, nor are they driven by such powerful motors, that they will cut you in half. However, like a Cox Thimble Drome Baby Bee engine ( and there's a blast from the past... ), they will give you sore fingers if you get them in the rotating circle. The prop guards add a bit of weight, but they are a comfort. e. The makers give you spare props and spanners to fit them. Be aware that you will stack it at some point in the life of the drone and be prepared to turn the ship over to the ground crew with a sheepish grin. Plus you can get more props from the Spares Dept. if you are not an ace flyer. Who is the little drone designed for? Kids with mobile phones, mainly. But also tourists who are going to be at some natural wonder and want a unique view of it. Of course, as these little drones become more popular, the unique views will become the commonplace ones and one day it will be cutting edge to stand with your back to the sun and shoot a picture at 1/60 second and f:8 on Verichrome Pan... You are unlikely to be encouraged or allowed to operate this drone in anything but a direct line of sight - just as well- it is small enough to lose sight of quickly. Regard it as a training novelty and you'll have fun safely whilst learning a thing or two. Next column: The Thing or Two.