Written by 
While I have been doing some experiments with the AR Drone, it just really isn’t cut out to carry a payload. This week I was at CES and ran across a platform I had seen before and decided to give it a second look.
The Rotor Concept HPQ-1 is a big step up from the AR Drone in that it has a lifting capacity of a full pound. With a GoPro camera weighing only 3.3oz and even larger camcorders weighing in around between 9-14oz, the HPQ-1 can be used to lift a wide variety of small size gear.
Their larger HPQ-2 can loft up to three pounds which is enough for small DSLR’s and Compact sized cameras. Rotor Concept was selling the HPQ-1 for only $299 instead of their regular $499 price and they were flying off the shelves (pun intended). For a few extra bucks you got nice aluminum case with custom designed foam for the copter.
While I did a quick test flight just to make sure everything was working, its sitting for a few hours while I am charging batteries and I put some Loctite on the propeller shaft screws as directed in the manual. I will get out for a test flight in a bit and see how she flies.
