Drones & O Gauge Trains?

You do not want to fly that micro quad copter near your accessories and trains. Ultra small drones like this one are difficult to fly. They tend to dart up and down or side to side with each minor adjustment on the tiny controller they come with.

The results will likely be damage, possibly to the accessories, trains and scenery, but definitely to the drone. Those small blades, even with the plastic guards around them, break very easily, and the blade motors don’t stand up to much abuse.

Cute idea as a scenery item, however. Leave it there as an attention-getter or fly it elsewhere in the house. (Yes, the small drones are easier to fly indoors. They can’t handle much wind outdoors.)

Jim R. posted:

You do not want to fly that micro quad copter near your accessories and trains. Ultra small drones like this one are difficult to fly. They tend to dart up and down or side to side with each minor adjustment on the tiny controller they come with.

The results will likely be damage, possibly to the accessories, trains and scenery, but definitely to the drone. Those small blades, even with the plastic guards around them, break very easily, and the blade motors don’t stand up to much abuse.

Cute idea as a scenery item, however. Leave it there as an attention-getter or fly it elsewhere in the house. (Yes, the small drones are easier to fly indoors. They can’t handle much wind outdoors.)

Thanks a million Jim. I have read the directions for this mini drone carefully, but approached the idea of flying it with a little trepidation.

Maybe if one becomes masterful at controlling this $25 baby drone, one can fly it near the layout with precision and avoid damage. 

I will heed your words of warning!

Like Jim said, these mini-drones are not easy to fly, especially in tight, indoor spaces. I learned to fly drones on regular sized, outdoor models and it was a little easier to then come indoors and control the new mini-drones.

As Jim said, they don't handle wind very well, but if I were going to try and fly it near my layout, I would first take it outside on a calm day and learn how to control it outside and get proficient at the controls and then take it inside to a large room, like a living room, and practice there and only then near the layout, if you feel comfortable with it.

Also, make sure you have a few extra battery packs charged up when you go practicing (available on e-bay) and, also, some spare blades. Be aware that two of the blades are shaped different from the other two (usually designated as "A" and "B" blades or just colored differently), so you should have at least one of each type as a spare. Also, keep track of which blades go in each corner of the drone (a simple diagram helps). 

Good luck.

Richie C. posted:

Like Jim said, these mini-drones are not easy to fly, especially in tight, indoor spaces. I learned to fly drones on regular sized, outdoor models and it was a little easier to then come indoors and control the new mini-drones.

As Jim said, they don't handle wind very well, but if I were going to try and fly it near my layout, I would first take it outside on a calm day and learn how to control it outside and get proficient at the controls and then take it inside to a large room, like a living room, and practice there and only then near the layout, if you feel comfortable with it.

Also, make sure you have a few extra battery packs charged up when you go practicing (available on e-bay) and, also, some spare blades. Be aware that two of the blades are shaped different from the other two (usually designated as "A" and "B" blades or just colored differently), so you should have at least one of each type as a spare. Also, keep track of which blades go in each corner of the drone (a simple diagram helps). 

Good luck.

  

Thanks, Richie, for the advice.