I'm trying to find a blimp that can function outdoors, is relatively durable and small (a meter or under in length would be ideal; larger is fine but I'd imagine it'd be more expensive), and can carry a webcam. I'd prefer that the blimp be under $50 but am willing to go up to $100 if necessary.
Unfortunately, all of the blimps I've been able to find thus far are either large, professional grade blimps for advertising (hundreds to thousands of dollars) or are indoor blimps that can't be controlled outside.
Any ideas? I'd be willing to try and construct my own blimp, but I don't have nearly enough technical knowledge to know what materials to use or where to get them, how much to make it weigh, how to wire the motor, etc.
I did try to go to a forum that specializes in RC hobbies, but the people there were rather mean. Apparently the idea of an affordable outdoor blimp is insulting to the hobby. Is there something about the process of making the blimp resistant to the wind that makes it extremely expensive?
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... I would find it insulting that you think I haven't already spent time sifting through google pages, but sadly, there are people who probably wouldn't have thought to use google beforehand
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I do think that. I'm just wondering why you think anyone here is going to be able to offer you anything that google doesn't, or those "mean" hobbiest forums.
They're probably being mean to you because what you're asking for is completely unrealistic and you won't take no for an answer.
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Who said I wouldn't take no for an answer?
If it's not possible, they could have just told me that and why it's impossible, but instead they chose to make fun of me (well, one guy made fun of me. That one guy was half of the people who responded, though).
People who aren't me tend to be better at research. And SEN has a lot of technology experts who might know about these kinds of things.
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Why do you want a spy blimp?
Currently Working On: My Overwatch addiction.
So far 50% of the people who have replied to this thread are mean, too. I guess that's just how the internet works.
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Why do you want a spy blimp?
Eh, to be honest, I'm not sure yet. Mostly because it would be cool for my micronation to have.
Purposes I've devised for the airship include:
Filming events such as cardboard boat tests
Aerial attacks in snowball fights (this isn't looking to be possible, unfortunately, given that it takes about 900-some liters of helium to lift two pounds)
Having something to say about myself that isn't related to religion and politics
A fun toy to fly around
So far 50% of the people who have replied to this thread are mean, too. I guess that's just how the internet works.
You know, I think you might be onto something
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Why don't you get an RC helicopter?
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Why don't you get an RC helicopter?
That was my original idea, but the general consensus on google appeared to be that blimps were both cheaper and easier to fly. Given that I have some weird affinity for blimps in the first place, I switched my research over to blimps.
Anyways, outdoor blimps are looking bleak, so maybe it's time I start looking back into helicopters...
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I'm assuming that's 50 litres of Helium at 1 atm.
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I'm assuming that's 50 litres of Helium at 1 atm.
Er... what's 50 liters of helium?
(Btw, if I remember correctly, 50 liters of helium would lift about 0.1 pounds)
Anyways, I think unmanned vehicles just aren't my thing right now... I'll continue plans for the cardboard boat navy and snowball militia.
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I did some research and the cheapest small blimp was 100 or so dollars without the camera... and a decent camera will cost you maybe 200 dollars.... Unless you can make your own UAV it will cost you in the neighborhood of at least 300 bucks however i did find that if you build it from scratch it can be under 150 dollars.
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I did some research and the cheapest small blimp was 100 or so dollars without the camera... and a decent camera will cost you maybe 200 dollars.... Unless you can make your own UAV it will cost you in the neighborhood of at least 300 bucks however i did find that if you build it from scratch it can be under 150 dollars.
Was it an outdoor blimp? I'm not really asking for a decent camera, a plain old webcam will suit me just fine.
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How can you afford a blimp? I can't even afford an apartment.
How can you afford a blimp? I can't even afford an apartment.
They sell blimps for prices ranging from $30 to $100-some. These blimps, of course, only work indoors (I think the difference is mainly the lack of engine power and low inertia, which makes them highly vulnerable to the wind).
Here's an example:
http://airswimmers.com/
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oh man I really want one of those sharks. Fuck.