Talking with my neighbour about looking into getting a drone for some fun, take turns while out on the sups with flying it overhead while one paddles on the river and down at the beach etc. he mentioned that I should look at getting one with a "GPS home" function and gyro for stability.

has anyone got much experience with these things? - are they easy to use, cost?, reliability, brands to look at etc.

Cheers
Kieran

Something to think about with your drone purchase - CASA are proposing to change the rules, written here:

www.casa.gov.au/sites/default/files/_assets/main/newrules/ops/nprm/nprm1309os.pdf?acsf_files_redirect


Basically if you have a take-off mass of less than 2 kg's, maintain visual contact, fly less than 120 m high more than 30m from people and away from airports you will be ok. The kicker is these will only get going in 2016, because it is impossible for a government department to be less than 2 years late with a deadline.

I have a DJI Phantom 1, easy enough to use, it's been reliable and I think relatively cheap. Had mobs of fun with it, I already had a GoPro. I use it to film my camp spots and have filmed the wife on her paddle board. I don't like using it when a bit windy because the video looks a bit unstable but I have just got a gimble for it and will see how that goes. DJI have lots of options and models, mines fairly basic but has as you said GPS etc. When starting out get some prop guards Look here www.dji.com/products and here www.multiwiicopter.com/products/dji-phantom-1-1-1-rtf-drone I see the price has gone up because of the dollar, good chance cheaper elsewhere ?

Google for info, lots of it, even YouTube, this aussie mob has plenty of info

^ Yep that's the best advice. Buy something cheap you can crash, and learn from there.

Here's one of mine in action. Things can go south pretty quick and for no apparent reason. So be prepared for much disappointment and lots of $$$.