If you have about $15K to spare or spend, and have the inclination to do some smart spying (you can use it for other applications also (wildlife photography, Property Assessment), go pick up an unmanned remote controlled helicopter called the DraganFlyer.
Here is a description from the vendor's site:
The Draganflyer X6 is a remotely operated, unmanned, miniature helicopter designed to carry wireless video cameras and still cameras. Operate the Draganflyer X6 helicopter with the easy to use handheld controller while viewing what the helicopter sees through video glasses. The Draganflyer X6 helicopter uses a unique 6-rotor design refined from an original concept that has been under development since early 2006
Easy to Fly
The Draganflyer X6 helicopter uses 11 sensors and thousands of lines of code to self-stabilize during flight. This means the Draganflyer X6 is easier to fly than any other helicopter in its class. The Draganflyer X6 on-board software is the result of extensive testing and development since early 2006.
Applications for military, defense or spying
Imagine yourself on a reconnaissance mission in a hostile or non hostile environment. The most recent information involving terrain, personnel, entry and exit points can all help to give a reconnaissance unit the upper hand in having a safe, successful mission. The ability to peer over, behind or through natural and man made objects can reveal clear or dangerous routes. Perhaps you require an over head view of; tall grass, low bush, stands of trees, forest or swamp area, or to see over a ridge or behind buildings. With the Draganfly X6 helicopter you can accomplish all of this and in a quiet manner.
Weighing only 1 kg and able to be collapsed and inserted in a 5.5 inch tube 26 inches long, the Draganfly X6 is highly portable, and able to provide you with the aerial platform you need to get pictures or video of an area in its current state. An operating noise level of only 60 decibels means that if there is any ambient noise the Draganflyer X6 is unlikely to be heard. Pick from a choice of cameras with live video feed; high resolution still photo, high definition video, high resolution low light or infra red cameras to obtain the pictures or video you need. With a second receiver and display system, simultaneously have the pilot and commander observe what the camera is seeing. GPS coordinates are fed with real time telemetry to the pilot's transmitter.
For more details, check out the vendor's site at:
http://www.draganfly.com/uav-helicopter/draganflyer-x6/applications/
