A cheap practice drone?

LTWATCH · Jan 13, 2018

Hi folks,
I just got all my goodies to start using my Mavic pro soon. It took a while to get it, and to replace the supplied defective battery. Now that I am ready to go, well it is way to windy and cold to try to learn with an expensive drone. Any suggestions on a cheap "toy' drone so I can get the feel of flying one? Something under $100? Seems like a good idea if something exists to accomplish this

Thank you for reading, Larry T.

BD0G · Jan 13, 2018

The new Tello. Buy Tello

Or -Since the Tello is Not in Stock at the present time
This one

LTWATCH · Jan 14, 2018

Wow, thanks!!

lannes · Jan 14, 2018

Eachine 58, Mavic Jnr

https://www.amazon.com/EACHINE-Quad...F8&qid=1515906465&sr=8-1&keywords=eachine+e58

LTWATCH · Jan 14, 2018

Thanks guys. I had just enough in my Amazon gift card balance to get the E58 for .07 cents

Perfect!!! It looks like the Mavic had a little brother. Absolutely perfect, you guys are the best. So glad I joined this forum!!

I really do appreciate the privilege of your time and knowledge

Larry T.

lannes · Jan 14, 2018

LTWATCH said:
Thanks guys. I had just enough in my Amazon gift card balance to get the E58 for .07 cents Perfect!!! It looks like the Mavic had a little brother. Absolutely perfect, you guys are the best. So glad I joined this forum!!

I really do appreciate the privilege of your time and knowledge Larry T.

The Eachine 58 will definitely increase your flying skills, just remember it won't be as stable in the hover as something like a Mavic, you will need to trim it and it will never be completely rock steady, but that's where the fun and challenge come from. Set it to the lowest speed at first

BD0G · Jan 14, 2018

Welcome! Have a great time !

LTWATCH · Jan 14, 2018

This sounds like a "smarter" way to go since I am totally new to drones. Worst case scenario is I crash it. Better to lose $75, rather than a $1000. And the instability will help me sharpen my skills, well maybe

Sincerely, thank you, LT

kakao · Jan 14, 2018

This is another great choice

VISUO XS809HW WIFI FPV w/ HD Cam High Hold Mode Foldable Arm RC Quadcopter RTF | eBay

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msinger · Jan 14, 2018

Here are some other practice drones to consider:

Blade Nano QX RTF (no camera)
Hubsan X4 (0.3 MP camera)
Hubsan X4 (screen built into remote controller)
Hubsan X4 (HD 2MP Camera)
Hubsan X4 (no camera)
Inductrix QX RTF (no camera)
JJRC H36 Mini (no camera)
Syma X5 (HD camera)

And, here are a few tiny drones that are fun to fly around the house:

Cheerson CX-10
Syma X12

colinfowler · Jan 14, 2018

LeeV · Jan 14, 2018

Other than my Govt iPhone (which won’t allow me to do anything like this) I don’t have a cell phone. I don’t see a reference to my iPad Air 2, so how would I fly this with the app, or not at all?

lannes · Jan 14, 2018

LeeV said:
Other than my Govt iPhone (which won’t allow me to do anything like this) I don’t have a cell phone. I don’t see a reference to my iPad Air 2, so how would I fly this with the app, or not at all?

You can fly the Eachine 58 with the included controller, just like you can fly the Mavic with it's controller without a phone.

The app should be available on the any IOS device, EACHINE FLY on the App Store

locoman · Jan 14, 2018

Haven't see this one before. Looks like a Mavic Jr. I like it. Will have to think about it. What I liked about the Mavic, it was so easy to fly, right out of the box. I have a Blade HC, and couldn't keep it in the air long then a few minutes. Could never get it trimmed before I would crash it. Was very very frustrating. I also had several gas and electric aircraft over the past 40+ years, also had problems either taking off or landing with them. So when I got the Mavic, I felt like I was in RC heaven.

lannes · Jan 14, 2018

locoman said:
Haven't see this one before. Looks like a Mavic Jr. I like it. Will have to think about it. What I liked about the Mavic, it was so easy to fly, right out of the box. I have a Blade HC, and couldn't keep it in the air long then a few minutes. Could never get it trimmed before I would crash it. Was very very frustrating. I also had several gas and electric aircraft over the past 40+ years, also had problems either taking off or landing with them. So when I got the Mavic, I felt like I was in RC heaven.

The Eachine needs to be trimmed as well and it won't remain in position as accurately because it doesn't have gps

firecop9774 · Jan 14, 2018

I learned on this. 40 bucks, good range, and ****-near indestructible. It survived 2 major crashes (25 foot fall onto grass. Hit garage and fell 12 feet onto concrete driveway - it's the Timex of toy drones).

Fun to fly and outstanding stress-free learning tool. I lose more $$$ in an hour at the casino......

Hubsan H107C X4 Cam 2.4G 4CH 6 Axis Mini RC Quadcopter HD 2MP Camera LED Toy RTF | eBay

LTWATCH · Jan 20, 2018

Thanks everyone. I actually sent back one from Amazon, and got one with 3 batteries on Ebay for only $62. It took me a while to figure out how the heck to get battery out of E58. They must make these for pennies, so I don't expect much from instructions. Good ole Youtube will have stuff. Nice way to learn without risking a 1K drone. Or so I think. Great forum, lot's of good info.
For those of you NE Patriots fans, funny story. We had a structure fire in a basement of a house in my town today. Owner listed is one Mr. Roger Goodell,(they usually never list owner in reports) no one was hurt, and I had no idea he has a house down here.....In Dennis, MA

Really sorry Roger...