I’ve organized this guide with the gift shopper in mind. You will find gifts categorized as:
Disclaimer: I am in no way an expert! There are many people out there with more knowledge than I have on this topic. However, I did a lot of research and talked to friends with more experience, so I hope this guide will be helpful. All constructive comments are welcome.
For the Hot Gadget Loving Crowd
Parrot AR.Drone 2.0 $299.00
Many people just want to get flying, without spending the time and effort to do tons of research or build their own flying platform. Luckily, Parrot’s AR.Drone 2.0 is here!.
What it Does
It’s a complete aerial drone package including full speed High Definition (HD) video, a nice sensor package, and control via your smartphone or tablet.
Why it’s Cool
This latest version of Parrot’s drone makes some real strides in ease of use. Not exactly cheap, but it’s out of the box fun!
Extra Battery for the AR.Drone $39.99
While you are at it, keep the fun flying with an extra battery or two. The Parrot Battery for AR.Drone 2.0 will definitely be an appreciated accessory gift.
What it Does
The one complaint I’ve heard about the AR.Drone 2.0 is the limited flight time of about 15 minutes. Keep the fun in the air and buy and extra battery or two.
Why it’s Cool
Forty bucks seems like a small price to pay to keep the fun going!
For the Do It Yourself (DIY) Folks
For some people, the fun is just as much about learning and building as it is flying and spying. If that sounds like your loveable geek, then check out the info on the DIY Drones website.
ArduPilot $199.99
You might like to start with the APM 2.5 ArduPilot Mega 2.5 Fully Assembled System. This kit is the heart of a DIY Unmanned Autonomous Vehicle (UAV).
The ArduPilot alone doesn’t get you flying. You’ll also need a Radio Control (RC) remote with five or six channels, an RC receiver for on board the drone, a mini USB cable and something that flies to add the ArduPilot to. This guide and the DIY Drones website provides some recommendations on models that work well.
What it Does
Turns any fixed, rotary wing or multi-rotor model into a fully autonomous aerial drone. This Arduino compatible controller can navigate via GPS waypoints, log data, and comes with mission planner software for your ground station and firmware for the board.
Why it’s Cool
Whether you want to cruise or hover, you can build your dream drone based on proven technology. It’s open source, and there’s a significant community for support.
ArduPlane $53.99 – $69.99
Want to glide through the air with the greatest of ease? Take the ArduPilot above and try adding an ArduPlane based on the SkyFun or the Hobbyking Bixler 2, pictured below.
Price
- SkyFun: $53.99
- Bixler 2: $69.99
What they Do
The SkyFun is a delta wing flyer made from high-pressure Expanded Polystyrene (EPS), the Skyfun is extremely stiff, has a gloss like surface. It’s easy to fly for beginners and fun for more experienced pilots.
The Bixler 2 is made from tough Expanded Polyolefin (EPO) foam, this model plane has a large wing span for longer flight times and/or bigger payloads. Like the SkyFun, it is pretty easy to fly but fun for an advanced pilot too.
Why they’re Cool
The SkyFun design is pretty crash resistant, which makes it especially good for a novice, but it is good enough that a pilot won’t get bored as they become a more advanced flyer. It’s actually pretty fast.
The Bixler 2 is fast to assemble and easy to fly. It has plug-in wings to make it easy to transport too. This bird also has good payload capacity and room for add-in equipment like a camera for First Person Viewing (FPV).
ArduCopter $439.90 – $549.99
Maybe a traditional airplane is too stuffy and traditional for your gift-giving taste. Multicopters are all the rage. You can take off vertically and hover over a field to take in a sporting event or see what is going on in the neighborhood.
A great DIY project is an ArduCopter, which can be a traditional helicopter, or a tri-, quad- or hexa-copter. For a quadcopter, try either the 3DR ArduCopter Quad-C (top) or the jDrones Simplex Quad Multicopter (bottom), pictured below. These kits include the ArduPilot board, so there is no need to purchase it separately.
Four rotors not enough for you? OK, go for a hexacopter! Two fine choices are the 3DR ArduCopter Hexa-B (top) or the jDrones Simplex Hexa Multicopter (bottom), pictured below.
Price
- 3DR ArduCopter Quad-C: $449.99
- jDrones Simplex Quad Multicopter: $439.90
- 3DR ArduCopter Hexa-B: $549.99
- jDrones Simplex Hexa Multicopter: $539.90
What They Do
The ArduCopter supports auto-level and auto-altitude control, navigation with Global Positioning System (GPS) waypoints, mission planning software, automatic takeoff and landing and more. The ‘simple flight mode’ lets you have fun flying while taking care of most of the hard stuff for you.
Why they’re Cool
Just search on YouTube for ‘ArduCopter’ and check out some of the videos. These things are amazing! They are fast, stable, and maneuverable. Many of the larger ones can lift enough payload that you can add video cameras, aGPS module or other goodies. This is a great platform combining flexibility and ease of use.
ArduPilot Add-Ons
The best thing about a DIY drone (from a gift perspective) is that there are always opportunities to expand capabilities, make modifications and customize. In other words, it is ripe for future gifts ideas.
One cool upgrade is the 3DR Radio Telemetry Kit, $74.99
What it Does
In addition to wireless control, you may want to get sensor data back to your ground station. This is called telemetry.
Why it’s Cool
Provides about 1 mile range, so you can transmit data to the ground. This radio can be interfaced to the ArduPilot via a serial connection. This opens up a whole new world of possibilities.
Cheap and Easy Tricopter Build
For a less expensive DIY project that is pretty easy to do, check out this video from YouTube user hallstudio. He has logged hundreds of hours of flying time on multicopters and other RCs, and believes in building inexpensive models with a keep it simple approach. He based this build on RCExplorer’s Tricopter design, which is pictured below. Hallstudio’s adaptation is even simpler.
One of the coolest features of this elegant design is portability. The two forward arms can fold backwards, which is extremely convenient.
Price
Below is a parts list for the project, including links and current prices for the most budget conscious build. There is a parts list with some alternative choices listed in the description of hallstudio’s video. The original RCExplorer’s web page is well-documented and also provides a list of parts. So check those out if you want to see more purchasing options or if some of the links below are no longer available. You will also need to purchase a 2.4GHz RC transmitter separately.
Based on the list below, the total cost is about $150.00, but you might find good deals and do better.
Tricopter Budget Build Parts List
For your convenience, here is a link to the template for the body. You will have to enlarge it to build hallstudio’s version of the tricopter.
What it Does
Lifts into the air in a snap! It flies, rolls and flips. You may require some practice to achieve these maneuvers, of course.
Why it’s Cool
This may be the simplest, cheapest and easiest way to get into a DIY multicopter. The parts are easy to repair or replace.
For the Budget Conscious
Accessible as the price has become for some pretty sophisticated drones, not everyone has hundreds of dollars to spend. This section is for you! There’s plenty of fun to be had (and given) with the gift ideas below.
Budget Spy Helicopters
These traditional RC helicopters get the spy drone treatment, due to the addition of an integrated video camera.
For a very easy-on-the wallet gift, try the Syma S107C, pictured above. Flight control is reported to be very stable on these durable helicopters, although the weight of the camera can make it a little tricky until you get used to it.
It can shoot 640×320 video with audio, and store over ten minutes on the included 512MB microSD card. The included remote control uses infrared (IR) light rather than radio frequency (RF). Note that there is some assembly required.
Next up on the price tier is the Egofly Hawkspy. This helicopter is pretty big, nearly two feet long, which is much bigger than the Syma discussed above. Along with increased size, this copter comes with a 1GB microSD card to store 640 x 480 video. The included RF remote includes trim adjustments for fine control and can also operate the camera and nifty on-board LEDs. The larger size and weight may make this a better choice for outdoor flying, although you still need pretty light wind to fly.
Finally in this category, here is the Keen Eye S903 helicopter. This RF controlled copter is 28 inches long and comes with a 1.3 Megapixel video camera. The included 2GB microSD card can hold up to 50 minutes of video. Two counter-rotating blades make this helicopter a nice stable platform.
Price
- Syma S107C: $39.70
- Egofly Hawkspy: $80.99
- Keen Eye K9C: $97.85
What they Do
What can I say? They fly. They spy. You won’t get live video with these, but the included microSD memory card will record your video.
Why they’re Cool
If you are buying for someone who already likes to fly RC helicopters, these spy copters may be a good choice. It is a fairly easy way to get going with video recording in an aerial drone.
Budget Quadcopters
The market for low cost mini quadcopters has exploded! It seems like everyone is jumping on the bandwagon. The good news is there are lots to choose from. That’s also the bad news, because some are certainly better than others, and it’s hard to know what to buy.
Here are a few options that I’ve heard or read good things about. Of course, by the time you read this, there may be even more choices available. So do shop around a bit before you decide.
I’ve heard some very good things about the UDI U816 4CH Mini Quadcopter UFO. This ready to fly quadcopter includes a 6-axis gyro to help keep flights steady and controlled. A friend of mine who is a bit of an authority on multicopters bought four of them! I think this one might be on my own shopping list this year.
The Walkera QR Ladybird V2 is another small quadcopter that I’ve read good things about. The V2 version is a serious price drop from Walkera’s V1, and includes the transmitter (unlike the V1). They also added a little rubber ball underneath each motor to help absorb impacts on those not-so-gentle landings you are likely to have. The V2 may be slightly ‘dumbed down’ from the previous version, but it allowed Walkera to offer a very price competitive product.
Perhaps the latest manufacturer to jump into the fray, respected RC airplane and helicopter maker Nine Eagle is coming out with the MASF02 Alien. Although I can’t seem to find a place to buy this yet, several online video reviews are out on YouTube. It certainly looks like fun!
Price
- UDI U816 Mini Quadcopter UFO: $44.40
- Walkera QR Ladybird V2: $59.90
- Nine Eagle Alien: Coming out this November. I can’t find price yet, but I hope it will be competitive with the other small quads in this market.
What they Do
These small quadcopters are simple and fun to fly! You can use them indoors if you have enough space, but it is more fun outdoors as long as there is only light wind.
Why they’re Cool
They are small, maneuverable and very stable with 3 or 6-axis gyros. Who would have guessed you could get a multicopter with this much smarts for less than $60? Awesome! This is a great way to learn to fly multicopters, and and easy way into the aerial drone hobby.
Accessories
“Accessories are important and becoming more and more important every day.” – Giorgio Armani, fashion mogul.
Why should the fashion industry have all the fun? Accessorize your gift with one of the ideas below.
Goggles $299.95
Who wouldn’t want to look as cool as Vladimir Putin as he checks out the view from an unmanned aerial drone?
Source: AP Photo/RIA Novosti, Alexei Nikolsky, Pool
Now you can give a gift that will have your friend or loved one be the envy of all of his or her Prime Minister buddies. Take that, David Cameron.
The FatShark Dominator 3rd Generation Modular FPV System is a complete package.
They come with options for a 2.4Ghz or 5.8Ghz transmitter and matching receiver for the aircraft. For ultra-awesomeness, you should go for the head tracking module. More on that below.
What it Does
OMG! WTF is FPV?
It’s First Person View flying, and it’s getting closer and closer to making you feel like you’re right in the cockpit. Go for a near total immersion experience with these goggles. FatShark is perhaps the most experienced at making goggles specifically for FPV flying.
Why it’s Cool
The optional head tracking module for these goggles actually detects when you move your head, and can move a servo mounted camera on your aircraft up and down and left and right. You see where you look! This is about as good as it currently gets for feeling like you are in the seat of your aircraft.
Electronic Speed Control (ESC) $17.78
In order to run the brushless DC motors used in most aerial RCs, you need an ESC. The Exceed-RC Proton-30A model pictured below is pretty nice. However, you need to match the current specifications of the ESC to the requirements of the motor. You need one ESC for each motor.
Most ESCs also include a linear Battery Elimination Circuit (BEC) to provide 5 to 6V for the control electronics. Read more about this under the UBEC accessory heading in this article.
What it Does
An ESC connects to the supply battery and receives control signals from the aircraft’s receiver. It outputs the desired power to the brushless DC motor.
Why it’s Cool
Nothing too fancy here, but if someone is building their own drone, they’ll need these. The price is very reasonable, so perhaps this gift will help someone you care about complete their project.
Universal Battery Elimination Circuit (UBEC) $16.45
A UBEC can be an important accessory to an aerial drone. This Turnigy 5 to 7.5 Amp model is a nice choice. However, there are many different UBECs from different manufacturers and with different specifications. You’ll have to match this gift choice to the requirements of the drone it will be installed on.
A UBEC simply drops the supply voltage from the battery down to the 5 or 6V that is needed for the control electronics. Read on below for more about what a UBEC is and what it does.
What it Does
A UBEC provides isolated power for the control electronics like the receiver and servos. There’s probably already a small linear Battery Elimination Circuit (BEC) in the ESC. However, a UBEC has a more efficient switching power supply, resulting is less waste heat and longer battery life. It also ensures that even if the motors go dead, there is still power to the control electronics.
Why it’s Cool
OK. It’s not really very sexy or cool, but it does an important job. Plus, maybe you are looking for a less expensive gift to round out your purchases. Here it is!
Batteries and Chargers
A drone isn’t going anywhere without power, and that comes from the battery. Lithium Polymer (LiPo) batteries have been the standard for aerial drones and RCs for a while now. They are lightweight and can provide a lot of current for their size. Which battery to buy depends on what it will be used for. Smaller drones obviously need a smaller and lighter battery, but the choice is always a trade-off between weight and flight time.
I’ve heard good things about the Gens Ace Eco Series, one of which is pictured below. This might be appropriate for a mid to large sized drone.
Note that there may be some advantages of going with the newer Lithium -Phosphate (LiFe) batteries. They are supposed to be safer to charge and have similar or better energy density. However, cell for cell, their voltage is lower than LiPo batteries, and not everyone has gotten ‘on the bandwagon’ with this technology.
Batteries are no use without a good charger. LiPo batteries require a special charger, like the Gens Ace iMars 50W model pictured below. This charger will work with multiple battery chemistries, including LiPo and LiFe.
Price
- Gens Ace Eco Series LiPo Batteries: $3.50 to $15.25, depending on voltage and capacity.
- Gens Ace iMars 50W Charger: $39.00
What they Do
Batteries are rated by the voltage they supply, their overall capacity and the charge/discharge rate. Voltage is determined by how many 3.7V cells are wired in series, and are specified by the ‘S’ rating (e.g., 3S is 3 x 3.7V or 11.1V). Overall capacity is specified in milliamp-hours (mAh); the higher the value, the longer they will last. Multiple sets of cells can be wired internally to the battery pack to provide higher capacity. The ‘C’ rating describes how quickly the battery can be charged and discharged.
Why they’re Cool
Spend more time in the air! Having two or more batteries is really handy, so you can change out one when it is depleted and have a charged one ready to go. Charge your batteries safely and effectively with a quality charger.
The Parrot AR.Drone is a fantastically capable platform, but I wouldn’t call it a complete package. Until they include a remote control or make it compatible with standard RC controllers out of the box, it will remain an iPhone accessory to me.
Kudos for ease of repair and spare part availability.
Fair point! You do need to supply the smartphone or tablet to control the AR.Drone. Parrot has a compatibility tab on their support page, which tells you exactly which devices it will work with.
http://ardrone2.parrot.com/support/
I don’t see the HoverFly kit listed !!! Those are awesome kits !
Yes, that’s a good one to add to the list. Thanks for mentioning it. Hoverfly makes some very nice flight systems, boards and accessories. I almost included the Parallax Elev-8 quadcopter (http://www.robotshop.com/parallax-elev-8-quadcopter-uav.html), which uses a Hoverfly control board.
Interested readers can find out more at http://www.hoverflytech.com.
I really like that tricopter build. Although the component table needs a correction for the speed controller cost – 3 of those will be $23.40 (the table shows $9.40). its still a lot of tricopter for the money. This will go onto my list of new years projects, thanks for posting this.
Whoops! Good catch, Michael. I’ll see if we can get the cost table updated. I’m hoping to make this one in the new year too. Let me know how yours goes!
Walkera has a new model called the Infra X, which is slightly bigger than the ladybug. It has sensors that allow it to avoid walls and the ground. Around $100.00, hard to find, but the videos look awesome.
Nice find. That does look really cool. Did I mention that the market for small quadcopters is evolving at an incredible pace? You should definitely shop around and see what is out there before you buy. Be sure to check for independent reviews so you can be reasonably sure you are getting a quality product.
Aerial Drone Gift Guide