Best Entry-Level Drones for Baby Boomer
Best Drones For The Older Geeks In 2017 -’18
Remote controlled toys have always been a favorite for baby boomers with a fanciful mind, but with the recent growth in the popularity of drones, our curious side is really in for a treat. Drones are being used for military operations, but can now be used by every young at heart grown-up to explore the world around them.
Drones are more than just a toy that you fly around the garden. Many drones have fancy on-board cameras that they can use to capture images while in the air and gain perspectives that wouldn’t otherwise be available.
Drones can also be used to race, and you and your friends can have competitions to see who has the best flying skills.
Best Drones for Your Enthusiastic Boomers
If you’re thinking of getting a drone for yourself or someone else, there are plenty of options available. After you learn the ropes of your drone, you might try to going into headless mode in a quadcopter to allow you to align your quadcopter drone movements relative to its controller. To help you out with the buying process, here are ten of the best drones for sale today.
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1. Holy Stone HS170 Predator Mini RC Helicopter Drone
The Holy Stone product is an excellent quadcopter for beginners. It is easy to handle once you get the hang of flying it. With three different speed modes, ultra-responsive motors, wind and shock resistance, and superb stabilization, this is the perfect starter drone.
The drone is pre-assembled, and all you need to attach are the blades and mount the batteries before you can get to flying.
What’s Great About It: The HS170 Predator Mini has a lot of great features, like its ability to do tricks, due to its 6-Axis Gyro Technology. It can flip and roll easily, adding excitement to your experience.
2. Wonder Chopper Stunt Drone Quadcopter
While this drone is still a traditional quadcopter like the others on my list, the Wonder Chopper has a less intimidating appearance. The blade protectors allow you to fly without worrying that they will damage the blades. The alternating use of black, grey and orange look great, and are easy to see when in flight.
What’s Great About It: This drone is virtually crash-proof, doesn’t require FAA registration, and is capable of performing tricks. It is great fun and it’s very easy to use and only weighs 0.1 lbs.
3. EACHINE E010 Mini UFO Quadcopter Drone
This tiny quadcopter is packed with great features that you will love. It is small enough to fit in one hand, and has 6-axis gyro technology so you can perform amazing stunts with it. This is also a great model for you to learn on before moving to a bigger model.
What’s Great About It: This drone has a homing device, so if you lose sight of the quadcopter, they simply press the button and it returns to them. The compass mode allows for easy navigation, making it simple for younger children to use.
4. Quadpro Nc5 Nano Quadcopter
Dubbed as a “pocket drone”, the Quadpro NC5 is the ideal drone for indoor use. It’s a beginner model that is specifically designed for stunts that you will love performing. The two speed function allows you to customize your tricks.
What’s Great About It: You will love its headless flight mode which quickly eliminates the need for positioning to achieve the correct orientation. This unit doesn’t handle wind very well, limiting its outdoor use, so it is the perfect toy for indoors.
5. Holy Stone F181 RC Quadcopter Drone with HD Camera
The Holy Stone quadcopter is great for those who are looking to take aerial photography, as it comes with an HD camera on board. This drone has a hover function, so it will hold its position.
This drone has automatic land and return to home functions, which is perfect for children who are just starting out.
What’s Great About It: Considered as one of the best mid-range drones, it’s made with durable ABS elastic plastic, so it is very durable, which is perfect for beginners. It also comes with an additional battery pack, which is very helpful.
6. UDI RC U845 WiFi 2.4 GHz 6 Axis Gyro FPV Drone with HD Camera
This drone has a unique appearance that resembles a UFO which will be a hit. The UDI RC has Wi-Fi video transmission, which is great if you want to take photos and videos while flying.
The propellers are shielded behind circular guards, perfect for beginners who are going to crash this drone a few times and don’t want to damage the propellers. The LED lights are a great addition and are great fun to watch when flying at night.
What’s Great About It: This drone can do 360-degree flips and other tricks, making it a diverse option. It also has headless mode, so you don’t have to worry about re-positioning every time you take off.
7. Cheerwing CW4 RC Drone with 720p HD Camera
If you want a professional looking drone at an affordable price, the Cheerwing CW4 may be just what you are looking for. This drone has been made with beginners in mind, and is very durable. The propeller guards allow your child to fly this drone without fears of damaging it.
What’s Great About It: Its one-key takeoff and landing function makes operation a breeze for boomers learning to fly. It also has altitude hold mode so you can take your photos easily.
8. TEC.BEAN X902 Black spider Mini RC Quadcopter
This unit has a unique appearance, resembling a large spider, and has its propellers under the quadcopter. This drone is great for both indoor and outdoor use, and is easy for to handle if you are just starting out.
What’s Great About It: The motors are very responsive, so it can be a bit tricky to get used to when you first start flying, but once you have the hang of it, you will love flying this drone.
9. USA Toyz UDI 818A Quadcopter
If you are a drone enthusiast, the USA Toyz drone is something you may want to look at. This drone is the perfect beginner unit for those who are serious about aerial photography. The 2 megapixel camera automatically transmits the images to a mobile device, so you can review their images in real time and adjust their position to get the best shot.
What’s Great About It: The drone come with an extra battery and power bank, so youcan have hours of fun. This quadcopter has the longest flying time on my list.
10. Holy Stone F180C Mini Quadcopter
This mid-range drone is ideal for drone enthusiasts with any level of experience, making it perfect for the whole family and grand kids. This quadcopter has four sensitivity modes, so you can change the handling based on the user’s experience
What’s Great About It: This drone is very reasonably priced, and has a 2 megapixel camera that can take photos and videos. It can also do flips and other stunts, promising hours of excitement.
11. Epoch Air Flying Ball
This one is not quite a drone, but it is a fun flying device that you will love. Epoch Air’s Flying Ball is a tiny disco ball with propellers on top. It doesn’t do much aside from fly and emit multicolored lights, but it’s a great device for everyone to join in the fun.
What’s Great About It: The ball has a motion sensor, and by placing your hand underneath it, the toy will fly higher. It is also remote controlled, so you can easily fly it around and have fun navigating an obstacle course.
12. Helizone Sparrow Mini Drone
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If you want a drone with great features without a huge price tag, the Helizone Sparrow Mini Drone is worth looking at. This little quadcopter can do things that more expensive drones can do, so it’s a nice starter unit for boomers who don’t want to spend too much on a drone.
What’s Great About It: It can flip, take videos and photos, and even return home with just a single press of a button. What makes it even better is its excellent radio frequency, allowing you to control the unit up to 100 meters away.
13. SYMA X1 Quadcopter UFO
Another smaller quadcopter option is the SYMA X1. It features a sturdy central body with flashing lights that make the unit look fantastic. The three-axis flight control allows you to fly in all directions, and it has indoor/outdoor mode.
What’s Great About It: Controlling this drone is a breeze and you won’t have to worry about a transmitter that can easily cause crashes.
How we Chose these Top 13 Drones for Boomers
Since drones are now commercially manufactured for general use, you can find really solid units that have sophisticated features. You won’t need a complicated drone when you start out, as they can be tricky to use. I picked models that are easy to operate, so you can enjoy flying.
You will undoubtedly crash your drone a few times before you get the hang of flying, so investing an a drone that is made from durable materials, and has a sturdy build which will be able to withstand a few knocks.
Additional features often come at a much higher price and aren’t necessary if you just want to acquaint yourself with a flying. I added a number of products with cameras and extras for those who are looking for a few more features from their drone.
Many times with drones you will need replacement parts, as you will crash the drone as you learn. Select a reputable brand that has parts available for your drone and offers great after sales service.
Drones vs. RC Helicopters
Many are left wondering whether they should get a drone or a remote control helicopter. Drones are relatively new in the industry, whereas helicopters have been around for many years.
Both are classified as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV). RC helicopters are simply toy helicopters that are equipped with a motor and controls to allow you to move them up, down, left and right. Drones are more sophisticated and are equipped with more features that make them far more diverse.
Drones are easier to control and many fly back to its receiver once the signal is lost. Many drones are also equipped with cameras, which helicopters don’t have.
The biggest difference between the two is that drones can hover, while RC helicopters can’t stay in one place. Due to this, drones are great for boomers who want to use their aerial device for photographs and videos.
FAA Regulations for Drones
Some drones are subject to the rules and regulations of the FAA (Federal Aviation Association). It’s very important to know if the drone you intend to buy is subject to these regulations. Drones for kids are often exempt, as they don’t qualify for registration as they don’t meet the 0.55 pounds (250 grams) and 55 pounds (25 kilograms) requirement for such.
Drones and the Future of Play and Learning
Being such sophisticated toys as these toys are packed with technology. Luckily, most drones are made to be durable and can take quite a few knocks. And if a part does break, they are normally easily replaceable.
There are lots of ways you can benefit from playing with a drone:
- It can improve your s motor skills.
Operating a remote control to direct the flight of the drone takes a lot of hand-eye coordination, so it will challenge your dexterity. Navigating through obstacles will also improve their concentration and patience.
- It can introduce you to the world of electronics, technology, and robotics – which are all excellent fields you can study in your spare time.
There are also custom built drone kits available, where you child can construct their own drown, giving them a hands-on experience with their drone.
- Your imagination will soar.
Conclusion
Drones are a fantastic way to get outside and interact with the world from a different perspective. Not only is a drone a fun but it helps improve different hand-eye coordination. Although they are a bit more expensive than many other toys that you may consider; you will get endless hours of enjoyment from discovering the world from a birds eye view.For more about drones check out this link: I’d love for you to check it out here: https://hobbyhelp.com/drones/
Andy Asher – Editor at Bloomer Boomer. When I am not here you will find me exploring new bike trails, escorting my canine pal Duke everywhere and enjoying wonderful adventures with my partner, Mimi.
Category: Baby Boomer, Blog
