Before piloting competition-level kit in immersive flight mode with specially designed glasses, newcomers to the world of drones can have fun trying out their flight skills with an affordable model designed with beginners in mind.
Syma X5SC Explorers 2
Chinese manufacturer Syma makes a veritable clone of what drone market leader DJI sells at a much higher price. The Syma X5C Explorer is a compact quadcopter offering 360-degree control via the accompanying remote. It's also equipped with a small 2-Megapixel camera. It's an easy-to-use option for trying out this kind of device but don't expect top-end performances. It's out now priced at around $40.
Hubsan X4 H107C
Hubsan, another Chinese manufacturer, offers an alternative model to the Syma quadcopter. It has four LED lights for nighttime use and has a special mode for aerial acrobatics. It's also priced around the $40 mark. However, the budget price tag means that video isn't amazing quality and you won't get more than six or seven minutes' flying time.
Parrot AR Drone
French manufacturer and drone-market pioneer Parrot still sells its famous AR Drone, now available in several versions. The Elite model can be controlled directly from a smartphone and has a 50-meter flying range and an onboard HD (720p) camera to film each of its flights. It sells for around $250 and offers almost 15 minutes' flying time.
Horizon Hobby Blade Inductrix FPV
American manufacturer Horizon Hobby sells a range of affordable little drones, including the Blade Inductrix FPV. Unlike other models in this selection, this drone offers an immersive flying experience. In other words, users can follow its travels via video streamed from the onboard camera to a small 4.3-inch monitor provided (or to a headset, for those who have one). It's available for around $200.
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