Jack Towne

The FT Aviator is an all-new style of remote control that is designed to be compatible with DJI drones. It is the result of a Kickstarter campaign led by former NASA astronaut Scott Parazynski and designed by Fluidity, Inc. Scott felt the two-thumb method of controlling drones was difficult to master, so he developed this new way to fly. Parazynsky and the team at Fluidity believe that the FT Aviator gives pilots more control and allows them to master flying faster. We have yet to test one, so the verdict is still out. If the first drone joystick performs as advertised then we suspect it will be a hit.
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The DJI Spark has been the best drone under $500 for quite some time now. At its new reduced price of $399, the Spark is officially the beginner drone for most people. There really haven’t been many other options for people who want a good aerial photography drone on a budget. That’s changing now, with some smaller players moving into the affordable consumer drone space. Let’s take a closer look at the best drones under $500.
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First announce during AirWorks 2018, DJI has released a new flight simulator to help train the growing number of both consumer and commercial pilots. The new DJI Flight Simulator allows pilots to test a variety of different drones in various weather conditions for a number of different applications. The goal of the new DJI Flight Simulator is to safely train pilots using the equipment they will operate prior to flying their drone.

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With the addition of the Mavic 2 Enterprise, understanding the different specifications among the different versions of the Mavic can be confusing. The Mavic 2 Enterprise is the most versatile of the Mavic series of drones, while the original Mavic Pro is the least expensive. Take a look at the Mavic 2 Enterprise specs below to see what makes it unique among the other Mavic options from DJI.
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Hubsan is famous for small but durable toy drones in their “X4” series. They expanded that series into higher-end GPS-enabled models with mixed results. In what appears to be their first Kickstarter campaign, Hubsan has launched the Zino. The Hubsan Zino, and now the Xiaomi FIMI, are both low-cost entry-level drones with their sights set on pulling consumers away from the DJI Spark. It is great for buyers, but is it too good to be true? Let’s take a closer look at the Hubsan Zino (Kickstarter). I think looking a little closer at Hubsan’s history might be a clue as to whether or not we can expect a real Spark competitor.
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The new Xiaomi FIMI A3 is a GPS drone with an HD camera on a mechanical gimbal for less than $300. This drone has some impressive specs that put it firmly in competition with the DJI Spark. With a starting price of $269, this drone could definitely put a dent into sales of the $399 Spark.
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Parrot announced an update and new pricing for the Parrot Anafi. This new Anafi update adds the ability to do more your Anafi. New features include HDR in both video and photos, hyperlapse video options, more cinematic flight modes, better dolly zoom options, and three more follow-me modes. These updates make this drone, which is one of my personal favorites, even better.

In addition to these new features, the base price has dropped to $649, with the option for a $799 extended bundle. The bundle includes two batteries, a travel bag and a handful of other accessories. Parrot continues to improve the Anafi, giving DJI’s Mavic Air ($799) better competition.

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Hubsan will soon launch the Hubsan Zino, a $399 folding drone with a 4K camera. Hubsan is marketing the Zino as a competitor to the Mavic Pro. A better comparison is probably the Mavic Air ($799), the ultra-portable 4K drone from DJI. The price of the Zino is far less than the Mavic Air, it is identical to the price of the DJI Spark ($399). This is good news for consumers, as there are very few good entry-level drones under $500. By the specs, the Zino compares favorably to the Spark in a few areas. Is the Zino the new leading drone under $500? Let’s take a look.
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The MJX Bugs 3 is an incredibly versatile and fun drone. It has brushless motors, which makes it more powerful and efficient than similarly-priced drones, like the Syma X8. It is more of an intermediate-level drone and I wouldn’t recommend it for children. However, if you want something that is fun, fast, and can carry a GoPro, then this is the drone for you. You will be pleasantly surprised by the versatility of this drone.

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The Parrot Bebop 2 is the best drone you can buy for under $300. With the Bebop 2, you get a pretty serious machine. It has a 25-minute flight time, 2,000-meter range, and a 14 MP camera. The wide angle lens and electronic image stabilization of the Bebop 2 are impressive. This is an excellent beginner drone for anyone looking to get into aerial photography. It is surprisingly quiet but still powerful. The camera has the most impressive electronic image stabilization that I have ever tested. While it may not be quite as nice as the new Parrot Anafi, at half the price of the Anafi, the Bebop 2 it is a heck of a deal.
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The E010 is a small ducted drone that you can pick up on Amazon for less than $25. While it may be an inexpensive drone, that doesn’t mean it isn’t a lot of fun to fly. You won’t find a camera or any advanced features on this little guy, but it is still big on fun. This little quadcopter is excellent for flying indoors when the weather is bad or for learning how to fly. Read on to learn the hidden capabilities of the E010 and what similar drones may be an even better suited for you.

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Parrot recently cut the price of the Anafi by $100, lowering it to $599. That puts the Anafi right between the $399 Spark and $799 Mavic Air. If you were thinking the Anafi was priced a little too close to the Mavic Air, you may have been correct. This offer may come to an end on October 20, so now may be the best time to buy an Anafi. You can also choose to bundle an extra smart battery with your Anafi for $699. The Anafi was already one of my favorite drones under $100, and the new Anafi price makes this drone even more appealing For a full review of the Anafi, click here.
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The DJI Mavic 2 is my favorite drone. Whether you choose to go with the Mavic 2 Zoom($1249) or the Mavic 2 Pro($1499) they are both head and shoulders above the competition. I’d venture to say I prefer the Zoom and I think it is the better drone for most people. The Pro camera, however, is superior and probably the new top choice for professionals. That said, these drones aren’t perfect and there are a few things that we would like to see improved.

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The Parrot Anafi ($699) is a unique drone and the only real competition we have seen to DJI’s compact Mavic Air. The Anafi sports a 4K camera with a full 180-degrees of travel as well as a 21 MP sensor that is capable of 2.8X digital zoom. With these features, the Anafi is a really compelling little consumer drone. Right now you can get the Anafi and two batteries for $700. Does that make the Anafi($699) a better deal than the DJI Mavic Air ($799)?

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Today the Tello remains the only drone on drone-giant DJI’s website that isn’t branded as a DJI-built drone. The feature-packed mini-drone arose from a partnership between Ryze, Intel, and DJI. Their goal was to create the ultimate beginner drone. When you hear names like “DJI” and “Intel” you immediately think, “this drone must pack the latest technology and be really expensive”. The Tello does indeed have a lot of incredible features. This little drone sports an HD camera, intelligent flight modes, image stabilization, and a handful of sensors for stable flight. What it doesn’t have is a high price tag. Just under $100, this small drone is worth every penny.

The Tello isn’t only for sale at DJI.com. There are some great package deals on Amazon.

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