If you've ever dreamed of flying a plane but prefer the safety of the ground, then a drone is the next best option. (Amazon)(Amazon)
You know how, when a new kind of gadget drops, only the early adopters with deep pockets get to play? That was the case with drones for a while — but lately, prices have come back down to earth. And now, thanks to Amazon's four-day Prime Day blowout, you can grab one for less than dinner and a movie. The Velcase Drone, a beginner-friendly flyer that makes launching, steering and landing nearly foolproof, is down to just $44 during Prime Day. That deal ends tonight, so if you've been drone-curious, this might be your moment.
It's 37% off. Need we say more? We do? Okay, what about this: It also comes with a controller, two batteries and a carrying case. All for $44 with the sale price and on-page coupon code.
Necessity? Maybe not. Drones can be useful tools, but ultimately, they're mostly used as toys. That said, if you've been wanting to try one without paying the usually high cost of entry, this deal is one you'll want to jump on.
Multiple built-in functions make it easy for even inexperienced pilots to take up the controller. When the battery gets too low, it will alert you when it's time to land. It also handles things like takeoff and landing — both difficult parts of flying — and will fly for up to 26 minutes. It's so easy to use that even kids can operate it without a problem, fans say.
The company provides 24-hour tech support and a warranty if there's a defect (but not if you crash it at full speed into the side of a building, so be careful!)
With more than 1,400 five-star reviews and 500-plus sold in the last month, this little drone is flying high.
One of the downsides of some drones is that they require the use of your phone (and the phone rarely fits on the controller with a case on). Not so with this drone. "I really like that I didn't have to use my phone to control the drone," wrote one five-star reviewer. "This unit has a standalone remote control that has the ability to be run using your phone, but it's not required."
Others raved about how easy this drone was to use, even for those who have no experience, making it a great gift. "I bought this drone as a gift for my friend's daughter, and it was a big hit!" exclaimed a happy gift-giver. "The setup was simple, and she was able to start flying it right away. The controls are easy to use, making it perfect for beginners."
A final five-star flier said this is an impressively durable pick. "I bought this drone for my 11-year-old nephew and he loved it! He told me that when he flew it over his house and his neighbor's house, the drone flew very high and survived the fall." Um ... "fall"?
Some reviewers complained about the video resolution, saying it could be better. "The video turned out more like a series of photographs."
Said this aggravated aviator: "It takes about two hours to charge the batteries, which isn't bad. The issue is they only last 13 minutes each, which is only 26 minutes of battery life."
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
If you have Amazon Prime, you'll get free shipping, of course. Not yet a member? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day trial here. (And by the way, those without Prime still get free shipping on orders of $35 or more.)
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