There’s magic in the air, and we’re not just talking snowflakes. Drones are a hot-ticket gift item this year—in fact, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) expects that nearly 1 million drones will be sold this holiday season. And it’s no wonder … drones are remote control devices that can take you on new adventures, and capture the amazing sights in photos or video. Is a drone on your shopping list? Here are some important things to think about before landing one in your home.
Which drone is right for you? Hint: Do your homework.
There are many kinds of drones out there, and expensive doesn’t always equal better. It’s really all about what you want your drone to do. Drones come in many sizes, shapes and price points. Some roll on the ground, while others fly through the air (and some do both!). Many have cameras attached for taking photos and video, plus live feeds and sharing capabilities.
Target has a broad assortment of drones, remotes controls and accessories such as backpacks, batteries and propellers—everything you need to get started. If you’re shopping for a kid’s first drone, don’t miss entry level options in the Toys aisles starting at $29.99. For more advanced options, visit the Electronics & Entertainment department in our stores for a selection of popular brands and models, or explore Target’s full assortment of drones (with four times more choices!) available at Target.com, at prices ranging from $79.99 to $2,899. Get to know a few of our most popular models:
Parrot Rolling Spider drone
Level: Beginner
Wow factor: This lightweight minidrone rolls and flies. You can fly it indoors or out and snap aerial photos with the embedded vertical camera.
Find it: in any Target store across the country, or Target.com in red, blue and white.
Parrot Bebop drone
Level: Intermediate/Advanced
Wow factor: With the Freeflight Free app, your smartphone becomes the remote control for this ultra-light flying drone, which takes stunning 1080 HD video and 14MP photos that you can share instantly.
Find it: in any Target store across the country, or at Target.com.
DJI Phantom 3 Standard drone
Level: Advanced
Wow factor: Use the controller to fly this drone up to .6 miles away, and capture amazing 1080 HD video stabilized by a 3 axis gimbal, with a live HD view on your mobile device.
Find it: in select Target stores and at Target.com.
Big or small, there are safety rules that all drones need to follow.
When operating a drone, you’re the pilot of a small unmanned aircraft, and you need to follow the same rules other aviators do. Be sure to check your local safe flying rules, and watch resources like the FAA’s website and Know Before You Fly, because safety info is evolving all the time. Starting Dec. 21, 2015, all drone owners 13 and older will be required to register on the FAA's website and mark all their drones with an identification number.
Each community has different regulations, but some are pretty universal. Example? You should never fly a drone near crowds, within five miles of an airport, or higher than 400 feet. Once you buy your drone, review the flight safety information listed inside the box. Pro tip: While it’s tempting to start it flying or rolling right away, make sure to check that it has the latest firmware—that’s the software you use to operate it.
Psst! Target’s got tons of deals on drones during Black Friday and the holidays.
If you’re on the fence about buying a drone, there’s no better time to take advantage of major deals. Check out Target’s 10 Days of Deals going on right now, including our Black Friday doorbusters, and visit the Drones page at Target.com throughout the holidays for more of the season’s lowest prices.
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