What to get for grandkids ages 8 & 10?

[Hairy Houdini]

I have been thinking about getting one or two toy drones for my grandkids, who are 8 and 10. After some research online, it seems to me that for kids who are beginners, I should look for something that has "headless" mode, an altitude hold feature, a return to home button, and a one-button takeoff and land capability.

I came up with a few of possibilities that have all or most of these features. I tried to post the links, but am not yet authorized to do so. The forum won't let me post the links, so I'll post the Amazon product number and the name:

• B076S5CJ31 Cheerwing CW10 Mini Drone for Kids Wifi FPV Drone with Camera Remote Control Quadcopter with Altitude Hold and One Key Take-off / Landing Green
  
• B01M25O8E0 Holy Stone HS190 Foldable Mini Nano RC Drone for Kids Gift Portable Pocket Quadcopter with Altitude Hold 3D Flips and Headless Mode Easy to Fly for Beginners
  
• B01M32HHP5 JJRC H36 Mini Drone 2.4G 4CH 6Axis Gyro Headless Mode Remote Control RC Quadcopter RTF One-key Return-Blue

All get pretty good reviews on Amazon and those reviews get pretty good ratings on Fakespot. And they are all in the $20 to $40 range.

Then I called several hobby shops on the area. None of them have anything comparable for under $100 and most are closer to $200 - $300.

Are the mail order drones really as good as the reviews say? Are they appropriate for my grandkids? Or so I need to plan on spending quite a bit more?

Thanks, hh

 

[Jackson]

that for kids who are beginners, I should look for something that has "headless" mode, an altitude hold feature, a return to home button, and a one-button takeoff and land capability.

I wouldn't over worry about features.

Get 3 of these (one for you), and a few spare batteries and props and get to it.
https://www.banggood.com/Eachine-E3...-p-1134307.html?rmmds=search&cur_warehouse=CN

They are quite docile in low rates, and in high rates quite acrobatic.

 

[Hairy Houdini]

I wouldn't over worry about features.

Get 3 of these (one for you), and a few spare batteries and props and get to it.

... link deleted so I could reply...

They are quite docile in low rates, and in high rates quite acrobatic.

Thanks very much for the recommendation.

What do you mean by low or high "rates"?

I was concerned about features, especially having to do with stability, because I bought a cheap ($25) toy drone at a museum shop. One of the sales people was flying it and it looked cool. It was about the size of a small melon and the rotors were completely enclosed in a plastic cage, which the guy said made it very durable in crashes. When I got it home, I had a lot of trouble getting it to do much except fly wildly. So when I read about stabilization features, I thought I'd give that a try.

 

[Hairy Houdini]

Get 3 of these (one for you), and a few spare batteries and props and get to it.

... link to Banggood removed so my post would go through...

They are quite docile in low rates, and in high rates quite acrobatic.

Jackson,

I did a little checking. Banggood has some very negative reviews in several places. I did find that Eachine quad on Amazon, but it has zero reviews there.

 

[Jackson]

Banggood has some very negative reviews in several places.

We go through this constantly, Banggood and Gearbest are two of the biggest and most popular China retailers. I have been dealing with them for many years, for purchases of all types.

that Eachine quad on Amazon, but it has zero reviews there.

You need to look for Youtube video reviews.

This is his Part 2 for the FPV W version.

Good luck.

 

[RENOV8R]

Jackson,

I did a little checking. Banggood has some very negative reviews in several places. I did find that Eachine quad on Amazon, but it has zero reviews there.

Jackson,

There isn't a place on earth that doesn't get SOME bad reviews. Just checked my BG account and have had 112 orders. I've had 2 returns for defective items and 1 $12 item that never showed up (they sent me a replacement) Pretty good track record if you ask me.

 

[Gyro Doctor]

I've also been dealing with both Gearbest and Banggood for years and can tell you that they have always done right by me.
Whenever I've had a problem with something arriving broken or not performing as expected due to some mfg. hiccup
(admittedly their quality control is not the best) they typically just send another one of that item to me for free.
IMHO it's well worth getting a dinged box with a broken part in it (like a quad) if the resolution is getting another whole quad
sent to you ! You wind up with more than enough spare parts to make it worth the wait for that slow boat from China.

 

[Rick M]

I also recommend Banggood, having ordered WAY too much from them with great results. I haven't ordered from Gearbest, but would if I couldn't get what I wanted from Banggood. Pay with PayPal, and you can feel very confident you are protected in case of any issues. Bangood mis-shipped one package, and it got sent back. They credited my purchase and re-shipped before the returned package arrived based on the US Postal Service tracking saying it was on its way back to them.

 

[Hairy Houdini]

We go through this constantly, Banggood and Gearbest are two of the biggest and most popular China retailers. I have been dealing with them for many years, for purchases of all types.

You need to look for Youtube video reviews.

This is his Part 2 for the FPV W version.

Good luck.

Thanks for that, especially the youtube video review. That makes it much easier to assess.

I see that he has some tubing in his yard for making loop for the quad to fly through. Do you know what material is good for making those? I think that would be fun for the kids. We could have timed races.

Again, thanks for the information.

 

[Hairy Houdini]

I've also been dealing with both Gearbest and Banggood for years and can tell you that they have always done right by me.
Whenever I've had a problem with something arriving broken or not performing as expected due to some mfg. hiccup
(admittedly their quality control is not the best) they typically just send another one of that item to me for free.
IMHO it's well worth getting a dinged box with a broken part in it (like a quad) if the resolution is getting another whole quad
sent to you ! You wind up with more than enough spare parts to make it worth the wait for that slow boat from China.

Thanks, doc

 

[Hairy Houdini]

I also recommend Banggood, having ordered WAY too much from them with great results. I haven't ordered from Gearbest, but would if I couldn't get what I wanted from Banggood. Pay with PayPal, and you can feel very confident you are protected in case of any issues. Bangood mis-shipped one package, and it got sent back. They credited my purchase and re-shipped before the returned package arrived based on the US Postal Service tracking saying it was on its way back to them.

Thanks, Rick

 

[Gyro Doctor]

I see that he has some tubing in his yard for making loop for the quad to fly through. Do you know what material is good for making those? I think that would be fun for the kids. We could have timed races.

I prefer using "swimming pool noodles"
Wal-Mart sells them in a pack of five for $14. and, being made of foam, they're a lot easier on the quads than PVC tubing.

 

[Jackson]

Wal-Mart sells them in a pack of five for $14.

I've got Dollar Tree by me, actually 3. They are a true $ store. They have pool noodles during the summer for a buck.

 

[Hairy Houdini]

I prefer using "swimming pool noodles"
Wal-Mart sells them in a pack of five for $14. and, being made of foam, they're a lot easier on the quads than PVC tubing.

Thanks, doc

 

[Hairy Houdini]

I've got Dollar Tree by me, actually 3. They are a true $ store. They have pool noodles during the summer for a buck.

Perfect. There's a Dollar Store close to my mother-in-law's house where we will all be in a few weeks. The kids always bug me to take them there to get little junk toys, some of which are pretty good.

Thanks

 

[KentA]

I have been thinking about getting one or two toy drones for my grandkids, who are 8 and 10. ...

• B076S5CJ31 Cheerwing CW10 Mini Drone for Kids Wifi FPV Drone with Camera Remote Control Quadcopter with Altitude Hold and One Key Take-off / Landing Green
  
• B01M25O8E0 Holy Stone HS190 Foldable Mini Nano RC Drone for Kids Gift Portable Pocket Quadcopter with Altitude Hold 3D Flips and Headless Mode Easy to Fly for Beginners
  
• B01M32HHP5 JJRC H36 Mini Drone 2.4G 4CH 6Axis Gyro Headless Mode Remote Control RC Quadcopter RTF One-key Return-Blue

I can vouch for your 2nd choice, the "Holy Stone HS190 Foldable Mini Nano" which is also marketed as the "DROCON Scouter Foldable Mini" which I have. Of excellent quality, it is very easy to fly & loaded with nice features. In fact because my old memory is not what it was before my teen years, I needed to use a label maker to cheat.

 

[Hairy Houdini]

I can vouch for your 2nd choice, the "Holy Stone HS190 Foldable Mini Nano" which is also marketed as the "DROCON Scouter Foldable Mini" which I have. Of excellent quality, it is very easy to fly & loaded with nice features. In fact because my old memory is not what it was before my teen years, I needed to use a label maker to cheat.

View attachment 3769

Thanks. The label maker is a good idea as my Alzheimer's is getting worse.