‘Tis the season of joy, merriment, and of course, the delightful tradition of gift-giving! As we embark on the festive journey of spreading warmth and happiness, why not elevate your holiday presents with a touch of modern marvel? I’ve highlighted items in the realm of cutting-edge drone safety equipment and tech that not only guarantees a thrilling experience but also ensures responsible and secure flights. Whether you’re on the lookout for budget-friendly stocking stuffers under $25 or ready to splurge on high-tech marvels under $500, I’ve curated a list that caters to every tech enthusiast’s dream. Join me on this adventure as we explore the perfect blend of innovation and safety, making this holiday season truly unforgettable for your loved ones.
As a note, some of the products are my own and others I am not sponsored by, but I may get a small fee if you click on the links. These are a list of gift giving ideas based on my personal use or experience in the field, and possibly my own wish list. Prices are based at the time of this writing.
Gift ideas under $25
“Elevate your Standards” book. First off let’s start with safety. Building an operations manual for your uncrewed aircraft systems company is packed full of helpful information for drone operators at any level. Yes, I published this book with the drone operator in mind. It’s an excellent publication for drone pilots starting their journey or advanced operators ready to dive deep into building a career. Inside the book is information regarding checklists, regulations, learning flight skills, safety, and many more valuable resources. https://amzn.to/47C14Rd
SD cards. You can never have enough Secure Digital (SD) cards. I specifically chose the 64GB Elite-X Class 10 U3 V30 rating for the speed class and write speed. There are higher quality SD cards and certainly more Gigabyte (GB) storage and need to be considered depending on the use case. These PNY SD cards have been a jem for me and they collect data well in the field. 64GB and 128GB are very common, and the 64GB allows me to record enough footage and swap out cards for large flights when I don’t want to lose data. Also, I don’t mind when I give them away to a client, I haven’t completely broken the bank purchasing them. https://amzn.to/4a18AXC
SD card case holder. Well once you have all the SD cards where do you put them? Nothing worse than fumbling around looking for available SD cards. I seem to collect SD cards like some people collect shoes or jackets. I recommend that you get a case that has a placeholder for standard Multimedia Card (MMC) flash memory card and micro SD card as well. https://amzn.to/46BRvAo
Safety vest. Safety vests are a great item to have on a gift list. Yes, they come in a variety of colors. Some of the features that are attractive to this style is the clear front chest pocket to allow Remote Pilot Certificate or any identification to be seen. This vest also has handy pockets to keep items available and your hands free. If you’re looking for a way to elevate your gift giving, there is no print on the backside which allows you the option to have a print shop personalize the vest with name or logo on the back. https://amzn.to/3GmFXqk
Lithium polymer (LiPo) Bag. When thinking of safety, this fireproof storage bag can be used to safely transport, storing, and charging LiPo batteries. Never leave the charging battery unattended. Battery fires are no joke and can get out of hand before you know it. Take all safety precautions possible. There are a variety of sizes of LiPo bags to choose from. Some airlines or countries require batteries to be transported in a LiPo bag. https://amzn.to/3uF0mUK
Gift ideas under $50
Anti-collision light. A must-have for flying at night with your drone. There are many options available (see below), depending on the required quality and function of the light. Firehouse can velcro on the drone and are extremely lightweight and rechargeable. This makes a great choice for small drones when you want to keep the weight down. https://amzn.to/3uLW6Tl
Safety cones. These cones are a great gift idea for anyone and are a great way to mark off a launch and landing zone. I specifically like these because they are collapsible which makes them easy to transport. They stack very small, come in a carrying bag, and fit in the car. They have a light on top if you need them at night. This is an excellent gift for any purpose with safety in mind without taking up a lot of trunk space. https://amzn.to/3R3qb8m
Holy Stone Mini Drone. Here’s a fun indoor toy drone for kids and beginners. It’s a hoot, just have fun with it. It is tiny, durable, and easy to fly indoors. This little drone has proven itself on several STEM events. The propellers are protected for durability and safety. Yes, this is a toy, but a lot of fun learning to maneuver and challenge yourself to fly through objects. There are a variety of color choices, of course mine is pink. https://amzn.to/3t4enL9
Drone case. It is so convenient to have all the drone parts and accessories in one safe place. Here is a great option for a waterproof hard carrying case compatible with the common consumer drones DJI Mini 4 Pro Fly More Combo and DJI Mini 3 Pro/Mini 3. A drone case is vital for me. I am an off-road enthusiast and I like to have a place for the drones to be free of environmental conditions. A drone case will allow you to safely store and travel with your drone with this large capacity and protective foam. https://amzn.to/49UgCl7
Wind speed gauge. Drones have a limit to the wind they can sustain flight. As part of flight safety gauging the wind velocity can be documented with this handheld anemometer. It is digital and comes with a small stand. I keep mine in my tool bag, so it is available when needed. https://amzn.to/47AOAJz
Gift ideas under $100
Drone operations coaching session. Do you have a drone enthusiast looking to take their flying abilities to new heights? Look no further! I offer a perfect gift of a personalized 1:1 coaching session designed to unlock true drone potential. Here is an opportunity to have personalized attention for tailored guidance, industry insights, or software settings. These are just a few of the topics to deep dive into. https://calendly.com/onthegovideo/dronecoaching
Anti-collision light. As mentioned earlier anti-collision lights are a “must have” for flying at night with your drone. This is an FAA regulation. @FoxFury Lighting has a fantastic light that meets the 3 statute miles visibility regulation. This is more than a strobe light. There are a variety of settings and have a light on the top as well as the front or back. FoxFury Lighting are renowned for their lighting solutions and this light is true to their quality and standards. https://amzn.to/49Xw1B5
Landing pad. Hoodman makes a fantastic landing pad to protect a drone from surrounding dirt and debris. It is bright, visible, and folds compact. Often smaller lightweight landing pads do not hold in place with the force of wind from the drone. This is not a problem with Hoodman landing pads. The heighted outer ring holds the pad in place well with the force of the wind blowing. If you really want to get creative, @Hoodman can personalize the landing pad with company logos. https://amzn.to/3N8ZGxd
Syma X5C. This drone is super fun. This Drone has a camera (ok only 720p, but still fun) and best of all it has altitude hold. I use a Syma drone for some of my classes and the drone has added durability with propeller guards. This bundle is a good choice because of the additional batteries. They only fly a short time and you will appreciate having additional batteries. https://amzn.to/3R5G7af
Gift ideas under $500
DJI Mini 3. Lightweight and foldable mini drone with camera and 4K HDR Video. If you’re looking for a good starter drone this is it. This was a tough one. I am often asked “what drone should I get?” Most reliable, easy to fly drones cost well over $500. We are in luck, currently the DJI Mini 3 is priced under $500. However, I recommend extra batteries or a Fly More Kit and of course that will put you over the $500 mark. This is a great drone. I am a fan of DJI for their dependability and durability. One battery will fly approximately 38 minutes in perfect conditions. This lightweight, portable drone is great to take with you on the go because of its compact size. https://amzn.to/4aeibun
Jackery Portable Power Station. The Explorer 300 works amazingly in the field for portable charging of drone batteries, and electronics. There are 2 110V/300W Pure Sine Wave AC Outlets that make it perfect for my needs. I was able to charge DJI batteries or Autel batteries. The Jackery has been a great tool for off-road adventures. I have even used the Jackery to light up our pontoon boat participating in a Christmas light show. The size and weight are manageable at 7.1 pounds. There are also optional solar charging panels. https://amzn.to/3uLdV56
Yaesu FTA550 Handheld VHF Transceiver. Aviation Airband Transceiver NAV/COM with ILS and VOR Navigation. Handheld two-way radio for communication. When you think of safety on the flight line, knowing where traditional aircraft are located, and flight direction is imperative. This Perfect safety equipment for a drone operator to listen to nearby air traffic. This radio is packed full of features and provides full communication on the aircraft communications band and includes NOAA weather band. I like this radio for the ease of channel memory ability. As a reminder, this is for listening to air traffic and not to be used to communicating without having an FCC license. https://amzn.to/3T3Xhru
GoPro HERO 12 Black. I love tech. If you are looking for a waterproof action camera for photos and video, GoPro’s Hero12 Black offers 5.3K60 Ultra HD Video, 27MP Photos, HDR, 1/1.9″ image sensor, live streaming, webcam, and stabilization. Shew! Again, I off-road quite a bit and GoPro has always be a great choice for durability and stabilization. GoPro also offers additional accessories that allow me to attach to my helmet or other vehicles. https://amzn.to/3uD8RQn
That’s a wrap.
The allure of drone technology, coupled with essential safety gear, transforms your holiday gifts into experiences that soar to new heights. From affordable gadgets under $25 to the grandeur of high-tech wonders under $500, this curated list ensures that every budget finds a place in the symphony of joy. May your celebrations be filled with the joy of discovery, the thrill of technology, and the warmth of shared moments. Wishing you and your loved ones a season brimming with happiness and the magic of thoughtful gift-giving!
