Best picture taking drones under $300?

[thenavarro]

In a few weeks, I am going great white shark cage diving at Isla Guadalupe. During the times that I'm not in the cage, I'd like to fly an affordable drone with camera around to take photos from the air of the boat and of the sharks in the water from a birds eye view. I'd like it to be somewhat user friendly to recall and land as well. I don't want to break the bank on a really nice one, because there is always the chance that when trying to land it, I lose it in the ocean, or I land it in the ocean accidentally and it gets ruined by the salt water. It's not necessary that I have one that can be controlled by my smartphone, because my phone is not going to work a couple hundred miles out into the Pacific anyway. However, I do want it to have a relatively user friendly remote control and would like it to take color photos and videos.

Anyone have experience in this area and that can offer a good recommendation under $300, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks,

Mike

[cool-vintage]

My brother and I recently purchased a decent beginner drone for $50 off of amazon. The battery will doesn't last too long if you take a long video or a bunch of pictures. (You can buy an additional 4 batteries) The only issue is you need some sort of USB to charge the battery
I wouldn't say this is the best but if you have never flown a drone before it's a great one to start out with.

Photos we took with it: (Sorry I couldn't get a video to upload I may try again later)
http://i1126.photobucket.com/albums/l614/cool-vintage/PICT0021_zpsmkgkfe1i.jpg (http://s1126.photobucket.com/user/cool-vintage/media/PICT0021_zpsmkgkfe1i.jpg.html)
http://i1126.photobucket.com/albums/l614/cool-vintage/PICT0026_zpstqvgod9g.jpg (http://s1126.photobucket.com/user/cool-vintage/media/PICT0026_zpstqvgod9g.jpg.html)
http://i1126.photobucket.com/albums/l614/cool-vintage/PICT0027_zps6umfqyzv.jpg (http://s1126.photobucket.com/user/cool-vintage/media/PICT0027_zps6umfqyzv.jpg.html)

Here it is if you are interested:
http://www.amazon.com/Syma-Channel-2-4GHz-Explorers-Copter/dp/B00MNG37C2/ref=pd_sim_21_5?ie=UTF8&refRID=1JZPQXR9PYVDYWZ92SMS

Let me know if you have any questions

[thenavarro]

That's cool. What kind of range can you fly it?

[cool-vintage]

I'm not 100% sure, but I would guess the range is about 150-200 ft.

Another issue I forgot to mention is this drone is very light weight so it is hard to control if there is wind.

Here are some videos we took:
http://i1126.photobucket.com/albums/l614/cool-vintage/th_MOVI0007_zpsyav8lhpp.mp4 (http://i1126.photobucket.com/albums/l614/cool-vintage/MOVI0007_zpsyav8lhpp.mp4)
http://i1126.photobucket.com/albums/l614/cool-vintage/th_MOVI0006_zps3yrshoyb.mp4 (http://i1126.photobucket.com/albums/l614/cool-vintage/MOVI0006_zps3yrshoyb.mp4)
http://i1126.photobucket.com/albums/l614/cool-vintage/th_MOVI0003_zps627vep4s.mp4 (http://i1126.photobucket.com/albums/l614/cool-vintage/MOVI0003_zps627vep4s.mp4)

[nebboy]

My son and I just got one for his birthday (9 yr old). He can fly it and it take photos and video good. $80 plus 3 batteries on E-bay.

[thenavarro]

Thanks y'all

M

[rsn1661]

I am guessing the pictures and videos are recorded on an sd card or something similar? They look pretty good.

[cool-vintage]

I am guessing the pictures and videos are recorded on an sd card or something similar? They look pretty good.

Yes there is a small 4GB memory card you insert into the camera before flying in the drone John and I mentioned.

[thenavarro]

I ordered one of those that Josh and John mentioned. Should be here by the 4th.

[nebboy]

Hope you like it. I'm glad I have a really big latter, I've had to get ours out of trees more than once.

They are a blast!!!!!

[pawpawdiv9]

My boss is just getting involved and i learned some stuff from his experiece.
He bought one of the cheaper models, but plan on a better one.
1. I heard you constantly have to have both hand to keep it flying, not floating without hands like on the expensive models?? Correct??
Love to hear more info, so i can strike up a better consersation with the boss next time. Or pretend to know whats he saying. LOL!