Years ago, we bought and tried some no-name no-brand quad-copter - and promptly lost it in a tree ;) On June 25th, 2026 I opened a box with another no-name no-brand drone that spend a few years on a shelf, and it looks like typical Chinese crap: instructions in broken English refer to parts that are not included etc.; also, it was cheap when bought, and it is old, so probably missing fun (and safety) features compared to the current generation.

Non-professional drone market is completely dominated by DJI; only professional drones are made in US. So, which DJI?

For serious users:

  • Mini 5 Pro $770 at DJI; $760 with controller at Amazon; too advanced; with "plus" battery - too heavy
  • Mini 4 Pro $650 out of stock at DJI; $294 bundle at Amazon
  • Mini 3 Pro $500 too dated

Dedicated FPV:

  • Avata 360 (2026): specialized, heavier, less agile; requires registration because of weight?
  • Avata 2 (2024): $1290 at Amazon with everything including Goggles 3

For beginners:

  • Flip (2025): better camera; no FPV option?
  • Neo 2 (2026): $260 at DJI; better safety and tracking; FPV an option.

Controllers:

  • RC N3: uses phone
  • RC 2: own screen
  • RC 2 Pro: bigger screen
  • Motion: gestures

DJI Goggles:

  • 3: $500; older, slimmer, dual OLED, PIP
  • 3N: $230; mewer, boxier (can be worn over prescription glasses), single LCD, no PIP

June 25th, 2026: bought for $600 from B&H Neo 2 Motion Fly More Combo with RC Motion 3 and Goggles N3.

June 26th, 2026: got the drone bundle; ordered STARTRC case for it for $30 from Amazon.