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Get a DJI Phantom 1 quad-copter for $379

That's the lowest price I've seen on this fabulous flying machine, which is very likely to sell out.

Rick Broida Senior Editor
Rick Broida is the author of numerous books and thousands of reviews, features and blog posts. He writes CNET's popular Cheapskate blog and co-hosts Protocol 1: A Travelers Podcast (about the TV show Travelers). He lives in Michigan, where he previously owned two escape rooms (chronicled in the ebook "I Was a Middle-Aged Zombie").
Rick Broida
2 min read

dji-phantom-1-with-gopro-mount.jpg
GoPro not included, but at least the mount is. DJI

As I mentioned a couple weeks back, my single favorite tech purchase of 2014 was the DJI Phantom quad-copter. And suddenly here we are with a great deal on one!

Today only, and while supplies last, B&H Photo has the DJI Phantom 1 for $379 shipped. You also get a Watson 4-hour rapid charger and four NiMH rechargeable batteries -- but they're not what you think.

See, those are the batteries used by the remote, not the Phantom itself. The latter relies on a specialized 2,200mAh LiPo battery -- and you'll probably want to pick up a couple extras so you can enjoy more flight time. (They run around $22 apiece.)

The Phantom 1 is not only a beauty of a drone, but also a pleasure to fly. It's surprisingly easy for beginners, but stuffed with advanced electronics for people who really want to get their hobbyist on. Arguably the coolest feature is the GPS-powered "return home" mode, which will bring the Phantom right back to its launch point.

Downsides? This model lacks a camera -- but does come with a GoPro mount. (You can mount other lightweight cameras as well.) I honestly can't think of any other negatives. DJI's higher-end Phantoms sell for $1,000 and more, with more or less the exact same body styling, remote and basic flight functionality. (Here's a full rundown of the Phantom 1's features.)

Of course, even at $379, the 'copter is hardly cheap. If you're looking for a less expensive alternative, I highly recommend the Syma X5C, which routinely sells on Amazon for around $60. It's surprisingly good for the price.

Bonus deal: Still not using a password manager, or don't like the one you have? For a limited time, SharewareOnSale is offering one year of Sticky Password Premium for free. Regular price: $12. I haven't tried this one myself, but PC Mag rated it "excellent." If you'd rather just spring for a lifetime license, you can grab that for a very reasonable $24.99. (I'm paying $30 annually for Dashlane, which suddenly seems woefully overpriced.)