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.)
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