DRONELIFE is pleased to present this insightful guest post by Matt Sloane, the Founder and CEO of Skyfire Consulting. As a prominent figure in the drone industry, Matt brings a wealth of expertise and firsthand experience to the table. In this reflective piece, he shares valuable observations on the state of the drone industry in […]
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The Tello drone is a favorite at The Drone Girl. Priced at $99, it qualifies for (and steadily wins) the title of best drones under $100. With safety features that simultaneously make the drone easy to fly, it’s the best drone for kids, plus the best indoor drone. And with accompanying tools like simple educational coding software, it’s also the best STEM drone. But lately, the drone community has been wondering: was the Tello drone discontinued? Here’s what we know:
Over on the DJI shop, the $99 Tello drone, as well as the $149 Tello Boost Combo are both listed as sold out — as they have been for a few months now. You can still purchase the Tello drone from some third-parties, but even there quantities are limited. On camera retailer Adorama, the Tello is sold out entirely. On Amazon, stock is painfully limited to largely used versions only. We did still spy it on Walmart.
We reached out to DJI to find out if this is simply a matter of demand outpacing the pace of production — or if production has ceased completely.
“Currently, the Tello series is still being sold in the United States, and we will continue to provide technical and after-sales support to the customers,” a DJI spokesperson told The Drone Girl. “We have been working hard to provide global users with drone products that meet different needs. We will continue to launch new products that are accessible, easier to use and meet entry-level or educational needs, so stay tuned.”
So what does that actually mean in human speak? It’s hard to say for sure, but the fact that DJI has said it’s being sold but not actually in production doesn’t exactly bode well for more units being in production.
Because the DJI spokesperson mentioned the launch of new products, though, it doesn’t necessarily mean that there’s no hope for people seeking an excellent, affordable STEM drone — even if the Tello drone is, in fact, discontinued.
The DJI Tello drone first launched in 2018 — and it’s still held up incredibly well as a relevant drone more than five years later. It’s managed to strike the perfect balance of simplicity with high-tech — particularly astounding since so many other drones have rapidly iterated over a similar period (we’re on the 4th edition of both the DJI Mini and DJI Mavic, for example).
The Tello isn’t quite a DJI product, though it’s closely tied to DJI. It’s actually made by another Shenzhen-based tech company called Ryze Technology, and it combines DJI flight technology with an Intel processor to create a budget camera drone that also can be used to teach newbies the basics of programming.
Among its key specs:
Read my full Tello drone review here.
If there’s a chance you’d want the Tello drone, move fast. They’re already sold out from major retailers like Adorama and DJI itself, and there are very few left for sale on other big retailers like Amazon.
If you’ve missed the boat on getting one from a standard retailer, here are your next steps:
First off, consider buying a used drone. Buying a used drone has many benefits (beyond the obvious of acquiring something that’s otherwise sold out). It can often be cheaper, and you get the benefit of helping the environment by buying something that is otherwise collecting dust in someone else’s closet besides demanding another unit be produced. Just beware of the risks of buying used drones.
But if you truly can’t find any actual Tello drones, then it’s time to look into Tello drone alternatives. There are many drones that are quite similar to the Tello — and at a similar price point.
An excellent runner-up to the Tello, particularly for STEM classrooms, is the Robolink CoDrone Mini Programmable Coding STEM Educational Drone Kit. It’s designed for kids ages 8 and up, but honestly it’s great for adults learning to code, too. Priced at $99 (the same price as Tello), it’s designed primarily to introduce pilots to basic coding concepts. Using simple programming language Blockly, you can code the drone to fly in patterns or do flips, and you can also control the lights via code.
And if all else fails and you’re desperate to have a DJI (or at least DJI-affiliated) drone for around $100 that’s great for beginners or kids, then perhaps your best bet is to be patient. As DJI told The Drone Girl, the company says it still is on a mission to launch new products for entry-level and educational needs. Given that, you might just have to wait for what 2024 has in store.
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Indian Army Awards Contract to Johnnette Technologies for Supply of Made-in-India Johnnette JF-2 Tactical, India’s First Crash Resistant Drone Johnnette Technologies, a leading Indian Unmanned Systems manufacturer headquartered in Noida, has secured a contract from the Indian Army to supply its flagship tactical fixed-wing UAV, the Johnnette JF-2, for border surveillance. The company proudly asserts […]
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Unifly Successfully Completes Groundbreaking UTM Cybersecurity Model Project in Partnership with FAA Terra Drone Corporation‘s UTM Solutions provider Unifly, has announced the successful completion of the Unified UTM Cybersecurity Model project in collaboration with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The project, awarded under the Broad Agency Announcement call 003, aimed to refine a UTM cybersecurity model, […]
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This article published in collaboration with JUIDA, the Japan UAS Industrial Development Association. by DRONELIFE Staff Writer Ian J. McNabb A partnership between Japanese and Mongolian UAV and healthcare organizations recently completed a blood delivery between an Ulaanbataar hospital and transfusion center with the intention of eventually establishing regular medical delivery services in the area. […]
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Droning on and on over an iceberg near Svalbard.
The post Svalbardian iceberg as seen by a drone appeared first on DRONESTAG.
If you’re considering getting your Drone Pilot’s License as a 2024 New Year’s resolution, then Drone Pilot Ground School has you covered.
As of yesterday, Drone Pilot Ground School is offering $100 off all their packages for their New Year Sale. That’s up to 33% off, depending on what package you pick, from now until Thursday, Jan. 11th.
Purchasing one of Drone Pilot Ground School’s packages is the first step in turning your resolutions into actions. After all, passing the Part 107 test and becoming certified is the only way to legally make money as a drone pilot in the U.S.
And why not go with Drone Pilot Ground School? It is one of the best Part 107 drone test prep courses. And of course, it has Drone Girl herself, Sally French, stamp of approval. (It’s what she used to prepare for the Federal Aviation Administration’s Aeronautical Knowledge Test.)
Use this link and the Drone Pilot Ground School sale price will automatically apply (for purchases made before the close of the sale on Jan. 11th).
Drone Pilot Ground School’s sale entails a $100 discount on each of their three comprehensive test-prep packages.
The Self Study package, typically priced at $299, is now available for $199. The course encompasses video lectures, quizzes feature around 300 practice questions including FAA questions. The Self Study package also includes a concise 12-page cram sheet, and dedicated 1:1 customer support.
The Guided Study package includes everything from the Self Study package, plus additional benefits. Those enhancements comprise unlimited practice exams, weekly live Zoom webinars tailored to ace the FAA Part 107 exam, and the top 15 drone training exercises, among others. Its usual price of $339 is now reduced to $239.
For a more immersive experience, the Guided Study + Flight Training package is offered at $425, down from its regular $525. This premium option builds on the Guided Study package by adding 1:1 hands-on training with an expert drone instructor. Before you purchase this package, make sure you check the location of the drone instructor to ensure one is in your area.
All three options come with a ‘pass or don’t pay’ 30-day money-back guarantee.
Drone Pilot Ground School has an impressive roster of industry-leading clients, including NYPD, and John Deere, as well as journalists from major news outlets like USA Today and The Wall Street Journal.
Under the FAA’s Part 107 regulations, operating a drone for business purposes requires a drone pilot license, previously known as a “remote pilot certificate with a small UAS rating.” To obtain this license, candidates must successfully pass an in-person written exam, commonly known as the Part 107 test.
This test comprises 60 multiple-choice questions, covering a range of topics far beyond basic common sense. For example, you’ll need to be familiar with interpreting sectional charts and understanding meteorological concepts like stratiform clouds. The test can be taken at any of the 700 testing centers nationwide. Upon passing, you’ll receive a physical license that must be carried during drone operations.
Given the complexity of the test, enrolling in a test-prep course is a smart move. And with the New Year’s sale ongoing, now is the perfect time. It might also mark a thoughtful gift for friends or family members who are venturing into the world of drones.
To get the sale price from Drone Pilot Ground School, simply use this link. Please note, that Drone Girl’s usual discount code that offers $50 off with the code DRONEGIRL50, will not work with this sale code. But don’t worry, the current $100 discount is a much more advantageous deal anyway.
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Dragon Firefighter Flying Robot: The Future of Firefighting In a groundbreaking development, scientists have created a new ally for firefighters: the Dragon Firefighter. This flying firehose is designed to combat the most dangerous fires, providing a safer alternative for human firefighters. The Dragon Firefighter is the brainchild of a team of Japanese researchers. “We here […]
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