Here’s a starter camera drone that is very light on the pocket.
The EachineDirect E56 drone offers just what you are looking for to start your drone hobby. The main appeal is that it is cheap, floating at the $50 or below margin. It also has a 720p camera, which can give great footage for a low investment.
The E56 also has portability with its folding wings, turning it into a small rectangular shell. The shell has the similar size and shape to a mobile phone. It’s basically you carrying a second phone around. It is light, compact, and can fit in any small bag (along with its controller).
Speaking of the controller, it looks like a Playstation controller cut in half. You can hold it entirely in one hand, and it has interesting uses. For one, you don’t use it like a PS4 controller. You use it like the PS4’s competing console, the Wii (remember that?). Because of the shape and configuration of the EachineDirect’s controller, you can fully control it with one hand. The controller’s size also makes it easy to store in any small pouch or bag.
EachineDirect E56 Review: The Good and the Bad
Another perk of this tiny device is its user-friendly theme. The drones are small, not at all intimidating to newer users. The EachineDirect’s controller is also non-threatening for first timers. People who do not have experience with drones, but are fond of games can easily identify the button layout since it is similar to that of the Playstation’s. Seeing as you can control the basic movement with one hand, learning is not as threatening.
Now, for the bad.
The most often complaint about the drone is its difficult-to-master controller. It seems they sacrificed more accurate controls to that of simplicity in design. The idea of ‘tilting’ it to the direction you want may look simple, but it can definitely harm accurate movement. It also can get a bit frustrating learning the controls when the battery keeps running out. It only offers at most 7 minutes of flight time before recharging.
Another is that the camera doesn’t offer much. For people looking at drones to take on their photography hobbies, this may not be the right fit. It can take selfies, but for real quality shots, you may have to spend a bit more on a higher quality camera drone.
The Plus and Minus:
- (+) Cheap, commonly under $50
- (+) 720p camera for a low priced drone
- (+) Small, compact, and lightweight
- (+) User-friendly controller design
- (-) Hard-to-master controls
- (-) Camera not great for ‘serious’ photography
- (-) Very low battery life
The DroneAddicts.net Verdict:
All in all, you get what you get for the low price. What the EachineDirect E56 lacks in higher quality components, it makes up for in portability, low costs, and an easy-to-pickup control system. The small frame may make this a great drone gift for kids wanting to learn, but for those looking for more serious drone work, you may have to look somewhere else.
