Don’t worry, I won’t drone on and on about our favorite flyers and their fantastic features. Instead, check out the guide below for a list of some of this year’s best UAVs and accessories from Adafruit and beyond!

Available at Adafruit!

3DR Iris+ — Autonomous multicopter: The new consumer-grade 3DR Iris+ is an all-in-one autonomous aerial vehicle with a compact and durable design. Stylish and powerful, Iris runs on the innovative Pixhawk autopilot system–the newest in advanced autopilot electronics from the PX4 open-hardware project. With wide-angled arms and a GoPro-compatible camera mount, Iris is perfect for any aerial imaging application. Add a GoPro HERO3+ to capture breathtaking aerial video. The IRIS comes with a custom radio control transmitter. (read more)

Panavise ActionGrip 3-N-1 Camera Mount: Be the Mikhail Kalatozov of GoPro with this 3-N-1 ActionGrip Suction Cup Camera Mount Kit! This kit has enough flexibility to give you three different camera mounts – one for low profile mounting, one for full range of motion, and one for maximum adjustability.

It’s the kind of all-in-one tool that can give your footage a unique perspective with a variety of interesting angles. The ActionGrip also comes with a super powerful suction cup that can be used on vehicles, boats, or drones in both hot and cold temperatures. All of it’s put together by Panavise, with lightweight aluminum parts, so you can trust the quality and durability. (read more)

Leap Motion Controller with SDK: The Leap Motion Controller is a fascinating new computer sensor that uses multiple cameras and IR light to detect motion in a 3D space. It tracks both hands and all 10 fingers with pinpoint precision and incredible speed. Just plug into your computer, download the software, and launch Leap’s SDK to get started.

• Tracks hands, fingers, and pointable tools
• Sub-millimeter accuracy and near-zero latency
• 8 cubic feet of interactive 3D space
• 150° field of view extending above the device
• Compact device at 3″ long
• Compatible with Mac, Windows, and Linux via USB
• SDKs in six programming languages
• New: Image API provides developers access to raw stereo image

Leap Motion has an active developer community where you can create, share, and discover a wide variety of open-source integrations, cool projects, and fun hacks. Makers and robot lovers can use the tracking data to control almost anything – from flying drones and robotic arms to LEDs and 3D printers. You can integrate your Leap Motion Controller with an Arduino, map your hand motions to your favorite robot, use it with the Oculus Rift, or drive a remote-controlled car over Wi-Fi. And with the new raw image pass-through and top-down hand tracking software updates, you can now literally reach into the world of virtual and augmented reality, where the possibilities are truly endless. (read more)

Educational mini UAVs- Sticker!: You built an educational mini UAV! Adafruit offers a fun and exciting stickers to celebrate achievement for electronics, science and engineering. We believe everyone should be able to be rewarded for learning a useful skill, a sticker is just one of the many ways to show and share.

This is the “Educational mini UAV” badge for use with educators, classrooms, workshops, Maker Faires, TechShops, Hackerspaces, Makerspaces and around the world to reward beginners on their skill building journey! (read more)

Educational mini UAVs- Skill badge, iron-on patch: You built an educational mini UAV! Adafruit offers a fun and exciting “badges” of achievement for electronics, science and engineering. We believe everyone should be able to be rewarded for learning a useful skill, a badge is just one of the many ways to show and share.

This beautiful badge is made in the USA.

The badge is skillfully designed and sturdily made to last a life time, the backing is iron-on but the badge can also be sewn on. (read more)

Available Elsewhere!

DJI Phantom 2 Vision Quadcopter with Integrated FPV Camcorder (White): This quadcopter from DJI is (relatively) easy to assemble and offers a great gateway into the world of UAVs! A nice gift idea for outdoor photography enthusiasts looking to expand their methods and points of view.

From Amazon:

The Phantom 2 Vision from DJI is a complete aerial camera system that’s ready to fly within minutes. As the Phantom soars you’ll be able to record 1080p video and take 14MP still photos using the live viewing and control through your iOS or Android device. Fly up to 25 minutes with the included intelligent LiPo battery and be amazed at the professional-quality aerial footage you can achieve, even with no prior experience. The Phantom 2 Vision also includes all the features you love from the original Phantom such as Intelligent Orientation Control, ready-to-fly design and advanced GPS-guided autonomous functionality unleashed through the free software available.

Parrot Rolling Spider Robot (Blue): This micro UAV from Parrot can both fly and roll on the ceiling! Though it looks like it’s making a scary face, it seems like lots of fun. The bluetooth connection makes for easy picture taking and control through your smart phone! (read more)

Adafruit Holiday Shipping Deadlines 2014

Here are your 2014 shipping deadlines for ordering from Adafruit. Please review our shipping section if you have specific questions on how and where we ship worldwide for this holiday season.

The Adafruit Shipping Department works hard to get your orders out as quickly as we can, but once they’re in the hands of our carriers they’re out of our control.

Carriers have been struggling to keep up with the sharp rise in online orders. Last year UPS, FedEX, and USPS all experienced delivery delays.

So all the Adafruit Shippers say: Please be sure you get your gifts early! Order as soon as you can! Once you place your order we’ll ship like the wind!

UPS ground (USA orders): Place orders by Friday 11am ET – December 12, 2014 – There is no guarantee that UPS Ground packages will arrive in time for Christmas.

UPS 3-day (USA orders): Place orders by Wednesday 11am ET – December 17, 2014 – Arrive by 12/24/2014.

UPS 2-day (USA orders): Place orders by Thursday 11am ET – December 18, 2014 – Arrive by 12/24/2014.

UPS overnight (USA orders): Place orders by Friday 11am ET – December 19, 2014 – Arrive by 12/24/2014.

Please note: We do not offer Saturday or Sunday service for UPS or USPS.

Thursday, Dec. 25, 2014, Christmas, no UPS pickup or delivery service.
Thursday, Jan. 1, 2015, New Year’s Day, no UPS pickup or delivery service.

United States Postal Service, First Class and Priority (USA orders): Place orders by Friday– December 12, 2014 – Arrive by 12/24/2014 or sooner.

USPS First class mail international (International orders): Place orders by Friday – November 21, 2014. Can take up to 30 days ore more with worldwide delays and customs. Should arrive by 12/24/2014 or sooner, but not a trackable service and cannot be guaranteed to arrive by 12/24/14.

USPS Express mail international(International orders): Place orders by Friday – December 5, 2015. Can take up to 15 days or more with worldwide delays and customs. Should arrive by 12/24/2014 or sooner.

Gift Certificates are always available at any time.

When in doubt contact us!