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Drone Shopping in New York City with B&H

The US National Drone Racing Championships are coming to New York City this year. The inaugural event will be held August 5–7 on Governors Island and streamed on ESPN. But there’s no need to wait to see the action: drones are flying six days a week inside the B&H Superstore.

drone b and h superstore

For the uninitiated, B&H is the go-to source for electronics of all types for both amateurs and professionals. What began in 1973 as a mom and pop camera store now covers an entire New York City block near Penn Station and stocks tens of thousands of items—including drones.

In fact, B&H offers more than 300 models in its drone department. The array of designs is staggering, from lifelike bionic bird drones to dodekacopter (12 motors) to aquatic hydrofoils. Some are meant to be toys or trainers while others are for advanced flyers only; and are priced accordingly. You can pick up a simple drone for under $20 or spend over $30,000 for a cinema rig (cameras not included). B&H conveniently displays them divided into beginner, intermediate, and advanced models. Best of all, you can select one from the display and staff will fly it for you right there in the store.

The opportunities don’t stop there. B&H offers more than 1,300 drone accessories. If this seems overwhelming, help is at hand. The famed B&H sales staff spends 25% of their time training on the products in their specific departments, so you’ll be dealing with real experts. Beyond advising you on the best package—whether for photography or racing or just playing—they can share their real world experience.

The biggest challenge in shopping for drones at B&H may be making it all the way to the second floor department without getting distracted. The aptly named superstore is overflowing with gear, gadgets, and devices: from computers to surveillance systems, from cameras (of course) to virtual reality and 3D video essentials. Not everything is high tech because B&H remains loyal to its original customers; photographers who still shoot and process film.

Along the way to the drones, you will pass the B&H event space, where free seminars are held every day. Visit the calendar for upcoming programs.

If you make a purchase, the product will be ready for you at the checkout counter in about a minute. The store’s efficient inventory delivery system delights first time customers. If you want to buy later, B&H’s website is comprehensive and easy to navigate.

drone shot statue liberty

Craig Cohen/Statue of Liberty Sunrise, taken with a DJI Phantom 3 Professional Quadcopter with 4K Camera and 3-Axis Gimbal
 
More than a million drones were sold in the US in 2015, and predictions are that many more of us will be flying in 2016. If you can see yourself at the controls, there’s no better place to get started than at B&H.

B&H is closed on Saturdays and Jewish holidays so check the hours of operation before visiting the store. 420 Ninth Ave., 212-444-5003, bhphotovideo.com/

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