3DR unveiled their new UAV and it has some neat features. Most interesting for me is that it is only $1000 and will be in Best Buy stores (seriously?) May 31st.

Along with upgrading the software to pull off some nice camera moves, It will use your phone or tablet as the video screen attached to the controller.

Full details: 3DR Introduces Solo, the World?s First Smart Drone | 3DR | Drone & UAV Technology (http://3drobotics.com/2015/04/3dr-introduces-solo-worlds-first-smart-drone/)

https://youtu.be/SP3Dgr9S4pM

This is going to be a tough choice: this or the Phantom 3.

This is going to be a tough choice: this or the Phantom 3.

I've been flying their Iris+ and like it. Their customer service, via email, is always back to me in about 12-24 hours, unlessits the weekend. No experience with Phantom and DJI.

Only thing I didn't like about my Iris+ was that 'return to launch' isn't the default setting for low battery or disconnect.

Certainly looks like a worthy competitor to the new Phantom 3. As for Best Buy, they are already carrying the DJI Inspire. Some have even found them in stock at a store in Dallas.

A lot of hobby store owners aren't happy with DJI selling via big box electronics stores.


-gb-

Drones are only going to increase in use and sophistication. Who knows what level of utility they may eventually serve. It is an exciting time, in many respects, I wish I was a young buck with the future in front of me, for we have barely scratched the surface. Great to see this opportunity in more hands, now if we can get our government to pass reasonable regs for the use of these on a commercial basis.

Looks like this model will be $1400 for done and gimbal.

The smart features of the 3DR look pretty nice. This looks like a great alternative to the Phantom. More choices are better for us. Looking forward to comparisons.

This is going to be a tough choice: this or the Phantom 3.
choice is easy GoPro is way more of a camera then PH3 built in, plus the smart features on the solo,
if gimbal is as good as Zenmuse - i'm in

choice is easy GoPro is way more of a camera then PH3 built in, plus the smart features on the solo,
if gimbal is as good as Zenmuse - i'm in

That and I can pop the GoPro off the 3dR drone and use it for other things. At a wedding, for instance, a timelapse (indoor or outdoor), or as an extra camera angle.

Agreed, GoPro's are the easiest timelapse cam around. Pop it on one of those small $10 egg-timer-look-alike mounts from ebay for motion and you're good to go.

No way I'd go with a built in cam, even if it means a lower cost FPV option. There are just too many ways to use a GoPro outside of the drone.

Hey Chris,

Could you post some more info or a link to the $10, egg timer motion thing you mentioned?

Thanks in advance

Do a search on Youtube with "egg timer time lapse" and you will get tens of examples.

Do a search on Youtube with "egg timer time lapse" and you will get tens of examples.

Videos are all over youtube. Search time lapse gopro on ebay for lots of cheap examples that use the egg timer idea. The only drawback is most only go in one direction, so you have to invert the camera and flip it in post to get a variety of movements.

Everyone keeps talking about the features of the 3DR Solo, and yet no users have posted actual flying footage. One review I read said that the footage from the Solo is shaky compared to other drones.

Can anyone point to some test footage to prove that this drone's gimbal is stable?

(All the promo videos from 3DR have been stabilized in post, so those don't count.)

Videos are all over youtube. Search time lapse gopro on ebay for lots of cheap examples that use the egg timer idea. The only drawback is most only go in one direction, so you have to invert the camera and flip it in post to get a variety of movements.

I got my $10 egg timer from Ikea a few years ago and it works great for rotating timelapse! If you've never done it, try one out. I use it all the time.

Everyone keeps talking about the features of the 3DR Solo, and yet no users have posted actual flying footage. One review I read said that the footage from the Solo is shaky compared to other drones.

Can anyone point to some test footage to prove that this drone's gimbal is stable?

(All the promo videos from 3DR have been stabilized in post, so those don't count.)

My understanding Jeff is that although the Solo is shipping and customers have them, the gimbal is not available yet, and you can mount a GoPro to it as shipped, but not stabilized with gimbal.

That would explain the shaky video if true.

-gb-

Greg, thanks for the heads-up about the gimbal. I was not aware it hasn't shipped yet.

Is there any word about an ETA for a ship date?

I am hearing 'mid July' for the gimbal shipping. We will see.....

I've been seeing reports from other places on the net that are Solo oriented and it seems some are having issues. Some of them will be fixed via software/firmware updates. I am hopeful that there isn't a hardware defect that is at the root of some issues as that will be harder to correct.

I was going to go pick one up the other night but have decided to hold off for now.

-gb-