3DR's new drone - Solo, for $1000... IN BEST BUY at DVinfo.net

Robert Benda · April 13th, 2015, 10:35 AM

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

Paul Chiappini · April 13th, 2015, 11:29 AM

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

Robert Benda · April 13th, 2015, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Chiappini

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.

Greg Boston · April 13th, 2015, 12:26 PM

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-

Tim Paynter · April 13th, 2015, 07:20 PM

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.

Robert Benda · April 14th, 2015, 07:05 PM

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

Chris Joy · April 21st, 2015, 08:51 AM

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.

Buba Kastorski · April 21st, 2015, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Chiappini

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

Robert Benda · April 22nd, 2015, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buba Kastorski

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.

Chris Joy · April 23rd, 2015, 07:50 AM

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.

Leon Kolenda · April 25th, 2015, 05:28 PM

Hey Chris,

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

Thanks in advance

Kees van Duijvenbode · April 28th, 2015, 02:23 PM

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

Chris Joy · May 4th, 2015, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kees van Duijvenbode

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.

Jeff Wallace · June 5th, 2015, 08:49 PM

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.)

Kyle Root · June 5th, 2015, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Joy

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.

April 13th, 2015, 10:35 AM	#1
Robert Benda Trustee Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Crookston, MN Posts: 1,353	3DR's new drone - Solo, for $1000... IN BEST BUY 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 YouTube (Short URL)

April 13th, 2015, 11:29 AM	#2
Paul Chiappini Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Idaho Posts: 89	Re: 3DR's new drone - Solo, for $1000... IN BEST BUY This is going to be a tough choice: this or the Phantom 3.

April 13th, 2015, 12:26 PM	#4
Greg Boston Wrangler Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: DFW area, TX Posts: 6,117 Images: 1	Re: 3DR's new drone - Solo, for $1000... IN BEST BUY 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-

April 13th, 2015, 07:20 PM	#5
Tim Paynter Major Player Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Denver Posts: 255	Re: 3DR's new drone - Solo, for $1000... IN BEST BUY 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.

April 14th, 2015, 07:05 PM	#6
Robert Benda Trustee Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Crookston, MN Posts: 1,353	Re: 3DR's new drone - Solo, for $1000... IN BEST BUY Looks like this model will be $1400 for done and gimbal.

April 21st, 2015, 08:51 AM	#7
Chris Joy Major Player Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Tampa Posts: 220	Re: 3DR's new drone - Solo, for $1000... IN BEST BUY 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.

April 23rd, 2015, 07:50 AM	#10
Chris Joy Major Player Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Tampa Posts: 220	Re: 3DR's new drone - Solo, for $1000... IN BEST BUY 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.

April 25th, 2015, 05:28 PM	#11
Leon Kolenda Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Myrtle Beach, SC USA Posts: 147	Re: 3DR's new drone - Solo, for $1000... IN BEST BUY Hey Chris, Could you post some more info or a link to the $10, egg timer motion thing you mentioned? Thanks in advance

April 28th, 2015, 02:23 PM	#12
Kees van Duijvenbode Major Player Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Rotterdam, Netherlands Posts: 246	Re: 3DR's new drone - Solo, for $1000... IN BEST BUY Do a search on Youtube with "egg timer time lapse" and you will get tens of examples. __________________ www.cvd-video.nl

June 5th, 2015, 08:49 PM	#14
Jeff Wallace Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: San Mateo, CA Posts: 79	Re: 3DR's new drone - Solo, for $1000... IN BEST BUY 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.)