Drone price wars

So DJI has dropped the price of the Phantom 3 Professional to just under $1000, from $1259. It makes the P3P a very attractive platform at that price. Almost a why wouldn’t you, 4K camera and Lightbridge. Add to the mix the proposed changes to rules in the USA that might reduce the rules for commercial use of this size of platform. (same applies in Australia, UK, NZ all sorts of places, sub 2kg)

Much is being made of the March 1st DJI announce gig, thanks for the invite BTW. Most folks think that the Phantom 4 will be revealed, hence the drop in price of the older models.

I’m not so sure.

I think DJI are sticking their flags in the sand ahead of the release of two new systems. Both to some extent vaporware at the minute.

Xiaomi are slated to release something at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona on February 21st. This will likely be very popular. We have only seen patents and mock ups so far of this quad.

GoPro, they are also set to start playing. They must come to the party with a 4K camera and HD video streaming for less than $1K or something so great that folks will pay. A Hero4 Black currently retails for $500 so not much left for the HD link and machine.

Other new players are making an impact. Yuneec whilst not bringing anything new just yet is attracting attention among professional users. Once again, Lightbridge might lure new buyers to an established known platform..

Two successful crowdfunded multirotors, the AirDog at $1599 and the Hexo+ at $1349 both without camera and HD link certainly look overpriced now.

The 3DR Solo, $999 no camera, no HD link. Correction, the Solo does have an HD link, my mistake (ed)

All three of the above need that GoPro remember. Oh and a means of removing the fisheye. The P3P has a rectilinear lens so no need for that.

I hope you can see where I am going with this, DJI have probably prompted long faces and serious conversations in $1500 product land boardrooms.

DJI rule the market worldwide an no doubt have built the resources to be able to fight price wars.