HobbyKing Selling ArduPilot Parts
HobbyKing is now selling much cheaper versions of some 3DR products:
(*This is an update of my old post which only referred to the two products available at that time.)
The latest addition to the list is especially well-timed because the 3DR Radio Telemetry Kit is currently out-of-stock, making HK the only place to get this item at any price right now. This could bring a welcome change to the tone of the DiyDrones Twitter feed as buyers stop venting their frustration with shortages and simply buy elsewhere.
HobbyKing changing strategies?
Even as HobbyKing is adding more ArduPilot accessories, the MultiWii and MegaPirate autopilots which they were selling are now being liquidated or have already been removed from the site entirely. It is easy to imagine that this pullback is the result of the rather infamous support nightmare they suffered when the entire run of MegaPirate boards shipped with an unworkable voltage regulator installed.
This shift in autopilot lineup could mean that HobbyKing has decided to get out of the autopilot business, sticking with accessories and staying away from complicated autopilots which have so many parts that can fail. A more likely explanation is that HobbyKing just wants an autopilot solution that works, and they're clearing the shelves to make room for something else, maybe ArduPilot, but probably DJI.
Personally, I like to imagine that somebody at HobbyKing is a rabid ArduPilot fan who clones a different 3DR part every time 3DR goes out of stock, just to make sure he can always get his fix.
Your ideas?
Last time I posted on this topic, I was expecting a rather dry discussion of the effect of clone manufacturing on the 3DR business model. That suggestion was rightly ignored, so this time I'll just ask: Do you plan to buy any clone hardware yourself?
For myself, I think my next purchase will be a 3DR PX4 with HobbyKing's telemetry and GPS. Frankly, buying the autopilot feels like enough of a donation to the developers without paying double for the accessories, as well.
-
Comment by Tim - Arduino for Visual Studio on December 28, 2012 at 3:04pm -
HK have an updated Multiwii and MegaPirate AIO board for $45 due soon.
It has a 2560 with updated sensors. Here is an extract from the product page...
Features:
• Supported MegaPirateNG and MultiWii firmware
• Up to 8-axis motor output
• 8 input channels for standard receiver
• 4 serial ports for debug/Bluetooth Module/OSD/GPS/telemetry
• 2 servos output for PITCH and ROLL gimbal system
• 1 servo output to trigger a camera button
• 6 Analog output for extend device
• A I2C port for extend sensor or device
• Separate 3.3V and 5V LDO voltage regulator
• ATMega 2560 Microcontroller
• MPU6050 6 axis gyro/accel with Motion Processing Unit
• HMC5883L 3-axis digital magnetometer
• MS5611-01BA01 highprecision altimeter
• FT232RQ USB-UART chip and Micro USB receptacle
• On board logic level converter
-
3D Robotics Comment by Chris Anderson on December 28, 2012 at 3:11pm -
Interesting how many APM 2.5+ features this doesn't have. No GPS. No datalogging. No Power Module. No Enclosure. No PPM encoder/failsafe processor. Etc...
-
Comment by Tim - Arduino for Visual Studio on December 28, 2012 at 4:07pm
-
$65 with GPS. I'm not sure how useful the other things really are. It has a 5v regulator. The maturity of the APM software probably makes the biggest difference.
-
Comment by Michael on December 28, 2012 at 4:39pm -
Much rather support 3dr and get a higher quality product.
-
Comment by Drone Savant on December 28, 2012 at 5:52pm -
"Power Module. No Enclosure."
seriously? gimme a break dude. You guys didn't have cases until recently. Its not like one couldn't be 3d printed. Pretty sure you could likely use your power supply with it anyway.
-
Comment by Eagle on December 28, 2012 at 6:24pm
-
HK will always sell the "atoms". And APMx PCB design were release with Commons Attribution ShareALike license ("by-sa").
But regarding the "bits" I'm glad HK added some infos to maintain attribution.
(Thx Sandro and Mike! and others that contribute). Let see if HK will maintain the code open...
I do believe that HK offering hardware really cheap will give to more people the opportunity to live the fun that this amazing hobby provide.
Regarding Tim's and Drone Savant comments...
Power modules work like a charm and 3DPrinters cost thousands of dollars...
Personnaly, I don't mind paying more $$ for APM 3.0 since I can't wait months/year for a copy to exist on the market... Don't get me wrong... I'm seeking help for my raring to go but therapist also cost $$ :)
Finally I do believe that we have the best community (DIYDrones) on this planet.
Note: for 'atoms' and 'bits'... just read:
"Makers :The new industrial revolution", page 109.
oh... and Drone Savant, please give us a break and don't start something that will get this post closed.
Please. That would be inconvenient, I forgot to buy popcorn at the grocery store.
-
Comment by Drone Savant on December 28, 2012 at 8:58pm
-
I really didn't plan on starting anything Eagle... it is just funny to me how touchy folks get when *similar* gear comes out. There is no need to attack the MegaPirate AIO board for its short comings or differences in features. It just another flight controller, not a threat of any sort. No need to belittle it. Maybe 3dr can sell a few paparazzi PPM encoder clone chips to these new AIO users https://store.diydrones.com/product_p/br-ppme.htm ;)
-
Comment by Will Snodgrass on December 29, 2012 at 12:32am -
All the APM clones Ive seen thus far have been within $25-50 of the 3DR hardware...which is really not enough of a discount to outweigh the risk. Add that with 3DR's ever dropping prices as they increase volume, not to mention the evolving platform....I don't think 3DR has anything to worry about. Besides, allot of the money that 3DR makes from the sale of autopilots (and misc items) goes right back into developing new tech. Whereas the profit from the clones just goes into their pockets, since there not developing anything.
So Ill be keeping my money with 3DR.....and if you want to see newer and better hardware you should consider doing the same.
-
Comment by Tim - Arduino for Visual Studio on December 29, 2012 at 1:26am
-
Hey guys, let's stick to interesting discussions. All the suppliers are commercial companies that care little about you and care much about profit. All have built product based on a collection of experiences and requests from their paying customers. ALL rely on the open source community to avoid significant r&d costs. So none of the suppliers need be protected or championed. They are just suppliers! buy from whichever you feel most meets your needs.
I've just had an email from HK. This item is now in stock and is at an offer price of $35. WOW! That's a damn good arduino board for the money. They say they will have a 10hz gps for it soon.
-
Comment by Joe on December 29, 2012 at 8:51am -
That Hobby King AIO board actually has a well documented manufacturing fault confirmed by many who have received that board.
see WARNING bad batch ** Hobby King Multiwii and Megapirate AIO Flight ...
Hobby King's reaction, none for over 7 days while they continued to sell their faulty board, then they lowered the price and continued to sell it without ever mentioning it has a manufacturing fault which Hobby King is well aware of.
Does anyone need a clearer example of Hobby King's ethics ?
Social Networking
Top Content
Contests
Season Two of the Trust Time Trial (T3) Contest has now begun. The fourth round is an accuracy round for multicopters, which requires contestants to fly a cube. The deadline is April 14th.A list of all T3 contests is here.
Groups
-
ArduCopter User Group
1282 members
-
ArduPlane User Group
675 members
-
Turkish Ardu Group
5 members
-
ArduRover User Group
183 members
-
Terrain/Surface Mapping
116 members
Advertisement
© 2013 Created by Chris Anderson.
Powered by
You need to be a member of DIY Drones to add comments!
Join DIY Drones