Looks like this flight controller uses the same components, and it's just $34
Both have:
Atmel's ATMEGA2560
MPU6050 6 axis gyro
HMC5883L 3-axis digital magnetometer
MS5611-01BA01 Barometric pressure sensor
Can someone explain to me the price difference? Even the software was ported so you can have same version on both boards. Why should I pay $180 for APM 2.5?
TIA
Replies
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpUNA2nutbk
This came to mind when I read this post.
Jason
@ Ioan Ghip, maybe a board is cheap to COPY, but who does the R&D and creates the eagle files for you in the first place?
These are FLYING ROBOTS; We are living in THE FUTURE! $180 doesn't seem so bad, especially if you compare it to buying all of the elements as Arduino-compatible modules (9 DoF IMU, GPS, Mega 2560, etc)
3DR probably has a lot of overhead: Accountants, lawyers, marketing/PR/website, facilities, certifications, product liability insurance, and of course R&D. And they make a quality product, which takes more time (therefore cost) per item.
HK is able to take 3DR's open source board and use it as a reference design for a cheaper version, skipping part (or most) of the R&D. HK sells a LOT of stuff, so their overhead is easier to recover. Also, because of their location, they probably have less overhead. And as others have noted, HK seems to have some quality control or design issues: quality control can be a huge cost.
This discussion on price is incomplete (partially touched on by mentioning Asian labor costs) without noting the the currency costs.
When it is considered that the Yuan is less than 1/4 the USD, a major variable for the cheap price of the clone board becomes clear. On the other hand (a favorite economists phrase), if you bought that same board in China, it would cost nearly 212 Yuan. That is what it would cost the local hobbyist in the town the board is made in. Price is relative to your local economy.
The consumer decides where they want to spend their money. If you are happy buying your autopilot from people an ocean away, be happy. I prefer to keep the money I have earned on this continent as much as possible - even if I pay more. I am not just buying an autopilot but helping to employ people on this continent.
Our friends being paid in Euros are (still) having a great time as compared to us.. (1 Euro = 1.32 USD).
-=Doug
Because there are many resellers in-between or seller want more profit to operate his business.
I purchased one just about 90 USD in Taiwan for your reference.
My APM will be from 3DR - I do not have sufficient faith in HK to trust my plane to an autopilot fom HK. Also though I am pretty sure the team here will support th HK board I think that it asking a lot for people to bend over backwards for a non 3DR board. I have seen some pretty extensive fault finding done by the developers and I am sure that I will have to avail myself of some of that support to get mine going.
Just like the apple computers I have switched to I am totally prepared to pay the price fr a good product with good support.
Really the 2.5 is pretty darn cheap anyway.
Simple fact of the matter is, HobbyKing does produce remarkably cheap stuff.
I have an APM1 and APM2 and my next board will be an APM2.5.
Why, real simple, Arducopter is by far the premier software for flying multicopters in automated modes and it works with the APM's.
The direct software support is everything, it is updated, improved and new features added almost daily, good luck with that on the HobbyKing board.
I buy a lot of stuff from HobbyKing: Turnigy Nano batteries, motors, ESC's, etc but without DIYDrones and 3DRobotics we wouldn't really have anything.
I continue to not be able to comprehend how anybody could think a $150 autopilot board is "expensive". A better question is "how can HK make it so cheaply?" Most of those reasons have already been explained now.
That board exists because another one (3DR) developed the work, likewise the new 9Xr exists because another team developed theer9x, Opn9X, th9x, etc.
You have to pay more for the development (electronics and programming), for the support, for the maintenance of a dedicated team? This is an interesting question that we should answer to ourselves every time we spend money.
Choose your answer, but think that an electronic board isn't just electronics and copper tracks.
Greetings,
Anderl.
CAUTION: Buyer beware Maufacturer Defect!
FYI: Did you see this http://diydrones.com/profiles/blogs/hobbyking-selling-ardupilot-par... comment by Joe in the Blog post 'HobbyKing Selling ArduPilot Parts'
Hmmm I can't seem to insert a hyperlink....all the tools are missing...Anyway follow the link to the RCgroups post and I think you will agree that a bargain isn't always a bargain. Think about it, compare the cost of the current APM 2.5 to the original ArduPilot legacy from 4 years ago. The pace of development means that there is a limited market for any of these products. yes the hardware gets improved with each generation and more features are added but the real product is the code not the hardware. The ever improving code base is what drives the need for the newer tech hardware. This means that all the clones out there are almost obsolete by the time they bring them to market. In their rush to bring it to market and make a buck they make mistakes sometimes and cut corners om Quality control. In short don't point a finger at the guy who's product is 'expensive' and ask why are you so 'expensive' rather ask the guy who is offering you the cheap clone, how are YOU going to support this product for me? Friendly advice, if they offer you the world....get it in writing!
Regards,
Nathaniel ~KD2DEY
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