A major supplier of 3DR products here in the UK has just informed me that Pixhawk will not be re-stocked as it is being discontinued. I've heard similar rumblings elsewhere but then others say they are just false rumours. Any thoughts from anyone on this forum?
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Thanks for your reply Chris, that's certainly good news! I did have a bad experience with a clone Pixhawk and therefore prefer 3DR products, so I'll wait for the new version.
Jacques
That a good news Chris !
One year is a long time and it seems to me that in the meantime things were changed .
3DR seems to abandon the DIY market preferring Solo solutions in an obvious challenge vs Dji.
There are many manufacturers of Pixhawk hardware but it is a fact that 3D Robotics Pixhawk is a reference .
A new improved 3DR Pixhawk is important for all the DIYmarket.
Except HK is out of stock and has been for quite some time... 'Seems like we're already experiencing a shortage?
Has anyone spoken directly to 3DR as opposed to posting internet rumors? Given their position on the new Drone Coalition, I don't think they are having any issues.
wha?! and get the truth? noooo, "the internet said so" :p
Assuming that there's a rational decision-maker at 3DR - and i do really think that this is the case - a "keep or drop" evaluation occurred. Tipically a product is discontinued because:
1) it is no longer profitable (or the total income from that product is very low if compared to other products).
2) it is getting obsolete - new and more performing products are coming to the market to replace the old one
3) it is no longer inline with the strategy of the company, and/or marketing positioning.
I think that:
1) Pixhawk is obviously profitable.
2) Pixhawk 2 is the new product, already integrated by 3DR into Solo (btw Solo is amazing, I love it).
3) Pixhawk is "DIY" and 3DR is shifting to a more closed environment (E.g.: many spare parts are not available any more on the store) and to services.
Other things (e.g.: legal) may influence the discontinuation of a product. On the other hand, Pixhawk is strongly associated with 3DR brand - if you say "3DR" you think in order to: "Quad with blue arms", "Pixhawk", "Solo".
There is no more 3DR Pixhawk, but it is not big trouble - there are enough EU/US and Chinese good quality products.
I have personal good experience with the AUAV-X2, RCTimer Fixhawk and the Pixraptor.
All those got very good board and soldering quality, not any issues in flight.
BYOD or UMTech?
It's a pity if it's true. I would rather not buy copies from HK or fleabay and I don't really want to be a continuous guinea pig for the new starters coming.
What other options are there?
Take a look at these links below. Probably you'll consider to use one of them in case Pixhawk is discontinued.
They use the same software as Pixhawk.
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