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.
Comments
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...
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
Hobbyking has mentioned the names of the open source project owners and provided links to their webpages in the "files" tab of the product listing.
You can power the Rx off the USB port of a 1.4 using the "Jason power hack". Both of mine have it done.
As for this clone, meh.... a cable connecting an antenna to the GPS processor? No thanks. What else have they bodged together?
As for HK in general, I love it. I've spent a lot of money there, never got anything from there that was crappy, except for a foam airplane I got. But given the price, and the fact it was a foam airplane... no surprise here. But I tend not to buy any of their really cheap stuff. Only the higher end stuff. Usually Turnigy stuff is good.
@Drone Savant,
I have a couple of OLD school 1.0s (1280) that I will sell you for $100 each plus shipping. The OLD style Oilpan (vF) is $200 plus shipping. If you are interested.
Regards,
TCIII
APM 1.0 from 3DR in stock.
I'm a bit disappointed to see that 'goodluckbuy' didn't take the time to customise the APM2.5 before they copied it... I know that the schematics and PCB designs are open source, but at least take the 3DR name off it before producing it; if there's a defect in the Chinese version it could devalue the 3DR brand... and honestly it's no so cheap that I regret buying my APM2.5 from 3DR a couple of hours ago, at least 3DR will fedex it to me here in Australia, and should hopefully have it by the end of next week, I'd sooner pay for the service...
that said however, the cheap Chinese copies will never 'lead the way' by the nature of them they will always lag significantly as the developers will always possess the latest tech and have those initial "early adopter" sales while the Chinese manufacturers are still setting up their machines to mass produce, but the time that hits, the developers are already moving on their latest versions...
I guess everyone's doing it...
Comment from New mystery machines arrives to jDrones
JDrones Comment by Jani Hirvinen 15 hours ago
Yep Jan.D knows it as I told it to him on last week Friday on our BeerCamp Christmas meeting here in Bangkok. Others that I might have mentioned are at least Sandro, Max, Seppo, Randy (all from our dev teams). Just to clear so In total I guess about 10-15 people knows it.
Jason, yes you are correct. Most of that type machines are coming from China.
Let's hear more guesses :)
I just wish they would start cloning Paparazzi autopilot boards :-)
BTW, this is one of the best, smallest and cheapest GPS modules I have found. Unfortunately there is no schematic provided and the supplied red and black wires are not connected to power/ground pins. But with a little reverse engineering it is a great performer: http://www.goodluckbuy.com/gps-receiver-module-with-ublox-chip-buil...
And, according to the photos, this board is "designed and assembled by 3DRobotics in California": http://www.goodluckbuy.com/apm-2-5-ardupilot-mega-2-5-multicopter-h...
I've got one of those NEO-6M GPS. It works fine with the 3DR configuration file and the ArduIMU. One thing I've wondered is whether I could use a different antenna since it uses a connector on the board. That way I could have the antenna outside the plane and protect the board inside the plane.
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