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
Hi Nathaniel, I've left stuff on back order before knowing I could cancel and take a credit at anytime. BUT only stuff I don't care about getting in a reasonable time frame :)
I feel that most hk horror stories are either surprise at getting a credit instead of money back (if you cancel an order) or costs of sending stuff back. I know many other suppliers don't allow orders to be cancelled but without that knowledge some people will feel "hard done by". Same with the costs of sending stuff back. Every supplier works that way, however it is up to us if we register post the return at extra cost to us or not.
Like yourself, I have bought a lot of kit over the years. Failure rate has been close to zero.
T
Tim,
I've ordered quite a few things from HK too, and although I've not had a bad experience myself so far. I've read some horror stories that make me wary. I've had friends who have bought the same batteries I do from HK and they've had them arrive D.O.A. only to be told that they could return them (to China) if they paid the return postage which was more than the cost of the batteries. Personally I don't buy the batteries from the international warehouse; I think the cost difference isn't worth it when you have to add on the high international postage. I've also learned not to order anything on back-order. I don't have a high degree of confidence in their quality control based on what I've read not on personal experience. Hopefully this will change with time.
Regards,
Nathaniel ~KD2DEY
Hi Nathaniel, will do but I think their returns system will be to get a returns number, send it back, get a free replacement or take a credit. It's going to be interesting, I have ordered plenty of other bits from the before (as a result of posts by Chris) such as batteries, ARTF planes, esc, motors. They have been okay so far.
Tim,
I'd like to hear your follow-up appraisal when your board arrives. I'd like to know if in fact the board is in fact from another batch, and did they fix the problem? If not I'd like to hear how they respond to a request to send the board back.
regards,
Nathaniel ~KD2DEY
@Mark, I thought that only applied to pre-programmed units and that all distribution is still done via the states?
General
Lots of good points here. The APM2.5 with wiki, code and associated extras such as radios is a great package, well designed and backed by a huge community. It also looks really nice with the case :) If you plan to use the system on a regular basis it's great value. If you use it every so often or want to recommend/teach to others then it will only be great value if it remains as the flagship and stable product for a couple of years. (my opinion only)
By the way, I thought I would try out HobbyKings' customer service seeing it was questioned earlier in this thread.
I ordered a multiwii board then used their live chat to ask them about the reported fault. I expected a long painful wait. They answered in under 15 seconds. the end result was that they confirmed that they were aware of the problem and are supplying from a new product batch. HK also confirmed that anyone with the problem can return the board and get a replacement as with all of their products. Personally I have never had a problem with HK before and I was actually impressed by their service.
@KernalPanic, one problem is that fully-assembled units could not at the time (or even now?) be easily exported due to the munitions laws; the Tijuana plant solved that problem, since units could be shipped legally from Mexico.
Obsolete laws, unintended consequences, etc...
The solution is simple easy here: 3DR will lower their prices in response to increased competition, due to demand. I'm not worried about 3DR needing to keep high markup items selling in order to stay in business. The APM is their own device, and they have other branded devices.
@John Campen, read the web pages for both products and you'll see that they both use the HopeRF HM-TRP module.
http://www.seeedstudio.com/wiki/index.php?title=Twig_-_Serial_RF_Pr...
http://store.diydrones.com/3DR_RadioTelemetry_Kit_915_Mhz_p/kt-tele...
Well put Tim and so spot on to. 3DR are I am sure not above copying others designs either. This seem suspiciously similar to the 3DR telemetry don't you think? http://www.seeedstudio.com/depot/grove-serial-rf-pro-p-794.html?cPa...
One little point to be clear about. "Trust" covers many areas, so before my words get taken out of context...
I do certainly trust 3DR to deliver a professionally made product to the published specification :)
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