If there was a viable, affordable alternative to DJI drones, especially if entirely made in your country, inc chips, & boards etc. would you ...

[JoelP]

DJI's biggest weakness to me is that they've failed to build an ecosystem from all the products they make.

I own a:
- DJI Ronin-S (Likely to upgrade to the RS3 soonish).
- DJI Osmo Mobile
- DJI Osmo Action Camera
- And have owned a Mavic Air 2, and will likely buy a Mavic 3 Pro soon.

But there's literally no reason for me to be brand loyal. I could replace any one of those products with a competitors superior product, and all of the rest of those DJI items continue to work perfectly. I'm not missing out on a thing. They make everything, but their ecosystem is relatively weak.

Meanwhile... I'm NEVER buying an Android phone because I'm balls deep in the Apple Ecosystem. And I'll never buy a PC as my main computer, because my MacBook Pro talks so well to my iPhone, and my airpods work perfectly with those, plus my apple watch.

I stuck with Canon for a LONG time even when Sony and Nikon were releasing better cameras because I had Canon glass.

My point is... DJI drones might be the "best", but they're replaceable. Just as Gopro's were replaceable by every action cam that came after them, even though they continue to (arguably) be the best action cam available. Yet I bought my Osmo Action when it literally seemed to me to be superior to the GoPro 7 that was out at the time. One comparatively weak camera cost GoPro a customer.

That said... would I buy a competitors drone? Honestly... unlikely*.
I'd like to say I'd "buy local" if some Aussie startup was doing everything here, but it'd also have to be the best product.

DJI has it's issues, but they do most things very well, and have a proven track record. Even GoPro at the height of their power, and before DJI was as unchallenged as they are today couldn't compete.

And there's just so much tech in a drone we forget about. It's not just the camera, or the way the drone flies. It's also the transmission system so you can see what the drone is doing. That's SO impressive.

I know some other drone makers are doing good things though, but... it would take something revolutionary for me (specifically in the camera department) to get me to switch.
Very few startups could compete, and if a real competitor emerges, I wouldn't be suprised if it came out of left field, like Tesla (who know Autonomy) or Sony (who know cameras and actually do make drones and other consumer electronics).

Or my actual tip...
Apple/Google/Microsoft or a spinoff - because they all make consumer electronics including incredible cameras, do mapping, are involved with autonomous vehicles, and have VR/AR headsets already or in development, and all have ecosystems which could be leveraged to CRUSH DJI, and have billions to play with).

But there's room for improvement from DJI or a competitor, so I put a little * next to my answer.
If a company launches a drone that's clearly superior in the camera department, (Not just "specs", but real world results from the sensor) and the drone itself (including it's software) is incredibly easy, and fun to use, while also featuring professional modes that make it a real tool for a pro... I'll be paying attention. And if I don't quite love their first attempt, I'll possibly try their second generation product.

The other thing is... give me an FPV drone that can also fly like a Mavic when needed, and has an incredible camera, and I'm in! (DJI's FPV just fell short because the camera was sub par. And as an FPV drone, it wasn't perfect either, but it'd have been fine for me I think. Just stick the Mavic 3 Pro or Air 2S camera on there and I'm sold).

Ben’s comments are very well said! Unlike my Sony camera system, everything is new when I upgraded to MA3 - new SW, new ND filters, new accessory mounts, etc. so no reason not to switch, but the big if is whether I could count on another player getting into this to make a consumer or prosumer grade product. There are several US makers of drones for the military, but these aren’t priced or targeted for the prosumer market.

DJI had me really torqued with the way that the MA3 was rolled out, making us their PQA department. I hated the way that I had to buy the std controller even if I wanted the Pro controller. I don’t think their active track is good enough yet. All that said, the MA3 is a very good drone with a fine camera and I am not convinced that others who come the party now will easily catch up to the full menu of specs at a price I would pay

 

[Vic Moss]

A hypothetical answer isn't going to be accurate in this case. First, this doesn't exist, and won't for the foreseeable future.

We don't have the capability to manufacture or supply the needed parts and material in the US. Nor do we have the labor pool to assemble them and match price points with any Chinese made product, much less drones.

 

[edcMavicPilots]

The big issue for me with DJI is their artificial geofencing. If feature set for competitor is equal then I have no issue with jumping.

 

[Johnmcl7]

A hypothetical answer isn't going to be accurate in this case. First, this doesn't exist, and won't for the foreseeable future.

We don't have the capability to manufacture or supply the needed parts and material in the US. Nor do we have the labor pool to assemble them and match price points with any Chinese made product, much less drones.

Those are my thoughts as well and so far there's been little in the way of viable competition never mind affordable and domestic as well.

I also agree with the points about the lack of DJI ecosystem so if there was an alternative drone which suited my use better I wouldn't hesitate to change because there's no benefit to staying with DJI. None of my existing Mavic 2 accessories are compatible with a newer DJI drone so there's no reason to stay unlike say a camera setup where changing to another camera means changing lenses, batteries, flashes etc. so it has to be something particularly good to justify the change.

 

[Ty Pilot]

Cross-compatibility vs planned-obsolescence from a business perspective, is a no-brainer. Sure, DJI's design team and engineers could create products that have common components, batteries, firmware, controllers and so on, thus extending their life span and lowering the costs to consumers, but the bean-counters have a better idea.

This is especially true when they (DJI), know their competition is in no position to get a foothold. This whole process was played out starting in the 1970's with motorcycles. Spoiler alert - the foreign made bikes won. It's not that the west can't create a better drone, it's just that our labor expenses are probably five to ten fold what it is over there.

Oddly enough, I am finding that I am flying an older (but still very capable) competitor's brand simply because it is fully unlocked and has zero GEO fencing. I live smack dab between two Int'l Airports here outside Orlando and GEO fencing is just a pain, when I can fly my other craft only having to ensure I get authorization from LAANC.

DJI makes a good product but it isn't perfect. 10 years ago, getting a new drone meant getting a better drone in almost every aspect - camera, flight time, connectivity, user interface and so on but now it's not making that much sense. I would love to buy an American made product and I would pay more for it but. . . I'm not holding my breath as I don't see that happening any time soon.

 

[edfrombama]

Good afternoon to all-
If I could find a domestically-made drone which provided the same quality, reliability and service as DJI, of course I would go that way.
My father and his generation would not tolerate the though of driving a Japanese or German car- those were the "enemy" to them. don't you see. But when the iimported cars got so much better, cheaper, and more reliable than domestically made autos, then you'd have to be a fool to be stubborn and refuse a much better product.
When an American company comes up with a competitive drone, then I'll go that way.
Hasn't happened yet.

you all be safe and keep well-Ed

 

[AZDave]

First off, there are almost zero countries where all the necessary components to make a modern drone are totally fabricated outside of China, much less all in the same country. Secondly, there are some other criteria you didn't list where DJI continues to lead in terms of performance versus cost.

I'm not saying an alternative to DJI can't surface to effectively compete with them, but not with the restrictions you list. It's just not that kind of world any more.

 

[Chaosrider]

Meanwhile... I'm NEVER buying an Android phone because I'm balls deep in the Apple Ecosystem. And I'll never buy a PC as my main computer, because my MacBook Pro talks so well to my iPhone, and my airpods work perfectly with those, plus my apple watch.

We are inverted! I'll NEVER buy an iOS device.

I'd look at an American made drone for sure, but there's a lot to like about DJI drones.

A couple of things that an American drone would need to catch my attention:

1) No Nannyisms.
2) Legs that are fixed, not folding
3) More oriented toward pilots than photographers, like the FPV rather than the Mavics
4) A flight control and video transmission system that isn't dependent on LOS, eg, able to use cell phone or a satellite connection for control and video.

I know that's a lot to ask, but I'm very happy with my current DJI fleet, and I'd want something seriously better before jumping ship.

 

[SoCal2S]

Healthy competition is good for the industry, and especially, for the consumer. I would support a competitor if their product was in the same ballpark as far as quality, usability, price, etc. Autel seems to be close, but they are made in China just the same, so there's no incentive to pay more to support them. I would spend money on a US/Candian drone over DJI if it was competitive.

 

[MAvic_South_Oz]

I would spend money on a US/Candian drone over DJI if it was competitive.

That's the issue, it's unlikely the World will see a reversal of manufacturing (and more and more technical product too) from China (in particular) to Westerns nations.

Consumers drive demand.
Most consumers want to pay as little as possible.

Western countries have, on the whole, priced themselves out of contention for many consumer products, be it electric kettles or vehicles.
Another factor is greedy corporations have also been seduced by lower costs, higher margins in the past decades.

 

[brett8883]

Last I checked Skydio is an American company and they make drones. They may source some parts from overseas yes, but they manufacture and assemble in the US. They say they source their chips from from American companies. This could mean they are still manufactured somewhere else but the US makes a lot chips still so it’s very possible they are made in the US.

So I’m not sure where the idea that American made drones are not possible comes from. No, not every part is American made but anything more complex than a lightbulb is going to have parts coming from different countries.

 

[SoCal2S]

That's the issue, it's unlikely the World will see a reversal of manufacturing (and more and more technical product too) from China (in particular) to Westerns nations.

Consumers drive demand.
Most consumers want to pay as little as possible.

Western countries have, on the whole, priced themselves out of contention for many consumer products, be it electric kettles or vehicles.
Another factor is greedy corporations have also been seduced by lower costs, higher margins in the past decades.

There's been a movement to reshore manufacturing, there was some degree of success, but not sure if that's petered out by now.

 

[SoCal2S]

Last I checked Skydio is an American company and they make drones. They may source some parts from overseas yes, but they manufacture and assemble in the US. They say they source their chips from from American companies. This could mean they are still manufactured somewhere else but the US makes a lot chips still so it’s very possible they are made in the US. So I’m sure where the idea that American made drones are not possible. No, not every part is American made but anything more more complex than a lightbulb is going to have parts coming from different countries.

Skydio drones are way more expensive than DJI for the same class of drone, I'd pay a premium for American owned/designed/made, but it can't be 200%.

 

[Daytona500]

yep I'd jump in a min now that I cant get batteries for my air one and the new mini pro 3 I just got is junk, it doesn't work so yea if something as good came along I'd grab it. Fact is if I get my money back for this pro 3 Im lookin else wear.

 

[MAvic_South_Oz]

There's been a movement to reshore manufacturing, there was some degree of success, but not sure if that's petered out by now.

People / companies say this here too, mostly lip service, the economic reality is bleak.
Gearing up to manufacture all the things consumers need in life is just way past do-able most countries.
Besides pre world war II, when everything was made domestically, it's great for national security.
In times of conflict, counties used to make EVERYTHING themselves, necessary war equipment, materials, as well as all domestic goods . . . except maybe transistor radios and other such electronics, post WWII Japan really had that sewn up.

Of course the military side of things is still somewhat made in most countries, the US make some top shelf gear there.
We make some bushmasters, maybe some naval vessels here and there, that's about it.

You mentioned Skydio.
I don't think they are in the same class of drones.
While the tracking / sensors are great in those, most users report the flight experience is far from what you get with DJI.
They are just 2 different aircraft and purposes.
This may change.

yep I'd jump in a min now that I cant get batteries for my air one and the new mini pro 3 I just got is junk, it doesn't work so yea if something as good came along I'd grab it. Fact is if I get my money back for this pro 3 Im lookin else wear.

Thinks about getting into (real) FPV . . . now they have a lot of the GPS equipment, RTH, stability in flight, and cinematic video is very good with any of the good action cams.
About the only thing FPV drones are hopeless for is photography, they aren't in the same league there without the ability to hover steady and no gimbal cameras.

Still, most of that gear would be coming out of 'you know where' too.

 

[brett8883]

Skydio drones are way more expensive than DJI for the same class of drone, I'd pay a premium for American owned/designed/made, but it can't be 200%.

Skydio drones are the same price or less than DJI drones. $1099 for the newest model and that includes a hard case. They are more geared toward autonomous functions like follow me and tracking modes then pure camera specs like DJI but they are far and away better at autonomous mode like tracking and obstacle avoidance than any DJI product. Different emphasis than DJI definitely but not more expensive.

Skydio may not be for you but the point I was making is we have viable American made consumer drones which according to many posters is impossible

 

[SoCal2S]

Skydio drones are the same price or less than DJI drones. $1099 for the newest model and that includes a hard case. They are more geared toward autonomous functions like follow me and tracking modes then pure camera specs like DJI but they are far and away better at autonomous mode like tracking and obstacle avoidance than any DJI product. Different emphasis than DJI definitely but not more expensive.

Skydio may not be for you but the point I was making is we have viable American made consumer drones which according to many posters is impossible

Isn't there like a $999 yearly subscription fee to use some of the features?

 

[brett8883]

Isn't there like a $999 yearly subscription fee to use some of the features?

No. Nobody would do that.

 

[bmcelya]

I thought about a USA DoD Blue rated drone in order to bid on defense work, but I’d have to mortgage the house. UAS solutions for the U.S. DoD.

Way down here below the clouds? I’d consider a non-DJI drone if it was competitive, and most certainly if it had better water resistance. Skydio looks to have some nice consumer units in the 1-2k range. Their highest mil/spec package is 30k. Hopefully waterproof at that price.

 

[SoCal2S]

No. Nobody would do that.

Skydio Charging $1499 per year for “Advanced Enterprise Features” is unacceptable, I will not participate in paywalled type features.

Skydio Advanced Enterprise Features • 360 Super Zoom • Point of Interest Orbit • Track in place • Close Proximity Obstacle Avoidance • Vertical View • Visual Return to home I was shocked to find out that some features are only available to enterprise users, which means you need an enterprise...

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