egoldy
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There do seem to be a million threads discussing Litchi vs. Dronelink and now a newcomer called Red Waypoint. Let me try and sum up the options and the plusses and minuses as well as offer some insight on what I think is coming if you're willing to wait.
Dronelink: $20 - (IOS & Android - 46+ video training training included)
Litchi: $22.99 - (IOS & Android - Video Training available for purchase - $20-$50)
Red Waypoint: $14.99 - Android only - no video training, but user manual available)
Dronelink:
Built by the developer as Autopilot (videos were done by same person as well). Unique "component based" approach to mission creation allowing for both simple and highly complex mission creation (can do Orbits, waypoints, etc in multiple missions), on PC/Mac/Tablet/and phone (although experience is less than optimal on phone). Built for both Hobbyists and many enterprise clients, there's been many new Mini users as it's the only waypoint/POI solution that works for IOS and Android
Currently fully supports waypoints for all drones (except Mavic Air 2 as there is no supported DJI SDK). "On the fly functions" (fly to points, mark them and it will build a unique mission for you (e.g. orbits, cardinal images, dronee, etc.) Google earth export, import, full command control of all drone, camera, gimbal settings, Litchi import, sharing/collaboration of missions, mission stop/start, and a hoard of other features.
The two features that people have been asking for are "follow" and "offline waypoints". Offline waypoints are not currently possible for the Mini. Still, Dronelink's developer had created this capability for Autopilot in the past and could do it for DL (outside of the Mini). It's on the radar to do. Arguably, you shouldn't be doing missions where the controller cannot maintain connection, but it's understood that there are cases where it makes sense to have the feature.
With the huge influx of users for DL, DL is actively also working on GPS follow and possibly active track, as well as a mode similar what Autopilot had where you could control the camera and let the drone fly its mission (even controlling the yaw as needed) as well as a "focus mode" where you can fly freely and the drone will maintain focus on the item. Also working on smoothing out the occasional jerkiness that can come from older devices mixed with the Mini for small/fast orbits.. Lots to come.
Litchi
A solid DJI Go replacement with many advanced features. Easier than DL to use if you're looking to just get out and fly. Has visual cues that talk you through where you are in mission. An active community of users and a full training video package (although you have to pay for it).
Feature strengths include follow, orbits, and basic, and focus. Waypoint and POI solution works very well - and can be done for almost all the DJI drones. Has a good way to create missions on PC/Web via their Litchi Hub solution.
Big current differentiator is that Litchi supports off-line waypoints - although not for the Mavic Mini. Litchi's waypoint solution does not support the Mini (again, due to the SDK). There have been posts from Litchi claiming that they are working on a waypoint solution for the Mini - but the expectation is that it will be similar to DL's (no off-line capability and using virtual stick).
I personally LItchi useful when I want to do a quick waypoint mission with my M2 or only have my phone to fly with (no tablet).
Red Waypoint
I know the least about this newcomer except that it's an Android only solution that seems to support waypoints for the Mini through a similar virtual stick implementation. Claims to have follow, focus, and other automatic missions. Assuming it does not have offline waypoints for any drones from what I could read.
While you can plan missions offline, does not have a PC/web solution to do so.
I've seen mixed posts on the reliability of Red Waypoint - some said it worked very well, some not so much. Probably (as is DL) tied to the strength of the Android device. Some have said it does the waypoints on Mini but the other functionality would not work. The Android tablet I had would not work reliably with it, so I'd be curious to hear what others say.
It's the least expensive of the options - allows you to get flying for $15.
Summary:
Overall, these software solutions are VERY cheap in comparison to the cost of the drone itself and provide a great deal of power and new functionality. As an IOS user, I have DL and Litchi on all my devices. I (full disclosure - I did the videos for DL) lean toward DL, but again, I do like using Litchi for certain applications and use cases. I tell people to buy them both and keep them as tools in your tool bag as needed.
Dronelink: $20 - (IOS & Android - 46+ video training training included)
Litchi: $22.99 - (IOS & Android - Video Training available for purchase - $20-$50)
Red Waypoint: $14.99 - Android only - no video training, but user manual available)
Dronelink:
Built by the developer as Autopilot (videos were done by same person as well). Unique "component based" approach to mission creation allowing for both simple and highly complex mission creation (can do Orbits, waypoints, etc in multiple missions), on PC/Mac/Tablet/and phone (although experience is less than optimal on phone). Built for both Hobbyists and many enterprise clients, there's been many new Mini users as it's the only waypoint/POI solution that works for IOS and Android
Currently fully supports waypoints for all drones (except Mavic Air 2 as there is no supported DJI SDK). "On the fly functions" (fly to points, mark them and it will build a unique mission for you (e.g. orbits, cardinal images, dronee, etc.) Google earth export, import, full command control of all drone, camera, gimbal settings, Litchi import, sharing/collaboration of missions, mission stop/start, and a hoard of other features.
The two features that people have been asking for are "follow" and "offline waypoints". Offline waypoints are not currently possible for the Mini. Still, Dronelink's developer had created this capability for Autopilot in the past and could do it for DL (outside of the Mini). It's on the radar to do. Arguably, you shouldn't be doing missions where the controller cannot maintain connection, but it's understood that there are cases where it makes sense to have the feature.
With the huge influx of users for DL, DL is actively also working on GPS follow and possibly active track, as well as a mode similar what Autopilot had where you could control the camera and let the drone fly its mission (even controlling the yaw as needed) as well as a "focus mode" where you can fly freely and the drone will maintain focus on the item. Also working on smoothing out the occasional jerkiness that can come from older devices mixed with the Mini for small/fast orbits.. Lots to come.
Litchi
A solid DJI Go replacement with many advanced features. Easier than DL to use if you're looking to just get out and fly. Has visual cues that talk you through where you are in mission. An active community of users and a full training video package (although you have to pay for it).
Feature strengths include follow, orbits, and basic, and focus. Waypoint and POI solution works very well - and can be done for almost all the DJI drones. Has a good way to create missions on PC/Web via their Litchi Hub solution.
Big current differentiator is that Litchi supports off-line waypoints - although not for the Mavic Mini. Litchi's waypoint solution does not support the Mini (again, due to the SDK). There have been posts from Litchi claiming that they are working on a waypoint solution for the Mini - but the expectation is that it will be similar to DL's (no off-line capability and using virtual stick).
I personally LItchi useful when I want to do a quick waypoint mission with my M2 or only have my phone to fly with (no tablet).
Red Waypoint
I know the least about this newcomer except that it's an Android only solution that seems to support waypoints for the Mini through a similar virtual stick implementation. Claims to have follow, focus, and other automatic missions. Assuming it does not have offline waypoints for any drones from what I could read.
While you can plan missions offline, does not have a PC/web solution to do so.
I've seen mixed posts on the reliability of Red Waypoint - some said it worked very well, some not so much. Probably (as is DL) tied to the strength of the Android device. Some have said it does the waypoints on Mini but the other functionality would not work. The Android tablet I had would not work reliably with it, so I'd be curious to hear what others say.
It's the least expensive of the options - allows you to get flying for $15.
Summary:
Overall, these software solutions are VERY cheap in comparison to the cost of the drone itself and provide a great deal of power and new functionality. As an IOS user, I have DL and Litchi on all my devices. I (full disclosure - I did the videos for DL) lean toward DL, but again, I do like using Litchi for certain applications and use cases. I tell people to buy them both and keep them as tools in your tool bag as needed.
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