Based upon experience with customer service, NEVER AGAIN.You spend your money the way you want, as it's your money. But, since you askedfor opinions so, for what it's worth, I'll offer my nickels worth of advice.Here's a quick Q & A to hopefully help you find the answer that best fitsyour needs;
Q: Are you simply buying this 'toy' because of the cool factor/bragging rights?
A: If you smiled at the word 'toy' and 'cool factor', I would suggest you looksomewhere else. Here's the reason, when, not if, it breaks or gets broken, youwill be left with little more than serious buyers remorse. If you can trulyjustify putting out $4000 and it doesn’t put a slight kink in your neck whenyou think about the chance that it could be gone in seconds, go for it.
Q: In making your decision, how much target research did you do outside of therealm of the basic comments of this, or any other forum?
A: If you are like the majority of persons who have bought this machine, anhonest answer will most likely be, that your decision is based more in the'WANT' category and not the 'NEED' factor. That said, you are basing yourpurchase based on the hype and not the real version of the machine. If indeed,you are a professional videographer or photographer, you will weigh the prosand cons of this gizmo, if instead you are an aspiring person, just gettingstarted- SAVE YOUR MONEY. There are many other options out thereavailable right now for 1/3rd the cost. To purchase this with the hopes it willdo all the work for you to help propel your becoming the next Spielberg, wouldbe consistent with buying an Eric Clapton guitar with no musical knowledge orexperience.
Q: Say you are purchasing for the speed, fine. Ask yourself, how manyhigh end video or photo shots are you going to get at a high rate of speed?
A: In truth, not many.
Q: You think the 360 degree camera is awesome? How many times are youand your camera person (Yes, it takes two persons to really set up the cinemastyle shots) going to be using this feature?
A: In truth, not many. Watch thevideos...even the follow me, full circle and way points (not available) utilizethe bird facing the object, nose forward. If you are a truly coordinated team,you two may pull off a 360 shot within the first 10 shots of the same thing.Fancy landing gear and 360* cameras only add to the 'more things to go wrong'factor.
Q: Ask yourself this; How proficient are you and your skills navigatinga machine this size, weight and speed capabilities without the aide of GPS, inother words, the "You're on your own" mode known as manual flying.
A: Hopefully, you've put in some serioushours flying within different environments, understanding the basics andkeeping cool when the pooh-pooh hits the fan. If not, consider the fact thatthis is not a toy and could cause serious damage or harm if it gets away.
Q: In being a responsible pilot, are you willing to pay $1000 a year onaverage for liability insurance?
A: If you just asked, "Why would Ineed insurance?" Put your credit card back in your wallet and step awayfrom the drone. Think of what could happen, should a flyaway occur.
Q: Considering how much the unit costs, how much time to do youseriously and realistically see yourself spending flying the unit?
A: On average, unless you simply have nothingelse in the world to do, you will spend about 10, maybe 12 hours a month inflying. Honestly, I think that's more in the beginning, after a couple ofmonths, the time will begin to dwindle. What this essentially means is that, inone years time @ 365 days, if it was flown for 1 hour each day, your averagecost would run just at $14 for each flight, if you paid exactly $4000 for theunit, with two controllers and 3 extra batts and carry liability insurance.
I could go on, but really don't see the need. Your choice is your own. Choosewisely. Please, keep in mind, if you live in a populated area, do the rightthing, get liability insurance As well, please don't put others in harms way bydoing not so smart things. Please, follow the current FAA guidelines, so thatthose who are responsible do not have their privileges removed due to the"Because This Person Did That, You're All Grounded" law.
These comments and questions are not meant as mean orotherwise. Simply, they are based upon common variables and point of humbleopinion and provided as means of helping ones thought process prior to makingthis type of purchase.
I wish you well and stress free flying,
-S.N. |