"DJI Added to “Economic Blacklist” in the United States"

Abe's comment was directed toward the two comments below mine that were both deleted. But I replied to his again because it's a "what do you expect?" topic with the particular phrasing that was used.

If he added a question to the end of the subject like, "What alternative drone options are there?" it would have steered the discussion.

My comment is still available because it's a fact about the situation, not a political opinion (even though I was still conscious it leads into international politics).
 
NorBro said:
If he added a question to the end of the subject like, "What alternative drone options are there?" it would have steered the discussion.
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Well, I think there is a broader array of ethical issues, including the moral implications of using gear made by a "bad" company - and if, indeed, DJI is a bad actor (that violates human rights and not just fair business practices).

The deleted comments were purely partisan, and partisan food fights are what the moderators very reasonably seem intent to avoid.
 
Quite simply didn't even know about the Skydio until reading this thread... looks like a very convincing replacement for my failing Mavic Air (that DJI won't even bother to help me troubleshoot).

Companies like DJI and Aputure get a ton of traction by simply "buying" YouTube influence through liberal free distribution of their stuff. I'm not saying that they're lousy products, but their particular brand of marketing has certainly been successful.
 
mcbob said:
Quite simply didn't even know about the Skydio until reading this thread... looks like a very convincing replacement for my failing Mavic Air (that DJI won't even bother to help me troubleshoot).

Companies like DJI and Aputure get a ton of traction by simply "buying" YouTube influence through liberal free distribution of their stuff. I'm not saying that they're lousy products, but their particular brand of marketing has certainly been successful.
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youtubers aka salespeople disguised as everyday people.
 
Nah, that's silly...no salespeople would want to represent one company on YouTube unless they are full-time with a decent salary and the works.

Most YouTubers are just regular Joes and Janes who have an entrepreneurship spirit like many of us and do exactly what we do on forums but do it in front of a camera and some - through hard work, consistency and some luck - end up gaining a following and free products and trips and connections that they build off of.
 
NorBro said:
Nah, that's silly...no one would want to represent one company on YouTube unless they are full-time with a decent salary and the works.

YouTubers are just regular Joes and Janes that have an entrepreneurship spirit like many of us and do exactly what we do on forums but do it in front of a camera and some - through hard work, consistence and some luck - end up gaining a following and free products and trips and connections that they build off of.
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There's no denying their work ethic!

Yes that's true, except they're not representing a single company, they can choose many companies, as well as turn on them instantly. Most of the top ones are trying to (subtly) sell something, working towards collaborating with the biggest brands possible, or have plans to eventually launch their own company.

There's nothing wrong with any of this, I'm just starting to view them more as salespeople or at least am more skeptical than the days when running a YT channel wasn't a career path.

Their "honesty" is critical and speaking ill of a product is now necessary to keep the genuine feel. In the end it's just a new way of advertising.
 
Yeah, as far as their "honesty"...it's the same formula with everyone:

--> Intro
--> Link in the description below for more info (get it in there early in case viewers don't make it to the end)
--> Quick intro to product
--> Possibly a more thorough breakdown of product (if the knowledge is there)
--> Some minor negatives
--> Recap of the very major positives
--> Outro with a reminder that there's a link in the description below

Only the ones with like 10-20 million subs who couldn't care less say whatever they truly want because Canon or Sony or whomever will not make them any richer than they already are.

At that point the company just wants the account's eyes on their products.
 
NorBro said:
Yeah, as far as their "honesty"...it's the same formula with everyone:

- Intro
- Link in the description below for more info (get it in there early in case viewers don't make it to the end)
- Quick intro to product
- Possibly a more through breakdown of product (if the knowledge is there)
- Some minor negatives
- Recap of the very positives
- Outro with a reminder that there's a link in the description below)

Only the ones with like 10, 20 million subs who couldn't care less say whatever they truly want because Canon or Sony or whomever will not make them any richer than they already are.

At that point the company just want the account's eyes on their products.
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Haha nice formula breakdown, that's exactly it.
 
NorBro said:
Stop talking coo coo. lol
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As I might have made known, over the last few years, I made some new acquaintances on Facebook that were once rather successful in the former Soviet Union. Some were TV/video directors; some TV hosts, others performed with prominent musical acts. Some emigrated, most are still living back there. Sometimes they'll post photos from the "old days" (which is often where I get my ideas) and sometimes those photos are from their heyday. Some are private, others are at their former jobs and I am often tempted to say something ... but usually hold back. Most of the times I feel that this was their environment and that is that.
 
David Saraceno said:
I've had one for a year. Obstacle avoidance is the best I've seen, and much better than DJI. This makes getting the shot far easier than other drones we've owned. However, the company needs to work on the range of the drone and signal quality between controller and aircraft.

In addition, the software (app) is not nearly as robust as DJI, but more than adequate to produce results.
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How’s the image quality? Do you have anything online you’ve shot with it?
 
jbregar said:
The issue with competing with DJI is they're so massive and entrenched at this point... and willing to do pretty much whatever it takes to keep that dominance... that going head to head with them is largely futile unless you have massively deep pockets.

Look at what happened with 3DR and their competition for the Phantom (the 3DR Solo). DJI just dropped their pricing on the Phantom to rock-bottom and largely put 3DR out of business. 3DR didn't really help themselves, but I was at the NAB where 3DR released the Solo... it was the talk of the show... then the Phantom 3 dropped with a price that was stupid aggressive and the wind just disappeared from Solo's sails.

I begrudgingly use DJI products... but if a viable competitor in the drone space came along, I'd ditch them in a heartbeat. Between their competitive tactics, craptastic support, and tendency to completely abandon product lines when the new ones come out... I would be happy to see them taken down a few pegs.
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The Autel Evo II Pro (6k) is awfully good. 6k 30P, 4K up to 60P or 2k up to 120p.
1 inch Sony sensor. 10 Bit color and log profiles. Independently control iso, shutter
speed, and iris. Great battery life....they claim 40 minutes and it's actually approaching
that in real life. No geofencing. It's a pretty good alternative to the Mavic Pro 2.
I just got mine and have only flown it once so far (lots of rain in Alaska in the winter)
but I could post a couple shots if you want.
Here's one of many 'shootout' videos....yeah the YouTubers do these for drones too
not just cameras.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIQciLSAIFs
 
alaskacameradude said:
The Autel Evo II Pro (6k) is awfully good. 6k 30P, 4K up to 60P or 2k up to 120p.
1 inch Sony sensor. 10 Bit color and log profiles. Independently control iso, shutter
speed, and iris. Great battery life....they claim 40 minutes and it's actually approaching
that in real life. No geofencing. It's a pretty good alternative to the Mavic Pro 2.
I just got mine and have only flown it once so far (lots of rain in Alaska in the winter)
but I could post a couple shots if you want.
Here's one of many 'shootout' videos....yeah the YouTubers do these for drones too
not just cameras.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIQciLSAIFs
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He lost me immediately as a viewer wanting to see a comparison. Shooting COMPLETELY different scenes in completely different light with the two different drones.
 
Run&Gun said:
He lost me immediately as a viewer wanting to see a comparison. Shooting COMPLETELY different scenes in completely different light with the two different drones.
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I think if you watch the whole video
he posts identical scenes where he really
goes in and ‘pixel peeps’. Of course you may
have to get 7 minutes in or so before that happens.
Or maybe I posted the wrong video, there are a lot
of comparison videos between these two drones out
there. However most will show the EVOii Pro 6k is
at the very least a viable alternative to
the Mavic Pro 2.
 
I actually thought about buying the EVO II Pro... the biggest hangup for me was the cost of the batteries.

$220 each is pretty high compared to DJI. I like to have 5-7 batteries on hand, so that's a pretty significant expense on top of the EVO II itself. Since I'm at high altitude a lot, I chew through batteries quicker than the normal claimed flight times.

The other issue I have with the EVO is the lack of something like the Smart Controller. It's changed my droning for the better big time to not need to use my phone as a screen (and not having to assemble the controller every shoot).

Still, I might have to give one a shot one of these days. The samples look good.
 
jbregar said:
I actually thought about buying the EVO II Pro... the biggest hangup for me was the cost of the batteries.

$220 each is pretty high compared to DJI. I like to have 5-7 batteries on hand, so that's a pretty significant expense on top of the EVO II itself. Since I'm at high altitude a lot, I chew through batteries quicker than the normal claimed flight times.

The other issue I have with the EVO is the lack of something like the Smart Controller. It's changed my droning for the better big time to not need to use my phone as a screen (and not having to assemble the controller every shoot).

Still, I might have to give one a shot one of these days. The samples look good.
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You make a very good point about the batteries. The EVO batteries are very expensive.
On the plus side they last longer than the Mavic 2 batteries so you could probably
get away with 3-5 if you are used to having 5-7 for the Mavic.

Just so you know, the EVO II controller has a built in color screen which you can use
instead of your phone. However, it's more like something you could use to grab a
couple shots if you forgot your phone (pretty small screen on it.) Something that is
nice to have but not really a substitute for something like DJI's smart controller.

Camera is quite good on the EVO II Pro 6k. Just for the record I wasn't
trying to say the Mavic Pro 2 was bad but some people were expressing a desire
for an alternative. I think as far as video quality in a portable, fold up drone goes,
the EVO II Pro 6k is a viable alternative as it seems to give video quality that is
at worst, equal to the Mavic Pro 2. And the Mavic Pro 2 shoots awfully good looking
video for such a small, portable drone.
 
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