Why I think "Solo" as best for Drone Hobby

[Solo Keith]

This is a great upgrade so you can see a Solo with those tired eyes!
https://3drpilots.com/threads/brite-lite-anti-collision-lighting.11505/

https://3drpilots.com/threads/brite-lite-led-lighting-system.8863/

My BriteLite Anti-Collision LED lighting system is still running strong. Not only are they incredibly visible, they serve many other functions.

 

[Maddog]

My BriteLite Anti-Collision LED lighting system is still running strong. Not only are they incredibly visible, they serve many other functions.

Thanks- glad to hear they are still working well for you!

 

[Kevin K]

I'm 75 and been droning 3 years. Bought my first Solo when price went low.have 2 now but never flown spare. Love it and the great pics. But it's big. Wanted something to take on trips

Well I saved my bucks and bought Mavic.
Perfect. ..money well spent.
I fly both now. .Solo at home and Mavic on trips. Both do great
Now I have built my first racer. That's a different ball game and great fun
I recommend a racer for a newbie first.
That's my ravings and love my new hobby.
Bill

Thank you for sharing Bill .

 

[Kevin K]

Thanks Pyrate!

you have tapped into what makes solo stand out. OpenSource and strong community
it will be around for a long time, esp if they ever release the gimbal code.
lots of things still in the works for solo
and its pretty dang good right out of the box

 

[Kevin K]

Good Advice KenMc!

Kevin -

Welcome - I'm a new member too.

My first drone was a Parallax ELEV-8 v3 kit - I liked it's open source aspect - but the community is relatively small. I'm swapping out the flight controller with a PixHawk 2.1.

When the Green cube came out (PixHawk 2.1 for the Solo) - I jumped into the Solo. Got a BestBuy open box Solo for $200 (no GoPro or gimbal) I expected to have to upgrade it to the Green cube - but decided to try it out without it. Very impressive, stable flight. I've added the GPS upgrade and changed out GPS RF shield (even though the stock GPS has a stable reputation). I've added the Solex Ap. I'm still experimenting with the Solo - I keep it tethered and I have a ways to go before I'm comfortable it.

Even without the Green cube the Solo is a really slick drone. (That's my next upgrade after I get the ELEV-8 conversion done.)

But...one piece of advice about drones --- Learn to Fly WITHOUT assistance. Sure - the new drones (including the Solo) almost fly themselves. But inevitably assistance is going to fail and you will have to fly without it -- you will have just seconds to take the right action when it happens. A drone is like a 3D air puck - you have to be on top of it all the time in manual mode.

Fortunately you can start small - I started with a Blade Nano QX - bouncing off walls.

Good luck! And enjoy.

 

[Kevin K]

The Solo is a great drone and I'm glad that it was my first; the only drawback is its size. The backpack that I carry my DSLR in along with three extra lenses, flash, my Mavic with three extra batteries, iPad mini 4 and a handheld gimbal for my gopro is SMALLER than the 3dr backpack.

Guess which drone went on my last road trip down the California coastline?

Thanks Z953!

 

[Kevin K]

I'm 75 and been droning 3 years. Bought my first Solo when price went low.have 2 now but never flown spare. Love it and the great pics. But it's big. Wanted something to take on trips

Well I saved my bucks and bought Mavic.
Perfect. ..money well spent.
I fly both now. .Solo at home and Mavic on trips. Both do great
Now I have built my first racer. That's a different ball game and great fun
I recommend a racer for a newbie first.
That's my ravings and love my new hobby.
Bill

Thanks for sharing Bill... continue to enjoy...I know I will....

 

[Kennamer]

The range sucks. Buy at minimum the ALFA -7db antennas!! Second range mod for range is to buy bothe the MicoTEK for controller and Solo... ...This should get you nearly a mile. And third get a Revaux of FPVLR antenna ($130) With these upgrades guys are reporting nearly 2 miles range.

I went 1.65 miles away the other day with only the $18 ALFA antennas on a stock setup. Still had clear video as well. I was quite impressed!