Assuming no hi-capacity battery this year.

[franknitty69]

Yes, but why 25C? Weight savings in batteries can be achieved as the C rating drops. An 8000mAh 15c Lipo can be had for roughly the same weight and cost of the Solo battery. For me, the primary reason I would like to see a 'battery case' designed for the Solo is the freedom of choice. If I want to run a larger/smaller battery to fit my mission requirements, I have that choice. Same reason I use an Android; I don't want Apple deciding for me what app I can run (screen recorder for example).

totally understandable. i took a battery apart and examined it. i have come to the conclusion that a higher capacity battery won't have any roi if designed by 3dr or any other manufacturer. if it was a just a dumb battery then yes it could be done on the cheap, but if you want it to remain a smart battery, then no. and even then for the flight time gains to even be worth it, solo would need weight saving, more efficient motors and props.

 

[rassalas]

The thing that ticks me off is the damn 3DR Promises that never appear.

 

[Eddie Kennedy]

Flight time is the only issue I have with my Solo. I'm getting 14-15 minutes on new "just charged" batteries(GoPro rolling) and 10-11 minutes on 6 month old batteries. The reality is the competition is getting 20 minutes plus on a single battery so Solo needs to do better IMO.

I would invest in new props, motors or batteries if 3DR made them available as an add on but I don't feel like fiddling with aftermarket stuff, not that it isn't good or works well; I would just like to see a OE supported solution to the problem.

Got to agree with you. I start a flight with freshly charged battery. Switch on and all LED's burning brightly. Wait ages for Satellites and note that when I can "Fly" two or three LEDS are already out. Take off and when told my battery is at 25% start coming home. Crap myself when SOLO suddenly takes off vertically and I realize it is doing its Lassie Come Home thing. Solo lands beautifully and only one LED now burning. Total flying time about 15 mins. Disappointing!!!

 

[RichWest]

The thing that ticks me off is the damn 3DR Promises that never appear.

I think the business model for an alternative battery was under the Made for Solo program. The optical flow DIY being discussed is just one example of the MFS ideology. A battery manufacture could easily produce a larger battery, why haven't they done so?

In this electronic world of chinese dominated manufacturing, it's not so much what you know, but who you know.

 

[Pedals2Paddles]

Teaser for later. Yes, that's an XT60 hanging out the solo's ass. Fueling the tanks now.

 

[Jubalr]

Awesome Pedals!. That's what I was thinking with just some type of 3D printed tray that would sit in there with a Velcro'd battery. No % readings, just voltage and maybe current.