Here's a video, from Drone & Sundry, linking directly to the battery portion of the conversation between Ian and Philip. Actually the entire video is worth watching, but this portion gives future insight to a NEW smart battery for Solo.
Yeah I read that and had to do the head smack.... Why would anyone think it's a good idea to ring up a manufacturer when they aren't even part of the conversation to begin with... I honestly think this is a good reason for playing ones cards close to their chest regarding battery details...Ironic considering there was recently someone here claiming there would be no battery, and that they were banned from FB groups for uncovering this sinister plot.... lol
Again probably depends on price me thinks. Lets figure high, $200 a pop. I could probably buy 2 up front, but would need to wait two - three months before another purchase. At least with a business, you could get a tax write off on buying said batteries.If the new battery can eke us more than 15m of usable flight time with the GoPro/Gimbal payload, I'm confident I could get my company to refresh our 12+ cells.
If the new battery can eke us more than 15m of usable flight time with the GoPro/Gimbal payload, I'm confident I could get my company to refresh our 12+ cells.
That's awesome. I never experienced more than about 12min/pack burdened :\It was mentioned to be a 6000mAh battery, from another conversation, so it could be closer to 20 minutes with gimbal. I was getting ~18 minutes on fresh packs back in 2015. We understand better today how to break-in and maintain max life/performance from the batteries, so anything is possible.
So $100 for a new and improved battery sounds doable. $200.... I'd want some flashy lights on it.... Seriously though, it's a good point about the price point. People got a very advanced drone for a cheap price and think that should be the standard for a 3DR solo. I do think a "pre-order" system might be a good idea. Put your money down first (or part thereof), when they get enough orders to make it viable, production begins. Better than having 2000 people say they want one and only 20 people end up ponying up the cash..
Probably because you can't just slap some generic batteries on the solo with duct tape and expect it to work?Why not just do it yourself like it has been for a while with a Tattu 4s 5200 pack. I ordered two tatts and two multistar 4s much cheaper.
Thanks for that tid-bit. Gives me a point of reference for further testing.The Solo uses about 330mah per minute.
A kickstarter is a good idea for a product with mass appeal, but this would be a specific battery for a specific drone. I think the only thing a kickstarter would do is drive the overall costs up (kickstarter takes their cut). Whereas direct confirmed orders enables a "Bulk" production discount since the numbers are guaranteed up front.Maybe a Kickstarter campaign.... I’d buy in...
I think people want the reassurance of a smart battery pack and to be able to monitor their battery levels directly and not just fly on a timer. Timer's are great if you're guaranteed that's exactly how long your battery is going to last every time forever... however that's just not realistic.Why not just do it yourself like it has been for a while with a Tattu 4s 5200 pack. I ordered two tatts and two multistar 4s much cheaper.
I think I'd be happier with the 12 - 14 mins vs old bad cell battery packs that go from 100 - 25% in 2 minutes or less.I think you're probably setting yourself up for disappointment if you think you're ever going to get 20 minutes flight time our of a Solo with a camera and gimbal. It it simply not a realistic expectation. The Solo uses about 330mah per minute. A stock battery in very good condition will get you 12-14 minutes of flight down to 10%. Stretching that out to 20 minutes would require a scientific miracle, or a defiance of the laws of physics. Neither are likely. Even if they managed to increase the battery capacity to 6000mah and maintain the same pack weight, that will gain you about 2 minutes flight time. 3 minutes if they manage to make the pack a little lighter. There is no magic battery that doesn't require heat dissipation yet.
Probably because you can't just slap some generic batteries on the solo with duct tape and expect it to work?
I bet you are fun at a parties....I think you're probably setting yourself up for disappointment if you think you're ever going to get 20 minutes flight time our of a Solo with a camera and gimbal. It it simply not a realistic expectation. The Solo uses about 330mah per minute. A stock battery in very good condition will get you 12-14 minutes of flight down to 10%. Stretching that out to 20 minutes would require a scientific miracle, or a defiance of the laws of physics. Neither are likely. Even if they managed to increase the battery capacity to 6000mah and maintain the same pack weight, that will gain you about 2 minutes flight time. 3 minutes if they manage to make the pack a little lighter. There is no magic battery that doesn't require heat dissipation yet.
Why would you think it's someone's exclusive opportunity? Are they doing a group buy and selling at cost? Just being the devil here...there is a lot of risks in the endeavor to retail products. I've got no stomach for retail sales. Like is said, money talks, BS walks.Yeah I read that and had to do the head smack.... Why would anyone think it's a good idea to ring up a manufacturer when they aren't even part of the conversation to begin with... I honestly think this is a good reason for playing ones cards close to their chest regarding battery details...
It seems that what's happened here is that someone has been working on designing a potential new battery for the 3DR solo. This isn't just physical design but also ensuring there's a working BMS. They then contacted a vendor as regards production costs etc. for the finished product based upon their design. There is nothing agreed upon or finalized, they are simply in the discovery phase for production times and finalized costs. They mention this on Facebook. Let's say (as an example) that the company in question has exclusivity contracts that specify they will design batteries for another company for a specified time or unit amount. So the company designing a battery for the solo would be in breach of an established contract however building an already designed battery wouldn't be a breach.Why would you think it's someone's exclusive opportunity? Are they doing a group buy and selling at cost? Just being the devil here...there is a lot of risks in the endeavor to retail products. I've got no stomach for retail sales. Like is said, money talks, BS walks.
I've been wondering what the US Dept. of Interior was going to do for batteries, some 300 birds... Seems they'll have needs to fulfill soon and have the punch to make a modest run of batteries....spread the love.
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