It would seem to me that 3DR is clearly shifting from a prosumer market to the aerial mapping industry. It's a tough pill to swallow, but DJI has pushed 3DR out of their market. 3DR simply could not compete in DJI's primary sandbox. It doesn't take a market analyst to see that 3DR is in "save yer ass" mode. All the signs are there my fellow flyers. I'm sorry to see it.
My hopes were on an American company that delivered on the dream they spoke of. I believed the ads that promised a dedicated future for 3DR enthusiasts. It felt really good. What we knew as the company we put our money on is something else now. Not bad, could be very good...but something else.
How it plays out for us is that 3DR is going into the niche market of professional aerial tomography. It has nothing to do with fun, it has little to do with cinema. The company's focus has to be on the needs of their new target market. In the final analysis, DJI had deeper pockets and owned more of their own supply and R and D chain. Solo couldn't meet their capabilities with market response, price point, nor technology. It didn't help that the company that made the cameras decided to make their own drone. 3DR DID score outstanding points in customer relations, after the initial late deliveries. The costly warranties were honored with integrity. CEO Anderson also created distribution partnerships that were brilliant. It was a glorious experiment, driven by a charismatic visionary.
Chris Anderson miraculously pulled in 100 million to set sail. He needed 500 million. My personal thought is that Mr. Anderson should have found a way, during the height of the burgeoning market's highly emotional interest in Solo, to bring the company public. The story of Solo was once very very strong. That move would've given 3DR the capitalization it needed to compete. Sad... I'm bummed out. (yeah, old guy)
