I have been waiting several weeks for a back order on a Pro 4+. It arrived tonight and I refused delivery. Fortunately, or unfortunately, I have done a lot more reading and looking since I placed the order and paid on the dotted line, and have come to the conclusion that I just can't risk $1800 on a piece of electronics that DJI is showing significant quality control issues with it's manufacture. Add to that there seemingly poor customer support and it finally added up to no DJI for me until I am convinced that they have attended to improving quality control.
There are another couple of issues that also swayed my acceptance of the quad. The government is going crazy about the restrictions they are placing on 'drones.' It doesn't help that idiot crashed into the Space Needle in Seattle,which is located in a park, the Seattle Center Park. It's still making the news here. How many realize the 'workers' on the deck were placing the fireworks explosives for the New Years extravaganza at the Needle? Imagine what would have been the result if the drone had actually triggered some of the explosives.
Several towns is Washington State have flat out banned drones in the entirety of their city limits. They are now banned in State Parks. We have the killer whales here, the Orcas, and a new regulation is being drafted to keep drones over 200' away from the whales as the noise may be interfering with them. Can't fly them in the Bahamas somebody reported. And on and on ad naseum.
Saw on a You Tube video where some clip popped up while researching drone videos that you can buy a single seat turbine helicopter in kit form for about $40K. According the the manufacturer you don't have to register it with the FAA and the pilot does not need a pilots license to fly it. Maybe if there was a camera under it, it would be come more of a problem.
I really like the forum and will continue watching and reading. I am impressed with the helpful nature of the forum. The moderators are doing a good job of keeping the trash talk out of here.
That is very sad the decision you have made. I have to confess that I had thought processes very similar to you: lots of "what ifs" went through my head (what if governments impost blanket bans on drones? What if I crash nearly $2000 of kit? What if some idiot posting aerial videos on YouTube kills/ severely injures someone with their drone and the aviation authorities step up, take note and implement punitive action on the entire hobby? What if I cannot get spare parts when I need them (e.g. a rotor motor)? What if someone gets all upset about me using my drone and reports me to the police for purely 'innocent' and legitimate uses - might I get in trouble/ get fined/ risk a day in court... And yardi yada.
It is, without doubt, a difficult decision because it is very expensive, and, a steep learning curve, ESPECIALLY with regards regulations and laws. However, I chose to take the plunge, and I chose to do that with my eyes wide open: IF we spent our lives worrying about shoulda/ woulda/ coulda questions, we will never end up doing or getting anything. The truth is, more people will die or get injured in car and motorcycle accidents, even drowning in the sea than who might get impacted by a drone, potentially. You are rights to point out that - and I make no bones in saying it - there are many irresponsible idiots, for attention, likes and YouTube hits - flying their drones in illegal conditions (e.g. At night), in cities, above properties or too close to non-consenting people, among other frankly stupid applications that pose a risk to the continuation of people using drones. However, I do believe that MOST people use their drones responsibly for specific purposes and follow their national laws and aviation authority guidelines ... I certainly do that, my drone is set up to not exceed 500 metres horizontal distance from my home point, and, no higher in the air than 122 metres (400ft) and, to be honest, this is AMPLE freedom to do some great photography and videography as I wanted this platform for. I have registered the aircraft, insured it, taken out DJI Care, and all other precautions - including phoning the police in advance of a flight IF I intend to fly in a location where overzealous citizens COULD call in and try to claim I was using it for anything other than legitimate reasons. There are many things you can do to demonstrate that you are following and upholding the law and regulations.
It is my hope that common sense will apply in general terms, and if people brazenly break the law/ aviation regulations then they get dealt with on a case by case basis rather than everyone get impacted by it. I cannot speak for your country, but, in my country (the UK) a common sense approach appears to be getting taken right now, and that is fine with me. there are many sites online that assist drone users to tell them where they can fly without problems. I think the US forbidding national park flights is insane, as these are wide open spaces... Are they banning helicopter/ small fixed wing aircraft flights, glider flights or parachuting, etc.? No - so double standards. The problem is, this is a very young industry that is fast evolving, becoming very popular, and authorities are acting rashly, and, the presence of a camera makes them paranoid also (I believe!). I love it for aerial landscapes, shooting video of beautiful locations, etc. You should maybe do your research, ask around, speak to experienced people, and then reconsider if you feel comfortable in doing so.
As for DJI 'customer care' (I quote it for a reason!) and quality control, well, I have to say my
P4P came in perfect condition, is robust, well made, and works like a dream. The camera is superb, and I am used to using high resolution full frame DSLRs... I have been incredibly impressed with the performance of the new camera, which justifies the buy in itself. The drone is easy and safe to fly too, which instills confidence. DJI do need to massively improve customer care and, another bug bear I have - they are releasing new models of drone every 8 months and neglecting the fact that customers need spares that they have not bothered to put to market at the time of launch of the drone (e.g. LED flight light covers, spare rotor motors, camera parts, camera filters) - all of which are hard to come by for the
P4P. In my opinion, if you are launching a new product that is easy to damage, potentially, then all the ESSENTIAL parts to keep it in the air and working should be on the market at the same time of launch. I have already sent some shitograms to DJI on this point, and even said that their young Steve Jobs wannabe board members marketing their drones need to stop marketing overtime and, instead, start thinking of winning customer confidence and loyalty. I hope they listen to these calls in particular.
