P3A or Autel Robotics X-Star?

Michael Stuart · Jul 6, 2016

I'm selling my P3S, and until yesterday, I was planning to get the P3A to replace it, because that was the best bang for your buck drone I could find. However, yesterday, I found the Autel Robotics X-star and X-star premium. I can't afford the X-star premium so it's down to the P3A and X-star.

I care somewhat about range (1.2 mi P3A, .62 mi X-star), video quality (don't care about 4K, but I care that X-star can do 1080p at 120fps while P3A can do 1080p at 60fps, so X-star could take some nice slo-mo shots), video transmission signal (Lightbridge P3A, WiFi X-star), jello/how easy it is to fix, reliability (DJI has many many more users, but the reviews on the X-star make me think that it may actually be more reliable), customer service (big advantage Autel), and more.

I couldn't care less that Autel "copied" DJI, I just want the better drone for me.

Any thoughts?

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Ozziebattler · Jul 6, 2016

Mate if you were getting the Premium it would be a different decision but to compare wifi and lightbridge i think you will be disappointed. Even though DJI can be a pain in the arse buy it from a local dealer that way if you do have any problems you have a local contact. The P3A is a good unit and the X-Star Premium is also a good choice, i have both and the x-star takes brilliant photos. Cheers

Meta4 · Jul 6, 2016

Michael Stuart said:
I'm selling my P3S, and until yesterday, I was planning to get the P3A to replace it, because that was the best bang for your buck drone I could find. However, yesterday, I found the Autel Robotics X-star and X-star premium. I can't afford the X-star premium so it's down to the P3A and X-star.

If you are looking at wifi vs Lightbridge, it no contest ... Lightbridge is many times better than wifi.

Michael Stuart said:
I care somewhat about range (1.2 mi P3A, .62 mi X-star) ... (DJI has many many more users, but the reviews on the X-star make me think that it may actually be more reliable), customer service (big advantage Autel), and more.

Check the Advanced specs again, they go much further than you think.

Max Transmission Distance: Up to 5 km or 3.1 miles (unobstructed, free of interference) when FCC compliant.

Be careful with reviews. Are they true reviews or re they selling reviews.
Do they properly compare against what else is out there?
Is the reviewer experienced in what else is out there?

It would be hard to find a more reliable drone than the P3 Advanced
As for customer service, DJI's is better than the reputation it got earlier when the company grew faster than CS could keep up.
One last thing ... look at the camera.
I don't know about the X-star but the X-star premium has barrel distortion that will bow any straight line except one that passes through the centre.

flpholt · Jul 6, 2016

well I have both but I would get a p3a if I couldn't have a x star premium do I think x star is better yes but I rather have the distance that wifi doesn't provide

alokbhargava · Jul 6, 2016

Don't know about x star but P3A definitely flies well. In case you are going for x Star, buy Orange one

Thomas Cole · Jul 13, 2016

Go Autel Premium. ...on special here in Canada on amazon at 899.00. Best package deal with great case and 64gig card. I have P3A and very happy with it. Why not extra machine!

Michael Stuart · Jul 13, 2016

Thomas Cole said:
Go Autel Premium. ...on special here in Canada on amazon at 899.00. Best package deal with great case and 64gig card. I have P3A and very happy with it. Why not extra machine!

Ah, too late. I snagged the P3A from Amazon at $600 a few days ago. Today, the Autel premium dropped to $674 for a few hours on Amazon which is insane... but, I'm very happy with the P3A, and it has better range.

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losman26 · Jul 13, 2016

Autel x-star premium is $674 on b and H. Grab it, and don't look back.

impilot51 · Jul 13, 2016

Deal is gone

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flpholt · Jul 13, 2016

Michael Stuart said:
Ah, too late. I snagged the P3A from Amazon at $600 a few days ago. Today, the Autel premium dropped to $674 for a few hours on Amazon which is insane... but, I'm very happy with the P3A, and it has better range.

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no it doesnt

m0j0 · Jul 13, 2016

Does Autel have Litchi, Autopilot or a third party app. Is it open source so 3rd party applications can be developed? I'm curious... That would tip the scale for me.

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Michael Stuart · Jul 13, 2016

flpholt said:
no it doesnt

I thought it was 1.2 mi vs 3ish mi.

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m0j0 · Jul 13, 2016

Michael Stuart said:
I thought it was 1.2 mi vs 3ish mi.

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That's what mine does .... I've gone 3.5 mi.

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Michael Stuart · Jul 13, 2016

m0j0 said:
That's what mine does .... 3 ish

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That's with your P3A right? And the Autel X-Star Premium can only go 1.2 mi, so the P3A does have better range.

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flpholt · Jul 13, 2016

autel look at distance

Starlink_20160710_101419_Manual_Moment(3).jpg

Michael Stuart · Jul 13, 2016

flpholt said:
autel look at distance View attachment 59694

Ok, and that's with no mods or anything? I've heard a lot of people say they only get 0.9 mi or 1 mi. Plus, P3A is about 3 mi so that would still be a little more.

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flpholt · Jul 14, 2016

Michael Stuart said:
Ok, and that's with no mods or anything? I've heard a lot of people say they only get 0.9 mi or 1 mi. Plus, P3A is about 3 mi so that would still be a little more.

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no mods there 1.2 is just what they say it goes a lot more than that my p3a with dbs mod didn't even get as far as my stock autel if that helps you out

Michael Stuart · Jul 14, 2016

flpholt said:
no mods there 1.2 is just what they say it goes a lot more than that my p3a with dbs mod didn't even get as far as my stock autel if that helps you out

Interesting. Well, it's too late for me but I'm sure others appreciate this information.

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Stiggy Pop · Jul 14, 2016

I'm in the same boat, getting ready to trade up out of a P3S. I hesitated on the P3A lightning deal, and hadn't done enough research to react to the XSP deal. It's enough of an investment that I hesitate with the XSP... has it really been proven? Certainly not the same extent as the P3A.

flpholt · Jul 14, 2016

Stiggy Pop said:
I'm in the same boat, getting ready to trade up out of a P3S. I hesitated on the P3A lightning deal, and hadn't done enough research to react to the XSP deal. It's enough of an investment that I hesitate with the XSP... has it really been proven? Certainly not the same extent as the P3A.

cant go wrong with x star plus I heard starting july 15 you get 2 batterys with it still checking on that