Autel is out of business

LuvMyTJ · Feb 25, 2018

Squirrel! said:
I guess I see things differently. I'm all for DIY, hell, DIY is my moniker!

But I knew going in 6 mos. ago, that Autel wasn't the biggest kid on the team, but what they had to offer was worth so much more to me. The better product. Period. The customer support reports have been nothing short of stellar, and I've experienced nothing short of stellar expectations.

The likelihood of your needing a motor at some point is minimal at best. What it costs to send it in for repair would cost the the same as the part itself + your time/effort. If it is truly important enough to you, I suggest buying a crashed bird for parts. But that may take awhile as these things are tanks and don't get destroyed easily like other drones do. I don't recall ever seeing a crashed or trashed XSP on eBay...DJI drones are a dime a dozen crashed and trashed.

Crashed drones is an excellent way to find parts. The problem is the quantity of them is low. You see so many DJI products because, A. they have produced 39 different drones and B. they outsell every other maker out there. They are so popular there are more available for parts. Comparing crashed Autel's to DJI's is like comparing crashed Ariel Atoms automobiles to crashed Chevy Impalas, they are rare because the numbers out there are low. Anyone who plans to keep their X-Star should start buying up parts units now. All hope is not lost. The boys over in the 3DR Solo forum are still chugging along. They have created new ways to keep their quads relevant. The same could be done for the X-Star.

Squirrel! · Feb 25, 2018

I'm comparing the P3 lines to the XSP line only. I'm not concerned with the 38 other models they make.

Tufargon · Feb 25, 2018

Squirrel! said:
I guess I see things differently. I'm all for DIY, hell, DIY is my moniker!

But I knew going in 6 mos. ago, that Autel wasn't the biggest kid on the team, but what they had to offer was worth so much more to me. The better product. Period. The customer support reports have been nothing short of stellar, and I've experienced nothing short of stellar expectations.

The likelihood of your needing a motor at some point is minimal at best. What it costs to send it in for repair would cost the the same as the part itself + your time/effort. If it is truly important enough to you, I suggest buying a crashed bird for parts. But that may take awhile as these things are tanks and don't get destroyed easily like other drones do. I don't recall ever seeing a crashed or trashed XSP on eBay...DJI drones are a dime a dozen crashed and trashed.

I totally agree in the most part. "But I knew going in 6 mos. ago, that Autel wasn't the biggest kid on the team, but what they had to offer was worth so much more to me. The better product. Period. The customer support reports have been nothing short of stellar, and I've experienced nothing short of stellar expectations."
I absolutely agree with.
"The likelihood of your needing a motor at some point is minimal at best. What it costs to send it in for repair would cost the the same as the part itself + your time/effort."
I said for those NOT under warranty. Also the likelihood of me ever needing a motor is irrevelent. It's mechanical and they do fail, whether it be dust or dirt that killed it. Also what if I want new parts? I don't wanna buy crashed XSP's and use those!! If i can put a part on for 35 bucks (where that's less than the cost of shipping it in) and not ship it in to fix it and pay 150 because the price of parts, labor and shipping why would I do that?

LuvMyTJ · Feb 25, 2018

Squirrel! said:
I'm comparing the P3 lines to the XSP line only. I'm not concerned with the 38 other models they make.

OK, in finer terms DJI sold 533,400 Phantoms between 2013 and the end of 2014. DJI is super secretive on their metrics so current numbers are not known but you can be sure the following year that number increased... a lot. Honestly, it's not about numbers or DJI, it's about the survival of the X-Stars in the hands of happy users who want to keep them operational. That's why I am suggesting those people who want to keep theirs should consider picking up a parts unit.

Squirrel! · Feb 25, 2018

I agree 100%, a parts bird is the way to go. But again, they are few and far between. However, some think that is not the way to go. New and supplied by Autel, or nothing it seems. No skin off my nose regardless, I never had any grandeur idea of flying the pumpkin forever. But I have zero doubt that it will last, much longer than I'll still have interest in it.

Squirrel! · Feb 25, 2018

Oh yeah...if you are paying more than $35 to ship the XSP, your problem isn't parts availability, it's your shipper. Don't need to overnight it.

xspwhite · Feb 25, 2018

Squirrel! said:
It occurred and the courts found in DJI favor.

Was that before or after the Firmware update?

Squirrel! · Feb 25, 2018

xspwhite said:
Was that before or after the Firmware update?

If you're going to quote me, then quote the whole thing, don't start chopping words off.

"Now, I have ZERO knowledge of the suit other than it occurred and the courts found in DJI favor."

And to answer your question, I honestly don't remember if it was before the beta became official or not.

Jagerbomb52 · Feb 25, 2018

Take a look at post #51. From the information provided nobody has won anything yet. The case is still ongoing.

xspwhite · Feb 25, 2018

Squirrel! said:
If you're going to quote me, then quote the whole thing, don't start chopping words off
.

You know, I think we know that the XSP is the best quad copter ever to be built in it's price range. So I can see why people are upset about the end of it's production.

Back in the 1980's when Coca Cola tried to change there receipt, people became very angry, so they change it back to the original.

But after puting lots of $$$$ into a product, I can see why people would be concerned about parts and so-on.

Like I said before, I was hoping to see an upgraded version of the XSP, but if the EVO does come out with that grasshopper green color, then I will consider buying one.

Autelguy · Feb 25, 2018

This sums it all up:

The only way for Autel to have a chance is to find the two things where DJI fails miserably and to capatalize on them:

1) Customer service and support. DJI has earned a number 1 spot in the drone industry for both horrible CS and support.

2) The app that controls your bird. The DJI Go app is rated one of the worst apps in either app store. What's the point of having a great drone if the app that controls it crashes in mid flight?

This is where Autel needs to shine but their lack if good marketing and failure to communicate with their existing and potential customers is setting themsleves up for failure. Autel was...up to a certain point, known for their incredible support and CS. It's a shame that an executive at Autel who is making bad decisons is ruining for their company.

Can they change their ways? Yes. Will they? I doubt it and by now, they've already shown their true colors.

xspwhite · Feb 25, 2018

Agustine said:
OK so what happened to the orange color EVO LOL

I guess it's called a pea-pod. Did you guys see this?

xspwhite · Feb 25, 2018

It acually looks like a little flying grasshopper .

Squirrel! · Feb 25, 2018

xspwhite said:
It acually looks like a little flying grasshopper .

That video was made as a joke.

Squirrel! · Feb 25, 2018

Autelguy said:
This sums it all up:

The only way for Autel to have a chance is to find the two things where DJI fails miserably and to capatalize on them:

Can they change their ways? Yes. Will they? I doubt it and by now, they've already shown their true colors.

___________

"Have a chance"?

"shown their true colors"?

Wanna elaborate any? AR isn't going anywhere. Did you ever think maybe, just maybe, AR has different plans and ideas than you do? And that maybe, just maybe, they aren't 'going after' DJI? Dija ever stop and think they know what they are doing? They must be doing something right. They have completely sold out of stock and there is a strong demand for it. Used are going for fair prices on eBay, no fire sales.

AR is just fine and doing things the way they want to do them. Stop getting your panties in a bunch.

Squirrel! · Feb 25, 2018

Good find on the video, BTW.

woody · Feb 25, 2018

Elgogo said:
Its So funny how people are so hung up with Autel when they know that company Is dead. It doesn't matter if they release Evo or not. The majority of people that were going to buy The Evo, including myself have moved to other companies A.K.a DJI.
Don't be fooled, Autel will release the Evo, but there is not going to be a market for it since they took so long to release a bird. Like O said before, that company is doomed. Don't buy their birds. You will buy one and on 6 month they will be out of business. They are way too late to the game. Say goodbye to Autel and Evo and move on dudes.

You think the sky is falling??

arto.inetco · Feb 25, 2018

Ha! Autel is hiring for this position....6 days ago...

Order Fulfillment Specialist
2.7Autel Robotics USA – Bothell, WA

Autel Robotics USA Order Fulfillment Specialist Job in Bothell, WA | Glassdoor

Are they actually going to sell something? What is this position going to do for the next 6 months, sell XPS prop guards and reburbished cases? but, Its a good sign I guess...arto

Squirrel! · Feb 25, 2018

arto.inetco said:
Ha! Autel is hiring for this position....6 days ago...

Order Fulfillment Specialist

Are they actually going to sell something? What is this position going to do for the next 6 months, sell XPS prop guards and reburbished cases? but, Its a good sign I guess...arto

bjtap · Feb 25, 2018

I take the order fulfillment specialist job and the othere they had (have) listed on twitter as a good sign. Autel Robotics is currently showing several job openings in Linkedin... mainly engineers. Can that be bad?