[QUOTE="LuvMyTJ,
@kroorda I have no "Autel chip" on my shoulder as you put it and I take offense to that statement. I am the person who pushed for this very forum to discuss the new X-Star when it came out (did you know we have 10 drone forums I admin on?). I saw a future for Autel... it is very unfortunate that
it didn't materialize. I have been around long enough to know what I am seeing. I still hope Autel succeeds but I am weary of them now after their failures of last year. I understand, you are new and feel I am bashing them with no proof but you are wrong. I have been in the hobby for a long time and have owned many drones. I used to build my own drones up until 2013 when the Phantom2 came out and it included everything I wanted, and, was much less in cost than what I could build it for. I have seen a few companies come & go, it is not uncommon in this market. I am letting him know that if he chooses
a dying product he will be out of luck sooner than later. What good is it if there are no parts or software updates for it?
Sooner or later the devices will not run the Starlink app (unless Autel keeps updating it and their speed is super slow so don't count on it). It is no different than any company in this situation, not just Autel. You mention how the EVO is a better aircraft than the Mavic? How do you know this when Autel has not released specs? Also, did you know DJI took Autel to court several times over infringement on the X-Star? I assume it will happen again as it appears they have yet again copied DJI's design. And as to my recent post, yeah, some have been critical, but that is a result of Autel pretending the last year never happened. Again, I know you are new and may not understand the current drone market but DJI doesn't show a new product then not produce it. Keep in mind these forums tend to reflect folks who have issues. Not as many come on just to praise the products. And as far as me using DJI to compare them with, it is because DJI is currently the largest drone manufacturer in the world and they didn't get there
by not bringing products to market. All of my DJI customer support dealings were stellar, maybe I got lucky. Also, your comment on getting more for less doesn't hold true. DJI makes comparable or better quads than the X-Star for the same money. In fact, currently, all of the P3 series which is more than comparable to the X-Star, cost LESS brand new than the Autel does. Autel is hanging on to the drone market by its fingertips and if they do not bring the EVO to market by the third quarter of the year they are done. Even Gopro has dropped out of the drone market. The market is tough and you have to be tougher to survive. Beleive me or not, that is up to you, but I am not just pulling stuff from thin air and I am not a disgruntled owner. I am a disappointed owner that still likes his Autel.
So, I make my opinions known to new people who are looking to buy an X-Star, I don't want to see a person pay good money on their first new drone only to have it be something that creates frustration for them
when they crash it and have no way to repair it. As time goes on there will be less & less support. I want them to be fully informed about their purchase and all the pro's & con's that go with it. Don't let your hurt feelings turn this into something it's not.[/QUOTE]
Sir. Thank you for your reply. I appreciate (sincerely) what you say. However, a number of your statements (that I have highlighted in
red above) are quite bold, and, at this time are assumptions, rather than factual. I do understand that you are a moderator on all these [drone] forums. Likewise, you understand that the purpose of a forum is place where users can share information, based on real-life experience, and to offer help and guidance, etc. However, providing information that is based on assumption and speculation (rather than fact) is not always helpful. Saying (above) that the future for Autel has never materialized is incorrect. Just because a model has been replaced with a newer model does not mean that either the previous, or the present model is a "dying model". As per the items that I have indicated in red above, there is no basis for making the assumption that the Starlink app will not run on devices in the future. Inferring that the new EVO will not be brought to market is quite bold. And, leading a person to believe that they might not be able to get parts or service in the future is also quite bold - as well as irresponsible.
We (me, included) all have the shared intention of helping fellow viewers/users of the forum
. However, some help with facts, while others [try to] help with speculation and anticipation. I would like to suggest to you that you (and others that make statements - based on speculation and emotion) could be must more helpful if you based your efforts to help on facts. (None of the things that I highlighted in red (above) are facts.)
I would also like to take this opportunity to also acknowledge that you have also made some very good, and credible points. It is true that Autel has followed in DJI's footsteps, rather than innovating uniquely new product on their own. While I completely understand Autel's secrecy behind their latest release, I believe that it would have been more effective and receptive to their present/existing users if they would have previously made a statement, such as, 'In anticipation of the release of a new and exciting product, we will temporarily not be re-stocking XSP's or parts. However, it is our intention to fully support all previously sold aircraft in the days and years to come." But, no such statement was made. And, because such a statement wasn't made, it left some users (like yourself) feeling abandoned. But, I must say that, if/when people did inquire to Autel (regarding their future), responses were provided immediately, and the responses all indicated that Autel has the best of intentions for the future. Those are the facts. If it turns out otherwise, only then should stones be thrown at Autel. But, up until this day, Starlink runs just fine on all devices, firmware updates have been issued, and warranty and non-warranty repairs have been made efficiently. Unlike companies that are on the verge of failure, Autel answers their phone, and emails, and responds immediately. Their repair department is Open, alive, and well. It is very true that DJI is the largest and is a leader. And, competing against such a giant is extremely difficult. The last thing Autel needs is for persons to be making speculative and assumptive statements on a public forum that infer they are in demise.