Draganfly "family" expands

[robc450]

Just announced by DraganFly...

X4 - "Our most affordable helicopter ever, the Draganflyer™ X4 gives small businesses and hobbyists a stable and reliable platform for aerial photography and videography." Has 1/2 the carrying capacity of an x6.

X8 - Coming 2010 - "Draganflyer X8 will have a massive payload capacity, provided by 8 brushless motors... Built for professional cameras and lenses..."

I imagine the X8 will probably cost twice as much as the X6.

My X6 is scheduled to arrive mid-September.

[Prospective buyer]

You have got to ask yourself why did they go back to the 4 rotor configuration over the 3 rotor. I was getting ready to buy one of these until I ran across this discussion board, thank you everyone for the insight! I still want one but I think I will wait until they work out their problems and drop their price. I think reducing the price point on these was a very smart move on their part, the governments might pay that price but very few citizens will, and the real money is in volume. I think they will find that by lowering their price point they will make a lot more money. Lets be honest R&D is their biggest cost for these units and most of the technology already exists. The cost of the components are not even close to the $15,000 that they are charging.

[mmorenoennyc]

looks like DF copied...well let's not say copied but mimicked X flying suspiciously like what we're doing with the German developed MikroKopter. I'm sure they're 'listening' over at RCGroups and feeding off our failures and successes...We have quite a few serious aerial photographers solely using the quad platform and are incorporating innovative one off camera mount designs with great success...that's why I believe they decided to go X for the X4...no front arm blocking shots..clear line of site. I bet they'll release a camera mount that has roll stabilization soon...which is quite unbelievable to me that they haven't thought of this with their $30K craft. Most of us have GPS/alt hold/way point capability but it seems to me the pro AP'rs are not using the options at all and have done away with it all together. Personally for me I've always viewed those options as a hindrance. when I arrive at a job site I see what I need to shoot, launch the craft, get the shot and I'm done. For video it's definitely not needed. For surveillance type work or the wow factor, yes.

In the event of a crash (knock on wood) are parts costly? What happens if the frame breaks do they replace for free or at a huge discount?

Not at all bashing the DF, I just think they spent more brain power behind the craft's technology and very little time on what it was designed to do which is to be a VERY stable platform for AP...beyond 7-10 MP winds. Funny it just dawned on me…I’ve spent more time perfecting the stability of my camera mount than flying /

AJ


www.perspectiveAerials.com

[raggi]

They just uploaded 2 videos with the new model X4:

www.draganfly.com/uav-helicopter/draganflyer-x4/gallery/videos/
www.draganfly.com/uav-helicopter/draganflyer-x4/gallery/videos/video-2.php

[mmorenoennyc]

Ok, no way that craft will do well in winds above 5 mph...way too small and lightweight...my sweet spot for average winds..which for me is 7-10mph is 1500-1700 grams. There must be a trade off between flight time and stability in wind. Also, the dampening on the mount is too springy...very poor for video...

[skyshark]

I think the four arm system will provide increased stability during flight. Somehow I think the three arm version (The X6) causes the tail motors to do more work than the other arms during forward flight. The X8 is just the X6 with an additional arm (in my opinion). I can't imagine that it would be that much more than the X6. Although, increased payload and a professional camera rig will drive the price of the unit up. If I had the cash I would probably go for the X8 over the X6. I just wonder about the flight time of having two additional motors.

[Question]

I agree completely with Perspective Buyer, they need to drop their prices, it would help them sell a lot more. If they are having problems with what they are making the original customers should be given the option of the free upgrade also. They should also list their new prices, why put something up if you do not have a price to go along with it, or do they have a price and I am just not seeing it?

[Super Guest]

I think Draganfly should give free upgrades (The X8) to the X6 owners. I just wonder how many were sold.

[kamarul]

I am very happy with my X6 but it does however present a gap in terms of what we can offer in AP.

We use Robinson R44 for high altitude high speed AP. Sample of which can be seen here www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsxQii6yywk and www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oHCbjfANkw&feature=channel

With X6, it now enables me to do very low altitude, low speed in areas of high density where the Robinson is not feasible.

However, there are areas where both the X6 and Robinson might not do the job well enough ie where I need broadcast quality at low altitude and high speed. For this I am now looking at perhaps the Bergen Turbine (http://www.bergenrc.com/ObserverTurbine.php) which at less than 12k is actually just half the price of my X6. And it can fly for 40 minutes carrying a 20 lb payload. In other words, I do not see the X8 in my arsenal (with only 1 lb load its still too limited)

I hope someone in Draganfly is aware of their limition especially in Broadcast Professional environment and hopefully offer a real feasible solution based on the X6 platform only bigger, less sensitive to wind and much much bigger payload.