DJI Waypoints vs DL and Mavic 3 and 3 Classic
[Sigh] What does it mean with DJI bringing waypoints to the normal RC and the rest of the Mavic 3 family? Does this mean they're planning to reduce the play of independent app developers (IADs)?
How is this good for building and fostering ecosystems that help to entrench and extend brand strength? And why is Autel not taking advantage of this to open up more and enable leverage ecosystems as a way to grow its market? Or in that case even Hubsan?
Or does this mean that DJI is now nearing providing IADs with SDKs to enable them to integrate the complete Mavic family into their software? Do we need to enable complete untethered functioning of DL without reliance on your servers? Seems heavy reliance on backend servers makes it quite a challenge also using DL on many occasions. Also with DJI's Waypoint feature enabling map downloads for complete offline use of waypoints, is this a potential input to reprioritize certain features on the roadmap?
Am generally thinking out loud here as I explore these ideas in my mind, albeit that for consumers the endgame is good if they don't need another App to get that feature, but then for DL lovers like myself it also means a need to review the feature and capability roadmap. We've got hobbyist plans, and an appetite to also use one App in the end. So what does it also mean for future planning for DL?
all ideas beyond workarounds are welcome...
Comments
2 comments
I have no special knowledge here - I don't work for DJI, nor Dronelink. But here is what seems to be occurring to me - and it is pure speculation.
When DJI brought out the Phantom 4 Pro v2, the Mavic 2, and the Inspire 2, they provided amazing drones that can do everything. Each had full SDK support for 3rd party software, onboard waypoints, and had the ability to do both work things like orthomosaics, and cinematic things where they provided things like d-log color, and a variety of tools to help capture high quality video.
They then brought out a range of "enterprise" products aimed at businesses and government agencies such as fire departments, police, etc.
The trouble was that there wasn't enough difference between the consumer device and the enterprise devices to justify the price increase. Since then each drone they bring out seems to be deliberately hobbled in some way to try to force people to buy either multiple drones, or their enterprise models.
I think this is a deliberate ploy to try to force people into the Enterprise range.
As a case in point. I do a lot of work in both commercial real estate (things like large warehouses, office buildings, etc.) and construction sites. As such my ideal drone would have:
When they brought out the Mavic 3 range (M3, M3 Cine, M3 classic and M3 Enterprise) I thought I had found my ideal drone.
The M3 Enterprise came with everything I needed, even though it was pricey...or so I thought. It has the SDK, a M4/3 sensor, mechanical shutter, and long battery life. But, just before ordering, I found they have killed all the video creation functions. No d-log, no smart flight modes, and even basic camera settings are restricted.
The rest of the M3 range would work (mechanical shutter would be ideal but I can get by) but...it doesn't seem like they have any plans to release the SDK for those. I've been speaking with them and they are not indicating that position will change.
So we have the M3E which doesn't work because I need the creative tools, and the M3/M3 Cine/M3 Classic which don't work for me because there is no SDK.
This leaves me in the position of just continuing to use the P4P v2/I2/M2 drone I have until they basically die. In the meantime I am seriously looking at the Autel Evo II. Now that it works with DL it has everything except the mechanical shutter and is a lot cheaper than an M3E.
I hope they change their minds on some of this stuff but, if not, it seems they will be losing a long time customer in the future.
The third-party apps exist because DJI's implementation of waypoints is very primitive -- better than nothing, but I wouldn't want to try to do any serious mapping or photogrammetry with it. Enabling waypoints on the Mavic 3 line is quite a surprise to me, but it's the continued lack of SDK support that indicates something, which is that DJI wants you to pay a premium to use third-party apps.
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