TOP 5 shortcomings of the latest generation DJI Phantom quadrocopters

For more than a year, DJI has been a monopolist in the production of turnkey solutions for multicopter capable of flying out of the box. Phantom quadcopters have gained great popularity precisely because of their intuitiveness and simplicity - even a novice can understand the Phantom settings and feel like a pilot in a matter of hours after purchase. But this coin also has a flip side - flaws that a novice pilot will have to face most often on the first day of flight. The listed disadvantages, which will be discussed in this article, are more relevant to the last two generations of Phantom 3 and 4.

Low maintainability and high cost of spare parts
DJI does not manufacture or sell parts for its products. In case of damage to the copter, its repair rests entirely with the user, who is forced to buy spare parts and accessories on the secondary market at inflated prices.
The main differences between the DJI Phantom 3 and the DJI Phantom 2.



Photo 1 - DJI Phantom 2 device The

controllers in the Phantom 2 are made separately, while in the Phantom 3 they are integrated into the motherboard, which is a single unit.



Photo 2 - DJI Phantom 3 device. The

flight controller in Phantom 2 is presented with a separate removable module, which makes it easy to replace, and in Phantom 3 it is also integrated into the motherboard.

Design feature, due to which the propellers get into the camera view
When shooting from a DJI Phantom drone, the operator is significantly limited in choosing the position of the camera, if you want to get a clean frame without getting parts of the copter in the video sequence.

There is no possibility of modernization
The design of the quadrocopter is designed in such a way that the use of additional equipment, the choice of which is significantly limited, is possible only from the manufacturer DJI. Installation of third-party equipment requires the user to additional skills of locksmith and electrical work.

Camera Focus Issues
A large number of users report a lack of camera focus. Focusing it is a very complex and time-consuming process, since when adjusting the lenses, it may be necessary to repeatedly collect and disassemble the camera to obtain an image of the required sharpness.

Short range of stock control panel
DJI company claims that for Phantom 2 the communication range of radio equipment is 1 km, and for Phantom 3 - 2 km. However, in practice it is not recommended to achieve these values, especially in the urban area, where the air is very noisy.

Conclusion
Based on the foregoing, we can conclude that the DJI company’s policy is not aimed at ensuring compatibility and long-term support, but at gaining superprofits and forcing the obsolescence of its products.
For example, the fall of the Phantom 3 even from a small height without significant damage to the case and the propeller group often leads to a malfunction of the motherboard with an error message - “ESC status Error” and recommendations to contact the company's service center.



Photo 3 - DJI Phantom 3 error - “ESC status Error” after an accident

In most cases, this malfunction is eliminated only by replacing the motherboard, the cost of the motherboard starts from 27 thousand rubles.
When choosing a multicopter, consider not only its cost but also the cost of ownership in general.

The only option to save on repairs is to buy a “hull" from DJI