3DR Solo - Unboxing, Set Up, First Flight

For a full written review of the 3DR Solo, please visit: dronereview.com/3dr-solo/
I was fortunate enough to be at Best Buy when they had a 3DR Solo in stock. This video shows me opening it, assembling, connecting the GoPro, updating software, calibrating, and taking it for it's first flight.

[@dansadventures404]

I just wanted to thank you. I just bought my 3DR Solo drone from Best Buy. They didn't tell me about the free battery. I called them this morning and told them about your video and how you received a free battery. They honored it and are shipping me out one for FREE!!! Thanks for your AWESOME! video.

[@eval_is_evil]

that's an awesome anecdote

[@javieryzf]

One of the best videos about drones, very nice explained and good filmed aswell, good luck!

[@sewugame4413]

There is such a nice view on the backyard..cool video and long life to you..! thanks man..

[@l8tr597]

Nicely well done review, like the format with the camera on the glasses as a first person view, well done video

[@Cat-Branchman]

Thanks for the video! Looked like there was a lot of vibration, more than a Phantom 2, did that ever smooth out?

[@graphguy]

Thanks for the unboxing video!

[@triniboiraccoon]

Wow! Great video!!! Can't wait to get one! Thanks :)

[@GustavoArceMusic]

Do i have to do. The. Solo calibration every time. I fly?

[@CT3164]

I just got one but my phone isn't connecting with the controller for the first update... any ideas?

[@seemee548]

could this work with a yi 4k?

[@Rawalrecords]

I have gopro hero 4 now I am looking for dron which could pick up hero 4 weight at low cost

[@digginginparadise4468]

Hey i just got my solo in the other day and did my first test flight. Everything went as expected, except the landing. I used the 'return home method for 3 out of the 4 test flights, but on one of the flights i wanted to land manually. I noticed that when i press return home the drone automatically flys up, then returns home. My concern about that is if i'm in a tight spot, i'd want to land the drone myself by just setting it on the ground. But when i manually landed the drone, the propellars turned back on and flipped over. Then completely shut off. Is landing manually an option? Or is the return home method the only way to land? And info would be appreciated! Thanks.

[@IrishKnight99]

Hey, I just got started into this field. (After college) and I have the solo and still need to take the FAA test. But how does one get into the business

[@OhioPrepperOne]

Can you use the iPad 2/3 and the iPad air2 as well as IPad mini? Can you use an iPhone 6 by chance?

[@QuadcopterAnalyze1980]

Does a sj4000 work with it?

[@AZTEC_ARTS]

Nice vid ... thanks for the demo. Are you going to post another one, where you actually try the "cable" and "orbit" functions ? When are the Gimbals available ?

[@AZTEC_ARTS2023]

Yeah right ......... ;)

[@Petey44]

Will an action cam work with this, or just GoPro 3? Plz answer

[@MrPilcher1]

would so much love one but only 1 arm it would impossible to operate it

[@graemescott5125]

iv got a question hows the wifi do you need it i got a few question to so plz reply to it how long is the flying time? and are the legs good enuff to land or will they fall off? and hows the battery? and if i wanted to take this to a concert would it still hear the music or any kind of sound n hear my voice as well?and doss it have a gps on it say like if i want it to follow me would it work like that to??? n how good is the returning to home do u have to fly it back or doss it do it on its on own ?????

[@johnness9308]

great video. Do you have your Gimbal yet? What do you like better..solo or phantom? Thanks John

[@johnaguilar8512]

Do they still sell these drones?

[@InVisionation]

I look forward to the growth of this company growing. No gimble though makes any actual moving video not so good. Thanks for the look!

[@FlyerWhiteWing]

How do you stream the video feed to your tablet? What kind of cable do you use?

[@geocanuck77]

Great Video, are you going to try out the Orbit, Follow me and Cable Cam and post a video? I got the P3 but wish it had those features and would love to see them

[@darius18241]

hey buddy i was wondering if u buy the gimbal does the hero4 come with it

[@RenewedFaith]

I love the idea of buying the drone only to have to buy the app to properly use the drone... kind of impressed that the radio wasn't a separate accessory at this point.

[@patrickbrubaker6119]

For that hand catch at 17:09, did you hold down on the left joystick or do you have to hold it down and to the left?

[@DavidPerez-fr1hb]

Best Buy has it with 2 batteries gimbal extra propellers and backpack for $350 while supplies last

[@jayjarek711]

I have one of those 3DR Solo Drones. My problem with it that when I got my Samsung Galaxy Note 9, I Downloaded the 3DR App, but whenI went to fly it one day, It wouldn't work on my new phone ? When you go to the 3DR Solo App to tyrn it on, it instantly crashes ? I love that drone because it is so big, and loud. Nowadays, it just sits in my closet. Do you happen to know where to get the upgraded App ? Or, is it Obsolete? It flys excellent, the gimbal and everything else that comes with it are still in perfect shape. Let me know if you can think of something where I can get my, "Black Sheep" back in the air ?

[@rudyxvlog6733]

What is the app of that 3DR

[@jtepsr]

which ipads are compatiable

[@DroneGirl1]

Looking good ! :) Well done! :) Greetings from Ireland! :) I love flying my Q500 for some aerial footage & castles! :) Thanks a million for sharing! :) Thumbs up! :)

[@ghosttjr2]

Flight time? thanks.

[@Nemocuatico]

wow I just bought my phantom 3 professional and really love it since it is fit to my work as photographer but i wanted to buy this one also i wanna try which one is better since the camera is different. kudos amigos for this unboxing video happy flying.

[@TheUnpredictableJack]

+elmer cuaton Please tell me what you will find out. A lot of people said the camera on the Phantom 3 Proffesional is not very good compared to the GoPro 4. That makes a lot of sence since the GoPros are very good quality and you are hardly gonna get something like that on a drone for 1000 dollars. So please tell me what is your experience with these drones after you test it.

[@Nemocuatico]

I just saw video in youtube comparing the phantom 3 pro. and go pro hero 4 black and he said that phantom 3 is better but in my experience i think he is right because i have go pro hero 4 too. but i think taking in raw and editing it i don't think you can see the difference. i don't know just my opinion.

[@PatDavis]

I noticed you skipped past gopro set up... any particular reason? I'm having trouble getting the live feed on the controller, any recommendations?

[@Gqznternationalnc]

iS there anyway that i can contact you in regards of the Solo Drone???

[@vishnurahul3294]

What is the cost of this?

[@Soldier53flyer]

I see you have had her for a long time, I ordered one what can you tell me about them to make my system better. Good video's

[@readysetdrone]

Sure thing - I actually have 12 videos in a playlist about the Solo. It's a great place to start kzbin.info/aero/PLhgh8iq8dbWR3-L1_JnO4LlZfZZyDtmiZ Thanks for watching!

[@ninjaunknow1033]

You buy GoPro camera more?

[@0celtrixisdashit0]

I attached my go pro and when I view it on my phone, it shows the dimension and specs of the go pro around the image. Like "4K.30fps" how do i remove that

[@readysetdrone]

I don't think you can remove it. However, when you record using the GoPro, that data should not show up on your video, so you should not have a problem with the footage. Thanks for watching!

[@putukumel]

Can I use my Iphone 6 for this? Thanks for the response

[@GreatWhtieNorth]

yes

[@reardelt]

You should've used a 3DR solo to document your opening of the 3DR solo.

[@UrbanArmed]

Thanks for making this video. I've been on the fence about the 3DR vs the Phantom 3. I think I'm solid on the 3DR especially with the potential scalability of future features and updates as well as accessories. I wish I could get it now with the gimbal, but I will have to be patient like everyone else :) Great video and review, and congrats on your new drone! Cheers.

[@RebeccasGrave]

UrbanArmed Any word on a gimbal release date yet?

[@UrbanArmed]

Rebeccas Grave As of today.. still nothing. I'm tempted to place a pre-order, but at the same time, not knowing anything about it yet makes me leery. Hopefully int he next week or two we see or hear something? :)

[@UrbanArmed]

***** Yeah, I will be honest, the Phantom 3 is pretty appealing to me right now only because I can have it now. I was thinking the same thing, by the time the gimbal is released there will already be a refreshed GoPro 4+ or something lol. It will probably be 4k at 60fps .. one can hope right? :) hahahah

[@RebeccasGrave]

#truth

[@giosossi]

how can you remove the information of gopro when you are recording? I mean the information of 1080, Wide, fps, the time, etc. can you help me please?

[@readysetdrone]

That should not show up on the actual recording. It is on the screen, but the recording to the GoPro card should not have any of that stuff on it.

[@jumbocrunchh]

Should I get this or the Phantom 3 Standard. I don't have a GoPro so would it be good to fly just for fun?

[@readysetdrone]

Tough call, but I'd go Phantom 3.

[@StickingCruel]

"I am really excited today." Saying with a bored out voice

[@Reidarm]

What is the gimbal for and what does it do? Can I record without the gimbal?

[@readysetdrone]

The gimbal keeps the camera steady. You can record without it, but the video will be much more shaky. Thanks for watching!

[@miniquaid1]

maybe a dumb question does this only work with go pros or do other similar "action " cameras work ?

[@silbay]

L2Read the specs, it tells you right in black on white type!

[@AeroSixWJ]

I notice vibrations. Does the gimbal not have any dampers?

[@szuberi]

+AeroSixWJ There was no gimbal attached.

[@silvaranch8505]

Hello, I am having control stick error message on the screen of my controller. I contacted the solo people, and they said I would have to reprogram the controller. It's a little over my head and I'd go anywhere to meet with you to see if we could straighten out this issue. I am in Texas

[@readysetdrone]

Have you tried following this PDF. I have not done this myself, but found this online and it seems straightforward. My suggestion would be to find someone who is comfortable installing software and give it a shot. Follow this link for the directions: thepaperfile.com/public/3dr/calibration.sticks.windows.pdf

[@BroCastBers]

I want a drone so bad!!!!1 NIce video btw

[@stackedhippiechick]

I got one for Xmas, what size Ipad is that?

[@readysetdrone]

iPad Mini. Works great with the Solo!

[@wildbill9669]

Do you think that the 3DR Solo will let me/is able be used by a GoPro hero session- do you think I can use my GoPro hero session instead of a GoPro Hero 4,3,3+,5 etc??

[@silbay]

No, L2Read the manual or spec sheet

[@breazoleta]

Hey quick question, how are you recording the video? Are you doing it through the app? Because if you are, I'm having the problem of the go pro settings showing. Or did you edit it out? Please let me know

[@Brea-vw1qw]

+Ready Set Drone oh okay. So in this video I notice that you have some shots from the drone itself, does not mean you were not able to stream the live video feed when you were recording from the go pro? I tried recording first, then attached it to the hdmi, but I don't get live video feed

[@mathewhilbert1809]

I want to get one how much are one of those

[@andrewjohnson6591]

+Mathew Hilbert Amazon sells the 3DR for under $1,000. With the Gimbal it's just under $1,300. amzn.to/1YkC5IF

[@philosopher1st]

Nice, how did you manage to get a free battery from Best Buy with your purchase?

[@philosopher1st]

ok gotcha.

[@TheISKIG]

How do I get my video to stream to my device I have the gimble and hero 4 black and it doesn't stream the footage

[@readysetdrone]

You have to connect to the Solo's wifi with your device. Just like you would connect to any other wifi. Then it should work.

[@silbay]

Do you have the solo app or Solex? Unless you do it can't connect but of course you read the manual and watched the set up videos and didn't see any of that, right?

[@mjsgrass78]

Im about to buy myself a drone, Iv been learning to fly on a normal quad Copter. Would you still recommend this drone?

[@jasonsn2263]

+Ready Set Drone thanks for the quick response, I'll look into the phantom thank you. Have you heard anything on the yuneec?

[@jasonsn2263]

+Ready Set Drone I ended up getting the P4. I'm hopping to get off work early today to get in its maiden flight!

[@Anjos99]

Is necessary a GoPro or the drone bring already himself a camera?

[@Anjos99]

+Ready Set Drone Thanks man! excellent video

[@harrywelin3060]

Does it come with a camera?

[@readysetdrone]

No, it does not. You need a GoPro 3 or 4 to work with it.

[@baydude1701]

I have a Campark GoPro wanna be. It can stream to my phone. I'm thinking I can stream it to my phone and still control it...? Thanks.

[@vineety450]

no you plug the hdmi cable from the drone into the camera. So the camera dosen't stream with wifi

[@dadnar7615]

Just read an article about the Solo and GPS issues ( www.droneflyers.com/2015/08/3dr-solo-is-a-nogo-for-now/ ). Have you had any issues with the GPS on the Solo? Many thanks!

[@Nm_Kng]

Reuben Moore no

[@happinessloyalty5127]

I cant find my gps in my 3dr

[@danielichai4945]

You think it goes good with wimius acrion cam? Its a "copy of go pro. Thank you

[@readysetdrone]

It would work, but you would not be able to control the camera with the app. But the gimbal would work.

[@danielichai4945]

Ready Set Drone OK thank you

[@BRYsBEASTcuh]

Does anyone else have a problem when they try and click record for a video and it doesn’t start recording or taking pictures? I’m using a GoPro hero 3 not a 3+ if that makes a difference?

[@d4nkie16]

Bryan Robles Hmmm... Could it be that the place where you put the camera presses the button, so it stops recording? That happened to us with one camera, but our GoPro Hero works in it.

[@d4nkie16]

Bryan Robles Sorry for the late response

[@dylanjames1722]

that thing is so cool i mite get one for my b day

[@canamm]

Got mine out of the box a week and a half ago. The compass wouldn't calibrate and Solo wouldn't fly. Contacted support and they said send it back, the compass is broken. I'm pissed.

[@readysetdrone]

Sorry to hear that. Solo's a good quad but it seems to have more than its share of issues. Hope you get it fixed and flying soon. Thanks for watching.

[@stevec5000]

canamm, if you are trying to calibrate it with Mission Planner forget it, that program is rubbish and will never work. I tried it for 2 yrs. and finally gave up in disgust. They came out with a big update to the compass calibration part of the program at the first of the year but it didn't help. Personally I think the owner of 3DR is a criminal who should be in prison for fraud!

[@canamm]

Never heard of it. I sent the flight logs to Solo and they messaged me back saying the compass is non functional.

[@ghosttjr2]

range and flight time please? thanks.

[@naomib8083]

+hobby 13:00

[@joeldujsik]

Best drone out there.

[@hotchi1566]

+Joel D Even Phantom 3 Pro is better and cheaper than it.

[@Nm_Kng]

youyi li nope

[@jetsmith3917]

i just bought my 3dr solo and i have a gopro hero 4 silver. will that work?

[@readysetdrone]

Yes - Hero 4 Silver will work. There should be some small, coin-sized weights that you use for the Hero 4 Silver because it weights slightly less than the Hero 4 Black. But the gimbal should include directions on using the weights. I actually have swapped out my Hero 4 Black and Silver in the gimbal without using the weights and didn't see any difference, but if you are only going to use the Silver, then I would try to add the weights per the directions.

[@jetsmith3917]

Thanks man

[@cullenrenzette8928]

Will a Hero+ LCD Edition fit?

[@readysetdrone]

CULLEN 1117 I know that a Hero 3 and Hero 4 will work - not sure about a Hero+ LCD Edition. Is that a Hero4 Silver (which has a built in LCD)?

[@jean-lucwhyte6607]

nice video

[@detroit19531]

so how do you like your solo now

[@readysetdrone]

I actually sold it about 3 months ago. It was a good one to have for a while, but the P4 blows it away in my opinion - and my wife says I have too many drones! Thanks for watching!

[@detroit19531]

Thanks for getting back to me

[@heileysalabie-knight2519]

osvaldo muñoz phantom 4

[@willrobinson9575]

Astro turf?

[@willrobinson9575]

+Ready Set Drone Cool.

[@shortclipsfromyou]

Does it come with GoPro??

[@readysetdrone]

No.

[@saschawendt3198]

So amazing cool :)) I'd like to have also one :D but it's so expensive :/...

[@ziggyzbeak]

will it work with android and other cameras not gopro

[@ziggyzbeak]

thanks for answer

[@Sebastian-wx8pd]

ziggyzbeak R.C. 9

[@BETOJUNDIAI]

cool video ! thanks for sharing ;)

[@xraybuss53]

do you need wifi to fly????

[@readysetdrone]

The Solo connects to your tablet/phone via Wifi, so yes. But you don't need Wifi internet access.

[@ronronstar839]

Hey friend dont mind telling mi de cost

[@ronronstar839]

+Ready Set Drone waw not bad

[@kalebpapenberg7134]

How is the battery life?

[@kalebpapenberg7134]

+Ready Set Drone ok I'm new to drones dose phantom 3 standard have a better battery lifr

[@evankrohn4143]

+Kaleb Papenberg Solo is actually a pretty bad drone for its price, go with P3S if you don't have the money for a better phantom-series drone.

[@UnholyTingz]

Wait.... he is not using the gimbal why?

[@readysetdrone]

This video came out before 3DR released the Solo Gimbal.

[@phoenixhounter7757]

Cool" but I still don't see the type of drone that am thinking of, (1) I need a silent Drone that can ascend up to cloud level with long Hours of battery life, or they could add alternator to the propeller motor, So while Flying you still charging battery (2) powerful reception antenna and a little parachute in case for safety landing (3) Can also operate through mobile towers e.g. you insert a sim card in a Drone and you could fly miles and miles away from home and still stay connected through mobile tower is like making a call sending information back and forth, from the tower to ur Drone

[@ChadamGD]

Phoenix Hounter And that type of drone does not exist yet

[@silbay]

Besides he would never get clearance to fly it if it did exist!

[@crystalplante9497]

You cant fly above 400ft for good reason. The alternator idea while sounds good wont work. A motor cant use its own power to make power. They cancel each other out. If that worked none of use would be using gas powered cars or paying for electricity.

[@xraybuss53]

thx

[@Soulcommander]

Are you still flying it?

[@readysetdrone]

No, I sold it about 2 years ago. it was OK for the time, but the Mavic series definitely blows it away!

[@Soulcommander]

@@readysetdrone Thanks for the response. I have two new ones in the box that have never been activated. I'm just worried. Because now the app I've been told doesn't work. So well on certain Android devices. So I'm hoping I can still set it up and I'm hoping it will still do the updates needed.

[@readysetdrone]

@@Soulcommander I really can't say. My suggestion would be to find a Facebook 3DR Solo owners group and pose the question to that group. I know plenty of people still fly them, so they must still wok.

[@yourmom3308]

I does camera come with

[@yvette9144]

Nah you have to buy it seperately

[@readysetdrone]

You have to buy the camera separately. Thanks for watching!

[@johndyer9242]

"They're similarly sized and next to each other but it will only fit into one" - that's what she said.

[@chaseatkins7662]

what is a gimble

[@readysetdrone]

+Chase Atkins keeps the camera stable

[@chaseatkins7662]

Also what is the flight time and does it have to be a gopro product for the camera or does other brands mount and work as well

[@shekharmoona544]

SOLD!!!!! TAKE MY MONEY SOLO

[@pacoarmenta2623]

+Shekhar Moona I want to sale my Solo package. -Solo Smart Drone -Solo Gimbal -Extra battery -Extra props -Backpack for Solo $1450 + shipping & handling. / Save yourself about 150 dlls. Brand new and with full warranty...

[@jacobrenert5809]

+Paco Armenta I'll get it

[@ziggyzbeak]

I hope its not another expensive selfi quad

[@gbot9000]

.................. Why?

[@PhonesAndDrones]

amazing footage. Trying some out myself. def get some amazing shots. Check it out if you get some time. :)

[@jondansullivan]

I don't care to much for the fact that it's loud, so spying on hog's for hunting is out the window if the battery life could last at least 45 minutes that would be a plus, and how far can it travel beforw getting out of range?

[@readysetdrone]

About 4000 feet.

[@cb2k761]

At Best Buy $1000 for the drone, $400 for the gimbal and $150 for a battery.

[@MrSadaro]

do it flip

[@readysetdrone]

If you flip the Solo, then something has gone very wrong!

[@aevigoth4296]

Jellllloooooooo

[@stevec5000]

It's hard to believe you were able to get anything from 3DR to fly! If you check the reviews on Amazon at least 1/3 of them won't fly properly!

[@readysetdrone]

I got mine days after they came out. Must have been lucky. Thanks for watching!

[@stevec5000]

If yours actually flies I have a question, to configure it do they provide proprietary software that really works or do you have to use crappy shareware like Mission Planner or Qgroundcontrol? Reason I'm asking is the Solo is supposed to use a Pixhawk PX4 and I bought a PX4 FC back in 2014 and have never got it to fly because the software is so bad it will never work and I gave up after 2 yrs. I thought the factory must have special software that really worked to configure the Solo and Iris and was almost temped to buy one just to see how they got it to work until I saw the Amazon reviews saying how bad it was so now I'm not so sure.

[@samhsu1271]

if you look at those reviews a good majority ( 90%) aren't verified purchases. the gps wasn't a issue across the board, on top of that rev b has taken care of it.

[@MikeSmith-pz2is]

I don't understand why people would bother to put a camera on a drone and not use at least a 2 axis stabilized gimbal. The footage is horrible. Comparing this to other stabilized footage is night and day to me. I have a fixed camera on my FPV quads, because I want the FPV view through my goggles, and I use one camera for video feed and recording. I want the tilting of the craft to show in the video. but on every other multi rotor I use a 2-3 axis stabilized gimbal. But this is not a craft that you fly with goggles, or even always FPV. I know they make a gimbal for this, but why they even offer the non gimbal version is beyond me. Its advanced flight modes become so much better if you can stabilize the camera and actually have a hope of using the footage for anything other than "look, my drone has a camera!" style videos. I have used 3DR stuff for a long time, but I would not bother with this, get the version with the gimbal. the GoPro is mounted directly to the aircraft as well, not even using vibration dampeners, NFI why, DNW.

[@stevejobs1105]

Dji phantom 3 pro films in 4K, is made by a more experienced company and is easier to fly and costs hundreds of dollars less than the 3dr... Why ever get the 3dr?

[@sparksight]

+Stevejobs1105 My main reason is the camera. I don't believe that the Phantom 3 and Inspire come with a stock camera that is as good as a GoPro 4. I should probably do some scientific comparisons in terms of camera specs, performance, etc...but my general impression is that the Hero 4 is a better camera than what you get on the DJI birds.

[@l8tr597]

+sparksight I mean, really? You may be right, but just to be clear, Heros have always taken a back seat to the Sony ActionCam, I realize they won't fit as well on a drone, I don't see your thinking, don't be brought into Heros hype, they are masters at media but not at hardware, they act the game and all, just never are they the new technology, always playing catchup

[@Glockonfire]

+Stevejobs1105 I am guessing you have a DJI. Solo is everything that the Phantom wanted to be. Both are easy to fly. Solo has smart shots. Smart shots are always being improved. American Based Customer Service Better Build Quality. Replaceable components. If you crash a DJI its toast. All of solo can be replaced. Two computers one in the controller and one in the bird. NO Fly Aways. You can always use your GoPro for other stuff. You are not Stuck with a Set GoPro if a new one comes out.

[@oliviacaputo2639]

Anyone here in 2018?

[@organicsoulgumbo]

19... Getting one tomorrow

[@RichardsWorld]

Can you use it to cut your grass? LOL... Just kidding.

[@blackysmancave4200]

chuck it straight in the bin...