First P3 Advanced crash ... fixable?

X5GEE · Feb 6, 2016

Big crash today. Found my drone upside down on the motors, gimbal and camera ripped apart. Wondering if this can be fixed based on the photos? If so, who can repair something like this in the Philadelphia / NJ area? Any help is greatly appreciated.

DroneDestination · Feb 6, 2016

Nope, doesn't look fixable. You'll need a new shell and new gimbal-camera assembly.

X5GEE · Feb 6, 2016

DroneDestination said:
Nope, doesn't look fixable. You'll need a new shell and new gimbal-camera assembly.

So basically I need to buy a new P3 Advanced?

shorttimer · Feb 6, 2016

DroneDestination said:
Nope, doesn't look fixable. You'll need a new shell and new gimbal-camera assembly.

Come on - you can fix anything but a broken heart. LOL

The question, like you say, is it worth it. Hmm, doesn't look good. And if the mainboard is bad...

See what other people think but if you sell the parts on eBay that would somewhat offset the cost of a bird, as you don't need the remote. What did you hit?

DroneDestination · Feb 6, 2016

I love how wrecked the bird is but the lens is spotless

John Locke · Feb 6, 2016

That's looks like about $400 to repair that, assuming the gimbal isn't too bad and the motherboard isn't broke. Call Mike Holt, he repaired mine in a week, it looked similar to yours. I'll pm you.

Mine cost $306 to repair, similar shape, but what saved my gimbal was the $50 gimbal guard and the$20 carbon fiber camera guard. I highly recommend those accessories because someday you're going to crash.

X5GEE · Feb 6, 2016

shorttimer said:
Come on - you can fix anything but a broken heart. LOL

The question, like you say, is it worth it. Hmm, doesn't look good. And if the mainboard is bad...

See what other people think but if you sell the parts on eBay that would somewhat offset the cost of a bird, as you don't need the remote. What did you hit?

From looking through my monitor, I underestimated how close I was to a telephone pole. Drifted back into it about 30 feet in the air. Probably 100 yards away over an open lagoon area.

X5GEE · Feb 6, 2016

John Locke said:
That's about $400 to repair that, assuming the gimbal isn't too bad and the motherboard isn't broke. Call Mike Holt, he repaired mine in a week, it looked similar to yours. I'll pm you.

Ouch!!! Looks like I'm gonna buy a new one now. Then possibly get this Advanced fixed so I'll have a backup. uuuughhhh

RoyB · Feb 7, 2016

Send it to DJI.....All they can say is "No"...But it seems lots of folks have had good success getting their copters fixed or outright replaced. Next time buy the Neary Aerial crash insurance...

4wd · Feb 7, 2016

I'd buy another and consider selling your controller for about $200.
Even if you fixed the obvious stuff it would be a miracle if it didn't have some other had to pin down issues.

generaltso · Feb 7, 2016

RoyB said:
Next time buy the Neary Aerial crash insurance...

+1 on getting insurance through Neary for your replacement. It only takes one crash to make your money back (and then some).

X5GEE · Feb 7, 2016

generaltso said:
+1 on getting insurance through Neary for your replacement. It only takes one crash to make your money back (and then some).

seriously? Drone insurance? Please tell me thats actually legit.

DroneDestination · Feb 7, 2016

4wd said:
have

100% legit.

generaltso · Feb 7, 2016

X5GEE said:
seriously? Drone insurance? Please tell me thats actually legit.

Yup, Neary's plan is legit. It's not actually insurance, it's a service contract. You break it, they'll fix it. It's a no brainer in my opinion.

X5GEE · Feb 8, 2016

Well I just purchased another P3A yesterday. Not sure what to do with my broken one yet. Maybe sell the camera piece or remote? Send to DJI and try to have it fixed? Or keep it as an ornament? Hmmm ...

NoOne · Feb 8, 2016

X5GEE said:
Well I just purchased another P3A yesterday. Not sure what to do with my broken one yet. Maybe sell the camera piece or remote? Send to DJI and try to have it fixed? Or keep it as an ornament? Hmmm ...

My remote controller is broken because my lanyard clip (Space One FPV lanyard bought on amazon.com) broke while i was walking with it busting up my remote and my ipad. Let me know if you want to sell your remote to me, assuming that works.

Space One FPV lanyard broke and trashed my RC controller and iPad

X5GEE · Feb 8, 2016

Yeah give me a few days to think it over. How much do remotes sell for anyways?

NoOne · Feb 8, 2016

X5GEE said:
Yeah give me a few days to think it over. How much do remotes sell for anyways?

They sell for about $200 shipped on eBay. I was hoping you could sell it to me as a forum member for $150 shipped. PM me if interested.

DroneDestination · Feb 8, 2016

X5GEE said:
How much do remotes sell for anyways?

Buy Phantom 3 - Remote Controller (Pro/Adv) | DJI Store
$580 USD

EDIT: Sorry, just saw NoOne 's post.

X5GEE · Feb 9, 2016

Update 2/9/16 : Since the crash, I decided to try and fly my crashed P3A today (check photos on 1st post). Well it actually starts up and fly's around like it did before it crashed. I did a bunch of pans, yaws, up/down ... etc. Seems to respond like it did prior. It also holds position too. So it looks like its fixable? Just need the camera and gimbal attached again. Should I still send it to DJI? I already bought another P3A. So a long waiting period isn't a big deal.