TLDR: Autel is likely to dominate the markets over DJI.
We buy and test everything we can. We like to know the partners we're doing business with, and how they handle warranty, software upgrades, etc. When you call, I will literally tell you exactly how they handled my issues (or lack there of) so you have all the facts before buying, wether we carry the product or not. If you ask about something we're not familiar with, we tell you...
This purpose of this post is to offer up some intel that might help inform those of you in the market for a drone.
Independent of the Tariff situation, there's a real shake-up happing in the market place,
DJI has long been the gold standard primarily for it's easy to use user interface and constant technology innovation. It's forced other manufacturers to compete primarily based on price to secure market share. Capabilities across competitive, but comparable models are similar enough that you're usually splitting hairs. Hence, you're primarily paying for the UI... like us Apple addicts who are so entrenched in the eco-system its to heavy of a lift to walk away unless heavily motivated.
Strictly Offensive Kit's approach to drone tech is heavily motivated...
DJI Enterprise Drones have been stuck with US customs for around a year. Their costs continue to climb making them less competitive than alternatives with the same capability at half the cost. Unfortunately, we're not quite to the edge of making them price competitive with USA made products, but it's not terribly far off either. Some day.
There is also an FAA related issue with DJI that indicates no-new permits will be issued starting in 2026. Legacy drones will be supported, I'm told.
If we look at alternatives, we look at Autel who is also Chinese owned, but manufactured in Vietnam, or we look at Merican'. While we desire to do business with a suitable Merican' manufacturer that is willing to pursue the commercial space in force, we also have immediate commercial demand that requires near term solutions - Autel.
Strictly Offensive Kit started it's Autel journey with the EVO II 640 series, the closest competitor to the DJI line with 1:1 capabilities. The EVO II is now on it's V3 iteration and is replaced by the EVO Lite 640T, which happens to be as capable as the DJI Mavic 3T, but smaller and with more batteries, all for less money. It's a good deal, packable, and performs.
For a little more than $4,000, you can get a drone with onboard thermal, competitively priced, highly capable, with stateside warranty and support. Checkout the Autel EVO Lite 640T. Or give us a call. Happy to dive into this with anyone that finds it helpful both now and in the future.
Preston
We buy and test everything we can. We like to know the partners we're doing business with, and how they handle warranty, software upgrades, etc. When you call, I will literally tell you exactly how they handled my issues (or lack there of) so you have all the facts before buying, wether we carry the product or not. If you ask about something we're not familiar with, we tell you...
This purpose of this post is to offer up some intel that might help inform those of you in the market for a drone.
Independent of the Tariff situation, there's a real shake-up happing in the market place,
DJI has long been the gold standard primarily for it's easy to use user interface and constant technology innovation. It's forced other manufacturers to compete primarily based on price to secure market share. Capabilities across competitive, but comparable models are similar enough that you're usually splitting hairs. Hence, you're primarily paying for the UI... like us Apple addicts who are so entrenched in the eco-system its to heavy of a lift to walk away unless heavily motivated.
Strictly Offensive Kit's approach to drone tech is heavily motivated...
DJI Enterprise Drones have been stuck with US customs for around a year. Their costs continue to climb making them less competitive than alternatives with the same capability at half the cost. Unfortunately, we're not quite to the edge of making them price competitive with USA made products, but it's not terribly far off either. Some day.
There is also an FAA related issue with DJI that indicates no-new permits will be issued starting in 2026. Legacy drones will be supported, I'm told.
If we look at alternatives, we look at Autel who is also Chinese owned, but manufactured in Vietnam, or we look at Merican'. While we desire to do business with a suitable Merican' manufacturer that is willing to pursue the commercial space in force, we also have immediate commercial demand that requires near term solutions - Autel.
Strictly Offensive Kit started it's Autel journey with the EVO II 640 series, the closest competitor to the DJI line with 1:1 capabilities. The EVO II is now on it's V3 iteration and is replaced by the EVO Lite 640T, which happens to be as capable as the DJI Mavic 3T, but smaller and with more batteries, all for less money. It's a good deal, packable, and performs.
For a little more than $4,000, you can get a drone with onboard thermal, competitively priced, highly capable, with stateside warranty and support. Checkout the Autel EVO Lite 640T. Or give us a call. Happy to dive into this with anyone that finds it helpful both now and in the future.
Preston
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