Let’s discuss the current state of the industry here. Digital has its place, but analog is certainly not “going away” anytime soon.
3 thoughts on “Digital vs Analog Discussion”
SO… you want to talk DIGITAL (HD) drone building, eh?!
Let’s do it! Let’s start with FACTS ONLY:
COST: Digital is MUCH MORE expensive vs Analog, on an order of magnitude ~ 5x
VIDEO: Digital wins easily: incredibly clear, vibrant images/videos
WEIGHT/SIZE: Analog stays light and small, particularly useful in smaller builds (whoops -> 5″)
CRASHING: Digital means expensive parts replacements
RANGE: Analog wins for long range dependability
AVAILABILITY: Much more parts availability for Analog
LATENCY: Digital has issues with latency, important mostly for racers only
INTERFERENCE: Digital handles interference better
EASE OF SETUP: Analog wins here
ONBOARD AUDIO: Only Analog systems can do it. A ‘unique’ requirement, primarily for racers who wish to hear the drone during flight
The most important factor, IMO, is the first one on the list above: COST!
Analog was the only way to go until 2019, when digital systems were introduced, with expensive price tags. The prices are SLOWLY falling, availability is improving, and so is quality. Digital WILL take over from analog at some point. Precisely when is the big question. Due to price, it isn’t expected to happen anytime in the near future. Until then, you have to weigh the pros/cons of each system based on YOUR needs.
Happy to discuss specific aspects of each system. Just ask.
We can also discuss the three digital systems and their pros/cons. (DJI, HDZERO, WalkSnail)
Good information, thanks. I’m new to the hobby, and glad I found this site. You guys seem to be on the cutting edge.
Digital? Too expensive. If it could even get to be maybe double the cost, it might be do-able, but it’s really pricey. In the future I’m sure it will take over, but not now.
SO… you want to talk DIGITAL (HD) drone building, eh?!
Let’s do it! Let’s start with FACTS ONLY:
COST: Digital is MUCH MORE expensive vs Analog, on an order of magnitude ~ 5x
VIDEO: Digital wins easily: incredibly clear, vibrant images/videos
WEIGHT/SIZE: Analog stays light and small, particularly useful in smaller builds (whoops -> 5″)
CRASHING: Digital means expensive parts replacements
RANGE: Analog wins for long range dependability
AVAILABILITY: Much more parts availability for Analog
LATENCY: Digital has issues with latency, important mostly for racers only
INTERFERENCE: Digital handles interference better
EASE OF SETUP: Analog wins here
ONBOARD AUDIO: Only Analog systems can do it. A ‘unique’ requirement, primarily for racers who wish to hear the drone during flight
The most important factor, IMO, is the first one on the list above: COST!
Analog was the only way to go until 2019, when digital systems were introduced, with expensive price tags. The prices are SLOWLY falling, availability is improving, and so is quality. Digital WILL take over from analog at some point. Precisely when is the big question. Due to price, it isn’t expected to happen anytime in the near future. Until then, you have to weigh the pros/cons of each system based on YOUR needs.
Happy to discuss specific aspects of each system. Just ask.
We can also discuss the three digital systems and their pros/cons. (DJI, HDZERO, WalkSnail)
-Fred.
Good information, thanks. I’m new to the hobby, and glad I found this site. You guys seem to be on the cutting edge.
Digital? Too expensive. If it could even get to be maybe double the cost, it might be do-able, but it’s really pricey. In the future I’m sure it will take over, but not now.
Hi Jeff. I’m glad you found us too!
I agree: digital is wayyy too expensive for the masses to accept, at this point. But it is the future; just not sure how far into that future it is!