Crazy prices on eBay for Neo parts.

[NeoNeo]

eBay used Neo "Arm" motors are selling from the mid teens to mid $40's each at eBay.
Spending $70-170 for four used motors vs. $199 for the Neo standalone kit from DJI Store seems steep.

Years ago when modeling I purchased occasionally directly from a Chinese based R/C internet retailer. They seemed to stock everything. Parts and hardware that I thought were limited to just authorized sellers. Parts that were difficult to source. Long forgotten the store name. Not alli or banggood mega retailer. Just RC hardware. Might be a source for OME Neo motors at a reasonable price.

Do not toss a trashed Neo into the garbage. Parts are probably worth salvaging for use or to eBay

 

[4 Inch Pistons]

Back a while the FPV controller from DJI was $199 new but they were out of stock. Some “opportunist's” on eBay were listing them for between $279 and $359. I waited until they were back in stock.

 

[NeoNeo]

Ouch! Supply v. Demand. JMHO, the $199 msrp for the FPV RC3 is overpriced for what we get relative to the open source Tx world. It's basically just an input box without the hardware to transmit or receive signals from the drone. No replacement parts outside of gimbal sticks from DJI sort of stinks. Used gimbals at eBay were/are going for a premium. Supply v. Demand economics. DJI's trash footprint could be reduced if they would sell parts. Don't feel comfortable purchasing used parts that wear with use from eBay.

 

[Droning on and on...]

Yeah, the price on the FPV3 RC is insane.

That's a monopoly for you. We don't have to fly DJI. But we keep on buying and flying because they're the best by a long shot, and premium always has a price

 

[NeoNeo]

On one side the Neo is a very inexpensive quad for what it is. On the other side. Add G3 or N3 so you can use either or both the MC3 and/or FPV RC3. All of a sudden the $199 basic kit can end up costing +$1000 assuming you added a charging hub and a few more batteries. Personally would not have purchased the Neo if it was not compatible with the G3, MC3, and FPV RC3.

Even for what it is. I would be happy with the price of the FPV RC3 if replacement parts were available. Battery, gimbals, every switch. Unfortunately it is a "throw away" controller once damaged or any part fails or wears out.

Haven't looked into it yet. But can you run the FPV RC3 off an external battery connected through the USB-C charging port. Own a few other Tx. All allow external power. Have a bin of adapters for running old flight batteries as external power sources for those Txs if needed.

 

[Chrislaf]

Yeah, the price on the FPV3 RC is insane.

If I end up jumping into FPV, I will likely get the FPV3 RC and the Goggles N3. The FPV RC is more than the NEO drone itself .

Chris

 

[NeoNeo]

If I end up jumping into FPV, I will likely get the FPV3 RC and the Goggles N3. The FPV RC is more than the NEO drone itself .

Chris

$100 for the FPV RC3 would have been a bit easier to accept. I look at the RadioMaster and Spektrum TXs sitting next to the DJI and feel like I've been ripped off. But no other option to fly Manual mode or trad sticks. MC3 probably has some significant R&D , unique proprietary parts built into the cost. As far as I know it is a one of a kind controller. FPV RC3 is just a more or less common TX, but missing any hardware that actually is needed to connect directly to the quad. Reminds me of the BetaFPV mid model controller used. IIRC, that tx was less than $60. RadioMaster Pocket ELRS version was less than $70.

 

[Chrislaf]

Also, if I am not mistaken, you can connect the FPV RC3 to a flight sim. From the specs though, it doesn't look like the DJI flight sim is supported.

Chris

 

[Kilrah]

Also, if I am not mistaken, you can connect the FPV RC3 to a flight sim

Yes it appears as a standard joystick so anything that can use one works with it.

 

[NeoNeo]

I've used the FPV RC3 with LiftOff and CurryKitten just to see if it works. It does. Using the RadioMaster Pocket on the sim to save the gimbals for real world use. Using the more "expensive" R(sub $70) RM Pocket ELRS model. The other model is sub $60(4 in 1 ). The price of one eBay used DJI gimbal. Both have a standard size bay to use a variety of other flight protocols. Simple plug in and out bay. Go to menu and select vs. default internal OS.

Another inexpensive sim controller is the BetaFPV the Lite Radio 2 SE at ~$25. Similar in shape to the FPV RC3, but with toggle switches v. contact switches. It works with LiftOff. Haven't tested it on CurryKitten. For an additional ~$7 I would go with the LiteRadio3. Similar switches to the FPV RC3, but has the "standard" bay for using different external tx modules. Both are ELRS/EdgeTx protocol. Nice option if you think you will try flying non DJI hardware.

 

[Droning on and on...]

$100 for the FPV RC3 would have been a bit easier to accept.

Its one of the few DJI products that I will join the chorus that we're being gouged because of their monopoly. I don't mind paying a premium for their leading-edge aircraft. Not so much for what amounts to a radio transmitter, technology over 100 years old.

The FPV RC should cost no more than a Jumper T-Lite. $80. The T-Lite does a lot more.