Better to avoid Intel RealSense add-on for Yuneec Typhoon H?

Early buyers of Yuneec Typhoon H face a choice.

How will the Intel RealSense collision avoidance system be added-on to Yuneec Typhoon H models bought earlier this year without the unit? That’s a big question and one that raises issues of cost, reliability and warranty coverage.

These concerns started earlier this year as Yuneec forum threads exploded with questions on the new Yuneec Typhoon H models.

“I’m confused, is the Typhoon H available with the Intel crash avoidance? Just on the site and the H that is there doesn’t mention this,” wrote Vicki Felmlee in March

Her question was answered by Mr. Burns, another Yuneec Typhoon H user.

“Early models will not have the intel system fitted. It will be a bolt on after purchase or you will be able to buy complete, but neither will be available until June.”

That June date has come and gone with the latest news in August suggesting problems fitting the unit on the Yuneec Typhoon H. Yuneec has had well-documented production glitches for the Typhoon H series that have been also linked to a growing backlog of warranty repairs for the Yuneec Q500 4K. The Typhoon series evolution from the RC quadcopter Q500 models stands out for its six-blade or hexacopter offering at twice the price – nearly $1,300.

Yuneec launched the Q500+ in 2015 and the Yuneec Q500 4K quickly followed running at $899. The big leap in price for the Yuneec Typhoon H raised eyebrows, especially when a comparison of the DJI Phantom 4 vs the Yuneec Typhoon H is done. The DJI Phantom series is more stable in flight while awaiting controller commands, thanks to Lightbridge 2 proprietary technology that enables fast, smooth and reliable downlinks over a longer range.

But for the Yuneec Typhoon H the main add-ons from the Q500 4K outside of the extra two flying rotors was a 360-degree rotatable gimbal and a front-facing ultrasonic module. Not bad to have, but the lower cost DJI Phantom 4 can already rotate the drone body 360 degrees while airborne.

That brings us back to the Intel RealSense feature for the Yuneec Typhoon H – a technology used on laptops and sometimes worn atop helmets by bikers during races – but still not widely field tested in drones. It’s possible however that Yuneec may bite the bullet and at least let early Yuneec Typhoon H owners get access, especially since DJI is already ahead of the game as the DJI Phantom 4 comes standard with their version of collision avoidance.

It seems Yuneec has missed other opportunities with the Yuneec Typhoon H, including with the backpack as feedback from distributors and customers that getting the cover over the hard-shell version takes a few days of stretching and that placing the foam into the carrier means to get a sequence exactly correct of inserting both foam pieces (with, or without drone) before permanently attaching the top foam piece.

Afterwards, buyers are advised to carefully zip the pack closed, and allow it to sit for 1-3 days to properly stretch.

 

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