Subsequent up in our “Ask Drone Lady” collection is a query from reader Bob about help for EXO Drones. When you have a query for Drone Lady, contact her right here.
I personal an EXO Cinemaster 2 drone. It was changed as soon as, and the brand new one by no means functioned correctly both. Now, I can’t even get the app from the Apple App Retailer. Have you learnt of any recourse for purchasers or a supply for a appropriate app?
I’m so sorry you’re coping with this, however to be utterly trustworthy, I’m not stunned.
I’ve by no means been a fan of EXO Drones, and also you gained’t see it beneficial in my information to finest digital camera drones. Whereas they put a whole lot of slick advertising and marketing behind their lineup, the truth is that third-party, white-labeled drones like this one not often ship a great expertise. Considered one of my very own reviewers had a notoriously rocky expertise testing the EXO Blackhawk 3 Professional, coping with irritating app glitches, flight connectivity drops and subpar efficiency that fell far in need of its lofty advertising and marketing guarantees.
Within the client digital camera drone house, DJI actually is — and has all the time been — the gold commonplace, and there are only some DJI alternate options that I like to recommend. Not solely do DJI drones they off nice worth for the value, however they entail dependable {hardware} and polished software program. That’s additionally why it’s so robust watching the continued legislative bans on Chinese language drones within the U.S. (notably these aimed toward DJI). I need to advocate for drone pilots such as you, however my worry is that customers will likely be pressured towards sub-par, third-party alternate options like EXO out of necessity, solely to finish up with damaged gear and nil buyer help.
When you’re in a irritating state of affairs — and it’s too late to easily have gone again and bought one other drone initially — you aren’t utterly out of choices but. Right here’s my finest recommendation round the way you would possibly get that drone again within the air — or at the least to get some a refund.
1. Discover a appropriate native app
A lot of EXO’s drones are white-labeled from current drone platforms manufactured abroad, primarily by MJX / Guangdong Meijiaxin Modern Expertise.
As a result of the inner flight controller and Wi-Fi transmission modules inside your Cinemaster 2 have been made by MJX, third-party and original-factory apps constructed for MJX drones may fit together with your particular EXO fashions. Attempt the next two:
- M RC PRO (or MRC PRO): That is the native app developed by MJX for the bottom platform that the Cinemaster 2 was rebranded from. Many orphaned EXO customers report that downloading M RC PRO permits them to connect with the drone’s Wi-Fi community, view the digital camera feed and make the most of fundamental flight features.
- X-Hubsan: Some EXO {hardware} variations use flight-control protocols that may hyperlink up with legacy utility apps like X-Hubsan 2.
iOS Tip: Apple doesn’t enable simple side-loading of outdated app recordsdata (APKs) like Android does. Nevertheless, if you happen to beforehand put in the EXO app on an older iPhone or iPad utilizing your present Apple ID, open the App Retailer > Profile > Bought > My Purchases, and seek for “Cinemaster”. You should still be capable of redownload the legacy installer out of your private buy historical past regardless that it’s delisted from the general public retailer.
2. Let the drone change into a paperweight – and attempt to get your a refund
Actually I’m undecided the first step is price your vitality or effort. Letting the associated fee sink — and permitting your drone to change into an costly paperweight — would possibly actually be extra reasonable. However there’s nonetheless an opportunity you may get a refund.
Look to your bank card
Should you bought the drone comparatively lately utilizing a bank card, verify your card issuer’s Buy Safety or Return Safety coverage. Usually, bank card buy safety extends to simply three months — assuming your bank card even affords the profit. It sounds such as you’ve held your drone longer than that, nevertheless it’s price me at the least throwing on the market.
File a proper client safety criticism
This additionally possible gained’t enable you get your a refund particularly, nevertheless it may assist others down the road. I like to recommend you file a declare with the Higher Enterprise Bureau (BBB). The corporate already has an F, alongside dozens of complaints. However at the least submitting a proper entry provides to the general public document.
The underside line
Your state of affairs is precisely why I all the time warning readers in opposition to shopping for third-party, rebranded digital camera drones. If you stray away from established tier-one producers, you danger shedding the software program ecosystem that retains the {hardware} flying.
If an alternate app like M RC PRO doesn’t get you airborne, it is likely to be time to chop your losses. Fortunately, there are many different nice digital camera drones below $500 that is likely to be price getting as a substitute.
Hope this helps you get again within the air, Bob! Glad flying!
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