After months of rumours, teaser videos and then the big announcement from Chief Exec Nick Woodman this week, we finally got to see the latest addition to the GoPro range, the GoPro Karma Drone (and it’s supporting stars the GoPro Hero 5 and Hero 5 Session).
GoPro’s vision has come along way since 2002 when Nick was originally looking to design a wrist-camera for surfing. The company has launched a range of cameras that are now used all over the world for pretty much every action sport you can think of - snowboarding, wakeboarding, skateboarding, surfing, wing-suit flying, paragliding and loads more. Plus home across the globe use GoPro’s cameras for their family videos, holidays and just messing around.
The company’s first venture into the drone market
The GoPro Karma Drone sees the company’s first venture into the growing drone market. A place currently dominated by the likes of DJI and Parrot. That’s not to say plenty of people haven’t strapped a GoPro to a drone before, but Karma is the company’s very own all-in-one drone product. They’re late to the party but the anticipation for this has been huge - from customers, new users and GoPro’s investors (GoPro hasn’t yet made a profit this year).
So what was all the hype about? Well aside from looking pretty cool, following a similar matt-colour and rounded-edge design style that also applies to the newly announced GoPro Hero5 camera, it’s packed with features aimed at those that want to travel around with their drone.
Karma has a portable, foldable design where the blades tuck in when you need to pack the drone away it it’s included backpack flight-case. The backpack also includes a shoulder mount for attaching a GoPro camera to when you’re cycling, skiing or running with Karma packed away on your back.
The other neat feature is the Karma Grip which is basically a camera gimble that will keep the camera stable when it’s mounted to the drone or you. It includes camera controls and should allow for some impressive, Steadicam-style professional footage beyond what a GoPro strapped to your forehead could ever do.
To control the Karma, GoPro have designed a controller that looks like something that goes with your Xbox One or PS4. It has a 5″ touch display giving you a realtime, first-person view, dual sticks for flight controls and one-button take off and landing - which should help those new to drone flying.
In flight the Karma can soar as high as 3280ft (1000m) at a maximum speed of 35mph (15m/s). You’ll need to strap a GoPro Hero 5 or Hero 4 to it as it doesn’t include a camera but GoPro have confirmed drone + Hero camera bundles will be available at launch.
Battery life? You’ll get about 20 minutes continuous flying time before the Karma will need re-charging and charging takes about an hour. You’ll also need to remember to charge the Grip and the controller.
When can you get one?
The GoPro Karma launches on October 23rd 2016 in the US and hopefully the rest of the world soon after - the date on GoPro’s site for the UK currently says October 23rd too so get writing that Christmas list.
It’ll cost £719 ($799, AU$1195) for the Karma drone, Grip handheld mount, controller with display and the backpack case. The pack also includes the batteries, charger, six propellers and a few mount accessories.
Karma’s a b**ch
If you’re prone to drone accidents, GoPro have launched GoPro Care which for $149 will give you a two-year warranty for replacement parts and if you smash your Karma to bits you’ll pay just $199 excess. Whether you think you need that or not will be down to your drone flying skills and where you’re planning on using it. There’s also a range or replacement parts available which can be purchased separately - from propellers right up to replacing the main Karma body which’ll cost you £350.
“Live a bigger life”
So why call your drone Karma? Nick has an answer for that…
“We felt that Karma helps people capture such incredibly beautiful experiences that it can actually go on to motivate those who watch those experiences and go out and make more of themselves — to live a bigger life,” Woodman said at the press event. “In that sense, actually affect their own destiny. Affect their own karma.”
Whether or not the Karma is enough to win over existing DJI and Parrot users remains to be seen. Whilst it doesn’t have some of the features other lower-priced drones have, none of those can compete with the GoPro camera experience and the portability is a big bonus. Plus it’s super-easy to use. GoPro also have a great reputation for build quality and service.
Want to see more? Here’s Chief Exec Nick Woodman to tell you all about it…
There it is people, GoPro Karma has finally arrived. Who wants one?
You can sign up for updates on the Karma’s launch at GoPro’s website.
