GoPro users who purchased the GoPro Karma drone years ago have been a loyal squad. But who wouldn’t be, considering the Karma’s ease of use and the well designed kit? So loyal, in fact, that a robust community of enthusiasts continue to use and support other Karma drone pilots in online forums and actively trade Karma drones and parts on ebay.
Unfortunately, a series of mis-steps for the Karma drone allowed DJI to lap it (several times) and eventually the Karma drone was discontinued.
But earlier today multiple tech sites and forums are reporting that a GPS rollover glitch has made GoPro Karma drones unusable since the New Year. The Verge is reporting that GoPro is “actively troubleshooting” the issue however no further details are available at this time.
It’s likely that many Karma pilots have been holding off purchasing an updated drone such as the Mavic 2 Pro solely because their Karma drone still met their needs…an entirely reasonable notion.
But considering the fact that GoPro has not provided a software update for the Karma drone since September of 2018, it’s likely that many are either wishing they had monetized the remaining value in their Karma or upgraded to a newer drone.
Countries in Europe, as well as Canada, the US, Mexico and others have been updating their drone regulations over the last year which has not been a positive for the GoPro Karma. Despite the advanced GoPro Action Camera that can be attached to a Karma, it is not on Transport Canada’s list of drones that are eligible for ‘advanced’ operations.
With some of the most intelligently designed drone laws on Earth, Canada distinguishes a drone operation not by whether it is ‘commercial’ or ‘recreational’, but rather by the nature of the flight operation being completed. An ‘advanced operation’ is one which could allow for flight in controlled airspace, near, or over people and in the absence of a compliance self-declaration by the manufacturer an ‘advanced flight’ for a GoPro Karma would never be in the Karma’s future in Canada. Expect the same elsewhere: these well crafted regulations are likely a template for how other nations will coordinate their drone rules going forward.
Unfortunately for GoPro, or moreso their loyal action camera users, the company tried to be all things to all users of a GoPro camera and unfortunately DJI ate their lunch.
But there are still a few positives for GoPro Karma owners who actually want to upgrade to a modern drone in 2020.
First, DJI has a trade-in program that allows gadget owners to trade in their existing gear for credit towards a new DJI drone.
Second, Karma owners have enjoyed a couple of years of ‘free flight’ on an obsolete product and maybe their bank accounts reflect that savings.
Regardless of how GoPro addresses this glitch, there’s honestly no point in keeping the Karma on life support. It’s time to let it go for good.
