Hi,
I’m a new member in the forum and have been reading it for a few months learning a lot from you before buying my P3A and watching tons of Youtube videos.
I just bought a brand new DJI Phantom 3 Advanced around 2 weeks ago. As you can see in the image attached I have only done a total of 16 flights, with 4 hours of flight time and 40 KM distance with zero issues. But now after my last flight I have detected 2 cracks in the bottom of the rear left arm next to screws, please see the images. My P3A has the new motors and I think the new shell also with the additional reinforcements below the motors (I looked through the arms with a flashlight from a tip in another thread). Please look at the image to confirm. I thought from what I read in other threads that this issue was fixed in the new version with the new shell and motors? Apparently not!
At the moment I’m on vacation which is why I bought it to film and take pictures. I have not crashed and have only landed by catching it with my hand in the air. Also it is summer right now and have been flying near the beach in perfect weather. Aside from this I haven’t had any problems with it and have been enjoying it very much. Meanwhile I have put some tape over the cracks and will continue to use it in my vacation for a few more flights.
To be honest I am a little mad to see damage after such short use and spending $1,500 USD for it (and a little more for an extra battery and RC neck hook). As you can tell where I live in South America import taxes are very high so that’s why it’s so expensive.
I need your help to figure out what I should do next to fix it.
I don’t think it will be an option to send it to DJI to fix since it will be very expensive to ship and I might have to pay import taxes again when it comes back to me (customs is a big problem in this country!!!). I imagine I will have to send it to a repair center in USA? Do you guys know if there is a repair center closer to me in South America? When I'm back home I will talk to the shop I bought it from and maybe they can advice me regarding doing a warranty claim with DJI.
Another option I'm considering is maybe the shop can replace the shell for me? But if they open it will I lose the DJI warranty in case something else more expensive brakes later on or if it crashes due to a DJI problem? Is there another way to fix the cracks now that they are small maybe use superglue or something else on the outside to prevent them from getting worse? Will this void the warranty if the shop does it for me?
Also should I now send an email directly to DJI and see what they say? I don't think they will cover all expenses of sending it to another country, etc? Maybe they can send me the shell and approve the shop to fix it and keep the warranty?
Thanks a lot for your help and comments!
I’m a new member in the forum and have been reading it for a few months learning a lot from you before buying my P3A and watching tons of Youtube videos.
I just bought a brand new DJI Phantom 3 Advanced around 2 weeks ago. As you can see in the image attached I have only done a total of 16 flights, with 4 hours of flight time and 40 KM distance with zero issues. But now after my last flight I have detected 2 cracks in the bottom of the rear left arm next to screws, please see the images. My P3A has the new motors and I think the new shell also with the additional reinforcements below the motors (I looked through the arms with a flashlight from a tip in another thread). Please look at the image to confirm. I thought from what I read in other threads that this issue was fixed in the new version with the new shell and motors? Apparently not!
At the moment I’m on vacation which is why I bought it to film and take pictures. I have not crashed and have only landed by catching it with my hand in the air. Also it is summer right now and have been flying near the beach in perfect weather. Aside from this I haven’t had any problems with it and have been enjoying it very much. Meanwhile I have put some tape over the cracks and will continue to use it in my vacation for a few more flights.
To be honest I am a little mad to see damage after such short use and spending $1,500 USD for it (and a little more for an extra battery and RC neck hook). As you can tell where I live in South America import taxes are very high so that’s why it’s so expensive.
I need your help to figure out what I should do next to fix it.
I don’t think it will be an option to send it to DJI to fix since it will be very expensive to ship and I might have to pay import taxes again when it comes back to me (customs is a big problem in this country!!!). I imagine I will have to send it to a repair center in USA? Do you guys know if there is a repair center closer to me in South America? When I'm back home I will talk to the shop I bought it from and maybe they can advice me regarding doing a warranty claim with DJI.
Another option I'm considering is maybe the shop can replace the shell for me? But if they open it will I lose the DJI warranty in case something else more expensive brakes later on or if it crashes due to a DJI problem? Is there another way to fix the cracks now that they are small maybe use superglue or something else on the outside to prevent them from getting worse? Will this void the warranty if the shop does it for me?
Also should I now send an email directly to DJI and see what they say? I don't think they will cover all expenses of sending it to another country, etc? Maybe they can send me the shell and approve the shop to fix it and keep the warranty?
Thanks a lot for your help and comments!
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