GoPro Inc (NASDAQ:GPRO)’s Karma Goes On Sale

The long wait is over as GoPro Inc (NASDAQ:GPRO)’s promised Karma drone goes on sale. GoPro is launching Karma into a market that is quickly getting crowded. It also remains to be seen what impact Karma could have on GoPro’s main business of selling action cameras. The company has been facing growing competition in its core camera market as well.

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DJI is a threat to GoPro in drone market

DJI, a maker of a range of competitively priced drones, is a competitor GoPro has to watch closely. The portfolio of DJI includes its Phantom range of drones, which are of a larger size and its Mavic Pro drone, which competes in Karma’s price range.

GoPro makes Karma light and foldable

Karma is a foldable drone that you can fit into a small backpack. GoPro says the drone is light enough that you can carry it around comfortably. If you want to use the drone, you switch it to flight mode by extending its landing gear and arms.

Compatible cameras

GoPro’s Karma drone is compatible with Hero 4, Hero 5 Black and Hero 5 Session cameras. A stabilization mount that comes with Karma is used to attach the cameras to the underside of the drone.

Karma weighs 1,006g and measures 303mm x 411mm x 117mm in flight mode and 365.2mm x 224.3mm x 89.9 mm when folded. The drone comes with a controller that weighs 625g. Karma uses 2.4GHz frequency is can fly up to a distance of 1,000 meters (3,280 feet). It can go up to an altitude of 4,500 meters (14,500 feet).

Cost of owning the drone

Karma alone costs $799, but GoPro offers camera bundles that save buyers money. Karma bundle package that includes Hero 5 Black goes for $1,099. For $999, you walk away with Karma and Hero 5 Session.

Performance aside, DJI’s Mavic is a Karma price competitor. A Mavic kit with extras costs $1,300. Mavic has a longer flying range and faster speed than Karma.

GoPro stock is down more than 17% YTD as the company has been battling weak camera sales.

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