GoPro’s Karma Drone Returns

Feb 1, 2017 at 7:25
by GoPro  

Hollywood in a Backpack: The Ultimate Aerial, Hand-Held, Wearable Stabilization Solution for the GoPro Community.

GoPro, Inc. today announced the company’s drone and versatile stabilization solution, Karma, is now on sale at GoPro.com and select U.S. retailers. Initial shipments will be limited but production is expected to ramp quickly. Karma will be available in international markets in the Spring.

“Karma is the ultimate aerial, handheld and wearable stabilization solution for the GoPro community,” says GoPro Founder and CEO, Nick Woodman. “As the consumer drone market continues to grow, Karma delivers the most versatile solution at a very accessible price.”

GoPro Karma

GoPro Karma
GoPro Karma

Karma - Hollywood in a Backpack
Karma features a compact, fits-in-a-small-backpack design and includes an image-stabilization grip that can be handheld or worn. Karma makes it easy for anyone to capture amazingly smooth, stabilized video during almost any activity. The Karma system features a painless out-of-the-box experience unlike anything else in the market: The compact and foldable Karma drone, Karma controller and Karma Grip fit into an included backpack that's so comfortable to wear during any activity, users will forget they have it on.

A game-style controller features an integrated touch display, making it fun, fast and easy to fly without the need for a separate phone or tablet to see what the drone sees. The 3-axis camera stabilizer can be removed from the Karma drone and attached to the included Karma Grip for capturing ultra-smooth handheld and body-mounted shots. Karma also features several preset flight patterns that make Hollywood-caliber aerial shots like dronie, orbit, reveal and cable cam easy to execute for even a beginner. New Karma functionalities will be available via software updates in the future.

GoPro Karma

Karma is available in the following bundles:
Karma without a GoPro camera for $799.99 MSRP
Karma bundled with HERO5 Black for $1099.99 MSRP
Flight Kit for Karma Grip owners available in April for $599.99 MSRP. (This is a flight solution for consumers who purchased Karma Grip as a stand-alone accessory).

GoPro voluntarily withdrew Karma in November 2016 after a small number of cases where batteries disconnected during flight, resulting in a loss of power. GoPro identified the issue as related to the latch mechanism which secured the drone’s battery. A redesigned battery latch has been incorporated into the updated Karma drone to solve the issue.
Separately available harnesses make Karma compatible with HERO5 Session and HERO4 Black and Silver cameras.

GoPro Karma

On Sale Now in Limited Quantities at GoPro.com and Select U.S. Retailers. For more information visit www.gopro.com/news/GoPro-Karma-Is-Back.

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77 Comments
  • 49 8
 I do wonder who would choose the Karma over a DJI Mavic. Sure, it has a removable gimbal but it seems the Mavic is better in every other way.
  • 51 9
 I seems to me that it's a pretty good price with a Hero 5, 1099.99USD isn't cheap of course, but for a drone and the top notch GoPro camera included, and the gimble can be used handheld. I reckon this is a better option for me at least.
  • 12 13
 @JacksonTM: Hopefully the top notch GoPro camera is crash resistant.
  • 31 2
 @truffy: I think the name GoPro is almost synonymous with crash resistant no?
  • 25 1
 @JacksonTM: I've broken 1 Trek frame, a rocky mountain slayer twice and my santa cruz nomad twice as well. Tore the metal plate off my five ten spd maltese falcons and even a fox motocross helmet once. I'm a hack, I admit it. The one thing that I've never manage to break are my GoPro cameras. The new one has been unbelievable so far. I put it on a tree the other day next to a drop, and I yelled at it to take a burst as I dropped in. Awesome shot, I can talk to it now haha.
  • 4 4
 Or the 3DR Solo. You can get the 3DR solo at best buy with the GoPro gimbal , extra propellers, a hard sided backpack, and the controller for $299 (normally $1,399).

Of course the 3DR solo isn't as compact, but its a superior drone to the Karma in almost every other way...and 1/3 the price.
  • 3 0
 @JacksonTM: I've broken one. Covered under warranty.
  • 4 0
 @JacksonTM: the karma isn't though.... hence the recall first time round...
  • 12 0
 I bought a mavic pro. Its tiny compared to the karma. Fits easily in to my 10L evoc as well as all my other tools and tubes I carry. It has a lot more features too. The range is amazing too. I've had mine out to 2 miles away.
  • 1 0
 @skijosh: 3dr solo is no longer made or supported. So if you do buy one don't expect to get any customer service and parts will be hard to find
  • 5 0
 The biggest thing the Mavic does for me is the intelligent flight modes. With these modes it actually lets ME get in the shot and be tracked by the camera. Yes the Mavic is an expensive piece of equipment, but I would not trade it for anything else (at this point). I have the Karma grip aswell, and I feel GoPro rushed on the development and did not do enough testing, in end resulting in a lower end product. The Karma grip will sometimes have a hard time staying with the horizon and will "drift"around.
In the end the Mavic is far superior due to its size, camera, tracking abilities, obstacle avoidance, and having it being backed by the long name of DJI.
  • 2 3
 Personally, I have experience building multirotors so I think I would build my own. But considering most of the people that will buy these will probably have no experience.
  • 2 0
 @ledg: Mavic seconded! I have one also. The portability of the unit and the the awesome features it has are definitely worth the price to me. I'm sure the karma is a quality unit also, but the ability to toss the mavic into a hydro pack is clutch.
  • 12 2
 I don't get it why everyone is comparing the two. They are not aimed at the same customer. If that where the case, there would only be one product of every category. You have to have different products for different people. The Mavic is aimed for someone who already has a camera for ground shots or does not care about anything but an aerial shot. Ideally someone purchasing the Mavic is well versed with drones because its not easy to fly. Its the playstation of drones. GoPro on the other hand is the Nintendo of drones. Easy to fly (provided it works this time) and kind of an afterthought. Its aimed for consumers that want the whole package. I honestly am not buying either. I have never thought about purchasing a drone, but I did buy the camera. GoPro still makes the best POV camera out there, Chinese versions, Sony and even Garmin are struggling to keep up. I was down 400 for the camera. I could have put in 600 more and gotten a Drone. At least they made me think. Lots of people purchasing the Karma will be those who want to jump into the market for the first time. They are getting their GoPro camera, and for a really cheap price, they could be getting an easy to fly drone with sweet pre-programmed flight paths. Not to mention a gimbal which is usually worth around 200-400 USD and software to edit the shots. The reason you can't compare is because if you tell that person to buy a Mavic instead, he's left without a camera for other uses, gimbal and easy to use software. Not comparable at all. Geez!
  • 3 0
 Blows the hell out of my 2 Bebop-2's. Camera tech from 2006
  • 1 1
 @JacksonTM: You think what you like, I think the name GoPro is almost synonymous with marketing.

And I'll be surprised if there's no difference between being dropped 2m (biker) and 30m (drone).
  • 2 0
 I'm buying the Mavic. I still might get GoPro's gamble stick, but not their drone.
  • 3 0
 @truffy: dude you can dip them in liquid nitrogen and they still work
  • 7 0
 camera is better on the grpro, dji flys better what you would expect really... the camera company makes a better camera but the drone company makes a better drone
  • 4 3
 @thrice: Actually, the mavic should be easier to fly since it's go auto follow features and auto take off and return to home.
  • 2 1
 @lemonaid: "Should" being the key word here. Most reviews of both products reveal that ideally someone flying the Mavic must already have some sort of experience using DJI drones. Overall, all reviewers describe the GoPro to be an easy out of the box and fly experience.
  • 1 0
 @thrice: I have a mavic and it flys great. From what I've seen with the Karma it requires someone to be holding the controller in order to follow the subject. And I don't know how the camera functions but with the mavic you get full HD streaming from the drone to your controller while flying so you know exactly what you're shooting all the time.
  • 1 0
 People say that the mavic should be flown by someone with experience is because it is made out to be such a professional drone. The drone is designed for people who want high quality Ariel shots that they can fit into their pocket which is pretty much geared towards anyone. The dji phantoms and mavic are by far top 3 easiest drones to fly and I can say that from experience.
  • 24 0
 lesson learned here: karma not always comes back at you!!
  • 12 2
 after having to recall all there drones and losing market share to DJI here is go pros last ditch effort to remain a player in this ever growing and changing industry
  • 8 5
 I think GP has the resources to afford a few missteps
  • 12 2
 @Mojo348: not according to their dwindling sales numbers and stock price. Too many superior low cost Chinese direct to consumer competitors.
  • 2 1
 @cogsci: I think superior is a bit of an exaduration, the late show was right, the new official language of the USA is bullshit
  • 1 0
 @Mojo348: Yeah after firing a complete division of 200 people, I'm sure they do..... haha
  • 1 0
 That's the problem.. the karma was already out dated and under spec when it was released, now months after it's been re released because they rushed it out and it failed, the industry has moved on well and truely..
  • 1 0
 @wavetrance: Yeah, that's true. Though never underestimate the power of a familiar brand and market leading position. Sure enthusiasts in the know will likely go elswhere, but I'd bet GP shift many more Karma's than any other drone out there.

Although I agree GP are dropping the ball frequently at the moment. Win 7 desktop software super buggy.
  • 11 1
 Kim Jong-il made a drone and gimbal called the "Harrow 5". It was the best drone ever, true story.
  • 10 2
 "On Sale Now in Limited Quantities"

Good-oh, there shouldn't be too many of the damned things around then!
  • 11 4
 GoPro never fails at getting me stoked!
  • 1 0
 GoPro, If you're reading this. Make a micro 4/3 action camera like the Black Magic Micro Camera or DJI Zenmuse. Focus more on video stabilization. I stopped watching POV vids on Youtube because I can't stand the shaking and crappy perspective. Whoever is making strategic decisions for you needs to be fired. I could have told you years ago, video stabilization and improved image quality should have been your main focus. You dropped the ball with corning the market on mounting options and gimbals, and now drones. A micro 4/3 camera and better gimbals are the next steps. Mark my words.
  • 1 0
 Don't forget the STAAKER that is coming out in May. Already paid for it and have been patiently waiting for the shipment in May to consumers. I could care less nor do I want to fly the drone using a monitor or pad for action sports. 80% of the time it is just me riding and I want a fully autonomous drone to follow me no matter what and the STAAKER fits the bill in that department for my personal needs.
  • 4 1
 I hope that last photo is not of the stunning White Sands NP. In any case, lots of water wasted to keep those lawns green!
  • 1 0
 I'm pretty sure this is the Rancho Mirage area in Southern California's Coachella Valley (near Palm Springs). The valley is surrounded by mountains that get a considerable amount of snow, which along with imported Colorado River Water, does a pretty good job of recharging the valley's aquifer. State-wide, water has been in a drought condition over the past couple years, and many of the homes and country clubs have transitioned to 'desertscape' type landscaping. Artificial turf and the use of reclaimed water also helps conserve the water used.
  • 1 0
 the next version of the Karma will prob be the one worth waiting for as it will have addressed all the lack of features that people are talking about...Question is how much will the mavic pro have advanced by then?
  • 4 1
 Let's hope they stay up this time!
  • 3 0
 yea, investing in GoPro stock right before the release of the Karma has proved to be a mistake
  • 2 0
 @rallyimprezive: Yea I need it to rally. I bought at 40 near the IPO, went to 90 (I contemplated selling) and now its around 16 so im stuck with it
  • 1 0
 @LaXcarp: ive learned to maintain sell rules.
Can slim method is a good study.
  • 3 0
 That's what she said
  • 2 0
 @LaXcarp: unfortunately its not at high as 16... currently at $10.54.. I bought a bunch at $18 right before release of the Karma and then it crashed... literally..
  • 1 0
 @billybobzia: Write covered calls.
  • 4 1
 Well the ceo Nick was the highest paid executive in 2015 at 285 million$.
  • 4 0
 How much?!
  • 1 0
 Those are restricted stocks, but still a lot.
money.cnn.com/2015/04/17/investing/gopro-founder-nick-woodman-highest-paid-ceo-2014
  • 3 0
 damage done, market share lost, got beat at their own game.
  • 3 0
 Didn't several hundred people lose their jobs over this?
  • 1 0
 Yea 200 people were laid off, I feel bad some of the guys that were on the shoot with us that lost their jobs. (I was 1 of 4 riders in the video launch, FOX kit.)
  • 2 0
 Idk why you people are downvoting this. This is some solid DD.
  • 2 1
 Not one drone on the market has a zoom lense. No capabuility for telephoto shots. Not interested.
  • 2 1
 Couldn't you just fly lower?
  • 7 0
 @NickBit: Not to get pictures of that babe suntanning topless he cant
  • 1 0
 I think you have to step it up to the dji inspire to get a decent zoom lens. However those camera upgrades cost way more than the mavic itself. the mavic has 2x optical zoom.
  • 1 0
 @NickBit: there is a reason why cameras have different focal lengths.
Any photographer is aware of this.
Different focal lenghths give you different perspectives.
  • 2 0
 The DJI and Matrice have zoom lenses. The Z3 camera feature a 7 or 8 times optical zoom.
The X5 has a m4/3 sensor with an interchangeable lens.
I've got a 45-150mm paniconic Lumix on mine. With the 2.0x crop factor, it gives a 300mm 35mm equivalent. Which is rad. Even if the lense is f5.6.
  • 1 0
 @mitch1616:
Good to know.
3000$ is a bit out of my price range.
  • 1 0
 @Sshredder: for that you could get an air dog that flys itself.
  • 1 0
 @choppertank3e: they have dogs that fly?
  • 1 0
 @Sshredder: www.dcrainmaker.com/2016/04/airdog-action-sports-drone-in-depth-review.html
  • 1 0
 @choppertank3e:
Crowd share project
And it only supports a go pro four.
Not any other camera.
The type of drone that supports a real camera cost at least 3000$
  • 1 0
 Voyager four has a 16× zoom
Will be out soon
Projected cost.Over 2000$
  • 1 0
 Yuneec has something up there sleeve! Think Transformer!
  • 1 1
 This drone looks sweet. Removable gimbal is a great idea.
  • 1 2
 Gopro cant get in this market
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