Are You Prepared To Get 3 Drones In One?

I’m a cheap-drone lover. An after I noticed the DJI Neo, the primary thought that got here to my thoughts was: that is one thing huge. And after testing it intensively for 2 months, the one factor I can say is that I used to be flawed. The Neo is one thing larger. And we aren’t speaking about measurement right here. Typically larger is best. Not for the Neo and the various, many newbie drone pilots.

How Drone Flying Began For Me

It was 2018 when DJI launched the Tello. 5 megapixel images, 720p video and no gimbal. And that drone was LIGHT. So gentle that small gusts of wind pushed it distant from our cellular phone WiFi connection.

Flying the Tello was extra an act of religion than a enjoyable exercise, in contrast to DJI confirmed within the video advert of the birthday celebration after they launched it. However folks purchased it anyway. And round that little flying piece of plastic, a following grew. Drone fans printed 3D items in order that a budget DJI drone might take photos trying straight down, they connected WiFi extenders to get extra vary, reprocessed the aerial video to get HD and even 4K footage, and resampled the pics, as a result of in the long run, it was the most affordable DJI drone. And all that paved the street for the Neo.

Why was the Tello so essential? You see, the issue with the UAS interest is that to enter, you must spend some cash.

Not everyone seems to be an early adopter and never everybody can spend $600 on what they see as a toy. And DJI is aware of this. So, what did DJI do? They launched a very good drone that’s fully modular.

Let me clarify: once you purchased the DJI Tello, probably the most you may do to improve it was to get extra batteries, the bluetooth controller or the unofficial hack of utilizing the WiFi extender with an influence financial institution in your cellular phone to achieve some further vary. And that was it.

Enter The DJI Neo At Floor Stage

Now once you get your model new DJI Neo for $200, the one factor you get within the field is the drone, the gimbal protector, a battery, spare propellers, a small screwdriver, a DJI handbook and a few good stickers. Thanks! That’s a pleasant gesture that DJI realized from FPV elements sellers.

What you are able to do with simply the DJI Neo? Effectively, you’ll be able to fly manually utilizing your smartphone, however I warn you, it’s not going to be the best or smoothest expertise.

For those who use the DJI Neo this manner, the drone is made for individuals who simply wish to make brief social media movies (up until 4K at 30p in case you are recording horizontally or 1080 at 60p for those who recording vertically).

The perfect half is that you don’t want to know tips on how to fly a drone. It simply does it robotically. It has two following modes and 6 automated pre-programed flights that may help you for brief movies throughout journeys or simply to make you wish to take it to the following degree.

Cost the battery along with your non-existent DJI charger, (yep, DJI simply assumed that we, as a first-time drone pilots have a USB C charger, however hey, at the least we will cost the battery on the drone), set up the DJI Fly App, and voila, go to some thrilling location, put your drone in your hand, choose a following mode or a flight, take off and let it observe you.

If you end your jogging, yoga, train, or bike experience you’ll be able to merely obtain the aerial video straight to your smartphone, edit it on the DJI Fly app and share it on social media.

With the DJI Neo, you don’t even want an MicroSD card. All you images and movies are saved on the drone 22GB inside reminiscence. For those who’re feeling a bit adventurous, you’ll be able to even attempt the handbook management flight in your cellphone, however that isn’t going to be simple, specifically if that is your first time flying a drone.

Both means, the standard of the aerial pics and the movies shouldn’t be dangerous in any respect, particularly in case you are recording open air with loads of daylight, but it surely’s not the perfect both.

For aerial images at night time, simply take a look at the pattern gallery. Let’s be actual, you’ll be able to’t ask for an excessive amount of. To get extra out of the DJI Neo, we have to step as much as the following degree of this mini drone.

The Subsequent Stage Up For The DJI Neo

To unlock the following degree of the ‘Neo-morphosis’, merely add the DJI RC-N3 for an extra $130 (or for those who desire the built-in display and never have to make use of your cellphone with the controller, the DJI RC 2 for $369)
DJI Neo $200 + DJI RC-N3 $130 or DJI RC 2 $369.

Now we’re flying. With the extra ‘funding’, we’re on the DJI OcuSync 4.0 ship. Now we will fly the DJI Neo as much as 120 meters or 400 ft.

Now, you’ll be able to ship this little beast (or it was the little bee?) at the least 700 meters away out of your take off level. Or at the least that was a distance that I felt protected sending the drone out to, within the wild.

Let me make clear one thing, I dwell in Quito, Ecuador. This isn’t your common metropolis to check drones. As a result of at 9,350 ft, (or 2,850 meters above sea degree) the air is far ‘thinner’, so in the case of flying drones, we find yourself pushing the drones and the batteries a lot tougher. And don’t even get me begin on the winds right here…

However, let’s speak about the great things. If you begin utilizing the DJI RC-N3 you aren’t solely getting extra transmitting energy to increase the vary of the DJI Neo, you additionally get one thing that’s a sport changer: handbook management over shutter pace, ISO and white steadiness!

With the DJI RC-N3 you additionally get the ‘Return To Residence’ performance, and the possibility to change the horizontal and vertical pace, gimbal, brake, sensitivity, and rather more (together with the Cine and Sport modes) for simply $330. The one factor I can say… it’s a steal.

The DJI Neo drone, whereas it flies superbly, struggled to take care of a gradual flight at 400 toes in windy Quito, regardless of its 12 m/s ranking. Nevertheless, I didn’t solely take a look at the DJI Mini drone for Evaluation functions; I additionally used it in real-life jobs. As a business filmmaker, I flew it for an actual property video and a business video for BMW.

Sure, I flew the DJI Neo from the skin of a automotive dealership and piloted the drone not via one, not two, however three brand-new BMWs prepared on the market. Naturally, you received’t get the identical video high quality as a DJI Mavic 3 with the a lot cheaper DJI Neo, however for aerial footage for social media, it’s simply good.

Perhaps you’ll miss a DNG or a RAW file to edit? Effectively, as you’ll be able to see, these SOOC JPEGs are removed from dangerous. And keep in mind, you’ll manually alter the settings for the images. Yummy! P.S.: The very first thing it is best to do once you get any of the controllers is go to the digicam settings and scale back the sharpening of the images. TRUST me, you’ll discover the distinction. Listed below are three extra pattern photos modifying the settings like ISO and shutter pace, and naturally, farther and better as a result of I used to be utilizing the RC-N3.

Be aware: not one of the photos have been edited in coloration, simply resized.

Reaching Prime Ground With The Neo

The third and closing act: The most affordable DJI FPV Drone for $739 (or $639, for those who select the non-manual FPV flight).

The DJI Neo ( $200), DJI N3 FPV Goggles ($339), and DJI RC 3 ($200) (or the RC Movement 3 for $99, however let’s be actual, that is the closest you’ll fly trying like you’re utilizing a Nintendo WiiMote in 2025).

Okay, all the pieces goes in accordance with plan now. You started as a leisure drone flyer, merely flying a toy for household images throughout journeys or maybe in your Instagram feed. Now, you’ve got already bought the controller to take management of the drone and expertise the joys of hovering via the sky.

Nevertheless, what about these eccentric people who fly their drones with particular goggles straight over their eyes? And what concerning the awe-inspiring FPV movies we continuously encounter on You Tube? Are you saying that this small drone may also carry out these extraordinary feats?

And there you go once more, paying greater than twice the cash that you just pay for the drone. And what for? As a result of now you’re an FPV pilot. Let’s assume that you’re afraid of flying manually and crashing your valuable little drone. So, you purchase the RC Movement 3, the goggles, and begin flying the Neo.

Or higher but, start getting used to the presence of these small displays in entrance of your eyes. And the extra weight in your head. And the dizziness that happens once you, for the primary time in your life, really feel like you’re the Pilot in Command of a tiny plane… and start flying, pointing your joystick, I imply, your model new RC Movement Controller, within the path you need your drone to fly.

Welcome to what is perhaps probably the most thrilling improve but – the ultimate evolution in your drone’s journey! Similar to a Charmander evolving right into a mighty Charizard, your drone now options RockSteady and Horizon Balancing, making certain your flights look clean {and professional} quite than like a wild joyride.

Let’s be sincere although – for those who’re into FPV flying, you’re right here for the thrills: the spins, the dives, and people heart-stopping rolls. That’s precisely why the RC 3 is price each penny. What began as a $200 drone has reworked into your private FPV beast, and belief me, you received’t remorse a single second of this funding.

DJI knew precisely what they had been doing. They crafted this drone roadmap, and also you’ve adopted it completely. However right here’s the sensible half: they created a high-quality drone that’s each accessible and simple to fly, then let it develop alongside your abilities. It’s a masterfully executed plan that’s welcoming a complete new era of pilots to the skies.

I’m genuinely thrilled with their method, and I’m benefiting from each minute with this pocket-sized powerhouse. Whereas I’ll dive deeper into the technical features of images, flights, and video high quality later, I’ll say this: for those who’re serious about getting into the drone world, you couldn’t have picked a greater time.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Images courtesy of Rafael Suárez and DJI.